Rude/ Inconsiderate nurses during clinicals

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2013

I hear what you are saying and I'm sorry you have a bad experience....you do realize that these nurses are not paid one extra dime for the responsibility of having a student. They need to finish their own duties and have you as an addition to you....for free. You might be paying your school $20,000.00....but your school isn't paying those nurses one dime for the added responsibility.

When you get out of school you are fortunate to even find a position especially if you are in a 2 year school. You don't "sign up" for nursing students when you accept a nursing position.

Your instructor/school should set up in the morning a list of possible procedures for the day and assign them accordingly...with the patients and nurses permission. $20,000.00/year is expensive.....that would be $40,000.00 for a 2 year degree which is the cost of a four years degree at a state school....or $80,000.00 for a 4 year degree.....that is expensive and I live in an expensive part of the country. I am currently looking at colleges with my daughter and $20,000.00 a year is expensive.

Some people are just not good teachers...this is why this system of showing up in the morning and essentially dumping the students on an unsuspecting staff can set up adversarial relationships.

The onus is on you to get the best experience, introduce yourself, and if you are presented with a reluctant nurse it is your responsibility to go to your instructor for a different nurse the next time.

You have gotten some good advice here....smile, be pleasant, helpful and unobtrusive.

Now you have an example of how not to be when you become a nurse.....and maybe one day you might have a better understanding of why some nurses feel this way.

Good luck in school!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2013

I ALWAYS introduce myself to the nurse, not vice versa. I am here to learn, they are here to do their job and not hold my hand. I make sure when introducing myself that I tell them what I can/cannot do and that I'm willing to help with anything and want to see/smell/touch as much as I can. Many nurses respond well to this with me and I get pulled in by other nurses because they see how much I want to learn.

THIS.

When I was a nursing student, as well as an orientee or "the new nurse on the block", I set the tone with the same mannerisms; no one owes me anything except ME in terms of getting a great experience to add to my practice.

A someone who is a preceptor for new and seasoned nurses as well as a go to resource for nurses and nursing students, no two students or nurses are alike; and at times, I'm trying got each as I go; some days may not be the type of day for one to be engaged with the pt I am taking care of; it's never personal. Most of the time, if you are willing to set the tone and learn and are VERBAL about it and can back it up, then that's the real deal; I'm not concerned about one laughing at my jokes or anything like that; I want to at least see an INTEREST in what is at present; that includes even when one doesn't like the particular specialty or unit or whatever.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2013

>Saying "you're timid, is this your first day?" No. I am not timid or shy at all. I am comfortable going up to people and asking them if they need help. But these hospitals are potential employers and I am guarded in what I say or how I act in them. I am not going to chuckle at your jokes about the patient because I want a job next year.

However, your guardedness is NOT helping you with your clinical experience, IMHO.

You don't have to laugh at ones jokes; what you need to understand in this business is COMMUNICATION is EVERYTHING; including verbal and non verbal communication. Find more successful ways in making sure that you are CLEAR in your communication, and engaging in the experience; that doesn't mean you have to laugh at "nurses humor" or anything like that; you need to make sure the quality of the communication is matching YOU; if you want a job next year; make sure your communication is not matching up a a newbie who is timid, if you are the opposite; if you are a little; there's nothing wrong with that; use your communication skills and your actions in learning to help show your growth-that's what helps in terms of networking for a position; and one of the nurses you are paired up with will assist in making that determination; usually with peer interviews.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2013

All of the above are far more acerbic and extreme than I actually feel. In fact, I get great feedback from most of the students that I host but there is an element of truth in all that I've typed. You know that you're not supposed to be entitled... and yet, you seem to think that you are... and your willingness to pay an absurd sum of money for nursing school doesn't buy you a darn thing with me.
Your attitude and work ethic do but the money that you're paying your school? Your problem, not mine. It's also interesting to me to note that while I was in school, certain nurses had a bad reputation for being rude and inconsiderate of the students... and yet I had little difficulty with any of them.
I hear the same thing about many physicians and used to hear it about professors...
*****Take this for what it's worth: It's your job - as a student, as a new grad, and as a new hire - to integrate yourself into the existing culture by changing as needed; it's not up the culture to change itself to suit you.

