Possible Student Behaviors

Strategies to Assist Student

Inconsistent in demonstrating professional approach to patients; inconsistent in caring behaviors.

Monitor and help student reflect on how consistent they are in interactions with different patients. Help student reflect on their own bias. "How does Mr. A’s alcoholism affect the way you interact with him?”

Inexperience in ethical realities.

Help student reflect on their own moral reasoning when encountering ethical dilemmas. Help them define the issues and the areas of conflicts.

"How would you feel and act if your patient repeatedly refused his insulin?"

Lacking knowledge of the expectations of the RN role - behaviors and values.

Role model desired behaviors while verbalizing importance (offering help, being on time, mutual respect, honesty in communication, continued study in areas of own learning needs.) "What will happen when the night nurse hears what was said about her in report?" "How would you like the issue to be dealt with if you were her?"

Repeated lack of confidence demonstrated verbally or nonverbally. Self-degrading in self-evaluation. Sees self as "helper" - not THE nurse.

Relinquish smaller areas of responsibilities to provide positive student outcomes, highlight successes. Help the student to realize that hesitance in front of the patient can make the patient doubt their abilities. Remind the student of their many successes. Help them to identify fears and devise a plan to address them.

Defensive in the face of critique.

Have student reflect and describe how they view the preceptor role. Identify student behaviors that you see as defensive.

Limited exposure to RN responsibilities beyond patient care.

Involve student in staff and policy issues, order transcription, staff or patient conferences, re-supply, continuing education.

Desire to "do all and be all" for every patient. Confusion and anger when faced with the failures and errors that occur in health care.

Role model "exiting" from lengthy discussions; encourage delegation; acknowledge that all patients don't have all of their needs met each day due to limited amounts of time and energy. Help them to focus on the high priority needs that were met.