Class President Problems

[btjaj89]

hello,

i am a nursing student that has been elected class president for the sna.

my problem is:

too many people are making a big deal, like calling me madam president, and making comments to the fact that i am president. i suppose that it bothers me sone because i am a student just like them, my grades are only average, and i only ran because a handful of students nominated me. i am extremely honored to have been nominated and having a chance in the election- but was shocked that so many had voted me in. i think (sometimes) even the instructors wonder why....

i want to be a good president, and to continue to be involved with this aspect of nursing school, but how do i get ppl to stop making such a big deal out of it?

its almost as if i am in a fish bowl or something. for instance, i have been fighting a cold all week and i needed to go home yesterday afternoon because i could barely hold my head up, and one of the instructors said," you can't go home you are the president and have to set a good example." i understand her concern, but again i am only human...... plz help me rationalize this!

thank you in advance,

cw

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

So, you should set an "example" by infecting fellow classmates? When people make a big deal about it, just go "I may be president, but I'm still one of you. I'm a student, a worker, a friend. Just cause I have a fancy title doesn't make that matter any less." Also, if it's some petty classmates, it's just jealousy. Let them burn it out and in another few weeks, no one will care about President so and so. (they'll be to busy doing careplans and nursing care on clinical clients!)

Don't let instructors bully you into jeopardizing yourself! too many think it's a high and mighty office. It's the student nurses association for cryin out loud! take a pill and put your feet up.

just my .02 cents.

[texas_lvn]

it will pass. you did not say how long ago the election was, but you still have a while to go, and something else will come up, and they will forget about the "madam president" thing.

just give it a little time. easier said than done, but let it role off your back for now. if it is still something that is going on in 2 weeks, pull a class meeting---you are the prez after all--- and let them know you will not be known as madem prez anymore, but princess prez, or something like that. have fun with it, even if they do not mean for it to be.

and congratulations madam prez. (meant as a joke.)

[ann945n, RN]

I was class president in my LPN class and got similar comments, thought they never bothered me. Just smile and keep on walking, you know you are just a normal student like everyone else. Have fun though in your role and plan fun things for your classmates. I really enjoyed my leadership role and yes you do sort of have to set an example. But if youre sick go home! But being on time and studying hard i would say go along with the job. Try to focus on all the good you can do with your role and not let others bother you, its really a fun thing to be!

[MiaNursingStudent]

I wish I had the problem of people making a big deal about it-- in my case, people tend to ignore the fact that I am the President and they continue to make decisions without my approval, belittle me during board meetings, show up late constantly for board meetings, they refuse to volunteer for any community health projects--- I know I'm being presumptive but I honestly think that they want the title of being on the board without having to put in the work. There are some power struggles since I'm a Junior and in the previous years it's always been a senior President, and so now the Seniors on my board refuse to acknowledge me and even go so far as to roll their eyes at me during our board meetings.

The only advice I could offer is that it's often lonely in the President position, but what I've found to work is to email each board member or faculty advisor and thank them for the extra effort they put in to make the Student Nursing Association what it is and without them your SNA wouldn't be what it is (become friends with them instead of just "madam President")--- that usually gets them on your side and they actually start to show some positivity :) Just kill them with kindness

Oh yeah-- and if you're sick-- stay home!! you can't risk getting your patients sick, let alone the rest of the students and their patients.

[anonymousstudent]

I've never even heard of a NS president.

I guess just ignore it, they can probably sense that it annoys you so they keep doing it.

[llg, PhD, RN]

If YOU don't make a big deal about it, most people will eventually find something else to focus on. Maybe the "Madame President" will become semi-permanent nickname, maybe not. Either way, don't waste energy worrying about it.

[CuriousMe]

I agree with llg, the bigger a deal you make of it, the bigger a deal it will be. I'm also our school's SNA Pres. Students have made the Madame Pres comments, but all in good fun. Just smile and continue on.

However, I wouldn't let a Prof bully me in to risking my and everyone around me's health because I happened to be elected. I'd likely smile and say that going home when ill, so that I don't make others ill is being a good role model.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I'll just throw in here an opinion that'll turn into mindless rambling.

In police academy (here), if you're smart you want absolutely nothing to do with class leadership positions. They have to deal with so much childish drama that it's unreal. It's nothing akin to being a workplace supervisor either since you're not in a position to enforce policies on the student body. Reflecting on that, I swiftly turned down nominations for our nursing class leadership position. I guess I should've been flattered, but as soon as fingers began pointing at me I began reflecting on old Stewart and knew not to get involved. No offense to anyone, but I feel like a predominately female group (nursing school or nursing clubs) would be worse than the predominately male law enforcement training.

[CuriousMe]

I'll just throw in here an opinion that'll turn into mindless rambling.

In police academy (here), if you're smart you want absolutely nothing to do with class leadership positions. They have to deal with so much childish drama that it's unreal. It's nothing akin to being a workplace supervisor either since you're not in a position to enforce policies on the student body. Reflecting on that, I swiftly turned down nominations for our nursing class leadership position. I guess I should've been flattered, but as soon as fingers began pointing at me I began reflecting on old Stewart and knew not to get involved. No offense to anyone, but I feel like a predominately female group (nursing school or nursing clubs) would be worse than the predominately male law enforcement training.

Actually, I've been an officer of the SNA all three years in my program. In fact during my first year, I was the class liaison (between my class and the faculty). We've had no childishness.

We have run free health clinics for migrant workers 3-4 times a year (HTN, & diabetes screening and education, as well as tetorifice vaccinations). We've done conference calls with nursing student's in Guatemala, and shared with each other information about student leadership a few times, oh and organized an upperclassmen buddy program for sophomores in our program....as well as creating a hardship fund for scrubs, and books for new nursing students. Oh and we organize a Kaplan NCLEX class for the seniors each year. We also run simulation experiences for middle and high school students interested in nursing.

But no childishness, we're far to busy! :-)

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

great comments all....but the OP date is 2006...I certainly hope that she's moved on from that office by now!

[hurleygirli1]

Curiousme....could tell me a little more about the buddy program you set up at your school? I was trying to get something like that set up at our school as well...

Thanks!