What would you do?

NycCutie · Jul 15, 2008

The other day was our first day of clinicals and we had to basically shadow but not do too much. (I have many years of experience in the setting we were in.) What would you do if the person you were shadowing was COMPLETELY unprofessional? I don't think I saw her wash her hands ONCE! She had a complete lack of give a $#!% attitude and was NOT about to hide it. They were short staffed but give me a break!!!! When we mentioned to our instructor one of the MANY comments she made - our instructor made a shocked look like she could not believe it. This person was taking food off of peoples trays and eating it right in the main diningroom!!! In front of the families and nurse! I was taught better than this and it freaked me out. You would think she would AT LEAST PRETEND TO BE PROFESSIONAL in front of the students!!!! So anyhow.....what would you do? Part of me wants to say something. But the other part of me does not want to rock the boat.

Sweetie Just try your best to take in whatever knowledge you can because trust me she is not the last unprofessional person you will encounter in the world of nursing.Trying to report her I doubt would do any justice because if she is like this with students then in her real world it's probably worse lol you just pay attention to what you should be learning let her eat all she wants lol......in the end you will graduate as a professional and you will know much better than that. Good luck I start clinicals Aug 2nd cant wait.

mrsraisinkain · Jul 15, 2008

I've seen a couple of shocking things in my first term of school's clinicals. I also saw an aid eating food off of a tray in the dining room (in the middle of discussing how TRASHED she was going to get the upcoming weekend) I mentioned it to my instructor, who was also shocked, and luckily the facility is big enough we were able to move to a different floor and continue our learning experience. I think the best things you and I can do from situations like this is to learn what kind of nurses we will NOT be. Sadly, I don't think we can really do anything about people like that until we are nurses and can report our own aids if we see behavior like this. Hang in there!

WhoNeedsaShot? · Jul 16, 2008

We have many many teachers, in life as well as in school...... Some teach us what to do, while others teach us what not to do!!...

I would avoid the drama, chalk it up as a learning experience, and move on!! :bowingpur

*Scrubs* · Jul 16, 2008

I guess my problem is, I am no newbie to LTC and the crap I saw was down-right barbaric. I kept my post brief, but there were many more incidents - including naked residents with doors wide open-that I did not mention, coherent residents called names to their face. Just because the residents were not physically harmed does not mean they were not abused. I saw complete FEAR in many resident's eyes. I know this stuff goes on.... just feel like- if I witness it- and don't do anything, then I am just as guilty.

missjennmb · Jul 16, 2008

Is there any way to anonymously report to their corporate office? My hospital has an anonymous "suggest ways we can do better" kind of tipline and while I would let anything that was just unprofessional slide, if it was causing the patients distress I would definitely do something to report it anonymously. These people are someone's loved ones, and they deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. I could not sit by and let it go either, if I saw something that was truly and intentionally causing patients pain or fear.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2008

Scrubs, just like you....I have years experience in that type of setting...I know how frustrating it can be especially since you're out there doing the best job you can do, and yet you have to shadow a nurse who doesn't seem to want you there....Honestly, it's a power thing....They probably don't have control over something at home, or even at work...so what do they do? They try to gain control over you....Professionalism, gosh, I learned that in the business world....but anyhow, it probably wont change with that nurse, and as the other person stated....take it as a lesson, LEARN THAT IS THE TYPE OF NURSE YOU WILL NEVER BE.....but another thing to keep in mind....Shut up and put up!!!!!....This is for your own good and the reputation of your school....I know, I know, it's hard especially when you see something that is totally wrong....It's ok to voice your opinion to your instructor and other students as a learning experience, but keep it at that.....You never know when and if you come across that nurse again, and they could be a factor in nursing career....You just never know, they might be on your hiring committee at another facility....Let me tell you tongues fly in places like that and if you say something to management , they will fry you the best way they can and will make your clinical experience miserable.....I'm only tellilng you this because I'd hate to see you have a horrible experience in nursing school....Just do the best you can and honey, let me tell you, there are nurses like that everywhere....I've gone through 2 clinical rotations, and there was at least one nurse, and CNA that fit that profile....and I've worked with them too....so keep doing the best job you can do and move on....Trust me on this....Good Luck, and I hope you have a better experience next time!

