In the hospitals where I have done clinicals thus far, I feel like some of the nurses hate the nursing students and others are delighted to see the students. I was wondering what the general concensus is about helping nursing students out by having them tag along. Do you get annoyed or do you find that they are helpful? Sometimes, I feel like everyone hates the students because it is extra work for them.
Also, what is the point of getting a BSN instead of a ADN if you do not plan to move up from being a floor nurse?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and responding. It is very appreciated.
I think this is split 50-50.some are annoyed and some love it--I like to have them around as I enjoy teaching--I remember when I was a student I had a nurse show me tricks for a clogged peg tube--I thought I would never know anything at that time--now I am showing students my "tricks"--we have an instructor however, that sits in the beauty shop-where they set up when they are there- and the students have to go to her..I remember my instructors always being up our rear when I was a student--and as said before--I do notice some of them with "better than thou" attitudes--I really think as a student you need to be humble and realize that other nurses have frogotten more than they know right at that point!! AND you NEVER EVER stop learning no matter what degree you have--most of the time I ask the students if they have seen something--if not, I drag them along!!!:)
Both - I am a new graduate & have only been off orientation for a month, but I've already had student nurses assigned to me! It seems so strange. When I was a student, I was made to feel a lot of the time that I was a nuisance to the nurses I followed. I had a few great nurse preceptors, but mainly we were "in the way". Now as a nurse, if the student is respectful and completes the tasks they are to do, I think it's great. I have a great time educating them, and helping them out. It is when they don't report off to me (about the patient I'M responsible for) or pass meds at the correct times that gets on my nerves. I work on a very busy med/surg vascular/cardiothoracic unit, and our patients are all on constant telemetry. This added responsibility can be overwhelming to students (and me at times!), and when they don't ask for help, they're asking for trouble!
We have 3 local BSN programs in this area, and soon as i read this, it reminded me of one of them. I remember quite a few saying things like "Um, eyeew, like, i'm not touching a bedpan, that's like so gross." Course it didn't help when their instructor is telling them "When you're a nurse, you don't have to do these things, you'll have CNAs."
Actually, as a student in a BSN program, I was told in class that it was very important to regularly get involved with bed making, bed pans, etc. because (1) it is supposed to be a good way to check in on patients, and (2) it builds teamwork with the other people you're working with.
And, frankly, I can't imagine anyone going to nursing school, no matter what the degree, and thinking they can (or should) avoid bodily functions. But, I guess it happens.
Gosh, I hope I don't have to work with the cocky types after I graduate...!!
I have been very lucky. All through nursing school and new grad orientation I had had wonderful nurses who were helpful. Some more excited about student than others, but everyone at least tried to be helpful.
The only bad experience I had was my first preceptor as a new grad. I questioned her practice on a few things, particularly the way she gave IV push meds (she used needles to draw up even though we have needleless system in place, used an insulin syringe to draw up and give IV dilaudid, plus did not dilute 1mL of dilaudid (how do you push that over 1-2 minutes?) and also her behavior with a few patients (she gave her phone/email to a few patients and asking them to set her up with cute guys they knew which I didn't think was professional) she got defensive and made my life hell thereafter with the manager and other nurses, spreading rumors, etc. Things are ok with her now (we work different shifts) and I give/receive report from her and am friendly and professional but I will never forget the things she said.
I understand we all have different ways of doing things and that is fine but I just asked her why she was doing things a certain way and she would get hostile. Plus, she told me my way was WRONG.
In the hospitals where I have done clinicals thus far, I feel like some of the nurses hate the nursing students and others are delighted to see the students. I was wondering what the general concensus is about helping nursing students out by having them tag along. Do you get annoyed or do you find that they are helpful? Sometimes, I feel like everyone hates the students because it is extra work for them.
Also, what is the point of getting a BSN instead of a ADN if you do not plan to move up from being a floor nurse?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and responding. It is very appreciated.
It really isn't necessary to dilute it to push it...you just have to push in very small increments. I've pushed small amounts like that, and I know others who have, too. I don't think that makes us bad nurses; we just do it differently from what you may choose to do. Often, there's more than one way to do something.
I personally wouldn't use needles if there is a needleless system available. However, many of us were used to having to use needles for so long, that sometimes we lapse into the old way of doing things. (That doesn't make us bad, either.)
As far as using the insulin syringe, a full syringe= 1ml, if I remember correctly. I personally wouldn't have used an insulin syringe, but as I said, there are several ways to do many procedures. Some may be better than others.
