Arya526

I know its partially the atmosphere my hospital has set. I find that one particular shift of nurses are AWESOME and treat me very well. But the other shifts seem to like to bombard me with every single little task. We've had people leave over it. I find that every hospital I've been to has at least one nurse like this on their units. Like in clinical the other day. A PCT was called in due to someone else's no call no show. Majority of the nurses were awesome and tried to help out. One nurse stood at her WOW and literally stated "it's their job, I'm not bathing my patients". Seriously? Theres ONE PCT for like 15 patients. While she was sitting and chatting up a storm with our instructor, the PCT was going nuts because patients were getting irritated for not being able to bathe first thing in the morning. When my patient was settled, I personally jumped in as well as a couple other classmates (all to which have been PCTs or CNAs before). This same nurse also barked at me because I need to "turn and position a patient" and "noone has been doing that" none of the students were even ASSIGNED. In regards to my classmate who thinks shes above bathing..... shes not the only one! And yet I dont think they realize that when they become nurses they might not always have any sort of UAP in the hospital setting. They ARE getting phased out in the major hospitals in my area.

Majority of nurses are not lazy. I even said that they get busy too. I have ALWAYS done my part to help them out as they have a lot on their plates. Even when they're not busy, I do my part and try not to bother them. However, there are nurses who do act that they are above the basic care and helping ME out when I'm swamped. You'd be lying if you said there isnt any of these type of nurses. Every hospitals has at least one or two. Also, I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that I rolled my eyes ever? Because I havent. I keep my mouth shut and continue my job. The nurses on my shift enjoy having me as I do a lot of little things to help them out. If I'm the only PCT I cant do everything myself. I dont think its unrealistic that as a UAP that I ask for help once in awhile too! What IS lazy is spending 10 minutes to find a PCT in a room with other patients just to say "oh can you put this person on the toilet". THATS what I'm referring to. Not only is it lazy, but also risky as patients are more apt to get up on their own and fall. If I'm stuck with a patient whether if they're on the toilet, showering, or ambulating, I cant just drop what I'm doing. But nurses do it, then a patient who is normally continent wets themselves or tries to get up and go on their own. I'm not talking about one nurse, this is 3 or 4 from all different shifts I experience this with.

And I agree. I am not annoyed with the delegation. What I am annoyed with this whole "teamwork" thing includes the nurses stepping up and wiping a butt once in awhile. I as a PCT can only be in one place at once. If I am toileting a fall risk at the other end of the unit, I kinda CANT toilet someone else. So, either the nurse needs to do it herself or find someone available to do it. Research has shown that when we delay taking care of patients the risk for falls increases immensely (or so my nursing instructor states). Not my hospital, but other hospitals have put more emphasis on nurses doing basic care along with PCTs, and even getting rid of UAPs altogether. The hospital I had clinical this semester for actually only has 2 PCTs for a unit of up to 20-25 patients (and is typically full all year round). In this hospital, the nurses were by far much more involved with their patients and thus had a lot less incidents and missed details in assessments.

yes and as a PCT I tend to have 2 to 3 times as many patients. If a patient needs to use the bathroom right now, coming to the other end of the floor while I am with a fall risk patient on the toilet to tell me that I need to toilet a patient is a little ridiculous. If a nurse asks for help I am 100% happy to help out. However, when a nurse CONSISTENTLY gives me patients to put on the toilet when I clearly state, "I am with this patient now, I don't think I can at this moment" it's irritating and unrealistic as I am not the only one who has the capability to do this. The nurse may have A LOT of **** to do, however I easily have 10 to 15 (one night even 20!) patients to bathe, toilet, ambulate, etc myself. Here's another example. I had a SEVERELY obese patient that took 3 to 4 people to boost. I was trying to collect 2 other people to boost and the patient's ASSIGNED NURSE walked by. I kindly ask if she would help me and the other floor PCT boost. It literally takes 30 seconds. I had a grown woman, professional nurse, throw A FIT in front of a patient and her family because I needed help taking care of HER ASSIGNED PATIENT. Literally, she took her anger out on me because she had "better things to do" than to boost this patient. IT took 30 seconds. My problem is that there's way too many nurses and nursing students who stick their nose up to basic care. A PCT with 10 to 15 patients is NOT going to be able to toilet 3 people at once, especially if one is a fall risk. At the end of the day, it is the nurse's responsibility to ensure that the patient is well taken care of. If a patient needs to go to the bathroom or needs repositioning right that second, you need to stop being lazy and do it instead of spending 10 minutes hunting down an already swamped aide to do it. Also, my other problem is that nursing students think that they will always have some sort of aide to do that job for them. Which is NOT true. If my floor is short an aide or PCT, the nurses get put to "aide only" status and help out with basic care. The sad part is, many of them who are delegating these tasks don't know how to do it themselves. Which is embarrassing and annoying. Many of the larger hospitals in my area are phasing out PCTs and aides. They're opting for smaller nurse to patient ratios, and the nurses are doing basic care along with meds, etc.

Yeah it was pretty halarious! Theres nurses on the floor I'm a PCT on that will walk to the other side of the floor just to tell me that theres a patient who needs to use the bathroom..... when they just CAME FROM THAT ROOM! Then they get irritated when I'm in the middle of toileting someone else and I tell them I cant help with that at this moment! When I graduate with my RN I will remember to never treat my aides (and patient) this way!

