Can you sue your instructor?

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2008

I find this thread very fascinating. I know it is old (It came up on the bottom of my page as a related thread), and I'd be very curious to know what has transpired since the OP's original post.

What I'd love to know is this: can I sue a student for practicing unsafe under my license!! I mean, if a student went and did something while I was not supervising them (because I cannot be with all of my students at the same time :bugeyes: ), and they give a med or perform a procedure incorrectly, can i sue them. Just wondering...

MySimplePlan · Feb 16, 2008

I find this thread very fascinating. I know it is old (It came up on the bottom of my page as a related thread), and I'd be very curious to know what has transpired since the OP's original post.
What I'd love to know is this: can I sue a student for practicing unsafe under my license!! I mean, if a student went and did something while I was not supervising them (because I cannot be with all of my students at the same time ), and they give a med or perform a procedure incorrectly, can i sue them. Just wondering...

It appears as though you're the kind of educator most are griping about. When mocking your students becomes what you convey about your job, it's time to find a new job. Please do the nursing students who are truly trying to learn nursing a favor and leave clinical teaching. Thanks.

helloworld · Feb 16, 2008

It appears as though you're the kind of educator most are griping about. When mocking your students becomes what you convey about your job, it's time to find a new job. Please do the nursing students who are truly trying to learn nursing a favor and leave clinical teaching. Thanks.

Whoa! I haven't read this whole thread, just the last few posts, but I don't think nurse educate said anything to warrant that kind of a response. I don't think there was any mention of mocking students? I think it was a legitimate question with a pinch of humor, so your response may have been a tad harsh in my opinion.

And no, I'm not an instructor. I just graduated from one of the toughest programs (I hear) in my area and I did see instructors get into trouble for things student did on their watch, so I fully appreciate the legitimacy of the question. We all work hard for our licenses, and for the safety of any patients we're responsible for, whether directly or indirectly.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 16, 2008

It appears as though you're the kind of educator most are griping about. When mocking your students becomes what you convey about your job, it's time to find a new job. Please do the nursing students who are truly trying to learn nursing a favor and leave clinical teaching. Thanks.

I think that remark was out of line. Nurse Educate did not deserve that personal attack. She asked a legitimate question with a little humor.

For all you know, she could be a terrific teacher. Instructors are people too, you know and need to be able to speak freely here just as students speak about being unhappy with their instructors.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2008

The pendulum often swings too far- both ways.

A student in my program was forcibly shoved against a wall by an instructor. The instructor was all red in the face screaming at the student in front of the whole clinical group. Nothing was done about it. The student was pretty intimidated, and did not fully persue it.

This same instructor shook her fist in another student's face. She did not like what the student was saying in a class presentation. She ran up to her (face all red again) and shook her fist in her face. Her teeth were clenched and her expression was just wild.

Nothing was done.

In this same class, several students flunked out because they did not make passing grades on our written exams.

They went as a group and whined, and were let back in the program. All of their failing grades were changed to passing grades.

morte, LPN, LVN · Feb 17, 2008

It appears as though you're the kind of educator most are griping about. When mocking your students becomes what you convey about your job, it's time to find a new job. Please do the nursing students who are truly trying to learn nursing a favor and leave clinical teaching. Thanks.

frankly, i agree with you.....and you were even polite about it!

i felt the mocking tone of her/his post was very obvious, and their comment facetious.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 17, 2008

it appears as though you're the kind of educator most are griping about. when mocking your students becomes what you convey about your job, it's time to find a new job. please do the nursing students who are truly trying to learn nursing a favor and leave clinical teaching. thanks.

sweetie, i have no reason to defend my stance as an educator here. you know nothing about me and how i teach. i love my job and take it very seriously. it was a legitimate question.... or maybe, as legimitmate as the question of suing your instructor for pain and suffering and lost wages. i can't imagine that most students could put themselves in the shoes of the instructor: being responsible for ten students and however many patients each student has. and speaking from experience, my 'hypothetical question' has happened to me, in only two short years of teaching. three times i have had students give meds without me, without going over the orders, showing me the meds or the mar. and why? maybe because they were nervous, got caught up in the moment (the nurse asked them if they'd like to do it), or maybe it is because some students do not listen, and do things they are not supposed to.:angryfire. that is not my fault as an educator. my students are grown adults and are told what they can and cannot do in my presence. and the overwhelming majority of my students do perform well in clinical. there is nothing more rewarding then seeing the light bulb go on when a student 'gets it'. on the flipside, there is nothing more distressing than hearing students say that the instructors are out to get them. i'm sure there are some who do, but if you read this board long enough, it seems that all instructors act that way.

and as far as my tone, it was sarcasm. lighten up. and as far as the tone of the thousands of students who bash their clinical instructors here (saying that they must have mental problems, are control freaks, and should retire or change professions)....that's okay??? so no, i think i'll pass on your advice to leave my job... i love it way too much

and to those who defended me.... thank you!! i really do appreciate that not everyone agrees with this person :bow:

MySimplePlan · Feb 17, 2008

sweeite, i have no reason to defend my stance as an educator here. you know nothing about me and how i teach. it was a legitimate question. and speaking from experience, it has happened to me, in only two short years of teaching. and why? because some students do not listen, and do things they are not supposed to.:angryfire. that is not my fault as an educator. my studetns are grown adults and are told what they can and cannot do in my presence.
and as far as my tone, it was sarcasm. lighten up. and as far as the tone of the thousands of students who bash their clinical instructors here (saying that they must have mental problems and should retire or change professions)....that's okay???
why, it's sarcasm! lighten up!
i do speak from experience, and i have seen the wild-eyed sarcastic instructors in action. we all have. they need to leave the teaching arena. that you are only there two years makes me say

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 17, 2008

Of course, you missed the point about the students who have put MY license in jeopardy in that time. Reread my reply, as I have added to it, and see if you can't see it from another perspective. All you can see is the mean instructor who is out to fail her students. I have been told by so many of my students that I am one of the nicest, non-threatening instructors they have ever had. (sometimes I think I am too nice and not-threatening enough, to be honest). But with that, I just happen to have a sarcastic personality and a sense of humor. And guess what? That helps me to be that nice, non-threatening instructor that all of my students feel comfortable with.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 17, 2008

Thread closed for staff review.