Is There Something Wrong With ME????

Youda · Aug 21, 2002

One more thought: When I was in clinicals, I had an instructor watching me give a bedbath. It was a male patient, and I was very young and was so embarrassed about "down there." My instructor was standing there with her arms crossed over her chest and making me even more nervous. I spilled water, I dropped washclothes, etc. At the end, I thought I'd managed to do a fairly decent job despite it all and breathed a sigh of relief. The instructor then began to berate me in front of the patient because I "forgot to wash and dry between his toes!" You know, I've never forgot that and skin care issues because of that old hag. But, the point I wanted to make is that she didn't have to be so harsh, and neither did your instructors. See it for what it was, a nasty learn experience. And, then try again.

pebbles, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2002

I really hate the fact that the "intimidation" style of learning is still proliferating in nursing schools today.... do they think they can bully people into being good nurses?

Definitely go to another school... I don't think you should have to beat the bullies in order to get an education - mind you, and education that YOU are paying for!

Glad2behere · Aug 21, 2002

I call it culture shock....done it myself a bunch of times

It just take repetition and reaching a comfort zone. Some of are the exact opposite....can do the clinical stuff like a true professional and know the theory and can practice it....but cannot pass a test for anything....lock up, lose it, cannot focus, it is just as frustrating I think.

I had two instructors who told me that I wrote the most logical scientific nursing process critques for class, exceptional clinicals, and that I should have gone to med school instead (water under da bridge), but test question always blew me away because I could not relate to the abstract questions asked ( I thought they were abtract as a ghost balloon).

What you might try is some rehearsal if you get to another nursing school..worked great for me. Get a life size doll and practice entering the room with different scenarios and disease processes taking place and consult a textbook simultaneously with nursing care plans laid out for you.

After putting on the gloves for the hundreth time, you'll be a natural!

Glad2behere

This advice is subject to my normal disclaimer, specifically written or implied.

fab4fan · Aug 21, 2002

I'll never forget (nor forgive) my ICU instructor who told me that if she had the power, she'd make sure I didn't graduate. I put up with her bullying for 4 weeks, but one day, I'd had it.

When she started in on me, I said, "Go ahead and fail me...I still have the classroom and clinical GPA to graduate." Man, I hated that witch...this was 18y ago, but it feels like yesterday.

I had another instructor that used to rattle me, and then I'd make dumb mistakes. Finally, I went to her privately and told her that her manner with me was making it impossible for me to concentrate. She actually apologized and backed off.

I think you need to find another school. Isn't it amazing, here we are on the cusp of a severe nursing shortage, and yet we still have instructors playing these petty, immature games. No wonder the nursing profession can't get any respect.

JonRN · Aug 21, 2002

Oh Boy what a mess!!! This is terrible what happened to you. I don't think you would have made that error if you had been taught right, evidently your instructors didn't stress enough how important infection control is before you were allowed to touch a patient. When I was in school, the edge of the sheet I was using touched the floor, I was unsure if it did or not so I threw it in the linen hamper and got another one before making the patient's bed. A new post-op. So I guess the point is, if you are unsure, take your time and always err on the side of caution especially in front of the instructors. I hope you get another chance as anyone who really wants to be a nurse should be helped with whatever it takes to realize this goal.

Good Luck

Jon