:yes: :yes: This...

allnurses Guide · Nov 8, 2013

1. not letting me see a specific patient without a good reason
2. I want to see *every* patient, not just the nice ones.
3. Expecting me to know certain things then telling my instructor I don't know anything.
4. Leaving the nurse's station to do a procedure/ task and not letting me know.
5. This bothers me to no extent.
6. Saying things like "why didn't you become a doctor?"
7. Saying "you're timid, is this your first day?"
8. When the nurse doesn't introduce him/herself to me when I am assigned to that nurse for the day.
9. I know I am not supposed to be entitled but I am paying 20,000 plus a year out of pocket for nursing school.

Speaking of irritating things.

1. Have you considered the nurse is not letting you see "every" patient because you are not ready to see "every" patient. Have you tried demonstrating complete mastery of the patient(s) you do see?

2. Remember that what you "want" is not what is important.

3. Nurses do not expect students to know everything; they do expect students to know the important facts about their assigned patients and the meds and procedures they are implementing. See #1 about mastering your current patient before seeking more.

4. Again, the nurse is not required to take you for every procedure or task or patent. That is earned. Perhaps the nurse thinks you need to spend more time mastering your current patient or becoming more prepared in your knowledge of the intervention. See #1, #2, #3.

5. "Bothering" you is not the nurses concern. See #2.

6. Most people actually say this as a comment and don't realize it's not. Also, some may say it if you seem more focused on what docs do and less on the patient at hand.

7. If nurses are telling you that you seem too "timid" this means you need to do a better job of demonstrating mastery of your patient.

8. Shouldn't you introduce yourself to the nurse instead of expecting them to introduce themselves to you?

9. How much of the 20,000 is the nurse getting? In all honestly, the entire post sounds entitled, and you should remember the nurses are there to teach you and take on the added responsibility without any extra pay.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 9, 2013

> not letting me see a specific patient without a good reason

And there doesn't need to be a good reason for you not to see a patient. It is not you, but your CI, in conjunction with the hospital, who determines which patients are for students to work with.

As much as you want to see all the patients, this is something that you need to accept.

> Expecting me to know certain things then telling my instructor I don't know anything.

Depends on what things they are. I'm not expecting you to know everything, but I do expect you to know the basics of providing safe and competent care. And if you don't, I will damn well let your CI know that.

>Leaving the nurse's station to do a procedure/ task and not letting me know.

And where WERE you? If you're not by your nurse, then when you miss out on stuff you have no one to blame but yourself. Nor does your nurse need to present you with a detailed itinerary for every minute of his/her shift.

My patients are my first priority. Students are my second. I love getting students involved as much as possible, but if I have to go do something for a patient and I can't find you, I am not about to waste time hunting you down. And depending on the acuity of the patient, sometimes there isn't the luxury of time to be wasted. So leave the nurses' station/my side at your own risk.

> Saying things like "why didn't you become a doctor?"

Not something I ask because if you wanted to be a doctor, you wouldn't be in nursing school. I would just chalk that up to their attempt at making conversation.

>Saying "you're timid, is this your first day?"

I will ask that if you look like a deer caught in the headlights, as about half of my students do. Perhaps consider that THAT is the vibe you are projecting whether you intended to. You may think you're being outgoing and confident but that may not be how you are coming across. Have a classmate/instructor give you some honest feedback.

>When the nurse doesn't introduce him/herself to me when I am assigned to that nurse for the day.

Not cool.

But at the same time, are YOU introducing yourself? Or are you just standing next to him/her expecting them to know who you are? Nurses are busy people; we don't have time to play, "guess who?"

I enjoy having students along for the ride, but you better tell me who you are and why you're there if you want my attention.

What do you do in these situations? How do you handle them? I am just really mad, I had a bad experience this week. I know I am not supposed to be entitled but I am paying 20,000 plus a year out of pocket for nursing school.

Keep in mind that while at clinicals...yes, it is a learning experience that you have paid for. And yes, the hospital shouldn't accept students if they don't want to teach them.

At the same time, you are a guest in the hospital. You are not their employee, nor are you the one ultimately responsible for the patient's care. And the patients are not there for your learning convenience, but for their health and recovery.

I realize that right now you are getting over a bad week and are really peeved. However, you are also coming across as rather entitled. This may not be how you actually are, but that's the vibe you are giving off right now. And I wonder if that's the vibe you are giving off while at clinicals. Just something to think about.

Best of luck with the rest of school.

Princesswho · Nov 9, 2013

What semester of nursing school are you in?

So are you assigned to one preceptor and take there full patient load with them?

