My clinical instructor...

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...is possibly the greatest woman on the face of the earth. I could not have asked for a better first semester experience. And to add the icing on the cake, she told us flat out there's no nursing shortage. Yay, honesty from someone affiliated with a school! That is all.

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Specializes in CVICU.

This is my first semester, and I had a wonderful clinical instructor as well. On our first day, she told us that it is her goal as an instructor to do away with the stereotype that nursing instructors have to make students' lives difficult. She has been supportive throughout the entire semester, even with the rigors of a PhD program on her plate on top of being an instructor. I'm thankful. Doesn't it make things so much easier?

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Specializes in Hospice.

Great nursing instructors do make a difference in great nurses.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

I too have had an amazing instructor. She's willing to answer questions honestly and really gives us everything we need to succeed. I hope my second semester clinical instructor is just like her, but those are some big shoes to fill.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I couldn't have asked for a better first-semester clinical instructor than the one I have. She definitely has high expectations of us as a group and pushes me personally but I'm extremely grateful to her because I know it's only going to make me a better, more competent and confident nurse in the long run.

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Haha, I was totally expecting a complaint! I was prepared to say, "Yeah, everybody had at least one crappy nursing instructor who blah blah blah," and was pleasantly surprised. I'm glad you've had a great first semester!

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Haha I was totally expecting a complaint! I was prepared to say, "Yeah, everybody had at least one crappy nursing instructor who blah blah blah," and was pleasantly surprised. I'm glad you've had a great first semester![/quote']

I may have set it up that way purposefully. >.> I've read a ton of stories on here about cruddy instructors, just wanted to show that there are great ones out there and it truly makes a difference. It isn't over yet, but I'm enjoying it so far!

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You were so lucky to have a clinical instructor like this in nursing school period. My experience in an accelerated program was just the opposite. There was one clinical instructor my second semester who was very instructive and encouraging. However, my worst case scenario was a clinical instructor who would not allow the other nurses or nursing students to help me move heavy patients. They were informed by the instructor that they could not help me because I had to do it myself. What should I have done in this situation?

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
You were so lucky to have a clinical instructor like this in nursing school period. My experience in an accelerated program was just the opposite. There was one clinical instructor my second semester who was very instructive and encouraging. However, my worst case scenario was a clinical instructor who would not allow the other nurses or nursing students to help me move heavy patients. They were informed by the instructor that they could not help me because I had to do it myself. What should I have done in this situation?

I would have said that I was physically incapable of lifting that patient. If she still would've pushed, I would have told her that I would appreciate it if she could demonstrate.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

Unless, of course, there were devices you were supposed to use to assist, but even then you want to ensure the safety of the patient. If the patient can help, then have them help, and if it was an okay task for her to ask, then do it. But if you're talking a 250+ person, no...just no.

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I will have to say without reservation or exception that when I was in nursing school, my *clinical* instructors were the absolute best. They were the most honest, down-to-earth, and genuinely helpful people on the face of the earth. I cannot really say the same for my classroom instructors. Clinicals might be dreaded by some students, but they were the only part of nursing school that I really enjoyed, even considering the "care plans" and "nursing diagnosis" papers we were required to write.

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"You were so lucky to have a clinical instructor like this in nursing school period. My experience in an accelerated program was just the opposite. There was one clinical instructor my second semester who was very instructive and encouraging. However, my worst case scenario was a clinical instructor who would not allow the other nurses or nursing students to help me move heavy patients. They were informed by the instructor that they could not help me because I had to do it myself. What should I have done in this situation?"

I would have mentioned that lifting heavy patients alone is not safe - either for the patient or for you. I work in a hospital and with heavy patients who cannot move on their own to help, I ALWAYS ask for help, and my patients always understand. Sorry to hear that you had an instructor like that. S/he IMO should not be teaching others.

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