Nurses who are unhelpful during clinical

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hi, I am a first year 2nd semester RN nursing student. I recently was assigned my clinical placement at the Mission Memorial Hospital ECU or "complex care unit". Anyways, usually these types of settings have RCA's who work under one LPN, with one RN teamleader on staff. I found as a student, these RCA's were not interested in letting us do any care at all. When I was assertive saying that I was able to get the resident bathed, perform peri care, dressed and tranfered out of bed, she handed the resident off to me. However not even 5 minutes later she comes back tells me im taking too long, and swipes the cloth out of my hand.

I just need some advice on how to be more assertive and make the RCA's understand that it is important that i get a chance to perform AM care and that being thorough and complete is part of good nursing care, and part of being a student.

Thanks!!!! :)

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.

Don't let her swipe the cloth out of your hand...easy.

Tell her you have this patient, she can focus on the others. Be assertive, its a part of Nursing. Don't be mean but be assertive say, "DAMN IT WOMAN! RESPECT MA AUTHORITAAAAAAAA!"

They are testing you, challenging your abilities. If you give, they will push more. Stand your ground like she is a buffalo or something, run and they will trample you.

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Specializes in Home Care.

This is what I often do when starting a clinical rotation on a new floor. I like to meet the staff so I can learn from them and gain their trust.

Offer to assist the RCA and work as a team. Once you prove your abilities and gain their trust they'll be much more willing to let you do patient care on your own next time.

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I am just curious about what school you go to. I am part of the Region A Nursing Consortium and when we do clinicals, Mission is one of the places we go....

Thanks!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

you are young and new to allnurses. you can't make anyone do anything unless you are, perhaps, a supreme being with unlimited power. the world, including the world of nursing, is not perfect. these statements come from advice given to medical students on this website: http://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/thoughts.htm, but they apply as well to anyone, including nurses.

  • do the right thing. this applies to patient care and your dealings with colleagues and other health care workers. if something feels wrong, it probably is! the rules which govern your behavior in the world outside of medicine still apply, regardless of what others say or how they might act! this can be challenging, particularly when you are fatigued, in a subordinate position or working with others who don't have the same interests.
  • before deciding that another provider is an "idiot" for adopting what seems an unorthodox or inappropriate clinical approach, assume that it is you that are short some important historical data. give others the benefit of the doubt until you've had an opportunity to fully explore all the relevant information. and in those instances when it becomes apparent that mismanagement has occurred, focus on communication and education rather then derision and condescension.
  • you are not automatically endowed with the historical wisdom of a particular institution merely by walking through its doors. nor does this knowledge necessarily arrive with your white coat, degree or other advanced title. rather, this is something that's learned and earned, often on a daily basis.
  • be kind to others and yourself.

you can find assertiveness tutorials and information on these weblinks:

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

SuperSara,

I am part of the University of the Fraser Valley. And yes Mission ECU (i think its called stuart pavillion) is one of our Rotations for second semester, first year. We are there for 3 weeks. But have 3 rotations of UFV BSN students going through there... next up is Maternity.

In regards to what some people said.. its more or less the RCA's getting annoyed because we are slower and not taking shortcuts. For example, I use all the straps and snaps on a mechanical lift, and then i have the RCA's getting mad because im taking too long and they tell me not to bother to use them. When i say that it was the way i was taught and UFV requires me to do it this way, one of them told me she wont be letting me do it anymore since its an "inconvenience to her". I have told my instructor about this, and im not the only one who is having problems.

However i have been "getting in there" and helping as much as i can... telling them that i have some experience with othr residential care home settings. Im NOT saying that i know it all.. im a first year student, i know nothing... but im pretty sure im capable of brushing someones teeth and giving a bed bath.

Anyways, i find some nurses are willing to teach and take you under their wings... and others clearly state they have no interest in having an extra person that they are expected to teach :)

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
In regards to what some people said.. its more or less the RCA's getting annoyed because we are slower and not taking shortcuts. For example, I use all the straps and snaps on a mechanical lift, and then i have the RCA's getting mad because im taking too long and they tell me not to bother to use them. When i say that it was the way i was taught and UFV requires me to do it this way, one of them told me she wont be letting me do it anymore since its an "inconvenience to her". I have told my instructor about this, and im not the only one who is having problems.

However i have been "getting in there" and helping as much as i can... telling them that i have some experience with othr residential care home settings. Im NOT saying that i know it all.. im a first year student, i know nothing... but im pretty sure im capable of brushing someones teeth and giving a bed bath.

Anyways, i find some nurses are willing to teach and take you under their wings... and others clearly state they have no interest in having an extra person that they are expected to teach :)

And that is life. You will find that some nurse's behavior gets aggressive and even downright mean when they are under a lot of pressure. I'm not defending or excusing them, just stating a reality. If I were her manager and knew she were doing this I would be having words with her behind the closed door of my office and laying down some law to her about interactions with co-workers, including students. It doesn't mean that they are a bad person--just that they do not handle stress well. Some have had bad experiences with students in the past and take it out on any student they run in to. It just shows that they have a weak character and would rather use intimidation to show you how much power they have over you and those are self-esteem and confidence problems on their part. Chances are someone or someones have pounced on this particular nurse for things she has not done well or correctly and she takes the opportunity to take it out on anyone, particularly students, who she knows won't fight her back. It's the old one-upmanship thing or what I like to call the "Kick the Dog When You Get Home Syndrome". It should also make you determined not to be that way. As nurses we all have an obligation to mentor and teach the newbies that come along. Determine that you will be a role model and be kinder and patient with students when you are an RN. Carry on.

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