Patients REALLY do these things!

[3aremyjoy]

I am a nursing student who has been reading AN to better understand nursing culture to better prepare myself for the field prior to graduation. I am proud to say that AN has well prepared me for the field when during my shift when something happens I automatically think, "READ IT!" For example:

-Murphy's Law: the little old man with trembling hands will dump the whole medicine cup o' pills in his hand and dropping the the one pill on the floor that is almost next to impossible to identify.

- Always, ALWAYS keep your mouth closed when emptying ANYTHING that contains body fluids

- patient looking with disgust at the pill you just gave him "that's not the one I usually have". Scared diligent student runs to check the package she remembered not to toss, checks against MAR. Yes Mr Patient, that is the pill you've been taking for the past 6 years. Pops it in his mouth (dissolvable) "Oh ya, I guess it is". (sigh)

Now the not funny, but oh so thankful I read it here!

- be friendly and helpful to the floor nurses. If they give you something to do, go do it, chart it, and report back to them.

-if you're on the floor and it's about one hour to change of shift. Fond your co-assigned nurse and ask her if there is any way you can assist in helping her wrap up her day. The nurses DO talk about the students to the instructors, give them good things to say.

-nursing students.... answer the damn call bells! I'm just sayin' (see above)

- be prepared, have a paper and pen. Have your act together, and when asked to do something, the only answer is "no problem", then DO IT!

That's all that's in my head right now, I'm sure glad I've been able to read here so that I'm not as surprised in the clinical setting

[LightMyFire]

You got it! Same things apply when you're a nurse so better to know them now! You're awesome and you'll rock those clinicals! Always great to see students with a great attitude

[nursel56]

I love posts like this! Thank you so much for sharing! :-)

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

"- patient looking with disgust at the pill you just gave him "that's not the one I usually have". Scared diligent student runs to check the package she remembered not to toss, checks against MAR. Yes Mr Patient, that is the pill you've been taking for the past 6 years. Pops it in his mouth (dissolvable) "Oh ya, I guess it is". (sigh)"

Pills can look very different when they're manufactured by different companies. Sometimes, we even have a mix of different colors and shapes in our pixis (of the same med/same dose).

:)

[amoLucia]

Addendum to the pill dropped on the floor - of course, it will be the countable narcotic one!

[wannabecnl]

I am cracking up at the one about always, always, always keeping your mouth closed when dealing with bodily fluids. I empty a lot of drains before we go to the floor, and I always wear not only gloves but also plastic goggles! Ewwww!!

Also, as soon as you get your head down close enough to listen to someone breathe deeply, they're going to cough. Right on you. Always turn your head away, close your eyes, and shut that mouth!

[twinkerrs]

Listen to what people say and don't interrupt with "in school they tell us ..." You can learn so much when your ears are opened and your mouth is closed.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

If a student repeatedly asks if you need help, and you repeatedly say no, don't tell the instructor that the student didn't help you.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I have a rule that my little old people with trembly hands get their pills spooned in their mouth by me. No exceptions. Sorry if that's a dignity issue, but its for the best.

[NightNurseRN13]

Listen to what people say and don't interrupt with "in school they tell us ..." You can learn so much when your ears are opened and your mouth is closed.

This... times 1000!