Problems with Rn's in clinicals

rach_nc_03 · Apr 7, 2005

p.s.- what I meant to add was we were moving the dislocated shoulder lady all over the place before realizing she had the dislocated shoulder (it wasn't mentioned in report).
also the alzeheimers pt. had been ordered a "soft mechanical diet"- the other student suggested at least a thick liquid diet? (although that would have been impossible too)- her nurse waved off those suggestions- also told the other student nurse to go ahead and give po meds. We could barely get this woman out of a tight fetal position.
it WAS NUTS
I've had experiences like this at our current clinical site- then i think back to the burn center where I did my icu rotation, and the nurses were *so* interested in teaching us- same thing in the NICU, and a few nurses on the pediatric floor. The nurses where we are now disappear as soon as we get there, and when we try to find them, 98% of the time, we can't. No, they're not usually busy with patients, or charting- they're frequently all sitting around in the day room, laughing, reading magazines, and eating cookies, or in empty patient rooms watching American Idol. Oh, and a handful go out for twice-hourly cigarette breaks. If, for some reason, we have to leave before our usual time, they whine about having to give their patients meds. When the census is low- which it has been lately- these nurses will have a 4-patient load or less. Tonight, two nurses had students for ALL of their patients, and one got angry that she had a blood sugar scheduled for after our time to leave, so she insisted the student do it for her. We do total care- the only two things we aren't allowed to do are hang blood and change the bags on PCA pumps. We only have one or two students who ever ask the nurses anything, because they simply won't talk to us, they won't respond to pages, and they'll tell us to find someone else to answer the question. We just go to our instructor, who knows how bad the situation is, and has talked to management...but nothing's been done.
The nurse manager actually had to come to them today and say that JAHCO would be coming soon, and it wasn't acceptable for them to say that a student "had" one of their patients- they needed to actually know what was going on with the patient. Most of the time, they never enter the patient rooms we're covering, and she even said this, and told them to spend more time in patient rooms when JAHCO is there.
I think a lot has to do with the culture on the particular floor. These nurses hate being there (they say so all the time), so I'm guessing anyone with a better attitude doesn't stay for long, or gets sucked into the group mentality. It makes me sad because I've learned NOTHING in clinical this semester. Oh, I got to put in one NG tube. I feel like nothing more than free labor...my only consolation is that we only have 7 more clinical days before graduation.

RPN_2006 · Apr 7, 2005

One more clinical day to go....this too shall pass :)

Peg804 · Apr 7, 2005

First let me say that I am very sorry for how you have been treated. It is a terrible analogy, but we do "eat out young" in nursing. My clinical was a very long time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday, Some nurses were miserable bit"""""" and some were great. We took care of their patients, they had a lighter patient load. we cleaned the ****, we fed the patients, we showered them,we gave meds,did dressings. My instructors theory was that we should have the most challenging patients as a learning experience. I swore I would never treat students like this, and I can honestly say that I never have. I an shift preceptor as well as team leader. I try to get out orientees and out students the best possible experience that they can have while they are on ED rotation. Some are scared, some love it. But, I will not tolerate anyone treating a student as anything less than they themselves would want to be treated, Nurses will respect the student or orientee, and will not belittle them. They are out future. who will be taking care of us if we scare off all the young???? No matter how stupid the question, or no matter when the question is asked, even it you are busy, there is a right way to answer another human being and a wrong way, Unfortunately a good number of nurses have forgotten how to be nice.

anney1981 · Apr 7, 2005

First let me say that I am very sorry for how you have been treated. It is a terrible analogy, but we do "eat out young" in nursing. My clinical was a very long time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday, Some nurses were miserable bit"""""" and some were great. We took care of their patients, they had a lighter patient load. we cleaned the ****, we fed the patients, we showered them,we gave meds,did dressings. My instructors theory was that we should have the most challenging patients as a learning experience. I swore I would never treat students like this, and I can honestly say that I never have. I an shift preceptor as well as team leader. I try to get out orientees and out students the best possible experience that they can have while they are on ED rotation. Some are scared, some love it. But, I will not tolerate anyone treating a student as anything less than they themselves would want to be treated, Nurses will respect the student or orientee, and will not belittle them. They are out future. who will be taking care of us if we scare off all the young???? No matter how stupid the question, or no matter when the question is asked, even it you are busy, there is a right way to answer another human being and a wrong way, Unfortunately a good number of nurses have forgotten how to be nice.

