I am currently participating in an evening clinical, on a med/surg floor. This is my second quarter; my previous clinical was in a LTC. I am really excited (and nervous) to be in school, as this is a career change for me. I always have made sure to thank all of the nurses and/or techs that I work with, and understand how important it is to maintain a good relationship with the facility the students are assigned to. Anyway......the other night I was standing next to the nurse I was assigned to, listening as she received report from the day nurse. When they got to my patient, there was a comment made about a procedure. Our instructor has encouraged us to ask questions about things we aren't familiar with, so I asked "what is a ...". (I had already introduced myself to the nurse, identified which patient I had been assigned to, and she seemed open to sharing information). There was another nurse, with her back to us that turned quickly towards the group, and said "don't answer that, make her look it up". I chuckled, and said "of course I have to look it up". That was the entire exchange, but it turns out that nurse was the charge nurse, and she complained to my instructor about my response. So, even though I meant NO disrespect what so ever, she was certainly ticked off. I couldn't have been more shocked when my instructor held me over after class, and told me this. At this point I explained the situation to the instructor, and guaranteed that I would apologize to the charge nurse. My intention was to simply ask to speak to her in private, and offer a sincere apology. Not because I am trying to get out of trouble with my CI, but a real apology, as I never meant any disrespect, and appreciate the opportunity that working on her floor presents to me. My question is......would it be better to do this one on one, or would it be better to have a witness? If I ticked her off enough to have her report me to my CI, do you think it wise for me to talk to her alone? Odds are that I will be back at that hospital in the future, and I want to offer the apology, and lay low for the rest of the quarter. What do you suggest?
don't sweat that charge nurse. if her back was to your group then it was none of her business anyway. she needs to do her job and let your ci do hers.
i agree with the others. i would have asked the question after report simply because there are others waiting to go home who can't leave until report is complete.
if the charge felt the need to interupt then she could have told you to come see her and she would look it up with you. our charge nurse would have. we are a student friendly floor. love "em!!! they make you think !
i wouldl not apologize to her unless you feel the need. and don't feel you need to lay low. you are supposed to be learning not hiding!!!
but i do agree with marie: save all questions til report is over.
and once you're a nurse, you're going to be dealing with all kinds of personalites.....many that aren't very pleasant. in the real world, you'll have to decide which battles are worth fighting. you sound very dedicated. best of luck.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Grow a really thick skin. This ain't the first person you will anger in your career as a nurse; won't be the last. That said, yes, it is a courtesy to wait to ask questions til report is over.
Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.
Grow a really thick skin. This ain't the first person you will anger in your career as a nurse; won't be the last. That said, yes, it is a courtesy to wait to ask questions til report is over.
That's what I was going to say!! Especially the thick skin part!! Plus, I agree with the others who say don't apologise. You did nothing wrong except a little tiny breech of report etiquette for students. The nurse you were paired with just had to say "I'll explain it to you when we're done here." Questions from students are wonderful - it shows you have an interest in more than just getting your quota done for the day. But speaking as a night nurse who is usually beyond exhaused (and sometimes slightly short-tempered) by report time, don't interrupt report for anything! Good luck with the rest of your schooling! Sounds like you're going to do great!
I appreciate all of the replies, but want to clear something up. I have absolutely no problem with the charge nurse saying what she did (who am I to judge?). I simply wish she would have complained TO me, instead of ABOUT me to my instructor. My instructor is new also, has never taught a class before, and is not familiar with the hospital or staff. She has never mentioned not asking questions during report, but I have learned my lesson, even if it was the hard way. Indecently, we do not have the opportunity to research our patients the night before, and receive our assignment about a ½ hour before we hit the floor. Our research takes place in between completing tasks. Ironically, when I was told to research, that is exactly what I did, and I was pleased that I learned something new that night. I was just shocked when I was asked to stay after the other students left for the evening, only to be told that the CN had reported me. Live and learn I guess...somehow the whole situation just makes me uneasy, and on that end, very cautious.
