Are "real" nurses as mean as my future instructors?

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Obviously the title is meant to have a little humor to it, but after today I'm questioning that. I had orientation for a Community College RN program and the instructors were VERY unprofessional. It was 2 1/2 hours of them huffing and puffing like 6 year olds toward us, and basically acting like we were below them. I posted a more detailed explanation of todays events in the "student" section, but I'm just wondering if this type of attitude is something I can expect more of in my new career? I come from a field where from the get-go everyone treats each other as a professional and there is a lot of support and encouragement, and after today I'm hoping I don't have to prepare for the exact opposite of that. Give me some hope people! lol

Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
Interesting point -Eriksoln- what is the mid point between passive and assertive? Alot of the dymanics that go on in nursing, refuse and sabotage that assertive place. If you are assertive- your words/sentances are twisted to the NM and coworkers, and endings up in a he said/she said situation. This creates the intimidation factor. This is vicious spirited and it is well thought out. It destroys the cooperation, teamwork and collaborating that is SUPPOSED to be going on. This is not a miscommunication issue. Those are easy. It's the 'why' this is done that needs to be gotton rid of. That is a personality flaw- that should not be allowed in nursing- there is no no place for it, given the high stakes. There seems to be "a mob mentality" in most nursing cultures. This eating of their young was very alive and well in ICU's many years ago- I went to our nursing educator about what was happening in the ICU I was just new to, she told me of her experience with this wolf pack and how after 6 months of tolerating this one night the gang leaders went to the OR and stole a pair of scrubs and gave them to her as a token of her being ALLOWED into the fold! This doesn't say professionalism, this say hooker, street gang mentality. My opinnion was and still is -they could take those scrubs and stick them- needless to say, I refused to stay. My thoughts are in the direction of- nursing spends alot of focus on ignoring the boundaries of patients- we have to to take admission histories and to do physical assessments( we have to look under the bedsheets of our patients) but that is where it is supposed to end. We are not allowed to crawl up the posterior end of the GI tract of our co-workers. Nursing has no 'boundaries' WE have forgotten good manners (which reflect our family's upbringing) we have forgotten that physical boundary limit 1-3 feet (which we are so proud we know in relation to the diverse cultures of our patients) We exhibit behavior to each other that street people would be ashamed of- I have gotton "Thank-you's" from homless alcoholics and cat clawing from my co workers- go figure!! Disgusting behavior.

Actually, assertiveness by my definition tends to debug the "he/she said" culture.

First rule of being an assertive nurse and dealing with nurses who.........sabotage us: Don't get caught up in the backstabbing. Approach them, and them alone.

This deflates the moral of a great many of their type. These people are looking to pick a fight, but not one that takes place in front of them so to speak. They want to fight through gossip and write ups. They don't like to meet the enemy face to face. If they have to, they'll pick a different war with someone else.

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Dakovich- if youare at an airline job why are you on a nursing forum?

I was furloughed in January along with 330 other pilots at my company. I've been on unemployment and attending school to finish my prereqs since. Previous to this I was heavily contemplating making the career change, around that same time we were notified of the furlough. So I stuck it out until my furlough date, registered at the local CC for my nursing prereqs, and the day after my furlough I started back to school.

In short, being a pilot isn't what you think it is. Those days are LONG gone. I never did it for the money, but the money didn't even cover basic expenses such as the school loans to get to that point. For reference, my first year flying a plane painted with a major airline logo on the side with 50 "Joe Publics" in the back brought me $14,990 in pay. The volitility within the business, and the time away from family really brought that dream to a close. I wasn't willing to trade family time/security for what ultimately turns out to be just another job.

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Specializes in RN Education, OB, ED, Administration.

Dakovich:

As a RN and Nursing Educator, I'd actually like to encourage you to continue to challenge the status quo, much as you have in this post. It is absolutely acceptable to expect to be treated professionally by all those you encounter in your nursing education and in the field once you graduate. I am saddened that you had such a disappointing experience during your orientation. I am well aware of the fact that this happens in schools and hospitals across the U.S. I have some thoughts if I may share them with you and my nursing colleagues. First, attitudes are contagious and as such, I'd like you to consider the importance of not adopting these eye-rolling negative ways of relating to others. It is woefully unfortunate that we are modeling such behavioral to our neophytes before they even cut their first tooth. You are the future of nursing! I have a challenge to issue to you and all would-be nurses and that is-- Be the Change we so desperately need in our profession. YOU adopt and model the attitudes of kindness, fairness, and respect.

However inappropriate the attitudes, I am of the opinion that we have come by them honestly. Nursing has endured centuries of disenfranchisement, that is, years of not being invited to the healthcare decision-making table. If you take a look at the social repercussions of the disenfranschisement of other groups such as African Americans and women, for example, you might note similar patterns throughout history. It wasn't until a great number of folks got together (a critical mass) and demanded a change, that real evolution occurred. YOU, the future of nursing are a distinctive part of that critical mass. I'm so excited that you are able to recognize the importance of professionalism. Never settle for anything less than the very best for yourself and your patients.

And, you just let me know if I can personally do anything to support you. Just because we have always done things a certain way, doesn't mean that we should.

