I am a nursing student and am wondering if anyone has had a negative experience in the clinical placements?
437759
Yes! My very first experience in clinicals was at a hospital that was ranked the WORST VA hospital in the country. I now know why. Nurses treated us like we were in their way when actually we took all the "busy" work from them. They just have a routine and I guess students tend to disrupt that. Just use each rotation as your research to help you decide where you want to work (or don't want to work) when you graduate. Know that it's not the nurses that give you the grade. Remember these experiences when you become a nurse (and you will) and have students working with you. I had a FANTASTIC rotation this semester (my 3rd) on a unit where I thought it would be terrible and boring. The nurses were amazing and so appreciative of what we did. As you gain knowledge and experience, you will find that nurses are happier to have you since your scope of practice is larger and it's less work for them. Keep your chin up and remember that no one can treat you badly unless you let them! Report any nurse that is less than accomodating to the hospital and your instructor. We had that happen at the above mentioned "yucky" hospital and our instructor had our back. She quickly informed the nurse that it was a teaching hospital and if she wasn't willing to do so, she should find a non-teaching hospital to work at. Love those instructors!
639718
I am not exactly sure what you are asking, as that isn't a full sentence--but I will try to give some input.  \n\nJust the other day on the news they were discussing the current crisis in the medical field because of the drastic shortage of Nurses.  One hospital personnel director said she could easily hire 100 nurses for their hospital alone, because they were so short.  Nurses are feeling the strain of this by having to cover more patients then what they should.  This passes a danger on to the patients that they are not getting the full attention that they should.\n\nFurther complicating this situation is that there aren't enough Professors of Nursing available, because the colleges cannot pay comparable wages to what the hospitals supposedly can--to be able to teach the number of students wanting to go to Nursing School. It is a terrible situation and with the impending threat of Bird Flu, I fear that the medical world is going to be knocked on it's bottom.  I only wish I could have finished my BSN.  Hope that helps with what you were asking.  GL
756187
I have a fellow nursing student that just transfered from a small campus. She loved it because of the atmosphere. You feel like you're a part of the campus and culture because you get to know a greater percentage of the students. She got to know nearly all the FT professors at some point, constantly ran into students she knew, and felt at home there. The problem with the school we are at now...you can literally walk by thousands of people and not bump into a familiar place. It feels like a zoo and you don't fee like you are part of a campus community.
1098943
I"m not sure if you're looking for a "physically medical problem"  But if it doesn't have to be physical I would suggest researching the impact that nurses have on patients emotional well-being.  Especially Neo natal nurses.  I know when my son was in the NICU the nurses made a WORLD of difference to me.  If it hadn't been for them I don't know if I would have made it through.
462869
I worked in a hospital for years and after years of trying to change exactly what you are talking about - I had to quit.  I couldn't find a way to separate what I was dealing with at the hospital (negligent doctors, uncaring nurses, etc.) from the rest of my life.  I actually started having a lot of stress-related health problems, which is ironic because now I ended up on the other side of that system and it's just as demeaning and wrong as I thought it was.  \n\nWhat I do now is not to bad mouth hospitals, because obviously we need them, but to try to kind of coach people about how to "protect" and "advocate for" themselves at the hospital.  I tell them never go to the hospital alone.  Have someone taking notes on everything you are told.  There are no dumb questions - ask them all until you get an answer that you understand and contact the patient relations and or social services department for additional assistance.\n\nI want to add, and this should go without saying, that there are excellent, caring people in every aspect of the hospital, I was just speaking to this question and the fact that we have shared similar experiences.\n\nI'm sorry I don't have more to offer as a solution.  I'm still mad that I quit in a way because I don't think of myself as a quitter and I know I was helping people.  It was just that I, personally, couldn't find a way not to get so upset about it.  \n\nTake care and try to hang in there...
965187
Yes but you will have to go through a probationary period of at least three months (I'm assuming you're from the USA).\n\nContact the UKCC for more information.\n\nEdit:  Princess, there are some RN's who graduate from Diploma programs (my wife did).  As those programs are very rare now, most nurses in that situation tend to have been nursing a long time and are, consequently, highly-prized by the British NHS.
201847
i don't want to be a nurse
618189
Probably a good idea to do the exam, if u ever want to nurse elsewhere (or finish training elsewhere) you may find that u will have trouble due to some institutions wanting you to have a successful completion of yr 12.\n\njust a suggestion, really depends on whether not doing it, limits ur options in the future.
908982
not sure bout statistics... but im a nursing student... its bloody hard
922503
I have clinical supervison, not sure if this is the same, basically i get to go speak to another counsellor to talk through my cases and get another perspective or simply use it as an opportunity to off load....this is the same for my clinical supervisor and so on and so forth\n\nPresumably it should be roughly the same just with a different specialism in mind.
