My Microbiology Teacher told me I can't become a Nurse

Emilynn09 · Mar 16, 2011

After micro you will never need to use a microscope ever again, unless maybe you go into research or something like that.

Or OB to look at amniotic fluid ferning; but that's the only time I've encountered it in clinical. :)

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Mar 16, 2011

Nurses do not sit there and look through microscopes all day!

Don't let her comments bring you down. You CAN become a nurse! :heartbeat :nurse:

stefanyjoy · Mar 16, 2011

Oh yeah! A story to share.... This Dr. so-and-so at my community college is a psych professor and a student advisor, AND the advisor for continuing education at the insurance company I work at. When I enrolled full-time at the CC last semester on top of my full-time work schedule, he came down on me so hard, he tried to get my boss not to pre-approve my courses for tuition reimbursement saying I couldn't do both, that it was impossible :uhoh3: Exact word (like we don't know people who work FT and go to school FT? Seriously) He also got verbally upset with me about it too and actually told me I had no idea what I was doing! I was so shocked.. like "EXCUSE me, this is MY life, why don't you go screw yourself?" (well I didn't say that last part like that, but I did tell him in a nice way to butt out of my personal aspirations)

So... as it turned out, last semester I got a 4.0 GPA AND got a "frequently exceeds" on my yearly performance rating for 2010 at work. When I submitted my grades for tuition reimbursement after the semester I made sure to copy that butthead in on the e-mail. Hahaha. Good luck!!

Sugar-Phosphate · Mar 17, 2011

You know, microbiology is a minor lip on the nursing. I cannot comment completely as I have not started nursing, but I can comment on microorganisms (due to my degree in micro). Anyways, don't let the Dr. get you down, they don't earn the titles quacks for no reason.

Keep to your guns, she is RUDE, period. If you want to do it (nursing), then bleep her, and pick your self back up. I know she is demotivational, but she is also not your educator forever.

Never let someone tell you that you cannot do something. If they do, succeed, and act proud about your accomplishments.

Not every nurse is heading into phlebotomy or infectious diseases. So your microscopy needs work, so what, that is why you are taking the class. Maybe your technique, analytical thinking, attention to detail needs work, so what, that is what they get paid for, to help you hone in on these skills.

Chin up!!!! Kick A$$!

anurseatlast · Mar 17, 2011

As others said, she is not a nurse. How would she know what it takes to be a good nurse? I loved micro but was not good at the lab part. (I had a hard time with adjusting, moving the slide, etc) I did an accelerated BSN after getting an assoicates' in pre-nursing and graduated at the top of my class. What is much more important than the lab is that you understand the principles of micro. If you are not good at the lab part, I am sure you will not become a researcher in a micro lab. Most nurses don't. Patients will not say, "Hey, how good were you in micro lab?" Don't let her careless (or perhaps purposely cruel) comment throw you. If your dream is to be a nurse, go for it.

A funny story from nursing school: We were just starting to give IV meds. I found it awkward to hold the necessary items while cleaning the port, etc. My clincial instructor said, "You haven't played many video games, have you?" I said, "No, only on a few rare occasions." She said, "That's what I thought. That is why your fine motor skills are so bad." This was a great instructor and I don't think, even after she said it, she realized how tactless that was. Fortunately, I have a sense of humor and thought it was funny (and I knew I really was not very cooridinated) but I am sure some of the other students would not. In spite of a lack of fine motor skills, I made it through and am happy to say I am a nurse today.

Go for your dream! Do not let others dissuade you.

rn4me2be · Mar 17, 2011

I was awful at the microscope. So bad that I thought it was over. So bad that I was embarrassed to ask for help! So I mentally checked out, pretended I knew what I was donig, then went home and googled what I needed to know, studied it online, and nailed the exam. Right now, half-way through the semester, my average is a 98!!

afox · Mar 17, 2011

As EVERYONE has said, disregard your teacher. I had a mental health teacher who when students came to her (even those who were passing, but just not doing as well as they had in other classes) would say "No one would think any less of you if you dropped out". Some people are tactless and/or cold hearted.

What worries me is that you said your school has a pass rate of 30%. Is that for the NCLEX or does that mean 30% of the students who start it, dont make it to graduation. And if its only 30% make it to graduation, and its a hard program, that doesn't mean its a good program. You should be looking for a program that has a high success rate on the Nclex so that you know that you'd be prepared for boards.

morningland · Mar 17, 2011

What the heck does she know? Nothing. She's a micro teacher. I would just ignore her and get your grade and move

JenniferSews · Mar 17, 2011

I got similar messages from an instructor. She tried her hardest to prove it too. Today when I saw her at work with another group of students, I didn't even acknowledge her existence. I felt bad for the group of students, knowing some would have to endure what I and my cohorts did. But I had a great day at work. I did my job well and got positive feedback from my patients and management. I knew if I acknowledged her she's want to give me a hug and be friendly and try and take credit for me being the nurse I am today. But the truth is that I and many who I graduated with are great nurses in spite of her, not because of her. I went home feeling very good about myself for not letting that one person convince me of her opinion of myself.

Nursing is changing, IMO. The floor nurses I have worked with in hospitals all over the city during clinicals and every day for a year do not "eat their young." But some instructors still think that's the only way to make a good nurse. It's a shame. But if you love nursing just brush off the bad apples and seek out the true teachers. You will be fine.

supermotojen · Mar 17, 2011

Don't ever let someone tell you that you cannot do something, especially over a couple of mistakes in lab. That is why we go through the greuling process of taking all of these pre reqs- so we can familiarize ourselves with different procedures and by the time we start the program, most should be known and easier to do. Everybody has at least a little "mishap" in lab, that is how we learn. It is very unlikely that you will have to look through a microscope in your profession anyhow. This is also an experience where you learn that you won't get along with everyone you work with- but you just do your job the best that you can and move on. Don't let this one teacher discourage you from accomplishing your goals!

orthonurse55 · Mar 17, 2011

OMG! I amso glad I didn't have someone like that for micro. I hated that class and barely scraped by in it. I have been a nurse for 38 years and consider myself quite a success. Don't let this change your plans! :uhoh3:

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

Using a microscope is a skill. She should hush up about your future as a nurse and teach you the skills required for her class.

By the way....only one teacher ever properly taught me to use a microscope. When I was taught properly I found it a piece of cake.

We had a physiology teacher that used to mistake a difficult test for a critical thinking test. Then tell us all we needed to ace them if we wanted to be nurses. These people have no clue. My father is a professor of biochemistry and he told me he would never be able to study the way we do in nursing school.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.