mrsraisinkain · Jul 16, 2008

What does your gut tell you to do? What would you like to see happen?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2008

what would you do? remember your current role--student nurse. it is not your job to supervise, as much as you want to do something about what this nurse you were shadowing was doing. your role as a student nurse is to observe. during the clinical time, you privately report this nurse's behavior to your instructor who is, in effect, your supervisor, and let her deal with the problem. in other words, go up the chain of command. in post conference you should also bring this up for discussion. you students are in a precarious position because you are invited guests of the facility. your instructor may well need to discuss the situation with her manager in the nursing program and i imagine that she will try to avoid placing students with this nurse again if possible. in any case, the ball is now with your instructor for her to deal with.

you are going to see all kinds of nurses practicing both correct and incorrect ways of doing things as a student and later as a practicing nurse. i used to jokingly talk about "nurse jail"--if only there were such a thing--when i used to remind staff nurses at staff meetings to please follow good nursing practice and hospital policies and procedures or they might find themselves there. unfortunately, unlike society, there are no people who go around policing our nursing practice. well, there are--they are called supervisors, managers and tattletails. i'm not a big fan of habitual tattlers because in many cases i'm suspicious that there may be one-upmanship or bullying going on so the "crimes" they are reporting better be humdingers.

missjennmb · Jul 16, 2008

what would you do? remember your current role--student nurse. it is not your job to supervise, as much as you want to do something about what this nurse you were shadowing was doing. your role as a student nurse is to observe. during the clinical time, you privately report this nurse's behavior to your instructor who is, in effect, your supervisor, and let her deal with the problem. in other words, go up the chain of command. in post conference you should also bring this up for discussion. you students are in a precarious position because you are invited guests of the facility. your instructor may well need to discuss the situation with her manager in the nursing program and i imagine that she will try to avoid placing students with this nurse again if possible. in any case, the ball is now with your instructor for her to deal with.
you are going to see all kinds of nurses practicing both correct and incorrect ways of doing things as a student and later as a practicing nurse. i used to jokingly talk about "nurse jail"--if only there were such a thing--when i used to remind staff nurses at staff meetings to please follow good nursing practice and hospital policies and procedures or they might find themselves there. unfortunately, unlike society, there are no people who go around policing our nursing practice. well, there are--they are called supervisors, managers and tattletails. i'm not a big fan of habitual tattlers because in many cases i'm suspicious that there may be one-upmanship or bullying going on so the "crimes" they are reporting better be humdingers.

you're right. that makes more sense. i didn't even think about her ci. hadn't had my coffee yet... i was thinking more of my own perspective, which doesnt quite apply. definitely talk to your ci like was suggested.

i think it would be very bad form to "tattle" on every little thing, because nobody will want to help you. i was just coming at this from the standpoint of... what if something bad was really happening to patients in this ltc.

as i said in my prev post, i would do anything in my power to avoid causing drama, because you don't want to be the "nail that sticks up" yk? but if someone is being damaged, something should be done. not having been there, i can't really say that i would "tattle" or that i would hold my tongue.

*Scrubs* · Jul 16, 2008

What does your gut tell you to do? What would you like to see happen?

My gut tells me to call the state and let them conduct a surprise visit!

What I would like to see happen is the place to become somewhat civilized...

Sadly, I cannot do anything to ruin my career, so I will probably do nothing. I am just ill over it because I consider myself a stand-up kinda girl and what I've seen is WRONG. I am no Mary Poppins by any means but I am a huge advocate for humans- the whole reason I am becoming a nurse and this goes WAY against my beliefs. I mean, if you did clinicals in peds and saw a CHILD abused....would you say something- or ignore you saw anything? It's the same thing.

mrsraisinkain · Jul 16, 2008

I know what you're saying. I asked what you wanted to see because I wasn't sure if there was one person that needed disciplined, or the whole facility in general. We want to be nurses because we have a caring disposition, and want to save the world, but it's so hard when we're seen as "just" a student nurse. I would probably do the whole guerilla attack if things are that bad at the place. Call the BON or call the ombudsman. I heard that the quickest way to get somebody in a place is by calling the ombudsman. Let us know what happens!