Hi everyone, I just started nursing school and I need advice on how to get along with my clinical group. Ever since day 1, I have always been nice to them and treated everybody with respect, but for some reason they don't seem to acknowledge me, ignore me, or look at me in annoyance whenever I try to start a conversation with them. They all have gotten close with each other and laugh with each other, but whenever I try to get to know them, they leave me out and distance themselves.
I just don't know what I did wrong. Maybe it's because I don't stay that long with them in study groups, but it's because I can't concentrate on my studies when in crowds and they study in school from 8am to 9pm EVERYDAY. Other groups don't even stay with each other for that long. I usually just stay 2-3 hours after class to try to get to know them and participate in studying, but I feel like they get mad at me whenever I leave early and now they just treat me like they don't need me or as if I'm worthless. But I also have parents to go home to and a diabetic dog that needs timely insulin shots, so I can't really stay with them for that long.
The first few weeks, I've tried to be friendly and talk with them, but now I feel discouraged to speak with them because every attempt of befriending them has been met with rejection (ex: they ignore me whenever I speak to them, they don't reply to my text, but reply to other peoples text in group chat, whenever I ask a question, they answer with blunt one-worded replies or talk down to me as if I'm incompetent, and I tried sitting with them on the table they leave after just 5 minutes). I even tried getting snacks for them. I also tried offering any help if they needed it, but they just don't acknowledge it at all. They even said amongst themselves that this group should be a "safe space" and that treat each other like"family", but every time I'm with them, why do I feel like walking on eggshells with my every movement being judged?
They can also get pretty controlling saying things like "you need to do this now" like its an ultimatum, and gang up on me whenever I try to speak my opinion. I'm just really bummed out about being outcasted, because I didn't expect nursing school to be this isolating.
Our program is about 18 months, but I don't know if I can make it with this form of treatment. Plus, since they are my clinical group, I fear that I will have no one to rely on when I need help or have questions since we are supposed to be working together when we practice our rounds and labs.
Do you guys have any advice on what I can do to fix my situation? Should I ask my counselor or professor or advisor for help (though I can't help but feel ashamed for reaching out)? Your help is very much appreciated.