Peg,

I just wanted to commend you on your post. We need alot more nurses in this profession like you. I am graduating in July and I'm currently teching on a Med Surg floor right now. I hate listening to the nurses gripe constantly about how much they hate their jobs, etc. You become a product of your environment. If everyone would get along and find their "niche" then it would be better all around for everyone from the patients to the employees. Thank you so much for wanting to teach and for understanding that everyone has to start out at the bottom but we don't want to be treated like scum...

Thank you.

PFDGB · Apr 7, 2005

Are the nurses your working with really that manipulative that they actually take the time out of their hectic day to purposely hide BP equipment?? Heck, I've worked at my facility for two years and I can never find a BP cuff when I need one!!!

No! The RN's were not the ones who were behaving that way; it was the nursing assistants. They were the ones doing the VS on the pt's not the RN's. The RN's didn't have the time nor the inclinatiion to behave that way.

As well, I don't understand what all of the nursing students are talking about on this thread with regard to requiring help from the staff RN's. Last year I graduated and for the time I was in school I never followed a RN around for my shift. I got report when I came in and gave report when I left. The only time I looked for the RN for help was when my instructor directed me to do so or if one of her pt's required something I was unfamiliar with.

PS. I never had any real problems with attitude or other from those on staff. I treated all with the respect that they have earned and deserve. In turn I received respect for what I was trying to do.

jewelfire · Apr 7, 2005

It sounds as though maybe the charge nurse for that unit or nurse manager aren't being very supportive and the RN's feel even more overstressed than usual. It is a fact of nursing in hospitals these days. Just know this is not the way every RN is nor the way every unit is run. Compassion is an important part of nursing and sometimes we forget that includes compassion between nurses, also.

BlanckOne · Apr 7, 2005

I must say, wow have I been lucky! I am in 1st clinical rotation and have a great instructor and clinical staff. The LTC facility we are in is divided into two wings, we have a variety of clients to learn from and the LPN's are very helpfull. We do have a couple students who slack on their reading, research, etc, and hopefully they end up removed from the program. As a teaching RN or LPN I would quickly lose patience with those students, as a fellow student I do not like to follow them on any rotation and their questions should have been looked up before resorting to just asking nurse in charge(lazy). I dread going to Med/Surg though. Seems like most of the nasty stuff is coming in that clinical and I can't figure out why someone would stay in this profession who did not like it? If you don't want to work with students say so to the instructor. If you don't want your patients get out of the field! Of the CNA's I have worked with most were helpful. Some were not. They actually do hide! Have one right now who smokes every 1/2 hour.....unbelievable-I offer to help any CNA when I am not busy, I rub clients backs who are confined in whlchr. I just verify that I am authorized to care for the pt before doing anything! Still some CNA's actually resent the relief of their load! One did not want us to turn pt, when I did, I found severe bruising under leg. "UH don't know how that happened" No one on the staff was aware. She had multi-contractures/boots applied(nonverbal,nonvisual). The CNA was not accused of anything, but care was changed. Needless to say care on that pt has gotten much more strict!! I am an older student who respects the instructor, LPN or RN on sites, and still has respect and compassion for my client/pt. I hope someone points out to me if I ever lose that compassion, I want to leave this field. So if you feel like you are not being respected maybe you should look in the mirror-are you giving what you think you should get?????? RN in GA sounds much to negative,bitter,judgemental and should maybe "move on" :rolleyes:

TStewartfan · Apr 7, 2005

We don't ask for individual reports, we are required to sit in when the nurses give report, we can ask questions and find out what special care the patients need for that day. I have never had a problem with the RN's, LPN's, CNA's and PCT's on the floor. They have always been very nice and polite to us and are more than willing to show us new things and what has to be done.

I am sure there are catty people everywhere, in fact I know they are, I changed jobs because of excessive catty people who would stab you in the back everytime they got a chance. I hate that, I was stuck in a dead end job and had nowhere to go. I love nursing, I was kind of scared about it but being 16 weeks in I am doing fantastic and wished I would have done it 20 years ago instead of waiting until I was 39.

I just have problems with nursing students who think they can do the minimum and suck up to the instructors. We are supposed to be in class by 8 AM, but still people come in at 8:20 EVERY CLASS PERIOD. It drives me nuts, I make an effort to get my kids to school and bust my *** to get to school on time and I can do it, these are just kids, I mean 19-20 year olds,who seem to have no respect for anyone. They cheat and lie and think they can get away with it, the instructors know who is there and who is not. Now all of them are not that way, I have some great friends who are 20 and they are as dedicated as I am and are devastated if they cannot be nurses. I am proud of my grades and work very hard at it.

I do hope that things get better for you.

