? for Nurses who deal with nursing students

live4today, RN · Feb 22, 2006

Hello! Just keep in mind that people are people, and people are known to either disappoint, surprise, embrace, be rude to, and/or welcome with a great attitude other people - no matter whether you are meeting people in the work place, or socially. Nurses are people. Putting on the uniform everyday to go care for sick people does not change their everyday personality. You just approach people the way you normally would -- let your own personality shine through as you continue being yourself. If someone shuns you, or treats you mean...do NOT personalize their attitude. If you do, it may ruin your otherwise happy clinical experiences by putting a damper on your own mood. You shouldn't react to others behavior and personality traits that are different than your own. Expect the good with the bad, and just be you. :nurse:

AllyRN82, MSN, APRN · Feb 23, 2006

Hello! If someone shuns you, or treats you mean...do NOT personalize their attitude. If you do, it may ruin your otherwise happy clinical experiences by putting a damper on your own mood. You shouldn't react to others behavior and personality traits that are different than your own. Expect the good with the bad, and just be you.

This is very helpful. I never thought to think about it in this way. Thank you

chaosRN, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2006

I really like students on our floor. (CVICU) I just love showing students (or anyone) things they have never seen before, or telling them things they haven't heard. Such as new procedures, tidbits of information. Most students are great!! :yeah:

I have seen one student not go over so well with the nurses. The problem...she just stood there :yawn: . Not asking questions, not offering to help, not wanting to learn. When we asked her to do something (take vital signs) we would get a "I just don't want to". When we asked her if she wanted to see something, or wanted to do something, we'd get the same reply.."I don't want to". :rolleyes: When asked why, she'd shrug her shoulders. We never saw her on our floor again. The other students I've come in contact with are eager to learn, and excited to see/hear something new. Students are appreciated on our floor, for the help, but also the staff I work with like to teach.

My personal advise & 2 cents...at least look interested. Even if you don't like the floor you're on, you may learn something.

This advise come from a nurse who likes students.:wink2:

QTRN74 · Feb 23, 2006

I love to precept, but I hate it when I get a student who acts like she/he knows more than I do.

I also get annoyed when a student is lazy and does not do her homework. In my hospital the student's teacher comes the night before to the hospital to pick out assignments and then calls the students to inform them of their patients for the next day. If a student does not look up a diagnosis prior to coming, she is failing the patient she is taking care of. Example: I had a patient who had a colonoscopy performed for necrotic bowel. The student was shocked (in front of the patient) that he had a "bag down there". She looked very unprofessional.

Also, look up all medications BEFORE giving them. Know exactly what each is for and double check the dose!

Lastly, SMILE! Patients want to see "happy" faces taking care of them...not scared, angry, or even depressed staff.

Good luck to you!

fotografe · Feb 23, 2006

I always ask my assigned nurse how much she/he wants to be involved with what I do on the floor. Some want to be there when I do assessments, some want me to report to them throughout the day what is going on, some want me to only report off as I leave. Some are happy to show me whatever they are doing and let me ask lots of questions, and some want me to always go to my instructor and leave them to care for their other patients. I do keep in mind that at the end of the day they are the nurse responsible for the patient I am assigned, so I make sure I do everything expected and keep meticulous notes. When I have a lull, I always ask if there is anything I can do to help them. I think when you get out in the open right from the beginning expectations from both ends, you have a smoother running day.

Hello,
I am about to begin my clinicals at the hospital and I was told that some nurses don't like nursing students around. I don't know if this is true but I thought I would ask my question.
What is it that I can do to assure that I don't bother any of the nurses? That is the last thing I would want to do! Does anyone have any suggestions or problems you've had in the past that I could make sure NOT to do? I would really appreciate any input :)
If there is already a post about this- could you kindly direct me there?
Thank you !!

Katie612 · Feb 23, 2006

I just graduated in December, and unfortunately- there are nurses who hate students. I don't really think you should be so concerned about "bothering the nurses." Your number one concern is to deliver safe patient care and if you need to ask a question or need help and your instructor isn't around, you will have to ask the patient's nurse. Ultimately, it is their patient and their responsibility, so they will likely want to help if you have questions. Make sure you make it clear that you are willing to learn and help the nurse anyway you can. Be humble, admit when you don't know something. If someone is rude, brush it off. Every nurse was once a student, so I have no idea why some of them can be so awful!!

