cliques in nursing school

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

Published

I have just completed my first semester in an LVN program and my second rotation unfortunately didn't go as well as the first. I felt like a total outcast in a small group of 5, including me. For example, all 4 of them would stick together and help each other with turning and bathing, but when I needed help, none of them wanted to help me and they would treat me as though I am invisible, as if I weren't even there.I discussed this with the teacher but she wasn't concerned the least and she wasn't a good teacher to begin with,she definitely had her favorites and I wasn't one of them. I'm not sure what the reason was for me being singled out. Maybe it was because of all of them are Asian, and I am not. I am a nice person and was more than willing to help out my fellow classmates, but when I needed them they were no where to be found. I felt as though I were an alien. Nobody deserves to be treated this way, especially when they haven't done anything wrong. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for reading.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.
I know what you mean. I'm in a class of some of the most horrid women I've ever met. There is a man in the class who is in his sixties and he is treated like a leper. I mean, they are really horrible to him. He is annoying but their behavior really is uncalled for. The instructors are almost as rude to him so there's no help from them. I can't wait to get through school in hopes that I'll never have to see any of these horrible people again.

These same women spent time one day talking about ways to torture dogs to death. I've also heard everything from numerous racial slurs to making fun of other classmates religious beliefs to ridiculing overweight people to saying anyone who is unlucky enough to contract an STI is a "nasty whore". These are the kinds of nurses I want.

It's probably best to just try to make it through and not let this stuck up group bother you. I'm sure things would be easier if they were nicer to you but they're probably not worth your time.

WOW!!! What a bunch of sociopaths!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.
I know what you mean. I'm in a class of some of the most horrid women I've ever met. ... I can't wait to get through school in hopes that I'll never have to see any of these horrible people again.

AMEN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I know what you mean. I'm in a class of some of the most horrid women I've ever met. There is a man in the class who is in his sixties and he is treated like a leper. I mean, they are really horrible to him. He is annoying but their behavior really is uncalled for. The instructors are almost as rude to him so there's no help from them. I can't wait to get through school in hopes that I'll never have to see any of these horrible people again.

These same women spent time one day talking about ways to torture dogs to death. I've also heard everything from numerous racial slurs to making fun of other classmates religious beliefs to ridiculing overweight people to saying anyone who is unlucky enough to contract an STI is a "nasty whore". These are the kinds of nurses I want.

It's probably best to just try to make it through and not let this stuck up group bother you. I'm sure things would be easier if they were nicer to you but they're probably not worth your time.

Why do people treat the man in his 60's so bad? Is one of the reasons it because of the age difference? I have heard alot of gossiping in my group, but luckily it hasn't got to the extent in which you are describing. How old are these women? I have already made it through this first semester and now im enjoying my Christmas break. Your right they are stuck up and they act like "know it alls" for example, if I'm not quite sure how to do something,then one of them will rub it in by telling me that she can do it like a pro. I think the teacher influences the students behaviors when she gets in my face right away and makes me feel small by making rude comments and the students seem to feed off of them. Well I'm glad you found the strength to make it through and if I were you I would distance myself from these maniac animal haters. Good Luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
After working in a hospital for 11 years (on 2 different units) and completing 3 semesters of nursing school, here is my advice. There will always be cliques and people that stick together. You are never going to get along with or fit in with everyone or maybe even a majority of people. The reason(s) for being shunned can be significant and obvious or a complete mystery and totally petty.

I agree with you that nobody deserves to be refused assistance as this only hurts the patient. You believe you have done nothing wrong, and therefore, you discussed the situation with your instructor. In my experience, I would have talked to the students first and asked if something was wrong. If nothing was resolved, then I might have gone to the instructor. When I have had problems at work, I would confront my co-worker with the issue. The majority of the time everything was worked out and discussed civily as adults. Most times, people don't realize you are bothered by their behavior until you say something to them. Going straight to an authority figure may not always be the best approach because it just increases the tension between you two. The only time I went to a supervisor to report a co-worker was when I received a verbal death threat.

