partner problems at first clinical

[The Princess Bride]

Help, I am a first year nursing student. I had my first clinical last week(couldn't have ordered a better patient if I had a choice). The problem was my partner. We are paired up for the first clinical. Nice girl, but not willing to do her own work or not capable of it. I want to share any info that she might have missed when out of the room etc..That is the proper thing to do. The pt told me her smoking history when my partner was out of the room and when she came back I gave her the info right away. Thats what its all about, I get it. However ,it is not my job to give her a nursing diagnosis and fill in 50% of the process paper work for her. I gave her little hints when she first asked me but after awhile I just kept saying "Well what do you think? ". She hasn't purchased a nursing diagnosis handbook yet and I have no problem sharing (I know the economy is hard and she is a good 10 to 15 years younger then me) ,but because of her I got stuck at clinical for an extra half hour so she could complete her paper work. I told her she could keep the book and give it to me at school but the instructor wouldn't allow it. Is this common behavior or is she just unprepared? Again ,I believe having a partner is great! We need to feed off each other and help each other with missed info etc... but another week of this and I'm going to lose it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

You could "play dumb", act as much as an airhead as her when filling out the process paper, forget to take your diagnosis handbook with you to clinicals and do your own work later. I'd probably, if I got aggravated enough, deliberately give the student incorrect answers to put on her paper as well because lazy people who are willing to copy irk me to no end and I think they deserve what they get. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate to tell my instructors at the school and the clinical site about this student and let them know that I have no intention of doing their work for them and carrying them through the course on my work--but that's me.

[caliotter3]

I would tell her straight up. If the behavior does not stop, then I would go to the instructor. I can tell you this, chances are high that you won't be bothered by her very much past the end of the semester. She fits the bill for someone who will be weeded out early in the game. Hang in there.

[Circejane]

It's more common than you think. I'd nip it early in the bud. Good for you for communicating with your partner, but you can't do her thinking for her, and she needs to realize that. Sounds like you handled it well. Hopefully you won't be partnered for much longer, I think you'd be tackling patients on your own soon--we did. Good luck to you! :)

[cingle]

I agree with a lot of what's already been said. I would add the fact that, no matter how unbelievable it is today, someday you may find yourself needing the help of this fellow student when you need a job. Some of my supervisors have been nurses who (I would guess) limped their way through school just as your partner seems to be doing! Just keep that in mind as you deal with her.

I would definitely continue to share info with her as you've been doing. Then when it comes to any work you can do independently, wish her well and go home to work on it on your own. That way you can hold your head up and still give her enough rope to hang herself, if she's determined to do so.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would also try to nip it in the bud, but I would be gentle about it at first. Your partner may just be a bit overwhelmed and need a little nudge rather than a kick in the teeth. If it continues, I would get increasingly harsh.

For example: In the beginning, I would say something like, "I strongly believe we should be sharing information with each other about the patient's condition, treatment, etc. ... but I also believe we should each do our own paperwork separately." "I'm new at this, too, and don't feel comfortable advising you on the assignments. If you have questions about the paperwork, you need to go to the instructor for that." etc. Be friendly, smile, etc. and politely show her where your limits are. If she doesn't get it, then be a little more firm.

Don't escalate it into a big deal right off the bat. Save the big guns for bigger problems and/or ones that don't resolve with more gentle methods.

[Cyn2school]

"She hasn't purchased a nursing diagnosis handbook yet and I have no problem sharing (I know the economy is hard and she is a good 10 to 15 years younger then me) ,but because of her I got stuck at clinical for an extra half hour so she could complete her paper work. I told her she could keep the book and give it to me at school but the instructor wouldn't allow it."

I'll bet the instructor has this lazy gal all figured out already. Although she may make it through the clinical rotation, if she doesnt have any healthcare background, she may well be THAT clueless....or really nervous.

Have you considered asking the clinical instructor for advice on her lack of participation? "I'm not sure if "Barbie" understands....or if "Barbie" has confidence in ... Just a thought....

[CrystalClear75, BSN, RN]

Personally if it was me, I'd help her out a little bit and if she doesn't get it by the third week or whatever then say, "I'm sorry but I can't help you anymore." I know I would end up feeling bad and helping her, that is just me though.