Already been told I shouldn't be a nurse (Rant)

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Sep 30, 2017

She sounds like a jerk. I certainly wouldn't waste any more time thinking about it.

JKL33 · Sep 30, 2017

I know that this is to be expected in NS, especially at clinicals. I know. I will not allow anyone to get in the way of my dreams. I have thick skin. I've been talked down on when I was in high school and I proved all of those people wrong. I'm just astounded that it's happening this early on. When you tell someone they're in the wrong profession, before they've even started, is crossing the line if you ask me.

I wouldn't say this is to be expected in nursing school at all, and this wasn't nursing school. Make sure you're not expecting trouble or looking too hard for it. This person sounds like an outlier and you handled it very well with the statement you made.

You're going to come across "all types" - - including numerous people who seem to feel better by making others out to be "lesser." Let these go, they are beyond not worth your time (in nursing school, or in life).

Best wishes!

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Sep 30, 2017

You can do it. Ignore the rest.

nutella, MSN, RN · Oct 1, 2017

So today I took a CPR course. I'm not in NS yet, but I decided to do it ahead of time. I've made amazing grades in all my prereq courses and every single one of my science professors has praised me as being one of their most hardworking students. I'm the first person in my family to go to college. I have a huge family, but no one works in healthcare so this is all new to me. You know, everyone starts at the bottom. I was looking forward to going to my CPR class and learning new things, but the instructor was ridiculing me the entire time. There were other students, but she only picked on me. To make things worse, everyone else in class was so knowledgable and knew exactly what they were doing. At one point she giggled and said "You're not doing it fast enough... I think you killed him... Yeah, you shouldn't be a nurse." Every 10 minutes she brought up to the class how I "killed" the mannequin. I got fed up and politely responded with "Hey, that's why I'm here... to learn how to do it correctly" she kind of backed off after that.
I know that this is to be expected in NS, especially at clinicals. I know. I will not allow anyone to get in the way of my dreams. I have thick skin. I've been talked down on when I was in high school and I proved all of those people wrong. I'm just astounded that it's happening this early on. When you tell someone they're in the wrong profession, before they've even started, is crossing the line if you ask me.

It is absolutely unacceptable to make fun of students. That applies to nursing school as well as CPR courses and so on.

I never made fun of other people when I taught first aid. It is inappropriate and cruel in my opinion.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Oct 1, 2017

Your response was spot-on. You were there to learn, and you did learn - not under the most pleasant circumstances, but some of the things we do as nurses are unpleasant. Good on you for sticking out the class!

I would only caution you to enter nursing school with more positive expectations. I know it's supposedly common knowledge that clinical instructors will verbally abuse you every day, make you feel stupid, and wreck your aspirations of being a nurse; however, my experience was the opposite. I had terrific clinical instructors my whole time. Even the toughest one (who, despite a long career in maternity nursing, was the coldest, least comforting presence ever!), made it clear that she wanted us to succeed. There are people who are just jerks and pick on students for no reason, but they are not the norm. You will not have to put up with this sort of thing all through nursing school.

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2017

The first time I took a CPR class, when I was 19 or so, the instructor clearly didn't like nurses at all. He badmouthed them throughout the entire class. Not sure what his problem was, but I could see him acting like this, too. People can be jerks, and people sometimes get a big head and feel superior to their students.

Also, this reminds me of when I was in driver's ed in high school. My instructor said to me, "it's obvious you haven't driven before." Well, no, sir, I'm 15 and that's...illegal...

Davey Do · Oct 1, 2017

As Neil Diamond sang, misskay: "Except for the name and a few other changes, you could talk about me- the story's the same one".

I came from a smilar Family background and went through a First Aid Class at the local community college, got my CPR from the local Fire Dept, then EMT-B, EMT-A NR, LPN, RN.

I've also been singled out and given negative attention by Instructors. One was my A&P Instructor back in 1988. She later apologized and informed me of some personal problems she was having. I guess I was just an available dog to kick.

Another time, an Instructor at a CPI course sort of attacked me. The whole group was kind of rowdy, and a Coworker said she went after the biggest dog in the pack in an attempt to gain order.

I don't know what motivated your Instructor to single you out and give you negative attention, misskay. But like the other posters said- it's good you confronted her on her behavior, and don't concern yourself with it and go on to prove yourself.

Good luck and the very best to you!

Irish_Mist, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2017

Please do not expect nursing school to be crappy because of this idiotic cpr instructor. Is there any way you can rate this person or file a complaint? Because you totally should. She was unprofessional and out of line. Aside from all that, keep your chin up! This experience doesn't define whether you're able to be a nurse!!!!

TriciaJ, RN · Oct 1, 2017

Please do not expect nursing school to be crappy because of this idiotic cpr instructor. Is there any way you can rate this person or file a complaint? Because you totally should. She was unprofessional and out of line. Aside from all that, keep your chin up! This experience doesn't define whether you're able to be a nurse!!!!

That's what I was thinking. Is there some sort of process to evaluate the instructor? And whenever someone trashes nurses in general, I always suspect a nurse wannabe who didn't make it.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2017

You responded to her unprofessional behaviors beautifully! Is this instructor affiliated with any group such as a hospital? I ask because most Of my BLS/ACLS classes have been taught by RNs/EMT-Ps employed by hospitals. Or was it through an individual with a CPR biz? If at all possible, I would report her...if nothing else, students' learning will be less effective. Ridicule makes it tough to pay attention!

And as others have said, you do not need to expect this from nursing school. The vast majority of clinical instructors are professional and care about the next generation of nurses.

misskayy · Oct 1, 2017

Is there any way you can rate this person or file a complaint? Because you totally should. She was unprofessional and out of line.

That's what I was thinking. Is there some sort of process to evaluate the instructor? And whenever someone trashes nurses in general, I always suspect a nurse wannabe who didn't make it.

Her boss did come inside the room for a minute to check up on us and she still continued acting childish in front of him. He seemed fed up with her behavior, but who knows he may take her side if I make a complaint. I'm either going to call him or American Heart Association.

And thank you to everyone else for the words of encouragement.