Is this wrong? Death and Dying

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would it be wrong of an instructor to bring up the fact that she has lost 2 sons? She was teaching a class on death and dying Would that be going overboard? The other students were talking about their losses. Is it wrong for the teacher to talk about her losses? Not in detail, but just talking about it during such a class?

Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
I agree.....your boss was wrong. By sharing your personal experience with grief, you are taking a risk.....a risk to expose your pain, to become vulnerable. But by doing this, you make grief real..and others, your students, can learn from this. And they can learn more from this than from reading something in a book.

I'm sorry for your losses. And thank you for caing enough to share.

I agree completely. When you share that, your students know that you really do know what you are talking about, and that you're not just teaching out of the textbook.

Maybe you should tell her what you told us, that it's her breast cancer example you are following!

I'm so very sorry about your losses.

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Specializes in critical care.

Your boss is wrong, particularly since the discussion was not centered around your personal experience. You might consider writing a letter of disagreement that includes a demand for removing the criticism from your file. If that is refused, your letter needs to be included in your file.

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I was really hurt by what my supervisor said in the evaluation, but did send the email to her later explaining my feelings. She never said another word about it. Maybe it's her way of letting me know she goofed. I did mention the fact that she did make the remark in class about her fight with breast cancer and how I thought that was important. I did mention too that we were talking about death and dying. Each student had something to add, and it was a really good class. I felt many students were given the chance to share their own stories and that in turn makes us closer. We are human and we do have feelings.

aw porcelina, bravo!!

i am certain your email was sensitive, articulate and eloquent.

and i agree, that she knows erred.

you have been a stellar example of staying true to oneself, and handling adversity with class and grace.

have you ever thought about doing hospice?

with peace, prayer and an awful lot of admiration...

leslie

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Specializes in critical care.

Absolutely not! Instructors are people, too, and have experiences to share. The instructor didn't monopolize the discussion with her own losses and grief. Frankly, I am taken aback that you felt compelled to ask...

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Absolutely not! Instructors are people, too, and have experiences to share. The instructor didn't monopolize the discussion with her own losses and grief. Frankly, I am taken aback that you felt compelled to ask...

who/what are you referencing, beej??:confused:

leslie

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Specializes in critical care.

Sorry, I apparently sent my reply to the wrong person.

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Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics.

not to worry, Beej. The thread is long and I understand.

:heartbeat:wink2:

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I personally believe we learn more from those who are willing to share their experiences. . . (other than experiencing it first hand; and even if we have lived with similar events, we learn how others with the same experience have lived it).

It is sad that your "boss" found it necessary to reprimand you instead of commending you on sharing your experiences, as it is not always an easy thing to do . . . As long as your "sharing" was within the context of the learning atmosphere, I can't understand why, from what you have mentioned, this would be a problem.

To me, nursing is about sharing our experiences; it is not always easy when it hits close to home, but we are never finished teaching and learning from each other :wink2:

Life is definitely a journey and we don't always follow the same route! WE all have different life experiences; some more than others. Keep your chin up and knowing within yourself that you have done no wrong is the biggest commendation.

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kinda makes it easier to loose some respect for your boss, don't u think? although,I woudn't do it again(like telling yout students not to do something, & they do it anyway?)Or you could say my friend lost 2 children...& she.............you are your own friend,right?

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Porcelina,

I'm so sorry for the losses of your two children. I can't imagine what that must be like and for you to share it with the class must have taken a lot of courage and strength.

I would be very touched and honored to have an instructor who trusted us as students enough to tell her heartfelt story.

I'm sorry that your boss does not agree. What you shared with your students will remain with them for a lifetime, I'm sure.

Take care,

Jennifer

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Specializes in DOU.

My heart aches for you, porcelina. I am so very sorry. No one should have to lose a single child, let alone two. :(

:hugs:

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