The struggling student continues, will she actually pass?

[MaraG.]

So, I have had an LPN student for the last four almost 5 weeks. I have spoken with her and her teachers about my concerns regarding her ability to perform assessments and relay important information, decide what assessments need to be preformed based on the patients condition, lab work or disease as well as ability to safely administer medications. She was put probation with her last evaluation and had specific criteria to meet. On her next shift she did not meet any of the criteria. She did not look up the reasons why pt were on the medications ordered she missed 3 medications for 2 different patients as well she did not report her assessment findings, which included a pt with a low grade temp that several hours later when she told me about it progressed to a high fever.

She admits that she does not look up the uses, how to administer or the monitoring required for medications.

I have worked closely with her and tried to help her understand the medications and diseases she works with. I have allowed her significant time at work to do her research and prepare her self for safely caring for her pt's

Her immediate teacher was very supportive of my findings and assured me if at any time I felt the student was unsafe I could send her home. At the end of our last shift, I told the teacher that I did not feel the student was safe. With only 5 shifts left, I felt that there was too much improvement needed for her to be safe at the end and that I did not think she could finish her preceptorship working at the level she was currently functioning.

Here is the kicker! I got a call last night, the student will be back on my next shift prepared to work and take on a full load. that all she needs to do is come in the day before and do her research and she will be prepared. Did I mention she only has 5 more shifts until she can work independently on an interim license? I said NO! You will have to find someone else to help this student. What is going on here? How can they try and push someone through that can does not demonstrate safe practice?

[everyday6/12]

Thanks for all the support.

If you did all that you could, than you did your best......and that is all that anyone can ask. your conscience should be a t peace.............JLnew nurse.

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Turns out that the instructor asked my co-worker to take over this student, she declined. Apparently one of the higher ups asked that the student not come back to our floor.

I feel bad, I wish I could have done better, but you can only do so much with what you are given. I really wanted her to succeed and get hired. My understanding is that she can now redo a portion of her schooling and try again, I am sure she will be a much stronger nurse for it.

Of course, you hopefully realize that your student will now post on allnurses "My Clinical Instructor is sooooooo mean to me....I'm a straight A student, know more than she does, everybody tells me I'm a great nurse. Why oh why is she picking on poor li'l me????":D

I hope that once she gets over the immediate shock/pain, your student takes this as a learning experience and a "wake up call." It's far better (for both her & her patients) to have this happen as a student than as a nurse working on her own.

[husker_rn, RN]

you certainly did the right thing by expressing your concerns; being a precepter is a very serious job. Having said that I want to tell you that my daughter is currently in an LPN program. They have spent very little time on drugs. Luckily she has been a med aide and realizes how serious med pass is. Unfortunately her school is more focused on passing NCLEX and less focused on patient safety where meds are concerned. Wonder if that was part of your student's troubles. Just my:twocents: