ummm...etiquette???

Rena RN 2003, RN · Oct 3, 2002

rudeness is never accepted in any facility where i've ever been.

what i have seen is nurses so rushed that they don't have time to stop and make small talk. as far as finding charts go, we are on our own. we are taught to put charts back where we find them and to never wander off with them in case a nurse or dr. needs it. i have yet to see a floor nurse with time to go chart hunting with me. :chuckle

don't know about "sea legs" either as i'm still finding mine. :chuckle but i don't flounder either. if i'm having questions about whether or not i'm doing what i'm supposed to be doing, i ask my instructor.

i'm sure the nurses would love to help us learn. :) unfortunately, in most places, with patient loads the way they are the nurse just doesn't have time to teach us when he/she has so much of his/her own work to complete. they leave the teaching to the teachers/instructors. but most nurses i've come in contact with have had time to answer quick questions even if it was just with a "yes" or "no."

i'm sorry you're feeling so shaky about your experience. just hang in there, i honestly believe it gets better. :)

beaRNwhenIgroUP · Oct 3, 2002

Originally posted by Rena RN 2003

i'm sorry you're feeling so shaky about your experience. just hang in there, i honestly believe it gets better. :)

thanks for the encouragement...i hope it does get better:eek:

maybe it was a good thing...i found out what it's like to run around like a chicken w/ your head cut off, annoyed w/ paperwork and lack of instruction...

i just prefer having a plan (however flexible) so i know at least a little about what can be expected during the accomplishment of a specific goal - even tho i know that things come up...

anyhow, i won't be back in a HOSPITAL until senior year unless i volunteer for stuff like i did for today. so hopefully when i am actually there for rotations i'll be a bit more confident:rolleyes:

frankie · Oct 4, 2002

Do not lower your expectations. Be kind, and good, and a patient advocate. Ask politely with a smile for a chart. Exchange pleasantries with the nurses. Some places never accept "new" anything/anyone. Some places always have open arms for patients, students, and, yes, even MDs. Keep your chin up. One day, you will set the tone for another student.

Mkue · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by frankie
Do not lower your expectations. Be kind, and good, and a patient advocate. Ask politely with a smile for a chart. Exchange pleasantries with the nurses. Some places never accept "new" anything/anyone. Some places always have open arms for patients, students, and, yes, even MDs. Keep your chin up. One day, you will set the tone for another student.

Very well put frankie:)

rebelwaclause, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2002

Sorry for your experience BeaRN. Rudeness is NEVER acceptable or cool, especially when its tossed at you. But on a cold-blooded, "The Real World - Nursing Unit" note......

Welcome to nursing. Some nurses eat their young. Some nurses are rude and intolerant. The turn over for floor nursing is high and at an all time critical high in nursing shortages. The backlash effect is those who are "hanging" in there are tired, overworked and burned-out.

Not your fault at all. Keep a positive attitude and you'll do fine. Check on a call light for another nurse and you'll be the winner. Sometimes your best experience is when you "flounder" and find the answer. You'll NEVER forget it! . Yeah - You gotta find that darn chart. Check with the doc's, they're good for hording a chart where you can't find it. Ancillary staff (PT, Case Managers, Dietary, etc). are second in line for holding charts captive.

"It's all about the patient" is a motto that will help you when it doesn't make sense. If this motto doesn't work, then you've got to evaluate why you're in the nursing field.

Hang in there...We need you!