Strange Nursing Student

Gennaver, MSN · Nov 13, 2005

I previously posted this in the Men and Nursing forum, but was told it was in the wrong place. So I'll try again.
... To put it bluntly, he is downright strange. He spent 10 weeks on my unit over the summer, during which time no one ever saw him display any kind of emotion, empathy, or anything towards his patients, other students, or nurses on the unit. He walks around like he is in a daze, often idly pacing up and down the unit for no apparent reason. I've witnessed him go into patient rooms without even introducing himself, and do shoddy assessments in which he appeared uneasy about touching the patient. I've seen him practically beg other students to help his patients with their ADLs, as he was too embarrassed. In addition, he has made several nurses on the unit uncomfortable with his cold stares, and occasionally strange comments.
...Anyway, sorry for the rant here ... my question for the board is, what do y'all think of this situation? Am I overreacting? Or is there cause for my concern?
Thanks for your time.

Hi Nurse kitty,

In hindsight it would of been perfect for you to get to talk with this student one on one to find out if your suspicions are valid. Now all you have is heresay and gossip.

Darn, will you have another chance to meet with him? If so, I would say to definately find out for yourself if he is socially inept rather than just 'stare' at him like you have been. Heck, he may be wondering about your cold stares too.

Hoping that you will have another opportunity, as it is now, I could not even begin to guess what may be going on because it is not even personal from you.

Gen

sunny59 · Nov 13, 2005

Is it possible he has autisim or some form of it? If so, it would explain most of his behaviors. He would also be classified as having a disability and the school would legally have to work with him. Most of the kids I have worked with that had autisim had very poor social skills (which was one of the things I worked on with them) but excelled in much of the "book work" at school. Just a thought. (Not talking about nursing students, just elementary-high school students)

GalRN · Nov 13, 2005

I would talk to the student....

When I was a student I had a clinical instructor take me aside and tell me I'd picked the wrong course of study... Had no bedside manner, looked bored, etc. Thank God she asked for my input. Long story short, we were learning the basics of ADL's and I'd been a CNA for several years so I WAS bored. I was also battling serious panic attacks (now under control) and was tuning out while trying to keep from running out of the room. I also have trouble paying attention in an environment that isn't very fast paced and interesting. Through tears I explained the panic attacks and that yes, I was bored w/ LTC pts. She was nice enough to give me another chance... told me that if I needed to leave the room to just tell her (which stopped the panic) and she had me assigned to the neuro step down ICU. After finding out what was going on and dealing w/ it there were no more problems. She told me at the end I was one of the better students and wrote me a great recommendation.

Not saying that my issue could explain this students problems... sounds like he has some type of learning disability... maybe isn't picking up on social cues. The only way to find out more is to talk to him and tell him what you observe. He probably doesn't have a clue about the specific things that are wrong w/ his behavior. You'd actually be doing him a favor.

Kelly_the_Great · Nov 13, 2005

Hey NurseKitty NC,

You know what's funny? When I saw the title of this thread I actually wondered if it was in regards to the same student you mentioned in your previous post (and I didn't remember your name from the previous post, it's just that's how much the description of this student stood out to me - weird)...LOL

This is the thing that kind of aggravates me about nursing programs basing entrance solely on academic performance. Also, in our nursing classes (I don't know what the standards are for everyone else) but you have tests, which you receive letter grades for and of course "projects" as well that you get grades on, but the clinical is just graded as "pass/fail." I wish there was more emphasis put on the "practicing" aspect of our care. Most people would agree that it is HUGE component of what we do as nurses - it is a "practicing art." Yet, sadly, it's deemphasized (is this even a word???lol) in our CON.

I wish they actually would conduct interviews prior to entrance into these programs. I'm sorry but some of the ppl (not the majority by any means - but some) I've come across in my program would have been identified as lacking in interpersonal skills within only a 5 minute conversation, you know?

Further, I think it does a disservice of preparing these students for the real world. I mean not many are going to get a job based off of their GPA. Usually, it's based off of disposition & congeniality - ecspecially when experience and skills are lacking when they first graduate. Additionally, I think it does a disservice to the public allowing some of these persons to even have the opportunity of entering the workforce as nurses. I'm sorry but some ppl are just inappropriate candidates.

Oh well, that's my :twocents: :wink2:

weetziebat · Nov 13, 2005

I know a young man who reminds me somewhat of the person in your description. I actually thought he was not able to speak for ages, cause he just sits there, laughing inappropriately, nodding his head at the wrong times and never says anything. Turns out he is truly brilliant (2 PhDs) - and able to speak just fine - but is completely lacking in social skills. So does wonderfully on exams but can't hold a conversation. He actually asks his friends to clue him into times when he is not acting appropriately because he is aware of not acting 'right' but just doesn't pick up on the clues. A real shame, but definately not someone who would do well as a nurse, and if the guy you describe has similar problems, it is a real disservice to him, as well as the patients, to even allow him to attend nursing school.

grandee3 · Nov 13, 2005

I will most likely get shot out the sky with this question. Was the guy American or from another country? Seems I read something about behavior at some of those flight schools where the terriorist trained. They got in those schools, lived in a community but sometimes showed weird behavior and nobody caught on.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 13, 2005

I agree w/those who regret nursing schools that base entry requirements on academics. I think interviews are a must. Not everyone who is brilliant needs to be in contact with humans who are suffering. This guy, if he is as bad as you say, has no place in bedside nursing. It's sad.

NurseKitty NC · Nov 13, 2005

I agree with those who think that this student trying to enter the nursing profession is doing a great many people a disservice. In response to "Gen" above, I do not understand why you believe that I've been going along with gossip and heresay, and simply "stare" at this guy? That makes no sense.

I've personally witnessed the oddities of this guy that I've wrote about in my original post. In addition, I've tried several times to talk to him - especially when he is assigned to one of my patients. He talks in a slow monotone voice, often staring at the ground. He has absolutely no bedside manner, and gets extremely embarrassed at almost anything. For example, he left an elderly female laying in a pile of urine for his entire 7 hour clinical shift - when I found out and asked him why, he stated "I have never given a woman a bath and I intend to keep it that way." Like I said, he is just downright wierd!

ageless · Nov 13, 2005

double post...sorry

ageless · Nov 13, 2005

"unless perhaps he was in a clinical setting that required minimal social skills, such as the OR where patients are under anesthesia. "

P.S.

Social skills are indeed needed in the OR. Even after the patient is asleep, there is team work.

weetziebat · Nov 13, 2005

He talks in a slow monotone voice, often staring at the ground. He has absolutely no bedside manner, and gets extremely embarrassed at almost anything. For example, he left an elderly female laying in a pile of urine for his entire 7 hour clinical shift - when I found out and asked him why, he stated "I have never given a woman a bath and I intend to keep it that way."

And this is O.K. with his clinical instructors?!? Man, if that is the case, they are as weird as he is. I've certainly never met a nursing instructor who would tolerate that kind of behavior for one moment.