why do some nurses forget that they were once students?

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Hi guys!

Okay here's the situation. I'm in my clinical rotation on a med/surg floor, why is it that the nurses there threat us students (who are helping them out with their pt loads)like we are in the way and causing them so much inconvience?

Don't get me wrong, I have worked alongside a few Nurses that care about the students and want us to learn. But, MAN! there are 4 nurses on the floor that give all the nursing students such a hard time.

I dont get it. We lighten their loads enormously, give meds, iv and inj, do all assesments ,paperwork,almost everything and they give us such a hard time.

Are there any nurses out there who have worked with students , could you pls give me some insight on how nurses REALLY feel about nursing students?:confused:

thanks

geleesa

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Ask the 4 nurses on the floor. And do a search.

Sorry. I don't mean to sound grumpy. This is one of many topics that has been discussed and discussed and discussed. The all or nothing thing doesn't work. Not ALL nurses don't like students, and in fact the majority of them do....

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Is there a conspiracy to keep us all drunk?????:D

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When and if someone is mean, spiteful, or giving you a wrong vibe, confront them. Be polite, not AGGRESSIVE and ask them if there is a problem or what you could do. My mother used to say "Kill them with kindness." I've used this in the past and most have fumbled a reply and realize that they are the idiot's for behaving that way. Assertiveness....not aggressiveness!!!!

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sorry i didnt know this topic has been discussed several times befor. Im new here and respect the fact that the people who respond to others on this site are generally kind and honest. If you didnt "mean to sound grumpy" dont say "grumpy things"

I have a feeling you dont like students.

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You would be quite wrong toots. I not only like them....I teach them. You are welcome to come to my place of business anytime and ask any student how I treat them.

I pointed out that it has been discussed so that you could do a search. And as Sarah and I both mentioned, ask the nurses you are having problems with. Don't lump us all together.

And this time I AM grumpy. Not offering apology this time.

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Specializes in everything but OR.

Geleesa...are you ready for a real answer now? I've been a nurse for 15 years and still have not forgotten the nursing school years. Like you, there were a few RN's who were pretty brutal...the good thing about my experience is I will NEVER forget what it was like to be a student. The bad thing was that it happened and still does. My theory of why some nurses feel they need to behave that way has many layers but the main factor may be a power thing. If you feel powerless, worthless, frustrated, with a little self-doubt/poor self-esteem and ignorance thrown in the soup...who better than a student to make you look better?! This issue is not exclusive to nurses; so I hope you don't get the wrong idea. There are great nurses out there and do what I did ...learn from your experience and when you graduate...choose how you are going to behave towards those you teach and work with. Good luck

Catherine Zimmer RN

:D

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thanks catherine....

I dont really let it get to me. But it makes the day sooooo tough to get through. I know that when i grad and if i ever get the opportunity and pleasure to work with students, I will never act that way. It makes no sense!

So if there are any nurses out there that are reading this...........

be nicer to the students.......we will be the ones taking care of YOU!:eek:

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I am also a student...we have identified the few nurses on our floor who are NASTY to students and they are just not assigned any students. One in particular is down right HORRID...calls names, degrades, etc (she, incidentally was actually written up for her behavior).

The majority of nurses I've encountered are GRATEFUL for the help and willing to teach (so a certain extent). I find that if I have done my homework and know going into the day what is "wrong" with my patient, etc...they are much more willing to help. I also carry a little notebook in my pocket and if they give me a nugget of wisdom - I write that sucker down immediately (and give them credit too! so I remember where I leared that tidbit in the future).

Along the same lines...if you have a great RN - tell her you appreciated her time and thank her before you leave AND let your instructor Know that Nurse so and so was great to work with - maybe her supervisor will hear it too?? Just a thought.

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geleesa, Don't worry about whether or not the topic has been discussed ad nauseum, to you it's new and each student's situation is different. Baseline did not mean to come across as grumpy, but by dismissing you to the "search" area, she did come across to me as dismissing your immediate concern. What you need is feedback, today, addressed to YOU which addresses your feeings. True, not all nurses are nice to students. Those 4 nurses on the floor obviously have forgotten the tension and fear of a new student.They should be grateful for the help. I know I would appreciate it! Don't worry, there are many of us who care about what you are going through and work to try to make it just a bit easier for you! ;)

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Lots of good advice given...I don't really have anything to add, just wanted to say good luck with the rest of your school! :)

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

You know.......some people in this world are just mean, mean, mean.

Students are a treat. So don't let those four get you down.

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