Most nurses are willing to have students and share their knowledge and experience though. If you get a bad apple, ask your instructor to pair you with a different nurse. Be respectful, but don't let them walk all over you. You are there to learn, you have a right to be there! Good luck, hang in there!

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2006

Hello! Just keep in mind that people are people, and people are known to either disappoint, surprise, embrace, be rude to, and/or welcome with a great attitude other people - no matter whether you are meeting people in the work place, or socially. Nurses are people. Putting on the uniform everyday to go care for sick people does not change their everyday personality. You just approach people the way you normally would -- let your own personality shine through as you continue being yourself. If someone shuns you, or treats you mean...do NOT personalize their attitude. If you do, it may ruin your otherwise happy clinical experiences by putting a damper on your own mood. You shouldn't react to others behavior and personality traits that are different than your own. Expect the good with the bad, and just be you.

I love having students. And I try to really challenge them so they can see that they know more than they think they do.

One thing I will ask students to NOT do is chit chat about last night's date, the lastest American Idol etc. Please be professional and leave that for lunch or break. Be involved, be eager, be respectful and you won't have a problem. Keep your ear to the buzz of the unit and offer to either do a procedure or at least watch it. i.e. NG tube, IV start etc. Hanging blood, inserting a foley... Even if it's not your patient or a patient of the nurse you're working with.. While meds and their actions and reactions are important so is a good bath. If you are there for 4 hours and have one patient. Please bathe that patient and change that bed. It is part of nursing..

OK I'm getting down...But you did ask...LOLLLL

TazziRN, RN · Feb 23, 2006

I love having students follow me, but there have been some that frustrated me. Ask questions but make sure you wait for an appropriate moment. Don't sit and wait to be told what to do, ask if you can help. The last student I had ended up hanging around with my tech and I finally gave up on her. She had so many opportunities to do things but lost out because she seemed uninterested.

PhoenixGirl · Feb 23, 2006

I'm currently going through clinicals. IMO the best thing you can do is dive in and HELP! Ask them if they need you to do anything, also ask them if they have anything "new and exciting" for students to assist with, to pls call you to watch. Also never forget to say "THANK YOU" when you are leaving, because it can make a good impression for when you come back to that hospital again for more clinical.

I recently had a wonderful clinical day where all the nurses were receptive and taught us a lot. We got to dive in to this emergency hemorrage which was great because we got in their to do the cleaning and vitals and since we were helping out with the grunt work I think the nurses were so receptive to us and guided us in administering some meds and doing some labs.

Also, the like previous post, don't take any negative attitudes to heart. Sometimes people are just plain mean or rude, or maybe they are having a bad day in a stressful job. You never know so don't ever take it personal. I've noticed i can have a horrible clinical day, come back to the same hospital a week later and have an awesome day.

I've also spoken up in certain situations where things were said that were kind of weird. IN a c-sec the nurse was letting me catch the baby and one of the doctors said to me "now you know you better not drop it!!!" I just kinda laughed and said "i got two kids and haven't dropped one yet!" and then he laughed and lightened up and said he liked students with a sense of humor. Last week another nurse spoke out kind of sarcastically with a "blame the students!" comment. I told him "awww, don't say that, we bring good luck!" and he kind of lightened up too. Just be cordial and help out as much as you can. One of my classmates once told a nurse when asked to help clean a pt "uh, that's not my patient, I won't do it." Needless to say, he got a rep for a crappy attitude.

preNURSsdt · Feb 23, 2006

this is all really good advice, good question. I love learning new things in the hospital and I feel like as long as you are a do-er and not a watcher or a wall hugger people like you better. I just try to do all that i can without pissing off the nurses, thats the last thing I want to do. I had one scream at me one day, I was really upset but I later found out she was having a load of personal problems and now I just let that kind of stuff slide off my back and smile at them. kill em with kindness. :) good luck and keep me posted on any more advice.

irishnurse67 · Feb 23, 2006

Hello,
I am about to begin my clinicals at the hospital and I was told that some nurses don't like nursing students around. I don't know if this is true but I thought I would ask my question.
What is it that I can do to assure that I don't bother any of the nurses? That is the last thing I would want to do! Does anyone have any suggestions or problems you've had in the past that I could make sure NOT to do? I would really appreciate any input :)
If there is already a post about this- could you kindly direct me there?
Thank you !!

P