SpaceCadet77

References to another nurse are fine. Identifying a nurse by name in a patient's chart is inappropriate. Phrases such as "previous shift nurse stated...", "covering nurse provided medication X..", or "assignment 2 nurse assisted with" are appropriate ways of describing another nurse's actions. If anyone needs to know who, specifically, that nurse was, they would be empowered to discover the information beyond the chart (I.e. an administrator or attorney). This is true for ALL clinical staff. Document "PCP ordered...", not "Dr. Smith ordered...". Document "PT evaluated for gait training.", not "Kevin Jones, PT evaluated..." and "Per surgeon, pt to follow up with PCP.", not "Dr. Black ordered follow up with Dr. Grey."

I think nursing CREATES bullies. Nurses have to be the primary clinician overseeing an expanding team of subspecialities and clinically complex disease processes and treatments. However, we are still often dismissed as "bedpan-wielding handmaids" That leads to frustration and resentment which leads to bullying people who don't respect us.

True, it isn't a violation of HIPAA to ask these questions. It is a violation of privacy to demand proof of vaccination in order to obtain or retain a job (which WOULD require providing your medical record). Requiring vaccination status is no different than requiring HIV status or any other aspect of your medical history that doesn't affect your ability to do your job. Please don't counter with an argument that possibly being COVID positive affects your ability to do the job. It is incumbent upon the professional to use standard precautions, the employer to facilitate respiratory precautions and environmental safety measures. A healthcare provider's medical history and vaccination status should remain private and is irrelevant.

I don't normally post replies that could be construed as negative or critical, however...I am a little stunned by this post and most of the follow-up comments. I assume that you "oriented" these preceptees to your particular expectations, otherwise, it is unreasonable to expect the level of subordination you've suggested in your post. An FNP student already has a professional license (as an RN) and is an educated, independent clinician. It is neither necessary nor appropriate for you to assess and judge their professionalism. None of the issues you cited are within your purview as a preceptor. While I respect that you have personal values and a standard operating procedure or methodology while working, those standards are your own. I suppose you can communicate your expectations and hold preceptees to them as you see fit, but your role as a preceptor is clinical guidance and oversight. Please consider sticking to evaluation of their clinical competence.

Simple answer is "scrubs". The care giving environment has changed...now the unit is inhabited by medical secrataries, EMR technicians, PT/OT, their aides and nurse's aides, housekeeping, and on and on. All of these people wear scrubs. The white coat identifies the nurse as such. It's an old fashioned but known nursing color. People have an idea who to approach in that sea of scrubs when they need care . That's why I wear the white coat.

A big factor is your lifestyle when you are NOT working. 12 hour shifts give you lots of free time in which to spend money to fill the time you have off! Of you have family or enjoy relaxation and recreational activities that don't require much financially, then 12 hour shifts are great. However, if you generally like to go out and pay for activities when you aren't working, then you may find that you have more down time to fill than your finances will allow. Remember that you aren't making more money, just making it in a shorter time. That was the case for me...I went back to 8 hour shifts and now my days off are "grander" because they are fewer. I do more eating out, shopping, going to the theater, etc. Things I wouldn't be able to afford if I was off several days a week and spending money to entertain myself and fill the time. It's really an individual thing... As for the work routine...12 hour shifts may give you more time to attend to clients, administrative tasks, documentation and such, or the employer may develop a standard routine that requires more work and leaves you with a proportional work load to that of the 8 hour shift...it varies from place to place. Again, it all comes down to evaluating what is right for you.

Since nobody else is saying this, I will. Much of the criticism here is quite disrespectful to our nursing peers. I sat for the same boards you did. I'm quite finished being judged and having my skills reviewed. I don't open my mouth when other nurses take hours passing meds, doing assessments and treatments. I don't express my annoyance when nurses babble irrelevent information at me in report (I don't care about problems that arose that you SOLVED!!!) . Every nurse is right in their work during their shift. How do I know? A pretty piece of paper from the state tells me so! If more nurses took this to heart instead of overstepping their bounds, we would all be better off and happier on the job.