Well almost everyday I work, I have a student assigned to my patients. Sometimes I enjoy the students and sometimes I just wish they would go away! This past week I went 2 for 3. So I have decided to take a new approach with them. First thing in the morning I ask them what they would like to get out of the day, and what they expect from me. Essentially asking them their personal objectives for their clinical experience. Working in mother/baby, often the students have no interest in that department. So given they don't really want to learn about the nursing process related to that patient population, what else can I teach them?
So yesterday I had a fun loving, outgoing male 26 year old, working on his second degree. He doesn't intend to work mother baby so I taught him time management and critical thinking. I made him think through things: Me: "Can you get the patient some jello" Student: "Sure, where is it?" Me: "In the pantry behind the desk" Student:"There wasn't any in there" Me"Where did you look?" Student:"In the fridge" Me:"Try looking in the door of the fridge" Student: "Oh, OK"
He returns victoriously with the jello in hand. Me:"What is she going to do with that jello" Student: "eat it????" Me: "Is she going to do some Jello shots?" Student:"Ohhh, a spoooon!"
Eventually the patient got the jello and a spoon! Actually the critical thinking came with the diabetic patient who prior to pregnancy had been on oral meds with insulin therapy started during pregnancy. She was post op 12 hours on clear liquids 1800 ADA which was presented on a tray as non-diabetic juice, jello & popsicles....Me: "What do you think about this tray?"
So going the extra mile to teach while providing patient care and learning an ever evolving process related to the EHR, is exhausting! But very rewarding...and at the end of the day my student said "I really learned a lot today. Thank you" He was surprised and grateful and I realized I like teaching! Oh oh...double masters??? FNP and Education?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Great posting on ways to teach soemthing about nursing even if someone doesn't have the same nursing interest as yourself. Everyone can use a little teaching with reagrds to time management and sometimes just a little common sense. I really liked your blog and learned something from it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Lana
Margarita,
ReplyDeleteUsually I like teaching students because most of the time it is very rewarding but at times it's very exhausting more especially when your patient is crashing, intubating, central-line and so on and the student is in your face asking questions. My point is sometimes student don't use common sense and I think partly they are very nervous, we all been there. Usually at the end of the shift I have to give lectures which I hate.
Great posting, I notice that most people learn more if they have to answer questions and work though things themself. GREAT JOB!!!!
ReplyDeleteMargie, I know teching is exhauting. But if we as nurses do not train theses student now, who you think will be taking of us when we are old. The same person who we fail to teach. Scary I know! Keep the faith and continue teaching. It is rewarding.
ReplyDeleteThe nursing practice involves alot of teaching. For example patient education(Teaching and evaluation), is a vital part of the nursing care plan. Nurses do not only teach students but also patients and their families.A good nurse would approach teaching with a non-judgemental attitude and patience. Their is no such thing as a stupid question. Every indivdual have differnt learning abilites . So therefore, teaching should be relative to the individual's needs. To be a successful nurse, it is important to incooporate effective teaching skills in professional paractice.
ReplyDelete