Instructor Problems

[ms.ludes]

I am a fourth semester ADN student, getting ready to graduate in December, and I am not getting along with my clinical instructor so well. I have never had a problem in clinical's before and always get complimented on my confidence and ability. Today, I was taking care of two patient's; one who was independant and discharging home, and another who had a high INR and would have went home had her INR been better. I didn't do much today, went through discharge instructions, helped my fellow classmate who was drowning, and take my INR patient to the bathroom 4 times. In post conference, I stated that I had kind of a boring day. My teacher FLEW off the deepend. I did not say that I was bored, just simply that I had a boring day. I probably should have choosen the word uneventful instead of boring, but I didn't. My instructor proceeded to grill me on pathophysiology and that come December I am a new grad and if I am bored, I must know everything. Two of my other classmates were sitting right there...I felt as big as a pencil eraser. As soon as I was in the parking lot alone, I lost it. How can I handle four more clinical days? What can I do to make my instructor see that I am not trying to be cocky, I do not know everything, I just had a slow day? I tried to justify what I said and change my words and that didn't work. I was cut off and skipped for the rest of the conference(which really was fine with me because I probably would have balled like a baby had she talked to me again.) I am so frustrated and want to do so well, but I always feel so awful. Any suggestions?

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

I am a fourth semester ADN student, getting ready to graduate in December, and I am not getting along with my clinical instructor so well. I have never had a problem in clinical's before and always get complimented on my confidence and ability. Today, I was taking care of two patient's; one who was independant and discharging home, and another who had a high INR and would have went home had her INR been better. I didn't do much today, went through discharge instructions, helped my fellow classmate who was drowning, and take my INR patient to the bathroom 4 times. In post conference, I stated that I had kind of a boring day. My teacher FLEW off the deepend. I did not say that I was bored, just simply that I had a boring day. I probably should have choosen the word uneventful instead of boring, but I didn't. My instructor proceeded to grill me on pathophysiology and that come December I am a new grad and if I am bored, I must know everything. Two of my other classmates were sitting right there...I felt as big as a pencil eraser. As soon as I was in the parking lot alone, I lost it. How can I handle four more clinical days? What can I do to make my instructor see that I am not trying to be cocky, I do not know everything, I just had a slow day? I tried to justify what I said and change my words and that didn't work. I was cut off and skipped for the rest of the conference(which really was fine with me because I probably would have balled like a baby had she talked to me again.) I am so frustrated and want to do so well, but I always feel so awful. Any suggestions?

While you didn't choose your words wisely, you might want to consider pulling your instructor aside and telling her what you said here. Perhaps if you speak to her she may understand. For the next 4 days lay low and keep your mouth shut and your ears and eyes open.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

ooh you said " boring" that is a bad word to a instructor... i think i would just move on from this and forget it.. it's done and overwith and you only have 4 days left.. next time i would say " oh my day was very busy and l learned alot , and go into pt's diagnosis and know everything about them ,,,know all the patho on the pt the labs ectra ... if you bored.. get busy and don't ever say boring... but you will get through this and you will never have to worry again... it's almost over .. you'll be fine !!

[veekay]

Oh my, your instructor was way out of line and unprofessional. That being said, you just need to get through the next 4 clinicals. Try to buck up and keep a stiff upper lip. It is not really worth attempting to talk with this instructor...she won't "hear" you anyway. What you can do is give an HONEST evaluation of her post clinical. Do you know if she has a reputation of this type of demeaning of a student? If yes, then you can go to the Dean of Nursing at your college and make a formal complaint. They are required to address the situation with the instructor. Other wise just do your best. Treat her like you want to be treated - with respect and just get thru to your next set of clinicals. Learn from this. Offer your insights of your day in positive tones for future post clinical discussions...I would advise against "over stating" your next pt. care experiences...this would come across as disrespectful and phoney. Unforntunetly you will run into this type of person in your nursing career from time to time...gotta learn how to let it go. Best wishes!

[MrazFan]

I'm sorry this has happened to you. Your choice of words was unfortunate... if I were in your situation, I would probably try to speak with the instructor privately and explain myself, as you've done here. I'd also make sure that I wouldn't be "bored" in clinical again. If I'm having a slow day, I will FIND things to do, even if it is watching/assisting other students perform their cares and such. Look for additional opportunities to learn things. And, if all else fails, you do only have 4 more clinicals to get through. You'll be ok.

[Riseupandnurse]

Ditto to wht MRazFan said. My guess is that your instructor was reacting just as a last straw to things that may have happened the previous semester or even earlier. There is an unfortunate tendency among a few nursing students to want to be entertained and they are not happy unless a patient is hemorrhaging or having an MI, at which they salivate and give little thought to the torment for the patient and the family. I am NOT saying that describes you; it's just one or two experiences like that with a student can be very scary to an instructor and she over-reacted to what she thought you were saying. Talk to her privately and let her know you really do care about learning and about the patient. I'm sure you do by the way you have written. Hugs.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

We used to have this nursing instructor who used to come into clinical every day in her mink.