I hate my clinical professor, would this be a good idea to ask her?

Karen Davis, DNP, RN · Mar 17, 2022

I would have to agree with NICU Guy about wanting out of the entire program if it has faculty that can actually dismiss a student for placing a blood pressure cuff incorrectly. Because if that IS the case then you really have no way of knowing whether you will pass your clinical checkoff or not, do you? So what is your plan? I don't think I would volunteer to move to another group until there is actually a vacancy because that would cause the instructor to wonder why you are volunteering when there isn't even a slot open. All you would be accomplishing by doing that is calling attention to yourself - which you don't really want to do at this point. My suggestion would be to brush up on your skills for checkoff so you will have a good chance to pass - and increase your confidence in yourself - and stop worrying about this instructor - if you're not going to drop the course - because all you're doing is making yourself more anxious and frustrated. That's not going to solve anything, and it will definitely work against you. Believe in yourself. This teacher won't be the only person you will run across in your professional career as a nurse that will give you grief. You can do this. Good luck!

Closed Account 12345 · Mar 17, 2022

This is an awfully strong judgment of someone you've never personally observed in the clinical setting.

Since your primary source for this opinion is previous students who didn't do well under this instructor, you should consider that it's one-sided and likely biased.

Just because an instructor isn't all smiles doesn't mean she's rude. Just because she's considered a "hard" instructor isn't bad. Perhaps she takes her job seriously and wants students to become safe, competent nurses. Perhaps that's because she genuinely cares for her students. Would you want an instructor who doesn't care about quality?

To answer your question, no, asking her to switch groups would not be a good idea. If your program wants or needs to adjust clinical groups, they will do that. If they want volunteers, they'll ask. Letting someone know that you're eager to leave their clinical group probably isn't an ideal first impression.

Show maturity, be respectful to everyone you encounter in clinicals (nurses, peers, instructors), and learn what you can from this rotation.

iNurs5, CNA · Mar 18, 2022

On 3/15/2022 at 2:20 PM, cookie123d said:

"mean instructor"

How did you know that she is a "mean instructor"? Do you believe rumors? Are you not confident to pass her? There were students told my cohort that our CI was a "mean CI." It turned out she was a very good CI. She already retired twice. She didn't have to do anything anymore, but she loves to inspire younger nurses. She didn't put up with tardiness and unpreparedness. Wait when many experience nurses quit. You'll really be by yourself.

You must know how to take blood pressure and pulse manually including other nursing procedures. What are you then if you don't know those or are willing to learn something you yet know.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Mar 22, 2022

Didn't you have a teacher in grade school or high school that you "hated?" Seems like everybody does. Somehow you survived that year, so you will survive this as well. Besides, making the pre-judgment that you "hate" this clinical instructor is definitely premature as you haven't even worked with her yet.

On the assumption that nothing changes and you do end up with this instructor for your clinical rotation getting on her radar by volunteering to change groups before volunteers are even requested is certainly no way to start that relationship.

londonflo · Mar 22, 2022

On 3/15/2022 at 11:38 PM, cookie123d said:

she said she kicked some guy out of clinical (and the whole program) because he put a blood pressure cuff over a bruise or something?

Maybe it was the "or something".

But didn't your lab partner have 2 arms? Was the bruised arm assessed and the reason for it? : (blood draw maybe), But what if the patient had a PICC in their arm? Previous mastectomy? " Assessment is first, before you chose where to use the BP cuff. Instructor "Meanie" is teaching clinical nursing. .We can explain in the classroom but the 'rubber hits the road' in a clinical setting. A lab setting for 'clinical check-offs is stressful, I understand ..but this is where you learn a skill to apply later on a live patient.'

Actually I would stay with instructor "Meanie". Sounds like more application in your clinical. The instructor was probably stressing assessment and giving you more experiential learning. And BTW you don't know all the other problems with the previous student...tardiness etc

Bottom: Assessment is the FIRST step. I realize your were in the school lab but there is where to learn the first step of assessment.

I do take exception to the comments that nursing instructors are power driven and nit-picky. If you walked in my shoes for one day, you would find '''unprepared students with regard to meds, patient history and assessment" on ONE patient. Then there are the fires to put out...the student who gave a post op patient who had an NG (who could have sips of 7 up) gave so much the patient had a carbonated NG container and low potassium. Sips meant nothing to this second semester student.. A student who left the clinical floor to go back to the dorm ( which was 3 blocks away supposedly to get a pen), A student who came with alcohol on his breath. so many more. Don't call me power hungry...I have students come to me with bruises from an abusive husband, those who have no $ for their next meals(s) and one who had to bury their child who died in an accident. This is just a sampling.

RuralMOSchoolRN, ADN, RN · Mar 31, 2022

I would take this is a good experience to learn to do what is necessary to get the job done. If you think you won't have a boss, floor supervisor, or education nurse be tough on you, you're wrong. Not to mention the physicians, surgeons, residents, and medical students. Embrace her being a tough instructor by doing what is required, offering to do additional work/help others, and using the time to learn how to get along with people that are tough.

The first time a patient yells at you because you missed your IV stick are you going to run from the room requesting another patient? No, you're going to take a deep breath, apologize, look for another site and make it work. Nursing is tough--you see people at their worst--and utilizing this experience to get a tough skin and learn under pressure will serve you well.