I need your advice please - Please read

[tiffany311]

Today I went to open my emails, and was surprised to actually receive an email that one instructor accidently sent to me, that was meant for my other instructor that was written about me. I am really affended and insulted. Please read and advise what you would do in this situation.

This is the email that came to me.........................

To instructor so and so,

The Jane Doe saga starts already. She is very upset that she has not received her package yet, although she hadn't given her new address to you, or the secretary. Look at her reply below and it will already make you start thinking we ave a long year ahead of us!!!

Happy Times!!!

Instructor so and so:)

Ps

I did tell my one instructor my new adress. Instead of her jumping to conclusions shouldn't she have verified this?

This is the message that I sent to her, I am assuming that perhaps I did not make it for the second year, as I don't understand why it is taking so long to know anything. Thanks for everything

Take care

Jane Doe

I inquired when I was going to be doing my practicum days for evenings, because all my classmates knew 2 weeks before myself. I feel that she being my instructor for the practicum would know whether or not I was going to be doing it days or evenings. Don't I have the right to ask such questions.

I fear because she has judged me unfairly that it will have a impact on how well I do for the rest of the time at school. It seems as though she has labelled me and I am thinking that she is going to give me a hard time the rest of the year that we have.

Please advise me.

The reason I was feeling anxiety is because it seemed like everything seemed to be like a big run around for me, why would she judge me so harshly and not even know me? She taught us one class in 3 months time. And if she only took the time to know me she would know that I am a quiet sensitive person that sticks to herself and does not like to cause problems for anyone.

Please I really need your advice

Thank you

[Becca608]

Not at this point. I would wait and see if receive replies from either professor. If not, then they have chosen to let this go and I think it would be wise to do the same. If you do and still don't feel that the situation is corrected, then I would talk to someone that can sit down f2f with you-- such as the student advocate, a trusted faculty member or an older relative/friend that has experience in dealing with academic and/or hospital politics. They are likely to tell you them same as Scorpio.

Let it go, even though it doesn't seem fair. Stay under the radar, but be your best because your practicum professor may be zeroing in on you for awhile. I don't say that to scare you, but its just the way it is. If you have to communicate about it any further, then do it in person with a smile on your face and a forgiving attitude.

[Tharem]

Yes, it probably would have been better to be more low key, but I don't think her response was that far out of line. The letter she received 'by mistake' (and I wonder if it really was by mistake or actually intended to get a reaction) was very insulting, and when people are insulted they usually react, it's normal and can almost be expected.

I don't know what kind of dynamics exist in these relationships, and it is that more than anything else which will probably determine the outcome of this situation rather than anything specifically said in the emails.

Although it may have been the wisest thing, I think it's a little unreasonable to expect Tiffany311 to suck it up completely and not challenge the attitude of this professor. Her reaction was understandable.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

First of all, I'm sitting here wondering how an e-mail meant for another instructor got sent to a student by mistake. What kind of instructor makes that kind of boo-boo?

So, I'm thinking this was either

1. deliberate (and very childish)
   
2. or, this is instructor is not the brightest bulb in the box

Choice #2 is not likely or she wouldn't be teaching. I suspect it's #1.

Make a copy of the e-mail and attach it to a letter of complaint about the way this instructor is treating you and send it to the head of the nursing department as well as the dean of the college. She is bullying you.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

I agree that this seems like it's something more deliberate, but why would an instructor do that?

Are you 100% sure this was from the actual instructor?

[GrilledCheese]

First of all, I'm sitting here wondering how an e-mail meant for another instructor got sent to a student by mistake. What kind of instructor makes that kind of boo-boo?

I wouldn't read anything into that. In my experience this kind of email mix-up happens all the time. For example, often people click on "reply all" when they meant to just reply to one person. I work at a company full of computer geniuses and it still happens!

Even if you get the address right, messages get forwarded to people you never intended to read them. Don't treat email like a private telephone conversation. Don't say nasty things you will be embarrassed by later.

[goodstudentnowRN]

I would not let this Instructor feel dignified with my reply. I would ignore her comment and when I see her face to face I would be very professional no "petty talk". This is why I do not entertain conversations with my instructors outside of school work. These instructors can be very immature.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

This is why a written letter and copy of the e-mail needs to go to the head of the nursing department. Let him/her investigate what is going on. If it is another student doing this or an actual instructor then they will have some documented proof.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I would not have responded appropriately to this situation.

[LAM2010, BSN]

Oh well, live and learn. Everyone is human and these things happen. I agree, that was pretty stupid of that person to do. #1 for insulting over email in a professional setting and #2 for sending it to the wrong person.

