What do you do if you see someone in your class that seems to be struggling? Do you offer to help? Or is that worse, because it makes you look patronizing and superior?
Yesterday, after I had finished observing in the OR, my instructor assigned me to help out another student that didn't yet have his assessment completed (4 hours after clinical had started and about an hour before post conference). He had told the instructor the patient didn't want to be bothered. I understand that, and it is the patient's right to refuse anything, and said as much to the other student before we went in. But I was able to get the assessment completed without any trouble or complaint from the patient. We finished, and I went back to the instructor to report completion. She asked me to spend the next clinical day with this student to help him out prioritizing and with time management. I felt really uncomfortable with that, and basically asked if I could do my ER rotation instead (not telling her I was uncomfortable, but just saying I didn't want to miss out on my ER opportunity). Later in post conference, this same student didn't know our case study was due this week, or what the case study consisted of. As if it had never been brought up or wasn't even on our schedule (it had and it is). I happened to be sitting next to him and showed him the case study grading sheet (which was in our class packet), and what I had completed on mine.
Part of me wants to help him, but I didn't want to do what the instructor SHOULD be doing. And I don't want to be the class know it all. At the same time, it seems this instructor and student just do not see eye to eye on things. I don't know if they started on the wrong foot, or it's a personality issue, and it doesn't matter. But I see threads on here about awful instructors, and I can see where someone like this student could feel he is being treated unfairly, when in all actuality it is just that this student just ISN'T GETTING IT. He's kind if mouthy too, sort of macho big talker, but without much to back it right now. The instructor mentioned that we should write on the back of our care plans any other skills we performed on patients not our own, or any help we gave to the nurses or to other students. He asked "Why?" She responded "So you get credit for it." He says " I don't need credit, it's enough that I know I helped out." She responded again "Well that's good, but so you get class credit, meaning graded for it, is what I mean."
Should I take the instructor up on her request? Should I stay the heck out of it? I do think I could help him, if he wants the help. I don't know if he does. I've just met him this rotation and so I've known him maybe 3 weeks.
Specializes in Rural, Midwifery, CCU, Ortho, Telemedicin.
Mrazfan: How awful of that other student. Not only did they reveal what kind of person that they are, not nice, but also put a stone in your path. Hope you have gotten to the point where you can climb on top of the stone and shout to the world.
FOR ME if anyone ASKS for help, I DO it if I am able ~ ESPECIALLY if the instructor asks ~ then I don't see where I have the room to decide if I feel comfortable with it or not. It was also a compliment given to you on your ability to prioritize your day. Some well seasoned, great nurses still may not view prioritizing their day as one of their strong points...or maybe it is, but they are not able to convey how they master it to others.
I also believe that we are in clinical GROUPS for good reason. We all have strengths and weaknesses. We can all learn from each other even when we don't think we are learning something right then and there. Clinicals is a starting place for learning and showing our ability to work as part of a team.
Finally for me, I'm in no position to decide whether the instructor is doing her job or not. But we do have evaluations at the end of each semester...which gives me time to decide if any negative thoughts were really well founded or not. I know for me, I will be making suggestions more for the whole clinical program instead of for just my instructor. Instructors hands are tied in much of what happens, and they can only be expected to be able to do so much. They all have their own styles and personalities too (some more pleasing than others), which I see as party of the beauty of rotations.
Part of me wants to help him, but I didn't want to do what the instructor SHOULD be doing." >>
i'm a bit weird i guess, i get the theory well enough to get a strong b (one point away from that a last rotation), thought lab was a blast especially the brief part (over shorts), love the hospital, can give a bed bath pretty well. i'm getting better at doing some things alone, but sometimes i need someone to show me on a real person how do things.
my time management used to be atrocious, i'd get flustered trying to perform. i'd make myself so nervous i wondered why i ever thought i should go back to school.
i know now to make a list of the things i need to do in clinical on a 3 x 5 card. i'm getting better at not needing to look at it, but having it in my pocket is a like a security blanket. here is how my day goes pretty much/ the times aren't set in stone as nurses we have to be flexible:
7 am report from nurse
7:10-7:30 report to instructor/check on patient first if instructor is taking report from another student.
7:30-8 am patient's breakfast/oral care/fsbs-insulin if required with nurse.
8-10 am meds-with nurse or instructor/bath/early assessment:pulses, breath sounds, heart sounds, skin assessment, charting(meds are due at 9 am), are foley lines in tact and uncrimped? iv site: is it red, swollen, or in tact.
10-10:10 check computer for new morning lab results
10:15-11 wound care unless on back done during bathtime, chart wound care.
11-11:30 help patient with menu orders prn, ask other's if they need help with anything assist as needed.
11:30-12 lunch so i can be back in time to:
12:00 hang noon ivpb, lunch time fsbs, insulin if required, set up patient's lunch tray.
12:30 oral care; check for new orders.
12:45 ask other nursing students if they need any help if time allows, answer patient call's while nurse eats lunch.
1:15 begin 2pm assessment, and chart(we only have 3 dyna something machines on the floor and eight of us all clamoring for them at the same time + the cna's), straighten patient's room, trash and dirty linens taken out. ask everyone:the nursing students and cna's if they need any help, i don't mind doing more vitals, helping someone change the sheets etc. give report to my nurse.
2 pm ready for post conference with enough time for a quick trip to the drink machine and the little girls room.
lastly,
we have to do med sheets, long drawn out things, with every side effect known to mankind, etc. i've started putting my meds down on one page in an abbreviated form according to times scheduled:
0900 lasix/furosemide 40 mg=2tabs po loop diuretic (prevents na and k+ reabs) na 135-145 norm k+3.5-5.3 norm
protonix 40mg po ppi stress ulcer prevention/gerd (don't crush tabs)
This student sounds as if he needs everything spelled out for him, has gotten thru on the backs of others and expects the same in nursing school.... You seem to understand and grasp time frames and when assignments are due. Give him a friendly 'nudge' on when things are due...If his problems are organizational, then assist and show him your methodology.
And for your instructor to sacrifice you out of clinicals to assist, was in poor judgment. Your instructor needs to bring this student in and find out whats going on.. personal problems, a disintrest in nursing.
What happens when (or if) he becomes a nurse and has to critically think on a floor when a patient crashes??? If he cant do an assessment now, then he never will.
To me, attitude is EVERYTHING. As a medic turned nursing student, when I got a medic student or EMT, if they didn't know much but had an extreme desire to learn, no problem. I've had the cocky, mouthy ones, too, and they never made it on my truck. The pts don't like them, the hospital staff don't like them, and they wander around saying, 'What did I do?'.
This guy has an attitude problem. To ask the instructor 'why' when she said to write on the back of the paper things they did to help...and then to respond with 'it's enough to know I helped.'???? What? Are you kidding? My first thought is to let the guy go and not bother. However, if I was actually presented with this person face-to-face I would probably try to spend some time with him and get to know him...see if his attitude is really that bad, just bravado hiding extreme fear, etc. Then make up my mind whether I was going to help or not. AND the fact that he doesn't have a clue what's due and when? Give me a break.
I've been asked several times in my class by my classmates to help them...two of them stood me up for study sessions and I refuse to help anymore. I will help you if you ask me. But, if you do, don't disrespect my time or me. I would not do that to you.
Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.
mbarcher, I did not see this bias against men in nsg that you are talking about. If anything I thought the men got special treatment by the instructors. They were the golden boys even thought they were nothing special clinically but rather because they were cute and young, the nsg instructors loved them. They were picked for special projects and I later found out that they did not turn in all those god awful care plans that I was so meticulous about. I also see men favored in the workplace just because they are men.
I am an ED nurse, and have been for the past two years. I was a paramedic before and in MEDEVAC in the Army before that. Total experience...22 years. I think you know where I'm going with the teamwork thing.
I work with some "old school nurses" who won't admit it but thrive on the "eat your own young" philosophy. :angryfire Several others are just plain lazy. Many are team players and those are, usually cross trained to different areas, prior military or EMS.
I have great difficulty grasping the "eat your own young" thing. It could be a superiority complex (ahem, inferiority), a fear of losing job security or simply a way to claw one's way to the top and look good to the boss.
I wish I had some sage advice for you, but I barely comprehend this behavior myself. All I can say is Teamwork will pay off tenfold when you need help, a favor or need a shift covered at some later date.
Civilians tend to march under their own flag, having suffered the slings and arrows of their forebears. God help them when they need help from someone they've slighted. I've seen that go down the wrong way.
Good leadership should recognize the syndrome, and recommend against it. However the nurses with the stuck-up, demeaning attitudes usually know someone important (like that very NM) who will support them. I agree that they do suffer from inferiority, or they'd have the sense not to do that. Meanwhile, they need support.
As hard as it is to swallow a "smart" quip, give them respect, and usually they'll return it. An appreciative sounding "I'm so glad to know that!" Saying something like that with good, friendly eye contact takes a whole lot less time than a smart alecky "Don't you think I knew that?" It also makes you feel better to have overcome your hostility and modelled behavior befitting a good nurse.
This student made a C in the clinical. He told me that he never bothered with his careplans. Only did the bare minimum. He said the instructor told him the only reason he passed is because his clinical skills were good. His bedside manner and dealing with members of the team (other students, instructor) needs work. He said the careplans are a joke. I pointed out that picking patients with the diseases we were studing in class helped me review the patho. He "hadn't thought of it that way. But he wasn't going to spend hours on a careplan when he could whip one out and get a passing grade on it."
He's failing lecture. I'm trying to help him with the final, which he needs an 80 on to pass the class. (70 is passing for our program, 5 exams including the final, each worth 20%, final is cumulative 100 questions, historical average for final is 65). He's only passed one of the exams, and that one with a 75. He told me Friday he hasn't read any of the chapters, ok maybe he's "glanced through it". I asked him to read the material through the weekend, and we're supposed to meet today to study. Final is tomorrow. I'm hopeful, but not optimistic. I only need a 5 to pass. So I'm just chasing the A.
He needs to improve his study skills. I'll focus on that for now.
solairesoltice: it's good karma, and when you're helping you're learning too. Whether he appreciates it or not, you've done a good thing (frustrating I'm sure) so take pride in it.
I agree with the teamwork thing though. We'll never get through this alone.
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
How sad. If he's failing lecture, it is quite likely that he may not pass the NCLEX if he even qualifies to take it. His nonchalant attitude is upsetting. If he manages to pass the NCLEX, I would predict that there will be problems with his job performance down the road. As a former manager and supervisor I can just see them coming. I'm sure this has been an interesting experience for you. Good luck on your final.
I know for me, I will be making suggestions more for the whole clinical program instead of for just my instructor. Instructors hands are tied in much of what happens, and they can only be expected to be able to do so much. They all have their own styles and personalities too (some more pleasing than others), which I see as party of the beauty of rotations.
travduck, BSN, RN, CNM
90 Posts
Mrazfan: How awful of that other student. Not only did they reveal what kind of person that they are, not nice, but also put a stone in your path. Hope you have gotten to the point where you can climb on top of the stone and shout to the world.