RNfaith331

1). Can someone tell me what it's like to be a dialysis RN? 2). What are the positives and negatives of this profession? I am considering a change.

Can someone tell me what it's like to be a dialysis RN? What are the positives and negatives of this profession? I am considering a change.

Yes, unfortunately there are some of these types of nursing instructors out there. My school had one of these. She would pick out a person at the beginning of clinical and would fabricate or embellish scenarios to fail them. The school was very well aware of her behavior and yet tolerated it with the attitude that it was very difficult to get clinical instructors at this level. She had a solid performance record of failing one student per session and made a point of telling students that she teaches at another college where only the best students are allowed to take her courses. It's curious to me that these types of instructors never question there own performance when failing a student each semester. Never question if they could have supported, interacted, instructed that student stronger to bring them to a place of desired performance. The students in my program were all overachievers with excellent academic histories. I will say that eventually something happened to get the Dean of Nursing involved and finally the situation has changed and that particular instructor is not longer teaching at the program. Most students don't push the situation up the chain of command where they may find a different outcome. I'm sorry you are experiencing this. I wish you the best. If there is a way to make an appointment with the Dean you may consider that. It worked for someone I knew and was just what she needed, to get out of the clinical group of this particular instructor and into another one, until that particular phase of the program where the instructor taught was completed.

I agree Jenn1229. I love getting both newer RN grads (they won't assign the really new RN grads) and I especially love the nurses who have seen and experienced so much and want to teach. I try to enter these situations like a sponge. I do whatever I can to help/assist my nurse, to anticipate ways I might be of help. I try to compensate for the time she is taking working/teaching me. This is a second career for me so I take nothing for granted. All the RN's out there that are the great teachers, thank you. We sign your praises at Post conference and on our group Facebook page (private).

AtivanIM, I love your response. While I do agree "to a point" that all moments can be teaching moments, unfortunately, some of the teaching moments are an example of how to NOT handle a situation. I don't think seniority gives anyone the right to be deliberately mean, cruel, and rude. Why in the world would you go into this profession if you did not have a inordinate amount of patience and understanding? If anyone should "get over themselves" it is the nurses who are "eating their young." No excuse for this period! Frankly, I think some people are just burnt out and lashing out because they know they can get away with it. There doesn't seem to be any repercussions for their behavior and bad attitudes.

Thank you for posting these Brain Sheets, they are excellent. I am always grateful to experienced RN's who willingly share and help educate the students and new RN grads coming into the field. Your kindness and knowledge are so appreciated.

All good advise thanks so much. I am an older student and do work through lunches/breaks, participate in everything I can, ask to see and participate in everything they will let me. I am really looking forward to this rotation. I looked up 1/2 life of pitocin and most references say 3-5 minutes hope that's correct. I pray I get a buddy nurse like you who will allow me to do as much as they feel safe with. I love nursing, I've waited a long time for this (yes, second career). I make the most of my clinicals and have stayed over may times to see or finish a procedure I was allowed to watch or participate in. I want to thank all the great nurses out there that enjoy teaching new nurses. You absolutely make the difference in whether it's a great experience or not. I want you to know for those of you that take the time or give an appropriate push or word of encouragement, your praises are sung at post conference. So many times someone has said I want to be like this nurse when I get my license she was wonderful to work with and taught me so much. So thank you to all of you, we are very appreciate of your patience and your extra efforts.

Hi, I'm starting my Maternity Clinical Rotation and was wondering if you could tell me what kinds of things experienced RN's wish new nursing students knew before starting this rotation. I'd like to feel as though I was hindering my buddy nurse. Are there particular reference material etc... I could review before this clinical?

i have taken the year to gain my cna, acls, and iv certifications. i held my head up and attended my friends pinning, graduation ceremony and parties. you have to reflect when this happens to you and be peaceful in the knowledge that we do not always understand what is happening in our lives, but it's happening for a reason. perhaps it will not be clear for years to come. i also firmly believe that you must never let "1 person" derail your dream. know in your heart that you are meant to be in this chosen profession. when i took my state board for cna the last state examiner said to me "you are going to be a wonderful nurse" i told her i had a horrendous experience in my mcaiii clinical. she was so kind and said that unfortunately there are a few nurses like this in the profession who make it their goal to crush the spirits of nursing students because it feeds their ego. she said to keep persevering and learn from those golden nurses who do love to teach and who have not forgotten that they too were once a nursing student. i do feel quite sad that the new batch of students who i have reentered the program with will go innocently into this clinical rotation with this icu clinical instructor to only be chewed up and spit out. i wish i had the power to derail this but i can't. i can only be there for these follow students and pray that they make it through this set of classes. i swear, god willing if i am ever in a position to stop someone like this from hurting another student i will. to all those other students out there, do not give up, dust off your nursing shoes and go back after your dream! study hard, do everything in your power to succeed and know that it is not 1 person's opinion that will determine your future. you have the power to make it happen, you have to keep the faith, believe and take another leap of faith that all will work out in the end. that you will come out the other end that much stronger a nurse because you had to try twice as hard to earn that rn. god bless and know there are others out there going through exactly what you are now. it gets better, you will graduate, and they will call you …. nurse.

I just found out I didn't pass the ICU Clinical portion even though I was holding a good grade in the theory. I have been through a the semester from hell with my clinical instructor. I was feeling so beaten down. No matter how much I prepared it was never good enough. When I asked other students about their experiences, no one was going through this kind of scrutiny. Keep trying to have a positive attitude, but it's hard seeing the rest of my cohort go on to finish this program. I have to wait until next year to restart the program at the ICU clinical rotations. I am going to try to audit a couple of classes to keep current on pharm, patho etc... Any advise out there how to handle difficult clinical instructors and how anyone has dealt with this situation?

I had a patient 1 day post op who was listed as "hypoactive bowel sounds" prior to my shift. (I am a nursing student). My instructor asked how many bowel sounds are considered hypoactive and hyperactive. Couldn't recall exact numbers. Can someone help with this?

I'm a nursing student who would love to volunteer to give immunizations this fall. Any ideas of how to find an opportunity like this? I live in Northern California.

I can't find it now, but it's possible that's what they meant.

Thanks that was cute!

Thanks very much that makes sense.