Nurses on the clinical floor

[FutureBSN17]

Hi guys,

I am in my med/surg clinicals; I have gone several times now. Everything is going smoothly and everyday I leave learning new tasks and how to improve for next time. I love it! I actually find I am less nervous each time as I get more comfortable. BUT, I am wondering something...

Before I start clincials each week, I introduce myself to the nurse and I let them know my plan for the day and if there is anything I can assist with, I would love the experience. However, I have noticed (and I don't know if it's my communication patterns) but many of the nurses are very short, even will not look us in the eye when asking clarification or even avoiding us (it seems) during our shift. I do realize they are busy and maybe annoyed at how many students they get..

How can I improve this so I can get the most out of clinicals? For the nurses, are there qualities you notice in students during clincials that make you more likely to give them information during care on the patient, or steer clear from the student? I am so eager to learn and to soak it all up but I feel the nurses don't want anything to do with us. Any thoughts?

Additionally, I completly understand the nurses are not professors and are not required to teach us anything, but some do give little hints or tell us what they are doing and why, or even invite us to watch tasks they are doing. I know this was all over the place, sorry!

[canigraduate]

First of all, look for the nurse that wants a student. It's a whole new world. Also, accept that there may not be anyone who wants you that day.

Med-surg nurses are some of the most overworked and least appreciated nurses in the whole hospital. I'm not trying to start a flame war, it has just been my experience. There are 50,000 things all happening at the same time, and a student is probably at 49,998 on the priority list.

If you want to catch a nurse's attention, be eager, knowledgeable, and teachable. Don't be wishy washy or hang back. Volunteer for everything, even the nasty stuff you don't want to do. Don't ask 100 questions about things you should have covered in class. And accept it when the nurse wants to teach you something that is different from what you learned in class.

Good luck!