Too Many Crabby Nurses!!

[lisa41rn]

I'm really amazed to find so many grouchy nurses on the floor I'm a "student" on. These aren't long time nurses, but fairly new nurses with only one and two years of experience. I can only imagine if they can be so bitchy at only 23-25 years old, what will they be like in the future?! Nearly half of the nurses are this way; the others are either nice or at least reasonable. Our instructor told us today they are like that because they are overworked and underpaid!! Is that really our problem? After all, we're not making a dime, are paying them to be there, and are very nice to all of them!! The treatment is so bad I don't know even one student who wants to work in this hospital. A couple nurses report every tiny mistake to our instructor. I realize some thing should be reported, but not to the extent it is being done. It makes for a troubling environment and doesn't help others to learn. I'd love to say they are great nurses regardless of this, but one overdosed my 80 year old patient on pain meds the other day. It was crazy what she did. All you hear about is the nursing shortage and how those working as nurses are often very unhappy. Isn't it time, we treat others with respect and work as a team?? Maybe if we could be good to one another we'd be happier. Shame on those who want to be in a field in which you help others, yet treat those you work with so terribly. For those who deal with students/ coworkers, they appreciate your treating them fairly. I'm so blown away people can be so cruel who are being so nice to them!!! WOW!!

[askater11]

I'm 10 years out of nursing school.

I found clinicals as a learning experience. I find the crabbier the nurses corralates with the conditions.

I found a hospital that moral is very good. (sure a couple nurses complain of the conditions--though most have never worked outside the facility) In fact it's rare to see the worst of a person at my facility. As you go from one facility to another during clinicals you learn so much about the different hospitals.

It's not right how nurses treat other nurses. It has made me grow as a person. I've learned so much on how to deal with difficult nurses, doctors patients and etc.

[grannynurse FNP]

OP, I know where you're coming from. I had a situation a couple weeks ago, where a nurse told me put a leg bag for a Foley on a patient. I immediately went to his room and saw that he had just gotten his lunch tray, so I went back and told the nurse that the patient was eating and I would do it after he ate (empowering patients and all that, right?). She said, he can wait to eat. I need that bag on him now.

So I told her, oh, sorry. I'll do it right now. Walked out of the conference room, directly to the patient's room and put the bag on him. From original request to completion of task took maybe 5 minutes, tops.

She turned around and told my clinical instructer that she had to tell me 3 times to do it before I "finally got around to it." My instructor gave me an Unsatisfactory, but when I explained my side of it, she took the "U" away (which NEVER happens at this school!).

I wonder why this nurse felt she had to lie about me to get me into trouble? All the nurses on this particular floor are "tattle tales" to the clinical instructors. You've really got to watch your back.

You have a problem with not only the floor staff but also with your clinical instructors. But I also have a question. Was this patient assigned to you? If he was not, why did your instructor give you an unsatisfactory? In most programs, the student is there to learn from her assigned patients. If there is a procedure, that a student could learn from doing, the instructor will tell the student, not a staff nurse. A staff nurse has no control or should have no control over student activities. It sounds like the clinical instructor is relying too much on the staff to oversee her students clinical experiences and report on them. That is just my take on the situation.

Grannynurse

[grinnurse, RN]

Lisa41RN-

sorry that you are having a rotten experience with the nurses at your clinical site. I just graduated in May and can relate to how you are feeling b/c I had that experience too at a hospital. My best peice of advice is to "Kill them with kindness" and don't lower yourself to their level of behaviour. There is no reason for anyone to be rude to another under any circumstances. At the end of the rotation you can tell the ones who were so rude that you know exactly what kind of nurse you DON'T want to become and thanks for pointing that out!!

The rotation that I just started working has a couple of nurses that are crabby too and I know I am going to have to bite my tongue and not tell them that nobody is twisting their arms to stay there so why make everybody else miserable with your attitude. It is going to kill me I know!!!!! :rotfl:

I could have gotten a job at three other hospitals but chose this one b/c it was where I started my hospital career at but also b/c I will have students. The school that I went to uses our hospital for a clinical site and I knew I wanted to make a difference in the future of nursing so I chose a lower paying job than most of my peers so I could make that difference happen.

The nurses that want students will be out there for you it's just a matter of finding them so don't give up on all the new nurses yet!! We may be few and far between but we are there :)

Just keep on heading toward your goal, be a positive person, and then when you get out you can help to change the attitudes of others hopefully. Don't let them corrupt you as a student to their crabby hateful ways!!

[zenman]

I wonder why this nurse felt she had to lie about me to get me into trouble? All the nurses on this particular floor are "tattle tales" to the clinical instructors. You've really got to watch your back.

As the "Dr. House" of the nursing world, I prefer to confront people about their behavior (although usually in a humorous way) because many are too stupid to realize what they are doing. Once they realize what's going to happen around me, I have a better day. :chuckle Optical rectitis is a serious malady.

[Haunted]

You have a problem with not only the floor staff but also with your clinical instructors. But I also have a question. Was this patient assigned to you? If he was not, why did your instructor give you an unsatisfactory? In most programs, the student is there to learn from her assigned patients. If there is a procedure, that a student could learn from doing, the instructor will tell the student, not a staff nurse. A staff nurse has no control or should have no control over student activities. It sounds like the clinical instructor is relying too much on the staff to oversee her students clinical experiences and report on them. That is just my take on the situation.

Grannynurse

Hey Granny, a staff nurse has ultimate control, as well as ultimate RESPONSIBILITY over not only student activities, but also the activities of the support staff, including CNA's. It is a pleasure to have a student work WITH YOU, however it is the nurses obligation to maintain patient safety and keep herself and the student safe as well.