1076013
I have all the sympathy for student nurses as it is a very stressful occupation to learn
82841
Thats funny, I am experiencing the same thing right now!\n\nI spent the morning and afternoon in the E.R. and witnessed situations that didnt seem to affect me at the time.  But now since I have been home, I havent been able to get it out of my mind and heart.\n\nI keep thinking of some of the patients there and it makes me sick.  I cant help it!\n\nGood luck with an answer....I hope someone can give a good response as to why that happens.
824598
Not personally, but the hospital i work at works extensively with them.  I would have no worries or second thoughts about entering one of their trials if that was my situation.  We actually use a few of their protocols here.  Hope that helps a little.  :)
7632
I have been a registered respiratory therapist for 17 years now. The job can be very stressful depending on which type of facility that you work in. You must have a strong stomach because some of the things that we do can be quite disgusting; such as tracheostomy care and suctioning sputum. The job can also be extremely tiring physically because of all the standing and walking within the hospital. The nursing field pays a little better. One thing that does bother me is that the nurses seem to have some direction over the therapist when it comes to the patient and sometimes try to overide our decisions. Overall, it has been a good career but I don't think I would go back into the field again if I could do it over.
469402
A good role model for any health professional takes good care of your patients.  Do not neglect them, treat them with respect and dignity, and do no harm. As a nurse, you will have student nurses observing you, therefore you must perform your job duties well, as they will hopefully emulate your good performance.  Amongst many issues, do not talk negatively about the patient behind their back, especially to students.  This does nothing but give them the idea that it is okay.  I have obnserved this numerous times, especially in the nursing homes.  Some nurses have even been observed talking negatively about the patients directly in front of them, assuming they don't understand.  Basically, in a nutshell - perform your job duties well - including good infection control, but most importantly be treating your patients well!
1117887
A lot of good answers here. I'll add my opinion anyway. \nThere have been ups and downs in the nursing field for years. There will be a shortage and then there will be so many that there are no jobs for them without relocating. \n\nThe first problem that comes to mind is that there are waiting lists to get into nursing school. That is a key problem. Nurses are needed but people can't get into school to become one. RN,LPN,MA,CNA or whatever...there is a lack of opportunity.\n\nSecond thing is the cost of the education. I think this is a problem for many people who wish to attend school in any field. There are some places that will put you through nursing school and help with the cost,but then you are obligated to work for them for X amount of years as a condition for their help. \nYes,there is financing available,but I agree with another person here that it is geared toward the younger people and nothing is readily available for the 30 something people who have decided to change careers or continue their education.\n\nThird thing...If you are fortunate enough to finally get through school and get your degree and get a job...then there is that little thing called MONEY!  The incentive! The goal! The reason that we went through all of this to get to the point of having an interview and getting hired. \nThen...they offer you a starting range of ,oh let's just say,17-20.00/hr. Yeah right ! Like that is going to help you pay back all those student loans and financial aid!\n\nThere is no consistency in the amount of pay in nursing facilities. Depends on where you live,how needed nurses are in that area,what the usual going rate is among a lot of other factors. \nNurses with experience that try to get jobs in a higher paying area are turned down because they are expecting to get paid more than the facility is willing to pay them. They would rather save themselves the money and hire someone fresh out of school. \n\nIn some areas ICU nurses are really needed. Hospitals that aren't willing to pay these nurses more money,aren't able to keep them for an extended period of time,if they're lucky enough to get them to take the job at all. When a nurse can travel 20 miles in any direction and be offered $5-10.00 more an hour performing the same job duties,they are going to take the one that they are getting paid more.\n\nInsurance and benefits are another factor. Nurses are putting their lives at risk every day. They take care of patients from all walks of life,no matter what department they specialize in. Better insurance and better benefits should be offered to them. Some facilities offer great benefits,but some don't. This is another determining factor as to what job these nurses take.\n\nWell,I think I'll stop now,although I could continue writing about the problems in the entire health care system. But I think you understand some of the main problems associated with the nursing field.\n\nI think it has to be a nationwide effort to get more good nurses and keep them happy and working for a facility that cares about them. The first step though is  being able to attend college and then determining if you want or need to get your bachelors or masters. That goes back to the affordability factor. How long do you want to be paying for your education?
684227
The-dark-one,don't say that one this site,I've done it before and it just put me in another mental hospital.\noh yeah.the saddest actuall year of my life is when my step-dad molested me I was put into foster care,Itried to kill myself and ended up in mental hospitals,on meds and in counseling..........The years not over yet though,their still more drama to go,I'm sure.\ngood news though!!!!!!,I'm no longer suicidle!!,I don't think another visit to a mental hospital will do my chance of going to college and getting a job any good!!!!!!!!!!