Student Nurse Extern Evals; What would you do?

[andreasl]

I am currently a student nurse extern working at a hospital. I will be applying to nursing school at IUPUI in about one week. The program I am in is a great experience, they teach us everything we will need to learn in our clinicals and more. We rotate from ICU, PCU, med-surg, Peds, ER, OR, OB and ICU each on a two week basis rotating shifts between days, evenings, nights, and weekends 40 hours a week. It is intense. It is paid position and is a three year program during the summer. They pay all of my tuition and it is a paid position. I was really pleased to find this opportunity. Last week we had our evaluations half way into this summers program. One girl was dismissed from the program because of not having the 'professional' nature to work in nursing. She showed up to work on time every day. The reasons for her dismissal were hypocritical because many of the nurses in charge of the program do the same things. I believe they didn't like her from the beginning. During my eval they told us what our greatest strengths were and what our weaknesses are. My greatest strengh was that I am 'very hard working' and professional. They told me I am always busy and 'run circles around the other externs' because of my hardworking nature. However, they told me that my greatest weakness is that I tend to be 'curt and defensive' with some members of the staff. They told me I am a very confident person but some people may perceive that as arrogance. I do not understand how I am 'curt and defensive,' I am friendly to all members and willing to help all members. They said that when asked about something ill reply with things like (say for instance I make a mistake charting) "Yes, I apologize, I'll be more careful". I simply do not understand what is wrong with this. Should I act apprehensive and lose my confidence so it is not perceived as arrogance? I feel like I am disliked even though I try to be friendly and joke around with people at work. I just do not like to engage in the workplace gossip so perhaps this makes me excluded. Any Ideas on this dilemma? What should I do?

[shock-me-sane]

here is my suggestion. it sounds like something I struggle with a bit as well. Keep your mouth shut more often and smile a few more times.

Seriously. Listen, and don't always blurt out an answer even if you know it. You are there to learn, let others teach. This isn't saying that you arrogant (people often think I am a b**** if I am not smiling with I first meet them...which is really not the case), it is all just about how you come across to other people.

So play around a bit with different behaviors and such, you will notice a difference. Think humility before you say anything and you may just find yourself altering things a bit.

Good luck!

[sugarcane]

Please do not worried too much. Life is learning. YOu are good to have chance to learn about how to do during different situations. I cheer you up with this " :) " Sometimes, if we can keep quiet and let other person talk is best , although we know what we is listening very well. Because maybe we can help them to be happier :)