pet peeves when nursing students arrive

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

I had a mixed experience during my clinicals in school. Every single instructor I did have would take us individualy to the nurse we were assigned to that day and introduce us. It was the policy of the school and it was mandatory. Some nurses were mean and some were nice. To be honest I learned more from the nice ones who had more patience than the mean nurses. When someone is being rude and disrespectful it's hard to focus. There is no reason for it unless I was about to do something that would kill or harm a person.
One nurse I was assigned to was like a darn Army drill seargent lol. She would ask question after question and would not even take a break to let me answer. Then she would just walk away without explaining anything????? What a weirdo lol.
The thing is the nursing profession is supposed to be a caring one filled with compassionate individuals and there is no reason to be rude to your coworkers or students just because you feel they can learn more by it. I think it hurts more than helps and gives us nurses a bad rap. I am a grown woman and was older than most of the preceptors and I expect to be treated as an adult not someone who is inferior to you.

Nurses come from the general population- so unfortunately, some aren't so nice. With some (not all) I think they are just really unhappy- and some unhappy people try to get happy by doing something to either be in control, or feel better... a lot of nurses have some really sad backgrounds. :crying2: Some are just really tired. Some have so much going on in their personal lives that they DON"T talk about- so you don't know why they're not all sunshine and roses. We all deal with things differently. Some are better at it than others- some are working on things- and some don't care :) JMHO

I think it's lousy that students are "given" to nurses who don't want students- but unfortunately, sometimes the best learning situations are patients assigned to the nurse- so you're really not getting assigned to the nurse- he/she just comes along w/the patient...if that makes sense :)

As with any profession, or category of humans, it takes all kinds. I've worked with nurses who are great to the patients and nightmares with co-workers; some are too dumb to crawl out of a bag; some are incredibly smart but can't communicate anything in a way that makes their knowledge worth anything to anyone else.... It's a mixed bag of people. And thank God for that (or for those who don't thank God for anything, whatever you thank )- otherwise we'd all be stuck taking care of patients we really don't want to take care of- not because of them as people, but because of the specialty :) At least if you like the overall specialty, at least you've got that....so as students, if you can tolerate being a student- you've got that (some don't make it- as you know).

I do not like cardiac. I put up with it in the chronic, relatively stable disorders that patients who end up on other floors have (so I need to know it even if I don't like it). I really don't like OB...but I had to deal with that rotation (nursery was ok- but after a few diapers and cleaning umbilical cord stumps, the thrill was gone ). But I got through school, never failed a test, and got to move on to what I did have interest in. The crud comes with the 'good stuff'...

Some grouchy nurses come with the territory. You will not be 'free' of grumpy nurses once you graduate- they will then be your co-workers who you spend 8-12 solid hours around several days a week. :eek:

I had a new grad that I had to go through things SO step-by-step that I wanted to clock him. He was a really nice guy- and had a heart of gold- but things weren't clicking along like they should- so I had to adjust how I dealt with him when I was a charge nurse. And I was tougher on him than some of the others. Learning is individualized. Even then, after very specific instructions, something happened that resulted in severe patient harm...like pushing up daisies. I felt really bad for the person/nurse- but I had to respond to the nurse/nurse....(does that make sense? ) It didn't matter that the patient was circling the drain- things weren't done that needed to be done. The doc was there and dealt with the family. But it was horrible. And I'd done a LOT of following up (that's how I found the patient) on a LOT of what this nurse was doing. Later, this same nurse was at a different facility, with a different pace, and was doing well - and I was happy for him. But I'll never forget finding that patient (not 10 minutes after giving instructions about what I expected). Maybe some of your preceptors have had something happen-or know of something that happened...or they just have more experience and know what could happen....

At the end of the day, personalities can never interfere with the best outcome for the patient. You can live through a bit of ego busting. Or drill sergeants -- the intent is to make you better at what you do. That's not the end of the world. But can you live with yourself if you don't do something you should have (or do something you shouldn't have), and something horrible happens that is irreparable??

You may be the student/new grad- but you are not the most important person in the room :heartbeat

elthia · Aug 11, 2011

That I do understand, and even then, the residents were willing to teach... albeit, MOST of them were just as harsh or tough as the nurses, but if they were, they said it right to their faces right then and there and never made the implication that they DIDN'T want them there.

