Dear Nursing Instructor

[Fearless_leader]

Dear Nursing Instructor,

I want to remind you that at some point in your life you were in my shoes. Remember your first day of class? You were nervous, scared, and maybe wondering "Am I really made for nursing?"

You were handed a syllabus, and quickly went to work planning your schedule for the days to come. The thought of all the chapters you need to read, and understand. "How am I going to process all of this," you thought?

Maybe nursing was a breeze for you. Maybe you failed out and had to give it another try. A year or two later there you are walking across the stage in your nursing uniform holding your candle in remembrance of the mother of nursing Florence Nightingale. Remember how excited you were to get pinned. Oh the tears of joys that you finally made it!

Years have now passed by, and you have decided to become a nurse educator. However you forgot some things. What it is like to be a student. Some students are new to the health field; others are here looking for a second career, or a better life for their family. We all come from different walks of life.

Yes we know and may have heard all the horror stories of nursing. Does nursing school really have to be a horror story? Do you have to yell at your new nursing students on the first day? Is it appropriate to tell your students your not cut out for this? Do you as an instructor have to meet a quota every semester on who you can weed out?

I am a student here to learn. Yes, sometimes some students make it all the way through there preq's thinking "I can fly straight through nursing with no problem." However, some of us are not like that. We want to learn! We want what you have: a state board license!

We have sacrificed our lives and loved ones just to make it to the end of the program. However, some of us don't make it through the first few semesters. As students we do take the blame for our faults and short comings. I know I do. However being manipulated, taunted, yelled at, curse at, and treated like a nobody is not what I signed up for.

Let me give you an example of what some instructors have done in my presence. I had a class mate whose period came on during our lab at the school. We are told that while we are in clinical lab we are not allowed to go to the bathroom, only when we are given break.

She fell ill and told the instructors what was going on. In her defense, she has periods that come when they want, 2 times a month maybe once every 3 months. Nevertheless, she informed said professors on what was going, and got permission to leave the class. She had a mess on her clothes which caused her to leave the class for a second time in 30 mins. She was withdrawn by the Dean because she should have had a Dr.'s note.

I had a similar situation. I heavy a menstruation (due to Essure) sometimes as well, and in my first semester I had an accident as well my clothes. I had to sit for 30 minutes thank goodness before I could leave. All because of that stupid rule. I was embarrassed some, but hey we're all nursing students right. Thank God I lived 5 mins away from school.

My point is: is it really that serious not to have your class interrupted because of an emergency? If that is not an excuse. Please be sympathetic towards your students if deemed necessary, ie. student who found out her father had a heart attack, and is at the hospital fighting for his life. You have now put this student in the position to choose her class time and not risk being dropped from her class, or her dying father. Did you have any unusual emergencies as a student?

As a student we are held responsible for actions. We look to you for guidance and a great learning experience. Why are you so mean? Do you have to eat your young?

Now, now, I'm going to get a lot of comments on how nursing is to be taken seriously. "We have patient lives in our hands". I get that. I have 7 years of healthcare background in a very busy trauma one hospital. I know how stressful nursing can get and how overworked some nurses are, but I'm talking about teaching here. Teaching does not have to be so cruel and intimidating. I'm not saying you have to hold our hands and talk softly, and give us a high five for remembering small or big details. Treat me like a student who wants to learn what you are willing to give.

I just want you ask my instructor, the one I look to for educational needs, to remember what it was like when you were in our shoes.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fearless_Leader

P.S. For the Instructors who do care for their students, and do want them to succeed, we appreciate all you do.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Who tells doctors when they can and can't go to the restroom or take a break? I worked for years as a waitress, never once was I told I couldn't go pee when I needed to. Even airline pilots can pee when needed.

I had the same thought here. The post you're responding to also had "law" as an example...I DARE someone to tell a lawyer that she's not allowed a BR break now

[ixchel]

I had the same thought here. The post you're responding to also had "law" as an example...I DARE someone to tell a lawyer that she's not allowed a BR break now

A doctor and a lawyer don't need to be told during surgery or trial that they can't use the bathroom because at some point during their professional development, they were told that that wouldn't be appropriate. Or perhaps common sense guided them. Regardless, using classroom time to begin to set the stage for professionalism (such as bathroom breaks at proper times) is reasonable (In my opinion). Nurses won't be told they can't use the bathroom either, so that well-trained bladder (or adequate period protection) will serve them well when they're buried literally elbow deep in dislodged flexi-seal c-diff disaster and suddenly realize it's been 6 hours since they felt the urge to pee and still haven't gone.

