RN's, what would you like to see from Student Nurses?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I just read a thread from the students board that scared the crap out of me. It seems there is not a love between RN's and SN's. I'm going to start school in the fall so just give it to me straight...how can I not be a pain in your butt and how can I be helpful?

i am a student, and here's what i learned (one year to go!!)

be nice to everyone, the tech's, the nurse's and the cleaning staff-yes dadblame it the cleaning staff. you never know who could be important to you in the future.

once things get rolling in hospital clinicals, get some alcohol wipes, a couple of flushes, an empty 10 ml, couple of 2x2's and some tape to keep in your pocket, at the beginning of the shift. even if you're not the one to flush the iv, you're nurse may have used all of her's and you can pull one out of your pocket, someone used all of their alcohol swabs, you've got one. if you are offered the chance to pull a foley you've got the 10 ml to draw out the fluid. this shows you're prepared. all of the nurses know they can grab me as i walk down the hall and i probably have what they need or can go get it.

never say i'm not here to do tech work, are you too good?? guess what?? tech work is your work once you're a nurse: you're just allowed to delegate it to uap then. just because it's delegated doesn't mean it's not your responsibility to see it's done.

at the end of your rotation, do something nice for the staff, bake cookies, bring doughnuts, take up a collection between the 8 or so of you it doesn't cost a lot, and a thank you card for the staff and floor director. (note to self, remember on sunday to go and pick up the fruit from the store.)

when your nurse has a patient who's on the call bell constantly, offer to take the calls, take a few minutes while you're in the room, many patient's who do this are afraid, or have anxiety. some of them will respond to some extra tlc, some won't, but you're answering the calls will help out your nurse tremendously.

keep your mouth shut about your patients in the cafeteria, halls, elevators. not only does this break your patient's privacy, it is unprofessional, and you'll be known as the mouthy, untrustworthy student.

Specializes in ..

I know that it's totally unacceptable to identify your patient in any way in discussion (wherever that is - the lift, the nurses station where people can hear you etc) however can you talk about a procedure that you may have preformed without disclosing any identifying patient features? On my last clinical I got to watch a bronchoscopy, which I was really pumped about and really excited about and wanted to share with my class mates who were on other units and wouldn't get the chance to see one done. I didn't disclose anything about the patient (except that I saw his tumor & that there was heaps of bloody sputum, which I guess can be patient specific) & I got told off by my instructor for being to enthusiastic about discussing the procedure and for HOW I discussed it. I was probably really excited and didn't exactly use the most professional language (I probably called a few things "really cool" and described bronchioles as looking like caves.) Was I unprofessional for being overly enthusiastic?

What is the right way to share something that you may have done during the day? How can you do this professionally and without disturbing your pt's confidentiality?

in post conference in a private room, without anyone else but your instructor and other students. in the classroom setting without using the patient's name or room number.

i'd check out your student nurses handbook for your college, ours is very specific.

Specializes in ICU.
I know that it's totally unacceptable to identify your patient in any way in discussion (wherever that is - the lift, the nurses station where people can hear you etc) however can you talk about a procedure that you may have preformed without disclosing any identifying patient features? On my last clinical I got to watch a bronchoscopy, which I was really pumped about and really excited about and wanted to share with my class mates who were on other units and wouldn't get the chance to see one done. I didn't disclose anything about the patient (except that I saw his tumor & that there was heaps of bloody sputum, which I guess can be patient specific) & I got told off by my instructor for being to enthusiastic about discussing the procedure and for HOW I discussed it. I was probably really excited and didn't exactly use the most professional language (I probably called a few things "really cool" and described bronchioles as looking like caves.) Was I unprofessional for being overly enthusiastic?

What is the right way to share something that you may have done during the day? How can you do this professionally and without disturbing your pt's confidentiality?

I'm sorry that your instructor "reamed" you for your excitement. My instructors would usually get our clinical group in an out-of-the-way location or in a closed room before doing our post-clinical conferences. That way, patient confidentiality was maintained. Excitement is GOOD.

great advice!!!!!!!!!! i'mna keep em in my mind.

+ Add a Comment