Wait till you find a different service where the resident isn't. We just had a resident FIRED in his last year, PGY3 due to lots of documentation and complaints, cursing, yelling, throwing charts at the nurses station, and unverifiable rumors of other badness. We also have an Attending that the residents hate, complete @ss, but excellent surgeon...just very impatient, perfectionist, and no people skills.

vegas2009 · Aug 11, 2011

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
Haha, I find this funny. My last CI that I had to be with from last year was either scared/uncomfortable/annoyed at our clinical rotation. Here's why: There were three of us assigned to a patient (was our group patient). Since day one, the patient was bed bound and was able to use only her upper extremities. She is paralyzed from the waist down.
Correction: It wasn't a group patient. Our class came out odd numbered. So, I ended up having two group mates for a couplet patient, and TWO group mates for a group patient. The two group mates I had for our couplet patient, were the ones who didn't really want to do much. Yes, the patient is the one who sang to us on our first day. The one with the upper body strength. I remember she was our couplet patient, bed bound and when I was there - we never gave her any bath at all.
My group mates for our group patient were a lot better. We were able to do a lot more for our patient (at least, I had that one covered and learned/practiced something -- I got this one right). We actually did most of the basic stuff (BP, patient bath, Temp, etc. on the first day!). Also, honestly, I learned more during lab days -- it's too bad that we mostly only worked on Sims and on fellow students. It's too bad that I can't turn back time, lol.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

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
Haha, I find this funny. My last CI that I had to be with from last year was either scared/uncomfortable/annoyed at our clinical rotation. Here's why: There were three of us assigned to a patient (was our group patient). Since day one, the patient was bed bound and was able to use only her upper extremities. She is paralyzed from the waist down.
Correction to myself: It wasn't a group patient. Our class came out odd numbered. So, I ended up having two group mates for a couplet patient, and TWO group mates for a group patient. The two group mates I had for our couplet patient, were the ones who didn't really want to do much.
My group mates for our group patient were a lot better. We were able to do a lot more for our patient (at least I had that one covered and learned/practiced something). We actually did most of the basic stuff (BP, patient baths, Temp, etc. on the first day!). Also, honestly, I learned more during lab days -- it's too bad that we mostly only worked on Sims and on fellow students. It's too bad that I can't turn back time, lol.
A sincere question- why did you have to share a patient???

vegas2009 · Aug 11, 2011

A sincere question- why did you have to share a patient???
Because that's the way the school had it set up. Our class total was only 7 people. One guy dropped out on the last day that we practiced at our school campus. Then, we were sent out to our clinical rotation (wherever they tell us to go). So, on first day (more like orientation)... I got stuck with two group mates for a couplet assigned patient and then, two group mates for our group patient (we're supposed to write a paper on her). We were expected to practice on BOTH with our respected groups. I liked my group for our group patient, because we really worked as a group. No egos, no attitudes, just get the job done attitude. We listened to each other's suggestions, concerns, etc. We would have (most likely) ended up writing a good paper. We clicked as a group.
My other two group mates had a general attitude that they didn't want to practice much on our couplet patient. I asked them nicely a couple of times that we should do this, that, etc. I had a feeling that they didn't like that. They preferred just talking to the patient, everytime we went to her room. They would only touch the patient, after, I touched her. They don't know nor care that the next clinical rotation will require us, NOT to have assigned groups working on patients. In other words, one patient assigned to one nursing student.
I could tell that my class really liked the CI. Our class spent most of the time in the conference/meeting room. We would have gone blind on paperwork looking at charts/records. Of course, I liked that because I got all the info. I needed for our paper. CI was there to answer any questions and lectured a bit. But, that was it. The other people were able to practice something here and there (a few of them said so). But, of course they wouldn't complain about CI. She was nice and approachable, but after the class ended - I wished I had a different CI, I probably would've learned more that day!

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

Because that's the way the school had it set up. Our class total was only 7 people. One guy dropped out on the last day that we practiced at our school campus. Then, we were sent out to our clinical rotation (wherever they tell us to go). So, on first day (more like orientation)... I got stuck with two group mates for a couplet assigned patient and then, two group mates for our group patient (we're supposed to write a paper on her). We were expected to practice on BOTH with our respected groups. I liked my group for our group patient, because we really worked as a group. No egos, no attitudes, just get the job done attitude. We listened to each other's suggestions, concerns, etc. We would have (most likely) ended up writing a good paper. We clicked as a group.
My other two group mates had a general attitude that they didn't want to practice much on our couplet patient. I asked them nicely a couple of times that we should do this, that, etc. I had a feeling that they didn't like that. They preferred just talking to the patient, everytime we went to her room. They would only touch the patient, after, I touched her. They don't know nor care that the next clinical rotation will require us, NOT to have assigned groups working on patients. In other words, one patient assigned to one nursing student.
I could tell that my class really liked the CI. Our class spent most of the time in the conference/meeting room. We would have gone blind on paperwork looking at charts/records. Of course, I liked that because I got all the info. I needed for our paper. CI was there to answer any questions and lectured a bit. But, that was it. The other people were able to practice something here and there (a few of them said so). But, of course they wouldn't complain about CI. She was nice and approachable, but after the class ended - I wished I had a different CI, I probably would've learned more that day!
Wow= with only 7 students, I'd think there would be enough patients for you each to have your own hospital !! And the ones with the attitude-- why were they allowed to stay at all??? They would have been shown the door on day 1 where I went- literally- the instructors (4 for fundamentals, each with about 12 students- ADN) said outright, if we didn't plan on getting our hands dirty, please leave NOW.... no room for attitude. :)

