Close minded instructors

mattcastens · Feb 18, 2002

Tell her right up front that as a woman she should go back into bedside nursing where she belongs, and let the more intelligent men teach university. :devil:

Teshiee · Feb 18, 2002

She is very ignorant! Just like saying women have no business being physicians. Her thinking has no place in higher education. Even if she feels that way she should keep her share cropper views to herself.

yipididit · Feb 18, 2002

Bradley,

I would not confront this instructor for several reasons unless you notice her directing her prejudice towards YOU.

The main reason is: you may be ASSUMEing......(well, you know what they say about that word) the opinions of others at school are correct.

I would keep a notebook with all grades and papers given back to me and maybe schedule a mid-term conference with her to be up-to-date on your progress in her class. I think it would be wise to keep notes on your mid-term meeting as well as any other happenings in class.

If at that point her averages and yours do not match, then I would press further with her superior.

Remember, you attract more bee's with honey than poop.

Before you accuse her of prejudice, wait for her to explain and the matter to be investigated. It is also known, those who are left to ramble on have something to hide and will hang themselves. (Okay, I am guilty of something, I just blew my diet with a cream-filled chocolate-covered honey bun. OH, and with a tall glass of milk) GUILTY

Good luck. You belong as much as anyone else does!

Teshiee · Feb 18, 2002

When I was in nursing school we had an instructor that was bias and unfair. We eventually went over her head even though she has tenure you as a student have rights. She has a boss I would start documenting and seek some legal advice sounds like she is discriminating big time.

pebbles, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2002

We had one like that in my university faculty of nursing too. She had tenure but was formally remprimanded and told to toe the line by faculty bosses. Word of caution... YES, stick up for yourself and other males in your class, but don't forget to mind your P's and Q's, cuz she still has power over you, regardless of what the bosses do to hold her in line. Acting professionally starts when you are still a student.... (i learned that one the hard way!)

This is an unfortunate situation, but one that you will encounter in the real working world too. Good luck! Nobody deserves to be treated so unfairly in a professional learning environment.

fergus51 · Feb 19, 2002

Ours were the reverse! Men were treated very well in my program. I would second Suzy. You shouldn't say anything unless you experience it yourself. Going on rumors would be a BIG mistake

mario_ragucci · Feb 19, 2002

Men are equal, but not the same, obviously. I could write several pages of all the additudes I'd like to change and why, but it won't do any good. I will excel no matter what, and I have to understand that women may resent me because I am enthusiastic. I won't stop being enthusiastic, because then I won't learn.

The female students, I have all ready come to realize will not accept me. They are totally different animals. They are afraid to ask questions/I'm not. They walk with wheeled book bags/I carry an aeroflex backback. The questions they ask are strictly related to potential exam questions/ I'm asking questions to get me to the core of understanding things. They have a donut-glazed look over their eyes, and deny eye contact/ I look at everybody. They all have their car keys out on the desk, ready to leave/ I think thats dumb. They all buy their food at the campus/ I bring my own food. They're water bottles are 8-12 oz/ mine is 1.5 L. I can go on and on. For what? Doesn't help me. The all female instructor staff are the same. With a few exceptions, most of the instructors act very meek. I'm not gonna change their style, and they're not gonna change mine.

Some famous person once said, "I did the best I could, with what I had" Thats gonna be me in nursing school. Nothing can get me down because I have the life AND the gift to give. I'll have compassion for those that don't , and try to set an example to follow. I've said enough :-)

RNPD · Feb 19, 2002

Mario, don't generalize-that's when you get into trouble. Not all men are assertive, not all women are meek and afraid. I am an enthusiastic & motivated learner, and the only people I resent are those that become too self-important.

And Bradley, good advice here. One of my earliest lessons in nursing was NEVER take as gospel what another person tells you. I have received many a report stating this pt is a b***h or that one is an PIA or ignorant, or constantly on the bell, or whatever. At first when I was a young nurse I went into them with an attitude developed from my preconceived notion & got what I expected. Then I started trying to go out of my way to be pleasant and solicitous and found out that most difficult people just need a little extra sometimes. I have met some wonderul people that way.

And if your fears turn out to be true-document objectively and professionally report it. But just remember that you only need to pass, and sometimes establishing the right rapport in the beginning is 90% of the battle.

mario_ragucci · Feb 19, 2002

Originally posted by RNPD
Mario, don't generalize-that's when you get into trouble. Not all men are assertive, not all women are meek and afraid. I am an enthusiastic & motivated learner, and the only people I resent are those that become too self-important.

And Bradley, good advice here.

Your right - I generalized. Sometimes I get a supernova going off in my head that can blind me, and the things I say. Check it out Bradley. You always have to check yourself. RNPD is right. I could have a dull day at school, be the only male around and then we have the receipe for self-rightousness, which is bad news when you are trying to win friends and influence people. We are entering a vocation/career. Even as students, all is one and one is all. (to be a rock, and not to roll):roll

It's folks like RNPD I wish we had around us more often. Thanks!

Sincerely

Mario

RNPD · Feb 19, 2002

Hey, I can be as full of myself as the next person. It takes a truly humble man to admit he was wrong! No offense meant and glad none taken! You'll go far as a nurse-we all make our share of mistakes, and not owning them is the worst thing you can do to yourself & your career!

live4today, RN · Feb 19, 2002

Hi Bradley, :)

I second everything "yipididit" said to you in post #4. Also, my own personal and professional advice to ADD to "yippi's" is for you to "RIDE IT OUT"!

Remember: Nursing is 90% "Psyche" and 10% "other"!

You will always have a "Psyche" mentality to deal with in the "Real world of nursing". Each instructor that raises your dander enables you to grow one step closer in strengthening your own mentality and ability to handle them down the road.

Gain strength wherever and whenever you can, and learn to ride the storm while still being in charge of sailing your own ship!