Hostility

[MissRis13]

I am in my senior year of nursing school and I continue to be shocked by the hostility the students display toward one another (and to staff). It is a regular, constant event for my classmates to talk about one another, aggressively confront each other, start rumors, fight, even sabotage each other. This is my second degree. I have never experienced this level of hostility in a single setting before... not in high school or my first college experience, and never before in the workplace. We are in an adult accelerated program, so the students are not young kids. Most have families and work during the day.

I have seen more bullying in the last 2 years than I have in all of my elementary, middle, and high school education combined. And that, is saying a lot.

I am worried that this type of behavior will translate into the workplace among nurses. Is this behavior common among the profession? Does it lessen after graduation? Is it just specific to my class? I am worried that I will be in this type of environment forever....

[studentnursemon86]

Wow. My program is an associates degree program; the first lecture we had was on professionalism.

Before classes even started we had orientation where the DON told is that unprofessional, rude behavior would not be tolerated. She said our behavior inside and out of the classroom reflects upon the college and they aren't going to take a hot to their reputation because of an unprofessional student. Even down to our Facebook page. If they catch wind of you behaving inappropriately outside and it is proven, that is grounds for expulsion from the program.

I think that is part of why many of the students in my class don't behave that way.

And dropping F bombs? That certainly wouldn't be tolerated, ESPECIALLY on clinical days.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

In my class we had some of each. There was one student expelled for cheating. A group of 4 or 5 who were rude and obnoxious to everyone except each other (fondly known as the "mean girls"), a couple of older (by at least two decades) students working on their second degrees who would have nothing to do with anyone, and then the rest of us. We formed a close knit group, worked closely on projects together and eventually got the older students to work with us. All except for the so called mean girls studied together for the NCLEX and have maintained our friendship. You learn quickly who to ignore, and form study and project groups with everyone else. Eventually there are enough people in your group that the bullies isolate themselves and leave you alone!

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

OPINION, not fact: I went through an accelerated program to get a 2nd degree in nursing too. If there are 1 or 2 catty women in the clinical, they can bring the whole group's morale down. Maybe that's the problem in your particular group. This happens in the workplace too. Maybe I will get attacked for typing this, but you just need to hope for a few male nurses to level out the hormone levels in future rotations. Otherwise, call 'em on it. They may pipe down; even if they don't, your situation is temporary. I understand how you feel, & I hope future rotations are more harmonious.

[phoenoryker]

I am in an entry level MSN program, so we have adult learners as well. My environment is the opposite of yours, we work together and we are all there for each other. I wonder if it's just random due to personality conflict, or it's due to the culture your faculty is creating. Our faculty is amazing, and they have created an atmosphere that promotes teamwork.

[NuGuyNurse2b]

Can't say my cohorts are like this. Even the alpha group, the ones who are the top ranking, sit in a cluster, you know the drill - they will help anyone who asks for help. Yeah there are the casual disagreements, but no one takes those personally. At least I know I don't.

[Fruit Sucker]

That doesn't happen in my program, and people would be written up if it did. We did have some students like that during the first semester, but they got weeded out of the program.

[norlns24]

Wow OP that is too bad you have had the experience you describe. My school's cohort is amazing. We have a class Facebook page (yes, I realize we must be careful about that...I've read the warnings on this forum about the pitfalls of having a class Fb page) and we support each other so much. There are a few strong personalities as there will be in any group of 60 plus individuals. To me, these personalities are more endearing than anything.

For example, one student likes to randomly interrupt class with her special brand of funny outburst and laugh (usually to express an opinion) and we all just give a few side-long glances and let her do her thing. Another overshares her past medical history to the max -- like, I could literally compile a medical file/ chart on her based on the things she's stated...no HIPAA for her. Recently, she shared some private info that helped us understand a complicated disease process & its medication regimen.

Anyway, please do not believe every class/ school is like the one you describe. I honestly do not dislike one single individual in my nursing class of over 60 students. Usually, I slightly dislike at least 1 person in a group that large (as I assume most people would) but I like everyone and we've been together for three semesters now. I'm confident an overwhelming number of the students in my class are going to make outstanding nurses and all of them will be great to work with. I hope you find a better work environment than the group you've been with throughout your schooling.

[studentnursemon86]

I am in an entry level MSN program, so we have adult learners as well. My environment is the opposite of yours, we work together and we are all there for each other. I wonder if it's just random due to personality conflict, or it's due to the culture your faculty is creating. Our faculty is amazing, and they have created an atmosphere that promotes teamwork.

I agree that the faculty had a lot to do with it. Out faculty is there, they are available to students for questions and they are really big on professionalism. I think if it isn't expressed/enforced, some will act inappropriately.

It is sad, especially with adult learners. We should know better by now: