So I'm in my last semester of nursing school (for the second time), and apparently my clinical instructor thinks I'm not cut out to work in a hospital, and I'm pretty sure the only way she's going to allow me to pass is if I shift my focus towards other options. I know I can't handle long term care. I don't really see RNs in clinics, it seems like there's a couple of CNAs and MAYBE an LPN. I thought about possibly a dialysis clinic, since there is more of a need for RNs there than most other clinics, but at the one here you start at 4:00am, and there is simply no way I could do that. I know scheduling may sound like a ridiculous reason to rule it out, but I already struggle with 6:30 clinicals, if I had to be there at 4:00 I would be sleeping an impossible schedule, I would be waking up at 2:00, which would mean I would need to go to sleep no later than 8:00, and I just could not do that, I already have sleep issues and I can't fix my sleep cycle (no matter how hard I try). I would LOVE to work nights, I sleep great in the morning after being up all night, but then night shift is mostly hospital and nursing home... Can someone please help me explore my options? Or figure out if this just isn't for me and I've wasted 3 years and countless breakdowns, which is what I fear most...
Edit: even if floor nursing is not for me, could I possibly handle pre-op?
I am so sorry you have such a horrible instructor. I know there is a lot of subjective data going into a clinical grade in nursing school. One part of me says you should bring her up on battery charges for the saline incident. She is harassing you at the very least.The other is you have paid a lot of money and time in the program and should do whatever you have to do to graduate. After you have your diploma in hand you should write a letter to the dean.
As far as what you should do with your nursing career that is up to you and your imagination. Start looking on job boards for register nurse jobs. You will be surprised at the number of things you can do. Do not let anyone pigeon hole you. Send me a private message and I will give you more insight if you want.
Why is your instructor stating you can not work in a hospital? Remember this is one persons opinion, just because she is an instructor does not mean she is the last opinion that matters. I would pursue other instructors you have had and even your fellow classmates. What do you think?
The day she squirted that saline flush in my face would have been my last day anyway!! sorry, not sorry!! I refuse to be bullied, i don't care who it is!!
How do you feel about being a bedside nurse? If you desire to work at the bedside give it a try. Don't let an instructor determine your future. Go back to the lab, seek guidance from experienced nurses or even a peer you look up to. You can be a great bedside nurse If you desire. Now if you don't want the bedside then that is okay too. I'm nursing there are many opportunities away from the bedside.
What about assisted living? Much more relaxed and lower acuity than full on LTC? Also, consider DD/MR (developmental disabilities with adults). I did that for over 3 years. Super easy, super laid back. Depending on your area there may be state run facilities or non profit organization run group homes. I worked between two and four facility owned homes with four clients per house. I administered meds, catheters, wound care, charting etc. They had weekday 1st shift, week day 2nd shift, and 30 hour weekends. I chose weekends. Full benefits all week days off. When you had down time, and on the weekends there was a lot, you could go with the staff and clients on outings, help cook a meal, watch TV with the clients, etc. Just an idea you may not have thought of.
For some reason I quit getting notifications for this post, I'm sorry. But for those asking about the saline thing, we were in post conference and she had us all in a circle and she was pretending to be a patient sent home with a PICC line and having another student doing pt education, and the point she was trying to make was to flush the line slowly, and she said "so when I flush do I just go like this?" and forcefully shot the whole thing in my face. On purpose. Didn't even pretend it was an accident. As for where I honestly want to be, I would like med surg night shift, or anything perioperative.
Your instructor is one person. Once you finish school, you can pursue whatever opportunity you can find. If you would like to work med surg nights, why not, go for it. You probably have performance anxiety in front of your instructor. Tell your professor whatever she wants to hear, but when you graduate from school it's your life.
sunshines66, BSN
73 Posts
I am so sorry you have such a horrible instructor. I know there is a lot of subjective data going into a clinical grade in nursing school. One part of me says you should bring her up on battery charges for the saline incident. She is harassing you at the very least.The other is you have paid a lot of money and time in the program and should do whatever you have to do to graduate. After you have your diploma in hand you should write a letter to the dean.
As far as what you should do with your nursing career that is up to you and your imagination. Start looking on job boards for register nurse jobs. You will be surprised at the number of things you can do. Do not let anyone pigeon hole you. Send me a private message and I will give you more insight if you want.