Class is getting unbearable

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Even though this is my first post, I have been a lurker for over a year and I love reading everyone's comments. So I am hoping I will get some advice.

A little info. My LPN class started last fall so I only have around 10-11 weeks to go until graduation. Our class has around 25 women and one male. We have two classroom days and two clinical days. There are three groups of around seven people in each clinical group that go to separate hospitals/nursing homes.

At first my class was fine. No issues and everyone got along for the most part. There were groups of people but, no real clique's. That is until around a month or two ago. It started with two rude women and since then, their group has included a total of 12 now and each week there is someone new that joins their group. It seems that these two women are very mean and gossipy and what happens is that each week they will talk to a person or get really chummy with them and the next day that person will not speak to you and when they do they are very nasty and short. It just seems that I will talk with someone for weeks and have good nice conversations and then 'poof' they go out to lunch with the group and I don't get a hello. At first I thought it was my imagination or I was being paranoid but, it seems it be a common occurrence. I though that maybe I brought it on myself, but I am nice to everyone and I try to help anyone that needs it. I am not a social butterfly but, either are a group of people I still speak too. Some are just very mean and some will snicker when you walk by. They clearly make it obvious that they are talking about certain people. It's just annoying and I am so sick of it. They are not young. They are a diverse group between 22-50, so it's not like a bunch of teens. It's not just me who has noticed the changes in people either. At first, it did not bother me but, now it feels sad that I once spoke to you now you are so different. I hate going to class more and more each day because of them. I know I have only 2 months to go and soon I won't see them again. I am glad that the major instigators are not in my clinical group, however; one of the women I used to speak to has stopped speaking to me so that frustrates me. I feel like I am in high school again. Are people that in need of acceptance that they really turn into a mean person because of influence? I just don't get it. Do other people have this same problem?

Long rant, I just needed some advice and a place to vent.

Thanks.

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I finished my PN program in June and just received my LPN-M-IV last week. I can definitely relate! I was the oldest (48 y.o.) student in my class of 27. Returning to the classroom full-time, I knew would be an adjustment but I never imagined the culture shock I would experience. Good grief! Most days I felt like I was in Junior High! The cliques and backstabbing grew worse with each quarter. By May, a classroom dispute turned so ugly I thought we were in for a brawl! My PN program was filled with folks I wouldn't let near a loved one - sadly, that's just the way it is. Keep your head up and realize your classmates opinion means nothing. You've come this far - hang in there, it's almost over. :yes:

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... It seems that these two women are very mean and gossipy and what happens is that each week they will talk to a person or get really chummy with them and the next day that person will not speak to you and when they do they are very nasty and short. It just seems that I will talk with someone for weeks and have good nice conversations and then 'poof' they go out to lunch with the group and I don't get a hello. At first I thought it was my imagination or I was being paranoid but, it seems it be a common occurrence. I though that maybe I brought it on myself, but I am nice to everyone and I try to help anyone that needs it. I am not a social butterfly but, either are a group of people I still speak too. Some are just very mean and some will snicker when you walk by....

This is just insane. Just the fact that you recognize this behavior elevates you above those students in my eyes. Their actions are the very definition of unprofessional.

Is it a racial thing? Age? Income bracket? Weight? Wow, when I think about it the (unreasonable) reasons women can dislike each other are plentiful!

What area of the country are you in? (just curious).

The only advice I can offer - which has never failed me - is kill 'em with kindness.

Good luck. Don't let them drag you down.

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OP, my group is a bunch of small groups, a few of them are pretty nasty. Remember that you are doing this for you, no one else matters. With 2 months left to go you are almost there, ignore it. Continue to be nice to everyone but do not place too much emphasis on being social.

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I live in the western part of NY state and they are a variety of different women.

Thanks for all your comments. I am just counting down the days.

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Pay little attention to them, the only thing that matters is your graduation and licensing. Networking can be a good thing, but you should just ignore people who are unable to act maturely. Hopefully their gossip will come to bite them in the butt with HIPAA! ;)

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Head down, do your work and ignore them.

If you do have to deal with them at all, like tom says, kil them with kindness.Greet them like you are delighted to see them.

