What do you want a Student nurse to do?

[sunnysandiego]

Hi all - really appreciate this forum and all the good feedback. - you guys rock!!

I am bachelor nursing student in my first med-surg rotation It is really frustrating because our instructors tell us - be assertive - pick a patient, provide primary care. But when we get there - we have to rely on the nurse to pass meds with us. -I know they don't get paid to teach us, but I am forced to be there - i have no choice. They are down right mean to us- abusive almost.

Is this what nursing school is-- if so, i just need to know.

If not, please give advise on what a student nurse can do to accomodate the nurse on shift and make it a better experience.

Thanks,

Sunny SanDiego

(i'm thinking food)

[TrudyRN]

Stay out of her way until she is ready to do a med pass with you. Do the bed bath, bed change, yada yada yada. After that say to a nurse with her arms loaded with linens, "Let me make that bed for you" and when she demurs, say, "I know you have something more pressing to do. Let me do this. I really don't mind." Do the same with bed baths.

Your arrival on the floor will be eagerly anticipated.

:)

Plus, this is a great opportunity for you to learn bedmaking, positioning, and patient assessments. Just make sure you know whether or not the patient is allowed to get up, how much help he needs, etc. before you start working with him.