The "Teach a Student Something-a-Day" thread!

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In an effort to not enter nursing school as a completely nieve individual, I was hoping that some 2nd years or RN's could share something beneficial with us students each day.

It can be anything little or totally meaningful. Whatever you contribute will be greatly appreciated and hopefully will help me to be a better student and nurse ;)

Thanks!

Just thought of another..probably because I am reviewing a med mal case tonight...

KNOW your hospitals policies and procedures..they really don't teach you them officially.. but they are there, usually on the computer or in a BIG BIG binder. Especially learn the ones for whatever unit you are on..ie: chemo administration, IV documentation, fall risk protocols...very very important. You are all working so hard to be RNs or LPNs, don't put that license in jeopardy :) Erin

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I thought this thread had been stickied? What happened?

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Anyone know how to make this sticky?

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A couple pages back someone asked for a daily worksheet. I have a couple that I use, but don't know how to put them into a link. They are Word files, so if anyone would like a copy - just PM me with your e-dress, and I can e-mail it to you.

Here's advice from a clinical instructor ...

Admit what you don't know

Come to clinical prepared - paper work, know your meds, know what is going on with your patient, have your supplies, BE ON TIME

Ask questions

Be nice to each other, to me, and to the nurses on the floor

Admit mistakes - immediately - this is a time to learn, and mistakes might happen - but don't make 'em worse by ignoring or hiding them

If you have a problem or concerns, please tell me - I can't read minds

Get enough sleep, eat well - take care of yourself

Don't expect to be able to party like your business school friends (I worked on an accounting degree before nursing - believe me, you will work harder than they do!!!!!)

Don't let your relationships suffer - you need them to laugh and cry with

Remember ... most of us instructors are doing it because we want you to succeed - we are not out to get you. But we do want you to be doing whatever it takes to be our co-worker in a year or 2 - so we do take our job of evaluating you seriously. If we express a concern to you ... don't run away or bad mouth us - explain, ask for help, be teachable.

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If your sick call off and stay home, don't go to clinicals.

Two weeks ago one of the students in my clinical group decided to try and hide her symptoms while she was sick so she wouldn't have to make up the day...She managed to infect the instructor, three of the other students, a few of the nurses, and at least one patient before they realized she was too sick to be there and sent her home.

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I learned this week in clinical that you need to look at EVERYBODY'S butt, even if they are alert, oriented and mobile. I found skin breakdown on someone who shouldn't have had it and who didn't complain about it.

Kim

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Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

What a great thread!

Here's one that will benefit you no matter how long you've been nursing: Remember that you know very little!! Listen to what your patient is telling you, especially about pain. Nothing puts people off more than dealing with someone who has an all-knowing attitude.

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The best study aid (IMO) is the Lippincott Review Series. I purchased every one they had.. Peds, OB, Mental, Critical Care, Med/Surg.. and I can't emphasize enough how much they helped me. They cut through the BS and give you exactly what you need to know. I think of them as Cliff Notes for nursing school.

Here's a link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0781721881/qid=1081892560/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/104-4535326-0571140?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

btt

sticky sticky sticky please!

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I second that notion

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When drawing up two types of ......insulin, always draw go from clear to cloudy. Clear is usually the regular ......insulin, Cloudy the NPH.

Once you become a nurse, remember you are part of team. Treat your Nursing Assistant like you would like to be treated.

Once you become a nurse, don't take the attitude that you are too good to put a patient on a bedpan or provide care. If you stay humble, your aides will help you with pretty much anything you desire.

Try never to forget why you want to be a nurse, when you have to deal with a rude patient or even ruder family member.

:) Pokey SN

I am a CNA going to school to start the LPN Program soon. Where I work which is in a nursing home, I can tell the nurses that have actually been CNA before becoming nurses. They are willing to help the CNA with their work, they have a clue as to what we deal with each day. We had a nurse one night that actually went room to room with us on last rounds at the end of our shift and helped with the 30 residents we had because there were only 2 of us aides that shift.

It really does help to be an CNA before becoming a nurse, more understanding and willing to help. And I agree once you become a nurse, never forget what it was like when you were a CNA, put your self back in the CNA shoes when you get frustrated with your CNA.

Thanks

Theresa:)

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Also, always remember to respect your patient's privacy- don't leave them naked and vulnerable where other people can see! My mom was a nurse for 34 years altogether, and I've never forgotten a story that she told me. She got pulled to the PICU, and they had a code going on and it was just mayhem. There was an eleven year old boy, rather chubby young man, lying naked on his bed and unable to move. He was on a ventilator and the nurses had been performing something on him prior to the code, and had run off quickly to assist another nurse. My mother passed his bed and noticed that he had silent tears running down his cheeks and his face had turned red from embarrassment. She pulled the sheet over him to cover him up, and he just looked at her, crying, and couldn't say a word. She wiped the tears from his face and held his hand for a moment, then had to rush off to do something. Later, his mother told my mom that he'd said that he was terrified because of all the action going on in the unit, and that after he recovered he had just gone on and on about how much he loved her for covering him up because he'd always been self-conscious about his weight, and he'd cried when he told his mom how she sat down with him and held his hand when he was scared.

There is ALWAYS something you can do. Always. ;)

This gave me tears. I have an 11 year old and I know how he would be embarrassed too...he also has a weight problem. Maybe the key to this it to always think of the patient as one of your family members and how you would like them to be treated.

BTW your Mom sounds like she was a very special nurse. :)

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