What does the floor really think of nursing students?

[superduper]

Hi everyone.

I am a third semester nursing student and just recently started working as a PCA/PCT in the same hospital system as my clinical site.

I have noticed during my PCA orientation that the hospital that I work at isn't "nursing student friendly" or "new nurse friendly". There have been a couple of instances like.. there have been comments by PCAs and nurses about new grad nurses not knowing something, or I have noticed nursing students having a hard time being paired with a preceptor because no one wanted a nursing student.

The following is rant.. I don't mention that I am in school however, during my last shift on orientation my PCA preceptor asked me if I was in school and I told her I was. She began to congratulate me on being a PCA before becoming a nurse because some nurses have no idea what they are doing. I responded that I just want to be a good nurse and appreciate the opportunity. Before the shift ended the entire floor knew I was in nursing school and when giving report to the oncoming pca she basically was telling me to not work on that floor because new nurses usually sink than swim on that floor and that there were too many cardiac drips for a new nurse to handle. Maybe it was just advice but it just felt like she was trying to intimidate me because the floor was no different than the other med-surg floors I had been training on (I am a PCA in float pool). There's more to it but rant over.

Just to say, I have been a CNA for two years before getting this job. I am not scared of hard work and always try my best. I am a pretty good student I try to study as much as I can to be a bad *** nurse one day lol. I feel confident in doing my job as a PCA but feel like I would be judged if I mentioned that I was in nursing school. People/professors have told me that when you work as a pca while in nursing school the nurses are nicer and let you do more things but it doesn't seem like that's the case in that hospital. To be honest, now when I get asked I say that I am not in school : (

I just feel like there's a bad connotation about nursing students/new grads at that hospitals. I am just curious is this normal feeling on the floors and I have been oblivious to it? Maybe my particular hospital has had bad experiences with nursing students?

Sorry if this was long or didn't make sense... just curious.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I like nursing students! I would say about half of our NCAs are in nursing school and we always hope they stay after graduating.

The only time I have had an issue was where we had one group that didn't seem too eager. They liked to sit at the nursing station waiting for their day to finish. I remember trying to get a careplan done, learn or practice a new skill. Overall, most are great!!

[Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I love students! To see someone absorb and then put into practice its soooooo awesome. I don't want to precept when I have crashing patient. Sorry not sorry.

[brownbook]

What do nurses think about nursing students.

I heard a black comedian many years ago joke when people ask him, "What do black people think about such and such". He'd reply, "I don't know but we're having a meeting tonight so I'll find out".

No one can assume to answer your question. You can ask 100 nurses what they think and get 200 answers.

Be the best PCA you can be, be the best nurse you can be. Don't lie if asked if your a nursing student. Don't bother your head with what others think about any of it.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

Students are generally good, but much of the time, floor nurses barely have enough time to deliver and chart care. Working along a student will slow one down, even if it is just to explain a procedure or the significance of a med or lab. And it can be difficult to track down the student to see what they have done or if a patient needs something, such as a prn med. I have worked as a clinical instructor and had floor nurses livid with me because I ran late to pass meds on all the student patients ( 5 students with 2 patients each. Ain't no floor nurse in that facility delivering 8 am meds to 10 patients!).

Floor nurses can just get burnt out working with students and new orientees and just the usual work load.

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

I think it depends if the students are from a school where the teacher actually stays and teaches or a school where the teacher drops off the kids and expects the floor nurses to babysit/do her job for her.

[Christina_, BSN, RN]

Sorry for the bad experience you have had so far! I worked as a CNA at a hospital during nursing school and I absolutely loved it. All my coworkers were great, they all knew I was in nursing school and they loved to teach me. I never had a bad experience at a hospital for clinical either. The nurses I had were again really nice and welcoming to nursing students. Maybe the hospital you are working at is not the best to start off as a new nurse?

[Nursesnuffy]

Every nurse is different. Some are annoyed by the mere presence of nursing students, while others use it as an opportunity to teach. I like to teach but I also like the student to be prepared and at least know the basics. In nursing school, we were never allowed to pass meds without or instructor but the students I see are allowed to pass meds with the nurse. This creates more work for me but I don’t always mind.

[Emergent, RN]

The most annoying student I had was a big patient advocate for more pain meds. She totally played into the patients manipulative behavior and made my day more difficult.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

12 hours ago, Rionoir said:

I think it depends if the students are from a school where the teacher actually stays and teaches or a school where the teacher drops off the kids and expects the floor nurses to babysit/do her job for her.

THIS.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Well, you've learned one valuable lesson...anything you tell anyone will soon be known by all.

[AnaRho]

Perhaps this hospital has had a few bad experiences with students. Keep at it and change their thinking! When you move on they’ll remember how great you were!