Clinical Instructors; Drill Sergeants

Published

What the heck is the deal with the clinical instructors? I am paying to go to school, at 53 (mentally and emotionally hard enough) I am on my 3rd term, spend two days a week in clinicals, with this instructor that speaks poor english(so if I ask her to repeat what she just said she takes it as I don't understand..it's me not you kind of attitude) for starters, talks down to you like she is a hatefull drill sergeant..I am all A's in theory but when I get to my clinical I turn into this blithering idiot! She makes me second guess myself all the time, I am the oldest (of course) in the class and she is constantly comparing me to my 19 & 20 yr old classmates. I guess to make me feel even more insecure..I feel like I can't do anything right in her book...I honest to God want to just quit! Is this her plan?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DON'T QUIT!!!!!!! YOU HAVE COME TO FAR TO QUIT NOW!!

This may be her unconventional way of trying to "weed out the weak". Don't give her what she wants!! **** her off even more my succeeding in becoming a GREAT NURSE! Take what she has to teach you and move on BUT PLEASE DON'T QUIT! You owe this to yourself!!!!

What the heck is the deal with the clinical instructors? I am paying to go to school, at 53 (mentally and emotionally hard enough) I am on my 3rd term, spend two days a week in clinicals, with this instructor that speaks poor english(so if I ask her to repeat what she just said she takes it as I don't understand..it's me not you kind of attitude) for starters, talks down to you like she is a hatefull drill sergeant..I am all A's in theory but when I get to my clinical I turn into this blithering idiot! She makes me second guess myself all the time, I am the oldest (of course) in the class and she is constantly comparing me to my 19 & 20 yr old classmates. I guess to make me feel even more insecure..I feel like I can't do anything right in her book...I honest to God want to just quit! Is this her plan?
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am interested in reading advice on this question. I will start my 3rd semester in August. I have heard the 3rd semester is the most difficult semester and I have also heard rumors that the most intense instructor will be assigned to my clinical site.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Seriously, it could be her plan or she just might not be a very good teacher. My instructors are tough yet willing to explain things again and again if needed. I have NEVER heard them compare two students. Hang in there and do your best in a bad situation!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh yeah, I left the best part out....she is my instructor for next term as well!

:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hang in there!! Any chance you could speak wiith her privately?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I too have experienced the wrath of a clinical instructor. Never did get them figured out, but back to you: I wholeheartedly agree with the first comment; don't let someone who may have any number of reasons to act they way they do affect YOUR plans, and YOUR life! Easy for me to say, but try and tune her out, let her words just roll off of you like a rainy downpour. I take things too much to heart: I'm still crying over getting laid off from a waitressing job four months ago! But this is nursing school, we're tough, and there are thousands who can relate to your pain right now. We're all in this together! We're the class who are going to break the "nurses eat their young" trend! Hang in there:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Tried once..didn't go so well..apparently "she is who she is, deal with it."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks..No I am not going to give up..I spend my Thurs & Fridays crying after clinicals...pick myself up and get ready for another week!

I just don't get the attitude though...I mean, really, WHY??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know how tough this is. I am 46, in my 5th month of an LPN program. Don't quit! I have been pretty lucky, I have good instructors, I do know some who are intimidating, why? I have no idea. Being condescending, or speaking in a rude or curt tone certainly doesn't help or make me want to learn. I have been in the work force for 30 plus yrs, I am a professional there, and I expect anyone in a job, or profession to be the same way. Lets just say for fun, that I work in a bank, and a person doesnt know how to fill out a deposit slip, Am I going to yell at them, intimidate them, or teach them how to do it, with a smile on my face? you got it, I am going to smile, and show them how to do it, do you know why? because I am getting paid to do my job, and I don't recall that scaring, or making people feel inferior being a part of my job description. If I did that, I would surely lose that customer to a bank that cared, and treated their customers with respect. I feel the same way about clinicals, I expect to be treated for the student I am, and I give my instructors the same professional respect. I will not tolerate disrepect from a CI, I don't give it, and I have no reason to receive it. If you fill this strongly, I would sit down with her, and tell her that this experience is making it difficult for you to learn. Some instructors do enjoy being this "tough type", but some may not realize they are doing it because they have been teaching this way for so long. studies have shown student perform much better when they are not fearful of the CI, and of course this makes sense. You are an adult, who needs have a talk with this CI, for the benefit of the both of you. By the way, I never liked the theory that this toughness "weeds" people out. It doesn't, scare tactics are for the insecure, people who don't like themselves, their job, or both. Hang in there, dont let anyone scare you away, people try to do that every day in the workforce, so it's something you just have to address, with professionalism, and couteousy. Good luck, and let us know what hapened.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in none.
What the heck is the deal with the clinical instructors? I am paying to go to school, at 53 (mentally and emotionally hard enough) I am on my 3rd term, spend two days a week in clinicals, with this instructor that speaks poor english(so if I ask her to repeat what she just said she takes it as I don't understand..it's me not you kind of attitude) for starters, talks down to you like she is a hatefull drill sergeant..I am all A's in theory but when I get to my clinical I turn into this blithering idiot! She makes me second guess myself all the time, I am the oldest (of course) in the class and she is constantly comparing me to my 19 & 20 yr old classmates. I guess to make me feel even more insecure..I feel like I can't do anything right in her book...I honest to God want to just quit! Is this her plan?

She is getting you ready for the outside world...away from the comfort of the classroom. Too many students today, and you can read them on this board, think they are being pick on. She wants you sharp because you will have a lot of peoples lives in you hands. She comes from a different country. Maybe that is the way that she was taught. Of course she will talk down to you. She is the teacher and you are not. You don't learn from the easy teachers You learn from the hard ones. But if you have real trouble from the teacher sit down and have a talk with her. No talk go to her supervisor and say "No Talk...No money" You have that right.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No teacher has the right to talk down to anyone. they are there to teach, we are there to learn. They are getting paid, and we are paying for it. Hard teachers can be hard without talking down to students. I appreciate that instructors can teach in different ways, but none of them should be talking down to anyone, its not a good learning environment. Being a difficult instructor doesnt equal being rude and unprofessional, nor should students treat the instructors with disrespect. It's mutual respect and professionalism on both parts, as it should be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion