Is this my cohort?

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This has been bothering me all semester. We had review sessions before one class that I didn't attend because of the conversations going on before/after (and sometimes during)

This class was all pre-nursing students who would complain about the school, professor, class topics, assignments. You name it, they griped about it. It made me so anxious that I opted to avoid the review.

Now that this class is over I'm wondering how many of these other students will be in my cohort and how I can avoid the trash talking for the next 18 months.

Honestly, I feel like telling them to just shut up. If you feel like the program is so awful or unfair then transfer. No one is forcing you to stay.

I know that's not the best idea but I don't want to hear all the negativity. How do I tune it out without upsetting the apple cart?

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I could've written this myself but for my A&P class. It's a bunch of immature adults complaining about their grade (then do something about it!) and the teacher and whatever they can. They come to class with the worst attitude and are disrespectful to the professor...I just kept thinking all semester "you want to be a nurse but you can't pass this class even when the professor offers to help you outside of class? You want to be a nurse but your everyday attitude is that of a snob? Not just one day....every freaking day!!" People need to take responsibility for their own actions, their own study habits, you get the grades you get because of YOU. Ugh, I just kept quiet and tried to separate myself from it when it got too much to listen to I would just move inside to wait so I didn't have to listen to it all.

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Think of it as professional growth. No matter where you go or what you do, you're always going to have those people who complain complain complain. Don't let it bring down your vibe. Do you! Either distance yourself as needed, or find a way to interject a positive response to their negativity. It can be frustrating, but learning to deal with it now will only help you in the future. Also, don't be afraid to speak up! You don't want to be aggressive or catty, but maybe just say something casual like, "Why so much negativity guys? Let's bring some positivity into this mix." Hang in there and do your own thing. People will notice that you're not on the negativity train and be more drawn to you.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I have been accused of being the "eternal optimist" - and freely admit that this is probably true. So I do look for opportunity in any adverse situation. In this case, you could use this experience to learn how to facilitate an effective group discussion. Facilitation is an essential component of influence & leadership.

Whenever the group begins to drift into awfulizing, you could re-direct them back to the original focus... "I know that everyone probably has a limited amount of time today, so can we focus on ________ for now?" "Wow, that's very interesting, but I really need help to understand ________ before the quiz. Can you guys help me figure out ____?"

It may be worth your while to give it a try.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
I have been accused of being the "eternal optimist" - and freely admit that this is probably true. So I do look for opportunity in any adverse situation. In this case, you could use this experience to learn how to facilitate an effective group discussion. Facilitation is an essential component of influence & leadership.

Whenever the group begins to drift into awfulizing, you could re-direct them back to the original focus... "I know that everyone probably has a limited amount of time today, so can we focus on ________ for now?" "Wow, that's very interesting, but I really need help to understand ________ before the quiz. Can you guys help me figure out ____?"

It may be worth your while to give it a try.

Excellent advice! Keep the focus on-task. Also, you may find there are people you don't know in your nursing school cohort who will end up being like-minded, serious students. Good luck! It's hard when people get so negative.

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I had a lot of people like that in my pre-nursing classes, and they were the ones that ended up not getting in the program! There is one girl like that in the program now (nothing is her fault, the world is out to get her, everything is unfair) and I have to say that over the past two semesters her attitude has changed a lot because the teachers and nurses at clinicals do not put up with that BS. There is one guy like that as well but I don't think he's making it to next semester. So relax, if they are that bad, they won't make it into or through the program.

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I always wore head phones, nothing would be playing, but it gave people a reason not to talk to me. I do not like to discuss test information or answers I chose after the test. So I put my head phones in and nobody talked to me. And like others are saying people who carry a lot of negativity do not seem to do well anyway and either don't get in or fail out. I had someone yell out in front of my class that the only reason I do so well is because I don't have a job (she did), but when I get home I am greeted by two little ones who needs my attention as well as a husband who needs companionship plus there are individuals in the program who work full 12 hr shifts at night and scored higher than anyone in the class. She failed out and is still going on about professors, her job, and family are in the way of her passing. It got so bad I stop talking to her before test because she always had a depressing story before which put me in a bad mood. Head phones work miracles

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Students did this in my Biology pre req. If they got a bad grade, they would blame the teacher after she left the room and the negativity would grow. Soon over half the class was bad mouthing the teacher, who was actually a doctor and was, IMO, a sweet and thorough teacher. If I glanced through class notes and went over the chapter twice, I would get As on the test. So one day when this negativity started up again, I quietly said, "I've been doing well by listening to lectures and reading my book." Then two other students voiced up as well and that was the last time anyone bad mouthed the teacher.

I think it's really important to learn how to accept responsibility. Accept responsibility for our grades and our future/current patients. It will make us better nurses in the long run.

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I had someone yell out in front of my class that the only reason I do so well is because I don't have a job (she did), but when I get home I am greeted by two little ones who needs my attention as well as a husband who needs companionship plus there are individuals in the program who work full 12 hr shifts at night and scored higher than anyone in the class. She failed out and is still going on about professors, her job, and family are in the way of her passing. It got so bad I stop talking to her before test because she always had a depressing story before which put me in a bad mood. Head phones work miracles

Nursing school is challenging, but especially if you have children! That in and of itself is a full time job. Good for you for doing so well despite having a busy life. I'm sure it has much to do with your attitude.

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Specializes in ICU.

I just ignore it and focus on me. I probably would not have gone to the review session either. I stick my head down and keep to myself. My clinical group was different. Most of the people were like me and I had a great time with them. The people who complain like that though usually do not get in.

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