If fellow students won't help, try to see if staff CNAs would help. They are usually really helpful and a wonderful resource.

Everywhere you work you will run into jerks. Strengthen your independence and self-reliance. I always say that I go to work/school to work/learn, not to make friends.

Good Luck :)

I'm not sure of the reason for being shunned, but I think it might have something to do with my relationship with the teacher, which wasn't very good because I found the teacher to be unapproachable and rude. I didn't feel comfortable asking her anything because she figured I should already know and I felt she didn't want to teach. She wasn't the kind who likes to demonstrate how to do something and when others would make mistakes, she wasn't as hard on them as she was on me. Some of the students liked her and I feel they were kissing up to her by pointing out my mistakes in front of her. Some other reason could be because I am more reserved than the rest of them. I have never asked them if they had a problem with me, I only asked them how they think I'm doing.

It was just a big headache and I'm glad its finished. My first rotation was great because I had the most perfect teacher I could ask for. She was hands on and always offering to help if I needed it and I felt I could talk to her and she didn't have this snotty " higher than thou" attitude, like the last one.

I guess its just personality conflicts between people.

As far as asking a CNA to help, they rarely ever help any students and they would just say the same thing that the students said, that they are busy. So I would just wash one side of the patient and if I couldn't find any help then, I would just do something else and wait for the right moment to ask someone and when I did ask they would give me a look like, why are you asking me, this is your patient.

I agree that I am in school to learn, not make friends, but it would be nice if people would give me a hand when I ask them or at least tell me they will as soon as they are finished doing what it is they are doing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Why do people treat the man in his 60's so bad? Is one of the reasons it because of the age difference? I have heard alot of gossiping in my group, but luckily it hasn't got to the extent in which you are describing. How old are these women? I have already made it through this first semester and now im enjoying my Christmas break. Your right they are stuck up and they act like "know it alls" for example, if I'm not quite sure how to do something,then one of them will rub it in by telling me that she can do it like a pro. I think the teacher influences the students behaviors when she gets in my face right away and makes me feel small by making rude comments and the students seem to feed off of them. Well I'm glad you found the strength to make it through and if I were you I would distance myself from these maniac animal haters. Good Luck to you.

I think part of the reason everyone is so rude to him is because of his age. These women are all in their 30's. I try to have as little to do with them as possible.

After I posted this, a couple days ago I walked up on 2 of them making fun of a mentally retarded man. It just gets better and better...:uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Manager.

Two words... **** them!

Do what you gotta do and stop worrying about what other people think. If it's really that bad, call them out on it, albeit in a professional manner. Or just troll them in real life... aka be OVERLY nice to them, offer to help them, be polite, kill them with kindness...

But don't kiss their asses though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ignore them. Your life is going to be full of similar situations. I am a 58 year old nursing student and I've had problems at times. Most of my classmates are young women with no real world/work experience. They just aren't mature yet. I get along with the men in the class better than the women. I just don't let it bother me.

I've had lots of jobs where I didn't fit in with certain groups, had lousy bosses, had too much work etc. That's just how life is. The sooner you accept it, the better.

Build up your self-esteem, and let the America's Next Top Model contestants play amongst themselves.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMCU.

Build up your self-esteem, and let the America's Next Top Model contestants play amongst themselves.

LMAO:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

it must be hard to deal with it but try not to let it bother you. since its such a small class ppl are prone to bound together. just keeo telling yourself its almost over. because in the work world its just the same but more chances of making friends since its a lot more ppl

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Hold your head up and do the best you can!

Sounds lame, but what you describe was my Peds rotation in LPN school in a nutshell.

I just realized one day that they are missing out on learning the importance of teamwork before they hit the floor and realize life isn't a popularity contest.

Take this lesson with you, it will help you be the person who will do well when teamwork counts and in nursing that is everyday.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Absolutely! Teamwork is one of the most important thing nursing students need to learn about.

If you are a good team player, you will be a good nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

AAAHHHH!!!! Left out of the clique.... look up in the sky at that lone star.... It shines brighter than the rest that are clustered together..... SHINE BABY....SHINE!!!!:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment