dealing with difficult students

Hi RNSuz,

I posted a similar message on 28 May regarding nursing students' incivility (recommend reading it). We are having similar problems with a few students, including bullying...yep, bullying. We had a person from student affairs talk to our group of students and she was very stern about the school not tolerating bullying and incivility. I think she really scared the students. Since the talk was near the end of the semester, I will have to wait until the Fall semester to see if there are any changes in student behaviors. We will see.

Hi VBwise,

I did read your post, thanks. I guess I didn't realize this was so widespread. If I had talked to my nursing instructors the way some of these students talk to us, I would have been kicked out of the program no questions asked. I hope there is a solution to this..................

Semester before this one was absolute h*ll. The students were impossibly rude, manipulative, cliquish and they had zero integrity. All they thought about was how to out-victim each other.

I had a question on a stupid quiz (worth 0.2% of their final grade) that a student didn't like. She had her MOTHER come in and harangue the program director about it!!!! The student was a grown woman. They sent poison pen anonymous letters about my colleague and me to the executive director.

All I can tell you is that (heavens be praised!) the group I have now are almost polar opposites. It's a super-semester. I will be sad to see this group graduate.

I think I'd flip into military sergeant mode if i experienced some of things I've read others have experienced.

My problems with students have been small. I wonder if the school makes a difference? If different schools get different personalities in their students???

Some things I have done:

when a phone goes off, I stop and wait, while looking at the student with the phone....eventually they either stop the phone, stop talking, or the other students get them to stop.

I've stood between students who are talking and just stood there looking at them

I've respectfully asked them to leave until they can be appropriate

It's really important to set the rules for YOUR classroom on the first day, and give them the rules in writing. You can ease up afterwards, but can't make the rules more strict later. You can even have them sign the rules, to indicate they read them (even if they didn't), and keep a copy.

I have experienced rude and disruptive students in the classroom and clinical setting. I address integrity and what behaviors are expected in the nursing program. If students are talking during my lecture, I ask them to share with the class what they were discussing, because it must be far more important than what I'm saying. I'm very strict. If you break the rules, I write you up for remediation. I explain that respect is earned not given. I tell the students in order for them to be priviledged to come into my profession, they must earn it. Believe me I have had several unacceptable behavior issues that were addressed and it was not easy.

Thank you all for your insight and suggestions...they have been helpful

Here's one for you: my wife was in a class where the instructor FLIRTED with male students. Still can't fathom why that woman still has a job as an instructor. Can only imagine the sexual harassment charges that school may face if complaints are ever made.

Concerned, I'd say your wife's instructor was a less than honorable person...

I am speaking to you as a nurse, not an instructor. I have a vivid memory of the first few days of class where the instructors talked heavily about "accountability." That lesson has resonated with me for 13 years! The instructors spoke about nurses who make mistakes and immediately blame others for it (pharmacy, physicians, etc.). A stand-up person, especially a nurse, will say, "I did it, I made a mistake." The nurse will show remorse, and work hard to repair the damage done. These students need a lesson in accountability. They need to understand that they will be part of a PROFESSION that demands integrity and accountability. They will be responsible for people's lives. They will have to answer to their superiors, including physicians and sometimes families, about their actions. They need to understand the weight of the PROFESSION they have chosen.

My advice is. . .do a Google search of "accountability" and put a lesson together that addresses all of your issues under the guise of the "accountability" lesson. Have each of your students sign that they have read/followed along and they understand what you are teaching. Maybe even have them do quiz.

I wish you luck. It's sad to think that all of these precious spots in nursing programs are being taken up by ingrates!