I am surprised at the number of stories I hear of nurses that ostracize students. They too were right where you were at some point. I just don’t get it. I plan on getting into education (while continuing to practice) and I have promised myself never to be ‘one of those’ nurses when it comes to teaching. Although I have been fortunate enough in my unit to find people that are very willing to try and help students discover the processes of nursing as long as they are willing to put forth the effort and initiative.
This brings me to my coach. She’s incredible. That’s what we call our preceptor/mentor/instructor. The benefit is that we have one-on-one instruction for an extended amount of time. The woman has embraced education. Two bachelors, one masters and considering another masters or doctorate in nursing. I don’t think formal education is necessary to become curious but that’s the path she has chosen. I think I get the picture. She has tried to give me assignments outside of the normal work required for the program but finding the time to research them is another story when completing an accelerated program.
Intellectual curiosity is essential to nursing and the thing I enjoy is the she is trying to instill the skills required to become a self-educator. I think most of us in nursing would agree that we have some desire to learn something new on a regular basis. When that curiosity is no longer present, maybe change is in order. She has certainly broken the stereotype that nurses eat their young and often expresses her desire to teach.
Selflessness – it comes to mind when I think of most of the people I work with on my unit. We work as teammates for the most part and it makes the stress so much more bearable. My coach has shown through example and is willing to share her knowledge with anyone, and if she doesn’t know, she goes up the line to find out. So I’ll be spending my last 2 ½ months of school on an SICU. I am fired up but I certainly enjoy where I am now. I have grown comfortable but I need the experience spent on other units. Most of our intermittent rotations are short and you never seem to get in the flow on that particular floor. I am kind of sad to be leaving where I am currently, and will certainly interview if they have any opportunities open. I feel like a kid in a candy store. Anyway, I just getting home from clinicals. I am tired and I have a paper to finish.
Tags: nursing school by qec
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