I'm in my psych rotation right now and there is a male classmate that is making me (female) feel increasingly uncomfortable. I had been getting strange vibes from him ever since 1st semester, but had nothing concrete to back up my vibes till yesterday.
We were in a meeting with the activities director for the facility we are at to discuss what to expect when going out in the community with the clients. The activities director mentioned there are some clients who like to strip their clothes off and run around naked. Upon hearing this, my classmate (male) pointed to me and said in a monotone voice, "yeah, she likes to do that too." I didn't find this funny and thought what he said was bizarre since I have barely interacted with this person. I felt very uncomfortable the rest of the day having to be around him, but really didn't start to think about how strange it was till the activities director came up to me and another student (female) and said something seems "off" with my classmate (male) because of some of the things he's overheard him say throughout the day including what he said in the meeting that morning.
What do you think of this? Do you think I should tell an instructor about it? I'm thinking I might want to for future clinicals because I feel like if I get stuck in a clinical group with him again, it's going to have a negative affect on me.
There is a time and a place for everything, including mild flirting. This was not the time or the place. The OP's post expressed enough discomfort to indicate to me that she felt the matter is serious. And the Activities Director's behavior only reinforces that perception. Those who have been victims of varying levels of harassment are more sensitive to such acts. Sometimes a thick skin can be a disadvantage and lead to letting down one's guard at the wrong time.
The activities director at the facility took note of the wierd comment, AND stated that this student seemed "off" because of other things that had been overheard.
The OP has felt a strange vibe from this guy since the beginning of the semester. Now others are noticing the same thing. He's going to be dealing with a sensitive and possible labile population. He has the potential to cause problems for the other students, the clinical instructor, the school, the patients, the staff, and the facility. At the very least, the CI needs a heads up so she can 'splain reality to the guy before he does anything more.
Given the fact that a staff member is raising a question and considering the precarious milieu, the student needs to be reigned in. He doesn't have to be stalking the OP for her concerns to be valid.
The activities director at the facility took note of the wierd comment, AND stated that this student seemed "off" because of other things that had been overheard.
The OP has felt a strange vibe from this guy since the beginning of the semester. Now others are noticing the same thing. He's going to be dealing with a sensitive and possible labile population. He has the potential to cause problems for the other students, the clinical instructor, the school, the patients, the staff, and the facility. At the very least, the CI needs a heads up so she can 'splain reality to the guy before he does anything more.
Given the fact that a staff member is raising a question and considering the precarious milieu, the student needs to be reigned in. He doesn't have to be stalking the OP for her concerns to be valid.
Although I do not remember any allegations of sexual harassment, my clinical group had a "weird" character too. When he was dismissed from nursing school he went ballistic and made threats. One never knows when somebody will become an actual menace. The school has an obligation to protect its students as well as the patients in clinical settings. This person needs to be talked to. If his behavior doesn't get checked, perhaps he is in the wrong professional education track. I've been around the block myself, yet I don't want to be subject to this person's behavior on the job or in the parking lot.
Yes, it's much better for this "direction" to come from the instructor. She can say that the activities director commented on his inappropriate comments/behavior, and leave the OP's name out of things except to note that his comment seemed to be meant for her.
He needs to be informed that school and the clinical site require mature behavior and that nothing less will be tolerated. Sometimes, just knowing that they are now on the radar is enough of a jolt to get the mild-to-moderately maladjusted back on track.
There is a time and a place for everything, including mild flirting. This was not the time or the place. The OP's post expressed enough discomfort to indicate to me that she felt the matter is serious. And the Activities Director's behavior only reinforces that perception. Those who have been victims of varying levels of harassment are more sensitive to such acts. Sometimes a thick skin can be a disadvantage and lead to letting down one's guard at the wrong time.
This is true. I am sensitive to stuff like this due to past events and I don't really want to have to deal with something like this any further when school is hard enough as it is.
"wah. the classmate i dont like talked to me once. wah."
off with his head!
but seriously, in effect that is what's happening...
If the Activity Director had not pulled me (and the other student who was at the meeting) aside and mentioned my classmate's behavior, I probably wouldn't have thought to say something to someone. He said he had overheard him making odd comments throughout the day and felt he was "hiding" something among other things.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I'm glad you went forward with your concerns, aqua. It didn't sound to me like you were whining at all and had no beef whatsoever with him prior to the strange behavior verified now by others. A careful reading of your first post makes that pretty clear. Best wishes as you continue your studies! :)
I'm glad you went forward with your concerns, aqua. It didn't sound to me like you were whining at all and had no beef whatsoever with him prior to the strange behavior verified now by others. A careful reading of your first post makes that pretty clear. Best wishes as you continue your studies! :)
cheezwhiz
47 Posts
reporting something in writing based off of one whole incident seems a little quick