It depends on the student, the nurse preceptor, and the unit itself. I personally have seen other nurses be mean to student nurses, and even ignore their presence altogether. Though I don't endorse that type of behavior, it is especially hard on our unit because, just like all units, we have been busy, but without more staff, so the assignments are heavier. Then to have a student can be even more overwhelming to the nurse. There are also two sides to every story. Just the other morning, I was trying to give signout and two student nurses came to the unit (at 7:10, mind you, whatever happened to showing up at like 6:15 to look at the charts and get yourself together?) and then proceeded to grab a chart on a chronic patient that we had. Obviously the word had spread throughout their class about this pediatric patient who has a syndrome with cranial abnormalities, because the two knew exactly which chart to start looking at. Instead of waiting until the end of the report to look through the chart, they take it while I'm talking so of course as I try to go over orders, I can't find my chart. I had to ask for it back and then at the end of report, the oncoming nurse and I walk to the patient's bedside to look over a few things. I turn around and literally run into the student nurses. They was right up behind me! I love to teach and don't mind students, but students need to be respectful as well, and for goodness sakes, if you want to read through the chart, show up a few minutes early or wait until after report! As for LPN vs. ADN vs. BSN, I've had students from all three and there's cocky ones in all of them. Hope this helps...
In the hospitals where I have done clinicals thus far, I feel like some of the nurses hate the nursing students and others are delighted to see the students. I was wondering what the general concensus is about helping nursing students out by having them tag along. Do you get annoyed or do you find that they are helpful? Sometimes, I feel like everyone hates the students because it is extra work for them.
Also, what is the point of getting a BSN instead of a ADN if you do not plan to move up from being a floor nurse?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and responding. It is very appreciated.
Well, we all started out as nursing students. So, I'm always willing to have a nursing student with me. How the day goes after that depends on the nsg students DAE.
Desire
Attitude
Effort
Seriously, I'm always eager to help out nsg students. BTW, a BSN is good to have if you ever decide to pursue an MSN program [and/or desire AD Army Nurse Corps], at least thats my take on it. Pursued my BSN d/t desire to apply for US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing.
I think it also depends on the student .... I did have one that I reported to her clinical instructor. She was very rude and made inappropriate comentary on my patients, instead of refering to them by name she seemed to have issues with obese patients and she kept refering to my pt as the "fatty in rm 401" did not sit real well with me and I called her on it but she just kept saying it with this smirky grin...well, needless to say she did not smile at all after her clinical instructor got thru with her...
Otherwise... I love students and enjoy participating in the learning process
We have plenty of CNAs at all hospitals in San Diego except for the VA where the nurses need BSNs AND do total pt care. Even our postpartum unit has CNAs, even on night shift.
In California CNAs are reserved for nursing homes. Once good' ol Arnie changed the nursing ratios the hospitals could not afford to keep CNAs. Now, even though the have 'better nursing ratios' they have to do twice the work. So if your a student in California working in the hospital setting, do not be suprised to be changing beds and bed pans yourself.
Actually, as a student in a BSN program, I was told in class that it was very important to regularly get involved with bed making, bed pans, etc. because (1) it is supposed to be a good way to check in on patients, and (2) it builds teamwork with the other people you're working with.
And, frankly, I can't imagine anyone going to nursing school, no matter what the degree, and thinking they can (or should) avoid bodily functions. But, I guess it happens.
Gosh, I hope I don't have to work with the cocky types after I graduate...!!
Well that's just it, one of the instructors from another school, i've heard her say repeatedly "there isn't squat on these floor that you're too good to do." I've also noticed that those new grads are great to work with, because they pitch in for anything.
I had students the other day, along with 8 patients of my own and precepting a new nurse. I noticed the meds weren't signed out on the patient the student had. When I asked the student about it "you didn't ask me to pass her meds". (They are about to graduate in December and yes are passing meds.)
I love having students, but if anyone says they make my job easier, we're going to have to sit down and have a talk.:rotfl:
I haven't read all of the posts yet but would like to add my own.
As others have said, it depends on the student. Some are great, ask appropiate questions, and really do help out with the patient. Others ask questions that you know they, as students with 2 clinicals under their belt, should know. I know we have been there, but if you are still having trouble taking BP's after a year in the program, you need to work on that in the skills lab- not with the floor RN's.
As for the BSN vs ADN route. I know it has been extensivly been debated here. If you truly have not ambitions to pursue a highger level of nursing or an MSN, think of this. A BSN course offers more than just nursing courses. These include art, literature, history etc. These courses, while they don't help with your patient assessment, will help you be a well rounded, well educated person. Courses like religious studies or sociology can help you to better understand your patient. And those like english comp. can help you write better and speak better. Just my opinion.
lbennett_71
8 Posts
I think this is split 50-50.some are annoyed and some love it--I like to have them around as I enjoy teaching--I remember when I was a student I had a nurse show me tricks for a clogged peg tube--I thought I would never know anything at that time--now I am showing students my "tricks"--we have an instructor however, that sits in the beauty shop-where they set up when they are there- and the students have to go to her..I remember my instructors always being up our rear when I was a student--and as said before--I do notice some of them with "better than thou" attitudes--I really think as a student you need to be humble and realize that other nurses have frogotten more than they know right at that point!! AND you NEVER EVER stop learning no matter what degree you have--most of the time I ask the students if they have seen something--if not, I drag them along!!!:)