[anne_in_maryland]

Speaking as a current nursing student, we kind of contribute to making Instructors feel this anger and impatience towards us, why you ask?

Example, my class today:

1. Class starts at 9.

0900- 8/55 of us are there, seated and ready to go.

0901-1015- 43 trickle in, coffee in hand, tape recorders placed, making noise, batteries going off, digging in their bags, one standing in front of the instructor (like directly in front of him) scanning the room for a seat)

1030- let's ask questions about slides from the beginning, bc you weren't here in the beginning to ask them.

Example 2

Assignments are posted

Ya....no I saw them on the portal, but I didn't have time to write my paper, I was too stressed studying for this next test. So I didn't do it. I will turn it in eventually.

Example 3

I know our syllabus says white shoes, but I like these red nikes better and I know I was 45 minutes late to clinical today because of traffic, which I knew was going to happen (as we live in the city), and I could have left earlier but didn't. Because, you know, you guys can wait on me. Thanks!

I wonder! Seems pretty simple to me!

In the nursing school I went to (only 5 years ago) #1 would get you thrown out of class, #2 would get you a 0 grade and #3 would get your thrown out of the program. Seriously, a girl missed a group lab and was late for clinicals in the first 2 weeks. Gone. No questions asked.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I had to redo my year two nursing care plan due to failing.

The lecturer gave me the resubmit two days after my father died.

I took the resubmit back to her prior to marking. She went through it and said "this is much better" An indicator that this is a more acceptable assignment perhaps. She failed me anyway. When asked about it, her response was "but I wasnt marking it" which in many respects is a fair call in many respects is a cop out

Now that I've been out for two years, while I wouldn't point out a specific, I would say to a student "look reread this section, because there is something in here that I will have to fail you on if you don't fix it"

I was given the opportunity to apply to the board of studies for a final chance. I put in my dads death certificate, five clinical reviews that all said similar "*name* has very good clinical nursing skills and knowledge for a year two nursing student. When the board of studies declined my application the reason given was "We feel that you have insufficient clinical skills and knowledge for a year two nursing student. Its like they didnt even read my application.

Interestingly enough. This was the first time in two years that I'd had to apply for any resubmit or directly to the board of studies. A classmate who was applying for the same failed assignment at that point had 3 resubmits over the last 2 years. And she was granted her resubmit.

There are brilliant lecturers in nursing school. I've also noticed they seem to get burned out very quickly. There are some lecturers who have no business being near students or patients. Unfortunately the balance of power is such that the student has no choice but to suck it up and get on with things

Its like the work place bullying things. There will always be those who interpret constructive feedback as 'bullying'. Important however to think about what we are projecting to our students. Do we create an environment that is conducive to learing where a student feels safe and free to ask questions? I'll never forget seeing my cultural safety tutor roll her eyes at a new mum who had decided to bottle feed.

Dear Fearless Leader:

Come back and follow up at the END of your nursing education and see if you can't enlighten us as to some of the reasons you think your instructors were like they are.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Yes, this is rude, but it's your instructor's fault for allowing it. If I'm ever a professor, I'm locking my door at class start time and if you didn't make it in, sucks to be you.

I totally get this. As a student it used to be a total bug bear of mine, disrespectful to the lecturer and their fellow students.

That said I saw a lecturer bark at a late student one day "Get out", the student was like "I emailed you two days ago to advise I would be late today as my child had a hospital appointment with X specialist"

The student was ****** and the lecturer just looked like a knob

[firstinfamily, RN]

Let's all grow up and treat each other as adults, that means people can go to the bathroom when they need to go, and if they need to go more than once, so be it. It is up to them to get the material they missed while they were gone, accountability, isn't that part of the program as well??? I had one nursing instructor who made it her passion to demean the nursing students, I knew she was like this and I was determined she was not going to miff me. So, once she learned that she was not going to upset me, she left me alone. Do we want to be victims or do we want to participate in higher learning?? The nursing instructor is not the end all, learning how to go up the ladder to a higher staff member is something you may have to do as a nurse. This is a training exercise!!!

[SmilingBluEyes]

Hormonal birth control/medications are NOT indicated or recommended for many of us for many reasons. Being on the end of the "cycle" where I am approaching the peri/menopause, I am considered quite a bit "too old" to safely use BC pills, yet too damn young to stop my periods, which come WHEN they want with a VENGEANCE.....like every 2 weeks, skip a month and BAM back again. I have lost the ability to predict them with any reliability. It sucks. Not so easy to live with.

But on the job I keep lots of "protection" in my locker "in case". When I feel it coming on (mostly with little to no notice) off I run to get it before a change of scrubs is required.

Being female is not easy. Being female and a nurse or doctor, can be murder. But we all have those moments when we can't just stop and run to take care of business. So we do the best we can. Bathroom breaks can be hard to come by at times.

OH and I won't even get into "bladder control" fun that comes in our 40s.......whole 'nother thread. just suffice to say, I have had to cross my legs at some times when laughing, coughing or straining to move/lift. SO not fun.

Bring on the menopause, lol.

[pfongk]

been there done that when pregnant with hg and they tried to ping me for turning up sick. I was like, if you let me go when I first felt nauseous I wouldn't have disrupted the class as much by throwing up in an emesis bag.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Yes, this is rude, but it's your instructor's fault for allowing it. If I'm ever a professor, I'm locking my door at class start time and if you didn't make it in, sucks to be you.

I hope you reconsider...there are many things that can happen that make people late. I always had a 4 minute rule. I started promptly at 5 minutes after the hour...those who really straggled got docked one percentage point on the next exam for every 2 minutes after. AMD I meant oit.

Set clear expectations and then follow through...they learn and comply.

[Megarline, CNA]

On 11/28/2014 at 1:10 PM, sjalv said:

After reading this thread, I'm glad I'm a male and don't have to worry about periods.

I get dumb during premenstrual for a week. Oh, it's also painful from the neck to the lower lumbar.?

Pain is 5/6 out of 10.

On 12/16/2014 at 4:58 PM, SmilingBluEyes said:

Hormonal birth control/medications are NOT indicated or recommended for many of us for many reasons. Being on the end of the "cycle" where I am approaching the peri/menopause, I am considered quite a bit "too old" to safely use BC pills, yet too damn young to stop my periods, which come WHEN they want with a VENGEANCE.....like every 2 weeks, skip a month and BAM back again. I have lost the ability to predict them with any reliability. It sucks. Not so easy to live with.

But on the job I keep lots of "protection" in my locker "in case". When I feel it coming on (mostly with little to no notice) off I run to get it before a change of scrubs is required.

Being female is not easy. Being female and a nurse or doctor, can be murder. But we all have those moments when we can't just stop and run to take care of business. So we do the best we can. Bathroom breaks can be hard to come by at times.

OH and I won't even get into "bladder control" fun that comes in our 40s.......whole 'nother thread. just suffice to say, I have had to cross my legs at some times when laughing, coughing or straining to move/lift. SO not fun.

Bring on the menopause, lol.

I'm now afraid of men--o---pause.??

[Professor X, MSN, RN]

On 11/27/2014 at 12:24 PM, tjenn999 said:

Fearless leader you nailed it!

I loved this post?

For all the professors who have all that work to do. This is no reason to abuse us. I am paying for you to educate me, push me (not abuse).

You were once a student so you must of known how much work it would take to be a clinical instructor! You also get payed quite well for what you do. If you can not handle the work load and take it out on us students, then maybe teaching is not for you. I am talking to the Professors who justify their abusive behavior because their work load is too heavy.

That would be like an RN justifying abusive treatment to a patient because she/he load is heavy.

To all the Professors out there who are amazing in what you do, God Bless you! I look forward to working with you in my next school.

Almost spit my coffee at the screen reading about how well we instructors are paid. I make about 1/2 of what my students will make in their first job, right out of school. With 20 years experience and an advanced degree, we would be making quite a bit in the healthcare industry, but in education, not so much. Every nursing professor I work with has a second job in order to pay the bills.

Also..to clear up a misunderstanding perpetrated by the OP: we do not have a quota of students that must fail. We do, however, have a measure of minimal competency--and those who fall below the level do not pass.