Bad day at clinical

Nursing Students General Students

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We got a new instructor...who is a Med/Surg II instructor and told us ahead of time that she often " forgets" we are just Fundamentals students.

Well, boy does she ever. I saw her rip apart a few classmates in the hall but then it was my turn.

I had to give meds through the NG tube- and the syringe was not in the room ( it was earlier)..so I went to supply to get a new one..and low and behold I couldn't find a darn syringe ANYWHERE. So, I came back into the room and told her that I couldn't locate the syringe and which she stated, in front of my client + her husband, that she doesn't have " time for such ridiculousness- I will show you where it is".

So we go to supply and guess what? SHE CANT FIND IT EITHER....but did she say sorry? Well, I didn't expect her to.

Then I go to give the meds- I am doing my 3 checks with her and I my client had to have 240 mg and I had 120 mg capsules...so I go through the check and I get to the dosage part and I state " Client needs 240 mg- I have 120 mg.... she cuts me off before I can say " 2 capsules"...she says " what do you have??" and I said " 120 mg" and she screams " NO. How many are in the cup?????".

Later on she proceeds to tell me I am too nervous. Yep, you bet I was with her ....I will work on that.

At post conference a fellow classmate didn't understand a saline-lock. She explains it to her but the classmate had some questions for clarification and she sighs and says ( in front of ALL OF US) " this is worrysome. How did you get where you are without knowing this? How can you not understand what I just told you? What part of it don't you get- it's straightforward and you worry me- I may have to have a talk with the DON".

Can I just mention that this is our 2nd ACTUAL day on the floor?

She certainly does have troubles remembering we aren't Med/Surg II students.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Hang in there. She sounds dreadful.

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Specializes in Peds - playing with the kids.

hi,

so sorry you had such a rotten day. i personally could never understand the need for some:uhoh3: nursing instructors to be so nasty. i had quite my share of them in nursing school.

hang in there, it will get better.

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I had an instructor like that. Yelled at me at the nurses' station ... and it was over nothing. I was really PO'd because I had worked with some of those nurses as an extern.

So ... I met with her afterward and told her I didn't appreciate the way she was treating me. She said she was only "joking." And I said I didn't appreciate it but, if it was going to continue, I would have to go the head of the nursing school.

I never had a problem with her after that.

:typing

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oops, double post.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

How awful - I'm so sorry.

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How many weeks are you with this lovely instructor?:eek:

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6 :(

But at least after next week - we have spring break and I get 10 days off from her :)

I feel prepared for tomorrow, though. I now know what to expect.

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6 :(

But at least after next week - we have spring break and I get 10 days off from her :)

I feel prepared for tomorrow, though. I now know what to expect.

Knowing what to expect is definitely more than half the battle. I'm sorry you're having a hard time. Or more to the point, I'm sorry she's creating such a hard time for you. I think with lovely instructors such as the one you have, you have to decide upfront how you're going to play the game. Either decide to be assertive and stand up for yourself or suck it up and count the days until the end of the semester. Sucks that she's med/surg, cuz that means you'll be seeing her again in future semesters.

You hang in there and keep your eye on the prize: A great job, good pay, job stability and helping people who truly need it. I think many of us can empathize with you in regards to having to put up with negative instructors. I don't understand why it's so prevalent. In all honesty, I suspect it has something to do with the fact that they do it because they can get away with it. They know you worked hard to get into the program and that you've got a lot riding on making it through the program. It's not like quitting nursing school is as easy a choice as quitting World Lit and just re-taking it the next semester. Just bear this in mind...you're time in nursing school is limited. Their time being nasty wenches is more than likely unlimited. You win sweetie!

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I'm so sorry BoonersMom! :(

I wonder if it would be to cocky to say something like, "Boy, I bet Med/Surg II is really hard if we're having so much trouble in fundamentals!" :eek: (Say it when when she starts her stuff...think she'll get a clue?) :lol2:

I hope things get better for you. :kiss

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Wow that sucks. All of my instructors are there to actually help us. They would never act or say anything of the sort like you stated in a pt's room. Our instructors are there because they want to amke good-quality nurses.

Just hang in there. Soon you will learn what she wants and what she likes to hear. Please do not let this instructor discourage you. Eleanor Roosevelt once said that, "No one can make you feel inferior unless you give them permission."

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Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

We had one like that last year - yikes! She normally taught classes two levels ahead of us. Hang in there!

:):)

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