Working with students

[Dinsey]

I've been on my floor for three weeks, and have a few more weeks of orientation. Students come in on evenings a few times a week, and I heard they will be more frequent later in the semester.

Do you have any tips for working with students? My unit has a LOT of new hires, so it's not out of the question that I'll be working with a student soon. How do you manage your other patients? How do I give the student a good experience caring for a patient when I'm not even fully comfortable yet?

I'm worried because I know students work hard to prepare and have so few clinical opportunities, so I want their day to go well. But at the same time, I still have someone watching over my shoulder.

[Annisme]

As a student, here is my take on what you, as a new nurse, should do/expect.

#1: They are YOUR patients. Most students love to do all that they can within their scope of practice, but that should never compromise what you feel is best for your patients.

#2: Find out what the students scope of practice is at this point. Then you can decide what you are comfortable with having them do (glucose checks, bed baths, linen changes...)

#3: Be prepared for lots of questions...they will take your time and concentration that may be needed to correctly pass meds, etc.

#4: If you are uncomfortable having a student with you at this stage of your career, tell the charge nurse...your patients, and their safety & well-being are your primary concern.

Just my:twocents:. I love working with nurses and try not to hinder them in any way, but sometimes, there are other priorities and the patient comes first:nurse:

[RNeurotic]

This has been a challenge for me as well in my first year practicing as an RN. First to set the tone, I told myself in nursing school-after having a few poor encounters with nurses in clinical- I would try to never forget what it was like to be a student. So far this promise has been very challenging to keep. I've had students who come off careless, rude and even lazy. I can understand discomfort with approaching patient care or shyness in the clinical setting, but what I've seen lately are students who dangerously confident and brazen. Normally I would say, jump in. Just do it. and anything else encouraging, but this is beyond the line of appropriate.

I think the best thing a new RN (or anybody) can do with students is make sure communication is clear. Our big problem on our department is that we have a few different schools that work with us with various levels of ability. This gives us a challenge in knowing what to expect from each student.

What's worked best for me is to be upfront with the student, ask what his/her level of skill and responsiblities are and let them know my expectations during my shift with them. This seems to help me avoid many bumps in the road related to lack of communication.

Another thing I think I can give students advice on to have smooth working relationships with nurses is to return this communication effort. Let us know what your level of skill/ability is and what you'd like to accomplish during the clinical. Also, don't be afriad to ASK QUESTIONS! This is something I feel all nurses shouldn't be afraid to do. We are in an constantly changing field and will never know everything.

[hopefulwhoop]

This has been kinda hard for me--working with students. I graduated last yr and currently, there are several 1st or 2nd year students on the floor frequently. The unit is also so chaotic and crowded when they are around. I now understand why some nurses were kinda standoff-ish when I was a student. I don't condone it, but I definitely understand why. The students fill up the hallways, take over the computers to do their paperwork, take the charts to get more info and they just overall make your night slower.

[hopefulwhoop]

*that should say 1st or 2nd semester students

[watermeloncandy]

From a former student perspective, I think it's important to be patient and forgiving when working with students. Students will sometimes do/say something silly. Don't take it personally! Remember they are all new to the unit and very anxious

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

When I was earlier on in orientation, my floor had nursing students on a lot of the shifts I was working. I *loved* working with them, because I new I wasn't far off from where they were but at the same time it was encouraging to really see how much I'd learned in a few weeks. I've also always enjoyed helping out those that are a step or two behind me in the process.

The way I handled it was to invite them along if I was doing anything they might like to see. I'd talk through what was going on which helped me and them understand it better. If they asked me something I didn't know the answer to or was unsure, we went to a more experienced nurse together to learn. If there was a skill I knew and they didn't, I taught them (showed them, then had them do the next time). If there was something that needed to be done that I felt comfortable on and they needed the experience, I delegated to them (no need for me to practice a skill I had demonstrated competency on like setting up IV meds on our syringe pumps). I also shared things that had been helpful finding a job and starting the transition to practicing work.

This really wasn't terribly time consuming, and on days when I was more busy I stepped it back a bit. I think as new nurses we can remember much more clearly what it was like as a student and bring that to our interactions with them.