Nurses!

[Smurfgirl]

I am a nursing student and have just finished my final placement in a hospital as a first year, I think I have improved a lot this placement but still feel that there is a lot lacking in my practise.

So what do you expect/want from your students? What marks out a student as good?

Also, what sort of things do you say to students that you think are good? I know this is a weird question, but I think some of the feedback I have had has been very positive, but my mentor is quite criptic at times.

Any other thoughts on students would be lovely :)!!

I have been a qualified nurse for over 14 years now and i know from working along side many students, the ones who do best are the ones who get involved as much as possible. Always show that you are interested and willing to learn. Tag along and see as much as possible and try to get a much hands on as possible. take time to talk to your patients as you are working with them or whilst the ward is quiet. If ward is quiet also take time to do some studying.
Good luck in your nursing career. Hope this has not put you off.

I would say the students that stand out for me are the ones that show initiative. Taking the chore further than what you have been asked to do.

I've been nursing for 7yrs and echo the thoughts here.

I don't like "I'm only here to observe" comments, yes there are times throughout all your training when it is observation only but not for every aspect of every placement.

I do think the hardest thing for a student is trying to become a member of the team - this has to be achieved very quickly - it's like starting a new job every 8weeks.

I like students that challenge me and my theories and practises - it helps keep me uptodate too!

Though I do prefer to mentor 3rd yr students - they suddenly realise that they are months from having their "stripes" and are really motivated to learn and do. 1st yr's are more interested in the student union and trying to grapple with the theory and how to write a reference list to concentrate on practise.

Hey smurf girl, I have worked in a and e as long as I've been qualified and from our students we are looking for girls who are keen and willing to muck in, but also the ones who will not walk past an uncomfortable patient to get to see the trauma.

We look for our students to be quick to learn, but just as quick to cover a patient cold feet or organise a toilet for them.

In a and e as well as the ward basic nursing skill are the most valuable ones you can learn. Dont try or feel you have to run before you can walk. When you can efficiently organise a patient nursing need the rest will fall into place.

Never ever think you know it all, and never be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. The people you work with have to trust you and as a nurse I am more likely to trust someone who knows their limitations and askes questions than someone who keeps quite for fear of looking stupid!

Well I finished my placement and and tbh my final interview was pretty disappointing. Mostly BS about how I was a good team worker, mentor said nothing personal apart from I interuptted too much I don't mind this but feel very disheartened that apparently the only thing my mentor got from me was that I interupt. Had really enjoyed my placement and really felt like I had improved a lot and was so proud of myself for manging patients and writing care plans but none of this was commented on. Feel a bit lost tbh.

(I ask questions all the time BTW, when I am tested I usually do ok with my answers, try very hard to make sure my patients are comfortable etc.)

smurfgirl, dont be so hard on yourself. everyone has to start somewhere. Keep your expectations of what you will do, but never be disappointed with constructive critasism.

Keep asking questions and learn the appropriateness of the times you ask them.

You have such a lot to learn in first year I am sure you are on track to being a great nurse!

if you want a chat or a moan or any advice feel free to drop me an e mail at dollyburd12 at hotmail dot com.

I don't mind the point AT ALL, actually do think she has a good point and had been working on it, but just felt a bit down that that was apparently the impression I left on her. Had got positive comments from other staff and members of the MDT and was hoping for something about my performance as a student from my mentor.

The interupting thing is hard, because my mentor was a senior nurse she was v.busy, and I was often left to do stuff on my own, its tough balancing when to ask and just looking like you are sitting round kwim? I DO need to improve on that. Hmmm.

smurf girl keep your chin up and please dont be dissapointed. when you are qualified with students on your own just remenber how much what you say affects your first year students. As long as you have a good pass here that is the main thing. What she 'thinks' of you is irrelevent providing you have ha a good placement and achieved what you need to.

This only becomes important when you are looking for jobs.
Sometimes hving a student no matter how good they are can be stressful for someone who is over worked, this is a terrible senario but does happen.
good luck with your career and please feel free to e mail me if you want a hand, chat or a moan!

I second everyone who says the most important thing is when students want to learn. I also think some of my better mentors have been those in less senior positions, they have more time, have often been out of college not long, and can remember how it was. I really hope to remember what it is like. I like working with students!

RE the interrupting comment, really don't worry about it. What one nurse will consider interrupting another nurse will see as necessary and appropriate. I'm sorry you feel you have left on a negative note after a good placement. Just try and focus on the positives.