Disturbing to anyone else???? NEED HELP.

Halinja, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2006

I know its been mentioned in this thread once before, but I thought I'd re-mention it, to help avoid confusion. I'm pretty sure that the mnemonic device mentioned refers to ANTIcholinergic drugs.

nursenickelmama · Sep 8, 2006

I respectfully disagree to the whole "F" thing being no big deal! She is an instructor and has no business talking that way in lectures of any kind, let alone telling her students that she is going to do just that. She is supposed to be a professional. I would be highly offended and have no respect, as she has shown none by talking that way.

I don't think the whole issue or the drinking, eating thing is really about the eating and drinking. To me it would be about what was right-the rules per se. If there was no drinking-food of any kind allowed in the room by orders of the DON, then there should be none. Period. Students have to follow the rules and the instructor (if she is a true professional) should too. They would need to take a break for drinks in that case. Sure you are going to have colorful instructors-that's fine, but profanity of any kind has no place in what is supposed to be an ethical profession. Don't they teach ethics-my school does. We can be out for acting unprofessional wherever we go in our personal lives around town. Nurses do need to set an example. Just my personal feelings on the issue. So glad I don't have instuctors like that.

porterwoman · Sep 8, 2006

Will you hear that word, and many others like it, again in your nursing career? Why, sure. Do you have every right and even responsibility to politely tell those who say it (including instructors, managers, higher ups, etc.) that you would prefer not to hear it and you find it offensive? Absolutely. In my opinion, that's the most professional thing for you to do.

I'm sure others have seen this--I'll paraphrase, but somewhere I saw a quotation saying that integrity means maintaining your standards even when others don't.

Go ahead, maintain your standards and kindly let her know that you would prefer not to hear that word. You may be reminding her of what she already knows--that she is a role model and that she needs to respect her students. And this is coming from one who uses that word a lot. If another nurse requested that I not say it, I'd refrain. It's a matter of respect, and if you demonstrate respect hopefully instructor will follow suit.

Best of luck through school!!

Rebecca

anichols · Sep 8, 2006

ever consider that it's not unprofessional, but a teaching method in and of itself? psych is famous for cussing patients...and you have to learn to respond without becoming upset yourself. maybe she's trying to get you to where you can not judge others on their language? or to respond in a disapproving way? that, hate to say it, work psych myself--psych tends to have a different mindset and views on "professionalism" (not often are you going to see a med-surg nurse talking calmly to patients about things most of society won't touch with a ten-foot pole!)? we still believe in it, just our professionalism isn't acceptable in, say an office--just can't discuss rape and mutilation while appearing stand-offish. maybe the f-bombs are her way of connecting with her students, to put them at ease, as the majority most likely curse. psych demands rapport of sorts. maybe it is levity, or just honesty. then there's the fact that a prim-and-proper explanation often will totally bomb with a lot of patients--try getting rapport so you can be therapeutic with the high-school drop out stressed and about her nightmares of when she was raped while you sit there saying things like fornicate (which she probably won't understand)...you do not need to be a potty-mouth, nor crude, but sometimes you have to use the slang to get the point across and reach them. as for her drinks...you are overlooking the fact that a lot of talking dries out the mouth and is thus harmful to both her throat and her ability to continue to lecture. or maybe she has high blood sugar and is often thirsty--could be a medical reason for it.... none of this is meant as put-downs towards the o.p., just trying to offer validations...sorry for the long-winded response!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 9, 2006

Last week in our first 4 hour lecture with our Psych instructor (2nd yr NS) she apologized up front if she offends anyone because she is used to letting the "F" word fly and hopes it won't be a problem.
She also told us a simple way to remember the SE for cholinergic drugs:
Can't See
Can't Pee
Can't Spit
Can't Sh*t.
Am I being too touchy or is this extremely unprofessional coming from an instructor???
In addition to that (if that isn't enough), we were told it was against the rules to eat or drink in this classroom that is being loaned to us (by DON). If any of us are caught violating the rules, we can lose the classroom. The first night of instruction, this same instructor was 1/2 hr into her lecture and made the announcement that she cannot teach for 4 hours without water and proceeded to get her drink and brought it to the podium. Now many students are bringing in coffee, pepsi and food. Do I rat??? I am so uncomfortable. Please help.

