student nurses: What (realistically) would you like to see from the staff nurse you are with(either following, or you just have their patient)
Nurses: what would you like to see from "your" student with your patient?
AND, for both roles, do you feel you do well at the nurse/student relationship?
As a nurse, I would just like the student to be well prepared, of course. Ask questions, but not ones that you should already know (stuff you should have found out in your info gathering the day before).Don't be afraid to ask about anything you don't understand. DOn't act like you have superior knowledge we don't have. Be eager to try new things, even if nervous. Make the most of your learning experience.
And I do try to make good at the nurse/student relationship. I make sure the students know I am available to them, that they can ask questions. When I have good procedures (iv start, wound vac change, etc) I go to the students and ask if any of htem would like to do it. If the instructor is too busy, I walk them through it. I try to make chit chat w/ them, just to help make them comfortable.
i do feel like I am not so good at constructive criticism, though. If I am not pleased w/ something they did (poor documentation, for ex) I am not as good at talking about that. Especially to students older than me (I'm only 24)
The biggest thing I want from our students is COMMUNICATION. Can't emphasize that enought. My goal is to provide my patients with a consistent continuem of care. For their sake, I need to know the name of the student who will be sharing their care with me, what care and what meds they plan on giving. I expect them to be able to think through the reasons for what they are doing and understand implications, and to ask questions if they don't. Finally, I expect them to let me know what part of patient care they have completed and what I will need to follow up on. Hope this doesn't sound too fierce as I can be quite flexible as long as pt. care is not compromised. After all, I may be meeting my future co-workers for the first time!
I have nothing but good things to say about the nurses that were on the floors where I rotated. I know that some students had 'problems' with some of them but it was the student's attitude...not the nurses. The nurses were busy--I pick up on that and don't use an inopportune time to ask anything. But when the timing is right, I do ask questions and ask if I could observe them when they're doing certain procedures and I was never turned down. Thank you nurses!!!! You've made my learning experience very pleasurable.
Now...about that unit secretary on 3 PAV....man, if we could do something about her.
First let me say i LOVE having students and am the first to welcome each new semesters group. I take student interns,externs and seniors doing their team leading rotations.
There are a few things though,, I agree, come prepared. Dont come to me for my sissors or my stethescope. LISTEN in report, im gonna tell you what you need to know but im not going to read a kardex or action list to you, you should be able to do that on your own. I have to fight my own staff on this one, so dont add to my problem.
I dont like to find all the staff sitting in the conference room chatting,, so i would prefer you not either. If your done, go find someone to shadow until your patient needs something, im not afraid to have a couple shadows.
Dont leave your backpacks and books and folders etc laying all over my work area. All you need is your instruments(steth,sissors,pen,tape) leave the rest in the locker room. Ask and ill help you find someplace for them if your instructor hasnt told you where to put them. But its gonna slow me down and ultimately put you in a bad position if i have to move them and your things get lost or mixed in with our units books and stacks. Youll spend most of your clinical time trying to find your stuff so you dont have a big problem come post conference time, and its going to take away from your experience on the unit if you miss a major procedure cause you had to scavenger hunt your things.
Make sure you give me report before you leave. Im finding more and more students leave and dont tell staff what theve done. And dont be afraid to do oral care on your patients when you do baths.
students in Mental Health rotation-please dress appropriatley,not sloppy or seductive- good 'ole middle of the road. Please don't be offended when I tell you not to go out of sight for a 1:1 interaction. I'm not trying to thwart you,just keep you safe. Instructors,please set guidelines and enforce them,don't leave the staff nurses to do that. I enjoy open,eager students. I'm fair at feedback. If I have to give a constructive criticisim I try to remember how I felt the first time I walked on a unit that I had to have the door opened and closed for me,and that man was pacing and shouting, and that nurse walked over and said"Honey you come here with me,we've got a situation,you go in here and watch,but don't come out 'till I come back for you."