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I don't start LPN school until the 19th, but I decided I'm not going there to make friends. I'm going there so I can become a nurse. If I make some friends along the way, then great. Deal with them as little as possible, and hang in there. Two months is not a long time.

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Even though this is my first post, I have been a lurker for over a year and I love reading everyone's comments. So I am hoping I will get some advice.

A little info. My LPN class started last fall so I only have around 10-11 weeks to go until graduation. Our class has around 25 women and one male. We have two classroom days and two clinical days. There are three groups of around seven people in each clinical group that go to separate hospitals/nursing homes.

At first my class was fine. No issues and everyone got along for the most part. There were groups of people but, no real clique's. That is until around a month or two ago. It started with two rude women and since then, their group has included a total of 12 now and each week there is someone new that joins their group. It seems that these two women are very mean and gossipy and what happens is that each week they will talk to a person or get really chummy with them and the next day that person will not speak to you and when they do they are very nasty and short. It just seems that I will talk with someone for weeks and have good nice conversations and then 'poof' they go out to lunch with the group and I don't get a hello. At first I thought it was my imagination or I was being paranoid but, it seems it be a common occurrence. I though that maybe I brought it on myself, but I am nice to everyone and I try to help anyone that needs it. I am not a social butterfly but, either are a group of people I still speak too. Some are just very mean and some will snicker when you walk by. They clearly make it obvious that they are talking about certain people. It's just annoying and I am so sick of it. They are not young. They are a diverse group between 22-50, so it's not like a bunch of teens. It's not just me who has noticed the changes in people either. At first, it did not bother me but, now it feels sad that I once spoke to you now you are so different. I hate going to class more and more each day because of them. I know I have only 2 months to go and soon I won't see them again. I am glad that the major instigators are not in my clinical group, however; one of the women I used to speak to has stopped speaking to me so that frustrates me. I feel like I am in high school again. Are people that in need of acceptance that they really turn into a mean person because of influence? I just don't get it. Do other people have this same problem?

Long rant, I just needed some advice and a place to vent.

Thanks.

People usually show their true colors toward the end. The same thing happened in my program. You worry about you. 2 months will fly before you know it.

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MBL2013,

I know how you feel, there is this lady that I work with who bullies me everyday she is in the middle to late forties but acts like a teenagers she talks behind my back has gotten other people to not talk to me and doing the exact same thing that those immature people are doing to you and guess what! All I ever did to her was try to be her friend. There is something wrong with these people in their own lives that make them want to be bullies to others. I pity her but I will not let her win. The saddest thing is the only difference between her and my high school bullies is that she is an adult and she doesn't spit on me. I used to cry everyday before I had to go to work because I knew she was going to be there. I am no longer going to let her ruin my life because this is my career and this is my life I have control over it and if these people don't like me then they don't have to be a part of my life that's plain and simple. You go on and do you. It's hard to see these people everyday and to wonder what they think about and what they are saying but STOP IT! They aren't getting you through school and they aren't going to be there for the rest of your life and they darn sure don't deserve to be your friend. So you keep your head in the game and keep going, don't let idiots ruin it for you!

Chelsey

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Yes sounds like my class lol... I talk to people but I really dont care and stick to myself most of the time. Im younger than most of the class and more mature. Do your best in school and look forward to graduation! I graduate in October too!

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I started my program last year august and my class was the same exact way. I have never ever in my life seen a group of grown women act so immature, dumb, and ignorant. I went to community college prior to the program and it is nothing like the ghetto technical school I go to. There were cliques, people were back stabbing one another, one minute friends then enemies the next, Ive even gotten into an altercation with another student, it was horrible and there were days where I hated stepping foot into my school.

I used to have friends in my class but not toi much anymore. People are so fake and sometimey. I am pretty much quiet in class and only talk to a few. I dont take any crap from anyone so no one bothers me and it doesnt bother me at all that I cut everyone off I have a lot of friends outside school. Just hold your head up, dont let anything or anyone get to you, and you will be fine. My class is a lot better now since we dropped the "cancers" in my class.

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