Horizontal Violence in Nursing School

[Loppear, RN]

I am currently enrollled in a 15 month LPN program, just finishing Semester 2. I was thrilled to be accepted into the program as they have a LONG waiting list here...some girls I talked to have to wait until 2006-2007 to get in. So I looked forward to hitting the books and doing something with my life. The first semester was intense, but hugely enjoyable for me. We are a satellite school in a rural area, and are a very small class so I guess I expected us to all get along and be united in our goal....to become LPNs. How wrong was I! This past semester has been h#ll. A couple of us became 'outcasts', for reasons beyond my comprehension (maybe because I don't brown-nose or cow-tow to anyone). Some of the people in this class are downright ridiculous. The rolling of eyes when one of us answers, or literally turning their back on us when they don't want to have anything to do with us. They laugh at our presentations in class, and argue when we express our opinions, especially if it is not the same as theirs. They not only exclude us socially (I could care less, I have a very full life with my family outside of class), but internally and during both class and clinical times. I am trying to be nice and keep my mouth shut (something very hard for this chicky to do!!), but I have to work with these people and be professsional about it. The level of immaturity and cattiness is appalling. I didn't even act this way in high school, and so it is astounding that grown adults can act like children. It is gettting to the point where a few of them are actually trying to sabotoge things now. They are nosy, they find things to pick at, both about us, our instructors, patients and other staff where we have to do our clinicals. The backstabbing is unreal, the comments pathetic. Now, if I saw another student doing something that was going to hurt a patient, then yes, I would step in and talk with them, or mention it to our instructor, but we are all learning here, and the things that they have been mentioning and complaining about to the instructors are inane and silly. The instructor is great, and has tried to deal with some of what he/she sees, but DOES NOT SEE IT ALL! And when it was finally brought to her attention, she tried to deal with it as a class thing, instead of going to the individuals involved. This DID NOT WORK. In fact, it has escalated to the point where it is obvious to EVERYONE (inside the program and casual observers) that there is a problem. I am to the point where I dread going to school each day, and I love nursing. I hate the vibes in the room, and the crap that is said behind peoples' backs. Now, they have not really been rude and nasty with me, (I tend to avoid them when I can), but they have specifically targeted another person, who I am friends with. As I said, we all have to work together, and I am trying to be supportive of my classmates but boy is it hard! And although our Nursing management knows what is going on, they don't seem to do anything. They seem to think we are exaggerating or simply being 'unsupportive' of one another. Those other students involved, all show up for class on time, do the work, get decent marks, and so I don't think that our superiors feel they can complain. But we ALSO do these things and still get treated like dirt. And they take everything said by these people as the truth and have to look into every little incident reported. But they won't do it when we complain about the others' actions toward us? This program is very poorly run, but when we complain about it to TPTB we are told,"You should feel lucky, at least the program is offered here, you could have to go elsewhere or wait for years to get in". Now this is true, but it is not solving the problem of the HV in the classroom. I could not imagine having to do a BSN of 4 years with these jacka@*$#es!!!

So my question is this? What do we do, how do we deal with them, how do we do our practicums, clinicals and maintain a decent atmosphere of learning and respect? And how do we get this behaviour noticed by TPTB?

[Zipster]

This too has happened in my school. We try to make the best of a bad situation and ignore the 4-5 problem children in our class.Hang in there:)

[Carolanne]

I am sorry for your troubles, I definitely sense your frustration and upset. As in so many other situations in life, it's a shame that something worthwhile and enjoyable has to be spoiled by a handful that don't really belong in the group to begin with. It's a little unsettling to think what these instigators would be like as nurses, sounds like they have a little growing up to do first before they enter such an honorable profession. Sounds too like your instructor has her hands full and the situation has gotten out of control. I wouldn't stop there - I would definitely keep going up the ladder of superiors in your school and not stop until someone puts a stop to this nonsense. Go to your student advisor, guidance staff, the dean, etc., etc. until someone gets a handle on it. Situations like this should not be tolerated, you are spending good time and money attending their school and their reputation is at stake. They need to be made aware of these kinds of situations. These "women" need to be made aware that such childish and unprofessional behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. You can stand by and remain totally anonymous if you wish while in class, the trouble makers don't have to know it was you that made the report. In this way, you won't be singled out and the situation will be handled appropriately by the people who are paid to do it. Good luck with everything and hang in there, things will change!!

[Rapheal]

In school there was a clique and they turned on one of their own and eventually got her kicked out of school. Long sad story. Since I have seen this happen I think I can give some relevent advice. Stay out of the troublemaker's way and be invisible to them. There is nothing gained by becoming a target and having to defend yourself. If the do target you, and question your work or behavior in class or clinicals you must adamantly defend yourself to your instrutors. Keep notes. Make sure your actions are above reproach. Hand in assignments on time, be on time for everything and be well prepared for clinical. Spend time after class if possible talking with your instructors, mention outside research of book material that you have learned to prepare yourself for nursing. Present yourself in a professional way at all times.

Usually these types of bullies pick on people who they perceive as being weak. Show strength in all your coursework and clinical work and they will move on to their next victim. Sorry it has to be this way. I have seen it happen before- it stinks. But your main goal is to finish school so this is my best advice to accomplish this. Good luck.

[chartleypj]

-> I would definitely keep going up the ladder of superiors in your school and not stop until someone puts a stop to this nonsense> [/b]

How awful for you! I agree with Carolanne in that as long as no one addresses the issue appropriately, it's like giving a stamp of approval on the behavior.

It's sad but Horizontal Violence is inherent in this profession; I often wonder if that is why we become attracted to the profession in the first place.

Is this persistant behavior bordering on harrassment?

Paula

[U_South_Al_RN2B]

Start working your way up the ladder....telling people about the problems. Don't skip anyone, but make sure you go in order from least authority to most authority. One more thing I would do and its something the've beat into our heads at nursing school.....If you don't document the event it never happened. Start keeping a log of what happened when and who was involved. I think you said that people in the clinical setting are noticing it. Ask them if they mind you writting down their names because you are documenting each childish event. Make sure you get permission. Kinda like a car accident. You want to get everyones name that saw the accident in case you have to go to court. HHMM, court, I'm not sure how serious you would get about it....if you got kicked out of school because of something you did not do or because people did not like you...then maybe that would be something to look into.

I guess the last step would be to contact your states board of nursing. If patient care is being compromised and your school officials are saying to keep your mouth shut cause your one lucky sob to be in our program....I'm sure they would be interested.

[SandyB]

I hope the superiors in your school are better than what I experienced in "94- school administration said "drop it" after the harrassement between students went physical, the instructors wanted to mediate-even the A&P instructor wanted to try to find a solution....didn't happen. Those on one side watched each others backs (and their assigned patients-sad to say we didn't trust the rest of the class).

The worst 3, I still avoid..I hired on at a hospital and found one of them working in the ICU...when I was told the new float policy that would put me in her area...I quit...she may have changed but the stress of finding out was more than I wanted to cope with. (I was the student who was attacked and yes, later I did sue the student who hit me and won -never got all the $ tho).

So watch each others backs and care for each other and ignore the rest ....just know that when school is over, it will still affect you. After all, you wouldn't want to work with them or have one of them for your nurse if you got sick! (Yep, I keep track of all three I had trouble with...no way would they take care of anyone I love!)

Hang in there! In none of the nursing postions since then have I ever found the pick on each other attitude of school

so with some luck you too will get done with school and HV will be a thing of the past.

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

How awful for you! I had a very similar situation in cosmetology college. It was complete hell, so I know how your feeling. Don't let anyone run you out of school, stay strong, don't let them know they are bothering you. Ask God for to help you get through the toughest days. You'll survive and the best revenge for those jack@$$'s is for you to graduate

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

:imbar Sorry about my grammer mistakes! I'm a typo profesional :chuckle

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

hv is dangerous professionally and very damaging to one's confidence and self-esteem. it also makes for a very poor learning and patient-care environment (whether the hv is taking place among the students or among the instructors or on a unit among nurses).

the only advice i can give is to always be stellar in your performance, be professional at all times in your interactions with the aggressors (don't "stoop" to their level), and keep your own personal documentation of events to present to your instructors, if need be. i know it's hard to learn or to function well when you continually have to watch your back .

here are some excellent sites on hv, bullying, harrassment, and hostile work environment:

http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/hastie02.html

http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/amibeing.htm

[Catma63]

Hard to believe these people you speak of are future nurses. What part of professional do they not understand? Geesh!

I'm sorry to hear you're having to put up with such nonsensical behavior while in already tense studies but you must remember that you decided to become a nurse because YOU wanted to, before you ever even knew these people. They have nothing to do with your graduating......so ignore them. Be polite when communication is required but step back and don't even concern yourself with recognizing them more thoroughly than that.

[Mandylpn]

We had one gal in our class who was overweight, etc. this one jerk guy took it upon himself to pick on her and insult her to other students behind her back. Guess what? He got his -- he flunked out of med surg. So there you go, maybe they will get what is coming to them. And yes, you are lucky to be in the nursing program, but you are paying for it and should expect professionalism, I mean we are all adults. Good luck.