Do you correct your professor?

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Nov 17, 2010

I agree with your sentiments. However, you are walking a dangerous path. Some profs have two feet planted on the ground, but I fear, most will feel wounded in some way. If you are the source of the perceived injury, it is almost natural that you be associated with that negative experience. I have been in you shoes and bit my tongue, discretion is the better form of valor.

anonymousstudent · Nov 17, 2010

It depends on the learning environment. At my school, the professors (except 1) are very receptive to being corrected. Most of the time they just misspeak, and a student clarifies what they were saying so the wrong information doesn't just stay out there.

I think in a healthy, collaborative learning environment everybody pitching in to make sure the information is correct is the absolute best case for students, and should never be viewed as something that may cause negative consequences.

bosnanurse · Nov 17, 2010

I am teacher and I like when students give their own personal view which is for sure much richer than any of my book reading. So yes. But be aware that all teachers are not on that stand of point and they sometimes get upset. As long as you put it as your own "personal" view and experience I hope they will not feel threatened.

allnurses Guide · Nov 17, 2010

I've had students correct me. They have been respectful, and started with their credentials (many have degrees in other areas, such as social work). Key word is respect. Since I am all about my students really learning what we are studying, I appreciate it.

I have also told my students that everyone makes mistakes; they may respectfully question a floor nurse but only once. If the nurse doesn't receive it well, shut up and go find your instructor, let her deal with it.

There was one student who corrected everyone all the time, and tried to expand on what I was saying (had some background in health professions). She was pushy about it, and annoyed just about everyone. I would have to cut her off in order to keep going.

Thing is to remember we are studying nursing, and sometimes have a different take on things, different way of using the data for different goals. But I'm not going to argue with a doula about some prenatal care practices, when I have never been an OB nurse.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 17, 2010

It is all about delivery. If you speak up like a know it all little punk I can imagine they would receive you a lot less if you do it tact and respect

RN9742 · Nov 17, 2010

It's not a personal view, they are facts. If it was a personal view I would have kept quiet. I do not want to go into exact detail about it since I could easily be identified with the details. It's also information I could very easily back up. Honestly this is not the only issue I have had with my professor, BUT I typically just keep quiet.

I am teacher and I like when students give their own personal view which is for sure much richer than any of my book reading. So yes. But be aware that all teachers are not on that stand of point and they sometimes get upset. As long as you put it as your own "personal" view and experience I hope they will not feel threatened.

bosnanurse · Nov 17, 2010

Sometimes if you know that person for sure is teaching you wrong and does not want to take in account "new horizons" maybe you need to see someone who is above that teacher and see if this can be worked out. As everyone said we are not the best in every domain and it is ok to listen and consult someone who works or know it better ( even a student) to explain it from that point of stand. I have never worked in nursing home so when students tell me how it is to work there I know they have better perspective then I do. But , you know , as I said some teachers are just so "sky high" ( unfortunately) that any discussion can bring you problems so if it is not some very sensitive nature for you - just LET IT GO!:))

RN9742 · Nov 17, 2010

Would it be appropriate to email the professor explaining more of why I interjected, and apologizing? What about including information so that they could understand more in the future?

Part of me feels this issue may be simply because the professor's education background in this subject was geared more towards the profession they are in, which is somewhat different than what a typical nurse would experience. (and yes I realize that may be as clear as mud! I'm trying here HA!)

Tyler77 · Nov 17, 2010

You tread a dangerous path. Yes, it's about delivery, but in a roomful of students, NO WAY! It's like telling parents of children "I don't like the way you raise your kids. You should do it this way."

Whenever a student "Corrected" one of our professors, it was usually in the snotty "I work in a doctor's office and we do it this way or I"m a paramedic and we do it this way." Those types of statements just add to the increased frustration with what the other students have to deal with. If you must "correct" your teacher, why not speak to them after class or send them an e-mail about your concern?

It's even stated in our handbook (as an addendum because it was so rampant in the previous year's class) that if you have a problem or disagree with what a teacher says, you cannot "call them out" in class. In other words, BE RESPECTFUL!

And yes, it's 1000% true that any student that constantly does that has a self esteem issue.

RN9742 · Nov 17, 2010

And yes, it's 1000% true that any student that constantly does that has a self esteem issue.

I agree with you here, and it is not something I would constantly do. :) It's a tough position to be in, because unless you have dealt with the things I have, or worked in a field that let you see these things, most people really have very little knowledge about it.

Would it be weird to let professors in the future know up front that I do have a lot of experience in this area before it even comes up? Not in a cocky I know everything way, but more in a way that lets them know that I may get frustrated (maybe not the right word) if inaccurate information is given... I am not really explaining myself well here! :confused:

allnurses Guide · Nov 18, 2010

Would it be weird to let professors in the future know up front that I do have a lot of experience in this area before it even comes up? Not in a cocky I know everything way, but more in a way that lets them know that I may get frustrated (maybe not the right word) if inaccurate information is given... I am not really explaining myself well here!

Depends on your approach. If you start with "I am a really good expert in this area, so don't mess up!", I'd tag you as an arrogant troublemaker from the get go. If you came to me with, "I have a lot of experience with ______ , and I'll be really interested to see it from a nursing point of view", you are telling me what you've got as well as that you are open to looking at it from a new perspective and still willing to learn.