Foreign Student in a Nursing School. Hell Instructor

MikeyJ, RN · Oct 2, 2008

Wow.. it sounds strikingly familiar to a student in my nursing class. We had an international student from China who had a very thick accent and had a hard time adjusting to the "American culture". There was a clinical instructor who obviously disliked her, and sure enough the clinical instructor made the students life hell and failed her from clinical and she was removed from nursing school.

It was horrible and there was nothing anyone could do about it.

hnt1987 · Oct 2, 2008

I'm in the same exact position. >.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2008

I had 2 instructors in school that did not like me for personality differences. These instructors tried to make my clinical time hell. I did my best and kept mistakes to a minimum. They tried their best to find ways to flunk me. I played their game, did what I needed to do and succeeded. I don't think having instructors from hell is something only foreigners deal with. I was a typical student in my area ( a woman in her early 30's, Caucasian, and never had a problem like this before in my life.)

My advise is to do everything your instructor asks of you even if it seems unfair or unjust. Don't ask others to help you with your pt. (not unless its for lifting/transferring). Try to figure things out on your own. Stay quiet & to yourself, but be on your toes and ready to answer any question. Don't let your instructor know you are upset. Bad instructors thrive on their power trips. One of the instructors made my friend cry daily! Try to stay under the radar by avoiding mistakes at all cost!

I am empathetic to you! You will have to work extra hard.

hnt1987 · Oct 2, 2008

"Trying to figure out on own" is impossible.

I'm paying them to teach me the education and i'm not a super genius who goes to clinical on my 1st day and know everything in my head.

What's the point of going to nursing school if you don't ask??? :banghead:

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2008

"Trying to figure out on own" is impossible.
I'm paying them to teach me the education and i'm not a super genius who goes to clinical on my 1st day and know everything in my head.
What's the point of going to nursing school if you don't ask???

what I mean by "trying to figure out on your own," is to use your books and other reference materials first. I do not mean to imply that you should do things outside your scope and limitations. Just want you to make sure you are up on all your reading and that you used your practice times in lab efficiently.

None of us know everything on the first day or even last day, but some instructors have that unrealistic expectation of students, and that's why we have such a hard time in school.

Atheos · Oct 3, 2008

but the clinical instructor seem to be stereotyping.

Not to be negative but do you have concrete examples. I work and go to school in DC and I can say for certain that the students and CNA's I work with and go to school with are darned quick to throw out the 'discrimination' accusation. It gets quite frustrating sometimes.

I failed because the instructor told me that I am not capable and depend on Jane Doe (while she is doing nothing) in clinical all the time.

This is what I mean. In this one sentence you accuse your instructor of failing you because she thinks you are not capable (which IS her rightful decision to make as she is there to judge your work) and accuse the other student of 'doing nothing.'

It's frustrating since the instructor keep putting student down.

Some instructors are horrible. I've had a few of those. Ultimately though, the responsibility for learning and making it through the clinicals falls on you. You are going to have mean coworkers, patients and families. Learning to deal with mean people is a big part of nursing.

Just keep trying. Document EVERYTHING. If there IS discrimination you can do something about it. Ultimately though, passing clinicals and getting along with your instructor are your responsibility. You can not pass the buck when you fail.