vegas2009 · Aug 11, 2011

Wow= with only 7 students, I'd think there would be enough patients for you each to have your own hospital !! And the ones with the attitude-- why were they allowed to stay at all??? They would have been shown the door on day 1 where I went- literally- the instructors (4 for fundamentals, each with about 12 students- ADN) said outright, if we didn't plan on getting our hands dirty, please leave NOW.... no room for attitude. :)
Haha, them two would never admit that. They acted like they were doing something/concerned when the CI was around. The two were at the patient's bedside when CI shows up. They made sure of this. They were standing by me, while I did the work. Since I wasn't their leader, I couldn't make them do anything. CI couldn't be around all the time. She was checking on other students. So, I did my IPPA, basic check stuff, assessments (or attempt to try something) on my own. I didn't care if they were there watching or not, whether CI was in the room or not. I did my own thing and wrote my own info. down, so I can report something to CI before class ends. They did only very little for patient, after I do my stuff. It doesn't take a genius to figure out, that they didn't want to do much - besides talking/watching. I figured, well, at least, I've attempted to practice on patient - I did what I'm supposed to do that day (at least).
P.S. I'm not bitter on the two students, but I wouldn't want to be with them in a group. There's a part of me that understood them, because clinicals, is hard work. But, I also know that what they're doing will only hurt them. Sigh, I kinda hate it sometimes, when I get 'enlightened.'

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

Haha, them two would never admit that. They acted like they were doing something/concerned when the CI was around. The two were at the patient's bedside when CI shows up. They made sure of this. They were standing by me, while I did the work. Since I wasn't their leader, I couldn't make them do anything. CI couldn't be around all the time. She was checking on other students. So, I did my IPPA, basic check stuff, assessments (or attempt to try something) on my own. I didn't care if they were there watching or not, whether CI was in the room or not. I did my own thing and wrote my own info. down, so I can report something to CI before class ends. They did only very little for patient, after I do my stuff. It doesn't take a genius to figure out, that they didn't want to do much - besides talking/watching. I figured, well, at least, I've attempted to practice on patient - I did what I'm supposed to do that day (at least).
You got dumped on, and those are going to be 2 ratty nurses. What a bummer for you (and any patients those other two run in to- if they pass boards:eek:)

vegas2009 · Aug 11, 2011

got dumped on, and those are going to be 2 ratty nurses. What a bummer for you (and any patients those other two run in to- if they pass boards:eek:)
I guess one can look at it that way. I can only control what I do, not what others do. My CI was another issue. The class liked her, who am I to say anything? -- seriously. CI was nice and approachable, period.
As for those two -- I'm sure they're not the only ones. Anyway, what's done is done, nothing I can do.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

I guess one can look at it that way. I can only control what I do, not what others do. My CI was another issue. The class liked her, who am I to say anything? -- seriously. CI was nice and approachable, period.
As for those two -- I'm sure they're not the only ones. Anyway, what's done is done, nothing I can do.
Yeah- you didn't do anything wrong- what I see from the posts is a very weak CI that couldn't control the students who refused to participate; it's sad And she'll do it again semester after semester... and get paid for it (not much from what I hear- but I guess she's getting what she 'earned'???)

Nccity2002, MSN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

How come you don't see the doctors acting like this? It's like they welcome medical students a lot better than nurses welcome nursing students... None of that catty, egotistical BS. There's more camaraderie to me.

OMG...!!

I almost fell off my chair when read the above comment!! :eek: :eek:

You must be, either a student...or a nurse who had never worked in a teaching facility. TRUST ME...there are worse stuffs (back stabbing/jealousy/competition) going on, in the hierarchy of the holy land of medicine [attending ( GOD :bowingpur)>resident (semi-gods:bow:)>intern (wannabe gods:clown:)>med student (botton of the barrel :jester: )]. Spend some time in a teaching hospital...you will realize how sweet nurses really are, in comparison.

Nccity2002, MSN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

Please, please, do not whip out your iPod in front of a patient to answer a question. Also, do not rely on your iPod to prep a patient for a procedure. The iPod is no better a resource than google. You have no idea where that information is coming from, who those "resources" are. And if X is appropriate for patient Y going through A procedure at B facility, that doesn't mean it is right for the patient sitting in front of you.
Yes, the iPod is great for foundation building information, but the information is general; you need to be able to deal with specific individuals and procedures, learn how certain meds, interventions, diseases, procedures, and human beings come together for each unique situation. Learn the basics, then leave the electronics behind and use your noodle in the real world.

I am all for the use of tecnology in making our practice safer and more efficient...but at the same time, not everyone has the common sense of using such equipments for its designated use, sorely (patient centered). When a visitor pass by, all they see is a health care provider who is suppose to be taking care of their loved; "playing" with their device. As a nurse and a consumer, I would be having second thoughts about the skills and competence of a nurse (or student), who whip out one of those devices, when asked a clinical question in regard to a patient that he/she is suppose to know by heart. How would you feel???

Just my two cents.