What do students prefer in a clinical instructor?

leopold · Aug 5, 2005

The thing I liked about clinicals is that you could see your scary instructors in a whole new light. It was nice.

The most important thing to me about clinicals is organization. I had one instructor that would just disappear and then come wandering back saying "I'm so confused." Not helpful even though she was obviously a really great nurse. We were practically hysterical because we didn't think we were going to be able to check off on our procedures. But she said that no one was going to go on probation because of her. So that was cool, although we really did need to check off.

suzy253, RN · Aug 5, 2005

I had a wonderful instructor who asked us for a 'wish list' of procedures/skills that we hadn't done yet and she would seek them out for us to do, even if it wasn't our assigned patient(s).

Constructive criticism is great---in a nice way. And a comment of a job well done and praise is great as well.

lisamc1RN, LPN · Aug 5, 2005

I've likde all my instructors so far, but the one I liked the most was very organized. Two of my instructors came in every morning AFTER the students had started arriving and didn't really know what was going on. They had to go talk to nurses on the floor for a bit, which took time from us as we stood around and waited to get the info we needed. They were nice, patient and willing to teach us and I was thankful for that. They just needed to be more organized. The instructor I have now is just awesome! Not only is she organized and available to us but she quizzes us before we do things and if we get stuck she leads us in questions so that we come up with the right answers in our heads. :) She is firm but not intimidating. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for her.

dave1117 · Aug 5, 2005

I like great legs, a cute butt and a friendly,sweet personality. :chuckle

Oh, ok...I'll try to be serious.

No non-sense...let's get the work done...not too anal about care plans and reports...teaches skills effectively...has a sense of humor...understands that most of us have a real life outside of school...and most of all gives me an "outstanding" perfomance evaluation for all my hard work and flirting all semester.

Have a great day, Dave :)

sunnyjohn · Aug 5, 2005

I like someone who is organized. They are flexible, but very little comes as a complete suprise to them because they have everything organized. It annoys me how completely unorganized some nursing and healthcare instructors are. How could they possible have manages patients on a busy med/'surg floor?

I like instructors who enjoy teaching and don't belittle students. There is nothing worse thatn a teacher who make you feel like an inconvenience.

I like instructors who are willing to offer both praise and correction.

JenNJFLCA · Aug 5, 2005

Listen to your students and give them hints to solve a problem. Let them figure out the rest if they can. If they can't figure it out, tell them the answer & the reasons why.

Ask us lots of questions. That makes us think, and it helps us remember things better if we discuss it. Don't ask in an intimidating way though, or we'll get scared and forget our own name. :)

Be patient! Remember that this is all very new to us.

Don't burst into the patient's room and do everything for us. Let us change dressings, give meds, etc

Gypsymoon · Aug 5, 2005

I'm in my next to my last quarter in nursing school. For the last two quarters, I have had the worst clinical instructor that is imaginable. It seems as though no one can do anything right. She has 4 students in her clinical class each week, and not one of us has ever been able to give our meds on time. Last week, I was actually 2 hours late in administering medications to one of my patients because she was in with another student helping her change a dressing. Now I understand that some things take priority, but when it's going to be 30 minutes or more to get to me and my patients, shouldn't the patient's regular nurse be allowed to administer the medications? This, in my mind is unexcusable. Today, I had a 95 year old patient who was in the hospital for renal failure, dehydration, and anemia. She was refusing to take her meds (her doctor's notes indicated that she was wanting to let go and die peacefully). Of course my instructor is in the room with me as this senario is happening, and decides to crush the pills, add them to applesause, and force feed the mixture to this little old lady by forcing her mouth open and spooning it into her mouth. Of course the patient is spitting out the mixture as soon as she gets it in. After about 20 minutes of this, she hands me the mixture and tells me to make sure she gets it all and then walks out of the room to do something else. I tried to persuade the patient to take the medicine without forcing it into her mouth with no luck. I finally gave up and noted in the MAR "refused." My instructor acted as though I had committed murder because I didn't want to force this patient to eat this stuff. She claimed that the patient didn't know what she wanted because her thinking was delusional. Nowhere in the chart did it indicate that she suffered from dementia.

My question...where does the patient's right to refuse medication end? Because she is 95 years old, is she no longer autonomous? I felt really bad, and my gut told me that this old lady knew exactly what she wanted and what she was doing. I felt that what she was doing to this poor little old lady was basically an assault and battery.

