Are Nursing instructors to blame for creating nursing stereotypes?

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

Is it just me or would you be bothered by being introduced to a patient as "this is X, a nursing student- a sweet and nice girl"? (+nursing student)

My instructor tends to do this, and I wonder if it is unproffesional or perhaps it's OK because it puts the patients at ease?

Would a doctor introduce his intern as "A nice and kind boy"?

I may be sweet, and I may even be nice.... but I really prefer "this is Elisheva, a second yr nursing student".

Or am I being overly sensitive about this because i'm often judged by my looks (blonde, blue eyes)...

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I agree with the point you are making ... but I wouldn't invest a lot of energy into worrying about it. You have bigger things to focus on.

You're instructor should not use those words to introduce you, but I'd call it a minor infraction rather than a major one. Perhaps you can find a politically smart way to encourage the promulgation of a more professional nursing image. Keep your eyes and ears open, and you'll probably find some opportunities to nudge your instructor in the right direction without ruffling her feathers.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I have never even had my instructor with me when I first met a patient. LOL But I usually introduce myself.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

if my instructor happens to be in the room when im meeting my patient i take control of the situation and say hi, im so&so, & ill be your student nurse for today, and this is X my instructor.

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I understand where you're coming from in not wanting to be introduced this way, but, in the grand scheme of things, this seems really minor. I totally get that you want to portray a professional image and, while being sweet and nice may be great, it doesn't really allow the patient to form a professional view of you. Next time I met a patient for the first time, I would try to take the lead. I would walk in and say something like, "hello, my name is x, and I will be your student nurse today," before my instructor had a chance to throw nice and sweet into the description again.

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I think in some situations they can be to "blame." The only experience I have had with this was during my Post Partum rotation. My instructor introduced me as "This is MH, he is a 2nd semester nursing student at ****. He is married, has 2 kids and another on the way. He is very mature and will be helping you with all your needs today."

I know in my mind why she did it like this, but I don't think my being married and having kids should have an influence on whether or not the patient wanted me to help take care of her.

But in another instance, in another group, the instructor refuses to let male students participate in the lactation consultation rotation. She doesn't even ask the charge nurses or the patients. So, this is causing some of the students to miss out on valuable learning opportunities.

-MH

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

MH, hope I'm not opening a new can of worms here but I wonder if the instructor told the patient about your marital status as a way of conveying that you are heterosexual. :mad: Frankly, a student's marital status is not the instructor's business, not the patient's business, and besides, it shouldn't matter if you're married to a woman or to another man! What matters is competence, not marital status or sexual orientation. angry-smiley-005.gif

It's also ridiculous that male students are not allowed to participate in the lactation consultation rotation. You're right. It's denying you a learning opportunity. Moreover, it's discrimination.

Back to the OP, when I taught clinicals in long-term care, I would introduce the students to their residents. You know, I don't remember if I ever told a resident that his/her student was "sweet and nice" but I always tried to say something positive, like, "I think you'll really like him/her" or "He/she is one of my best students." If the resident had dementia, I could see myself describing the student as "sweet and nice" but as a way of reassuring the resident that this new person was okay.

If you're talking about folks who have no cognitive impairments, especially in acute care, then calling a student "sweet and nice" may be a tad condescending. However, if that's the worst thing your instructor is doing, I'd feel thankful and focus my energies elsewhere. I agree with llg. You don't want to ruffle your instructor's feathers especially over something that is pretty minor. Unless you're going to have this instructor again, I would probably let it go and just concentrate on ways you can project a self-image as someone who is competent and professional.

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Maybe the introduction of "sweet and nice" was something your instructor knew would be comforting to that particular patient.

Just a thought.

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I think in some situations they can be to "blame." The only experience I have had with this was during my Post Partum rotation. My instructor introduced me as "This is MH, he is a 2nd semester nursing student at ****. He is married, has 2 kids and another on the way. He is very mature and will be helping you with all your needs today."

I know in my mind why she did it like this, but I don't think my being married and having kids should have an influence on whether or not the patient wanted me to help take care of her.

But in another instance, in another group, the instructor refuses to let male students participate in the lactation consultation rotation. She doesn't even ask the charge nurses or the patients. So, this is causing some of the students to miss out on valuable learning opportunities.

-MH

Yes, it would be nice if introductions were kept strictly professional, but I can see why an instructor might want to pave the way for a male student in OB/Postpartum.

Your post says that you are 28 years old. Maybe your instructor's introduction was meant to convey that, "He is not just some random guy hoping to see something interesting. He is a decent young man with a wife and a family. And he understands what it's like to experience pregnancy, birth and childcare from a parent's point of view."

Nothing malicious there. Just a way of saying this person is serious about his life and safe enough for you to trust.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

IMO? The introduction should be on a professional (no boundary crossing) basis.

This is, "XYZ. She is a 2nd-year nursing student".

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^^ i agree.

some patients are put at ease by knowing information. a wife with a few children may feel more at ease with someone who also has a wife and children, it can make some types of care less awkward.

me? i am not a shy type, so male or female nurses are okay if i needed something, but some people are a bit more reserved and need reassurance.

sometimes having something in common can break the ice and foster trust. fostering trust is a big deal :)

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I think, sometimes, we need to think outside of what's "PC" to give certain patients reassurance... or work with the patient in general.

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