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?
exactly! I guess each situation should be assessed individually, however no one should have to put up with being spoken to with an attitude like the charge nurse's in this situation...
The student's action did not warrant such a reaction!!
Personal slams aside, report should have been allowed to be finished before asking questions. My job's first to the pt. (which includes a report). Then i can answer questions.
If i had been that charge nurse, i would have simply said "can i answer that after i'm finished with report?" No where have i condoned the CN's "look it up" response.
I agree. I don't condone the way the CN reacted; however, the response by the student probably wasn't presented in the best "package" as another poster commented. The OP's response is what may have gotten CN's tail feathers ruffled. JMHO
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
I've been following along with most of the posts to this thread. I've got to say that I just won't buy into the idea that staff nurses are too busy to answer questions by students. One question by one student at one particular time is not a burden to any staff nurse. I've been one for many, many years. People are tugging on our sleeves from all directions all the time with questions, requests and little bits of information to give us. That's just part of the job and singling out a lone student is just unfair. A group of students en mass with a boat load of questions at one time is a different story--go to your instructor. But in the case of the original OP, not a problem. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the CN in this particular situation gets snippy with patients and visitors as well.
I've been following along with most of the posts to this thread. I've got to say that I just won't buy into the idea that staff nurses are too busy to answer questions by students. One question by one student at one particular time is not a burden to any staff nurse. I've been one for many, many years. People are tugging on our sleeves from all directions all the time with questions, requests and little bits of information to give us. That's just part of the job and singling out a lone student is just unfair. A group of students en mass with a boat load of questions at one time is a different story--go to your instructor. But in the case of the original OP, not a problem. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the CN in this particular situation gets snippy with patients and visitors as well.
It's not that the nurses are too busy to answer a question.
First, it sounded like a typical med/surg report: a few off going nurses giving report to oncoming (which is why the CN was there), with several students around. I don't think a student SHOULD interrupt that situation. If the oncoming nurse has a question, that is fine, but this is a one of those situations where a student shouldn't interrupt. And that doesn't so much have to do with students.
I've worked w/ other nurses that played the 'I'm here, you're here, pt's here . . . I'm not here anymore' reports when THEY are going home, but play the stump the nurse 20 questions game when it's my turn to go home. Based on what the OP said, these were students just out of their NH clinicals and completely new to a hospital environment. If all those students got to play the 'let's interrupt report' game, that is just not good manners for guests. The CN was out of line with what she said AND CERTAINLY OUT OF LINE MAKING A BIG DEAL OUT OF IT, but completely appropriate to shush the OP, even if the way she actually did it was rude.
And I never said the nurses couldn't be an asset. OF COURSE THEY CAN. But, there is a fine line between seeking such help and being underfoot. The floor IS a busy place to work and requires constant prioritization. I'm just saying that a student does well to keep in mind that that nurse has other tasks, and likely, other student nurses to engage at the same time. I didn't say that nurses are too busy to give a student the time a day. I just cautioned against the attitude that the nurse was there for the student.
I responded to a thread where the poster stated that the nurse was there to teach the student. And I know it's obvious to say that isn't true, the nurse is there to take care of pts; the student is extra. But there is a reason behind making the point and the reason is to put things into perspective.
I don't think the OP should apologize; the CN was out of line. But, the OP shouldn't have interrupted report. That is nurse-nurse communication and the students are present as a courtesy. Learn the pattern of report: YES. Interrupt it: NO.
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?
Nursing is a jungle, you will always find people with different personalities and some on a power kick. The charge nurse could have been more professional about sharing her views. You do not owe her an apology just take it as a learning experience. But procedures that you are unfamilar with, joint down and research in detail when you go home. Sometimes the nurse teaching has limited knowledge too...
Without taking this thread down a whole different road, this above statement isn't true.
The nurse is there to take care of her pts. She doesn't get paid any extra to teach you and point of fact, that is your CI's job.
There are many threads here on this subject but it comes down to this: some nurses are good teachers and some aren't. Some are patient, and some aren't. But none of them were asked if it was OK for you to follow them.
So, learn from the good ones, and actually, also learn from the bad ones (how NOT to do things). But don't hold the expectation that your nurses owe you something. Because teaching you is actually NOT why they are there; it is, in fact, an added responsibility. And that is why some resent it.
~faith,
Timothy.
It seems to me that if you accept a position in a hospital that also serves as a teaching facility you are in fact aware of and expected to deal with the responsibility of having a nursing student assigned to your patient at any time. I'll be graduating in a few weeks and as I've considered positions this has been one of the criteria... this hospital has students occasionally, this hospital has them year-round, this one not at all... etc.. etc.. In many places it is part of the job. I'm sure some resent it, I know it's a giant PITA for many, but so are many other aspects of nursing... and yet we do those tasks without taking it out on those around us.
Sure a student asking a question during report is a breach of nursing etiquette. The OP didn't know this but she sure didn't have to learn it the way she did. I really hate arrogant people that feel the need to put people in their place. It just doesn't have to be done that way.
I agree. I don't condone the way the CN reacted; however, the response by the student probably wasn't presented in the best "package" as another poster commented. The OP's response is what may have gotten CN's tail feathers ruffled. JMHO
I think we as "nurses" are responsible for students when they are on clinicals. It means we should facilitate their learning. You as "student" just need to watch for right time & right mood of a nurse. Should not be hesitent in asking questions as patient's safety is important too.
I would say, as a student, that it's important to have a keeeeeeen sense of everyone's mood and personality. I ask questions during report all the time, but that's because we do 1 on 1 report and nobody on my unit minds. On other units, I wouldn't even take a chair during report, and I'd look in the chart if I didn't understand what someone said.
As for the "smart-orificed" comment, I can see both sides of this. I saw it as a rueful chuckle, not really being snotty. But if someone doesn't necessarily remember that part of school as clearly, I suppose it could be seen that way.
I'm sure you've made your decision already, but my 0.02 on this would be to say "I'm sorry that you felt I was being disrespectful, that wasn't my intention. It won't happen again." Acknowledges the other person's feelings without conceding too much fault, and it's respectful - shows that you accept that the other person's perceptions are more important than your intentions.
Why yes, I did once work in the legal field, why do you ask?
never be afraid to ask questions. I am an LPN who is the midnight charge nurse. I have had a RNBSN ask me how to do something. It is the proper thing to do. People like her is the reason there is such a nursing shortage
irish_std/n
61 Posts
exactly! I guess each situation should be assessed individually, however no one should have to put up with being spoken to with an attitude like the charge nurse's in this situation...
The student's action did not warrant such a reaction!!