Nursing instructor putting student through embarassment and singles out

Maybe a show of solidarity by her fellow students might help to get the instructor to back off. If a few of you got together and subtly let the instructor know that you are there and backing up a fellow student she might think twice about what she is doing to her. Doesn't have to be dramatic--just something to get her attention.
If that doesn't work what you mentioned before might help--so sorry for the girl--all the more reason to stand up for yourself immediately when someone tries to belittle you--remember your tuiton is paying that instructors salary.

How sad that you have to go through that in nursing school! This is where the instructors serve as role models, mentors and a support system to help you reach your goal.

I would meet with your instructor in person (no emails) and a mediator (the program's coordinator, advisor, etc) and make the instructor aware of her attitude, behavior and how all that makes you all feel. Her behavior is unacceptable, unprofessional and someone needs to put a stop to it, asap.

Start getting into the habit of following the chain of command, it will benefit you in this situation and in the nursing workforce.

Best of luck!

I think this is terrible. No one should have to feel sick to their stomach just thinking about showing up for class. This instructor is unprofessional, and just flat out cruel. I would report it. I know nursing school is serious business, but bed making is not priority. The goal is to graduate a safe, prudent nurse...not a perfect bed maker. It won't matter how nice the corners look on the bed if the patient is coding. There is a shortage of MSN and PhD prepared instructors, I'm sorry you have encountered one of the burnt out ones...

This is surely something I don't miss about nursing school.

Really, who gives a damn how a bed is made in the real world of nursing? Instead of focusing on bedmaking, this instructor should be focusing on how to take vital signs properly, because there won't always be a Dinamap machine available.

These little games they play in nursing school is sickening. Nursing school is notorious for playing the "weeding out" game because all they care about is NCLEX pass rates. It's bad enough most BSN programs don't get a lot of clinical time as it is, the little clinical time that they do get should be spent wisely instead of focusing on something as minimal as bed making.

I am irriated and feel sorry for that student. Nursing school doesnt prepare one for the REAL world of nursing. That poor girl probably will have self esteem issues related to that instructor, who by the way is being very unprofessional.

I would go to the instructor personally and express my concerns. Let her know it makes you and the other classmates feel very uncomfortable when she reprimand this woman in front of everyone. If nothing changes, then follow the chain of command.

If there are a number of you who agree that this student is being singled out in an unfair way, you could go as a group to the instructor's superior. Be prepared to give factual, non-emotional information with concrete examples of the kinds of behavior you have witnessed.

The approach you are describing sounds highly unprofessional, not to mention demeaning and unkind.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. The instructors I have encountered at my school so far have been pretty fair, and surprisingly kind at times. So it makes me sad and a little nervous to hear stories like this. As you said, nursing school is expensive...you're paying these people to teach you.

That said, I personally think it's up to this girl to speak up for herself. Even with the best intentions, meddling can just make things worse. You just don't know what kind of effect your complaint may have on the girl's livelihood in the program - or yours for that matter.

If you are really concerned about this girl, I think you should befriend and support her. It could be a lot more meaningful and yield better results than going to war with this instructor. If she snubs you then I would just wash my hands of it, keep doing your best and let the girl worry about it herself.

Good luck!

I gently disagree with the above poster. One of our jobs in nursing is being an advocate for our patients. This classmate is not a patient, but she clearly needs an advocate. Many times people who are in this situation feel that they deserve this treatment, and feel helpless to do anything about it.

In most situations, it's proper to talk to the instructor first about an issue before going over their head. If you have reason to fear reprisal, however, then I would say to go directly to the administration.

I would draft a letter in a clear and professional manner (spellcheck is everyone's friend!) stating, in this order:

Intro: Issue/s with the instructor, and why you are not going to her directly but are rather going right to administration.
Body: Here is where you detail the issue/s, giving concrete examples. Name the student, cite specific examples, and keep emotion out of it. You can state how you feel this student is being singled out, but back it up with facts. Try to avoid terms like, "Picked on" or "mean" of "disgusted", instead use terms like, "inappropriate and negative facial expressions, eye rolling", "behavior bordering on verbal abuse, directed only at this student", and "different expectations for this student than for any other". You can also state that the student in question is unaware of your letter--and I would KEEP her unaware, honestly, until you've sent it.
Summary--make it short and sweet, but sum up your issue and state what you would like to see happen. Don't say that you want to see this instructor fired--be constructive in your goals. You would like to see more professional behavior on the part of the instructor, and to see all students treated fairly and equally, yadda yadda. State how you are available to explain and/or discuss this further, if the administration has any questions.

If there are others in your class who you trust and who would be willing to sign this letter, get them to sign and then take it to the Dean of Nursing, as well as the advisers. An anonymous letter will be given very little weight, but a signed letter shows that you are serious about this.

I'd also encourage your classmate, without talking about this letter, to go to talk to the instructor, and see if she can work this out. Sometimes just going to the instructor and saying, "I seem to have difficulty doing what you are looking for, and no one else does. What can I do to improve? What can you tell me that I need to work on?" If the woman's a total hater, she's not going to be constructive, but it's a step that this student needs to take before she goes to the dean about this issue. If she does go to the dean, your letter is there, corroborating her story.

Maybe a show of solidarity by her fellow students might help to get the instructor to back off. If a few of you got together and subtly let the instructor know that you are there and backing up a fellow student she might think twice about what she is doing to her. Doesn't have to be dramatic--just something to get her attention.
If that doesn't work what you mentioned before might help--so sorry for the girl--all the more reason to stand up for yourself immediately when someone tries to belittle you--remember your tuiton is paying that instructors salary.

hmmmm...another egotistic instructor strikes again. When is this going to end? I am sick of these instructors trying to be validated in class because they are not being recognized at home. They need prayers, may God have mercy on their souls