LPN Instructors Character

[ogerpus]

I have been in LPN school now for 8 months, and have developed a question. Do all LPN instructors (who are RN's) have an incredibly horrible condescending attitude? It appears that most act like they know everything, and are incredibly attentive to detail on things like AM/PM care and borderline CNA work; however, when I ask a question about the science behind an underlying medical diagnosis they are at a loss. No problem with not having every answer, but they then treat me like a pariah for several days after I ask these questions. I feel they are then even more critical of my basic skills (linens, bathing, etc).

I hope to teach in the future, and plan to a have a much more human approach.

I am enjoying the school, the patients, my classmates and the learning opportunities....just hate the attitude.

Thanks for letting me vent!

Oger

[amjowens]

I happen to have excellent instructors. My main instructor was once a CNA, and worked her way up to now having an MSN. She is very knowlegable, but wise enough to not push that in people's faces. She is an instructor in every sense of the term, is professional (she's not one to get chatty or too personal), but very warm and available in her own way. She cares that we become good nurses, and it's obvious.

My experience said, I've found the opposite in nurses at some clinical sites. I think the type like you expained are weak in character, and need to put others down in order to feel good about themselves. As nursing instructors, they have a perfect opportunity for this. I imagine these people really aren't very smart, and maybe had bad experiences with MDs and other more advanced practice nurses putting THEM down, and are hiding in the academia setting, putting students through hell.

Hopefully you'll become an instructor and be one of the ones who produces confident, capable nurses who don't have to tear down others when they get their chance. Good luck.

[ursus57]

Time , Time, and not enough time. LPN classes are very busy. I have a great instructor, rough around the edges and she is knowledgeable. I will be treated condescendingly when I take her to an area she does not know, with a question. This is her defense mechinism, in front of close to 30 students she does not want to appear not knowing. She will give you grief if you don't read the handouts, or if the answer is already in the text. She does love nursing and she wants to excel in getting her kids to pass the exams for licensing. I also realize she is trying to get about half the class to suck it up, and grow a lot. Learn the person with the 'red pen', get a thick skin, do your part, let the others ask questions also. I'm 51, male, wear hearing aids and I think I'm funny. I may not be funny, all the time, but I do take most things with a large grain of salt. My teach' is great, warts and all, some are horrible. Great instructor or lousy, you must do what it takes to succeed. We have an overwhelming explosion of resources these days, succeeding is your job. No one ever fails because of an instructor, they fail because they do not do what is necessary to succeed.

[Jules A, MSN]

I also had wonderful LPN CIs that were willing to go the extra mile with my more indepth questions. Keep in mind however that they have a lot of material to get through to you in a short period of time, which includes all the "CNA stuff" so sometimes deviating from the schedule is a not practical. Most importantly if you phrase your questions in any way that sounds confrontational or like you just want to know if they know the rationale it is a losing battle. Good luck and if nothing else do your own research on your own time and you will be a better nurse for it in the end.

[Fiona59]

I found that many of my instructors were just not teachers. They had no teaching experience, no adult ed certificates. Just a BScN and they got the job. What a joke.

Reminded me of the old saying, "those who can, do; those who can't teach".

[ogerpus]

I think they mean well, and believe they are fabulous nurses; however, it seems they are happier with students with little knowledge, life experience and inquisitive nature. Don't quite get it, but with four months left I can hold my breath from here!

[Jules A, MSN]

I think they mean well, and believe they are fabulous nurses; however, it seems they are happier with students with little knowledge, life experience and inquisitive nature. Don't quite get it, but with four months left I can hold my breath from here!

Sounds like a great plan! Good luck, you are almost done.

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

All of my LPN instructors are RN, BSN nurses. I have loved all of them as instructors. They are truley there for the students and want to see us succeed. One or two aren't the most skilled INSTRUCTORS, but still wonderful and knowledgeable nurses, so I didn't mind the lack of instructional skill. I am very grateful to all of them for their time and knowledge!! :) None of them ever made us feel like we will be less than them becasue we will be LPNs and they are BSN's. They all encourage us to utilize our scope to the fullest. :)

[Bobylon]

Great post, Jules .... I agree. I also feel that I am under excellent instruction in LPN school.......A couple are more personable instructors than the others, but they all are very, very good, very interested in each of us learning and succeeding. They will admit to not knowing the answer to a particularly deep question if so (or one out of their "area") but they're willing to answer if they know, or find out for us and always encourage us to explore for answers on our own, as well - which I think you really will learn better if you find it yourself when necessary. And, yes .... how a question or statement is received is very often all in the delivery.

I feel very priviledged to be in the program I'm in, as our instructors have a very vested interest in us learning and retaining, passing and becoming licensed - the program is paid for by our local hospital to sort of "home-grow" their nursing staff. I've been in class for about 2 months, 9 to go, and, although things may get a little tight financially in the coming months (gas and groceries:bluecry1:), my wife is an RVT, so I believe we'll do alright - I'm loving it and looking fwd to the future :rckn:

I also had wonderful LPN CIs that were willing to go the extra mile with my more indepth questions. Keep in mind however that they have a lot of material to get through to you in a short period of time, which includes all the "CNA stuff" so sometimes deviating from the schedule is a not practical. Most importantly if you phrase your questions in any way that sounds confrontational or like you just want to know if they know the rationale it is a losing battle. Good luck and if nothing else do your own research on your own time and you will be a better nurse for it in the end.

[DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP]

My instructors were wonderful. Smart, efficient, skilled. Very hard...but great at teaching. I loved my LPN instructors.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Being away from that mode of study, there are times that any nurse may forget the science behind what is happening in patient care. However, the instructor shouldn't get defensive, it is okay to say "I don't know, or I don't remember, but, I'll find out and tell you the answer".

It is also true that some (not all) instructors teach because they wanted/needed to get away from the bedside. Take it with a grain of salt, play the game and get out of there. You'll find when you start off working as a nurse, there will STILL be so much to learn; even further than what was taught in school. Keep handy resources-keep your textbooks, or get a reference that you like. I keep my med-surg pocket guide with me at work, ordered a subscription for a drug digest that comes 4 times a year with updates, but is paperback and the size of a Reader's Digest, and a textbook to read at home when necessary.

[ogerpus]

Ah....the voice of reason! I am doing my best, but sometimes these people act like they have secret recipe ice water. They simply don't understand that respect is something that is earned....not assumed or demanded...especially if you can't answer a basic chemistry question.

This is making me a good philosopher if nothing else.