So I was on the phone with a Medical Assistant clinical instructor, inquiring about the program for my younger sister. At first the clinical instructor seemed very nice and was answering all of my questions (he even explained the confusing MA schedule right down to the T).
He was very informative by redirecting and giving me different phone numbers that could also assist me in any help that I needed. I truly felt comfortable talking on the phone with this man and asking any question about the program that I had.
But when I hung up the phone after all was said and done, my sister had another question that she had forgotten to ask. So after waiting a duration of about 10 min, I called the instructor back to ask him my sister's nagging question and get some more answers, then all of the sudden the instructor blows up and starts raising his voice at me, telling me that he already gave me other phone numbers to assist me and there's no reason I should be calling him back. Then he just hung up (or slammed it felt like on my end).
I was in shocked at how angry and rude he became out of nowhere!! He was practically yelling at me!
I will be applying to a nursing program at the end of the year and I would never want to work with someone that evil and who obviously hates their job. I was basically a customer but now that's all over with, I won't give that program a cent.
1.) Because my sister can be really shy and she kept waiting to the last minute to ask and I needed the details now.
2.) Sorry.
3.) I was putting down $400 to help my sister out. She will be turning 18 real soon (half sisters) and that was going to be my birthday present to her.
OP, that was quite nice of you to try and help out your sister. Believe me, been there, done that. But, your sister needs to be able to ask these questions on her own. She is becoming an adult. I believe the reason the instructor was so upset was the fact that this seemed kind of high schoolish to him and he doesn't have time to be answering questions to the student's sister.
It's awesome you are helping your sister out with putting down money so she can further her education. Kudos to you for being at such a young age and being so selfless. That is a rare quality. And maybe make your sister aware that she is going to have to overcome her shyness a bit to be able to be a medical assistant where she will be dealing with patients all day long in a doctor office.
I'm guessing since it's the beginning of the semester and there is so much to do, he was extremely busy and he took time out of his day to help you and when you called back, that just could have been the last straw. Heck my classes start Monday again and we don't even have our clinical schedule finalized yet. I'm about ready to go postal on someone myself because I have no idea where to send my kid next week. My lecture is Monday and clinical Tuesday. It's not like I can call somebody at 5:30 Monday night and rightly ask them to take my kid in that night because I have to be at clinical at 6:30 Tuesday morning. But, that is how this world works. Fortunately, my totally awesome boyfriend told me to not worry as he will just stay here Monday night and take care of Tuesday for me.
I understand it was rude and unprofessional of him/her, BUT... its not something to get upset over. Wait till you get to the point where you are explaining for the 10th time discharge instructions to a patient, and they are just not getting it, talk about frustration. Or with my position now... education provided, voiced understanding... next visit: unable to recount last teachings, additional education provided, voiced understanding. lather, rinse and repeat. You will run into hundreds of people who are like this and can be unprofessional, and I agree that he was, but sometimes you need to pick your battles. Dont judge a nursing program or rather in this case, MA program simply because one of the instructors blew their cork... in my nursing classes, if you were even wearing the wrong color socks, you got sent home from clinicals.
His behavior when you called back was rude, but if he was truly evil and hated his job, he wouldn't have been so kind and helpful the first time.
Your sister won't learn how to interact with others if she's always getting someone else to do it for her. I absolutely understand what it's like to be shy about talking on the phone. What helps me with making phone calls is if I sort of plan out the call ahead of time. I'll do a mental rehearsal of how I'll start the call (e.g. "Hello, this is ________ calling. I wanted to ask some questions about XYZ.") and I'll write down any questions I want to ask or anything specific that I want to mention. Doing all of that helps ease my anxiety--maybe your sister will find that helpful as well.
If your sister is planning on becoming a medical assistant I hope she goes to the local public community college, not a private for profit. MA's are really low payed, like a pink collar ghetto job where the starting pay may be only $10/hr topping out at $15/hr, not much to live on. The low pay is the main reason MA's are in demand, because LPN's and RN's cost much more for clinics and Dr offices. Not to say it wouldn't be a pleasant or enjoyable job, but sadly poor paying as it was introduced to downgrade job requirements (LPN) to save money!
You will come across rude people your entire life. You can't let this sort of thing get under your skin. I say, build a bridge and get over it, dear. By the way, your sister should have been the one to call with her questions. Take care and good luck !
this is what would happen at my school. I know, because I received it. You call the nursing office, they won't answer any questions, they will instead advise you to attend a "pre-allied health" open house that is held at various times during the semester, where all your questions will be addressed there. Why? because they probably received hundreds of calls like it. Mind you, prior to becoming a student, you do not give them any money - they are under no obligations to assist you more than the basic information that anyone (such as the 200 or so other prospective students...) looking into their program would need, which is probably available through some medium, whether it be an open house, brochures on the campus, information on their website, etc. the fact that someone took the time to even explain anything over the phone seems extremely generous of that person, IMO. I don't understand how anyone can just disregard that and then complain about the second instance where he plainly says he answered all questions and if there's more, the other person needs to do her homework.
If you really want to make a difference in your interaction, write a formal complaint to this program. Otherwise, posting here is just for entertainment purposes and won't actually help. A bad front desk person doesn't always mean an incompetent program and it would serve the people who run this program to know of this person's behavior, so that they can prevent future instances.
NurseGirl525, ASN, RN
3,663 Posts
OP, that was quite nice of you to try and help out your sister. Believe me, been there, done that. But, your sister needs to be able to ask these questions on her own. She is becoming an adult. I believe the reason the instructor was so upset was the fact that this seemed kind of high schoolish to him and he doesn't have time to be answering questions to the student's sister.
It's awesome you are helping your sister out with putting down money so she can further her education. Kudos to you for being at such a young age and being so selfless. That is a rare quality. And maybe make your sister aware that she is going to have to overcome her shyness a bit to be able to be a medical assistant where she will be dealing with patients all day long in a doctor office.
I'm guessing since it's the beginning of the semester and there is so much to do, he was extremely busy and he took time out of his day to help you and when you called back, that just could have been the last straw. Heck my classes start Monday again and we don't even have our clinical schedule finalized yet. I'm about ready to go postal on someone myself because I have no idea where to send my kid next week. My lecture is Monday and clinical Tuesday. It's not like I can call somebody at 5:30 Monday night and rightly ask them to take my kid in that night because I have to be at clinical at 6:30 Tuesday morning. But, that is how this world works. Fortunately, my totally awesome boyfriend told me to not worry as he will just stay here Monday night and take care of Tuesday for me.