Why are some nurses so rude to students?

[kayty2339]

I'm in my second semester of clinicals and am on a cardiac telemetry floor. Some of the nurses are friendly and helpful, but most on this floor are just rude all the time. It seems that the whole atmosphere on this floor is one of disdain for their job and attitudes coming from everywhere. The HUC's (especially the HUCs), the techs, the food service people, they all have attitude problems also. I don't know if it's because we are students and are getting in their way (even though we are taking on some of their load...the nurses don't even check on the pts that we are assigned, I've had complaints from pts about it). Or is it because this floor just has a toxic staff where everyone is rubbing off on each other negatively? I know one thing, I will never work on this floor when I graduate. I did clinicals at this same hospital on a different floor last semester and didn't experience this at all. They were happy to have us there and treated us respectfully.

So, nurses, how do you feel about students? Do you like it when they come and are you nice/helpful to them? Or would you rather not have students when you are working?

[gentle]

You know, I never even though about that probably because we don't have the CNA's but that does make an awful lot of sense now doesn't it! So by the time they get to you they are ready for the medications and assessments and such. I am glad there are nurses out there like you who will explain the why about things. Its so important! I have been constantly learning since starting my first job and I'm lucky there are a few nurses I can go to with questions when I don't know where to find the answer that are nice about it and don't give me the eye roll because I am inexperienced...but everyone is right so far, there are just some cranky nurses out there.

Yes, usually the students are ready for medications and assessments.

There are some cranky, jacked up everything out there. Would you not agree?

I really hate that some of the senior nurses chose to at you. I don't think that's fair or right. However, if they've told you the same answer several times and you still don't get it, then yeah, that might happen. It still sucks though.

To be rude and cranky, is another persons choice and will not be yours or mine - thankfully .

I'm grateful that you were willing to hang in through the posts to try to understand the "why". It doesn't make the problem better but it does help one to understand what both sides are facing. It helps to understand why someone is feeling the way they are feeling. The student nurse doesn't have to take on the feeling of being offended. Nor should they. Though that is much easier said than done.

Unfortunately, the system is broken!!!! And this isn't going to get any better, at least not from where I'm standing in the stadium of life and healthcare!!!! So since, I don't like how the game is played . . . . . . . and I have to stay and work in the stadium until my shift is over . . . . . . . I have chosen to change my focus. I will focus on the patients and the students and how to give and take what I can/where I can. If no one wants to buy my popcorn and hot dogs (accept my help or advice the way it is offered), it's okay.

Afterall, the people running the stadium (executives, administration, and board of directors) don't care diddly or squat about me. If I'm injured they will just replace me. I am not a human with a life. I'm not even a valued number. I understand this. I have chosen to value others and just keep moving. I can live with myself. And in the end, as I die on hospice, I will go peacefully. I have made good choices. And that is what life and nursing are all about! Make good choices for yourselves and your patients. Somehow, someway, everything will turn out okay. NOT perfect, but okay. And I can live with that.

[qt_rn]

Yes, usually the students are ready for medications and assessments.

There are some cranky, jacked up everything out there. Would you not agree?

I really hate that some of the senior nurses chose to at you. I don't think that's fair or right. However, if they've told you the same answer several times and you still don't get it, then yeah, that might happen. It still sucks though.

To be rude and cranky, is another persons choice and will not be yours or mine - thankfully .

I'm grateful that you were willing to hang in through the posts to try to understand the "why". It doesn't make the problem better but it does help one to understand what both sides are facing. It helps to understand why someone is feeling the way they are feeling. The student nurse doesn't have to take on the feeling of being offended. Nor should they. Though that is much easier said than done.

Unfortunately, the system is broken!!!! And this isn't going to get any better, at least not from where I'm standing in the stadium of life and healthcare!!!! So since, I don't like how the game is played . . . . . . . and I have to stay and work in the stadium until my shift is over . . . . . . . I have chosen to change my focus. I will focus on the patients and the students and how to give and take what I can/where I can. If no one wants to buy my popcorn and hot dogs (accept my help or advice the way it is offered), it's okay.

Afterall, the people running the stadium (executives, administration, and board of directors) don't care diddly or squat about me. If I'm injured they will just replace me. I am not a human with a life. I'm not even a valued number. I understand this. I have chosen to value others and just keep moving. I can live with myself. And in the end, as I die on hospice, I will go peacefully. I have made good choices. And that is what life and nursing are all about! Make good choices for yourselves and your patients. Somehow, someway, everything will turn out okay. NOT perfect, but okay. And I can live with that.

I like your outlook! Focusing on the positive and the things that you can do to better a situation beats complaining about every single thing you dislike. Focusing on the negative only makes things seem worse and its just a downder.

[kayty2339]

Katy,

You seem awfully defensive and easily angered.

You're right, I am defensive sometimes...and argumentative. Mainly when I'm stressed out. And I have been majorly stressed out lately. Even though I'm quick to jump back to people being rude on here (ie: saying I think the hospital revolves around me etc...) I really do appreciate all the other helpful view points from the other side. I actually was thinking about it today and I'm going to go into clinical this thursday with a new perspective, try to see it from the nurses point of view and see how the day goes. Maybe I'll be back here on thursday with my new enlightenment...hopefully! Lets hope for a better clinical day than my last one anyways!

[vashtee, RN]

Your statement is correct. However, you and I have 2 different priorities.

Mine is to make sure the students understand the "whys" not just the "how tos". They will constantly be reminded of the ADLs once they are working. The ADLs will not have the potential to injure a patient.

The "whys". Those can make or break a tough situation. My preceptees learn not just how to but why to.

You and I are just 2 different people who look at one situation from 2 different perspectives. For me, no harm no foul.

I'm not sure how you got the idea that I am not explaining why we do what we do....

[Katie5]

There are many reasons for this occurance.I guess some are burned out,some dont like to teach students,some wants to focus on their job...it sucks to be a nursing student and rely on the mood of a particular nurse you are working with for for that day..Just focus your eyes on the ultimate price.Develop a thick skin,face the challenge,maybe you can learn something important from that not so polite nurse-sometimes the ruddest nurses are the best teachers,remind yourself that once you graduate and go through orientation period you will be working on your own,and also make yourself a promise to treat nursing students with respect once you have years of experience.

Yes, we all say that...until wee graduate and then it becomes a vicious circle.