how to deal with a know-it-all?

[picurn10]

Yikes! This guy in my class is driving me crazy. I'd normally just steer clear, but we got assigned clinicals together, so I'm stuck.

This person drives me crazy with his attitude that he knows better than everyone, including our instructors.

We just learned how to do blood draws and in lab as I was waiting my turn, this person came up and said "have you done yours yet? all you do is xyz..." I just said "uh, huh." He had done his stick a whole 2min. before I did mine:rolleyes: It wasn't like he was some great wealth of information. Now, I'm all for asking for help from students who have some background in a particular skill, but really? You know as much as I do :angryfire

On top of that, he hovers over me during clinicals and critiques and corrects what I'm doing. The first time I did an assessment, he came into the room and watched while instructor checked me off. I was already nervous, but then that just totally stressed me out. Because I was nervous I kept asking my instructor questions, even though I know how to do an assessment :uhoh21: Then he kept answering for the instructor

I'm a very laid back person and it really takes a lot for me to get upset about things, but I just don't know how to handle this person. How do I politely tell him to back off! He's not taking the hint when I walk off mid-sentence when he's "instructing" me

I have much better grades than this student, I'm a smart, competent person, but this guy is making me dread my clinical time because I feel he's adding more stress than I need and I never get a chance to just learn on my own. Every time we get a new skill this person jumps in and does it first, and then bosses me around when I'm doing it

[I love my cat!]

Ugh. Know-It-Alls can be a drag to be around.

Talk to your Instructor and explain why you do not want to be paired with this person during clinicals. I'm sure he/she will be understanding about it and try to schedule your clinicals on different floors or different shifts.

I would be very honest with him and say something. He may not even realize that what he is doing is bothering you. Maybe say something like, "I understand you are trying to help me, but when you constantly correct me and hover over me, I feel uncomfortable and I find it stressful".

Also, try to use his knowledge to your advantage if you can. Ask advanced questions. See what happens. He will either be quiet or he may actually have the information.

Most Know-It-Alls have quite a shock in the real world because there is always going to be someone better, smarter, faster, etc. It can be quite an eye-opener.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

the first time i did an assessment, he came into the room and watched while instructor checked me off. i was already nervous, but then that just totally stressed me out. because i was nervous i kept asking my instructor questions, even though i know how to do an assessment :uhoh21: then he kept answering for the instructor

the problem with this situation was with the instructor and not so much the student. you need to talk to the instructor alone and tell her that there is a problem with this student always jumping in and dominating conversations and you would like for her not to allow him to do that when she is trying to devote time to teaching you. cite this situation as an example and ask that she not allow him to do this to you again. and, if it does happen, look up from what you are doing, look him in the face and very sternly say to him, "i would appreciate it if you would please shut up and let me answer the questions." and if he stills answers, look at him again and say, "i want you to leave," and keep looking at him or repeating that until he goes. practice these so you can say them and are ready to have them roll off your lips. it is assertive and the only way you are going to be able to deal with him.

• http://changingminds.org/techniques/assertiveness/assertiveness.htm
  - assertiveness
  
  
• http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/toolbox/fmi/content/tutorial/assert/assert00.htm
  - this is a really nice online assertiveness tutorial from australia. click on the links to proceed through the tutorial. includes sound clips of examples.
  
  
• http://www.gp-training.net/training/leadership/assertiveness/index.htm
  - assertiveness for doctors. an interesting site that links you into information about being assertive. includes a list of books with information on assertiveness.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

When he approaches you and says something, say "Sorry, soso, but I've got a bad headache and I really don't want to be bothered right now." Then turn around and walk away. Keep on doing this. Before that happens again in clinical, go to your instructor, and tell her/him that you find soso just dropping in to your area to be intrusive and it bothers you. Tell the instructor that he hovers over you and invades your body space and makes you uncomfortable in general not just in the clinical area but elsewhere as well. Tell her/him that you have tried to make it known to soso that he is bothering you but that he won't stop it. Then see what your instuctor says. After all, you are paying tuition and deserve a comfortable experience just like any other student. Chances are high that soso bothers others also and that enough complaints to the instructor will cause him to be corrected by the instructor. Good luck.

I think getting him kicked out of school for harassment is a bit of an over-reaction. Why not just say "Dude, leave me alone and mind your business." and leave it at that?

[hillarypeace2006]

I think getting him kicked out of school for harassment is a bit of an over-reaction. Why not just say "Dude, leave me alone and mind your business." and leave it at that?

I'm sorry, I don't agree with your advice. At my school, clinical time is limited and the last thing anyone should do is to alienate people, because you never who you might need to lean on when the chips are down. The best way in my experience is to tactfully mention that the patient does not like a lot of people in the room and with the instructor and all, that we have to be mindful of the patients comfort level. Explain you need to be the sole provider and going forward it would probably be the best to treat all patients the same, unless some unforeseeable circumstance occurs....It is very unwise, however, to burn bridges especially with classmates.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Well, it's certainly better advice than the others she ggot telling her to file harassment charges on him.

[hillarypeace2006]

Well, it's certainly better advice than the others she ggot telling her to file harassment charges on him.

That is agreed...No time for harassment complaints..for this type of situation. But its good practice to use tactful communication skills.

[justme1972]

The "know it alls" in our class seem to be the ones that failed this same semester last year...yeah, as if I am taking advice from them.

One of them was assisting me in doing a foley a few weeks ago (and during this clinical rotation I finally got a really good flow going of how to do them), and my "partner" for the day proceeded to critique me as I was going out of the room...and about 80% of what she was telling me was incorrect.

I kept trying to change the subject, but then she started with, "Well, if you expect to make it as an RN in a hospital...."

I cut her off and said, "Isn't this your THIRD time through 3rd semester?"

And just watched her jaw drop as I walked away.

Yeah, that was mean...but she shut up!

[tnortham]

I would be straight up in private and say- "You are coming across as a know it all- I find it unhelpful and annoying. I think it probably rubs other people the wrong way also." Maybe the guy just isn't self aware. Maybe this heads up will let him know how he effects others. If it continues ignore him- and ask him to leave your patient's room.

[rn_nxt_dr]

Take it with a smile:D and ignore the dude. He just wants everyones' attention.

[StudentEliza]

Heh. I want to interject on the other side of the argument. I would reccommend you examine WHY it bothers you before you lash out and choose your words very carefully. This could be construed by him as jealousy on your part, especially if he has issues accepting (constructive) criticism from others. I am not saying that is the case, but how you intend things and how people view them can be completely opposite. I find it helpful to have other students help each other get things right. What is is doing is over the line though. In the end, it is your choice on how you handle it and what makes you comfortable.