Kiplingzero

Hi rowmi0 For somebody that professes to have 12 years experience in the nursing profession, I find your response infuriating. This is someone that is starting out and does not need that level of criticism. Sorry everyone but let's support each other, eh?

hi rowmi0 ... a little harsh maybe?

In the UK - nursing instructors (we call them 'mentors') have a saying about nursing students: "Too posh to wash" Well, on behalf of all nursing students - we're not! My typical day on a ward is - Handover - 715 - 745 Meet and greet patients - 745 - 750 Assign food & fluid charts, as required - 750 - 8 Drug round - 8 - ... Having assessed patient/client need during meet and greet, assist/encourage washing/dressing Those able to get out of bed, change bed - this takes 5 mins/pat - those unable to vacate bed - well...prioritise! A 9 bed bay, 2 staff: 4 able patients, 5 unable - assign each patient according to need, time to assist in washing, dressing etc. unable patients - I reckon about 15 mins each....I never count, but they look so much better after a wash and bed change.... Ok, so it's now lunchtime...inbetween drug rounds, doc rounds and MDT stuff - my patients are clean, refreshed, have a clean bed and feel better for that. Isn't that the majority of what nursing is about? Yes, I know there is so much more. The endless expectations of our instructors/mentors to give us so much more and believe me, they really want to impart their knowledge, but remember guys...the patient always comes first - their recovery, comfort and well-being above all else. As nursing students, we can learn so much from our instructors, but, let's face it, we learn so much more from our patients. It is in basic nursing that we undertake each day that we learn so much. Remember, the patient is the expert about their illness or incapacity and by performing basic nursing care and talking to the patient you will learn so much.

Hi CourtneyH Just wondered...but how good a nurse is your room mate? Is she good with patients and does she have a passion for her job? Maybe she just has some problems academically, but really blooms when it comes to client/patient care and that's what has pulled her through. I'm not sure how it works - I'm from the UK, but there must be support in place for those that don't pass what's required first time round and this MUST to be reviewed as you so rightly say....but I can't help but think there must be a reason why she's allowed to continue to carry on. Not sure that this helps - but maybe she needs some help to get through exams and tests... Just looking on the bright side - what can be a potentially excellent nurse, may not be able to write the perfect essay or pass a test first time. Could you talk this through with her?

To be honest my lovely - the person that is in that awful situation of having to rely on you to clear him/her up could very well be you. If you think about it that way and the reason you really wanted to nurse - there's nothing to scare you. Just remember why you're doing what you're doing - put yourself in their position - how would you feel - how would you want to be treated?? you'll be fantastic - just need to prove it to yourself ..xx