TO ALL the student Nurses !!!!!

Always_Learning, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2009

Duly noted! :specs:

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2009

ChulaRN2be: Why the 2be?

Also, happy to help. Have been described as very helpful actually. Sorry if we get in each other's way. The space can be tight and you can move soooo sooo fast, turning on a dime!

Please remember that I don't know and can't use the code to the pyxis, omnicell or supply closet. Please also make specifics requests, "Help me with this" does not tell me what you "this" is or what kind of help you are looking for.

Also, my instructor may not want me to do whatever it is you are doing depending on what semester I am in or she (or he) may want to be there if I do a particular skill. In fact, sometimes I am specifically told to "just observe" which I suppose can look like staring.

Sorry for the situation. Its a complicated mess for everyone and some people on both sides (nurses and students) just really aren't helpful!

animal1993 · Dec 2, 2009

I understand your frustration, but as as student nurse (who is about to graduate), I must say that while some students "roll their eyes" and aren't willing to help, most are more than happy to assist the entire staff in any way they can. However, I must say that according to what I have experienced in my own clinicals, most (not all) of the staff treats students as if they are unwelcome and in the way. Even "good student nurses" can be reluctant to help if they think they're going to have to face the wrath of an angry staff member every time they turn around.

Maybe they just need someone to help them build a little confidence in their skills, so that they can take more initiative in the clinical setting.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 2, 2009

I must say that according to what I have experienced in my own clinicals, most (not all) of the staff treats students as if they are unwelcome and in the way.

That's a pretty hefty generalization, don't you think?

And no, I am certainly not one of 'those' nurses you are referring to.

animal1993 · Dec 2, 2009

That's a pretty hefty generalization, don't you think?
And no, I am certainly not one of 'those' nurses you are referring to.

Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that you aren't one "those nurses". To answer your question: No, I don't think so at all. I was referring to MY experiences, and I was referring to more than just nurses.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2009

I have only done one semester of clinicals and they were in a nursing home not a hospital setting and I would say it was about a 50/50 split on how we were treated by all employees from CNA to Admin. actually I must say all the housekeeping people were very friendly and nice only one creeped me out a bit but he still always smiled :stone

coffee4metech · Dec 2, 2009

I am just annoyed with what happened today on my unit , the disrespect lack of urgency when working or moving around the unit. I work on a BUSY floor and its stressful to have people just sit there and do nothing to help the staff , they are just in the way honestly . Really they should try to make a good impression , they have been on our unit for awhile already they know the routine .

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2009

I am just annoyed with what happened today on my unit , the disrespect lack of urgency when working or moving around the unit. I work on a BUSY floor and its stressful to have people just sit there and do nothing to help the staff , they are just in the way honestly . Really they should try to make a good impression , they have been on our unit for awhile already they know the routine .

Completely understandable, a student should be taking the opportunity to learn and you can't learn unless you're willing to dive in. Even when all I was allowed to do was observe I would still find a way to help whether it just be holding supplies for the nurse and handing them to her.

EmmyBee · Dec 2, 2009

I am just annoyed with what happened today on my unit , the disrespect lack of urgency when working or moving around the unit. I work on a BUSY floor and its stressful to have people just sit there and do nothing to help the staff , they are just in the way honestly . Really they should try to make a good impression , they have been on our unit for awhile already they know the routine .

Just out of curiosity, have you mentioned this to their clinical instructor? Or have you brought it to the attention of your supervisor or floor manager, so that something can be done?

When I was in GI/GU rotation, part of our time consisted of floating to Endoscopy in pairs, on each clinical day. Prior to this, our instructor made it a point to tell us that the staff hated when students just stood around. We were told that even if we just offered to take vitals, go get a blanket for a patient, answer the phone, whatever...just do SOMETHING. That was good information to know. And once our rotation was over, the staff praised us to our instructor. So that was all about good communication.

I'm an RN student, but have also worked for years as an LPN, with students coming to facilities where I've been employed. And I can see the frustration on both sides of the coin. Yes, some students do sit around and don't make an effort to help. But at the same time, many students don't know what to do or how to do something. A lot of them have no experience whatsoever in the medical field. And it is natural for them to be apprehensive. Not to mention, like someone already said: we can't access computers, no pyxis ID, don't know where a lot of things are, can't do some things without our instructor, etc. These are not excuses, they are reality. So some students might figure rather than get in the way of patient care (and possibly screwing something up), they will just stand back and only do something if asked specifically.

Every instructor is also different. I've had some that allowed us to do things with the nurse we were assigned to. And then I've had others, that under no uncertain terms would they let us do anything (other than the basics like sponge baths, vitals, etc), unless they were right next to us. And for the person who said that many staff members act as though they don't want us there, I have seen that a lot too. We've literally had RNs tell our professor that they don't want a student working with them. They'll also say things like they are too busy, they are behind, they don't have time for us, etc.

And then there are those who don't say anything, but they have a scowl on their face and are very unapproachable. They act annoyed if students ask for help or explanations to procedures. We have even requested NOT to be assigned to certain nurses, simply because they are not nice to be around. It's almost as if some have forgotten that they were once students themselves. We've even had CNAs talk down to us.

I'm not pointing the finger or whining. I love helping and always look for things to do, not just for my patients, but for my classmate's patients as well. I'm all about the challenge. And like I said, I understand both points of view. But I think communication between staff and school, is the best way to go in these situations. Problems won't fix themselves, especially if some of the parties involved don't realize that there's even a problem to begin with. :twocents:

Hoozdo, ADN · Dec 2, 2009

Personally, I love to precept, but only if the student is into it and interested.

The number one thing that will irritate the teaching nurse is you not being there. Do not go sit in the break room and do your care plans. You will learn nothing in the break room. Sure, you might get your care plan done - but you are here for the patient experience.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2009

When you come and watch observe and "help" during clinical rotations ....... PLEASE help and be humble don't roll your eyes and be snooty about every situation. We all notice the ones who just stares at us why everybody else is rushing around like crazy HELP us or MOVE out of the way so we can work !!!!!
Sorry about the vent but its true and it drives me crazy !!!

When I was in NS, we had specific tasks that we could and could not do. We were not allowed to touch patients that we were not assigned to, unless it was a patient safety issue.

Man, am I ever glad to be done with school.