SJDC Student Nurse Clinical Evaluations

Nov. 29-30  Over the course of 2 days, I performed 10 SN clinical evaluations. What a taxing 2 days!  My initial thought was that SN evaluations would take 15-20 minutes for each student. The plan was to perform 5 evaluations, during our clinicals on Thursday and finish the other 5 evaluations on Friday. I would take one student at a time which would be convenient for them to leave their patient assignments for 15 minutes. The class agreed that the Friday evaluations would take place at a local restaurant.

On Thursday, the room I planned to perform the evaluations in was occupied by other SJGH staff members who were in full conference mode during the hours I had reserved for the evaluations. So, I had to find a different room that would allow privacy for our evaluations. Three SN evaluations were performed, each evaluation took 30-45mins., in 3 different rooms.
 During the post-clinical conference, I ask SNs to tell me about their Leadership and Management learning experiences during their rotation. All of them were especially grateful for the time spent with the Nursing Supervisor, the delegation of Safety Auditor tasks, and the opportunity to make SN assignments on clinical days as the SA. They also expressed that their experience helped them relate to the "busy work" of writing ICU/ER Observation, Organizational Structure, Diversity in the Workplace, and Hospital Mission Statement papers.

On Friday, the room I reserved to perform the evaluations was occupied, again by other SJGH staff members, Stroke Certification Review. This time, I asked if my SNs would be welcomed to attend the in-service.  Once the in-service concluded, we were allowed to resume SN evaluations.  One SN became angry because he did not like the evaluation of his paper, so I concluded the session.  I was able to perform 2 evaluations before my group left for the restaurant. The remaining evaluations concluded at around midnight.
My SJDC clinical instructor experience during these last clinical days has been both taxing and rewarding. Despite, my repeated review of clinical expectations and respectful re-enforcement of their nursing programs objectives, tears and anger surfaced. The professional growth I observed in my clinical group, priceless!  I could see the confidence and pride in their accomplishments over these few weeks. I hope and pray that I have contributed in some small way to their transformation to practice as safe confident nursing professionals. I have a greater appreciation of all  my professors efforts to make me a better nurse. I look forward to future opportunities to serve my profession as a nurse educator, a reward that I did not expect.
My2cents!