What do you want a Student nurse to do?

mer_RN · Jul 18, 2007

people at my work, including myself sometimes unfortunately had a tendency to get a little "burned out" on students. some semesters we would have 10 students per day on a 26 bed unit all five week days. the most frustrating thing for me though was when they would show up with no stethoscope. we use our stethoscope on every mom and every baby, it was very frustrating to not bring something so basic. it seems like a really small thing but the small things are what matters. good luck!

rnin02 · Jul 18, 2007

I think a good instructor would work as a laison between the student and nurses, I know when I was in school ours did, plus the students that come thru my hospital I see that happening too. That said, since you can't change your instructor, I would try to take just a few minutes at the start of the shift, tell the nurse what you are allowed to do independently, what you need a supervisor for, and what you are only allowed to observe. Be quick, to the point, and try to express a willingness to learn and help and do as much as you can. The reason many nurses come across as "mean" or "almost abusive" is because having a student with you is a ton of extra work, that you have no warning about!! At least in my experience, we were never told when the students were coming, for how many weeks, what days, etc. So, as a nurse, you get report, your planning your shift and then its suddenly changed on you. Having a student, an extern, an orientee is a lot of work...mentally you are trying to educate all day long, many times you almost have to do double work because you have to go behind the student, make sure anything they charted or did is correct before you cosign. There are many other aspects as well...just trust me, its a lot of work, on top of a lot of work already. Its not that the nurses are unhappy or angry at students or with them, its just a little overwhelming. I'm sure once you graduate and move on to precepting you will understand 100%! I have an extern with me this summer, and I enjoy it, its helping me learn and relearn things as well, but sometimes its just exhausting and as much as I'm enjoying having this extern with me, I'm looking forward to her going back to school as well:) But I look forward to working with her after she graduates! good luck, hang in there!!

MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2007

When I was in school, some of the nurses were a little "mean" I guess but I didn't take them personally.

Being a nurse can get really hectic. I agree with the previous poster about just being prepared for your clinical day. Practice what you have learned.

Try to learn as much as you can by watching the nurse you are with and try to practice your clinical skills as much as you can. Just be professional and go with the flow. We have all been through it and you can get through it too.

Ms Kylee · Jul 18, 2007

On the current clinical, one nurse is really bitchy and snotty. I think it's because she wants us to do her med pass, and we're not allowed to---yet. It's just a matter of a few more months and then I'm sure this battleaxe will take advantage. On my floor, the nursing students are assigned a patient, and their instructor is right there with them every step of the way. The instructor is also the director of Admissions at the nursing school,, and last week the first thing she said to me was, Hey, Kylee, when are you going to apply for admission? I told her after I got my LPN, I'll go on to the LPN to RN program. Bless her, she tried to recruit me for the February class. I guess she sees something in me that I don't yet... When the students are on the floor, they do everything but pass meds. They are a big help to me, that's for sure.

BigMack · Jul 18, 2007

Hello Sunny,

Im an LPN student, i've been lucky not to come across a mean preceptor. Ive heard stories like yours though. Anyways, ALWAYS have a stethoscope, pen and paper. Assertiveness is very important and showing a willingness to learn is another. Preceptors don't like the "know it all students" *not to say your one but you catch my drift. Like the poster above stated, don't take their comments personally and try to understand. Help and learn in anyway possible w/o getting in their way. They will ask for your help eventually =). Good luck and hang in their!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 18, 2007

I used to be a CNA, and I knew that all people hate 'know it alls'. As others have stated, I am not saying that the OP is one; far from it, but it is harder to work with them. Now, when I was in clinical as an LPN student, I was prepared to approach the nurses a certain way. I have to admit that I didn't have it too bad; but, now, being an LPN for one year, I see from the foxholes rather than from the side that what is taught in school is not being utilized in the real world. I have had to precept a few new nurses or nursing students and those that accusingly question me get dropped fast, simply because I can tell that they are trying to lord something over me and it is insulting when they really don't know the deal.

We tow a tight line trying to do the right thing when there are horrible circumstances surrounding us at all times; this is where critical thinking does come into play here. I am happy to teach, but only to those that can appreciate it, and more times than not, it is harder to have a student in tow.

Maybe next semester will be better for you. And, I want you to know that we are happy to see students, and for most nurses, they don't mean to be cruel. As stated, many times, we walk in and plan our days even while transporting to work. Many times, we work with the plan to try and get home on time. It is usually unexpected to have students.

EmmaG, RN · Jul 18, 2007

rnin02 is right; I wouldn't take it personally. Having a student/preceptee does set you back on your heels a bit. An experienced nurse can do many things at once and knows the rationale behind their actions. It can be rather difficult to stop and think about each thing we do, step by step. That's not how our minds work lol. So it's a learning experience for you both

In my LPN school, our instructors were totally responsible for overseeing our care in clinicals. My RN school did pair us with the floor nurses. Thankfully, the hospital where I did most of my clinicals had classes for the nurses to help them prepare, and the ones who precepted were volunteers.

hikernurse · Jul 18, 2007

When I've had students work with me, the most frustrating thing is when they wander off. I'm too busy to go looking for my student, even when I know I'm doing something they would like an opportunity to try.

