Problems with Rn's in clinicals

nursesarah · Apr 5, 2005

just to put something in perspective for all nurse who have been in the field 10+ yrs and dont like students:

i am in a relatively new college-university combined program. in fact, i am in the second group of students to go through this BScN program (its a degree program done in the college in collaboration with the university). and as hard as it might be for some people to comprehend, but, after finishing my third yr, there is still a lot i DONT KNOW. it is, plain and simple, due to the fact that this program is a mess.

the clinical groups are 8-10 students to one tutor. she is usually harried and running around all day checking our charting, checking our meds, making sure we've done out assessments, etc. not because we cant do it, but because she legally has to in case there is any problems. she's so busy doing this for 10 students, that she's sometimes hard to find if we have questions. so when we have questions, we have to go to the next person who is most likely able to answer our questions. and that usually means the RN.

now, on a good day, the RN will be very accomodating and will answer your questions (usually this means following her around a bit, but most of the time, they dont mind, as long as you let them work while talking).

but i have lost count of the number of times i have been snapped at and told that i should know this. do you know the kind of effect this has on student's self confidence levels? it really begins to where down on us. i mean, if you're constantly being told that "you're in third year and you dont know this?!!?!" it makes you feel useless and like an idiot. no...i dont know! thats why im asking. if you're busy, tell me and ill either ask someone who isnt busy (if its urgent) or ill talk to you when you have a free moment.

i am absolutely terrified of entering 4th yr bc its 24hrs/wk preceptorship with an RN. i mean, i feel like i barely know anything (even though i know i do). and if i get a preceptor who has any resentment towards students, its going to be a miserable year.

the plain and simple fact is that the "new and improved" BScN programs tear down your confidence levels until they are nothing. you constantly feel stupid and like you are a major annoyance.

brudjazz · Apr 6, 2005

I suppose that you will have to go on to other avenues.

Actually, couldn't s/he retake some classes or transfer credits to another institution? Once again, the almighty "perfect nurse" rears its attitude. Not making excuses for the student, to be sure, but we all mature at different points in our life.

brudjazz · Apr 6, 2005

I can sympathize. When I was a student, there was a seasoned nurse who complained to our instructor that we asked too many questions. And my very own preceptor had the same attitude. We sat down to take report on my first day on the floor with her, she looked at me and said "I promised myself I'd be nice to you today".
I am usually very happy to have students on our unit but I was pretty disgusted with one we had the other day. I walked up to the desk to check for orders to note and she was sitting on the desk with her shoes off text messaging her friends on her cell phone. We asked her to get down and informed her that wasn't appropriate or professional. If I had seen her instructor, I would have visited with her about it as well, but she never came to the floor. Do instructors still go to the clinical settings with students??

Good God, almighty! I've yet to start taking any classes toward an LPN license, yet I can see that some people just don't get it. Why would ANYONE be sitting there, shoes off, "on the clock", text messaging friends on a cellphone? This stuff has got to stop (I would love to see ONLY police officers, firemen and medical staff being able to carry cellphones in public). Clearly that student didn't have her heart in this. I know that I would never act like she did.

peter.k · Apr 6, 2005

:rotfl: Does any one else have problems with Rn's in the hospitals when attending clinicals? I guess they forget they were students once, or they think they were born a nurse. I do not understand this type of treatment. We are all in this profession to help people, and it seems like they would welcome the help. Our instruction has been a RN for 27 years and is a GREAT!! instructor. And she can not understand this either. We have all approached the nurses with great respect, and this does not work at all.
HELP :uhoh21:

Hi Bonnie

It is the sme no matter which country you work in. After 21 years working as and erolled nurse within the health system I returned to University to do my nursing dergree andgraduate as a RN. My first practical was a 2 week stay at a nursing home so I could " Learn to shower patients, make beds and interact with patients". Well to say I was displeased was a joke. Got treated like you great extra staff we can give them a patient load and have a rest. Unfortunately this attitude was only from a minority but it lasted for the 3 years of my Uni course.

All I can say is keep smiling and remember when you graduate try to educate your work mates to have a better attitude

Regrads

Peter

LittleBittRN · Apr 6, 2005

I work in a very busy ER and I love to get students that want to learn and are motivated. I can say this though- Nothing is more aggrivating that the student who just stares at you, takes no inititive what so ever and when you say "Do you want to get practice with....." they look at you like it's a huge imposition and all they do is follow you and stare. I take care of my patients when I have a student. I don't make them do all the grunge stuff but if they are sharing my assignment with me I expect them to work with me like a team. Not just "call me if you get a Foley or IV to do" and then they just stand at the desk holding it up or ignore a call light. Also, the nursing "aide" is part of the team to- remember when you are a nurse it does not mean that you don't have to do bathing anymore- that is part of patient care. I remember what it was like being a student and I can say I absoultly don't dump on them but give me some students that are motivated!! I would say that only 2 out of every 10 we get show a real eagerness to learn. I remember that I was always looking for oppurtunities to help and learn and didn't have to be asked to do my basic skills- I did it on my own. That helped out after I graduated- the nurses remembered me as a hard worker and a go getter- I got the job because of that.

You can never go wrong with a preceptor if you get off on the right foot and up front say- "What are your expectations of me" and come to a common agreement of what your going to do and be responsible for. This opens the door to communication with your preceptor. That is usually how I start off with a student- What my expectations are and what him/hers are. Also be up front with things that you have not gotten a lot of exposure to "I need practice with..." and at the end of each shift ASK for feedback. How did I do, What do I need to work on... This means a lot and you will learn a lot.

Good luck to all of you!