Jodi Levins

MinnRN · Apr 8, 2005

OH my, I hope that you will be ready for the real world of nursing when you graduate and have dropped tht huge chip that you are carrying on your shoulder.

4 patients huh? dressings, meds, care plans and charting. That is a small part of nursing. In the real world of being an RN you will need to juggle 6 acute patients (sometimes more) plus have 2-3 students follow you, and if the facillity that you work in has a primary nurse setting, you will be doing all of your beds, baths, and MANUAL B/P's. Remember, manual blood pressures are more accurate and many hospitals do not use electronic monitors unless the patient is post op or in the ICU

I remember being a student, and am now a preceptor for new grads and student nurses. NEVER was I rude or snotty to the RN's that I was working under. I am sorry to say dear, that your letter rings of snottiness and rudeness.

What I expect of my students and new grad nurses is the same that was

expected of me in my program.

1. Be prepared. get your prep work done the night before! Please don't expect to come onto the unit at the last minute to get your prep done, and then expect the nurses to hold report for you. WE need to be on the floor ASAP after report to relieve off going staff and care for patients. AS a licensed RN you will be expected to be in report on time, and also on the floor in a timely manner.

2. Ask questions. IF you dont know something, ask, dont forge a head and mess up. If I am busy with a patient, or another student, wait. Be patient! Do not expect me to drop what I am doing to jump to your bidding I am 1 nurse being pulled in 6 directions.

3. Remember, the patient is my first concern, not a student. If I have a patient who is crashing or going down hill fast, or family members have concerns, dont interrupt and expect step by step detailed instructions.

Step back and observe! you actually can learn something that way.

4. Beds and baths may be beneath you as a nursing student, but in real life,

you will be doing these! Get used to the idea. Giving your patient a bed bath or shower is the best way to assess ongoing skin condition.s You want

first hand information. Remember as an RN you are accountable for what you chart. You will not be able to say, "But the PCA told me the groin wasnt red".

And now...please listen.....Nurses do not hide! Just because you are unable to find them, this doesnt mean that they are chatting and having coffee in the break room.

We nurses work together as a team helping each other, your nurse may be helping another student, nurse, or caring for a patient. AGAIN, Learn to be Patient.

If you were to walk on to my unit with the attitude that I sense in your letter, we would pull you and your instructor aside to speak with you. You would not be allowed access to the patients with such a rude demeaner.

Real life nursing is much more difficult than school clinicals. While nursing schools really strive hard to give a good education and expose students

to many different clinical settings, you will not even come close to knowing

what nursing is like until you are licensed and workiing.

Pay attention in clinicals, drop the chip on your shoulder and learn patience,

and hopefully in a year or so, you will be signing in as an RN rather than a student.

MinnRN · Apr 8, 2005

any suggestions for me now. on what to do differently

Reapply to nursing school or clinicals. STudy!!! get your self into a good study group. Buy RN review materials and use them.

The previous post was right....in most nursing schools, the grading criteria is clear, you should have been worried and working on this problem long before now.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 8, 2005

OH my, I hope that you will be ready for the real world of nursing when you graduate and have dropped tht huge chip that you are carrying on your shoulder.
4 patients huh? dressings, meds, care plans and charting. That is a small part of nursing. In the real world of being an RN you will need to juggle 6 acute patients (sometimes more) plus have 2-3 students follow you, and if the facillity that you work in has a primary nurse setting, you will be doing all of your beds, baths, and MANUAL B/P's. Remember, manual blood pressures are more accurate and many hospitals do not use electronic monitors unless the patient is post op or in the ICU
I remember being a student, and am now a preceptor for new grads and student nurses. NEVER was I rude or snotty to the RN's that I was working under. I am sorry to say dear, that your letter rings of snottiness and rudeness.
What I expect of my students and new grad nurses is the same that was
expected of me in my program.
1. Be prepared. get your prep work done the night before! Please don't expect to come onto the unit at the last minute to get your prep done, and then expect the nurses to hold report for you. WE need to be on the floor ASAP after report to relieve off going staff and care for patients. AS a licensed RN you will be expected to be in report on time, and also on the floor in a timely manner.
2. Ask questions. IF you dont know something, ask, dont forge a head and mess up. If I am busy with a patient, or another student, wait. Be patient! Do not expect me to drop what I am doing to jump to your bidding I am 1 nurse being pulled in 6 directions.
3. Remember, the patient is my first concern, not a student. If I have a patient who is crashing or going down hill fast, or family members have concerns, dont interrupt and expect step by step detailed instructions.
Step back and observe! you actually can learn something that way.
4. Beds and baths may be beneath you as a nursing student, but in real life,
you will be doing these! Get used to the idea. Giving your patient a bed bath or shower is the best way to assess ongoing skin condition.s You want
first hand information. Remember as an RN you are accountable for what you chart. You will not be able to say, "But the PCA told me the groin wasnt red".
And now...please listen.....Nurses do not hide! Just because you are unable to find them, this doesnt mean that they are chatting and having coffee in the break room.
We nurses work together as a team helping each other, your nurse may be helping another student, nurse, or caring for a patient. AGAIN, Learn to be Patient.
If you were to walk on to my unit with the attitude that I sense in your letter, we would pull you and your instructor aside to speak with you. You would not be allowed access to the patients with such a rude demeaner.
Real life nursing is much more difficult than school clinicals. While nursing schools really strive hard to give a good education and expose students
to many different clinical settings, you will not even come close to knowing
what nursing is like until you are licensed and workiing.
Pay attention in clinicals, drop the chip on your shoulder and learn patience,
and hopefully in a year or so, you will be signing in as an RN rather than a student.

