Clinical educator has made me depressed.

Angeljho, MSN, NP · Mar 26, 2015

when my clinical educator comes she puts me down, and says I lack confidence, and adds things such as: everyone else in your class is performing at a much higher level. -fair enough but why tell me this?

Um, because it's the truth? Keep in mind that your clinical instructor is there to evaluate your progress. It is clear you lack confidence; you are depressed because your clinical instructor did her job? If you can't handle constructive criticism, then you will be eaten alive in this profession. I understand that you're sensitive and that you want to be told what you want to hear, but that is not what makes a good nurse. You need to take your instructor's criticism for what it is and improve.

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Mar 26, 2015

Performing for your clinical instructor is sometimes difficult, I know I had one clinical instructor that really rattled my cage. I have to say though that the only thing she did that I would question would be comparing you to the others in the class. It might have been more appropriate for her to state that your performance was less than satisfactory or that you did not meet the criteria for your place in the program. Either way you need to find out why she thinks this and do what you can to bring yourself up to the level.

The comment about "were paying for this education" is just an argumentative statement. Yes you do pay for your education, but they are not here to hold your hand. They are there to give you experiences and teach you to be a nurse, it is your job to take this information and apply it to your nursing career. Could she be nicer? Probably, but not everyone you will work with is nice either. If I was you I would talk with her and ask here what you can do to improve and engage her in your education. Do not become defensive.

You state that you do not know everything, so brush up on clinical assessments before clinicals. Do not just muddle through without knowing. Make the effort to succeed and it will pay off. I promise.

pixiestudent2 · Mar 26, 2015

You need to ask her what she recommends you do to improve. Being depressed about it changes nothing. Because if she fails you for Clinicals... You still have to pay.

Lina1 · Mar 26, 2015

Thank you for your time and your reply.

pixiestudent2 · Mar 27, 2015

I went through a similar situation, and I'm doing much better now...

Really work with her to ensure you pass and get up to speed..

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Mar 28, 2015

Here is my 2 cents. I was in a BSN program 10 years ago. Professor stated that I did not have confidence and would never make it as a nurse. I was failed out of med/surge and I had no friends in my nursing cohort. Most of them were younger and already knew each other.

Fast forward to 2015. Today I am a practicing NP in a large metropolitan city. I am well respected by my peers. Patients love me. I telling you to keep moving forward.

buttercup99 · Mar 28, 2015

Just a note: your clinical educator has not made you depressed. Nobody can make you feel a certain way and it is unfair to place the responsibility for your feelings on an external party.

I understand you're frustrated, though and that's probably just coming out in how you're expressing yourself.

I understand low confidence and being sensitive to criticism. In my 3rd year I had a particularly hard instructor and I made it one of my personal projects to not react defensively to her critiques. I didn't mean to be defensive but low confidence plays into it.

At this point, you need to prioritize what needs to be learnt. Obviously you can't go back and learn every detail but if you work out the important things that you've missed and do some private study, maybe you can boost your feelings of preparedness. One thing I always did was carried a notebook where I wrote every word, medication or concept that I wanted to look further into. Then I would Google these or look them up in a textbook at home. To this day I still do that because I'm a curious person. :cat:

One way or another your way out of this situation is going to be to take on the responsibility for your learning and your feelings, do whatever it takes to be prepared for your clinicals, and then keep your confidence while taking into account any critiques. It's hard to do but try to really listen to your instructor's critiques without discounting it, and then work on those areas. :)

Edit: Also, everyone feels incompetent in nursing school! When you're nearing the end, pretty much everyone goes through the shock of "how the heck am I ever going to be ready to be a proper nurse!!!" It is normal to feel like an "incompetent idiot" but you wouldn't still be there if you were.

pixiestudent2 · Mar 28, 2015

Here is my 2 cents. I was in a BSN program 10 years ago. Professor stated that I did not have confidence and would never make it as a nurse. I was failed out of med/surge and I had no friends in my nursing cohort. Most of them were younger and already knew each other.
Fast forward to 2015. Today I am a practicing NP in a large metropolitan city. I am well respected by my peers. Patients love me. I telling you to keep moving forward.

This is really awesome to hear! It seems like a lot of people who fail clinical don't go back.

Emergent, RN · Mar 28, 2015

It sounds like you suffer from performance anxiety. I get it if I'm doing something new while being watched. I remember very well my least favorite instructor evoking that in me, just as you describe. She would criticize little things, like forgetting to bring the trash can over by the bed for dressing changes, as if I were a total idiot. Yet, she herself hadn't worked in the clinical setting for years. I couldn't stand that woman!

Don't worry. just make it through your program and you will eventually master skills and function just fine.

mariebailey, MSN, RN · Mar 28, 2015

everyone else in your class is performing at a much higher level

This is not what I would consider to be "constructive criticism". Telling you something like that only serves to kill off what little confidence you do have. I understand why you're upset. Maybe you can solicit feedback that actually helps you improve by approaching her. Don't give up; just do what you can to make it through this clinical successfully. Good luck.

Cruz.Cookie, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2015

I went through the same thing in med surg 2. I would strongly consider purchasing Saunders Nclex comprehension book ...this book will help detail the patho of an patients condition and include nursing care and interventions as well. I believe this will help with "knowing everything". As far as medications I would consider purchasing a nursing app you can use in clinical to help you out. My school --we use this app called Nursing Central. It has all the medications on it including nursing interventions, labs, side effects, and many more! Discuss with your preceptor first though.

The thing I hate about clinical is that you are virtually at the mercy of your clinical instructor at the end of the day. Yes, it is highly subjective but you have to make the most of it. Listen to what she has to say..discuss with her where your fallacies lie so she actually sees that you are taking her advice and trying to improve. Don't sit there being depressed !! Take action!! Open an effective line of communication and do what you need to do to get up to speed.

Also, I would suggest practicing your skills every day so you don't have that performance anxiety syndrome. I used to have it. Please take actIon and don't be like me -- a girl who is waiting for a decision on an reinstatement into a BSN program who just might not get in. Do it before its too late :). Good Luck!!