Correct an instructor?

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

Today we had a lecture on Integumentary System disruptions we might come accross in acute care.

When we got to the slide with "curet" in it, my instructor said that a curet was a drain.

I worked as a dermatology assistant for 6 years and know that a curet isn't a drain. It's an instrument with a small circle at the end, sharpened and is used to scrape away tissue.

I did not speak up in class, or approach the instructor after class. While she is a very knowledgable RN, BSN, and a good instructor, she is also not very approachable and somewhat intimidating.

At lunch time, I did let some of my fellow classmates know about the correction, but these were my friends and we usually eat lunch together. The other 20 students still think a curet is a drain -----unless they did their prereading!!

Would you approach your instructor about this mistake?

If the book says what it is, your classmates will know if they read it, lol. If you're the "keep your head down and don't make waves" kinda personality, just let it slide cuz I promise you you're gonna end up hearing a LOT of inconsistencies throughout the program and depending on the general attitude of the instructors, it can either be appreciated or resented. If you feel strongly that you should say something about it, just present it like this: Mr/Mrs. X, I'm confused about something. I remember in class you said that a curet was a drain, but the book says X and I'm just wondering what definition I should go with". That's a pretty non-confrontational way of bringing it up.

Today we had a lecture on Integumentary System disruptions we might come accross in acute care.

When we got to the slide with "curet" in it, my instructor said that a curet was a drain.

I worked as a dermatology assistant for 6 years and know that a curet isn't a drain. It's an instrument with a small circle at the end, sharpened and is used to scrape away tissue.

I did not speak up in class, or approach the instructor after class. While she is a very knowledgable RN, BSN, and a good instructor, she is also not very approachable and somewhat intimidating.

At lunch time, I did let some of my fellow classmates know about the correction, but these were my friends and we usually eat lunch together. The other 20 students still think a curet is a drain -----unless they did their prereading!!

Would you approach your instructor about this mistake?

No. If the students do their reading they will learn the correct information. If it really bothers you or you are concerned that it could come up in a testing situation. You could MEEKLY, bring your text in and explain that you were confused about something and just wanted clarification and show the teacher in the text where it describes the item in question, and let her know that you thought she had described the item differently and you just wanted to clarify with her which definition you are to go by. Do not do this in front of others, or in an intimidating manner. Do NOT bring up your years of experience working in a clinic, and most of all do NOT argue the point with her. This isn't a huge issue or a safety issue. Cooperate and graduate.

There have been several discrepancies I've noticed between what was said in lecture and what the book says in my program. I always approach it in the way mentioned above: "Mr. A, I'm confused, the book states that we should always X before Y, and you said that we should Z - which way should we learn it for the exam?" I have no medical experience, so I honestly don't know which is right. It's probably not a good idea to make a habit of correcting minor mistakes regularly, but I've never experienced any repercussions from asking for clarification when the lecture and book don't match.

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Snort! I put the wrong word not only on one power point, but three in a row! Only one student asked about it (but she did it in class in front of everyone). Its okay to bring such a thing to your instructor's attention, but doing it the way the above posters advised is a good idea. Nobody likes to be made a fool of, or even just to feel foolish, in public. I personally laughed about it, because it was kind of funny, I had been making the power points in the car in the dark while waiting for my daughter and just didn't catch it. But doing so in class does disrupt the flow, not all instructors are so easy about it. :twocents:

One of my instructors (that has a very nasty personality), told the entire class that rectal temperatures for a newborn were more accurate than axillary, and that you always take a rectal temperature after birth.

Everything in our textbook, as well as the ATI supplemental material specifically states NOT to do a rectal temperature for a newborn until the passage of the first meconium....b/c you don't know if the orifice is patent until they pass their first stool...so if you ram a temp probe inside of their rectum, you'll tear it if you don't know.

Is it rare? It sure is...but for that one or two babies in a thousand that doesn't have a patent orifice...it's going to be a very painful experience that is completely preventable.

I've corrected my instructors once or twice. Once one of my classmates asked a snarly instructor if kids that were unvaccinated could go to school. The instructor flatly said "No" and went on to say that kids have to be vaccinated on time to attend any school.

I know this is not the right answer. I know kids in my state, and most states, can still go to public school if they are unvaccinated as long as the parent files the appropriate paperwork.

I approached the instructor after class and told her that she was incorrect. She did not like this. lol. She actually told me she didn't think I was right, until I explained the types of exemptions allowed in my state.

I probably wouldn't have corrected her if it was something in her lecture, but I felt like I should because another student flat out asked and she gave bad info.

I would approach it in this manner, " The textbook reads....however, in my notes, I wrote... So, I wanted to clarify and make sure I didn't make a mistake."

I've found this works better then," The book reads...but you said..."

This happens so often in one of my classes that we have stopped approaching the instructor in private and have begun stopping her in lecture. Is it inappropriate? Probably. Does it embarass her? Yes, we can tell by the fight she puts up and the fact the she has NEVER admitting she was wrong until the next class period. However, we are tested weekly and and not only our grades but our safety during clinicals can depend on the correct information. As an example, she instructed us to insert a male foley only until resistence was met and there was urine return...the urologist at the hospital very quickly clarified that for us as he watched a class mate insert one. We recognize that we are not using the best method but I'm not kidding when I say this happens EVERY class period. We've even brought it to the Dean's attention.

In short, if its an isolated occurance I would approach her outside of class.

Specializes in ICCU - cardiac.
I would approach it in this manner, " The textbook reads....however, in my notes, I wrote... So, I wanted to clarify and make sure I didn't make a mistake."

I've found this works better then," The book reads...but you said..."

Exactly!

I wonder if your instructor knows what a D&C is? (Dilation and curretage). That means dilate and scrape, not dilate and drain! I would approach her in private and clarify the definition in a nonaccusatory way.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm a pretty outspoken person but NO way would I correct an instructor not in public or private unless we were working on a live patient and possibly going to harm him/her. Whats the point, really? Is it that important if the other students don't figure out the exact name or purpose of that instrument? Not imvho.

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