From a student: One more semster to go!! I have to say, I have been so pleased with my clinical experiences thus far. The nurses I have worked with were so great! I am a go getter, I want to learn everything I can and then some. I am the first one to admit how much I do not know and I am not afraid to ask questions. I can not believe the arrogance :lol_hitti of some people. I have read time and time again how getting through nursing school is just the beginning and I believe it! I think it is unprofessional for anyone to stand around chatting :biere: in the halls or around the nurses station. I have always believed in finding something to do. I appreciate respect and constructive criticism. :yeahthat: I also love to hear or see new or other ways of doing something. You have so much to teach us! :w00t: Thank you for sharing your helpful hints and words of wisdom. :kiss
I'm a student in an odd clinical assignment this semester - we are on a skilled unit at a LTCF, so there is 1 nurse, 1 med nurse, 2 CNAs, and a bath team for 40 residents on each wing - there are 2 skilled wings. And 1 wound nurse for the entire facility (we're responsible for dressing changes and have to hunt her down). Our instructor splits the 8 of us between the 2 wings but that still leaves 4 of us per nurse!!!!! We go in the night before to gather all our info and are turned loose at 7 am - no report or anything, no nurse to "follow". Our instructor tries to be there for us as much as possible but she's also busy with supervising our med passes and watching us perform procedures.
Nurses need to remember that we are nervous and scared especially since this is our first clinical rotation. Heck, we aren't even taught how to do a physical assessment - just a 2 hour lecture on it, no hands-on experience at all. We have no idea what we're doing!!!!! Our first week there, the nurse was horrible - I know we asked a bunch of stupid questions (where is linen at?) - but she was soooo rude to all of us, even our instructor (its her 1st time at this facility too). Our second week was so much better - we had a wonderful nurse this time, who really took the time to explain things to us and didn't seem irritated by anything.
On the flip side - we have a couple of students in our group that even drive me nuts!!!! They show up the night before for 10 mins - it took me an hour to gather all the info I needed - and are so unprepared in the morning. Then they come to the other students and ask questions (do you know what this medication is for?? We're supposed to research all meds the night before and no, I don't know - do you're own work!!!). I could go on but I won't.
Bottom line....
Nurses - be patient with us - we're nervous and scared and don't want to mess up. If something is done wrong don't snap at the student, talk to them and explain what should have been done.
Students - come to clinicals prepared for the day. Our instructor tells us exactly what we need to know, and please bring your supplies (i'm tired of hunting down my BP cuff). Remember the basic care that you were taught in skills lab (bathing, linen changes, etc...), that will get you through a big part of the day. If you're not sure how to do something, ask first.
And for both.....we're all human!!!!
Sorry this got so long - I guess a vent was needed
I'm sorry, but this is just unacceptable. One staff nurse (already overextended, most likely) is supposed to also be accountable for four students? :angryfire
No report for the students? Why on earth not? How are the students supposed to know what is going on with their pts.? Please don't tell me the nurse is supposed to repeat everything in report!
It sounds like the students are getting the short shrift in this program. I hope the other rotations are better thought out...this is crappy clinical, IMO.
student nurses: What (realistically) would you like to see from the staff nurse you are with(either following, or you just have their patient)
Nurses: what would you like to see from "your" student with your patient?
AND, for both roles, do you feel you do well at the nurse/student relationship?
As a nurse, I would just like the student to be well prepared, of course. Ask questions, but not ones that you should already know (stuff you should have found out in your info gathering the day before).Don't be afraid to ask about anything you don't understand. DOn't act like you have superior knowledge we don't have. Be eager to try new things, even if nervous. Make the most of your learning experience.
And I do try to make good at the nurse/student relationship. I make sure the students know I am available to them, that they can ask questions. When I have good procedures (iv start, wound vac change, etc) I go to the students and ask if any of htem would like to do it. If the instructor is too busy, I walk them through it. I try to make chit chat w/ them, just to help make them comfortable.
i do feel like I am not so good at constructive criticism, though. If I am not pleased w/ something they did (poor documentation, for ex) I am not as good at talking about that. Especially to students older than me (I'm only 24)
How about you?
