pet peeves when nursing students arrive

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I was reading the pet peeves thread and decided to start this one and see if I could get any advice for what TO DO and NOT TO DO in clinicals.

So...

What pet peeves do you have about nursing students?

What are things you wish ns would do?

sandan rnstudent

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Specializes in LTC.

As a nursing student, don't sit in my way when I'm trying to get my work done or act like you know everything.

As a nursing student, do ask questions and be eager to learn.

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When I go into clinicals as a student I always try to be an extra set of hands. Do common sense stuff before being asked.

Never try to tell staff that they are doing things wrong... If they are doing something other then how you were taught just say something like "I've learnt that best practice was to ______ Could you watch me and let me know what you think?" IF they were doing things wrong or cutting corners it gets them thinking about being a better example without you comming off as an annoying student.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Let's see for the most part I LOVE having nursing students on the floor. However, my pet peeves are

Not asking to help the RN/asking if I have anything cool going on with my other pts. You know like trach care, foley insertion, etc Most of the time the instructors are more than thrilled to see students going out of their way looking for opportunities instead of just sitting around

Taking up chairs used by Dr's/RN's. Please, at least offer to let the staff sit down.

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Specializes in Med/Surg Oncology.

If there are a limited amount of computers (which there always are) remember the nursing staff including CNAs are paid employees and have to do their charting first. There are either laptops or extra computers in the breakroom, etc. for students to use.

When the RN is busy with something you can't assist with or there isn't enough space in the room then offer to help the CNA. We do a great deal of basic nursing work that you need to learn to do well and practice makes perfect students !!

Most of all smile and act like you are happy to have the opportunity to be there.

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All of the nurses that replied to this post actually seem to like have students around. I wish you guys were at my clinical rotations. I felt like every clinical site I went to students were not wanted. Nurses deliberately ignored us. We would say "good morning" and they would give us a dirty look and walk away. Or just look at us and keep walking.

I just could not fathom how they could be so cruel to students when they were students themselves once. Students can be a huge help to some facilities we have our instructors whom we worked under and supervised us. I just thought that some nurses would be more thankful that we were doing their job for free under someone else's license.

My advice is be optomistic and just be nice to everyone even if they are being witches!! Don't stand around and do nothing, even that would irritate me. There were a few instances that I got some mean nurses to warm up to me and actually trust me to do things. Kill em w/ kindness! good luck.

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Specializes in NICU Nurse.

Ohhh nice thread!! I look forward to what other nurses put in here. As a pre-nursing student I can always use extra advice!!

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I have pet peeve about not having pet peeve about nursing studnet. nerf sed

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Specializes in LTC.
I just thought that some nurses would be more thankful that we were doing their job for free under someone else's license.

:eek:

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I hate when nursing students act like they know everything. News flash...you don't! That's why you are there...to learn!

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ok i changed my mind

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
students can be a huge help to some facilities we have our instructors whom we worked under and supervised us. i just thought that some nurses would be more thankful that we were doing their job for free under someone else's license.

.

i enjoy having students around, but trust me -- a student is not a help. students double or triple your work load if you're actually trying to teach them something. it may take me a half hour to teach something i could just take care of in a minute or two. also, no one is "thankful that we were doing their job for free." you're not. the nurse is still responsible, and even if your instructor is the one helping you cath the patient or give the meds, the nurse still needs to follow up.

for every "mean nurse" you say you've encountered, i've encountered a problem student. that's food for thought, isn't it?

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