PFDGB · Apr 6, 2005

Seems nurses and PCAs are only being taught to take BPs with whatever machine is handy. We get LPN and RN students at my hospital and most of them don't even come in with a stethascope. How can they do an assessment?
Even if they are not doing baths or meds, say the student is there for treatments only, would s/he not assess that pt before performing the treatment? At least what I call a mini assessment (assessing the system or general area of concern).
How can anyone talk intelligently about an abdominal dsg change without including an assessment of the abdomen?
Any thoughts students? What are you being taught.
That was kind of off the original post, just something I thought of while thinking about our students.
I have never had the opportunity to work with them for more than a few minutes since I work nights.
At our hospital, I find most of the students hang near their pt rooms and talk to the off-going shift as we make our final rounds. For me and most of my co-workers, that's 0645 - 0730.
For those students who do run into rude nurses, just figure those nurses are very likely miserable human beings and pay no attention to them! At least no more attention than you have to.
Oh yea, BTW, I really prefer not to use the BP machines. I tend to rely on my own ears, specially when a BP is alarmingly high or low.

Please educate me on how it is you take a BP on a pt. without a BP cuff?

Is everyone referring to an electronic BP machine vs. BP cuff (ausculate)??

I graduated last May and I must say after I experienced the game of "hiding BP cuffs & machines by the staff" I asked my professor if I could bring in my own cuff. She did allow me to do this despite infection control because the pt's I was giving meds to did require me to take BP. Not to mention each & every pt I cared for I performed my own vital assessments.

PFDGB · Apr 6, 2005

For the students experiencing the game of "hidden BP equipment" check the bathrooms in unoccupied rooms, conference rooms perhaps at the end of the halls, and mostly those hidden behind the curtains at the pt's bedside. Also, if you approach the nursing assistants with respect they will be more than willing to help where needed. Take what you have learned during your psych rotation and use it when approaching staff. Sometimes they will be more willing to help when you either humble yourself, and if need be just act like you haven't got a clue. They will be eating out of your hands in no time. It's a technique that will be required once you are out there a a RN. I learned this early on and it worked like a charm. Besides you would be surprised what you can learn from the assistants.

mamabear · Apr 6, 2005

There's no excuse for that kind of behavior. It got so bad at my unit that the students wrote a memo to our clinical manager re: staff talking during taped report, staff ridiculing whoever was speaking on the tape, ridiculing the patients who were being reported on and, the corker, fast-forwarding the tape to what they felt was "more important" information. The manager read the memo in a meeting where the DON and ADON were present. It didn't put a screaming halt to such unprofessional conduct, but the staff involved caught hell for it, and deservedly so! Tell your instructor and, if that doesn't help, tell the manager and go up the food chain to administration. Several students stated in the memo they had considered working at our hospital, but, after the unprofessional environment they witnessed: no way. :angryfire

das · Apr 6, 2005

Did you ever think that the staff also gets overwhelmed and tired of students? When I worked in ICU and the ED, we had LPN, RN, EMT adn EMS students. It got to the point that I hated to go to work and have to deal with another student and I am a firm believer in teaching and knowledge sharing. Another thing, when you become a LPN/LVN you will carry a work load that will not likely be greater than 4 patients and entail bath and linen changes. This is part of your job even as a student. Remember that there is a differnce between being a student and working as a nurse and this is something you too will come to know. Best of luck and congratulations on wanting to become a nurse!

LesaRNdreams · Apr 6, 2005

I too as a student have had problems with the nursing staff during our clinicals. Some of the nurses have major attitudes, but others are so helpful and appreciate your help. True, it is no way for a nurse or anyone working at their job to act by having an attitude and being rude. But, we too have to remember that they have just had a 12 hour shift, they are tired and may have had a very difficult shift. And, as always they are understaffed. It's no excuse, but it happens. ----CNAs and BP machines, yeah, they hide them too at my hospital. Along with the other supplies. We only have cuffs that are not on machines for pts that are on precautions where you need to gown up. Some of us were bringing in our own cuffs, but were told we can not use them as they were not calibrated by the hospital. -----If you know the nurse you are assigned to work with is or can be rude (some are all the time), just ask your instructor to be assigned with someone else. :rolleyes:

dazzle256 · Apr 6, 2005

Did you ever think that the staff also gets overwhelmed and tired of students? When I worked in ICU and the ED, we had LPN, RN, EMT adn EMS students. It got to the point that I hated to go to work and have to deal with another student and I am a firm believer in teaching and knowledge sharing. Another thing, when you become a LPN/LVN you will carry a work load that will not likely be greater than 4 patients and entail bath and linen changes. This is part of your job even as a student. Remember that there is a differnce between being a student and working as a nurse and this is something you too will come to know. Best of luck and congratulations on wanting to become a nurse!

I don't know about where you work but where I am and have a student.....the attitude from my co-workers is.....Oh she has a "helper" so lets give her another patient. I think teaching is an important part of our profession and I like to spend a lot of time with the students. They are not only going to be our co-workers one day they may be taking care of us or a loved one. The nurse that oriented me 4 years later was diagnosed with cancer and I was taking care of her in the ICU.

To the student poster that said a floor nurse said "you should know that already"........That attitude really bothers me and a lot of nurses do that. I have more respect for someone that will admit they don't know something then the know it all attitude. There is no dumb question and it is OK if you don't know something.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 6, 2005

Did you ever think that the staff also gets overwhelmed and tired of students?

Funny that i read this today, considering in 8 1/2 hours i had NINE students follow me around (not at the same time). I sounded like a broken record player after awhile.

Went to the coordinator before i changed clothes and said "Please do not put any more students with me for the rest of the week. Saying the same thing to nine different people is enough for one week".