Some students, such as myself, have learned better with crazy sayings such as that. Also, even if it sort of grossed you out, it sounds like you will always remember how SE for cholinergic drugs works, whether you like it or not. It can be hard to sit in class for the evenings especially for those that work without at least a bottle of water. These problems seem light compared to what other professors will put you through...believe me...

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 9, 2006

She sounds like fun. It beats sitting listening to a boring teacher for 4 hours. I happen to like all my professors, not because they cuss, but because they keep things light.
Four hours is a long time to talk without water. Cut her some slack.

Amen to that!

rainy scarlett · Sep 9, 2006

I guess all I can say is she sounds pretty mild in comparison to some of the "colorful" psych patients you are gonna get!! Maybe she is just the warm-up act!!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 9, 2006

I guess all I can say is she sounds pretty mild in comparison to some of the "colorful" psych patients you are gonna get!! Maybe she is just the warm-up act!!!

Or even some of ANY population of patients! I had a 78 year old 400 pound female CHF patient that cussed like a sailor. I was on orientation to my new position as an LPN and had to walk into the room to medicate her with an RN that was training me. She said to the RN "Oh, today you have back-up, huh, b...tch?" And, when I told her that I had to medicate her she said " I'll kick your black (other word for donkey)...you think you are cute...you MUST be new, because you'll learn not to XXX with me". She then proceeded to cuss me out, and while the timid RN literally ran out of the room, I laughed until I had tears in my eyes! I told the nurse that I can handle her and I told the patient:nurse: that I had to administer the medication and stay with her until she took it all, and because she was taking digitalis, I had to take an apical pulse. After I did it, she said "Did you like feeling me up?"

Then, later, I had to insert a foley (for the first time, mind you) in this obese woman, and I was nervous because she cussed worse than any serial killer I could have ever read about and when I finished (did a great job, under the circumstances), she then says "I'll bet you turned into a lesbian playing in my stuff". I smiled and told her to have a nice day, and to call me if she needs me for anything and then she said "You are my kind of B***tch...you ain't scared of nobody". She actually made my day. You will meet all kinds...this professor is the least of your issues compared to some of the others as well as the patients that will be encountered. They will leave you blue in the face unless you have a sense of humor. :nurse: Ahhh...the day of a nurse will never be boring...

LydiaNN · Sep 9, 2006

I don't have a problem with letting the professor know that you object to the ''F'' word, but I do think you should start there, and not go up the chain of command, as some here have suggested, unless she ignores your feelings. And although foods and drinks are against the rules, I would suggest that unless you intend to follow people around with a notepad during your career and writing down their transgressions to report, you just let it go. I can't think of a better way to turn your classmates against you than to be perceived as a tattletale.

softstorms · Sep 9, 2006

I agree with llb, pick your battles. I had many teachers and mentors. They all had thier own style. 4 hours of lecture would leave anyone with a need for a drink of water. Don't sweat the small stuff, and this is small stuff.

Enjoy your journey.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 9, 2006

>

That is the truth. In nursing school, the students travel together packed like sardines, and you never know if you may need one of them for ANYTHING...if they believe that they'll be ratted on for something small like bringing food to class, the trust is lost. And, there are the students that will actually set people up out of jealousy, spite and revenge...even to the 'nice' student. I saw so much in nursing school, the pettiness and jealously because someone has nice grades, or those that the professors may favor (out of respect for the student, not from taking sides), etc... Personally, I didn't care for nursing school. I am glad to have completed it, I am doing what I want to do, but I know the other side, and I am glad it is behind me. Pick your battles. If you really feel that the cursing makes you uncomfortable, mention it to the professor privately. She may not change, though...she seems set in her ways, and probably did this for years. I am almost positive that the director of the program has an idea about the behavior of this instructor may not make waves, especially if the majority of the students are passing the class, and eventually passing the boards.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 9, 2006

I don't see the F word as being a big deal, but that's just me, and i rarely use it myself.

The food thing, we have a rule at our school about no food and drink, but hey, if i'm coming straight from working 10-12 hours, i AM going to eat (quietly of course) and drink something during class, and if they want to kick me out for that, go right ahead. I'm not going to dehydrate over some stupid rule.

(OH, yeah, and the reference about profanity being audible ignorance, well i guess i'm just as stupid as they get then :stone )