Student Nurses

Goal
The main goal for a student nurse participating in a Mercy Hospital program is to gain an experience in which he/she can build a passionate and genuine heart for medical care, while also developing skills in working with diverse cultures.

Schedule
The schedule for a student nurse is created between the student and the hospital nursing administrator.  Each student nurse will be assigned a registered nurse as a preceptor and will follow that nurse the entire day.

Hospital Objectives
In order for the student nurse to maximize his/her learning experience while volunteering at Mercy Hospital, we suggest focusing on the following objectives:

1.  Discuss the major differences/similarities between staff nursing in the student’s country of origin and India.
2.  Compare and contrast the hospital charting system with the student’s country of origin system.
3.  Identify medication classification and administration differences.
4.  Explain the etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of one tropical disease.
5.  Describe the nursing implications appropriate to management of the patient experiencing one tropical disease.

Student Nurse Hospital Guidelines
The student nurse will follow a registered nurse at the hospital for the entire day.  He/she may often:

1.  Perform vital signs on all patients assigned the preceptor for that shift.
2.  Perform a physical assessment appropriate for the diagnosis on all patients assigned.
3.  Document assessment and other nurses notes on paper that will not be placed in the patients chart.  No patient names should be written on this documentation.
4.  Review laboratory values and relate abnormalities to patient diagnosis.
5.  Observe the preparation and dispensing of medications.
6.  Change dressings or provide personal care.

The student nurse CANNOT:
1.  Take verbal orders from the physician.
2.  Administer medications
3.  Document on the chart.
4.  Start IV’s, insert catheters, etc.
 

Outpatient Clinic Objectives
In order for the student nurse to maximize his/her learning experience while volunteering at the outpatient clinic, we suggest focusing on the following objectives:

1.  Discuss chronic health related issues (TB, HTN, Diabetes, etc.) associated with dense populations.
2.  List the challenges associated with home health nursing amongst dense populations.
3.  Identify one major health issue (no running water, no bathroom) noted during the site visit.
4.  Develop a plan of care to appropriately address the health issue identified in objective number 3.
5.  Develop a client education plan for one health issue.

Visiting Student Nurse Outpatient Clinic Guidelines
The student nurse will follow a registered nurse in the assigned outpatient clinic setting.  He/she may often:

1.  Perform vital signs.
2.  Obtain history of illness (may need an interpretor).
3.  Perform physical assessment appropriate to patient complaint.
4.  Provide patient education as appropriate.
5.  Observe the dispensing of medications.