fear of violence

impress0508 · Oct 18, 2008

Hi Nursing Instructors,
I'm a nursing student. I'm afraid we could have a violent situation at my nursing school. Conditions seem ripe. Eighty-five percent of our class failed our exam this week. I've NEVER seen such tension and anger in a classroom. We've got two male students who are possibly failing out. One mentioned his "gun stash" in class yesterday, in the context of hunting. The other male student has obvious psych issues.
I look at them, and I think...is one going to snap and bring a gun to class? These students seem on the verge of what they can bear. I believe I can tell it's on the instructors' minds because they are now locking the doors to the classrooms so nobody can get in after class starts. One will not turn her back to the class for a second, and she will not go near a window she normally sits in front of. It's rather obvious. This instructor was shaking a bit today.
I don't know that I have a point or specific question. I'm just upset about safety and looking for any feedback. I'm sure this issue is on educators' minds from time to time.
So anyway, I'm afraid. My seat is a few feet away from the instructor's seat in lecture (to put it selfishly). How do you all deal with this?

If this is what you are feeling then probably the instructor has a sense of the same. Now as far as the weapon statement, that needs to be reported to security at the school and to the Dean of the Department. This is not a situation that needs to be ignored. A future nurse discussing a Gun as a way to solve a problem. Hmmm, that is a great concern. Nursing itself can be stressful in certain situations. Do we need to have this while at work. No, please inform someone soon. Need to avert a tragic situation. :typing

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2008

Thanks for weighing in on this. The student who made the gun comment did so while sitting next to our instructor. I saw her jaw clench and she looked down.

The context of the comment was that before class, someone brought up the presidential election. A couple students started talking about it, and one said he's never voted for a Democrat because they'd take away his gun stash and he wouldn't be able to hunt.

I didn't know if the comment was just political talk that lead to the gun comment, or a passive-aggressive comment. But the instructor did hear it.

I do believe the instructors are very afraid because of their blatant changes like shaking, staying away from the windows, and locking the doors.

I'm thinking of skipping lecture until things calm down. I sit there afraid and have a hard time concentrating.

impress0508 · Oct 18, 2008

Thanks for weighing in on this. The student who made the gun comment did so while sitting next to our instructor. I saw her jaw clench and she looked down.
The context of the comment was that before class, someone brought up the presidential election. A couple students started talking about it, and one said he's never voted for a Democrat because they'd take away his gun stash and he wouldn't be able to hunt.
I didn't know if the comment was just political talk that lead to the gun comment, or a passive-aggressive comment. But the instructor did hear it.
I do believe the instructors are very afraid because of their blatant changes like shaking, staying away from the windows, and locking the doors.
I'm thinking of skipping lecture until things calm down. I sit there afraid and have a hard time concentrating.

That may have been the case of the comment reflected on elections, however, because of the statement regarding the large number of failures, then it needs to be reported. No need to wait until there is a problem due to grades. If a harmless statement reflected regarding elections so be it, however if not, then the authorities can decide how to act. No need to skip lectures and miss information you need in order to succeed. It may have been a harmless statement on their part. Focus on what you need to know to succeed. Good luck.:typing

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Oct 18, 2008

Multi, I have sent you a PM.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2008

Thank you both. I'm calming down about this now. I think I was reacting more to the environment than any specific concern.

I may skip lecture this week as the adjusted grades will be posted and those who are failing out will know it. It doesn't hurt me to skip lecture, and I'd rather miss the unpleasantness and backlash.

The instructor did hear what the student said about the election and gun rights. I don't have any knowledge of any specific threat, so I need to let this go. I may talk with an instructor I'm particularly close with, though, about my feelings.

BigBadInstructor · Oct 20, 2008

I believe that as students you are accorded the right to a safe environment. If you believe that you have a hostile school environment, you should go to the instructor, and then to the Dean of the School of Nursing. You and other students, need to be assured of your safety, and that comes from the instructor and the Dean. I will assume that the instructor has been told what to do and say by the Dean, and probably has been told not to say anything to the students, to avoid any questions, or problems. This is a potential problem in any college. If you do not get satisfaction, go up to the ladder to the Dean of the College. I believe they will work with you, and provide you with good information. Good luck!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 24, 2008

I don't think anything in my life was more stressful than nursing school. That said, there is certain behavior that is inappropriate. I believe the student who made the gun remarks ought to be reported and the security heightened AND VISIBLE till things calm down. The school owes it to the students and their employees to provide a safe environment. Also, if you can stay away for a while that would be good too. Remember, this too shall pass.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2008

Everything is OK at my nursing school. I didn't skip any classes, either. I think I have a heightened perception of threat since I was caught in another shooting lock-down a few years ago. Thank you all for your comments and thoughts on this - I do appreciate it.