"Good for nothing student"

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Sigh... I am sure we have all had one of those days where everything goes wrong. I am currently working as an ESN (Employed Student Nurse) in a local hospital on a surgical unit. I love it... most of the time.

I AM SORRY...

I am sorry that I am still a student, and I need you to co-sign for my narcs

I am sorry that I need your help when starting a heparin drip... i have never done it before

I am sorry that I have had so many first times on the unit, and that you wish i just knew it all so i could leave you alone

I am sorry that I ask so many questions throughout the day, I am still learning

I am sorry that I do not feel comfortable taking out staples when clearly there is no order for their removal

I am sorry that I need you to refill the running epidural bag since I am not allowed to handle them as a student

I am sorry that I do not have all of your patient's bed's changed and made, as well as toileted while you are on break, I went from 2 patients as a student to 8 as an ESN (I AM DROWNING)... i wish you would attempt to try and understand, or think back.

I am sorry that I cannot override the pyxis for a neb...

I am sorry that I need to pee more than once every 8 hours

I am sorry that I need a second person to help boost up a heavy patient

I am sorry that I charted my stuff before you got around to doing your charting, ending with your charting having a bunch of "late entries"

I am sorry that I needed you when my patient's BP shot up, became extremely sweaty and was complaining about severe chest pains

I am sorry that I am "annoying" and a "good for nothing student" as you tell your co-workers under your breath

I am sorry that I stayed in the room with my patient as she discovered her unexpected colostomy, as you left and told me she will get over it

I am sorry that you are so over worked... i wish i could make it better for you, I try my best to hold my own workload

Most of all...

I am sorry that you dont think I have what it takes, or that i did something to make you dislike me... or that you think I am a good for nothing student,... apparently you are wrong, because I was offered a job today on that unit as soon as I finish school :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Congrats on your job offer!!! And, you are NOT a good for nothing student!!! Hang in there!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thankyou Kakamegamama :)

I was very nervous going into my review.. (ESN's are only allowed 400 hours of clinical time in Health System... so it was a short placement), and they said they really liked me and that they would have a placement for me when I was finished school :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am sorry that I stayed in the room with my patient as she discovered her unexpected colostomy, as you left and told me she will get over it

This one statement leads me to believe she's not just short with students but with patients as well. It's about her not you. She has a bad attitude. I'm sure you bought the patient some comfort.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

Who cares what anybody else thinks! You know you are a great soon-to-be-nurse! Heck, the job offer proves that. Keep your chin up! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

wow you have some valuable experience! Keep in mind, many nurses will have the same bad attitude even once you're practicing independently. It sounds like you are a diligent, careful nurse. Don't ever let anyone rush or intimidate you! You'll discover the resources on your unit and who is more receptive to answering you and helping you learn the ropes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, wound care.

Wow! I am sorry you had this bitter, unhelpful person as a nurse to work with on this/these days! They must not have realized that they were making an investment in the future!

jane

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I absolutely LOVED THIS...I am in my 2nd semester of Nursing school. I pray everyday that GOD keeps me humble and blesses me to give wonderful care to patients. EVERYONE knows that being a NURSE is NOT EASY!!! During my 1st set of clinicals last semester I had an elderly patient that made me discover some things about myself. She also made me look at her as if she were a relative.

That SO-CALLED NURSE needs to remember that she too will need someone to attend to her/help her and you may be the one who has to. But you be NICE and do your part and GOD will BLESS YOU!!! Good luck with school!!!:yelclap::clpty:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hate to say "Get used to it"..but nursing really is this way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Awe you guys are so sweet :) My mom always says that I need to pay my dues and thats why people sometimes give me a hard time. Which, is true, I never expected it to be an easy road.

I really enjoy being quite independent, and working with this RN has stopped me from relying on her and forced me to really be "The Nurse". And I do thank her for that...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I remember those thoughts. I had a very similar position- just called something different- and knew just enough to be dangerous. I did it the year before graduation and honestly thought there was no way I would be cut out for this. On top of it, we floated. So, floating to different units, knowing a little bit of everything and a whole lot of nothing, not knowing who to ask... or who to trust for the answer....

It really does get better, and I'm so thankful our hospital cut that program. It was meant to be a way to get student nurses more experience with patients before graduation with an experienced nurse, but ended up being a way for *some* nurses to slack off. I hated, hated, hated it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.
I remember those thoughts. I had a very similar position- just called something different- and knew just enough to be dangerous. I did it the year before graduation and honestly thought there was no way I would be cut out for this. On top of it, we floated. So, floating to different units, knowing a little bit of everything and a whole lot of nothing, not knowing who to ask... or who to trust for the answer....

It really does get better, and I'm so thankful our hospital cut that program. It was meant to be a way to get student nurses more experience with patients before graduation with an experienced nurse, but ended up being a way for *some* nurses to slack off. I hated, hated, hated it.

The ESN program in British Columbia used to be very good apparently. I know a lot of people who now, are taking the LPN exam after their second year and doing that, rather than trying to become an ESN. I do think it was beneficial, and since I had been on the unit for a 12 week clinical rotation previously I knew some people. Some were VERY helpful, others were not.

Floating must have been very hard. I can just imagine how difficult and stressful that must have been for you. I know the ESN program is being cut down and will eventually be taken out of BC lowermainland healthcare. And while we have the new grad freeze on right now to bring the RNs from LTC back to acute care, it will only get worse.

I am super excited about how pleased the staff were with me though. I always wonder if I am doing a good enough job, or if people like me. I am only 20 and sometimes I feel like that works against me in situations. I just PRAY that I will have a decent preceptor when I hit my final semester :) If not, I guess it can only make me stronger :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion