Rude Nurses

Whispera, MSN, RN · May 14, 2011

My experience as an instructor and as a student (and as an observer of behavior because I like to do that sort of thing) is that most nurses want to help students, many love having them around, and some go out of their way to be helpful. Sometimes those who don't fit that description are just "louder" about how they feel, so we notice their negativity more than we notice positivity.

Sometimes it's a matter of just not having enough time to do things and students require time that might not be there. Try not to take it personally.

NurseSuzann · May 14, 2011

Honestly, there are some nurses who shouldn't have students. I believe at this point in my career I am one of them. I am fresh out of nursing school, been graduated for nearly a year and I would have a mini meltdown if I were responsible for teaching. Students are more work, as much as they believe otherwise (I did when I was in school). Sometimes nurses can be terse about this increased workload, they shouldn't be. We all have some level of responsibility in "raising" future nurses, although some of us shouldn't be in an active precepting role.

DroogieRN · May 15, 2011

Hmmm. As a new nurse of one year, I like to think that I can remember well what it was like to be a nursing student and treat any students I may have with care and respect. Hwever, now that I am a nurse, I see things from a nurse's perspective.

Some students are taught how to behave on the floor, ie, don't take the nurse's seat at the nurses station, don't interrupt, etc., and some are not. It's the ones who are not taught basic etiquette that I dread to see coming, and wince when I realize I am paired with one of them for the day. They are so focused on the tasks they must complete that they absolutely do not comprehend the fact that they are a complete hindrance to the RN. Additionally, I am expected to check their charting (we are still doing paper charting at my hospital) and file it as record. What about if it's in purple ink? Or pencil? I don't have time to fix all this and deal with my patient, too, especially when we are understaffed, which is always.

What would I like? Come find me early in the morning, tell me you have my patient, tell me what you will be doing and are authorized to do, ask me how you might help and then get out of my way. I promise I will come find you if I am going to do a procedure or some other thing you might benefit from.

I try so hard to never be rude; I am not a rude person by nature. But sometimes, when I am stressed, I might come off that way. I promise it isn't personal.

justashooter · May 15, 2011

I have noticed as a potential nursing student that many nurses are hostile and unkind to nursing students. This extends to refusing to help students achieve necessary tasks, displaying a antisocial attitude towards students on their units, and extrapolating any excuses to refuse assignments that require students. Is this a normal finding in the nursing field?

allow me to precipitate the reciprocate, before i extrapolate the intermediate. the adjudication of your impersonation is based upon a confuscation of your rectification, uh, excuse me, rectal-fixation. my calculation is that remediation of the obfuscation can reduce the in-frustration you are experiencing. now, in answer to your question, yes.