It seems like you should bring to your teacher that this nurse does not seem receptive to students. You are there to get the best learning experience possible. With that being said if it is unavoidable then this is where you must be assertive without being rude. > not letting me see a specific patient without a good reason

I want to see *every* patient, not just the nice ones. If it's a danger to my safety or the patient's safety then I understand but some nurses don't give me a reason. The other day a nurse didn't let me see a patient because "she had a good relationship with him" and she spent most of the shift with him, leaving me out. I luckily just tagged along with a different nurse but I felt like she was rude and offered me a poor excuse.

in this situation I would say something like I understand that you have a good relationship and enjoy visiting with him but would you please let me know when you are doing a procedure or something that I could learn from that way I am not hovering over you as you guys are having a personal conversation I don't want to be in your way. That way she gets that you are here to learn but not trying to step on her toes or smoother her. If she is in the room a long time make yourself useful check on your other patients answer calls bells and so forth.

I will tell you that it's not her job to seek you out and introduce herself to you but the other way around. Also many times these nurses do not even realize that they have a student assigned to them till you walk up and tell them.

Yeah I always walk up and introduce myself. It bugged me that this one time she didn't say "hey I am Xyz" or anything. I had to look at her ID to figure out who she was.

I dont know about other places but our nurses didnt knowif they had a student so why would they come looking for you. In most places they have a morning huddle or a place to pick up there assignment I suggest you stand close to this area so when she walks up you will see her and can introduce yourself early before she starts getting report. In my clincals we didnt follow a preceptor we were assigned a patient and basically took care of them on our own and only asked the nurse if it was something we had not done before and our teacher was not sure how to do it. Other then that our teacher was the one going in the room with us for dressing changes, med's, foleys blah blah blah. So your system seems a little different and I could see that it could get time consuming to teach these things when you have a full patient load. So sometimes if in a time crunch it is better to watch them do it rather then her waiting to give you step by step instructions (Hope that doesnt seem mean) I dont mean it like that I just graduated so i have been there as well and the nurses that didnt want to teacher our teacher wouldnt assign a student to.

As far as being timid you dont have to laugh at their jokes. When it comes to patient care though you need to go in there with a sense of confidence in yourself. Remember if you are nervous or withdrawn the patient may sense this and then they dont want a student who is possibly going to hurt them or not do something correctly. I had a patient tell me one time no student is touvhing me and I simply said I respect your wish not to have do anything I will let the nurse know that you prefer she takes care of you but we all have to start somewhere I wouldnt do anything to you unless I knew what I was doing your safety adn well being is my number one concern. He opened up to me and let me work with him the next day.

Overall, dont be rude but stand your ground you need to be able to advocate for yourself so that you can advocate for your patients. You are not there to be a CNA although you do need to be able to know how to do all those things so you get a respect for how hard they work and be a team player so let the nurse know "I changed Mr. D brief I was wondering if there was anything else that I could help you with" Also look at the patients orders that way you could ask Hey I saw that Mr D is going to need A,B,OR C would you like me to go get the supplies set up so we are ready as soon as you get a second. Last but not least always thank them even if they were a ***** let them know when you are done for the day and say thank you for letting me follow you around today. Maybe not right away but I find that when you do this they do tend to come around to having a student.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2013

I LOVE students!!!! but i would not like having a student 'assigned' to follow me. that is not my responsibility that is the instructors job. we have a new instructor that is having students given meds with the nurse....were busy...that isn't our job and some were frustrated. it just so happens that these students are amazing. they are out and about, answering call lights!!! One student nurse heard me the other day telling my CNA i would get one of the blood sugars if she would get the other............do you know what that darling did????? she said I have the time i will get them both for you! i will bend over backwards because of them being such a help on the floor. Iv's , foleys, ng tubes.......i will let them do. i had quit announcing when some of my special skill stuff comes up because the instructors have us supervise them and it takes a lot of time but when Its not because i don't like students, it just takes a lot of time that with my schedule is not a luxury i have.

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 9, 2013

How do you deal with rude/ inconsiderate nurses during clinical?
Things that really irritate me:
> not letting me see a specific patient without a good reason

1. If you are not assigned to that patient, you have no right to see the patient. HIPAA applies here. Also, the nurse is not obligated to give you a reason. You are a guest of the facility, and the facility is not obligated to provide more than what your instructor has decided should be your patient load.

I want to see *every* patient, not just the nice ones. If it's a danger to my safety or the patient's safety then I understand but some nurses don't give me a reason. The other day a nurse didn't let me see a patient because "she had a good relationship with him" and she spent most of the shift with him, leaving me out. I luckily just tagged along with a different nurse but I felt like she was rude and offered me a poor excuse.

