How do I get along well with my clinical instructor?

Lynx25, LPN · Sep 13, 2011

Suck it up, graduate, it's not about you... etc etc etc.

Really, just do your assignment, get your questions answered from other sources if she seriously doesn't want to help out, and get the job done.

XXWeaponX · Sep 13, 2011

Just stay under the radar. Talk to other people who made it through her class, and find out what they did to stay out of her way and pass the class. If asking questions ****** her off or gets her irritated, don't ask questions of her. Ask questions of other nurses on the floor, of other teachers at your school, anyone that can provide you with assistance. Don't call attention to yourself, and have a good attitude, even if you're faking it.

Discrimination is gross, and while you shouldn't have to take it or sit by and allow yourself to be victimized by her, if you or your classmates are being targeted because you are people of color, or new to the US, report her to school administration. Keep in mind though, this will probably create a scene and may make things more difficult.

Don't go into the class with expectations of this happening. In fact, go into your class with no/low expectations, and maybe you'll come out surprised by how well things went.

Jackfackmasta, ASN, RN · Sep 13, 2011

I had students tell me all the time in level 2 that so and so was mean and likes to fail people. When I met both of them they were very down to earth and nice. I learned after level 2 to never judge people based on what others say because they turned out to be my favorite teachers and helped me learn the most and offered me letters of recommendation without me asking.

Those who talk bad about others tend to have done something to that person to deserve it. There will be professors who will not "baby" you and will push you by asking questions to test your knowledge but they do it do help you learn and critically think. It is not "mean" its helping you and once you grasp that concept it makes you better.

My professor right now I was told was mean. I found out that she just expects more out of everyone and pushes me to learn from my mistakes (forgetting tubing caps) to become better (got a fanny back now). Now I am flying through my medications and care with 3 patients and am very organized. Yea, every laughed at my fanny pack but I'm not the one running back to the IV room for something because I forgot it.

I've found the "mean" professors turned out to be my favorite and pushed me to be better than the "nice" ones who sometimes do not push you and rather chat with her med assistant in the corner. Lesson learned, don't judge people before you know them and don't take constructive criticism as being "mean." Learn from the situations and professors. Those who talk bad probably did bad to. The person telling me my level 2 professors were mean, had failed :)

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2011

Just get along. 15 minutes after you graduate you never have to see these people again. Smile, get your degree/license, move on.

Katie5 · Sep 13, 2011

When you're driving on the road, and there's a speed bump two miles away, you don't slow down until you get close enough.

Morale of the story- Do not cross the bridge till you get to it.

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2011

Ever watch Hell's Kitchen? "Yes Chef" her to death. Seriously, it's the only way with those types. Ask questions, if you need to on 'off' times, not in the middle of a busy med pass etc.

kakamegamama · Sep 13, 2011

Give her the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes a group of students can decide they don't like the instructor for whatever reason and figure saying bad things about them will eventually get them fired/tear them down to the point of no return/justify their own poor behavior. She may very well not be nice or want to answer questions, but only until/if you experience it do you really know. Study hard. Be professional. If she truly doesn't respond to your questions, ask yourself if she's trying to get you to think critically. She may respond after you answer the question yourself. Good luck & hang in there.

SweetseRN · Sep 13, 2011

I have heard stories like this before, and as it turned out the instructor was not discriminating, she just expected (understandably) for all students to have a strong command of the English language in both the spoken and written word. Some students took this the wrong way, but in healthcare you have to be able to communicate clearly and effectively for obvious reasons. My advice, always be on time, be professional to a T, practice safety first and use your brains and common sense. Also, make sure you do your assigned reading/homework and always be well prepared. I have heard stories where students were chastised for asking questions, but as it turned out the instructor was annoyed because it was always the same handful of unprepared students asking questions that they really should have known the answers to. One thing I learned in nursing school that helped me succeed was to take the opinions of others with a grain of salt. Give the instructor a chance and form your OWN opinion. You just might be surprised...

If it turns out she really is a bad instructor, keep your head down, work hard and remember it will be over soon.

IaCountryGirl · Sep 13, 2011

I had an instructor once that I heard horrible things about. Turns out by the time I got her, she had been talked to by the school and a meeting was called for all clinical instructors about expectations, etc. So in the end, she was not bad (but not my favorite either).

Everyone else has given good advice.

When I get a not so great instructor, unless it's really bad. then i wait until the end of the semester and fill out their survey appropriately. Not all schools may do this. And when I do fill in my written part, i try to do so with constructive criticism.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2011

I was told one of my teachers would be horrible, unfair, hated older students, etc., so I went in anticipating the worst. Turns out the people who had problems with her were those who were 1) late all the time to class, clinicals, with paperwork, 2) asked STUPID questions (yes, they do exist), like arguing with the teacher that metoclopramide (reglan) was for BP and metoprolol (Lopressor) was for nausea! and 3) were unprofessional -- looked like the morning after a binge at clinicals, were hateful to other students, acted superior to the floor nurses and CNAs, and complained that they weren't getting anything out of their schooling to everyone in earshot. She ate them up for not doing their "job" -- student -- and so they said she was horrible.

She was the best nursing instructor I ever had. I learned much more from her than I did the one that tried to be everyone's friend and succeeded in passing a lot of people who ended up unable to pass their boards.

workingspaz · Sep 14, 2011

as per previous posters and a former student that was NAILED by a nurse that even the staff knew and called her "the Nazi", head down, do the assignments, seek a mentor instructor in the form of those you may have already had and just hang in there. funny enough my nazi-***** instructor happened into a retail facility where i am giving vaccines and just totally ignored me. WOOHOO! just have confidence in yourself and when you need help seek out supportive instructors as you can. good luck- it's only for about 4 months