Wow! As a student, you never know what situations will arise during a clinical day. Sorry that happened! Like others have said, I think it would be best to leave the situation alone. Although apologizing may make you feel better (for attempting to rectify the situation), sometimes it is better to let things fizzle out on their own. It's frustrating that she even responded to your question, but from one student to another, I usually stay quiet during report. After report is over, I ask the nurse I am with (or my instructor) to clarify what was said. Looking something up online is usually a good way to go too. Regardless of day or night shift nurses, personalities will always be different. Unfortunately as a student, we go into clinical rotations blind, not knowing people's demeanors. I had a night nurse yell at me the first day of my Capstone (final) clinicals over the chair I was sitting in. :angryfire (What a way to start my final clinicals!). Luckily the nurse I was assigned to backed me up and told me to stay right where I was. Hopefully the rest of clinical rotation will be smooth!
I simply wish she would have complained TO me, instead of ABOUT me to my instructor.
That doesn't happen in any environment, really. People are frightened of confrontation and will go to great lengths to avoid it, including lie to your face.
and don't you just love it, a seasoned nurse no doubt, took offense to a student with a ___ forbid a "question". you gotta get some thick skin to be a nurse. i would not talk to her privately, do so in front of your ci. just my advice. and try to get done with that clinical as peacefully and conflict free as you can. consider it a learning experience. good luck
indecently, we do not have the opportunity to research our patients the night before, and receive our assignment about a ½ hour before we hit the floor.
i know this is a bit off the subject you initially posted but....
we didn't research the patient the night before when i was in school either. the instructors said it was closer to real nursing that way. in a way they were right. when you have been off for several days and come in who knows what you will end up with!!!!
i am glad you did your research when you had time. that is what most of us do. i ask my charge nurse to help me:mad: lol
I am currently participating in an evening clinical, on a med/surg floor. This is my second quarter; my previous clinical was in a LTC. I am really excited (and nervous) to be in school, as this is a career change for me. I always have made sure to thank all of the nurses and/or techs that I work with, and understand how important it is to maintain a good relationship with the facility the students are assigned to. Anyway......the other night I was standing next to the nurse I was assigned to, listening as she received report from the day nurse. When they got to my patient, there was a comment made about a procedure. Our instructor has encouraged us to ask questions about things we aren't familiar with, so I asked "what is a ...". (I had already introduced myself to the nurse, identified which patient I had been assigned to, and she seemed open to sharing information). There was another nurse, with her back to us that turned quickly towards the group, and said "don't answer that, make her look it up". I chuckled, and said "of course I have to look it up". That was the entire exchange, but it turns out that nurse was the charge nurse, and she complained to my instructor about my response. So, even though I meant NO disrespect what so ever, she was certainly ticked off. I couldn't have been more shocked when my instructor held me over after class, and told me this. At this point I explained the situation to the instructor, and guaranteed that I would apologize to the charge nurse. My intention was to simply ask to speak to her in private, and offer a sincere apology. Not because I am trying to get out of trouble with my CI, but a real apology, as I never meant any disrespect, and appreciate the opportunity that working on her floor presents to me. My question is......would it be better to do this one on one, or would it be better to have a witness? If I ticked her off enough to have her report me to my CI, do you think it wise for me to talk to her alone? Odds are that I will be back at that hospital in the future, and I want to offer the apology, and lay low for the rest of the quarter. What do you suggest?
When she's not looking tape a sign to her back that says "Nurse on war-path!!!" I'm kidding. talk to your nursing instructor about your concerns, and then sit with the charge nurse and the nursing instructor. find out how you two can come to an agreement.
and don't you just love it, a seasoned nurse no doubt, took offense to a student with a ___ forbid a "question". you gotta get some thick skin to be a nurse. i would not talk to her privately, do so in front of your ci. just my advice. and try to get done with that clinical as peacefully and conflict free as you can. consider it a learning experience. good luck
I'm kidding. talk to your nursing instructor about your concerns, and then sit with the charge nurse and the nursing instructor. find out how you two can come to an agreement.
WV_heart_RN
134 Posts
don't sweat that charge nurse. if her back was to your group then it was none of her business anyway. she needs to do her job and let your ci do hers.
i agree with the others. i would have asked the question after report simply because there are others waiting to go home who can't leave until report is complete.
if the charge felt the need to interupt then she could have told you to come see her and she would look it up with you. our charge nurse would have. we are a student friendly floor. love "em!!! they make you think !
i wouldl not apologize to her unless you feel the need. and don't feel you need to lay low. you are supposed to be learning not hiding!!!
good luck in school!!