How do you deal with constantly critical professors/instructors?

[staceym]

I'm sure there is a thread out there on this but I've missed it. My best friend has been warning me about NS and tells me that even though she's half way through, her professors and instructors are extremely hard on her and her peers (and this is coming from a pretty tough lady). I'm fine with a tough workload, bring it... But I'm not sure how to deal with being made to feel stupid on a weekly basis. Is this military style training? And is this usual or just my university? And is this real world training for how you'll be treated by patients and patients' families? And don't get me wrong... I know NS should be hard and I expect it but I guess I was expecting the instructors and professors to be a little more... motivating?

[rnpatrick]

Slip some of the studies under their door about horizontal hostility.If evidenced based practice comes up as a topic talk about it.Or you can do your nursing research on a related topic.If it grossly affects you and it doesn't stop write them up. The saying that nurses eat their young starts in nursing school.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Culture varies from school to school ... and teaching styles vary from person to person. Learn to distinguish the "tough but fair" instructors from the ones that are totally out of line -- and recognize that most are somewhere in the middle. Respond accordingly. A lot of students get so stressed out that they fail to see the differences and end up making things worse for themselves.

[♑ Capricorn ♑]

The ability to take criticism is essential in nursing school. One is going to have to learn to accept that fact or deal with it the best way one can. Who is to say that we cannot question why they are doing or what they are thinking? If anything, asking why they are acting this or that way will help you understand them so they can help you. No, you aren't "stupid" and I doubt the instructors think you are "stupid" either. You are there to learn, they are there to teach. Their method of teaching may not exactly be something you will like. Just because one doesn't like something doesn't always mean we are failures or we should quit. If instructors are pushing buttons within you, then maybe they see weaknesses in some ability in you that they would like to see changed. Military style training? I wouldn't know. Nurses eating their young? Whose to say. If they aren't motivating you, ask more questions. Pick their brains.

I have noticed in my past classes that today's students are highly sensitive and if they aren't getting a pat on the back or constant praise, they feel the world hates them. Acting defensive and getting upset because things aren't going your way solves nothing. The truth is, doctors are going to yell at you, nurses are going to yell at you, patients are going to yell at you, family members are going to yell at you. And during this, you'll need to be calm and composed. You aren't going to please everyone all the time. We will learn to get along with others when the ___ hits the fan. It doesn't mean one has to be a doormat or take disrespect. But, you are there to serve your patients.

[AOx1]

Critique is part of our role, to learn from it is the student role. However, abuse should not enter in. As llg noted, there is a difference. Does your instructor ask questions of all students? If so, great! The instructor is challenging you to help you grow. Is criticism directed at you? If so, how can you improve? Offer a concrete plan for how you can do this to your instructor. Part of it can also be your own insecurity with your abilities. It's easy to feel picked on when you don't feel confident. Practice makes perfect, so work on your skills, care planning, and assessment until you do feel confident.