Tips for making the clinical day better for students.

[StudentNurseJourney]

I see the tack for Tips for making the clinical day better and have read through them and they all pertain to faculty.

What tips do you, as instructors, give your students to help them get the most out of their clinicals? Also, how do you handle a situation were the staff nurse dislikes working with students and any tips for the students have to work with them/their patients?

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

Come prepared, on time, in uniform and ready to learn. Ask questions, get involved, be enthusiastic. Don't make excuses and don't blame your instructor for your shortcomings. If you end up with a Nurse who doesn't like working with students, do your best and kill them with kindness and remember the situation so when you get your license, you won't be the one who doesn't like woking with students.

[StudentNurseJourney]

Thanks RNSuz. All wonderful advice. Killing them with kindness is great advice for the nurses who don't like working with students, but would it be better to address the reasons those nurses dislike the nurse-student nurse dynamics?

Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance :)

Karen

[organichombre, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

I've been an adjunct clinical faculty for 4 years now and I'm just now getting a grip on how to handle situations where staff and students don't mix. I have found that it's not necessarily that staff do not like working with students there are other factors involved...such as, maybe their patient is too busy and the nurse feels like they must provide teaching when they do not have the time, they are not aware of how experienced the student is and what they can and cannot do, the instructor is not available for assistance. Before each rotation with my critical care students I talk with all the nurses who may precept students and find out what their needs are. This helps me identify who can precept effectively, who can and cannot during specific situations, and who to completely avoid. If they are too busy today...well maybe tomorrow! Ask, don't assume that because one day they said no they always will. Be available whether it be by being visible more or having a beeper, make sure they know how to get a hold of you. Let the staff know what type of student you are bringing. There is a big difference between a senior critical care student second degree and a traditional med/surg student. Finally, encourage your students to not rely completely on the nurse, but remind them that they are working on that staff's license and to be respectful.