Advice to student re: clinical instructor

[fotografe]

I need advice on how my nursing class should follow up on a clinical instructor that we believe has serious issues that must be dealt with by the department.

We have created a log of incidents (over 30 so far) that have occurred over the 7 weeks of our clinical instruction. Some of these incidents involve rudeness bordering on abuse to patients, incorrect procedures, knowledge deficits and falsification of charting.

While the majority of us have deep personal feelings about this instructor, we have tried to write out our concerns as we would in a patient chart -- being as objective as possible and using quotes where we can.

To whom should we go first? To our individual advisors? To the team leader of the course or to the Department chair?

We went to the team leader and dept chair earlier in the semester with some concerns that they addressed, but they also felt that many of our complaints were just students crabbing about their teacher. We did not present a list of incidents as we plan to now.

I have had 4 previous instructors, and none of them behaved in the manner of this one. We also wondered if we were mandated reporters for the elderly patients that had to listen to her comments about their body parts as we felt some of these comments could be construed as abusive.

We don't want to look like a bunch of complainers, but we feel obligated to protect not only the future students in this program, but the patients and the reputation of the school in the community.

How would you experienced faculty want students to present this type of problem to you?

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

Wow, this is terrible. Have you contacted the local Student Nursing Asso? I would ask them to present a written complaint. I have an idea the school is strapped for instructors so does not really want to deal with the situation. And there is always some grumbling from students, but your remarks sound legitimate. Another option is to discuss it with the nursing supervisor of the area in which you are doing clinicals. Be aware. This could backfire if you are construed as a "trouble maker". You might present it this way: "I respect your opinion and would like to hear what you have to say about this situation. I need advice on how to deal with this". Do NOT make it sound punitive or personal. Just state the facts. None of that "he said, she said" stuff. If you feel a patient is being abused it is your obligation to refer that information to the Board of Nursing for your state. Just be sure you are being objective. I appreciate your interest in your patients. You will be a fine patient advocate.

[bookwormom]

Perhaps you could talk frankly with your advisor (each of you). I would be very careful not to criticise the instructor in terms that might sound like whining, however. Be very straightforward and professional. If you really feel like the problem warrants it, you could work up the ladder to the dean. You might note concerns about liability for the school and concern for accreditation.

Don't expect any faculty or officials to agree that there is a problem or even give you any specifics about the steps they will take. Students are not likely to be apprised of any action that is taken, although you may notice that the instructor has had her duties reassigned, or something like that.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Use the chain of command. Doing anything else throws a monkey-wrench into the system that might cause you additional problems. Go to the person 1 step higher than your instructor. That's probably the course coordinator.

As other people said, remain professional and don't be whiney about it.

Also, I think Bookwormom made an excellent point when she advised you not to expect much feedback about any action taken by the school. Employer-employee relations are a confidential matter and it's not considered appropriate for disciplinary action etc. to be made public.

llg

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

llg makes an excellent point. The powers-that-be at your school of nursing may already be very aware of the limitations of this instructor, but students will never be informed as such. The wheels of disciplinary action turn very slowly, as incidents must be documented, proper warnings must be given, etc. Sometimes this process can take months, even years, of careful behind-the-scenes documentation, before outward "action" is taken.