How to avoid conflicts with instructor.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2012

Can you give specific examples of her behavior?
I often find that some instructors have high expectations of their students- and they let them know it. What the students view as condescending and mean behavior is actually the instructor trying to push the students to a higher level. Rarely do I find that instructors are rude just to be rude. Rather their style of instructing is not the soft, take-you-by-the hand style that the students like or are accustomed to. It's a higher level of expectation where the instructor expects the student to put in the effort, study the material in advance, and be prepared to answer the questions and discussion in class.
When I was in my second semester of nursing school, I had an instructor for Health Assessment. At first, I really disliked her. I felt that she acted like she thought we were stupid. If we answered a question wrong or didn't know an answer, her response was to shortly tell us we were wrong. She didn't coddle us and expected that we take the initiative to learn and understand the material. Her tests and assignments were hard, and a lot of people complained. Because her approach was so unfamiliar, students took it as being mean and critical.
But you know what I realized at the end of the that year? She taught that way because she knew that we were capable of performing at a higher level. She was trying to push as to start taking responsibility for our own learning and start thinking like independent, intelligent nurses. She knew that we were adults. We didn't need to be coddled and led through the course. We needed to learn how to be strong critical thinkers who didn't rely on someone else to help us find the answers.
This instructor became one of my most trusted advisors and mentor. As I matured, I learned just how much she really cared about the success of her students. There was nothing condescending or mean about her approach. It was designed to push us into a higher level of professionalism and learning that we otherwise would not have attained. Sophomore students still have trouble adjusting to her teaching, but her senior students adore her.
My advice to you is to focus on what you can learn from this instructor. Chances are she has tons of wisdom to offer you, if you can learn to adjust to her teaching style and not take her harsher style of instruction personally. Learn her expectations. Does she expect you to come to class prepared? Then do the reading ahead of time. Does she expect you to look up an answer before asking a question? The try to look it up yourself and when you ask, explain where you looked and what you found. Realize that all instructors have different teaching styles and very few people are just plain mean. I think you will come to find that this instructor is not actually condescending- you just aren't used to her methods.

Sometimes when I read posts like this I find it so frustrating. I have no idea how this above instructor is but I do know there are instructors who are how you mentioned above but I also know first-hand that there also instructors thatare rude, condescending, obnoxious, and are not aiding the student in anything. I know because I've had both, well actually only 1 of the latter but she was something. Her nasty, ridiculous attitude did not teach me anything and limited my learning experiences because the unit nurses hated her so much they never went out of their way to tell her if something exciting was going on as I've had in the past. I struggle when the instructor is always given the benefit of teh doubt when there is most definately a&^&%&hole instructors out there and there are the same type of students, I know. I love tough instructors that push me and teach me, I don't need my hand held-I'm older, I'm a mother, and have more life experience then many of my peers, but I have little respect for those that take advantage of their position or do to students what tehy feel is fair because they had to suffer through it, grow up.

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2012

It's easy to get rubbed the wrong way in any situation. The very best thing to do is excel in every way you can. Pay attention in lectures, do your best in clinical, and take advantage of every possibility to show your interest and dedication. If you're unsure of anything, go to the instructor's office hours and don't let a bad start keep you from excellence. Good luck!

Puddin2day · Jul 19, 2012

There is a reason why she is the instuctor and you are the student. It is the instructor's job to teach and your job to learn.

Nursing school is comprised of your training days - learn from them; for you will have many days like them once you get on the floor.