cowsmoo2

Thank you for the input and your experience. I will continue to work to find resources for the ESL student.

Thank you for your input, this was truly helpful. I hadn't thought to try and limit the post-conference compliants, I had always viewed it as a part of open discussion but you're right, it can turn into a mob which is what I was concerned about. I know enough about the other instructor to highlight more of her skills. Will try to do that next time. As for the language barrier, the school I work for does not have any materials to help. We get RNs from the Phillipines now trying to enter the healthcare field with all the U.S. hoop jumping. We do explain they are allowed to use an Phillipines/English dictionary for work and tests but one student I suggested that to became insulted. She ended up dropping out which I felt really bad about as I know she knew beyond what the NA program had to offer. Hoping she will try again. I also always try to give students resources and my experience in dealing with others. I've had some pretty crappy bosses, an instructor from hell when I was in nursing school, and survived all of it feeling like I came out ahead. I am not going to give up. Again, thank you so much for your suggestions. God Bless. Sandy, LVN

Hello! I am a vocational nurse (aka: LPN) with an associate degree and DSD certification. I've been a nurse for 24 years and have gotten to do a lot of great nursing duties. At this time in my career, and being tired of shift work, I ventured into the teaching side - nursing assistants specifically. I love teaching but admit it is a bit tough. I've had students with bad attitudes, language barriers, lots of excuses (my computer blew up so I couldn't do work), etc... Recently, a group of 12 NA students went off at post conference with many complaints. That the facility staff CNAs disappear, don't let them do things, and that the other instructor doesn't listen to them. I spend a lot of time walking around at clinical helping students to be involved in tasks and making nice with staff. I do see the staff aides pushing away the students and have worked to open doors. This is a weekend class so the DSD wasn't there. Am at a lost as how to redirect things in a more positive fashion. I've explained that every instructor is different, to continue to respectfully explain their feelings. I need more info on the following: 1. How to handle student complaints. 2. How to handle language barriers. 3. How to embrace instructor differences. 4. How to continue to learn despite how we might deal with staff. No resources I've found have been directed at these concerns. I did talk with the director of the program to let her know what had happened and how I handled things. I don't want to give up on teaching which I've done now for 6 months. It's wonderful to watch how students have worked and then graduate and become a colleague. Muchs Thanks!!!!

Hello fellow nurses. I recently started a new job at a skilled nursing facility that is using the Point Click Care system. Training was brief and I'm learning as I go...actually by the seat of my pants. This drives me crazy. Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a user manual/guide. Co-workers are great but we are so short on time that getting answers is on the fly and it is hard to absorb. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Your comment was most helpful. I've recently learned that a new hired RN was assigned to this same NP and he has since walked off the job due to the same treatment he got that I dealt with. I think it is shameful for any organization to treat their employees like this. I did get a letter of recommendation from one of the doctors I worked with at the clinic who felt my being fired was not right. I have since obtained a temporary job as a camp nurse for a local school district---outdoor school camp for 6th graders. Am hoping this will give me back my confidence and move on. Thank you again for your comment.

Hello out there. I write knowing I am going to sound whiney but I truly need some advice. Back in October 2013 I was terminated from my job as a LVN clinic nurse assigned to a nurse practitioner. I've had my license for 20 years and have worked with a variety of healthcare providers. This NP was by far the worst in terms of arrogants and demands. She was new to the clinic and struggled with learning the electronic system and requirements of this specialized healthcare system --Veteran's system. I did everything I could to assist her but found myself training a provider. I repeatedly reported to my administrator/supervising RN for the 3 months I was assigned to the NP, as well as HR, but then an accusation of working outside my scope of practice surfaced by this NP --thus my termination. I won my unemployment, originally declined benefits due to being fired for "misconduct." I won because the judge ruled there was no evidence of misconduct. I was never written up, was not given my annual performance evaluation, and the NP did not show up to the hearing. But I am struggling finding work due to a termination on my record. It is hard to explain why I am no longer working for this position. I am also afraid of any new job I might get. This situation has truly winded me and am struggling in how to overcome it. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I totally understand this situation. I had a job, as a school site nurse at an elementary school, where I had to completely walk way from the job to save my license. The principal had no clue as to my duties, and when I had to take a 6yr old's Epipen away from him (his mother put it into his back pack and told no one he had a serious peanut allergy, but this is considered a "potentially injurious object in the public school system when no paperwork has been completed to justify the medication), the parent got upset and claimed I was nasty to her. I wasn't. I had called her, when the teacher discovered the item, and explained school policies and rationales. If any parent complained about a teacher or other staff member, the principal wrote them up. We had no support from this administrator and this one only of many situations I had to deal with. I made a plan. I kept up skills whenever I could afford the money and time so I could stay marketable. I kept advocating to co-workers we needed to establish a system of support. I stayed in contact with a union rep. I documented any, and I mean any, event I felt might later come back to haunt me. I tried always to have a witness present with this administrator or any event I thought might turn bad. I researched my employee's rights handbook. I spoke softly and upbeat always to everyone, especially the complainers. It is true, that even when we do all we can, we may still have to walk away. But I walked away with my license unharmed. As a final note, when I left, I contacted my state's licensing board and notified them of my concerns. They were very supportive and informative. They also confirmed my license was in good standing. Good luck in your situation and know that because we deal with the public, most nurses face this problem.