Students on clinicals need to know the unit rules and culture when they are working with the regular staff. Our last group was really frustrating to work with.
So this is just a list of things they need to know.
1. Log off your narcotics when you give them. Regular staff don't think it's funny or cute that you forgot and the count is off.
2. You are a guest (a welcome one) on our unit. You are not staff and can't get away with cutting comments that co-workers can.
3. Don't hog the chairs in the report room.
4. Don't hide with the patient charts. We know you need to do research, BUT we need to be able to check orders to be able to do our jobs.
5. For PN students, don't go around the unit telling anyone who will listen that you are going on for your BScN. You haven't even graduated yet, nor have you passed the exam or worked the required number of hours to get into the course.
6. For RN students, you are not in charge of the unit LPNs. You can ask for their assistance, you do not demand it or order them around. You can learn a lot from us if you don't treat us a different species. We are nurses with a different skill set.
I acutally think this thread is helpful to learn from. Some hospitals are now doing interviews which have nurses from floor come down and talk to any potential candidate to see if they will fit it with the unit. So, it helps to know what not to do.
I think we students need to start a thread about what staff need to know about students. You say you always want us to ask questions but you don't make it easy. When the staff go out of their way to point out that students are outsiders and below them you are creating an environment where us students become very uncomfortable and hate to approach you for anything. That being said, I have worked with a number of incredible nurses that really went out of their way to make sure we felt included and a part of the team. When working with these staff members we learned more, were more productive and felt comfortable to take initiative and help out.
i dont think students are below us-i was one till 3 years ago, but I never took a chair if it meant a nurse had to stand. THEY have 6-7 pts to get report on, you have maybe 2...you are guests, They are here 8 to 12 hours. Yes I was pushed around and ignored and put up with but it made me the nurse I am. The bottom line is those nurses need to be able to get report and go through their mail, to be able to teach us about those pts throughout their shift so I wouldnt think to take their chair or not offer mine to them. They could be taking care of your mom etc. Wouldnt you want them to be able to concentrate on the care they need to give, not rush through it cuz they have no chair?--Sorry I am tired but I know what you mean about feeling intimidated---I swear sometimes they turned their name badges around so we wouldn't know their name to be bugged by us. I hear you but I never felt entitled to their knowledge---they arent there to give us info--that is to be gotten from our instructor or SON. I offer any info a student may find helpful but when it comes down to it they are there to do a job, not teach students. Ive been there believe me.....good luck to you
Expect the unexpected, Never assume, Be prepared (for anything), assess assess assess,
know how to prioritize, trust your intuition, if it doesnt feel right or a pt seems off-they probably are, check and recheck, check BP and document when giving a BP med-even if there are no parameters, when charting always remember HOW WILL THIS LOOK IN COURT, help your cnas and they will help you out just as you are the docs eyes and ears, they are ours, no they don't assess but they are with the pts too, ALWAYS reorder a med if you take the last one, ALWAYS reorder an IV fluid bag just as you hang the current one, prime feeding tubing before hooking them up to get the air out, so it doesnt go into the stomach, reinforce your saline locks, use adhesive remover when removing tape, check your allergies when giving a new med-dont assume doc did, also check for betadine allergies before cath placement or drsg chgs when it calls for betadine, never throw away ANY pt Info (stickers from snacks, iv fluids, id bands) yes it is hospital garbage but that is protected info. Also do not throw into garbage needleless syringes--just because there is no needle doesnt mean it can be thrown away, set your bed alarms, round on your pts, keep your rails up, check your I and Os, wake up a doc if you must to cya (cover your orifice). Ask questions, teach others, alert other staff to pt issues because they will need to know if you are off floor or they answer a call light (not a hippa thing but a pt safety thing) on need to know basis. oh there is much more but....i have droned on too long
it's not as simple as all of that. if there aren't enough chairs to go around, or enough room in the report room to accomodate chairs for all who are attending report, it would be downright rude for the students to appropriate the chairs, leaving staff standing. the students are there to learn, and they're expecting to learn from the staff. should they also expect the staff to give up their seats for them? [/quote
of course if there is no room or chairs that is different. for me, having to stand sent a message to us as students....we don't like you, you aren't welcome and don't ever forget that you are beneath us socially....students or not, we are still fellow humans.if i had guests in my home i would not expect them to stand while i sat. i found that feeling welcome and at ease made for a better placement.
I hear you but I never felt entitled to their knowledge---they arent there to give us info--that is to be gotten from our instructor or SON. I offer any info a student may find helpful but when it comes down to it they are there to do a job, not teach students.
I couldn't disagree with you more. Part of the role of a nurse to further the profession and mentor new nurses - a huge part of which is teaching
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
I couldn't disagree with you more. Part of the role of a nurse to further the profession and mentor new nurses - a huge part of which is teaching
I'm with you western_chick07. Nursing school faculty have usually been away from the bedside for long enough that their ability to teach beyond basic nursing care is rusty. They may know nursing theory inside out and they may have their sterile technique so ingrained they could change a dressing blindfolded, but there are many things an experienced working nurse can teach a student. Who better, really, than someone who does it day in and day out?
I couldn't disagree with you more. Part of the role of a nurse to further the profession and mentor new nurses - a huge part of which is teaching
I know that! I am trying to tell them that the grumpy nurses they encounter can and do feel that way. I am more than happy to go out of my way to help them with something, as most nursesare. Nursing school is hard enough, I know! I just know what I have heard some of the other nurses mutter in the med room trying to maneuver around students. It is better to be prepared for that cold shoulder. Unfortunately it does happen though they sure dont do it in front of the charge nurses or the NM--to them they are so happy to 'mentor'. Believe me I want to help them succeed----we may be working together someday heck! I only wish some of the more seasoned and experienced nurses I had encountered as a student were more approachable---many were but for us to tell students all nurses will help them out with questions does them a disservice. We all know they wont---but they SHOULD. Sorry I guess I should have phrased it all better. I couldn't agree with you more! Oh were it a perfect world...
Also if you look at my post I wrote regarding tips and things to know---you will see I certainly want to pass on the things I have learned...I realized I needed to contribute what the OP had asked for, so I added that post. I didn't want to let this turn into nurses vs. students. You guys are absolutely correct---they wont learn from a book---like I always say nursing school is only a prerequisite to being a nurse--after graduation the real education begins! :)
linzz
931 Posts
I acutally think this thread is helpful to learn from. Some hospitals are now doing interviews which have nurses from floor come down and talk to any potential candidate to see if they will fit it with the unit. So, it helps to know what not to do.