I don't like the facility where I'm teaching

[AmeliasAunt]

Hello!

I am a few weeks into my first adjunct instructor position. I really like the college, the other faculty, and the students have been great. My biggest complaint is that I really do not like the facility where I am teaching. I knew almost immediately that it was not the type of place that I would ever work. There are no issues of safety, and most of the staff nurses have been nice enough, but I find myself annoyed that the clinical coordinator of the floor knows so little that she is of no help to me. Also, the informatics nurse handling my student sign-ons and access, etc. is incredibly nit-picky and obnoxious.

Has anyone else ever felt this way at a place they were teaching? Since I'm new, is this kind of "par for the course" as I gain my footing? Sometimes I think I am being too sensitive or dramatic, but I think I could do more for my students if I was in an environment that I enjoyed.

Thanks.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think that if you like the college, your faculty colleagues, and your students ... you are WAY ahead of the game. You sound like you have a pretty good job. No job is perfect. There are always going to be at least a few frustrations and things that you wish could be better.

Focus on the positive and don't let a few annoyances distract you from doing a good job of teaching the students -- and enjoying the honor of being their instructor.

[RainMom]

I would just like to caution you about verbalizing your dislike to students (not that you are). My facility learned recently that instructors from a program who use us as a clinical site were actively advising students against applying with us once they graduate. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you! Big blow up over that from what I hear & threats to cancel the school's access for clinicals. I'm sure an instructor or 2 were (or are still) in hot water.

[DrnpChar, DNP]

@MelissaM4

I am very excited that you like your work environment because my environment is very hostile.

[AmeliasAunt]

I think that if you like the college, your faculty colleagues, and your students ... you are WAY ahead of the game. You sound like you have a pretty good job. No job is perfect. There are always going to be at least a few frustrations and things that you wish could be better.

Focus on the positive and don't let a few annoyances distract you from doing a good job of teaching the students -- and enjoying the honor of being their instructor.

Thank you. I have been trying to be positive! It really is not that bad and I think a lot of my frustration is not really with the facility, but with the fact that I did not have much of an orientation. The course coordinator is really unable to answer many of my questions because she has never done clinical there so I end up having to take many avenues to have my questions answered. I mean, I had to go through four people before anyone could tell me who was supposed to issue me a badge for the med room! I did take an additional adjunct position at another college and so far, the orientation has been well beyond what I got at the first place. Here's hoping for a smoother transition!

[AmeliasAunt]

I would just like to caution you about verbalizing your dislike to students (not that you are). My facility learned recently that instructors from a program who use us as a clinical site were actively advising students against applying with us once they graduate. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you! Big blow up over that from what I hear & threats to cancel the school's access for clinicals. I'm sure an instructor or 2 were (or are still) in hot water.

Oh, trust me, I would never! lol Plus, many of the students in this program are already working at this hospital as nursing assistants as it is really one of the only hospitals in the immediate area. I could not imagine being the reason for a school and college to sever ties! How awful!

[caliotter3]

Ehh, you do realize that your location is posted and I would guess you are using your real name as a screen name? Perhaps this thread should be removed for your own protection (if it has not already been seen by the wrong persons).