Here is my --

- Whether you did the subtle, "I-believe-this-was-meant-for-someone-else..." reply (that would have been my choice...then wait for the apology!), or you replied and addressed it, either way, the sender is most likely is feeling like an idiot (unless she did it intentionally, as someone else wondered).

I think the ball is now in their court.

If you don't get the information you're waiting for soon (I suspect this incident gave them some motivation...), then I would keep the copies, as another previous poster suggested, and get ready to take it to your student advocate or whomever [we don't even have those where I go...we should!...].

If you and the professor are not, from this point, able to settle it between yourselves professionally, then you know you can consult the advocate. The copies may then come in handy. The thing is, it's only fair if you provide copies of your replies, too.

[LMRN10]

I do not reply to upsetting emails for 24-48 hours. That gives one time to think of the best response. Once sent, they usually cannot be unsent.

This is what I was going to suggest...waiting 24 to 48 hours to reply to her...I get ticked off when things like that present themselves as well...especially when you have done nothing wrong! But I wait and see how I feel the next day or two after that - my response usually changes in that time and I find a better way to respond.

I agree...I would have simply stated "I believe you sent this to the wrong person." and left it at that. But what's done is done and she now knows she should check her address list more closely before sending it next time!

Edited to add:

If I had reacted immediately, for the record, I would have more than likely responded with a similar email.

Also, although we are the students, we still deserve respect just like anyone else. There is no reason those types of emails should be sent and the fact that one was "accidentally" sent to a student should be taken note of...definitely keep it in your inbox, and print out a hard copy (as well as your responses). You can always take it to their superiors or yes, a student advocate to bring this to someones attention. CYA...VERY IMPORTANT! JMO!

Lori

[tiffany311]

oh after sitting awhile and regretting the way I over-reacted I feel terrible and sad regret. I have sent emails apologizing to both instructors and hoping that they don't send me to the wolves and set me up for failure:(

I am discouraged and would like to see if they would kindly transfer me to another school. What do you think?

Here are my apologies sent in my email.......................

The one that sent me the email that was meant for my other instructors eyes only

I do accept your apology. I am sorry too. I just wanted to know what was

going on for practicum. My husband was not helping me feel better with the

delay either. It is ok. We don't have to discuss this any further. I accept

your apology.

To new beginnings and a new year

I promise to not make this year a long one for you

Enjoy the rest of your summer

and to the other instructor that was to recieve the email from instructor A

Sorry about my previous message, I was just hurt and felt that I was a

victim of gossip. I am sorry for over-reacting. I guess the fact that my

husband was making me feel bad about me not hearing back about my marks and

my package did not make matters easy for me. He was pressuring me to find

out what was going on, and had me convinced that because my marks that are

posted on Siast is a failing mark for HC as it says 54S, both him and I

figured that it meant that I had a 54% for that class, and it also showed I

did not receive a credit.

This is the reason that the assumption of not passing into year 2 came into

being. Please forgive me and accept my apology.

Thank you

[LMRN10]

oh after sitting awhile and regretting the way I over-reacted I feel terrible and sad regret. I have sent emails apologizing to both instructors and hoping that they don't send me to the wolves and set me up for failure:(

I am discouraged and would like to see if they would kindly transfer me to another school. What do you think?

Here are my apologies sent in my email.......................

The one that sent me the email that was meant for my other instructors eyes only

I do accept your apology. I am sorry too. I just wanted to know what was

going on for practicum. My husband was not helping me feel better with the

delay either. It is ok. We don't have to discuss this any further. I accept

your apology.

To new beginnings and a new year

I promise to not make this year a long one for you

Enjoy the rest of your summer

and to the other instructor that was to recieve the email from instructor A

Sorry about my previous message, I was just hurt and felt that I was a

victim of gossip. I am sorry for over-reacting. I guess the fact that my

husband was making me feel bad about me not hearing back about my marks and

my package did not make matters easy for me. He was pressuring me to find

out what was going on, and had me convinced that because my marks that are

posted on Siast is a failing mark for HC as it says 54S, both him and I

figured that it meant that I had a 54% for that class, and it also showed I

did not receive a credit.

This is the reason that the assumption of not passing into year 2 came into

being. Please forgive me and accept my apology.

Thank you

Did the instructor who actually emailed it email you back then? Hopefully she felt bad about the situation. You apologized...I'd leave it at that.

And I wouldn't even think about transering to another school...just keep hard copies of those emails just in case and go with it...