Horizontal Violence in Class & Clinicals

[Etck2009]

I am in my first semester of LPN school and apparently there is a word for the backstabbing, gossiping, busy bodies who must not be at all overwhelmed with schoolwork and family time since they still find time to be bothersome to others. I brought this to my professors attention b/c I was being affected personally by what was going on around me even though I chose to keep my mouth shut. Apparently, since the Ringleader has had the professor before and he already knows her, when he confronted her with my accusations, she turned it around on me and said I am the one who is causing problems. This has greatly affected my life in more ways than just my school work and I have found myself dreading even going to class for not knowing what will happen next.

I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed and handled within the school setting before the nurses graduate. There are 23 students in our class and we were told that even though they have a 100% pass rate on INCLEX, there are usually only half the students left in the 3rd semester that arrived in the first.

I'm wondering if this could partially be attributed to HV within the classroom and clinical setting. I really do believe this could be a contributing factor to the students who flunk out before 3rd semester.

Maybe some sort of.... "Only the strong survive" or in my case, the ones who are able to manipulate the teachers the best....???

[SnMrsSmiley]

I thought it was called lateral violence. It doesnt affect me at all, I dont participate. If people feel a need to discuss me then so be it. I have very little time to pay attention to it. Plus I have a really thick skin. Im in school for ME and ME only. Idle gossip and chitter chatter is always in the background .... and thats exactly where i keep it.

[ontnursec]

I'm going through the same thing... only its not just me they talk about, they talk about anybody and everybody! I'm not desperate for friends, and I'm in school to be the best nurse I can be, but I know it can be hurtful sometimes. Try to ignore them and just concentrate on school and family!

[*LadyJane*]

Remember this: what people say about others doesn't necessarily reflect on the person talked about, but the person who is doing the talking.

[PrometheanLady]

My BEST advice as a first semester RN student: IGNORE IT. If it gets to the point that you have to physically become involved (i.e., meeting with professor, peers) then your consistent conduct will speak volumes over the "he said/she said" games. Think about your values, where your personal integrity lies, and let those be your witness. Believe me, people will notice and remember your actions much more readily than your words. So watch your eyes, keep them straight ahead of you. Watch your facial expressions, smile--ALOT. And most importantly, THINK about every word that will come out of your mouth. It is very hard to refute a person with consistent integrity. Give up on the petty battles, and focus on the battle for your future. Cheers!