Off to clinicals we go

So here I am, in the midst of another clinical session. New group. The last blog post has taken me several weeks to write so I finally just gave up on. However, I must ponder some more on behavior of preceptors and students.

I am in the same spot as last time, some of the same crew, some different. I am truly shocked and horrified at the same time by the behavior of some of the staff towards my students. I just made rounds, and we have been here at just about an hour. One of my former students has 2 of my current students with her today. She has not only disappeared from view, but just gave my students the nurse on a stick and told them to go take vitals. Thankfully these are two rather strong students who went with it. But mind you, she gave no indication on how to work the darn machine! These crafty students did ask another staff member what to do and are now happily collecting vital signs. Oye!

Oh and to start the day off 5/9 of the students forgot to come in the back door. They all set off the door alarm and didn't wait around at the front door! Sheesh! Well lesson learned, I hope, and tomorrow they will not make that mistake! Now to see how the rest of our day plays out. I know we are a nuisance at times. I know it may seem like it takes longer to do some things with students, but on the other hand almost every time I have ever been anywhere with my students the day goes quicker for the staff and tasks are done sooner. Why? Because there are more hands on deck! In today's case the staff at my site today has 9 extra sets of hands, which in theory will help the day go more smoothly. We shall see what transpires. I will return to the blog here throughout the day with my observations for today :)

Well as the day has gone on things have gotten better. One student described the morning as chaotic. I asked her what she meant by this--well the facility is a bit short-staffed so people are working extra shifts that they don't normally work which makes for an interesting time as a student when it is your first day. Thankfully by 11 o'clock this student was still in high spirts and really enjoying her primary preceptor. All have done very well today, despite 2 of them being left often by their CNA preceptor. They have made the best of their situation and have helped their co-students and their CNA. So at times there are 5 people answering a call light, hey it works. The worst part about all of this is that the person leaving them is one of my former students, shame on former students for not helping new students! I call these kinds of people born-CNAs or nurses, or whatever they may be. Apparently they were never a student is all I can figure, but in this case that is not so 😝 Well now to see how the rest of the day goes. I will say overall it has gone better then I expected. Several have stepped up much sooner then I thought they would and are shining very well today. So now let's see what happens tomorrow!