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

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tech1000

210 Posts

I had a psych professor tell me I couldn't be a nurse because I dropped his class cause it was all on podcasts and crap that I didn't want to deal with. He said, "How are you even going to start IVs if you can't figure out a podcast? You won't be a nurse." I'm 6 weeks from graduating and when he said that, I had started a few hundred IVs with my time in the military. He was an idiot.

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nursel56

7,078 Posts

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Some of these instructor comments are so funny! "That's why your fine motor skills are so bad". Huh?? Oh, okay good to know.:lol2: Have you ever buttoned a button, threaded a needle or managed the clasp on a piece of jewelry? Microscope-nursing. Podcast-nursing?? Maybe some enterprising person could write a book with the Most Hilarious Instructor Bloopers of all time. After you graduate.

PghRN30

318 Posts

I know my micro teacher went off on our class on the first day of class, pretty much saying that if we hadnt at least taken A&P 1 prior to the class, we should drop micro, as we would fail(even though it wasnt a pre req for micro). someone said what about taking both concurrently?....there were 3 of us that were, in an 8 week summer session. He really went off on him about how we would fail both if we tried to pull that off, that we should drop micro and take it later. Well I stuck it out, not only passing both, but passing both with A's. Said micro teacher did write a recomendation for me for nursing school too.

When people say you cant, it is an oppertunity to prove them wrong. Don't let someone saying you cant be a good nurse discourage you, make it be one more thing that pushes you forward to being a damn good nurse. You have to take constructive critisism in life, but thats not what this was at all, this was just someone projecting thier negitive attitudes on you. Nurses rarely use microscopes.....probably only if you would get into research or lab work or something of that sort.....floor/hospital nurses would never touch a microscope.

tap87

61 Posts

You have nothing to worry about! Like all of the other posters said--you will rarely or never use the microscope in nursing school! When I was completing my pre-reqs I had an A+P professor who made things so difficult and told me the school that I was accepted to for nursing is so hard, the tests are unbareable and a lot of people won't make it through. Well, I got an A in crappy class and I'm doing excellent in nursing school *knock on wood* :cool:

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something, especially some miserable old professor. It sucks to have professors that are sometimes unprofessional, but try and stick it out...you are only in the class for a short time. Good luck and I'm sure you will make a great nursing student!! :D

pitaya

321 Posts

Microbiology lab really has NOTHING to do with nursing. I could never get microscopes to work either. And I only got a B in microbiology because I emailed my teacher of a class of 500 and begged him to round up my 79%. Hah. I am now almost done with nursing school and I will graduate summa cum laude. Take that, prereqs that have nothing to do with future success!

AOx1

961 Posts

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

As an instructor, I hope you will take the time to report this person's comments on the evaluation form at the end of the semester. As one who spends the great majority of my free time trying to ensure that my courses are relevant, challenging, and interesting it frustrates me to no end to come here a see how many people hate instructors in general because of a few bad eggs. I hope that as students you will take the initiative to help remove these "instructors" from practice. We don't want coworkers like that either, but I have found it is really only the student input that helps get rid of these bad instructors.

This person's comments have no bearing on reality. The hardest conversations I have with students are when I see advisees that are failing most of their prerequisite courses and I let them know it will be an uphill battle for them if they struggle in all their courses. I also have to let them know that with an extremely low GPA that they have little chance of admission. It is very difficult to give that news to someone, and after many years, I still don't find it easy. Your instructor, by contrast, seems to enjoy being unkind. There is no possible way you can tell what type of nurse someone will or won't be based on one action in one class.

I will tell you a funny story about myself. As a nursing student, I was extremely anxious during the first semester. We had to perform our physical assessment mastery on a "patient" who was a hired actor. I was so nervous that when I checked reflexes, I practically bludgeoned the "patient" with my reflex hammer. This made me more anxious, and I nearly started laughing. If you looked at only that piece of information, it would seem I was not only inept but unprofessional. Guess what? I graduated with a 4.0 from school and am now pursuing my doctorate. I've had and continue to have a great career in the ICU and as an educator. This taught me to NEVER judge someone on the basis of one incident, unless it is obviously unsafe (ex- practicing out of scope).

As many others have noted, your skills with a microscope have little bearing on what you will do as a nurse. Revenge is a dish best served cold. I would go on, ace nursing school, and be sure you invite her to your graduation in a few years :)

Also, try hard to build up your confidence in yourself. Although I understand that it is very difficult to hear such rude words from someone in authority, I'm sad to say this is not uncommon. There is an Eleanor Roosevelt quote that applies nicely: "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." Perhaps it's time to look inside and find a core of strength that gives you courage to succeed despite the obstacles put in your way by idiots like that "instructor."

Moogie

1 Article; 1,796 Posts

Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

As others have said, ignore this instructor. Difficulty using a microscope has no bearing on whether one can be successful with other motor skills that are required in nursing. There are many naysayers in this world and if everyone listened to them, no one would accomplish anything.

