Slight rant... prof has favorites.

[08gradihope]

Just need to vent this to someone. My clinical instructor definitely has favorites, outwordly obvious. I am not one. The favorites get away with whatever they want - limited questions by him about patient status and the "well, why is that happening?", hair down, excessive make-up, etc. I'm not sure how to take it, but its getting in the way of me thinking about my patients (which in that case, is entirely my fault and I know I shouldn't let it get to me). One of my friends in clinical (one of his favorites) mentioned it seemed like he was always picking on me, but she said she thinks its because he knows I know answers, so he tries to probe deeper. I feel like its the other way around, so I'm constantly on my toes worried about the instructor peeping in, correcting my actions and pounding me with questions.... it just reoccupies so much of my thought. Furthermore, he has developed nicknames for his "favorites". Its really getting to me. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Thanks for letting me vent! That felt good!!

[Kathyz]

I've never witnessed this in my own clinical group, but have heard about it from others. One teacher in particular had a favorite group of girls who could do no wrong. That's ashame when teachers behave like that!

Just hang in there and go w/ the idea that he/she likes to probe deeper since he/she knows you know a lot!

[danh3190]

I guess the question is whether you're actually being treated unfairly. It sounds like she's checking to make sure you know your stuff but that's what she's supposed to be doing. If she's threatening to fail you unfairly, that's another issue. It doesn't pay to worry about how others in your group are being treated. Besides rotations end and maybe you'll be somebody's favorite next time.

In my first med-surg rotation the instructor clearly liked two of our people and she didn't like me at first. However, I'd written a really lousy first care plan and had had trouble with my first patient (the sickest person I've ever seen). Once I'd written a couple good care plans, did better with other patients, and showed an effort to improve on my weaknesses, she backed off and was OK although we'll never be buddies. Her two "favorites" had worked as aides on Med-Surg floors as aides and were really good. They still impress me after 3 med-surg rotations.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In the real world of nursing, workplace cliques will exist where nurse managers and supervisors favor certain nurses, while treating the other staff nurses differently. This is a fact of life, and you cannot be all things to all people. When you are a fully-fledged nurse and working, you will see firsthand that some people will get away with particular infractions because they are the "favorites" of the boss, while other people will be punished severely for something similar. Life is not fair.

It is most prudent to stop worrying about the manner in which the others are being treated by your instructor. They obviously have a rapport going with the instructor which you probably will never have. The only thing you can do is to give it your all.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

In the real world of nursing, workplace cliques will exist where nurse managers and supervisors favor certain nurses, while treating the other staff nurses differently. This is a fact of life, and you cannot be all things to all people. When you are a fully-fledged nurse and working, you will see firsthand that some people will get away with particular infractions because they are the "favorites" of the boss, while other people will be punished severely for something similar. Life is not fair.

I feel this exists beyond the nursing world and is pretty much human nature. I have had managers in the business world who had their favorites while others of us were not given "favored status"; this was especially tough when I worked for a company that had a number of policies such as telecommuting, flex-time, etc. that were subject to your particular manager's whim. It was just great (not) to work for a guy who allowed 3 people to partake of these policies and not the remainder of his team. Fast-forward 2 years later and we had a manager who applied these policies across the board equally.

I understand your frustration, but the poster who replied that your most important focus should be on you and doing your best. Get through school however you can!!