Be the Change,

Tabitha

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To Dakovich- Good luck in your nursing. Fasten your seatbelt, nursing is a bumpy ride. Alot like flying- only when we get thrown out the door/pasture by administration we don't get a parachut, alot like football (pay is alot worse and can still get tackled by some big psychotic oaf)- after so many years, management wants the newer rookies, and like modeling- management likes the million dollar teeth smiles, bouncy curls, peppyness and naiveness- once you catch on to their crap- life in the "big hospital" changes.

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I'm going to be professional, I don't know how not to be. I also think that with all the "career changers" with similar mindsets, in terms of professionalism, might just enact the change you speak about Tabitha.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.
I'm going to be professional, I don't know how not to be. I also think that with all the "career changers" with similar mindsets, in terms of professionalism, might just enact the change you speak about Tabitha.

I hope you are successful in your endeavor, because as I stated in my first post to this, many come to the table wanting to do just whatever, without learning the cause and effects of such actions. I have had many students who just want to give meds without looking them up and then rolling their eyes at me because they don't have a clue what they're giving, or what interactions/reactions to look for, or why they are even giving it--and I've had the audacity to ask them about the meds being given. Some don't look at cues from the patient--changes in mental status, vital signs, or lab values--and can't understand why they aren't taken seriously. You will see the students I'm talking about in some of your classes, then you will understand what I meant when I said that the respect isn't as freely given as I'd love to give it. It's unfortunate, but for the safety of everyone involved, I can't let my students just do as they please. Someone's life depends on it. Good luck in school.

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Nursing is a very serious profession, and making mistakes in nursing are for keeps.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Dakovich;4019515 In short, being a pilot isn't what you think it is. Those days are LONG gone. I never did it for the money, but the money didn't even cover basic expenses such as the school loans to get to that point. For reference, my first year flying a plane painted with a major airline logo on the side with 50 "Joe Publics" in the back brought me $14,990 in pay. The volitility within the business, and the time away from family really brought that dream to a close. I wasn't willing to trade family time/security for what ultimately turns out to be just another job.

Wow! Didn't realize it was that bad!! Hope it doesn't discourage the future "Sully"s of the world. One thing you've already got down pat I am sure. The feeling of literally having people's lives in your hands. (Sorry I veered somewhat off-topic.)

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Specializes in ER.
I hope you are successful in your endeavor, because as I stated in my first post to this, many come to the table wanting to do just whatever, without learning the cause and effects of such actions. I have had many students who just want to give meds without looking them up and then rolling their eyes at me because they don't have a clue what they're giving, or what interactions/reactions to look for, or why they are even giving it--and I've had the audacity to ask them about the meds being given. Some don't look at cues from the patient--changes in mental status, vital signs, or lab values--and can't understand why they aren't taken seriously. You will see the students I'm talking about in some of your classes, then you will understand what I meant when I said that the respect isn't as freely given as I'd love to give it. It's unfortunate, but for the safety of everyone involved, I can't let my students just do as they please. Someone's life depends on it. Good luck in school.

Are you sure they are taking it not so seriously? Perhaps they are frustrated with themselves, you, the situation, etc. Its a lot to judge an eye roll...

Its easy to talk yourself out of what you see when you are the newbie in the room. What if no one takes me seriously? What if I am wrong about those vitals? What if I get blown off? (Totally happened to me with a de-satting 10 day old with pertusis...)

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Are you sure they are taking it not so seriously? Perhaps they are frustrated with themselves, you, the situation, etc. Its a lot to judge an eye roll...

Its easy to talk yourself out of what you see when you are the newbie in the room. What if no one takes me seriously? What if I am wrong about those vitals? What if I get blown off? (Totally happened to me with a de-satting 10 day old with pertusis...)

10 day old with pertussis yikes :o Sorry you were blown off by people who's attention you were trying to get! I think what she means is that the "eye-roll" expression is normally associated with disrespect to an authority, so a student doing that to an instructor would be perceived as "why are you bothering me with this, jeez :uhoh3: "

In your situation, it seems you felt alarmed enough to say, "HEY, would somebody please check on this baby??" I don't think too many instructors would fault you for that. Nursing school is to train your mind, your eyes and ears to things that are amiss. The worst that can happen in that situation is someone might say you over-reacted, and so what? The judgement you are forming now just might save somebody's life someday.

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Specializes in COHC.

I thought the same exact way when I was in school. Granted I had a few instructors that I actually liked, but most of the ones I had seemed like they came from another planet. I had one instructor who was not going to pass me because I had longer hair. I had another one who planned her wedding in another room somewhere and left us on our own most of the time. I think instructors should be stern since it is such an important profession, but there are ways to do this, and maintain a professional and positive attitude. It is way different once you get a job. I felt it much easier to do skills when someone was not breathing down my neck. Of course, only once I felt confident enough to do something on my own. Stick with it. I know it is tough. I almost quit nursing school like 9 times. I even had the withdrawal form in my hand. Here I am 13 years later, and I have a job right now, which is a lot to say in this terrible economy. I am so glad that I did not quit.

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MY pet peeve as a staff nurse it the text messaging at the med cart! Text messaging and cell phones at the desk. So bad our manager- older nurse- had to put up a sign in the nursing lounge- text messages and cell phones only on your breaks please, not in the patient area. I don't remember and of us 30 years ago ever giving out meds or doing patent care with the radio& ear plugs in our ears.! This is ridiculious!!

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