Working with student nurses

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

None of us were born being nurses. You and I were probably a irritating to the nurses with whom we worked as they are to you. Why not look at it as an opportunity to give back.

It doesn't take much of a person (or a nurse) to undercut their aspirations.

Be the person you want to be.

BBRANRN2013, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

I'm a student nurse and I love learning all I can from the RNs....everyone was once a student and I'm sure it's irritating at times, but what if the nurse showing you stuff didn't want to? Would u be a nurse NOW? WOW! :confused:

Getting To Great · Oct 30, 2011

None of us were born being nurses. You and I were probably a irritating to the nurses with whom we worked as they are to you. Why not look at it as an opportunity to give back.
It doesn't take much of a person (or a nurse) to undercut their aspirations.
Be the person you want to be.

If I can just give you a big hug I would..."Why not look at it as an opportunity to give back." Well said. :yeah:

SNB1014, RN · Oct 30, 2011

as a student nurse (and hopefully a GN come this may/june!!), i certainly don't think I know it all. I'm actually quite terrified to make a "rookie" mistake or have a memory blank in front of you. I'm also nervous that those nurses who are actually nice to me are only doing so by the skin of their teeth; I feel i'm constantly annoying them.

that being said, as students, our textbook is our second bible. I read the info over and over. It is fresh in my mind. so when i read a current "evidenced based best practice" blurb and I see it not being executed in a real life setting, I am "confused". In my experience, I stay quiet and refer my questions to my clinical instructor.

the only time I have ever questioned a nurse in front of a patient was when I witnessed her (begin to) start an IV without gloves. i blurted out "shouldn't you have gloves on for IVs??" and she responded , "ohh i'm old school honey, I don't use them!". my face must've said it all . i handed her a paid of gloves and just looked at her until she accepted them.

idk. i wear gloves probably more than i need to, but that was dangerous for the nurse, the current patient and her remaining ones. ick!

Getting To Great · Oct 30, 2011

I guess what LisaRN1105 is trying to imply is the "know-it-all attitude", which sometimes make some nurse(s) a little frustrated. If student nurses come across with this kind of attitude, I think its best for RN's to start their statement with, 'FROM EXPERIENCE'...

GimiRN · Oct 30, 2011

OP, I see from your previous posts that you are a new nurse. I'm surprised that you would make such a comment, when you were a student not too long ago yourself. Even though you feel this way, I hope that you're still giving them the same instructions and guidance, that you expected/received when you were in their shoes.

chocolatechip · Oct 30, 2011

I'm a student and I already feel like a burden to the over-worked RNs as it is. I had one that made me feel stupid, incompetent and lost. Another one was amazing. He knew his stuff, he took time to explain common meds, why he did things a certain way etc.

My attitude was the same both times, but I learned more with the second RN. I'm not going to pretend that he gained anything from the interaction and I KNOW I was more work for him, but he took it in stride and did not once make me feel bad.

I'm glad you are polite etc, but if you jut explain things to us, it will make us feel much more comfortable and at the end of the day, you will have competent graduate RNs as your colleagues.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Oct 30, 2011

I love having student nurses in my buildings. Most of them are full of so much enthusiasm and excitement about becoming a nurse. It reminds some people of the time when we were new and thrilled to be starting our studies. Of course the know it all students are annoying, but so are the experienced nurses who think they know it all. We all started as students. Let's not forget that.

NotFlo · Oct 30, 2011

I'm confused by all the heat the OP is getting. Let me first say I haven't taken the time to research all her posts so I have no idea how long she's been a nurse or what her attitude has been in previous posts. Taking just her original post in this thread, she did say that she's "always" kind and polite to nursing students even though at times working with them puts her day behind and that some of them can be know-it-alls.

Well, I've been a nurse four short years. I remember vividly being a nursing student. I remember the times the nurses seemed short with me for no reason, and the times I felt like I was getting in the way. Now as a working nurse I can see it from both sides.

I love teaching and enjoy students but taking the time to do it really does set my day behind, sometimes significantly. While the students are in post-clinical and then waving goodbye I'm just settling down for two hours of charting I would have had done already if I hadn't been with students that day. I have a life and a family too and I don't enjoy having to stay late every day because nursing programs have way too many students per instructors and the students need a lot of help.

But I am willing to do it for the ones who are polite, the ones who actually want to learn all they can, the ones who will offer to help me out when they can. However, there are students who are entitled, who are know-it-alls, who tell me how to practice, who never say please or thank you, who demand my equipment when I'm in the middle of using it, who interrupt, whose only goal is to get "done" with their patient so they can sit in the lounge the rest of the day. Just like there are nurses who are jerks to students there are students who are jerks to the nurses.

Perhaps the OP has had some frustrating experiences with some students. I have no idea why so many people seem to be taking her statements personally.

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

Having a student doesn't have to be a burden. If you want it put bluntly: delegate your scut work to them and in return take a little extra time with your dressing changes, foley insertions, or whatever else happens to come along on your shift. If a student does something as simple as getting a juice for me or re-checking a BG then I consider them a help. If I am giving an unusual med and I have time, then I will pull the student aside and talk with them about it. But I don't let a student get me behind either.

Nccity2002, MSN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

How do you guys feel about working with student nurses? They are helpful but at times irritating to my day. I am always kind and polite to them because I remember how it was to be a nursing student. Sometimes I feel that they have a "know it all" attitude.

Wow!!

With that kind of attitude, You must be a ton of fun to work with as a student.