So sick of not having my own Patient !

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Specializes in LTC.

Saturday was orientation for my 4th nursing class and 4th clinical rotation. Anyway, the first thing the instructor mention is that there will be two students to one patient. :banghead::banghead::banghead:. Why in the world is she doing this to us? Is it that she gets too over whelmed by having 7 students to be on there own? Is she afraid that we may do something to jeapordize her license ? Is it because we're having clinicals at the place she works ? Why oh why can't I have my own patient. Don't get me wrong I don't mind working in teams and doing the " buddy system" , for gosh sakes I'll be a nurse in 4 months I think I should be put to the test ! :nurse: I don't understand how in my very first, second, and third nursing course I had my own patient. Ofcourse there was one instructor who assigned four students to one patient, but after that getting back to the head instructor that was no longer an issue. Some of my classmates are allowed to take care of two or more patients on their own, guess it just depends on the instructor...:zzzzz

I just love having my own patient and doing every thing I need for the patient. I also feel like I'm getting the whole nursing experience in priotizing and developing a plan of care on my own. Ofcourse when I pass meds or do any other procedure my instructor is there, other than that I do everything for my own patient. Now its going to be two of us and I'm sure I'll get bored. I get bored when taking care of just one patient. Especially if they are able to care for them selves.

Now I understand why senior nurses say nursing school is nothing compared to the real world. I guess not when the nurse patient ratio in NS is 1:1 instead of 1:6 or more. My moms a nurse and her pt. ratio in LTC is 1:30 ! I can't even imagine !

Does anyone else go through this ?

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I'm in my forth semester and about to graduate in 3 months and I have two patients to take care of all by myself,that include total care.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

We only shared a patient the very first semester while we were getting our feet wet. By about your time we had at least two patients to our selves, three when in the nursing home if we wanted the challenge. Maybe you should ask your teacher and tell her you believe that you are ready for your own patients and that if you do not get to experience this as a student it is going to be way overwhelming when you suddenly have to have 5 or more on your own after you graduate....I graduate in May and we are to take on four patients of our own before graduation.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Tele/CVICU.

I've taken care of 3 pts on my own for the past 3 quarters; a few times we've gotten 4 pts. I cannot imagine sharing ONE pt at this point in the game!

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm just so sick of this. I just believe she is being lazy and doesn't want to have to look after us students. She even admited it was way too much for her. I mean come on ! Some of my classmates in their first semester had taken care of more than one pt. Here I am in my last semester still having to share one patient ! I just want the challenge thats all. Well, knowing this instructor nothing will change. Well, thanks for letting me vent. Soon I'll be a nurse taking care of my own set of patients. !!!!!

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
I've taken care of 3 pts on my own for the past 3 quarters; a few times we've gotten 4 pts. I cannot imagine sharing ONE pt at this point in the game!

ditto!

And I can't imagine that one poor patient with TWO students!! :D

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
I'm just so sick of this. I just believe she is being lazy and doesn't want to have to look after us students. She even admited it was way too much for her. I mean come on ! Some of my classmates in their first semester had taken care of more than one pt. Here I am in my last semester still having to share one patient ! I just want the challenge thats all. Well, knowing this instructor nothing will change. Well, thanks for letting me vent. Soon I'll be a nurse taking care of my own set of patients. !!!!!

Follow the chain of command. Go to her, if nothing changes go to the chair.

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Definitely express your concerns to the faculty. It is your school's job to prepare you for entry into the nursing profession. I think anyone would agree that having two students to one patient is not preparing you for this. Students in their last semester of school should be learning how to prioritize and manage a full patient load.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I've never heard of sharing a patient. I guess different schools do things differently.

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You should really talk to the nursing school about this. While teamwork is a valuable tool, one should learn how to take care of a specific patient on his/her own, especially when you're on your fourth semester.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

I'm in an LPN program and we have our own patient after only a month of clinicals! We worked in teams the first 8 times there then split up.

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