However, as another member pointed out, the low graduation rate is a HUGE concern. Although not every student who is admitted to a nursing program can or should complete that program, a 30% graduation rate tells me that there is a serious problem with this school. Either it's very lax in its admission standards or the faculty have a "weed 'em out" philosophy. Yes, some students do need to be "weeded out" of a program but when 70% of the class ends up failing or dropping out of the program, there problem is with the school.

I honestly don't understand this philosophy. One study that I just read in the Journal of Nursing Education suggested that attrition rates in nursing programs should be no higher than 10%. Anything over 15% signifies a school in trouble and one that may end up in trouble with accrediting bodies.

I know how much you want to be a nurse. I strongly suggest you look at other programs---not because of how this micro teacher has treated you but because of the low graduation rate. Statistically, it doesn't look good for 70% of the students who do gain admission.

1NurseLiz

2 Posts

Don't listen to her, she is full of it. I graduated last May and I have never used a microscope in school or at work. You aren't going to be a lab tech, you ARE going to be a nurse, big difference and it doesn't seem she knows the difference. Stay focused on your goal, one day at a time and you will be a nurse before you know it. Good Luck!

microtutor

52 Posts

Specializes in Acute Rehab, Progressive Care.

What everyone else said, first.

Second, I agree with the person who called out the 30% pass rate at your school - it sounds to me like you are at one of those schools that accepts a lot of students and then "weeds them out" by making things really hard on them. Sounds like your professor's mean comments might be part of the plan to see if you "have what it takes". Really cruel, but some people believe in that kind of neanderthal approach. If you want to be part of the 30% who make it? Ignore those comments. Sounds like you had exactly the right response to them already!!

Third, I got an A+ in Micro, and I am *still really terrified* about all the other things I will have to learn, know, and do to become a successful nurse! Micro is just one part of your nursing education, and not at all the most important part, as many others have already said.

:heartbeat

busylife4me

32 Posts

A teacher at my college, who has her doctorate, once shared a story with the class about how, when she was about to graduate from high school, the high school counselor told her not to go to college, that her job should be to get married and raise a nice family and that she was not the college type. She went on to college, earned a degree, raised a family, and then earned her doctorate when she was around 50 years old, and then she sent a letter, with a copy of her book, to the person who told her not to go to college, that she was not college material.

I am currently a college student (second career, hopefully, for me), and I remember one day while in A & P open lab a lab tutor, in response to me asking where something was on a slide, told me -- "If you have to ask that, you deserve to fail." I was so flabbergasted that I did not know what to say. I ended up leaving the lab shortly thereafter for the day. This was in front of two fellow classmates/friends, not to mention anyone who overheard. I earned a very high A (99%) in both A & P I and II, but this woman's comment rattled me so bad the week before finals that I made so many stupid mistakes (changed six correct answers to incorrect answers) on the final. I know she could have been having a bad day, but to me, teachers and tutors should NEVER make such comments. Do NOT let this teacher's negative comments keep you from pursuing your dream or your career, no matter what that may be. Take it as a challenge, and when you do become a nurse, you can send her a nice little card just to say hello and let her know of your success.

sistershell

3 Posts

Specializes in Med Surg.
Hello,

Last time I visited the site, I got so much support from registered users of this forums, that I decided to enter the nursing program. Here is the link https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/late-me-become-497456-page12.html#post4569262 in case any wanted to see it.

Anyway, I was told today after Microbiology lab " That I'm sorry you don't have what it takes to become a nurse. It's just not your thing.". I had trouble with the microscope today and a few other days, so based off of that, she assessed that I couldn't pass clinical. Being in her position and her being a doctor, I felt so bad, and I had to refrain from crying on the spot. Keep in my mind I'm a guy. I told her that I would worker harder and hopefully by the end of the semster she would change her opinion of me.

Has anybody ever had someone tell you that you can't do something? If so, how did you handle it?

I tried to turn it into a positive, but having a real hard time doing so. My school has a low passage rate for the nursing program like 30 percent or something low like that. I don't want to tell my wife or my family what was said to me today, so I rather ask you for some advice.

I mean she could of worded it so differently like "if you keep on this path, you won't be a nurse.", but she actually said "You don't have what it takes.". I mean when she see's me she see's a failure.

How does she know? This makes me very angry-She should be giving you positive encouragement, not belittle you and rock your self esteem. Maybe this is the reason that they don't have a high pass rate. Yes, the nursing program is difficult, but you CAN do it. Put forth the effort, study hard (and long) and ignore those people that get their kicks by making others feel bad about themselves.

sistershell

3 Posts

Specializes in Med Surg.

Also...don't be afraid to share with your family. You will need their support even when everything is going smoothly. The program in general gets a little overwhelming at times.

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