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.
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.
It's better to prepare yourself for the worst. I'd hate to be the student who thinks nursing is all lollipops and rainbows and then finds out it can be horrible at times. I've read the stories here and on reddit. I know it doesn't happen often, but when it's bad... it's bad.
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.
Thank you! You have no idea how much it means to me hearing this from someone who went through a similar path. That made my day.
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.
Since we aren't very accurate with replicating the tempo of something we hopefully haven't heard since the instructor partially sang it 2 years ago in class, I find the whole suggestion kinda crazy especially in-hospital where we have things like clocks with second hands and metronome devices, etc. It's plausible that it could be useful if you're rescuing someone out in the middle of the woods...and the Bee Gees (or Queen) just happen(s) to come to mind in the midst of your adrenaline rush. :)
That was rude and unprofessional of her to make fun of you. You handled it very well. I think you will do well going forward. Unfortunately, not everyone is nice in healthcare, especially patients and their family members! Thick skin is important.
Next time I take CPR, I plan to sing "Staying Alive" while attempting to resuscitate, check for an organ donor card, and then stab the manikin while retrieving the precious heart.
Since we aren't very accurate with replicating the tempo of something we hopefully haven't heard since the instructor partially sang it 2 years ago in class, I find the whole suggestion kinda crazy especially in-hospital where we have things like clocks with second hands and metronome devices, etc. It's plausible that it could be useful if you're rescuing someone out in the middle of the woods...and the Bee Gees (or Queen) just happen(s) to come to mind in the midst of your adrenaline rush. :)
Not crazy at all... in my case, I still listen to Queen and have the tempo down pat. I don't think I've been in a code yet where I had clear view of a clock from where I was doing compressions, particularly given the posture. We're going to be rolling out Zolls with compression monitors over the next 12 months but I haven't used on yet.
misskayy
37 Posts
It's better to prepare yourself for the worst. I'd hate to be the student who thinks nursing is all lollipops and rainbows and then finds out it can be horrible at times. I've read the stories here and on reddit. I know it doesn't happen often, but when it's bad... it's bad.