Nurse Extern

[Karou]

Hello Allnurses! This is my first post to make myself, so I hope I am putting it in the correct spot. My question is for Nurse Externs or those who have mentored one. I would like to hear about your experience (was it good or bad) and anything that your mentor did that you found helpful or learned from. For the mentors, do you have any helpful advice for mentoring a Nurse Extern?

For those who do not know what a Nurse Extern is, it is a nursing student hired to be mentored by a RN. After the externship is over we usually hire them as PCT's as well. In my case the Extern will be with me for two months and do everything with me. They can do anything except administer medication. So IV sticks, NGT insertion, wound care, foleys, ect... are all okay. This will be my first time as a mentor and although I have gotten great advice from my coworkers, I am a little nervous. I am generally shy and quiet, so I hope that I do not come off as not being confident. I want to be able to teach this person and give them a good experience.

My biggest fear is when it comes to showing/teaching IV insertion. It is not my best skill by far. I always try once (or twice, if the patient is willing), then get someone else. My plan is to be honest with the Extern that this is a skill I am still learning to do well, and offer to have her watch and insert IV's with some of our IV champions so that she can get good experience. I will of course try myself first, but I think she will benefit from learning this still from others as well.

Any shared experience or advice would be appreciated! Thank you.

[annaotis]

You are already on your way to being a great mentor because you have expressed your willingness to teach and guide your extern. I am sure he/she will appreciate your honesty when teaching, admitting your strengths and weaknesses. That doesn't make you appear less confident, but genuine. You only get good at a skill by getting exposure/experience over and over again. I was an extern and have mentored externs. Best advice- be patient and encouraging. Expose your extern to as many experiences as possible. This will take extra time on your part. But this is how he/she will learn. Also, know the extern's scope of practice. There will be a lot of things they can do, but some very specific, important skills/tasks they will not be allowed to do. They can always observe, so talk your way through tasks so they can learn in those situations too. You will be awesome! Good luck and enjoy the experience!

[richardgecko]

I'm currently a nurse intern, 6 mos away from graduation (whew, that sounds funny on paper!)

As far as IV insertion, I have followed some IV queens around the floor and picked up some of their tips & tricks; however, I did my best when I am alone and I don't have a mentor standing over my shoulder making me ridiculously nervous. The first few tries I'd have my mentor literally 6 inches away from my elbow. My hand would shake uncontrollably as I advanced the catheter and the vein would blow every time.

I work on a floor with notoriously hard sticks. Most of our patients are elderly with onion peel skin & are either extremely edematous or extremely dehydrated. I didn't get a good stick until my mentor sent me in the room to do it by myself. I did everything I had been taught and I advanced the catheter like a pro!!! And the vein didn't blow (granted I did make a huge mess because no one taught me about applying pressure just above the catheter to stop the blood flow, lol )!!! The key was to relax and not have a second set of eyes watching my every move in addition to the patient and family.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I admire your commitment to the mentoring role. I am sure your 'newbie' will benefit from this.

However, placing too much emphasis on technical skills will detract from the 'real' work of nurses.... we are knowledge workers. Our most important role is the effective management of care which incorporates much more than performing tasks. Don't feel bad if you are not super-skilled in tasks such as IV starts or placing foleys/NGs. Heck, I never mastered making occupied beds -- thank heavens for skilled CNAs!

[Karou]

I have received some great advice! Thank you all.

I met the Extern and we had our first shift together. It turned out to be a busy night with two of our six patients requiring a lot of interventions, calling physicians, and reassessments. I found myself talking through everything as I did it, explaining why It has significant/important. My voice was hoorifice when I clocked out! It took me a little longer to do things, I almost got behind, but I really enjoyed it. At the end of the night she told me that she felt she had learned a lot. I actually really enjoyed having someone to teach, even if it was rushed at times.

[cgambino70]

It is really amazing to see people like you willing to take someone under their wing and show them what you have learned. I am in nursing school now and am looking for an extern position. My goal is to be able to be a preceptor or a mentor in the future. In my clinicals I have come across nurses that love to embrace students and have patience and will explain everything, and others who don't want to be bothered. They need to understand that they were in our shoes once also. All we want to do is learn. We are willing to do most of the work if they are willing to teach us. Kudos to you.