Preferential Treatment at Clinicals

[guavaturtle]

This might sound funny, but a friend of mine who is in nursing school said that because she did not go to a more "prestigious school" she sort of got the cold shoulder at clinicals compared to those who did...It might just be her being oversensitive (she's known to do that). But I'm curious, does this happen? Do students from programs well known around the area get better treatment?

[caliotter3]

I noticed preferential treatment within my program, and there were comments from staff nurses that generalized about how students from one program seemed better prepared than those from other programs. However, I can not say that I witnessed preferential treatment at clinical placements; we were not at the facility at the same times as students from other programs.

[guavaturtle]

Interesting...I wonder if my friend actually noticed that when other students from other programs were around...or if it was something she just sort of heard from another person. Either way, it was a interesting point to me. I'm starting school soon as well...

[chinacatSN]

I have seen preferential treatment within my program - certain students getting to do more skills or more things than other students, which is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. If one student has already performed a certain skill, the other students should have first choice when the chance to perform the skill comes up again.

Whenever we're at a certain site, there are never students from other colleges at the same site. I think it's supposed to be that way - it would just make things more confusing for the students, the instructors, and the staff - especially since all the schools in my area require their students to wear whites - white tops and bottoms, the only difference is we have school emblems on our left shoulders. I have heard staff nurses make comments to us about how our students are much better prepared and more knowledgeable than students from other schools. I've also seen staff nurses avoid certain students or complain about having certain students care for their patients because that student has made mistakes during clinicals.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Speaking as a staff nurse, there are times when if students from x school are coming, the staff immediately knows their day will be harder. Because even students ONE semester from graduating at a certain school NEVER get more than one patient, and still do not seem to know how to do the most basic tasks (glucoscans, caths, etc.)

My own school threw us right into clinicals, and even had us being "student charge" during the last year. we had to be responsible for 14 LTC patients or 5 hospital patients with 2 students being the staff nurse. Really made us shape up and learn about care.

In my program, I would often be accused of favorism from the professors. However, my work as a CNA taught me how to interact with patients. This mannerism in turn would allow me to display a very calm air no matter the situation. Came in handy during student temper tantrums when they made mistakes and would come to me to talk it out. Your friend may think it's preferential treatment, but she may be expeirencing some of these same things.