Crazy clinicals instructor doesn't like us using the restroom?

Nursing Students General Students

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I've had clinical instructors before, but this one is so awful. She told us today (our first day) that she doesn't like people going to the bathroom. I thought .. okay, I can just go when she's working with another student, right? WRONG. When we shadowed our nurses, she has told our nurses before hand to count how many times we've been to the bathroom. Mind you, our day is 7am-7pm so throughout the day I need to go at least 3-4 times. Plus, I need to drink water to keep myself hydrated and energized.

In addition, we have NO lunch breaks -- not even a 5-10 minute one. I was planning on keeping some snacks at the break room, but she told us to not put anything there. In addition, she made us empty our pockets today so I can't even sneak some snacks in my pockets.

I am so confused on what I should do. I can't stand NOT going to the bathroom. I can probably go 12 hours without eating, but not drinking is just crazy.

By the way, everyone got a needs improvement grade because we all ended up using the bathroom and the nurses tallied up our times and showed them to her. We know this because she told us at the end of the day that she was "testing" us to see if we would listen to her. Pfft.

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

I wish it would be troll. But I was ordered to go and get some hot chocolate for a visitor although it was made well known that I could not touch, smell or taste anything made from cocoa. I took a crash cart, glidescope and oxygen tank and strategically parked it all right near kitchenette... then it downed on my instructor that I might be serious after all :roflmao:

Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

I had an instructor a lot like this one. I agree--report her immediately, as a group. Unfortunately there seem to be quite a few sadistic, crazy clinical instructors out there. And yes, the nurses who tallied up the bathroom visits are idiots.

Specializes in CMSRN.

That is absolutely crazy! I would never participate in that as a floor nurse precepting students and I would absolutely report an instructor trying to do these things.

I correct people all the time when they say something about me probably never getting bathroom breaks or lunch breaks. I go to the bathroom when my body tells me to and always take time to eat. If I can't take care of myself, how can I take care of others?!?! And my hospital requires employees to take their full 30 minute lunch. You need that time to breathe and recharge.

Please report this person as a group, both to your Dean and the DON at the facility if at all possible. I can't imagine a nursing supervisor would want to put up with this behavior. Wow.

Specializes in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.

This is absurd, ridiculous, unhealthy and unrealistic. Why the heck would your instructor even think of such a thing? There are labor laws, for pete's sake. Does she think she trumps the Dept. of Labor?

As for the nurses who supposedly tallied the bathroom breaks of the students. I'm sorry, but when I'm at work, I'm too busy keeping my kids alive to even notice when a student goes to the restroom even once, much less record their total urine output for the day. Geez.

Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Im just a CNA and work in a very busy LTC where Im running around all day with barely enough time to sit and chart. I still manage to squeeze in at least 2 bathroom breaks and a 30 minute lunch because a UTI and starvation are not my idea of a good time. As a student, there is no reason you cant step away from your preceptor for 5 mins here and there to go to the bathroom. As a nurse, the instructor very well knows how UTIs happena nd that you need energy to function at your best. It is absolutley absurd to expect you to go a whole twelve hours without a bathroom and lunch break. What do you guys do while your preceptor is on lunch? you cant practice anything without the RN present, so instead of going to lunch yourself or using the restroom, she just expects you to sit there and twiddle your thumbs. Ridiculous. Report her. Also, check your syllabus. There is likely something about clinical breaks in there. My syllabus allows us one 30 minute lunch that we start when our preceptor says its ok (and everyone Ive had in 3 semesters doesnt care when I go and lets me know the times of things she thinks I would want to do or see) and that we are aloud 2-3 bathroom breaks during the day that we just have to plan for. However, no clinical instructors have ever brought up our break schedule. Sometimes one break will do and sometimes students may use 4 bathroom breaks. No one cares because when you gotta go you gotta go.

If there is anything about breaks in your syllabus, then bring that when you report the CI as well, because then she is plain breaking school policy. If there is nothing, report her anyway, because even in right to work states, a lunch break is mandated.

Specializes in critical care.

Dear Professor,

When I get TSS, a UTI, and fall out (hitting my head) from hypoglycemia, do I send those medical bills to the nursing department? Or do I send them directly to you?

Hugs and kisses,

The student who is counting your bathroom breaks and watching you eat your lunch

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Doesn't matter if she likes you to use the BR or not. Your bladder, colon, and lady parts if applicable are none of her business. Do not pander to those behaviors. You use the BR when you need to, and drink H2O when you need to. If she asks you about it, or asks you how many times you visited the BR, remind her that your bladder, colon, and lady parts are not her business; you are not going to provide that information to her. In addition, she does not have the authority to force you to stay on the floor over a lunch break. To try is called "false imprisonment," which is illegal. I agree with the PPs--report her to the dean.

Self-care is a very important concept in nursing. You will not be a safe nurse if you do not take care of yourself. I'm also going to suggest you find some evidence-based information on this to give to her and to the dean. I can't imagine that teaching contrary to EBP is acceptable practice for an instructor of nursing.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

And honestly, I can't imagine being given the instructions to keep track of students' BR trips...and not laughing in her face. Seriously. Shame on those nurses. And I don't use the phrase "shame on you" lightly.

Was also thinking, while reading the other responses, that not only did the nurses actually DO this weird tally of potty breaks, but they seemed to have the TIME to do it.

I think I'd have said to the CI "I'm sorry, I barely have time to keep up on treatments, meds and new orders for my patients, I can't be responsible for a Toileting Program and I&Os on your students too". Really, now!

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I am the liaison between my hospital and the local nursing schools (scheduling clinicals, resolving problems, etc.) If I were to hear that one of our local instructors was behaving that way, I would report her to her dean -- telling her that my hospital will not tolerate the mis-treatment of students within our facility.

Perhaps you can find some allies at the clinical facility to support your cause when you report it up the ladder at your school.

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

"Testing" you to see how well you listen to her? I'd stop listening when she made us empty out our pockets. I take meds that give me a very dry mouth and there is no way I'd go without a mint to stimulate saliva. I would go so far as to say she was something that begins with an 'a' and ends with a hole. And not drinking fluids or peeing? It sounds like some sophomoric fraternity/sorority initiation stunt.

Specializes in ER, Psych.

Really? This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!

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