Help with an annoying classmate

NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN · Jun 1, 2006

I would just say something to her next time she tries to correct me. But I would not comment about her behavior in class.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jun 1, 2006

Maybe say something like "wow, you seem like you've taken this class before!" (a subtle remark on that if she took it before she probably failed or else she wouldn't be there again)

Or ask her if she is the teacher's assistant. OR even if you are feeling up to it, "what school did you go to to learn nursing?":

I am passive aggressive sometimes, so I tend to get wide-eyed and innocent and ask stuff like that when someone attempts to act superior.

The mature thing to do, of course, is to say something like "I appreciate your trying to help me but I really need to learn this on my own." And the next time she tries to correct you you can say "Good point. Lets clarify that together with our instructor" and then speak to the instructor in front of her "Lala says that XYZ is correct but I seem to recall that QRS is the way you taught us. Can you clarify?"

SaraO'Hara · Jun 1, 2006

Thanks to both of you Yesterday, when she corrected me on bed-making, I just said "Thank-you, X, but I can do this myself." I think I'll stay in that vein.

I should clarify that nobody comments out loud, in class, on her behaviour. We're all adults (well, except for me :lol2: ).

sadsaddy29 · Jun 1, 2006

No one else may comment on her within your earshot, but I can bet that they do on break! I had one of those in a psych class. Aside from her regular class stunts, she decided she was in charge of our research paper presentations--telling us we were wrong or just talking about her brother's friend's mom's cat's uncle that had X and that we didn't know what it was like. You just have to take those people in stride and know that you (hopefully) won't have to deal with them once class is done. Also, I found it stress-relieving to just laugh at the ridiculousness (is that a word? lol) instead of getting annoyed. Good luck...it seems like you've figured her out, though.

mad9 · Jun 1, 2006

Not too long ago I witnessed something

similar to this. Our instructor gave one lady in our class instructions for a practice exercise.

As soon as the instructor left the room one of the girls in the class proceeds to repeat the instructions that the instructor gave to this lady, no probelm there right?

Except the instructions the girl repeated to the lady were completely different form what the instructor actually said!

Why do people feel the need to do this? It only caused confusion for this lady who seemed nervous enough as it was.

mad9 · Jun 1, 2006

I also have to add another experience that I recently had with someone.

This person gave me all the wrong information about what I would need for nursing school, including information about what we wear/shoes, the wrong start and time for the first day, etc.

This person acted as friendly and helpful as could be, she went on to inform me that she had been in constant contact with the Admin Assistant of the school we are both attending.

I know for a fact that she was going to see the Admin. Assistant of school to drop off certificates, etc., that same day because that was the deadline to have this information in. I also mentioned that I was going to be dropping by the school to drop off my information as well.

Now I know to always check information regardless of the source, but what about if I didn't do that?

Starting nursing school is expensive, if I or anyone else did go ahead and purchase the items this person said that we had to have for nursing school, then I would set myself financially behind not to mention how foolish I'd look for not checking this information out with the school first before I purchased anything.

I hope that if there was anyone else she helpfully provided this information to had enough sense to check it out with the school before going ahead and purchasing anything.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jun 1, 2006

I really think that it's the instructor's place to correct us.

The above line would be my reply if she does it again. She's not a teaching assistant.

suzy253, RN · Jun 1, 2006

oh yeah...there was this one particular guy I was in school with. thought he knew it all. Always correcting fellow students (and in the process contaminating the sterile field, etc. etc.). Thing was, he was wrong most of the time anyway and lost his credibility way early on!!! I just finished school and he was in my last clinical rotation and I remember him standing at the med cart arguing with our instructor about figuring out a Heparin IV drip rate. the instructor basically said that she believes she knows a bit more than him.....a bit????? arrrggghhh

hawkeye02 · Jun 1, 2006

OH I can so relate, I have a classmate who is so like that. I just make it my business to stay clear of her, but sometimes that is impossible. She has been to med school, education, vet school and god know what else. I think that people like this say and do things to make themselves look better than anyone else. I just simply reply, that we are all here to learn and since you already know the information and I don't I would like to take the time to learn. In short go away. :lol2:

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2006

It just sounds like she isn't too bright and she's insecure. Try to forget about it and when it irks you just tell yourself - at least I'm blessed to be smarter than her. Dumb is forever.

xNursePinkx2b · Jun 2, 2006

I had a classmate in my CNA class that was like that also! Drives me crazy.