Happy Nurse:
YOU ROCK!!! I'm a student now on clinicals and posted a few days back about how to get the most out of my clinical experience and YOU just summed it up entirely! I had a nurse, Kelli RN....LOVED that she took the time with me yesterday on the med/surg unit. She was so busy but she basically talked me through most every major procedure she did. She asked me over and over if I had any questions....she even took me for a "run" lol down to the blood lab to get a unit of blood to hang for a patient. Showed me how things were compiled in the chart, entered in the computer. AND promised to come and get me if she did any procedure.
I told my instructor and her words were (as she smiled), "She must be NEW". Well, yes, she was....because I asked her about herself, where she graduated, etc. But what does "new" have to do with it? That the memory of being a student is still fresh in her mind? How could ANYone forget how it felt to be a student? I guess I just still don't get that part.
I didn't follow her around, didn't want to be in the way....she came and got me. She was eager to teach, and you could tell she enjoyed it. I thought it was awesome. Basically she RAN like a chicken with her head cut off and told me to keep up.
It was a great experience. I thanked her a million times. Hopefully I will get her again some time. Nurses like that make it exciting, make you learn. She took pride in showing me and a couple of other students different things.
So maybe to the nurses who hate to have students b/c they get in the way: Maybe just tell them to do some stretches, take their vitamins, be prepared to RUN and keep up. Watch and learn. When you can, of course. I realize most situations don't warrant having a herd of white coat students following....:rotfl:
And to the students: Just hang in there. One day you'll have a nurse who is proud to take you under her wing for a while. I've had a couple of others who just made my clinical day miserable. But then I'd just focus on my patient, do my work, and pray I'd never be that way myself.....
So....to the nurses who take the extra time out once in a while for a student who desperately WANTS to make a great nurse and great coworker some day.....................THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! :icon_hug: :flowersfo :cheers:
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
What do I expect from my nurse:
1-Respect that will be reciprocated in the manner in which it is or isn't given.
2-Instruction. I am new and you are experienced. I am not a mind reader, but I take instruction very well.
3-Patience. I do things by the book right now, because it's all I have known. I am certainly open to nursing tips.
4-Advice. I look up to you. I am working my butt off to be in your position and any knowledge you can bestow upon me is welcome.
5-Kindness. I understand you may prefer to not have me around...it may not even have been your choice. But let's make the best of it.
What should my nurse expect from me:
1-Accountability. I am training to be a professional, thus I conduct myself accordingly. I am responsible for all my training, even if it was just a "two hour lecture." I still have to seek out literature and experience to grasp the meaning, thus I am accountable for all my actions!
2-Preparedness and Punctuality. I am providing medical care to another person. It is my responsibility and mine alone to make sure I have all the necessary info to provide safe care.
3-Communication. I have one patient and you have many. I will seek you out to keep you updated on the status of the patient I am caring for, since it is you that is ultimately held legally responsible.
4-Motivation. I will bug the crap out of you to do every little procedure I can get my hands on so don't laugh at me when I almost do a cartwheel over getting to give an enema!:roll
One thing I have noticed in my geographic location is that birds of a feather tend to flock together. We have one particular hospital that seems to have staff that is abusive and unfriendly to the students. Many students have been offended, blamed, or verbally attacked unjustly at this facility. However, at another hospital in the same community, the nurses bend over backwards for the students. It is a "teaching hospital" as well, so they really push education. I loved it so much, I got a job as a nurse tech in the ICU despite the fact the other facility is 30miles closer and pays $3 more an hour. Atmosphere is more important to me...
I'm sorry, but this is just unacceptable. One staff nurse (already overextended, most likely) is supposed to also be accountable for four students? :angryfire
No report for the students? Why on earth not? How are the students supposed to know what is going on with their pts.? Please don't tell me the nurse is supposed to repeat everything in report!
It sounds like the students are getting the short shrift in this program. I hope the other rotations are better thought out...this is crappy clinical, IMO.
Most of the other clinical groups (16 or 18 total) are at area hospitals - just 2 groups (16 students - 2 different days) got assigned to this LTCF. And it does suck - I realize that next semester when I do med/surg I'm gonna be sooooo lost!!!!!
