Have any males experienced what I am feeling now being in nursing school?

[lum917]

I am in nursing school right now and I feel like I have to vent. I started in Fall of 2008. Everything was nice when we started, I thought everything was going to be OK. Almost being halfway through the program, I never believed how much craziness can happen. Are any of you students the only male in the class with 27 students and 4 female teachers. It is crazy. I think 2 of the teachers especially are crazy and 2 of them are somewhat sane.

One I swear she is bipolar and has always picked on me for stupid things since the 1st day of school. Another one who I always think she is in a stupor. There is so much drama and negativity in the classroom. There have been many changes made to the curriculum. First semester we had a lot of direction with the teaching and we had lecture most of the time. Now here is second semester.

There has been little direction in teaching from the instructors because of the new administrator of all of the programs who implemented a new self teaching rule and a new rule for more group work than lecturing. I thought it would be good for me, but it isn't. I feel like I want to quit because I feel like my teachers put me down because I am the only male in the class, and they always tell me they want me to succeed, but I think that they just want me to fail. I don't know what to do. I have busted my butt doing all this work and I don't want to stop, but these teachers put me into such a depression and anxiety that I had to go to the ER because of there being too much stress on my heart.

There is only one teacher that she feels that when something comes out of her mouth, it makes it sounds like she rather me be out of school than to be there. There is two teachers that I feel comfortable with right now, and who have gotten me this far and I have trust in them. I just had to vent if anyone want to read.

[superramvette]

We had our orientation the other day and I was pleased to see at least 10-15 male students. Thats only from one orientation (there are 2) so there may be a lot more males than that. I am definately not alone so I'm thrilled that I will have others to relate to in certain regards.

[LoRNzo]

I am sorry to hear that you are having such a horrible time with nursing school. Nursing school is hard enough without people trying to sabatoge you. I was lucky I guess my instructors/Director didn't show much if any bias with us male students and appeared to enjoy having us there. School was still hard and demanding but we as a class stuck together male and females alike and got through it. Hang in there find a few close friends in your class that will be your support system through the remainder of the program and study hard together. Prove to the naysayers that you do belong there. Good luck...

[belgarion]

The first time I considered nursing was when I graduated from H.S. I went to the local university and talked to the head of the nursing program there. She made it very clear that she did not like males in "HER" program. After talking to several guys who were in the program I realized that guys had to be dead-on letter perfect in everything they did if they wanted to make it through while the girls were give latitude. For example, girls could get away with wearing short skirts to classroom sessions but if a guy showed up wearing shorts on a summer day (Texas temperature about 110 F), he was sent home. This was during the early eighties. Needless to say, I took a different career path.

Now that I finally got up the nerve to take the plunge, I have noticed that the guys in my class are actually favorites of the instructors. The girls in class all enjoy having us there too.

The whole point of this is to show how much things have changed. There are still a few old dinosaurs out there who are stuck in the past but they are, hopefully, an endangered species. If you happen to have one of these living fossils as a teacher, just keep your nose clean, do your best, and rest comfortably in the knowledge that they are the past, you are the future.

[Redfoot]

I hear you bud.

I will not question your dedication or work ethic, and there have been many comments about instructors pushing you to exceed, etc., so I will jump to my point.

Some instructors plain suck. That is it. Without naming the program, there is a school near me that has been known for being extremely subjective in grading, and flunking students based upon no didactic or clinical deficiencies. I have known 4 people that were disenrolled from the program, only to go on to other programs close by and excel. I took and IV cert class in this program, and the instructor actually told me not to apply because the other nurse instructors were 'insane' (she was brought back to teach out of retirement after a few of the teachers were dismissed). Another word of thought-I was making -much-more money as an LVN in California than the community college professors. Has to make you think a little.

So no, you may not be crazy, these teachers may not be treating you fairly. If it comes down to it, you may be able to request an educational review of your material if you think you are being treated unfairly. Of course, just give them little to complain or mark you down about, and that could be it.

Anywho, good luck bro.

-Redfoot.

[MEDICJOHN]

You are making this a bigger deal than it needs to be. REmember, you can always talk to your school counselor, lame as it sounds, or even a nursing counselor, no one has to know. Talk about your feelings to get them out. I'm sure the teacher is not out to get you, but you prob get more attention cuz you are different. Just go with it, study, study hard, DO THE WORK, then f...em...you will be a male rn, especially employable in a busy ER, to protect the women. :)

[Smitty08]

Its a tough spot to be in. I graduated in '84 (fossil) as the only guy who made it out of 4 who started. BTW they entered 103 students and 40+/- graduated. So everyone was dropping like flies. I think I was treated overall well, but I stayed respectful and tried to have a good attitude. Some instructors didn't seem to like my gender, others did. Sounds like from what I am reading here, its become more accepting, if anything. I'm really glad to hear it. Its a great profession, hang in there, the times they are a changing!

[tdo1]

Yea, being the only male in the class sucks. Hang on in there, once you finish the madness at that school will be over.

[NKinsellaRN27]

Sounds like you were in my program. I started with 4 other guys and ended up being the only guy left in the end. I found that some instructors are not so pleasant while others can be extraordinary. You take the good with the bad, and when you get out of school, the same applies to your coworkers. The stress of nursing school will only prepare you for the stress involved in actual nursing, maybe not always to the degree that the instructors dish, but at times just the same. I think thats why nursing is a calling versus a given. Some people just have it, while others dont. I probably was one of the most anxious minds in the class, but the best i can offer is to stay cool on the outside, there is always time to freak out later. It gets better as your get adjusted to your environments. By the time you graduate you will look back at nursing school and think oh gosh, I made it. All this stress and pressure make you feel more fulfilled after you get out. It really is a big deal to graduate from nursing school, not outsiders realize how intense it is and how much dedication it takes. You will make it, just take it one step at a time, and one patient at a time.

[tencat]

WAY too much estrogen in nursing....drives me NUTS, and I am a female....I love working with the guys....99% of the time the drama is limited, and if they don't like you, they're pretty upfront about it and not all stealthy and game playing....Keep plugging away, try not to make too many waves, and good luck to you!

[MrRockerSN]

I had a similar situation. Because I am one of the very few males in my program, I was watched more closely. The administration had many problems with my fascination with horror movies and action, and my involvement with a halloween event at a local theme park. I finally had to threaten a lawsuit for sexual discrimination if the harassment did not stop. Honestly, I think these good 'ol gals are not used to dealing with males. And they are shocked when they realize we are normal guys with normal guy interests. My advice is don't take any **** from them. If you can gather any evidence on their discrimination on you, do so. And consider approaching an ethics community in your school with your problem. It will embarass the school, and bring you some satisfaction. But only do this if you have a valid case and the evidence to do so. Good luck.

[ooomonkeys]

Honestly, it sounds like they feel that you can do much better than what you are doing now. It probably does have something to do with you being a male. But it can't be helped.

[sooperdooper]

For myself, I have found all my teachers to be quite nice and supportive. In fact, I would venture to say I get along with them much more so than most because I am very active in discussion. However, on the flipside, I catch WAY more flack from some of the females.