our lab instructor is a little scary

[Training2bRN]

i mean, she seems like a really nice lady outside of school. but she's kinda hard on you if you mess up. and don't dare approach her if you have not read the material or studied. she makes me feel like a little school child, and i am a mature, grown woman with children! oh well. i guess i should be thankful for having such a great teacher. i just wish she was a little kinder to the students.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think you are right. You should be thankful you have such a great teacher. And yes, she should be hard on the students who have not done their homework. How would you feel if one of your children were critically ill and the nurse caring for him/her had not done her homework!

Nursing students need to start learning how to behave as real nurses -- and real nursing requires that you do your homework each and every time.

But she should be "nice" when she can be.

Good luck in school. I wish you well.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Every instructor cannot be the "oh, let me hold your hand" approach....if you are not prepared, you should suffer the wrath...However, if it is not a test time or demo time...tutoring she could be really nice. Personally, if you have no idea, than you should suffer. Be prepared always, and you'll do fine.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

When you are in school, there are expectations of both the instructor and student:

Student:

1. Come to class prepared.

2. Come to class on time.

3. Come prepared to learn.

Instructor:

1. Come to class prepared.

2. Come to class on time.

3. Come prepared to teach.

Very similar jobs - I know when I'm in school, I expect that my instructors know their stuff and are professional. I, as the student, owe it to them and more importantly, to myself, to act professionally too. Good luck in school.

[Finally2008]

I felt the same way about my lab instructors during the first semester. However, as a student in my final semester:yeah:, I now see that their job was vital to my success as a nurse. I learned so much from them and I really think I will be a better nurse because of their strictness. As everyone else has said, always be prepared for lab--not only will it make the instructor happy with you, but you won't be nervous during the lab and you will learn more efficiently! Good luck!