made a fool of myself in school...advice please

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Hi I was wondering if any teachers had any advice for me. We had our core program where 19 out of 46 students failed out. I got the second highest grade in class at an 86. I was an emotional wreck at the time, Hubby had just left I had to figure out how to pay the bills and mortgage, had a four yr. old having emotional problems and a father who was just diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only 6 months to live. I was so stress out from all the tests and would be in tears almost every day. I know that nurses need to be tough and adapt to any situation. but I feel I made such a bad first impression. The teachers had no clue about anyone's personal life and I feel that they did not want to know. there is no 1 on 1 or anything like that. I am hoping the teachers were like that cause they did not want to become attached to the students who would not make it. I hope they are a little more compassionate and nicer once those who passed and proved their worth return next week. I am dealing better with my situation and things are slowly faling into place. What can I do to prove to these teachers that I am not some nut case who can't handle stress. That at the time I was hit with some very serious situations and still managed to pass as the second highest average? This is my dream and my life . I would love my teachers to like me and respect me as a person. I want this more than anything. Any advise? thanks LPN student-Jami

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Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.

Hi Jami, I'm not a nursing instructor but a nurse. When I was in nursing school over 20 years ago, my father died very unexpectedly. I was only 18 years old at the time, and although my instructors weren't particularly friendly with me, (nor were they mean) they found out about it and were very supportive. They allowed me to take a test over again. I'll always remember that, how nice they were afterwards. Although they did not lower their standards later, they gave me another chance on just that one test. That meant the world to me. I didn't ace it but did pass it.

I remember our director of the program..she was pretty gruff and scary. She pulled me into the office one day after my dad had died, and told me how sorry she was and even though she had only spoken to him once, she told me even in that short period of time how impressed she was with him. 21 years later after that happen, I vividly remember how surprised I was by it and how much I appreciated her talking with me about it.

Maybe you can talk to them? You sound like you have so much on your plate right now. I ended up dropping out of school for a year, and came back in the next year, and graduated.

I wish you the best of luck, hang in there...

Sherri

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Jami - first congrats on making it through! You have a lot on your plate and I'm glad things are falling into place. Nursing is tough - don't beat yourself up about things you can't help. When I was in LPN school - my husband was suddenly deployed to the First Gulf War leaving me with the two kids, a full-time night job and full-time school. I changed to part time work for a year (even though hard financially) but my teachers were very good - especially for the first few days when I had to rearrange child care.

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You show them by your actions. Act and look responsible. The rest will follow. If you have an opportunity to share your story then do so. But I would not make a point of trying to elicit sympathy (which I understand you have not done anyway). If you have a paper to write as an assignment, include something of your experience in the paper. Mostly I believe how your perform NOW makes more of an impression than what you used to do. Congratulations on sticking with it and good luck in your studies!

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

They will respect you as they come to know you. If you were going through all that and made a good grade, don't worry about it.

Our Dean of Nursing told me not to start out the year when she found out I was pregnant. No one, she said, NO ONE has ever finished when they startd out the year pregnant.

When the baby was born and sent to NICU, they came to visit me in the hospital. When my own stay was extended to a week, which encompassed finals week, they brought my exams to the hospital. I didn't do real well, but I did pass.

Years later, the Dean brought her own mother to be cared for by me in the facility I was then working at.

They did not make me "make up" any days other than clinical that I missed.

It's okay, they know people have lives.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

Might I suggest that you could ask for an appointment with your instructor, for a private 1:1? They are usually always willing to allow an appointment to discuss issues. It may be good to be able to say your sorry, (even though these actions were clearly not your fault, and were induced by stress) Many instructors will value and respect your integrity and honesty to communicate with them and let the instructor become aware of the events you are facing.

I am not suggesting a "feel sorry" type conversation, but it may prove to be very valuable to lay the cards on the table, and move on. I believe you will feel relieved and your concentration will improve as will your life. Keep up the good work. Nursing school is tough... but then again, anything worth doing is...

Good Luck to you

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Thanks for all you input it is gonna be a great year!

love Jami!

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