How to deal with classmates who try to bring you down?

[Hellostudentnurssee]

My schedule is quarter is so hard. Clinical rotations in 8 hr shifts 2/wk with care plans/papers; 1 shift in another site 1/wk, an lab 1/wk, and lecture for 8 hrs 1/wk while doing readings, studying for tests, homework, etc... it's the busiest we've been. I'm a nice person - respectful, help when others ask, non arrogant, nor a show off, or loud and obnoxious. I've been working so hard to gain so much from my experience and working with my instructors (been nurses for years, they're very knowledgeable) and the hard work has been paying off.

Lately I've been feeling a bit attacked by my classmates.They've given me crap about being born in the US because everyone else are ESL and international students. I have been nothing but respectful to them. Some of them even had to explain to a PATIENT that i was "cultural but born in the US". I don't think that needs to be justified. I "don't count as an American because I'm not white." They also have been very manipulative towards me - holding it against me that I was able to have volunteer experience. I can't change anyone and their views, you want to ignore it but it's so negative/draining. They can speak english but are so good at being bossy - I'm guessing it's a cultural thing and it's just the "norm" for them to do, so I don't feel too bad about it. The schedule has been the busiest. In the past, I was able to plan an end of the quarter potluck/reservations for a restaurant but after, I feel people took advantage of it. It wasn't fair to me because we were all busy studying for finals. All they had to do was show up. One of our clinical rotations was coming to an end so you typically bring something to show appreciation. I volunteered to bring "thank you" cards and I thought it was done but my classmates designated a job to me to buy food saying, "yeah she can bring food." without my permission and with assumptions. I'm someone who is genuinely honest in my reactions and immediately said, "I'm not going to do that. I'm way too busy. If you have time to designate people for jobs, you have time to do it yourself." They kept saying (with support of other ESL students), "but you plan and organize things. You can do it after your evening shift at the hospital." Are you kidding me? Why would I stop by to buy food at midnight? Ladies don't go out past a certain time, late at night in the dark. I turned it around and said, "why can't you do it?" After that, they acted as if they were the victims and I was some "evil person" for standing up for myself. I could care less about what they think of me but I look back and think what if I was a bit defensive? Again, it was my honest reaction - if people are proclaiming something against your wishes, it's natural to stand up for yourself. Would you be upset too and how would YOU have handled it? afterwards, everyone was saying I was in a "bad mood" but I was simply defending myself..

(I also spoke with my clinical instructor for some advice & she surprisingly even noticed how my classmates have attacked me. She brought it up first before I got to... I know it's best to ignore it but if they keep this up, I may have to go to the director. I don't want further trouble but I want this to stop...)

[Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN]

Do you feel better getting that off your chest?

What can you do?

If they don't bring their own food to the party then they'll just have to be hungry! I'd recommend not giving it another thought beyond that.

[AaronsMommyxx]

My classmates do this too. They call me a "kiss-ass" because I'm never tardy. Ummm jealous much? You're supposed to be punctual, it's only responsible & if you aren't punctual, you're in the wrong profession, baby!!

Also, my teacher today asked us the 3 main parts of the small intestine. I gave the answers (I was the only one in the class who knew) & everyone started laughing at me

At first I was embarassed but it just made me realize how much better of a nurse I will be than them, & I never think like that!!

Just keep your head up, you're doing great :)

[Piper17]

My classmates do this too. They call me a "kiss-ass" because I'm never tardy. Ummm jealous much? You're supposed to be punctual, it's only responsible & if you aren't punctual, you're in the wrong profession, baby!!

Also, my teacher today asked us the 3 main parts of the small intestine. I gave the answers (I was the only one in the class who knew) & everyone started laughing at me

At first I was embarassed but it just made me realize how much better of a nurse I will be than them, & I never think like that!!

Just keep your head up, you're doing great :)

You were the only one in your WHOLE CLASS that knew the the 3 sections of the small intestines?? and the rest laughed at you for knowing it ??!! Oh lord have mercy, that's a scary group of nurses you are going to graduate with. Kudos for the being the smartest one in your class!

[AaronsMommyxx]

Yes... I mean we just started learning them. I'm actually in a CNA course while taking my pre-reqs for nursing school. but still, w have a test on wednesday, more people should know this already!

[canigraduate]

Just ignore them and don't socialize with them. There's no need for you to put up with that. Unless they get right in your face, you don't even have to acknowledge them unless you want to.

About the only thing you can do to change their behavior is to go "crazy beotch" on them, and you don't seem like the kind of person who wants to do that. So, control your own behavior and reactions and stop letting them **** you off. Once they realize you couldn't care less about them, they'll get bored and move on to something else.

Good luck!