As for report, we're supposed to get ALL our info for the patient from their charts the night before, look up their meds and their main medical diagnosis so we know what's wrong with them. I don't know if you've worked long-term care before but the charts are 4 to 6 inches thick. Granted, most residents, even on the skilled wings, don't change much. BUT...last week I walked in and was told by the night nurse who was on her way out the door........."you may want to hold your patient's digoxin, his pulse has been 40 all night. Or you could assess him and make the decision on your own." I'm a 1st semester student and you want me to make that decision????? I did withhold the med per my instructor (at least I could find her this time) but he still ended up hospitalized as his pulse dropped to 36 later that morning.
I'd love a report that at least told me what my resident's personality is like, something about why they are there and what their daily routine is - I know these aren't normal for hospital reports but heck it would be better than nothing.
I keep reminding myself only 4 more weeks of this and I'll be done for the semester. I know our experience is not the shift nurse's fault, they have 40 patients to keep track of - but the difference in personality between the 2 we've had was night and day. I was happy I had the nicer one the day my patient was crashing (please don't flame me for that - I had several issues come up with my terminal/hospice patient the week before and the other nurse just told me "I don't know what to tell you" or "I can't help you.")
Phewwwww......sorry for the long vent again. I'm just now realizing how much this is all really bothering me.
i'm a new grad myself working on a very busy 40 bed surgical unit, with 4 patients of my own during the day. so those student days of clinical are not that deep in my memory. i've been there for 3 months, and i too get a student assigned to me occasionally. i try to give my students the type of guidance and support i felt as student was most supportive and educational, while at the same time making it quite clear that it is of utmost importance to inform me of their goals/needs for the day. i also inform both my student and patient that i am responsible for thier care and will also do my own independent assessment of them as necessary-- however if the student is there with me i will explain what i'm doing as i'm doing it. reporting off is very important, and so is completing all of the proper paper work. if you don't know how to do it, just ask.... but don't leave without completed the documentation you know you should have completed (i.e. urine output).
i like to use humor with my patients and students to put them at ease, as well if i'm asking the student to assist on a procedure i review with them what it is we are going to do and what it is we will be looking for. this is what the best nurses i worked with as a student did and i always found it helped me be more confident and more relaxed (read able to breathe). i know its tough to be a student nurse, and clinical teachers can make or break the day. a snotty and rude nurse doesn't help the situation at all, and i was likely enough to rarely encounter one in my clinicals. the important thing to me is that the patient needs to be cared for and any changes need to be reported to me as soon as possible. i often review with the student things i want to be reported to me if there are ongoing concerned, i.e poor unine output with a epi. medications can be tricky, and i always try to review the mar with them and identify any type of drugs they cannot give (i.e. iv push). i have the student prepare the medications, leaving the unit dose rapper next to it and to wait until i comeback or the teacher comes by to give the med...
anyway you get the idea... respect and honesty in reporting your findings and the care you provided along with completing the documentation. otherwise, try to enjoy the day, remember to breathe, and give the patient as much tlc as they need and/or will tolerate.
pet peeves and common curtesy, that most of us can relate to. stay busy, if not with your patient then ask if there is anything else you can do. don't stand at the very small nursing stations talking about your night of partying.... as a student at my school we knew better. stuff.... take as little as you need to the unit and keep it out of the way. desk space is limited so put your stuff high up on bookshelves or leave it at home.
I am a senior, and I am really scared that I don't know enough. I was corrected (by a grumpy nurse) the other day, on something simple I was suppose to know (positive pressure while sliding the clamp on a saline lock). NO I didn't mind it, but it made me scared, because I forgot. Sometimes I think that I don't feel the real responsibility because there is always someone following behind us, and that does not help. Yesterday, I was trying to make a plan for my evening, and my other nurse (VERY NICE) was kind of altering my plan. That totally messes up my brain. I was suppose to assess my patients but she had other things for me to do. I don't know.
I want to be a great nurse; I love the people that I care for, and am not above doing anything. I will do whatever is needed to be part of a team. I am scared that I am forgeting important things that have been shared in lab, clinicals, class, or by instructors. I am the kind of person that needs to practice things often, so that I don't forget. Being in clinicals twice a week, with a summer in between did not help me.
I had a whole summer off between quarters, so I came back to the second to last quarter (in my sixth week now), and no one had corrected me on this. I wasn't using positive pressure while flushing the saline locks. OH MY GOD, what else am I forgeting. I had been doing this the whole time, with my instructor and other nurses, but on one said anything until yesterday.
I heard that most of the real learning happens in the first year on the job. Is that true? Should I feel feeling more competent than I am feeling now?
Are all students like this, even in their senior year? OR do I just suck?
You will learn a lot in the first year. This is where you will get that hands on that I'm sure you have been desiring, moreso then what you get in clinicals.
You'll do fine. The fact that you are noticing this, well, can make you a better nurse. Study your techniques, and practice as much as you can in clinical.
THANK YOU for saying you will do whatever it takes and you are not above doing anything. Kudos to you!!!
For this, I know you will be a great nurse. When you graduate, ask tons of questions, and get help if you need it.
I used to work in a hospital for my first job and hated when a student wouldnt get their patient off a bedpan or thought they were above others.
So: what I expect from students (if I go back to hospital work)
* Please be respectful. Please use common sense when asking questions about procedures in front of patients. No patient wants to hear "well arent you supposed to be doing it this way?" please wait until we leave the room and I will gladly explain.
*Dont be afraid to touch patients!
*Please care for your patient- they are a human being, sick or not, and need care.
*Please dont stand around at and crowd around the desk. It drives nurses crazy- we are running out butts off and you are standing there. Also, please do not take all the seats- expecially the secretaries- and pretend not to notice when we come to the desk and need to sit down and chart. Please find a nice nurse and ask to shadow! Or, even better and for more hands on in the first weeks- shadow the CNA or nurses aide.
I have to tell you- as a student nurse aide before I graduated I took students with me and helped them with things. It was great having an extra set of hands and it helped me to answer questions. Even a CNA will appreciate help.
* My main thing that drives me nuts was finding students sitting in the back while I ran like a chicken with my head cut off while you are sitting in the back talking. Offer to come with me and learn- I will gladly show and let you do everything I can!
Let me mention my main pet peeve (and this pertained to a certain instructor with students on our floor and that was it)
I worked on a Peds floor, but we took adults as well since it was a community hospital and we never filled with peds. This instructor would only take peds patients, and if there werent enough- they would sit in the back and MAKE UP PATIENTS. Ohh that drove me nuts. I will GLADLY take a student- come with me to do the adults! (I still remember that one student who said 'give me anyone-even adults- Thank you!! What a good nurse)
So i guess I should end this long post..but to students, please realize most nurses will help you- there are others who dont feel they can handle a student, or just dont want to anymore- and that is perfectly fine. You cant criticize them for this or hold it against them.
:kiss 
:icon_hug: :flowersfo :cheers: 
so those student days of clinical are not that deep in my memory. i've been there for 3 months, and i too get a student assigned to me occasionally. i try to give my students the type of guidance and support i felt as student was most supportive and educational, while at the same time making it quite clear that it is of utmost importance to inform me of their goals/needs for the day. i also inform both my student and patient that i am responsible for thier care and will also do my own independent assessment of them as necessary-- however if the student is there with me i will explain what i'm doing as i'm doing it. reporting off is very important, and so is completing all of the proper paper work. if you don't know how to do it, just ask.... but don't leave without completed the documentation you know you should have completed (i.e. urine output). 
stay busy, if not with your patient then ask if there is anything else you can do. don't stand at the very small nursing stations talking about your night of partying.... as a student at my school we knew better. stuff.... take as little as you need to the unit and keep it out of the way. desk space is limited so put your stuff high up on bookshelves or leave it at home.
Alicia
Chaya, ASN, RN
932 Posts
The biggest thing I want from our students is COMMUNICATION. Can't emphasize that enought. My goal is to provide my patients with a consistent continuem of care. For their sake, I need to know the name of the student who will be sharing their care with me, what care and what meds they plan on giving. I expect them to be able to think through the reasons for what they are doing and understand implications, and to ask questions if they don't. Finally, I expect them to let me know what part of patient care they have completed and what I will need to follow up on. Hope this doesn't sound too fierce as I can be quite flexible as long as pt. care is not compromised. After all, I may be meeting my future co-workers for the first time!