Was told by an aide that I'm not CUT OUT for Nursing

Butch · Nov 20, 2004

Hello Tabbeycatt

What ever you do, don't give up! Just keep at it. I'm sure that your instructors know a lot more than that aide knows. Again, don't give up!

Butch

Robb1978 · Nov 23, 2004

I say Hats off to you for making it as far as you have!!! No nursing is not for everyone thats why I took a long hard look at it to make sure that I could apply myself 110% each and everyday and finally decided this is what was meant for me. as far as the aide goes a lot of times when things like this happen people get jealous of others when they wish that they were the ones going through the clinicals but just have not taken the initiative to even get it start I say follow your heart and do what you have the passion for! best of luck dear

harleytx · Nov 23, 2004

4 classes left and you graduate? Think of the time you have put into this. You will never know if you don't finish. SO get your !@#$ back to school and finish it! Then YOU decide...Good Luck!!!:)

LydiaNN · Nov 23, 2004

An aide isn't qualified to judge who is "cut out" for nursing. I don't wish to devalue the work that they do, but they do have a limited range of experience when it comes to judging all of the qualities that are necessary in nursing. No one- from an aide on up to the DON- would be able to determine what your potential is after just a few days. I'd stick with my instructors' and preceptors' input and not worry about what this woman said to you.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2004

"They couldn't build Rome in one day. What makes me think I can build "my Rome" in one day?"

So said my GrandMother. I think she was right .....

tabbeycatt · Nov 25, 2004

I just want to report that I am feeling so much better. I worked Monday & Tuesday of this week and ended up on the same floor with the snotty aide again. BUT I found out from the girl that is now training me that she's not much of an aide herself. I was told that one of the other aides even caught her faking vitals. :eek: My whole perception on things (and her) is a lot different now. I feel like I have caught on much better this week and am kind of getting into the groove of things.

Again... thank you all for your words of encouragement and wonderful advice. I really hope nursing is for me.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 25, 2004

Faking vitals is a perfect way to say bye to a certification.

Next time someone catches her, she needs reported to the state.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2004

Tabbycat

I'm so glad you are feeling better!!

Sometimes these people who are like that woman are the worst workers on the floor!!

Take care & let us know from time to time how you are doing.

Mary Ann

micco · Nov 26, 2004

Tabby,

when I did my first clinical, I was kind of lost in the dark about time management and the routine of things too. Another student gave me this tip and it really worked. Write down your schedule (from the beginning of the shift to the end) with all the tasks you need to do (vitals, repositioning, toileting, etc.) in chronological order and include 5-10 minutes each hour to do charting. It may take a couple of note cards. This way if I am flustered or have a moment of brain dysfunction, I look at my cards and see what i have to do next.

Don't listen to aides. some of them have chips on their shoudlers because they want to go to nursing school or they don't like training new people, etc. I totally understand the "thick skin" thing. I analyze (over analyze) my actions and how people react to me a hundred times before I let it go.

mariessas_mom · Nov 27, 2004

And why isn't this know-it-all aide a nurse herself? :stone That's what you need to be asking yourself. I am sure you're doing just fine. I've heard it takes a really long time to get comfortable. Don't lose hope and DON'T listen to her!!

Well said! Aides are a vital and integral part of the health care system. The majority are very good at what they do. However, they do not do the same work as a nurse. Nor do they know the level of critical thinking that someone who has spent 3-5 years in school to learn!

Tony35NYC · Nov 27, 2004

I don't know if I should finish or take this aide's advice and throw in the towel now.

Why would you throw in the towel just because of one person's unimportant opinions? Clinical skills and time management skills aren't automatic for every student and some of us need a bit more practice than others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to "cut it" as nurse. If YOU feel that you're having a problem with time management then make a plan to rationalize your time so that you spend only x amount of it with each pt. Make a list of the things you'll need to get done for the average patient on any given day and prioritize them according to your pt ratio and also according to the acuity and needs of each pt. If you're consistent about this you'll find that it helps a lot with managing your time. Also, if there are certain nursing skills that you have to perform regularly and you're not 100% sure of what to you, review them in your clinical skills book and practice them in the lab until you've got them down.

As for that aide, I think you have something that she wants. Maybe its your looks, your body, your personality, your life... there are some miserable people out there who don't have a whole lot going on in their own lives so they troll around looking for opportunities to put other people down just so they can get a little attention and also because its the only way they can feel good about themselves. We're here rooting for you so forget about that aide and continue doing your thing! Not too long from now you're going to be a nurse so just keep wearing your biggest smile and let her eat her heart out. :)

MQ Edna · Nov 27, 2004

That is terrible, do NOT pay attention to her. First of all it takes some time on the floor before you learn to prioritze & manage your time effectively-longer than 4 days! And everyone does it a little differently. The nurse that I split my triage area with works totally different than I do- and we work great together so you do not have to organize & time manage the same as everyone else. You will develope your own way to get things organized done in a timely manner. To prioritze is simply to do most urgent/important tasks first, primarily your patients requiring the most urgent care first, then on down the line.

That was a very mean thing for her to say & who the heck is she? She probably just wanted you to pick up her slack. Don't let her undermime your confidence..Get your butt back to school & finish up your RN.

You'll do just fine.

-Sara

Yesterday was a horrible day for me. I am externing on a Med-Surg floor and was told by an aide that she didn't think I was "cut-out" for nursing. I just came off of orientation and have worked a total of 4 days on the floor and she said that I'm not "cutting it." That maybe I should re-consider my career choice and that the medical field is not for everyone. I'm devastated. I have doubted myself constantly about my capabilities.... to the point that I completed my first year of nursing school and then dropped out this semester. I thought maybe externing would give me some much needed confidence and keep things fresh in my mind for when I start back next fall. Now.... I'm not even sure if I should waste any more time with this at all. I mean... she must be right. If I can't handle the duties of an aide-- then surely I won't "cut it" as a nurse.
I just have a hard time "prioritizing" my time and not sure of how the "flow" of things are suppose to go. I get so nervous sometimes and really lack self-confidence. But I love people... and truly care about making a difference. I just don't know what to do. I am 4 classes away of becoming a RN. I don't know if I should finish or take this aide's advice and throw in the towel now.