A good attitude that goes both ways makes for a better environment, don't you think?

ICWonderland · Apr 8, 2005

OH my, I hope that you will be ready for the real world of nursing when you graduate and have dropped tht huge chip that you are carrying on your shoulder.
4 patients huh? dressings, meds, care plans and charting. That is a small part of nursing. In the real world of being an RN you will need to juggle 6 acute patients (sometimes more) plus have 2-3 students follow you, and if the facillity that you work in has a primary nurse setting, you will be doing all of your beds, baths, and MANUAL B/P's. Remember, manual blood pressures are more accurate and many hospitals do not use electronic monitors unless the patient is post op or in the ICU
I remember being a student, and am now a preceptor for new grads and student nurses. NEVER was I rude or snotty to the RN's that I was working under. I am sorry to say dear, that your letter rings of snottiness and rudeness.
What I expect of my students and new grad nurses is the same that was
expected of me in my program.
1. Be prepared. get your prep work done the night before! Please don't expect to come onto the unit at the last minute to get your prep done, and then expect the nurses to hold report for you. WE need to be on the floor ASAP after report to relieve off going staff and care for patients. AS a licensed RN you will be expected to be in report on time, and also on the floor in a timely manner.
2. Ask questions. IF you dont know something, ask, dont forge a head and mess up. If I am busy with a patient, or another student, wait. Be patient! Do not expect me to drop what I am doing to jump to your bidding I am 1 nurse being pulled in 6 directions.
3. Remember, the patient is my first concern, not a student. If I have a patient who is crashing or going down hill fast, or family members have concerns, dont interrupt and expect step by step detailed instructions.
Step back and observe! you actually can learn something that way.
4. Beds and baths may be beneath you as a nursing student, but in real life,
you will be doing these! Get used to the idea. Giving your patient a bed bath or shower is the best way to assess ongoing skin condition.s You want
first hand information. Remember as an RN you are accountable for what you chart. You will not be able to say, "But the PCA told me the groin wasnt red".
And now...please listen.....Nurses do not hide! Just because you are unable to find them, this doesnt mean that they are chatting and having coffee in the break room.
We nurses work together as a team helping each other, your nurse may be helping another student, nurse, or caring for a patient. AGAIN, Learn to be Patient.
If you were to walk on to my unit with the attitude that I sense in your letter, we would pull you and your instructor aside to speak with you. You would not be allowed access to the patients with such a rude demeaner.
Real life nursing is much more difficult than school clinicals. While nursing schools really strive hard to give a good education and expose students
to many different clinical settings, you will not even come close to knowing
what nursing is like until you are licensed and workiing.
Pay attention in clinicals, drop the chip on your shoulder and learn patience,
and hopefully in a year or so, you will be signing in as an RN rather than a student.

There are a variety of nursing "atmospheres" out there. I have had good clinical experiences on a floor with one shift and completely different experiences on the same floor at a different time of day.

You sound like you've been practicing for a while. Are you saying that there is no way her complaint can be valid?

As for nurses hiding. I have found groups of nurses gossiping, far, far away from the client with fecal incontinence. I have stood time and again in a pod full of blinking call lights and been the only one there.

I don't think any student imagines they are taking on a full case load. That would be ridiculous and dangerous. I don't know what you're saying when you talk about all the work you do and how that compares to what a student does. You have finished school, you went through your preceptorship/floor training. You have gained experience.

I have a son in the 1st grade, when I help him with his homework I don't gloat about what a great reader I am.