I dread my next class with her because I know that she will confront me, tell me that I have no business being a nurse, that I am wrong, and try to intimidate me into quitting school. This isn't the first time that stuff like this has happened. One of my classmates withdrew last Wednesday because of this instructor's belittling.

It is really hard to stand up to her because I know that she holds my future in her hands, but I truly believe in allowing the patient the ability to decide for themselves the kind of care that they wish to receive. I believe that the patient has the right to refuse treatment regardless of their age. It gets harder and harder to get up every week and have to face her in clinicals. In fact, if this is the kind of care that patients receive from nurses, maybe I shouldn't be one after all. My dogs get better treatment at the vet's office.

ChangeAgent · Aug 5, 2005

I really want to thank everyone for the wonderful responses so far. It has given me a lot to think about in the next few weeks.

It sounds like the consensus is that the instructors "approach" makes all difference.

My favorite clinical instructor - I'm from a diploma program initially - always probed with why, how. Now we have a name for this...critical thinking.

Later after my BSN, I had another faculty that stuck out in my mind. Like many students at points you just struggle with time constraints, work, prioritization. This faculty not only gave me the feeling she expected me to do well...but she encouraged risks and strengthened my entrepreneurial spirit. Shes still out there! Thanks...!!!!!!!

ChangeAgent · Aug 5, 2005

...It seems as though no one can do anything right. She has 4 students in her clinical class each week, and not one of us has ever been able to give our meds on time....
I dread my next class with her because I know that she will confront me, tell me that I have no business being a nurse, that I am wrong, and try to intimidate me into quitting school. This isn't the first time that stuff like this has happened. One of my classmates withdrew last Wednesday because of this instructor's belittling.
My dogs get better treatment at the vet's office.

gypsymoon, this is horrible... Short of a code - I am not sure what could be happening that all four students meds werent given on time. Evening clinical: We have a lull before report, so I typically advise the students to check for meds and make calls to pharmacy where appropriate. I start meds 1/2 hour early and 4-5 students pass meds on a med pass.

Wound care can be done at any time - in my years in wound care, I cant think of a time when it needs to be done at a specific time.

I am not sure of all the legal ramifications and every sitaution. Now that is has come up I will investigate. Many nurses (in private) have shared with me that they do not want to pass meds with student. Someone needs to sign off - this is where the nurses often hesitate. When a student and I pass meds - then I cosign and it is my license with you as well.

I know what you mean by some instructors. Other faculty have to interface with them as well. Sometimes they have something to say about us as well........ I am sensitive to the sentiment that your life is in their hands.... I have tried too in the past (really hard sometimes) and realize that nursing school is a microcosm of real life in the field. Some nurses will find trouble where ever they do.

Best of luck to you.....

Gypsymoon · Aug 6, 2005

gypsymoon, this is horrible... Short of a code - I am not sure what could be happening that all four students meds werent given on time. Evening clinical: We have a lull before report, so I typically advise the students to check for meds and make calls to pharmacy where appropriate. I start meds 1/2 hour early and 4-5 students pass meds on a med pass.
Wound care can be done at any time - in my years in wound care, I cant think of a time when it needs to be done at a specific time.
I am not sure of all the legal ramifications and every sitaution. Now that is has come up I will investigate. Many nurses (in private) have shared with me that they do not want to pass meds with student. Someone needs to sign off - this is where the nurses often hesitate. When a student and I pass meds - then I cosign and it is my license with you as well.
I know what you mean by some instructors. Other faculty have to interface with them as well. Sometimes they have something to say about us as well........ I am sensitive to the sentiment that your life is in their hands.... I have tried too in the past (really hard sometimes) and realize that nursing school is a microcosm of real life in the field. Some nurses will find trouble where ever they do.
Best of luck to you.....

