Clinical Instructors; Drill Sergeants

Merlyn · Jun 28, 2012

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.

That's how many teachers and one it's talking down to you. That's humanity. Wait to you get out and deal with Doctors.

leenie45 · Jun 29, 2012

Yep, been out there in the work force for 30 yrs, I treat people the way they treat me, I dont care if they are a doctor, lawyer, or CEO. It doesnt matter where the place of business is, you will always get people like that. You can't control them, but you can control yourself, and just move on with your day. I don't let someones bad attitude at work or school effect my day, its their issue, not mine. I just smile and keep going on about my day as usual.

nurse671 · Jun 29, 2012

You should tell her how you feel and ask her directly if she has a problem with your age?

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 29, 2012

honestly, this sounds so familiar to me in my case it was because i was the only male in my class and my nursing instructor wanted to make me the poster of those "not need to apply" having said that, in my years in nursing school i took my instructor's attitude as a challenge which made me study much harder. therefore, i was prepared whenever she ask me any questions. with that said, look at this opportunity as a lesson whenever you get to the real world and you have to deal with other medical staff. needles to say, i still recall my drill instructor whenever i find myself in any situation where i'm challenge and in need to excel. therefore, quitting is not an option, your too smart for that, either have a one on one talk with her or with her superiors if it becomes unbearable, but don't give anyone the satisfaction of trowing the towel before it's done. wishing you the very best always, as i send you a warm hug :hug:from across the miles.....aloha~

nurse671 · Jun 30, 2012

Oh yeah I forgot to add if you have the guts to tell her how you feel, choose your words wisely cause like you said she will be your instructor next semester . I had a classmate you got picked on a lot maybe cause she was the youngest and she puts make up during lecture but damn she did pretty good. She got embarrass a lot but she studied hard got all As on quizzes and exam out instructor quit picking on her and started picking on me (yes me). At one time we were doing insulin and I just snapped and asked "im sorry do you something against me? I feel like im being treated differently.." she pause for a bit and looked down then she started spilling the beans she said she believe in me and she wanted me to be a great nurse. I cried. She still continue to picked on me but at least I knew why. :)

kabfighter · Jun 30, 2012

I noticed that in my class, it was usually the (I hate to say this...) older students who complained about the clinical instructors. I suspect that they had been away from the academic system for so long that they no longer took constructive criticism well, and they may have found the instructors to be more offensive than us young'ns might have perceived. They all had to take the 'big-girl pants' off and go from large-and-in-charge mom to a student being treated as the equal of twenty-somethings.

Personally, I gave the instructor who terrified people a hard time and we came to have a very witty relationship. A classmate of mine was almost in tears because of this instructor's criticism, so I told her to stop picking on my classmate. Later in the day she apologized, although I don't know if it was because of me or not. I think I may have just made her aware of how hurt my classmate was.

Nursing requires a pretty thick hide. I've been in the military so I've had worse, although my training instructor at BMT was friendlier than some of your instructors are made out to be.

"...she is constantly comparing me to my 19 & 20 yr old classmates..."

Remember, these classmates are your equals, and you will be competing with them for scholarships and jobs. There is no free lunch for being non-traditional, having kids, or what have you.

I'm not trying to be unsympathetic, just real. I wish you the best of luck, and you will be fine. It takes a lot to boot someone from a program from clinical failure in many cases, so just keep doing well on the exams and be safe in clinical.

lovedijah · Jul 1, 2012

Here's the thing- I feel for you. I imagine how annoying this must be. But you can't change her. The only thing you can do is control how you respond. Which is way easier said than done. But it is what it is.

Not knowing the lady.. some people are just difficult. Some people get a lot of joy from the anger they cause the others. Again, I don't know the lady to say this is the case- but there are miserable people out there. So who knows.

Smile. Nod. Do the best you can. This woman won't be your future employer. You will feel no greater joy than the day you graduate and don't have to see her face anymore.

mjaybx · Jul 1, 2012

I wouldn't stress to the point of tears, it is just a way of seeing if your fit to be a nurse. Some instructors had it rough so they want to make it rough on you and see if you can make it. Once you get out of nursing school and into the real world there can be some real nasty co workers out there that you must deal with and ive heard doctors can be rude as well. Just relax and smile and roll with the attitude dont take it to heart. youre probably not the only student she has treated in that way and it probably wont be the last. If you are doing your skills properly and passing your clinical rotation treat her as a grain of salt and just do what she ask to pass the class. If it starts affecting your grade talk with her and if doesn't help take it to someone higher up.