RE: Attitude problems and reluctance to help

Alison Clare Hickman — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 15:33:20 GMT

Hiya,

Yes, I've encountered this at one practice I worked at. Other practices dealt with the problem PDQ and so didn't have issues to the same extent or at all. So, IMHO it needs dealing with now, before it gets worse/ingrained, even if this is a one-off.

The way it was successfully dealt with was a one-to-one meeting with the SVN and HN (or PM or practice owner) to ask for an explanation firstly, why it occurred/is occurring to winkle out any problems at work/home/college and then to help the student overcome them. Secondly to assure in no uncertain terms the behaviour is totally unacceptable and will become a disciplinary procedure if same re occurs (and stick to that). Follow your practice protocol on this (you should have one, I hope!). Thirdly treat everybody the same as any weakness in the plan will be its undoing e.g. allowing 'Tessa' to have an hour here or there but 'Jessica' doesn't because she 'doesn't mind' doing all the nursing work! One simple rule for all and sticking to it = firm but fair play.

Hope this helps you. I will say I am not naturally a 'hard message' person, and get uncomfortable having to be the bearer of difficult news. However, sometimes this methodology has to be deployed where appeals for fairness to someone's less than altruistic nature fails. . So, I do it.

Ali h

(names plucked out of the air, so no intended offence to Tessa's and Jessica's out there! )

RE: Attitude problems and reluctance to help

Sal the 1st — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 10:52:02 GMT

Is this a one off leading up to an important exam or is this becoming a set behaviour? Maybe they are just under a bit of extra pressure at the minute? This has been the norm for a sizeable number of students I have come across, can't help you on this one - I gave up.

I tried being nice about it and asking if there was anything I could do to help?, I tried offering some of my own time when we weren't so busy, I tried offering to take on some of their duties so they had more time to revise just before an exam - but in the finish I gave up. I am not saying they are all like this - there are some very good dedicated students out there, who are still interested in animal welfare and nursing - just not enough of them.

You could try pointing out that you understand studying, working and passing exams is stressful because you have had to do it yourself. You could try contacting the student's college and ask if they seem to be experiencing any problems and see if you can help that way?

If your team has a few nurses the chances are others are having the same problems might be worth asking around and if the problem is being experienced by others take it to your HN - if you are the HN and you are getting nowhere then take it to the boss or HR to handle

This sadly is a prime example of the new generation nurse in it for what they can get and bugger anybody else - a new 'improved' breed, and I am told this is progress but don't worry as soon as they pass their exams or get bored they will move on to another practice/ go into teaching/ use the qualification to get something else