2. See #1. Additionally, the patient's care, not the student's education, is the primary responsibility of the nurse. There have been times in the OR where things are not going well. I've told students to stand somewhere and stay out of the way or had them leave the room completely. My obligation to the patient is #1. When that requires 100% of my concentration, I can't also be responsible for a student. The instructor is the one who is responsible for your education.

EDIT: if the patient asks for no students then it's okay as well because of consent and such.
> Expecting me to know certain things then telling my instructor I don't know anything.
As a nursing student, I am clinical to learn. I am not going to right away have the skills go into action. It's like riding a bicycle--easy *once you get the hang of it*. Thankfully, my instructor is nice, but it's a mean thing for a nurse to just tell the instructor I know nothing when I am a student trying to learn the things I do not know. But now I am scared to ask my instructor for a rec letter in the future.
>Leaving the nurse's station to do a procedure/ task and not letting me know.
This bothers me to no extent. If I see the nurse I was assigned to for the day and kind of saunter off without telling me then I get up, chase her and follow her. If you don't want a nursing student with you then you should have worked at a facility that doesn't take students. I am going to follow you whether you like it or not. Even if you are just getting a blood glucose (which I am sort of an expert at doing now since I have done it so many times) or asking the patient if he needs anything.

The nurse is not your keeper, nor does he/she have time to hunt you done to perform tasks. Again, the patient comes first.

> Saying things like "why didn't you become a doctor?"
Why didn't YOU become a doctor?
>Saying "you're timid, is this your first day?"
No. I am not timid or shy at all. I am comfortable going up to people and asking them if they need help. But these hospitals are potential employers and I am guarded in what I say or how I act in them. I am not going to chuckle at your jokes about the patient because I want a job next year.

You may think you are presenting yourself one way but in reality are coming across in another way. Ask someone you trust for honest feedback.

>When the nurse doesn't introduce him/herself to me when I am assigned to that nurse for the day.
This is just rude.

This is where you need to take initiative. Introduce yourself to them, ask them their name, tell them what you can do/what you can't do. But be mindful of what the nurse needs to do for her patients- if someone is crumping, let them take care of the patient.

What do you do in these situations? How do you handle them? I am just really mad, I had a bad experience this week. I know I am not supposed to be entitled but I am paying 20,000 plus a year out of pocket for nursing school.

You know you are not supposed to be entitled, but you post certainly comes across as such. Also, what you pay for nursing school has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the nurse you are working with. Frankly, we don't care whether you're paying $2 or $2M.

OCNRN63, RN · Nov 9, 2013

I am in a bad mood from a bad experience this week.
I always am assertive, offering to help, putting myself out there, asking questions, and trying to do things. And without . It sucks because I never had a bad experience with any nurses until the past couple experiences this quarter.
And 20k a year is not obscene that's how much a good state school costs. Maybe you went to school many years ago or in another state but my tuition is pretty normal.
But this week my nurse never said I was doing anything wrong. She never told me "oh you are doing this horribly". Then without even telling me I did something wrong she went and told my instructor I don't know what I am doing. If she said "oh you don't seem to know what you are doing" or something I would have worked to prove her wrong. But she said nothing and acted ok

Perhaps the nurse thought she was supposed to inform the instructor, not you, if there was a problem. Maybe whatever you did/did not do alarmed the nurse to the point that she felt it was best to go straight to the top.

Perhaps the nurse forgot to tell you about the procedure. Maybe she wanted to just go do the procedure so she could have a minute alone with the patient or just not have someone walking on her heel for a bit. It is very draining to have someone following you around all day long. Sometimes you just want to be alone with your thoughts.

You have no idea why she shut you out from being with that patient. I can think of a number of reasons, and none of them have anything to do with you. You aren't owed an explanation for this. Just say, "OK," and ask her if there's something you can do to help her.

Your tuition isn't important to the staff, particularly if they're having to precept without getting a differential for it.

As others have said, it's up to you to introduce yourself, not the other way around.

Two bad experiences in two years? Really? Why are you complaining? If you are this angry over perceived slights, you're going to be in for a surprise when you are actually working on a unit. You're angry because someone just said "Hi" to you? Good grief...maybe a patient just reamed her out; maybe she was upset over a fight at home; maybe she didn't feel well; maybe her manager just dumped on her. It's not all about you.

OCNRN63, RN · Nov 9, 2013

FWIW, that's a pretty bizarre screen name.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Nov 9, 2013

Maybe it's the attitude you're projecting, like someone owes you something.