[I_am_Julia]

The assignment is punitive.

Originally Posted by tutored

Hi folks, I am a nursings student scheduled to graduate this year - I've had many clinical instructors, with all sorts of personalities. I am also an older student who has lots of life experience dealing with many people. Here's the deal: last week in clinic, I made a mistake signing an MAR on the wrong spot while doing medication administration with my instructor. I caught the mistake as I did it, brought it up to my teacher before she had a chance to reprimand me, and voiced my understanding of the mistake I had just made. The rest of the day went smoothly, and the next day I was told that I had to write a one-page paper on "listening to my teacher"...I thought this was a joke, but found that most other students had to write similar "Papers", which are obviously punishment without no value. Any feedback? I don't even want to write these papers - what am I, 9 years old?

[tutored]

[quote=EmerNurse;2157703]I think you should just do it. But do it in the right way. Ok, I tend to go overboard when having to comply with silly stuff like this. Go find yourself an article or three re: nursing school instruction and such, and cite them in your paper. Put the paper in APA format. Make it very formal. Meet every requirement the instructor asked for. Not one sarcastic comment about your age, or being treated like a 9-year old. Not one article quote that shows the teacher as "wrong". Your goal is to do such a serious, complete and appropriate job of the paper that you make it clear that someone who could write such a paper obviously has no need TO write that paper in the first place.

You'll get your point across and give your instructor NO reason to complain about the paper.

....Hi ER nurse, good advice. I actually like the idea of going overboard - if anyone out there read "Anne of Green Gables" by LM Montgomery, she's forced to make a humilitaing apology to a mean neighbor, and she turns it into a full-blown, oscar-winning 30-minute long apology (similar to John Cleese's in "A Fish Called Wanda"), and secretly enjoyed the process. I get 'ya!

[cherokeesummer]

Definately not abuse but silly yes. I would probably just do it and be done with it so you don't have to worry with it. There will be much bigger battles down the road I imagine.

[laurainri]

some instructors would consider that a clinical failure. Just do the paper and dont let it bug you. Dont let them know that they pushed your buttons. Good luck. it is almost over !!!!

[TraumaICURN]

Originally Posted by tutored

Hi TraumaRN - it does help to know these things happen. Your response to "just do it" seems to be the most common response. It's true, there's not much I can do. I just can't believe that I'm being asked, at 40 years old, to write a paper about listening to teacher. Next I"ll probably have to write 100 times on a board, like Bart Simpson! Thanks for everyone's replies so far!

I understand that you are 40 y/o....but you have to realize that you're still a student. Right now what she says goes. It would be even worse if she was a 26 y/o clinical instructor telling you what to do (which happens). Just do what you have to do to pass, and not sweat the small stuff. You have worked so hard to get into nursing school. Good luck!

[allthingsbright]

Originally Posted by tutored

Hi folks, I am a nursings student scheduled to graduate this year - I've had many clinical instructors, with all sorts of personalities. I am also an older student who has lots of life experience dealing with many people. Here's the deal: last week in clinic, I made a mistake signing an MAR on the wrong spot while doing medication administration with my instructor. I caught the mistake as I did it, brought it up to my teacher before she had a chance to reprimand me, and voiced my understanding of the mistake I had just made. The rest of the day went smoothly, and the next day I was told that I had to write a one-page paper on "listening to my teacher"...I thought this was a joke, but found that most other students had to write similar "Papers", which are obviously punishment without no value. Any feedback? I don't even want to write these papers - what am I, 9 years old?

I have heard of MUCH more abusive things than that--I totally understand what you are saying, but personally I would just write the paper and move on...

[Happeetxn]

Originally Posted by Jolie

Abuse? No.

I highly suggest that you do the paper as assigned and get over it.

Yup, what she said.

[medic2ernurse2b]

I hear you, Tutored! During my first semester of nursing school, a dress code was implemented right in the middle of the semester, and the instructors were asked to strictly enforce it. I was cited for something trivial and was asked to write a stupid paper. (The rules were never put in writing for students to reference, so nobody was on the same page. BTW, there were many other students who were cited also.) I was subtly sarcastic in my speech but the paper was professional looking and had some valid points. And guess what? She never messed with me again. But if I were you I would follow Emernurse's advice.

[iceyspots]

I think a better topic to write about would be a little research on Charting Errors on MAR....... But listening? Hm.

[jill48]

You are going to have to just do it. Even though it's bullsh**. She has the power to make you do this idiotic assignment, and apparently she likes everyone to know that she has the power. Whatever, idiot. But whatever you do, don't do what I would do and sneak in little remarks that would pi## her off. I'm crazy like that, you don't have to be.