Unprofessionalism in nursing school. Wrong to report it??

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Basically a lot of unprofessional behavior has been going on since day one of our program. Severe bullying and threatening other students as well as unprofessionalism in the clinical environment has taken place repeatedly. There have been multiple complaints filed and somehow these students always end up getting rewarded rather than punished for their behavior. There are a few people who have stood up for what we believe to be right and have followed the correct steps to report this behavior but nothing ever gets done.

At this point we are getting ready to graduate and one of our instructors has shared with students various emails that we have sent in regard to some of our complaints. So basically the whole class has become even worse at this point because our emails that we trusted these instructors with have been shared with the class - and obviously they are very angry with us.

I just don't know what to do at this point. I feel like our instructors have betrayed our trust and violated our privacy. I am not big on conflict and do my best to avoid it, but some of the things that have gone on needed to be reported. I have just been so very upset by all of this and like I said I simply don't know what to do. Did I do the wrong thing by speaking up and what should I do now?

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Specializes in ER.

You can go to the university ombudsmen.

Frankly, nursing school is renowned for its bullying judgmental and toxic behaviors. I swear to God that surviving the evil biddies is a bigger accomplishment than passing NCLEX (which doesn't turn out to be a difficult professional licensure exam).

Know this: In the end, it is my experience that the teachers' pets make the worst nurses and the ones who persevere through all of the garbage the instructors put them through? They turn out to be the keepers.

My advice: Sit down, shut up and do what it takes to get your degree because these biddies ain't worth it. Been there done that. Got sandbagged on my senior checkoff by a professor that I had the temerity to question and ended up spending an extra semester in nursing school all alone while my friends graduated.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I can't help but wish that you had sought help earlier - say, when it could have made a difference in your education.

At this point (graduation), it seems to me that you must keep on keepin on. That which you have chosen to overlook must still be overlooked. Otherwise, you risk your own graduation.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Graduate and get out of there! You have given them your time and money and they are hanging on to something that they will decide if you have earned. You can find many stories on this website of students who were screwed over by their schools at the end of their program. At this point, if the instructors are sharing your emails there is not much you can do to change things. Cut your losses and move on--and make sure none of your friends sign up for that nursing program!

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Basically a lot of unprofessional behavior has been going on since day one of our program. Severe bullying and threatening other students as well as unprofessionalism in the clinical environment has taken place repeatedly. There have been multiple complaints filed and somehow these students always end up getting rewarded rather than punished for their behavior. There are a few people who have stood up for what we believe to be right and have followed the correct steps to report this behavior but nothing ever gets done.

At this point we are getting ready to graduate and one of our instructors has shared with students various emails that we have sent in regard to some of our complaints. So basically the whole class has become even worse at this point because our emails that we trusted these instructors with have been shared with the class - and obviously they are very angry with us.

I just don't know what to do at this point. I feel like our instructors have betrayed our trust and violated our privacy. I am not big on conflict and do my best to avoid it, but some of the things that have gone on needed to be reported. I have just been so very upset by all of this and like I said I simply don't know what to do. Did I do the wrong thing by speaking up and what should I do now?

They say that any organization is reflected on the core of it's leadership and since your instructors are untrustworthy bullies, that is why they tolerate the same in the students. I'll give you a few points of view:

To play devil's advocate:

In a professional environment, you never go to a supervisor about a complaint that you do not intend to back up in person. The only way an ETHICAL supervisor will protect you is if something can be independently verified...that is why reporting someone working impaired is confidential, because a drug test will either confirm the accusation or clear them, etc.

It's really easy for a snit of a tattletale to run their mouth to a manager and an employee is left to defend themselves. I personally choose to confront these people (and a GOOD manager will prefer a meeting as well)...it's amazing how the story changes once they have to be in a room with you...all the sudden, the real truth comes out and they are sitting their gap mouthed about how they exaggerated the events. I'm not saying that everyone files a complaint is lying, but there are always a handful in every unit who has miserable home life and they like to spend theirs making other people miserable...even if they have to make up something in the process.

Therefore...part of reading the emails is a learning tool....never put anything in writing unless you want it on a billboard.

Now...to answer your question:

Let it go. You are close to graduation, let it go and I'll tell you why. Schools are desperate for nursing instructors and they will hire anyone with an MSN. I'm not saying that everyone that teaches is not fit to teach (in fact the majority I am sure, are very good)...however, I have noticed over the years that colleges and universities don't seem very quick to investigate or do anything about incompetent instructors. Once you get the job, the only way you'll lose it is by sleeping with the students or committing a crime...that is how hard it is to get rid of a bad instructor.

They are telling you that your concerns have fallen on deaf ears. A complaint isn't going to get you anywhere and as a new nurse graduate YOU NEED THE RECOMMENDATION of the instructors to land your first nursing job. That is why you don't want to send the Dean or the President an e-mail on graduation day...it will come back to bite you.

It's sad to say that complaining won't make any difference, because frankly, the college doesn't give a rat's behind. THAT is why they get away with it.

Just move on...

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I don't have any advice that hasn't been given already but I have to say I am concerned about the amount of bullying posts cropping up. When the heck are people expected to be adults? 30?

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Specializes in Educator.

I agree with everyone - at this point you have to go into CYA mode. Graduate and move on . I left nursing school 27 years ago and it looks like things haven't changed much. I promised myself then I would do my best to support the next generation of nurses .

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Basically a lot of unprofessional behavior has been going on since day one of our program. Severe bullying and threatening other students as well as unprofessionalism in the clinical environment has taken place repeatedly. There have been multiple complaints filed and somehow these students always end up getting rewarded rather than punished for their behavior. There are a few people who have stood up for what we believe to be right and have followed the correct steps to report this behavior but nothing ever gets done....

I just don't know what to do at this point. I feel like our instructors have betrayed our trust and violated our privacy. I am not big on conflict and do my best to avoid it, but some of the things that have gone on needed to be reported. I have just been so very upset by all of this and like I said I simply don't know what to do. Did I do the wrong thing by speaking up and what should I do now?

Do you go to my school?! Seriously! I'm only about halfway through, though. I'm glad you made it through to graduation! I will, too!

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Ok - NOT giving legal advice. But. There is such a thing as student privacy. Not sure your emails can BE shared with others. Something to think about.

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Wow! We don't seem to have that problem in the program I am in. Sounds like I'm lucky!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Based on what you shared with us here, it sounds like your instructors did betray your trust and violate your privacy. I've been lucky too in that all my instructors have had a solid ethical foundation and conveyed the importance of that to us.

If you are about to graduate I'd say to give yourself major kudos for surviving an environment like that in order to achieve the goals you have set for your life. I don't really see what can be gained by pursuing it beyond what you've already done at this point though.

You need to put your valuable time and energy into the best future you can create for yourself now as a graduate nurse.

Best wishes to you!

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