So just a little funny scenario. I'm currently in nursing school. 2nd semester in an RN program. 3 weeks ago, I had a fellow student talk about how she wants to get a new job while in school. I had suggested becoming a PCT. I explained how it builds confidence in caring for others and building basic skills you need as a nurse. I even stated how I've learned so much. You know what her response was? " I don't want to wipe BUTTS all day!" I listed out everything I did. "But all's you do is wipe butts." Fast forward to last week. My fellow classmate and friend (who is also a PCT) was able to do an ECG without any problems. Aforementioned classmate asked, "Where did you learn how to do that!?" My friend responds with, "PCTs don't JUST wipe butts!" Has anyone else had similar experiences in clinical? I find it frustrating when students believe they never have to give a bed bath or clean up after a bowel prep disaster once they have RN in their title. I also find it funny when these same darn students ask for help on simple things like changing linens and bathing after insulting my current job.

I have A students in my semester class that go to clinical and STILL don't know how to properly do basic care. Same students have no real-life critical thinking skills and just give textbook answers.

To add on to this- It also depends on what data they're basing it off of. One school might be going off of NCLEX pass rate which my community college has a 98% passing rate. Another school might be advertising how many started vs. how many ended. In my nursing school, I would say only about 45 to 50% that are accepted into the program graduate. However our NCLEX passing rate is extremely high at 98%. Honestly if you aim above average you'll do fine. Good luck

1,000 dollars for a book seems skeptical no offense. I can see 1,000 dollars for supplies for a semester, but not for just a book. However, most people in nursing school have these struggles. In my program, majority of us have jobs and/ or kids. Planning ahead helps (like saving up money/ having a budget). At the top of my head I can only think of 2 people out of a class of 54 that have their parents pay for their education and living expenses. The rest of us have bills to pay and mouths to feed. You really need to prioritize and multi-task. I will bring easy stuff to memorize for any down time at work. I will pick up shifts on nights that I don't have much going on especially if I know I won't be working for 2 weeks. I'll be honest. I had an awful exam grade 3 weeks ago. I had a death in the family, work over scheduled me, my mother was having major health issues, and there was stupid family drama going on. I went and talked to my professor to help treat the situation. We came up with a plan to help improve my grades and keep up with everything. try to take a night for yourself and relax! Remember, everyone has their own struggles with school. Just focus on what YOU can do!

My first semester I paid 1,000 dollars for books alone. This semester more like 800.... and I still have another year! 1,000 dollar book does seem a little extreme though!

Alright, I completely understand the frustration. However, take a step back and think about why she said that. Many nursing students go into nursing forgetting about the number one priority: The patient! A good student is one who takes such criticism (even if poorly communicated) and think about why it was said, and how to improve. The 3rd day of clinical (2nd semester student) my instructor was blunt and told me my nose was buried in the computer. She also told me that I wasn't preparing myself to pass meds properly. I thought to myself "Seriously?? We haven't even been tested on it yet!" At first I was irritated and annoyed until I went home and thought about it that night. I came to the realization that she wasn't doing it to be mean, but to basically get my butt in gear. I studied my medications like crazy since. I studied the patho related to class content (even if I wasn't going to be tested for another 3 weeks). She told me today how well I've been doing. It's hints like these that mean the instructor feels you're missing something critical in your care. Try not to take offense! Every student gets it at least once.

I am in my second semester and I had the same problem. I found that even though I was studying a lot of content and a lot of questions, my studying wasn't effective for learning. For example, when you study practice problems: 1. Identify priority (what is the question really asking?) 2. Come up with possible answers to the question ( what assessments would I do? What interventions would I do?) 3. Go through each answer individually. Is it a reasonable answer? If not, mentally cross it out. If maybe, then keep the option open. GO WITH WHAT YOUR GUT TOLD YOU FIRST! (I tend to second guess myself and that's what killed me on my 3rd exam). Also, study with a buddy. Discuss a case study together and even write down your thought process on a whiteboard together. I found out that my problem wasn't the content itself. It's thinking critically and applying my knowledge to nursing. I found that doing less in the way of flashcards and more of writing and thinking through is what I needed. My last exam grade was a WORLD OF A DIFFERENCE! Also, keep track of the type of questions you're getting wrong. Is it one specific topic? Is it one type of question? Is it remote memorization or application? This will help narrow down to what you really need to study and review on.

I'm naughty (and cheap). I am trying to preserve the same uniform for all 4 semesters. I typically just wash in warm water with regular detergent. My scrubs are royal blue and I'm finishing up my 2nd semester. So far no fading or other issues. Another way to help save your scrubs (especially if you want to use hot water) is do hang them to dry. I do this and the color hasn't faded, while fellow classmates' scrubs are starting to look faded. Good luck

I have had a history of insomnia. I highly suggest not having any screen time for at least 30 minutes before bed. this includes tv, phone, and computer. Those 30 minutes should be spent relaxing and getting your mind off of the day. I nice soothing bath/ shower, reading a good book, listenting to calming music. Then, when you go to bed I suggest making the room completely dark with no lights. Flip your phone over so the screen doesn't light up. When I had major issues of insomnia, I was living on campus and frequently had noisy neighbors and people above me. I learned to play soothing meditation music (sounds crazy but it works) or creating white noise with a fan. Make sure you go to bed and get up at the same time every day, and AVOID NAPPING! Creating a routine helps a lot. Also, exercise and other activities can help destress. Although I don't meditate anymore, it used to help me a lot with anxiety and fears related to school. If meditation is too much for you, try coloring. I personally believe that taking meds to sleep is not a good way to fix the problem, but if your doctor believes you needs sleep meds for awhile, make sure you ask questions and follow through. My insomnia got to be so bad that they put me on trazadone to help me get through the first few weeks before my routine would help.

I work on a Med/Surg floor that also does ortho surgeries as a Nursing Aide. We don't get to do vitals, and basically we do rounds every 2 hours, pass out snacks/ water, and basic care including positioning, toileting, and bathing. We also might occasionally be sent to other units for 1 On 1s and to help in the ED (where we do vitals). Overall I love my job, and I've learned so much! It's giving some basic care skills while in nursing school.