So today I took a CPR course. I'm not in NS yet, but I decided to do it ahead of time. I've made amazing grades in all my prereq courses and every single one of my science professors has praised me as being one of their most hardworking students. I'm the first person in my family to go to college. I have a huge family, but no one works in healthcare so this is all new to me. You know, everyone starts at the bottom. I was looking forward to going to my CPR class and learning new things, but the instructor was ridiculing me the entire time. There were other students, but she only picked on me. To make things worse, everyone else in class was so knowledgable and knew exactly what they were doing. At one point she giggled and said "You're not doing it fast enough... I think you killed him... Yeah, you shouldn't be a nurse." Every 10 minutes she brought up to the class how I "killed" the mannequin. I got fed up and politely responded with "Hey, that's why I'm here... to learn how to do it correctly" she kind of backed off after that.
I know that this is to be expected in NS, especially at clinicals. I know. I will not allow anyone to get in the way of my dreams. I have thick skin. I've been talked down on when I was in high school and I proved all of those people wrong. I'm just astounded that it's happening this early on. When you tell someone they're in the wrong profession, before they've even started, is crossing the line if you ask me.
You responded to her unprofessional behaviors beautifully! Is this instructor affiliated with any group such as a hospital? I ask because most Of my BLS/ACLS classes have been taught by RNs/EMT-Ps employed by hospitals. Or was it through an individual with a CPR biz? If at all possible, I would report her...if nothing else, students' learning will be less effective. Ridicule makes it tough to pay attention!
And as others have said, you do not need to expect this from nursing school. The vast majority of clinical instructors are professional and care about the next generation of nurses.
It was through the American Heart Association. I can't find a complaint number on their site. If anyone knows a way to send a complaint to them, let me know.
It was through the American Heart Association. I can't find a complaint number on their site. If anyone knows a way to send a complaint to them, let me know.
Every instructor has a training center. The training center that sponsored your course should be able to address your complaint, so whoever your registered with (or go here: Class Connector Search Home- American Heart Association). So sorry you experienced this, that was very unprofessional and not in line with the AHA's teaching philosophy.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
When I was 17 I was told I wouldn't be a nurse and coming up to 30 years as a nurse. If it is what you really want then be determined to prove people wrong. Good luck
I'm pretty sure the first time I did chest compressions I wasn't doing them fast enough (on the mannequin). I highly doubt that most of us were extremely efficient the first time we did anything. You learn as you go!
I know that this is to be expected in NS, especially at clinicals. I know. I will not allow anyone to get in the way of my dreams. I have thick skin. I've been talked down on when I was in high school and I proved all of those people wrong. I'm just astounded that it's happening this early on. When you tell someone they're in the wrong profession, before they've even started, is crossing the line if you ask me.
I'd caution you against extrapolating from a CPR class to nursing school.
In fact, I'm curious from where you derive you certainty that "this is to be expected in NS." That was not my experience nor is it how I see students being treated in clinicals. I'm sure there are exceptions, of course, but I think that's precisely what they are... exceptions.
Be careful about adopting such a negative viewpoint before you even launch... it makes you subject to confirmation bias and your subconscious behaviors may elicit negative responses.
She should have helped you by singing "Stayin' Alive."
I prefer "Another One Bites the Dust." If I have to have an earworm in my head, I'll choose Queen over the Bee Gees any day. I'm biased, though... I lived through the disco era and was even forced to do disco dancing during high school PE class.
I prefer "Another One Bites the Dust." If I have to have an earworm in my head, I'll choose Queen over the Bee Gees any day. I'm biased, though... I lived through the disco era and was even forced to do disco dancing during high school PE class.
Laughing because I've taken BLS renewal courses outside of the hospital setting only twice, and one referenced the first song and the other one used the second.
The hospital just bored us to tears with the cheesy videos with some overdramatized actor pointing in slow motion requesting for someone else to grab the code cart.
I wouldn't even waste thinking space over such a declasse' human being. You know who you are and where you stand and what you're capable of. Unfortunately, on the journey to success you will encounter characters that are less than ideal, unhelpful, and downright rude, like this instructor. You handled it very maturely and probably better than I would have. I'd say 50% of being a nurse is stuff that's already built-in, like compassion, empathy, and kindness. If you have those and the heart to serve, then the technicalities of nursing can be learned later through schooling. I didn't come from a medical background myself, never was a CNA or anything before nursing school, so I started off learning from scratch, just like you. I turned out just fine. I commend you for staying classy.
I was told that my first year of college...now look at me. A full career in nursing and now a nurse practitioner. If it is truly what you want, you will get there.
That instructor was probably not even a nurse. Pay no mind.
My first clinical nursing instructor told me I would never become a nurse after I turned in my first care plan. *eye roll*
Yep. She was a paramedic. She kept asking these difficult questions (things that we, as students, would not know at the top of our heads) and she would look directly at me until I nodded or shook my head. She wouldn't give us the correct answer to the question until I gave her a response. Of course, I didn't know the correct answer to most of her questions so I felt humiliated. Not sure what her problem was, but I hope she fixes it soon.
misskayy
37 Posts
It was through the American Heart Association. I can't find a complaint number on their site. If anyone knows a way to send a complaint to them, let me know.