I wasn't talking about me passing the meds with the nurse (not my clinical instructor), but just having the patient's regular nurse go ahead and give the meds herself. When I asked my instructor if I should just have the patient's nurse give her the meds, she instructed me to "wait until she could be there."

chattypattyCRNA2B · Aug 7, 2005

I'm in my next to my last quarter in nursing school. For the last two quarters, I have had the worst clinical instructor that is imaginable. It seems as though no one can do anything right. She has 4 students in her clinical class each week, and not one of us has ever been able to give our meds on time. Last week, I was actually 2 hours late in administering medications to one of my patients because she was in with another student helping her change a dressing. Now I understand that some things take priority, but when it's going to be 30 minutes or more to get to me and my patients, shouldn't the patient's regular nurse be allowed to administer the medications? This, in my mind is unexcusable. Today, I had a 95 year old patient who was in the hospital for renal failure, dehydration, and anemia. She was refusing to take her meds (her doctor's notes indicated that she was wanting to let go and die peacefully). Of course my instructor is in the room with me as this senario is happening, and decides to crush the pills, add them to applesause, and force feed the mixture to this little old lady by forcing her mouth open and spooning it into her mouth. Of course the patient is spitting out the mixture as soon as she gets it in. After about 20 minutes of this, she hands me the mixture and tells me to make sure she gets it all and then walks out of the room to do something else. I tried to persuade the patient to take the medicine without forcing it into her mouth with no luck. I finally gave up and noted in the MAR "refused." My instructor acted as though I had committed murder because I didn't want to force this patient to eat this stuff. She claimed that the patient didn't know what she wanted because her thinking was delusional. Nowhere in the chart did it indicate that she suffered from dementia.
My question...where does the patient's right to refuse medication end? Because she is 95 years old, is she no longer autonomous? I felt really bad, and my gut told me that this old lady knew exactly what she wanted and what she was doing. I felt that what she was doing to this poor little old lady was basically an assault and battery.
I dread my next class with her because I know that she will confront me, tell me that I have no business being a nurse, that I am wrong, and try to intimidate me into quitting school. This isn't the first time that stuff like this has happened. One of my classmates withdrew last Wednesday because of this instructor's belittling.
It is really hard to stand up to her because I know that she holds my future in her hands, but I truly believe in allowing the patient the ability to decide for themselves the kind of care that they wish to receive. I believe that the patient has the right to refuse treatment regardless of their age. It gets harder and harder to get up every week and have to face her in clinicals. In fact, if this is the kind of care that patients receive from nurses, maybe I shouldn't be one after all. My dogs get better treatment at the vet's office.

Don't let this woman deter you! It's too many of those kind out there already. They need more like YOU!:) :icon_hug:

leopold · Aug 7, 2005

Last week, I was actually 2 hours late in administering medications to one of my patients because she was in with another student helping her change a dressing. Now I understand that some things take priority, but when it's going to be 30 minutes or more to get to me and my patients, shouldn't the patient's regular nurse be allowed to administer the medications? This, in my mind is unexcusable. Today, I had a 95 year old patient who was in the hospital for renal failure, dehydration, and anemia. She was refusing to take her meds (her doctor's notes indicated that she was wanting to let go and die peacefully). Of course my instructor is in the room with me as this senario is happening, and decides to crush the pills, add them to applesause, and force feed the mixture to this little old lady by forcing her mouth open and spooning it into her mouth. Of course the patient is spitting out the mixture as soon as she gets it in. After about 20 minutes of this, she hands me the mixture and tells me to make sure she gets it all and then walks out of the room to do something else. I tried to persuade the patient to take the medicine without forcing it into her mouth with no luck. I finally gave up and noted in the MAR "refused." My instructor acted as though I had committed murder because I didn't want to force this patient to eat this stuff. She claimed that the patient didn't know what she wanted because her thinking was delusional. Nowhere in the chart did it indicate that she suffered from dementia.
My question...where does the patient's right to refuse medication end? Because she is 95 years old, is she no longer autonomous? I felt really bad, and my gut told me that this old lady knew exactly what she wanted and what she was doing. I felt that what she was doing to this poor little old lady was basically an assault and battery.

From what I learned in class that was assault and battery. Unless there was something in the pt. chart that said that the family allowed that. No, even then I think it's wrong. I'm still a student, but I was taught that even if you mix meds in applesauce or something you still have to tell the pt. before they take it that you are giving them medication. You can try and get them to take it but if they spit it out then that's all you can do. Also, since that was a clinical she should have stayed with you because if something happens someone's license is on the line and it would have been hers. Also, you didn't say what the meds were but some meds can't be crushed. Your instructor sounds like a nightmare.