why do some nurses forget that they were once students?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

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

The type of nurses you are talking about are not just nasty to students, they are nasty to new nurses, old nurses, CNAs, etc.

They probably go home and yell at their kids too much and kick their dog. Some people are just like that. Yes, some of these people are nurses, some are lawyers, some are teachers some are cops, a lot of them are docs, lol.

I don't think it's just a student thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I love having students. I have had quite a few final practicum students, and also we have all semesters on our floor. To say the students "lighten the load" is a misconception. I do not rely on the Instructor to double check everything, that is my responsibility, they are still my patients! I actually find it more work if there are students on the floor.

Now...what are we drinking over here??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

During my nurse training in the UK, I had a 8 week rostered medical placement. The charge nurse said to all the students that we had to work all weekends, so that the regular nurses got them off. I missed out on my Aunt 50th birthday party......Should have called in sick...

Needless to say, Once I qualified I never worked there.......................

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just read and responded to another post like this one. And I think that every new member should be allowed to ask a question should they choose to. If its a topic you are tired of, please don't address the issue. As for the issue itself, I am a CNA and starting the program this fall. I have worked at a hospital for the past two years and I can assure you that all nurses do not hate students and they (on a normal day) wouldn't mind precepting at all. However, when you graduate and you are coming in for your fourth 12 hr day in a row, have the same crappy CNA that smokes about 30 cigarettes each break and always dissappears on diaper rounds, and you get the same assignment of two ETOHs in the second day of DTs, a COPDer on a 100% faceshield and the o2 level is still barely 85, a 27 year old who just can't make it 20 more minutes for her morphine and phenegran cocktail, and then "oh by the way, Jane Doe from the college will be working with you today and I'm not sure what she can or cannot do". It will really change your perspective on what makes a B****y nurse. It's a very stressful job and there's days I have seen my nurses on the verge of a breakdown, but they love it. Just don't make any judgement until you find out the whole deal. Some may really hate students, most are probably just stressed or tired.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As one who just jumped from student to RN, I gotta say that being on this end of things is HARD!! Sometimes the students are great, and want to learn and are active and all you gotta do is bat clean up (and make sure everything got done and be a resource) but other times you have to rearrange your schedule to work around the student and accomodate them. (First and last time that will happen) Last day there were students on the floor, I was working primary (4 pts). Students had 2 of the pts. They were giving PO meds, each had 2 pts. They DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO DO AM CARE--THEY WERE GIVING MEDS.. WTF?!?! You are here for 5 hours!! Whatever...did it myself. Ultimately it's my azz on the line if things aren't done or are done incorrectly. Impossible to recognize this when you haven't stood there. My respect for all the nurses who are awesome with students has doubled!! I'm totally not sour on students, but enough like that could make anyone, don't you think??

I'll take a beer please, whatever's on tap. I'm a simple girl :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by HerEyes73

OBNURSEHEATHER ~ I hope you didn't steal those little cups off of someone's med cart?

:eek:

:rotfl:
Up Vote Up Vote ×

AND THEY WONDER WHY THEY SAY, "NURSES EAT THEIR YOUNG" THIS THREAD IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE. CAN'T EVEN HAVE AN OPINION WITHOUT SOMEONE GETTING AN ATTITUDE. My advice get through nursing school and make sure you don't mistreat up and coming students. I had some real crones when I was learning but I have tough skin and never til this day I have treated new nurses like dirt. I find them refreshing and often finding myself reflect on why I became a nurse. I would start a student forum just for many new nurses since obviously you can't get love here just remember not all of us think bad about students okay :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by ayemmeff

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

my exact thought when i saw the title!!!

vodka-tall-sm.jpg

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by caroladybelle

I personally am still waiting for my Godiva chocolate martini to waltz its way over from latest RN/LPN thread.

The waiter's tip will reflect this poor service.

364-z.jpg
Up Vote Up Vote ×
originally posted by kelligrl

....sometimes the students are great, and want to learn and are active and all you gotta do is bat clean up (and make sure everything got done and be a resource) but other times you have to rearrange your schedule to work around the student and accomodate them. .....ultimately it's my azz on the line if things aren't done or are done incorrectly. impossible to recognize this when you haven't stood there. ....

ex-farging-zactly!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think another reason why you are getting so many replies is that this post has been mislaid. It is in "general nursing discussion" rather than the forum alotted to it for students. Just a thought...

Usually SJOE comes in to remind us to post in the students area. Where are ya Joe????

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I know you weren't saying "all nurses hate students". In the real world you are going to have to live with all us. Grumpy ones, drunks ones, and helpful ones.

Also remember, despite the fact that you guys are helping, the licensed nurses are still responsible for their assessments and meds, and plan of care. Having to stop, slow down and answer questions, look for missing charts and paperwork, and work with a student disrupts their "routine" and isn't as easy as you presume it to be. If they are wearing their stress on their sleeves a bit, put yourself in their shoes.

And as was said. Some people are mean, and you just ignore them. Some people are lazy and when students are around they have to act professional and work. There are some people who feel threatened by students, students point out what they don't know, what they are doing wrong. Students I found can also be very judgemental, running around whispers "Can you believe that nurse did...such and such....", and this can sour relationships and cause judgement in return.

Take look at yourself and you can look at others differently....isn't that a song?

We all were students once. I try to remember that and treat students respectfully., and I mean no disrespect to you. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment