I bet you don't see this every day.

[vashtee, RN]

My clinical group is forming a lynch mob in an attempt to get rid of our clinical instructor. At least 7/10 of our clinical group has an appointment to meet with the school's vice principal. The legal and justice systems are both involved in actions against this instructor. (I'm being deliberately vague.)

I am two months from graduation, and I just want to get through it.

For the record, I actually LIKE this instructor, even though I agree she is unreasonably harsh with some of the students (she's been fine with me).

I am worried about taking anyone's side. I will have to work with some of these students in the near future, and don't want to be thought of unfavorably. I obviously also don't want to bring the instructor's wrath down on my head.

Any thoughts?

[nickos]

If you feel like she is doing an alright job, and don't have any problems with her, you are under no obligation to take "sides" in this issue. If you feel she can be unreasonably harsh, I can see telling someone that if they ask you (or going to someone on your own). However if I were you I could see not wanting to "rock the boat" and wanting to just get through the rest of the program. I would keep my mouth shut and ears open I guess.....does that count as advice?

[SharonH, RN]

If you don't agree with the actions your fellow students are taking, then don't go along. You don't have to try to talk them down, just don't participate and that means that you actively separate yourself from what they are doing. Don't allow yourself to just be carried along silently. You owe it to yourself to act honestly.

Besides, your fellow students have no power; at worst they won't invite you along for lunch. Big deal.

[nickos]

Besides, your fellow students have no power; at worst they won't invite you along for lunch. Big deal.

no lunch? there are worse things....like not finishing your program!

[teeniebert, LPN]

Since you're 2 months from graduation, my advice (take it or leave it) is to keep your head down and focus on your studying/assignments. If you are asked directly by the vice principal, give a statement, but otherwise don't get involved.

[nurseshepherd]

2 months from graduation? I'd stay clear of the rabble and get through with nursing school. Having been a clinical instructor for years I know how one or two can get a group (or mob as it were:wink2:) stirred up, but you don't want to be collateral damage. As one of the PPs said, if the nursing school chair/dean asks you individually what you think, by all means give them your assessment of the instructor. Graduate and move on, we all have to learn to pick our battles and your classmates are fighting a battle that could cost them dearly.

[vashtee, RN]

Actually, to be fair to the students, this is more than one or two people who are stirred up, and they have been treated in a way I wouldn't appreciate. Also, we aren't talking about kid students here... we are talking about grown women in their 30s-50s, and their complaints are not invalid.

For some reason, this instuctor likes me and leaves me to work pretty independently, which gives her more time to target other students. Their misfortune has been to my benefit, and I feel a little guilty about it, I guess.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

Well, I had an instructor who made my life a living he$$. Her daily goal was to make me cry. I suffered thru it and went on to graduate. If I had bucked up against her, she would have probably cost me my graduation. After all, she had the power to pass/fail me.

I pity the ones who are the object of her wrath, but if I were you I would stay out of it. You need to fight your own battles, and this doesnt sound like YOUR battle. You need to take care of yourself and focus on YOUR future. You dont want to become her target, and if she has been good to you...why would you go against her and risk it? After graduation, you probably wont even see many of your fellow students again.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

For some reason, this instuctor likes me and leaves me to work pretty independently, which gives her more time to target other students. Their misfortune has been to my benefit, and I feel a little guilty about it, I guess.

Don't allow this guilt to cloud your judgement about whether or not it is prudent for you to participate in whatever action they take against the instructor.

[nurseshepherd]

I had a nursing/clinical instructor that was awful, hateful, and looked for ways to fail students (hopefully not the same one your classmates are dealing with because she is still alive last I heard) but the first lesson I learned in nursing school was to keep my mouth shut. I too was a non-traditional (older) student who didn't appreciate being talked to like an idiot or a private at boot camp. Once I graduated and passed boards, different story. I sent a letter to the school giving them a fair and thorough assessment of their program. None of the instructors could believe I wrote the letter because I never complained about a thing, but that was because I saw the results of what happened to those who did. I vowed to never be like that and I hope my former students will agree that I was strict but fair and the only reason any of them failed was because they failed themselves. Nursing schools tend to circle the wagons when allegations are made and they defend even those who they know are too rough on students. Get through with school, graduate and pass boards. Then if you want to get it off your chest, no harm done to you.

[Turtle in scrubs]

i was in a similar situation during a semester in ns. by not taking sides it seemed to both sides like i took the other side - meaning the students were upset i didn't take side with them and the instructor made an assumption that i was taking sides with the group of students. in fact i did nothing of the sort. but i couldn't control what they thought - i could only be true to myself.

the issue that they were in dispute over in no way involved me and therefore i stayed out of it, but i understand that it is easier said than done. not taking a position in a way was harder - but worth it. i agree with sharonh to not allow yourself to just be carried along silently.

hang in there - 2 more months and you will be onto the next phase of your journey. :wink2:

[suanna]

It's the "chicken" way out of this dilema but you can always wait till you pass and send a letter to the dean voicing your concerns about this instructor. If you can site specific examples you may still help save future students the problems your peers now face. As to going in with the gang now- no way!!! If asked you can offer your honest opinion but if you don't have a problem with this instructor you have no reason to be there- in fact you will only weaken thier argument.