So tired of hearing about what it's like in the "real world!"

[fsaav]

Is anyone else fed up with constantly being told what it's like in the "real world" and what we're learning in school is not how it's really done? I have friends who work in health care and every time I talk about anything to do with school they feel the need to inform me that that's not really how it's done. I'm aware of that...but I don't care right now. Right now I need to learn by the book and pass tests and skills assessments BY THE BOOK! I'll learn how it's really done when I'm actually a nurse and can decide for myself.

Even my instructor will tell us things like this. For example, she was demonstrating med administration through and NG tube and teaching us how to flush in between medications. Then tells us that it's rarely actually done in real life and that the medications and just poured and flushed at the end. What's the purpose of teaching us the correct way and then telling us this at the end almost like it's okay?

A lot of it just sounds like cutting corners to me. Am I just being naive or are things like this really permissible?

[StartingOverNow]

It is frustrating to hear "real world". Remember, the NCLEX tests on what is the "textbook" way. So learn it from the book. Once you get your license, then you can have the clinical judgement to vary from the textbook way. Once you learn it correctly, by the book, then you know what is the right way to perfom a particular task. Good Luck!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Well, there are big differences between what I learned in school and "the real world." But you are right in that right now it isn't important.

Corners are cut and sometimes they have to be. As an example, when I was doing meds for 42 patients in LTC there's simply no possible way to do it by the book. But you have to learn for yourself how to get it done safely in the allotted time.

In the meantime, however, i wouldn't waste any energy on what people tell you. Nursing school is stressful enough and you'll have plenty of stuff to get upset about with reason by the end.

[Smartferret]

Even my instructor will tell us things like this. For example, she was demonstrating med administration through and NG tube and teaching us how to flush in between medications. Then tells us that it's rarely actually done in real life and that the medications and just poured and flushed at the end. What's the purpose of teaching us the correct way and then telling us this at the end almost like it's okay?

This gets me too! When you ask: "If XYZ happens, what should I do?" and you get "Well, in the real world.......". I've actually started to ask: "If you ask me a question on a test about XYZ, how should I answer?"

[JBudd, MSN]

So stop bringing up nursing school to the ones in health care.

In the "real world" you have too many patients, too few staff, and too much to do. In nursing school you have too much to read, too many papers to write and too many instructors to please, but usually only one or two patients. Its just different stress. Until you know how to do it by the book, you'll never know when its safe to cut a corner or when its just plain stupid to do so. Knowing the why of what you are doing lets you think outside the box "in the real world". But you already know that, you said so yourself :)

Your instructor likely told you that because you will see nurses doing things that don't quite jive with what you were taught. Some of it is just different ways of doing things, others really are cutting corners. Need to be prepared for it. Not a good idea to say "that's not right!"; but you can ask "I learned a different technique, would you tell me about yours?"

[chickacherrycola]

hahaha i have had professors tell me this before... talk about confusing!!! its kind of sad but we students are in a place where we are just like I JUST WANT TO PASS THE STUPID TEST!!!

[casi, ASN, RN]

I really don't mind it. I learned early on in my education that in nurses there are 3 ways to do things.

1. Textbook: which gets us through the test

2. The wrong way: which makes us kiss our liscenses goodbye.

3. The 302 other right ways to do something.

I think that learning that there are different ways to do things is helpful. It's less of a cultural shock when you get out and see people doing different things.

[lpnflorida]

I suppose you could tell your nursing friends what type of response you would like. Then they could easily just concur , yes I was taught that way also.

I feel when nurses try and present some reality what they are trying to do is be helpful so that you are not so shocked once you start working as a nurse. I will admit it was a big difference from perfect world textbook nursing and what it really is/was on the floors.

Let your friends know what you need from them.

[Aneroo, LPN]

What you're learning is usually best practice. Doesn't mean it is the most time efficient method, or that it is done on a regular basis. Every skill you're learning should have rationale- check it out. It might be a pain in the butt, but somewhere there was an adverse event that caused the change to happen.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Conversely, when talking with students or having them work with my patient, I'd prefer not to hear how I should be doing things, based on what they are currently learning at school.