I would NEVER rely on the instructor to oversee the actions of the students at all times. She has 10-12 students all over the hospital and cannot be everywhere at once.

Once again, communication is key here. My students find me during report, tell me the objectives of their clinicals and any limitations (passing meds, IV therapy, etc) so I am aware of where they are in the program. That way I can offer to let them perform a procedure, a dressing change if they feel comfortable, if not, they can watch me and assist. If they are, for instance, inserting a FC, I am right there at the bedside with them to assist but also to provide support for them and the patient.

Who in their right mind would just direct a student to perform any procedure and then go off on a break or something, assuming that the student completed it and everything was hunky dorry? You know who is responsible if it somehow went wrong? HMMMMMM? ME !

[SharonH, RN]

I'm really amazed to find so many grouchy nurses on the floor I'm a "student" on. These aren't long time nurses, but fairly new nurses with only one and two years of experience.

I can tell you that after almost 15 years of nursing that a lot of times, bad attitudes and what you perceive as "crabbiness" is often due to fear. Fear of making a mistake, fear of hurting someone, or fear of being exposed as not knowledgeable can cause many people to appear hostile. The fact that you mention that these are relatively new nurses underscores this, although veteran nurses can also act out in this way. Also you mentioned that every little mistake is reported. This too goes to the fear; maybe they feel that your mistakes may be reflected on them or they will be blamed. That's a legitimate concern because a lot goes on after the students leave the floor. Also, your instructor is right about working conditions.

Also try to remember you are not doing them a favor;I picked that up in your attitude. You are at clinicals to learn, not help them out. I'm sorry that you are having a bad experience but being judgmental is just as bad as crabbiness.

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Sorry to hear that. I know what you mean though :uhoh21:

One important thing to keep in mind is that not all of them are like that. There are a few bad apples in every profession.

Do not let them intimidate you or get to you in any way. Instead be extra nice and cooperative with them, so maybe (hopefully) they can realize their behavior and slap themselves for that :chuckle If this approach does not work, then you need to let them know flat out that they need to shape up because you are not there to tolerate their nonsese. (In a decent way of course).

You have made it this far, so now just try to keep your composure and not let anyone interfere whether in action or words. You are a valuable individual not only as a person but as future nurse!

Hope everything turns out for the better

Take care,

Jessica

[Stitchie]

Sorry you had a bad experience. I've always enjoyed students/new employees and found them to be lots of fun.

I guess it's all perspective. I remember what it was like to be a student. Don't give up on us.

[grannynurse FNP]

Hey Granny, a staff nurse has ultimate control, as well as ultimate RESPONSIBILITY over not only student activities, but also the activities of the support staff, including CNA's. It is a pleasure to have a student work WITH YOU, however it is the nurses obligation to maintain patient safety and keep herself and the student safe as well.

I would NEVER rely on the instructor to oversee the actions of the students at all times. She has 10-12 students all over the hospital and cannot be everywhere at once.

Once again, communication is key here. My students find me during report, tell me the objectives of their clinicals and any limitations (passing meds, IV therapy, etc) so I am aware of where they are in the program. That way I can offer to let them perform a procedure, a dressing change if they feel comfortable, if not, they can watch me and assist. If they are, for instance, inserting a FC, I am right there at the bedside with them to assist but also to provide support for them and the patient.

Who in their right mind would just direct a student to perform any procedure and then go off on a break or something, assuming that the student completed it and everything was hunky dorry? You know who is responsible if it somehow went wrong? HMMMMMM? ME !

I'm sorry but you are incorrect. When a patient is assigned to a student, that patient's care becomes the student's responsibility and her instructors. The facility has a contract with the program that clearly delinates this course of action. You may feel, that the patient remains yours but in reality, he/she does not, while under the care of the student. And, quite frankly, if you inserted yourself into one of my student's clinical experience, I would hold a private discussion with you, regarding responsibilities. And if that did not do the trick, I would go higher up the foodchain. I am responsible for the actions of my students. And they are responsible for their own actions. And they and I can both be sued, as well as the facility.

You assume responsibility, once again, only when the student reports off.

Grannynurse

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

You may feel, that the patient remains yours but in reality, he/she does not, while under the care of the student.

So how is the oncoming nurse supposed to receive report. From the student, or the instructor?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry but you are incorrect. When a patient is assigned to a student, that patient's care becomes the student's responsibility and her instructors. The facility has a contract with the program that clearly delinates this course of action. You may feel, that the patient remains yours but in reality, he/she does not, while under the care of the student. And, quite frankly, if you inserted yourself into one of my student's clinical experience, I would hold a private discussion with you, regarding responsibilities. And if that did not do the trick, I would go higher up the foodchain. I am responsible for the actions of my students. And they are responsible for their own actions. And they and I can both be sued, as well as the facility.

You assume responsibility, once again, only when the student reports off.

Grannynurse

No disrespect. I don't care how many times you pull me aside. If a patient is in my assignment on the assignment board and student happens to have them, I'm not ignoring that patient.

Here nursing students don't have their own assignment separate from the nurses. The students are usually assigned a nurse, rather than a patient assignment and it's a collaborative effort, with ultimately the staff nurses in charge.

Granted if the student causes the patient harm, that is not my responsibility.

I love working with students. I had one with me the other day. The only thing she was allowed to do was a bed bath, so she did that and shadowed me the rest of the time and we gave each other rave reviews at the end of the day (which was only ten hours for her).

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

So how is the oncoming nurse supposed to receive report. From the student, or the instructor?

I take report from the student, but since I've been there all day, aware of what's going on with the patients in my assignment it goes rather quickly. A good student updates the staff nurse periodically as to what's going on anyway.