Bullied by Clinical Instructor

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 15, 2015

I think at this point just have as little chit chat with her or classmates as possible. If it's as bad as you make it out, the goal is to have low profile for next couple weeks. Also, don't complain about other students. Ask her if she is ready for update vs giving her one. Be early, be prepared, and be helpful.

caliotter3 · Feb 15, 2015

If your program has a retention coordinator, have you spoken to this person? Or, your advisor? You should have already let a third party administration/instructor rep know that you are not being treated the same way that other students are being treated. At this point it may be too late, but you still have to speak up for yourself or everyone is going to say that they never knew anything about your problems with this instructor.

thenightnurse456 · Feb 15, 2015

I have had this exact experience! During my entire nursing training in school I had nothing but a positive experience. Decent grades and fantastic clinical experiences. I thought I was ready to be a nurse.

Then in my final clinical I had the instructor from hell. She was much the same as yours. I told myself she was just strict, but her behaviour turned quite abusive and personal during the clinical. She did the exact same things that yours has done- she would put other students on a pedestal for tying their shoe laces, then tear me down for not knowing the square root of 3459495930;94940239239392 without using a calculator. (Not actual examples but you know where I'm coming from).

The worst was that she ruined my confidence that I had slowly built during my entire school journey.

I tried everything to make it better. I tried to talk to her about it. I tried to put my head down and just ride it out. I tried to tell myself that maybe this experience would make me stronger.

In the end I made an official complaint to the head of the program when fellow class mates and even staff on the floor commented that this instructor appeared to be really attacking me. I was offered a chance to transfer to a different clinical site but I refused. I was gonna survive this thing and.. I did.

It's hard to give advice as I'm not on your floor seeing what's really happening. But if you feel like it's becoming personal, I would suggest talking to someone at your school who can help and offer advice.

I know what your going through though, trust me. You can do this!! Good luck.

sjalv · Feb 15, 2015

The behavior you are describing is not acceptable. In hindsight, you should have reported her to the director of your program when this toxic behavior first began, especially when she cursed at you, especially in front of other students. You need to get this taken care of before she has the chance to fail you. If you try to wait it out, you may indeed end up being failed (for whatever reason), and no matter how strong your case WAS, it will be substantially weaker if you present it to the director after the fact. This is because it will look like you're just trying to retaliate for having failed.

If any of your clinical mates are willing to 'testify' so to speak, then they definitely should. It will add credibility to your complaints.

dorkiexcici · Feb 15, 2015

Few of the students from my clinical group noticed how I am being treated unfairly. Two of em came up to me and said that they feel bad for me that I have to go through this. They were witnesses and saw how our teacher brushed me off when I told her I'm ready to pass my meds and I have everything with me. That night, she looked at me and said ehhhhh okay..and walked away. She went to see other students first even though my meds were due at 9 pm. I ended up passing them to my patient one hour late.

dorkiexcici · Feb 15, 2015

I asked couple students who had her previous semesters and they told me she has a reputation for abusing her position to fail students she doesn't like and they did talk to Director and all they got was "there is nothing I can do". Even on ratemyprofessors, there is bad ratings on her about her favoring students she likes.

One shift, I didn't drink water and my lips were dry and she said "u look bad...u drink some water...with a disgusted face. I felt embarassed.

and when I told my experience at the ER about this patient passing away and he didn't have any family. She replied so how da **** do u know he doesn't have family? did he ***** say that he doesn't have family while he was dying? did he have a ****** tattoo on his chest "i don't have family?" in post conference

dorkiexcici · Feb 15, 2015

Thank you so much. I feel really hurt because i went to talk to my previous clinical instructor and all he said was I was top student and that he is sorry that I have to go through this. I cried every night this week because I'm so close to the finish line. 3 weeks left. and I'm going to be dropped. I have had all A's in my previous semesters with good evaluations from my teachers.

thenightnurse456 · Feb 15, 2015

Hang in there! You can do this!

dorkiexcici · Feb 15, 2015

I have never felt so discouraged by a teacher before. For example, she asked my classmate in the hallway about how to assess a shunt. She couldn't answer it and then she told me to say what it is. of course i knew and said you assess it by feeling the thrill and hearing the bruit. and then she rolled her eyes at me. She's easy on her "favorites" and let them do their own thing and doesn't ask them anything about patient or meds. But when she is with me, she asks me everything lil detail about every consult my patient had and every diagnostic test that are pending. i feel frustrated when i go up to her because she backs up and says..uh uh..uh..uh ok. and walks alway

i even told her about my grandma being in the ICU after she had a stroke during her CABG surgery, she ended up passing away in the ICU. and that this made me want to be a nurse. and she said..uh uh...nodded her head as if she didn't hear what i said..and then she talks to other students and her demeanor changes to caring and sweet. She encourages them. I have never had any little bit of confidence boost from her at all.

Nibbles1 · Feb 15, 2015

Omgosh! No, I wouldn't take it. Heck no! It is too late to go to the head or even the dean? Bless you bless you!! Majors hugs to you!!

I was outspoken in my clinical group. The very shy quiet girl had to roar a few times. Did I tick off an instructor? Oh yes, and got called in the "principal's office" too. Me and this instructor now are thicker than theives.

AOx1 · Feb 15, 2015

You need to document and report, with witness corroboration. For example, go back and document each instance and the date. Ex- january 12th- instructor cursed at me and said "how the **** did you know he didn't have family?" In response to my comment about caring for a dying patient during ER rotation. Jane and John witnessed this event. (Attach witness statements from any other students or nurses who are willing.)

Email these all to your private email. Keep a dated log. This should have been documented as soon as it occurred. This will serve as documentation. I would do this right now, before you attend clinicals again. Immediately speak with the head of the School of Nursing. Your handbook should list a chain of command. Follow it. If not, there may be an appeals process outlined in your school's handbook. Other possoble resources include a Dean of Students or campus ombudsman. See if you have those.

If other students are facing this or something similar, the time to act is when it first is obvious that there is a pattern, NOT near the end of the clinical rotation. Also document her threats to fail you, and YOUR ATTEMPTS to ask for written, formative assessment, i.e., what you are doing wrong and need to improve. Read your handbook carefully about grounds for clinical failure. See if those conditions have/haven't been met.