I'd just be upfront about what you want to and can do; it is a lot of extra time that nurses spend with students and if they know your parameters, it makes their day a bit easier.

Just a little "funny" story. I had a student once who was so "on top" of things that she'd interrupt what I was doing to make sure the patient and I knew that she knew it all. I had an NPO pt with a NG tube and she spent a great deal of time telling me I needed to call the doc because this guys problem was that he was dehydrated. (After I told her I wouldn't give him water to quench his thirst.) We went over labs, dx, etc., but she remained convinced she'd discovered what was wrong and knew how to solve it :).

But still, I like having students. I love the look on their faces when they "get" something. And I think clinicals are definitely the best way to learn. So, don't sweat it and you'll do great!

Princess74 · Jul 18, 2007

I am surprised to hear that some of you give meds along with the nurse. What the heck are your instrustors there for? We have to have our instructor double check our meds and then we give them ourselves. I can't imagine having to get the nurse to go with you to give meds. Who has time for that?

We are required during report to give the nurse an index card stating what we will be doing for the pt and what meds we will be giving. The nurses really appreciate knowing up front what they can expect from us and what we are, or are not allowed to do.

rnin02 · Jul 18, 2007

We are required during report to give the nurse an index card stating what we will be doing for the pt and what meds we will be giving. The nurses really appreciate knowing up front what they can expect from us and what we are, or are not allowed to do.

That sounds like a great system...definitely cuts back on miscommunications, I'm sure.

ldh, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2007

As a student, the nurses do not care that you are there to learn. They want you to think independently, stay out of their way, only ask concise, few, and well-thought out questions, and lighten their workload. If you can get to a point where the nurse is relieved/grateful to have you there, then you have truly accomplished something. Just my own experience....

Oh man I do feel your pain. I remember med/surg; being very shocked on the first day at how hostile an environment it was for learning. We were each paired with a nurse, and I remember thinking that it wasn't fair because the nurses were not even informed ahead of time that they would be working with a student and it was sort of "sprung" on them. I always thought it could have been organized better. Most of the nurses I worked with initially looked very annoyed at my presence. The split second that report was done, it was like a mad sprint and if you didn't keep your feet about you, you might never catch the nurse you were assigned to! It was like they were running away from us! I knew I was on my own from that point on. I made it a point to always, always, always arrive early and communicate quickly and assertively with my nurse who I was, what I was capable/allowed to do, and offered to start with vitals and assessments/morning care IF that was OK with her. Some nurses were grateful and others preferred to do their own assessments which was the whole point of me communicating with them before the start of the shift. That sort of set the tone for the rest of the day. Know the nurse's name, write it down if you have to and use it often! Over the past four years, I can literally count on my hand the number of nurses who took the time to "teach". Mainly I became accustomed to being "thrown in the deep end" and dammit I was determined to swim.

So I started to initiate "self talk" to get through it. I would say things to myself like "you are a shadow here", "do not ever come across like you know more than one of the staff, ever!" "You are here to be competent and silent and get through this course", "you are a guest here" etc. There were nurses, and one in particular stands out, who would, on purpose, pick out every minor fault of mine and immediately go running to my instructor about it. It was like a power thing 'cause she did it with every one of my classmates. I remember on one occasion she snarled at me "I'm going to tell your instructor" so I immediately went and got my instructor and waved enthusiastically at the nurse and said in a cheery voice "here, here she is! You can talk with her now"! I remained overly friendly and very cheerful around her and I'm not sure she knew how to take it. I dunno, kill 'em with kindness I suppose.

Everyone needs to find their coping and survival strategies. In today's nursing world, nobody is going to hold your hand and explain things step by step. If you are unsure, research, read, study beforehand. Believe me it helps! If you know you'll be doing a dressing or a foley or an injection make darned sure you know the steps before you step onto the floor. Have all of the supplies arranged beforehand. Make sure you know where to find supplies, do your own "looking around". Nurses hate when students ask where something is (for the most part). Already know where it is, re-stock supplies at the bedside when they're low, offer to do all of the grunt work. Ask your instructor (if you can find him/her). Ask for extra lessons at your school's lab. It sounds harsh but the nurses you work with are stressed out enough as it is, and they will likely not have the time nor the inclination to teach you. Look forward to having a preceptor in your consolidation because that is the icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned. One on one attention is awesome!

Keep your chin up. You are learning valuable work/time management skills as you go along, and you will work with all sorts of personalities in your nursing career.