"Don't"s during clinical

wnm16 · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 4

I read some of the posts in this forum and i know some of the dos during clinical such as be aggressive, be assertive, be willing to participate, etc.

but what are the "don't"s besides don't be lazy. What are the common mistakes students make during clinical??

hjhogle · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject:

Don't

- Be agressive (be assertive, there's a difference)
- Be cocky (not the same as confident)
- Be lazy
- Be rude to patients, facility staff or your fellow students
- Expect all staff members to welcome the chance to work with students - not everyone enjoys it.
- Expect anyone to spoon feed you
- Expect everyone to like you - this is not a popularity contest
- Ever talk about patients, their illnesses or their behaviors in public (and remember that elevators, hallways and the cafeteria are public places)

And for heaven's sake, remember that the facility is not there for your benefit. It exists to provide quality patient care. If you happen to get an education at the same time, that's great. What you get out of this is totally up to you.

hjh, RT

wnm16 · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 4

What about some of the "Do"s? Such as taking notes or such?

hjhogle · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject:

Sure, why didn't you say so?

DO

- Be assertive. Put yourself out there. You won't learn by sitting on the sidelines, you'll learn by doing.
- Be pleasant to patients, facility staff and your fellow students.
- Keep a good attitude.
- Watch the RT's. See who seems to know what they're doing, and seems to like working with students. Pay attention when they offer suggestions, ask them questions.
- Ask questions. Lots of questions - BUT. Pay attention to where/when you ask. Don't interrupt a procedure, don't interrupt an RT speaking with a patient. Keep a notebook in your pocket. When you have a question, write it down, ask it when the time is right. Listen to the answers, write them down.
- Stay active. If the room/tech you're assigned to isn't busy, ask if you can assist someone else.
- Offer to help in transporting patients if that's how things are done at your facility. It's a great way to learn your way around the hospital and understand the difficulties moving that your patients face.
- Always keep your room clean and prepared for the next patient.
- Always assume that there'll be at least one RT who doesn't like you. Get over it.
- Remember that the procedures that you're practicing in the clinical setting must be performed as you were taught in class. Students don't know enough about what they're doing - you don't get to use shortcuts. Time enough for that AFTER you pass the national certification exam.

And DO remember that EVERY technologist is a good example for you. Some are examples of professionalism, some are not. It is useful for you to watch a sloppy, rude or lazy RT (yes, they do exist). They are a terrific example of what you do NOT want to 'grow up to be'.

hjh, RT

wvaio · Joined: 22 Sep 2007 Posts: 82

Great advice hjh.

Here are a few more to add to the list.

Do
-learn from your mistakes
-perform every exam you can, regardless of how many times you have done it in the past. Never "pass" on any exam. Every exam you do makes you better.
-start a notebook that lists an appropriate technique for every exam. AEC will not help you on portables, stretcher exams, and cross table laterals.
-SHOW UP ON TIME.
-Treat clinicals as if it were a job. You are interviewing for a job every single day you are there. Behave accordingly.
-GIVE IT ALL- you will get out of the experience what you put into it!

Don't
-complain that you are working too hard.
-wait for someone to tell you what to do. If there is an exam to be done, you have something to do.
-take criticism personally. You will receive criticism early and often, learn from it.
-say "I already know". Tech's don't know what you do and don't know. If you continually say, "I already know that". They will assume you know it all and there is nothing they can help you with.

Good luck,
Wvaio
_________________
“Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.” --- Henry Ford

wnm16 · Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks to both of you.

Very informative posts.

CigarPete · Power User Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 117

the thing that bugs the crap out of me is DON'T call patients by their first names.. Even if it's a child.. call him or her Master or Miss.

Everyone deserves some respect.

hjhogle · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject:

Some technologists would hate to see me coming Wink

The first time that they call me by my first name, I explain that I prefer to be addressed formally. The second time I refuse the exam until they find a 'professional' to perform it. Don't laugh, I've done it.

Same goes with radiation protection - they provide it or I refuse to have the exam (loudly, in the waiting room). Seems to happen more often in non-Radiologist offices.

hjh, RT