Nursing student asks nurses the question..

[2bNurseDR.T]

So as a third semester nursing student, myself and many of my fellow colleagues often wonder the same thing. Why is it that when we go to clinical, about 75% of the nurses act snobby and like it's some huge ordeal that we are there in "their space"? They were all nursing students at some point as well, students who wanted to learn skills and gain experience while at their clinicals. I often dread clinical due to feeling as I am in the way or that I am annoying a "seasoned" nurse. One would think, that as a nurse you'd want future nurses to gain as much experience and knowledge as they can while they're in school. So the point of this post, I would like to and I'm sure many other nursing students would like to know; why is it necessary to be rude and someone who doesn't want to help students learn or why is it necessary to not explain stuff to the student when they ask? I'm not trying to be conniving, I honestly just want to know, so that maybe I can understand.

P.S. I'm not saying this is true for ALL nurse's, as there are some that are amazing and share their knowledge and expertise.

Thank you.

[Cab411]

I am a new RN, but an experienced LVN of almost 7 years. I had students as an LVN and it depended on the students themselves if the day was going to be good or bad. Some drove me nuts, they put pill bottles back wrong, misplaced meds, mars, but i tried to maintain profrssionalism and i did. The instructor was awesome and always there to asnwer questions.

As a recent RN grad, i really came about working with my assigned RN's differently. I always said, "i am a 4th semester nursing student, lvn for 6 years, i can do all skills as long as your present, give all meds. Let me know what wors for you. Ill do all the charting and then u can sign it as well." Some days the nurses were so greatful i did all the work and charting other times it was so dam busy it turned into both if us tag teaming together to get tasks done and i understood the learning factor was on the backburner. You just have to flow with your day and respect that as a student you are entering their day and their patients care.we also worked 12 hour clinicals

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I'm trying to understand what you have 4 years of experience in and how you specialize in ICU, trauma, and M/S if you're currently a student.

I believe the OP is a tech.

[2bNurseDR.T]

I'm trying to understand what you have 4 years of experience in and how you specialize in ICU, trauma, and M/S if you're currently a student.

I've worked the past 4 years as a tech. 2 years M/S and 2 years Trauma ICU in a Level 1 trauma center. We do Foley insertions, lab draws (with a butterfly or a VAMP if they have an A-line), trach care, hypopharyngeal suction, set up pressure lines, assist in bedside procedures with the team, help in codes, ECG monitoring, dc A-lines (except for Femorals), etc. Is that not experience?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

To be fair, OP, your profile says that is nursing experience.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I've worked the past 4 years as a tech. 2 years M/S and 2 years Trauma ICU in a Level 1 trauma center. We do Foley insertions, lab draws (with a butterfly or a VAMP if they have an A-line), trach care, hypopharyngeal suction, set up pressure lines, assist in bedside procedures with the team, help in codes, ECG monitoring, dc A-lines (except for Femorals), etc. Is that not experience?

"Skills" do not encompass "thinking like a nurse".

Yes, you have skills, and knowledge of skills; again, once you start learning about the BIG picture, seeing the forest AND the trees, the WHYs of the procedures, and HOW to minimize complications of managing a critical care patient when it's all on YOU the licensed nurse, you will understand...you are still learning that integral part of what the nursing model is all about.

One of the adages of nursing that is shared is this: skills are secondary, they can be learned quicker and are far EASIER than thinking like a nurse; thinking like a nurse is very important, even in the grand schemes of nursing procedures.

[2bNurseDR.T]

To be fair, OP, your profile says that is nursing experience.

My apologies, I didn't realize that it did, the only thing I see is "years of experience" listed.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

My apologies, I didn't realize that it did, the only thing I see is "years of experience" listed.

You can always go into your account settings and add that you are a tech, so it will be much clearer.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

It does say nursing student, but we also see this that says nursing specialties and nursing experience:

[2bNurseDR.T]

"Skills" do not encompass "thinking like a nurse".

Yes, you have skills, and knowledge of skills; again, once you start learning about the BIG picture, seeing the forest AND the trees, the WHYs of the procedures, and HOW to minimize complications of managing a critical care patient when it's all on YOU the licensed nurse, you will understand...you are still learning that integral part of what the nursing model is all about.

One of the adages of nursing that is shared is this: skills are secondary, they can be learned quicker and are far EASIER than thinking like a nurse; thinking like a nurse is very important, even in the grand schemes of nursing procedures.

I understand that skills do not encompass thinking as a nurse. I never claimed to think like a nurse. I was just answering a question regarding my experience. There's a lot that goes into thinking like a nurse. Do I believe I'm at that point yet? No, not yet.. but I feel like I am starting to, slowly. Not fully. but in some regards, I believe that I do. Hopefully, by the time that I graduate in a few months I'll have a better understanding of the nursing thought process. 😀

[2bNurseDR.T]

It does say nursing student, but we also see this that says nursing specialties and nursing experience:

That's odd. Mine shows up as this;

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I understand that skills do not encompass thinking as a nurse. I never claimed to think like a nurse. I was just answering a question regarding my experience. There's a lot that goes into thinking like a nurse. Do I believe I'm at that point yet? No, not yet.. but I feel like I am starting to, slowly. Not fully. but in some regards, I believe that I do. Hopefully, by the time that I graduate in a few months I'll have a better understanding of the nursing thought process. [emoji3]

I know you didn't, but many fall into the fallacy that having knowledge and competency in "nursing skills" "counts" for something, when in reality, there are caregivers that are trained in such those skills and care for their loved ones in an emergency or because insurance companies do not give around the clock care-so they have knowledge about nursing "skills", and have some knowledge of the while, but don't encompass what WE do; that falls into many levels of the healthcare team, especially when one hasn't enrolled or been educated in that area, especially in the roles of being an nurse, whether it be an LPN or an RN.

To keep in mind, you are also going to go through a process of being a "novice to expert"; and even when you have that knowledge of being an "expert", it would be for continuance to knowledge, because healthcare is so fluid, we will NEVER know everything-always keep that in perspective.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

The last student I had was a surprise. After report the instructor came over with him and asked if I would take a student...yes. She said "he's in his third semester" and that was it regarding his skills and preparation. Luckily I knew she taught LPNs or I could have had a dietary student. I had three critical care beds and the trauma bay, and he followed along, not too enthusiastic, not many questions. I asked him to prime some IV tubing, he agreed, but obviously had never done it before. We ended up with a pediatric patient that needed IV antibiotics. He said he knew how to give them, but on further questioning hadn't been taught to check dose vrs weight, dilution and time to infuse with a med book. After the day was done, the instructor came back and said he had a good experience, and the best part for him was the math that I taught him.

All that patient care, and he was impressed with MATH.

I don't like having students because I know I'm not good at it. I have trouble verbalizing my nursing process and doing the work at the same time, so when it gets busy the patient gets most of my effort, and the student does well to keep up. I think that some of the cranky student eater nurses might just be overwhelmed between patient care and teaching responsibilities.