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

[louis345]

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.

[newnurseotb]

Don't let her bring you down. It was really silly of her to make such a comment because you had a few issues in lab. That's the whole purpose of going to lab - to LEARN how to do all these things. And remember, just because she's a doctor doesn't make her an expert on you or the nursing program.

Keep your head up and go after what YOU want! :)

[dmdmd]

Is your Micro teacher a nurse? If not, they have no right to tell you that! My biology teacher told me the same thing over 30 years ago, and I am still a nurse, and a very respected one!!! Don't let others make up your mind for you. If you want it, go for it. I got mad and worked harder, and I still didn't do well on the slides. Guess what? I don't do slides today or yesterday, or or or.

Study, take all the review courses you can, and work in a hospital part time while you are in school. You can do whatever it takes if you want to badly enough

Good luck!

[lilhelper]

Just because somebody has a job, doesn't mean they are good at it. That teacher doesn't sound very inspiring and I thought it was part of their job to inspire their students...not crush them.

Do your best and learn what you can from the Dr. Grumpalumpagus.

I always print out a ton of histology images from online sources and put them on flashcards. I go through them at various times of the day so the images become close to second nature to me. I also take pics through my own scope's view. Refilling printer cartridges are cheap (about $15 total for my B&W and color cartridges at Costco...also at office stores). It really helps with histology.

I also make powerpoint type quizes for my self using Google Documents (free!!!).

[gardengal1, ASN, RN]

My microbiology teacher told this to our entire class - that our "pretty little heads would never remember this stuff". How condescending and all of us passed. I graduated at the top of my class centuries ago and have been a nurse for 25 years. See where determination will get you. And, as for this "doctor" - they probably only have an education doctorate so don't let this get to you.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

You know, I was told by my daughter's guidance counselor that she would NOT be accepted into Cornell University. She was accepted early, and received a thousand dollar scholarship. So please ignore what your teacher told you. Your teacher does not have your personality, nor your desire to become a nurse. Keep on keeping on. I am certain that you CAN do it.

[Julie Reyes, DNP, RN]

Frankly, I think it is hilarious when people tell others "You can't do that, you don't have what it takes".

Really?! I was told that not only by my high school biology teacher, and I believed her so I just gave up my dream for 25 years, and by my ex husband who said I was not smart enough.

One day I realized that I was letting people decide for me who I can and cannot be, and when I understood I let some moron dictate MY LIFE, I was ******! I could not believe I actually fell for that! So I not only became a nurse with my BSN, I am now working on my DNP. I graduated top of my class as well (not to brag, but to prove a point)! When I was nearly done with school, he asked me, "so, what's your GPA?" not that it was any of his business, but I am sure he was hoping i was bombing big time. I told him, "4.0". He just looked at me with this fantastically shocked face and then said, "Oh, well, thats cause you are not going to a REAL school!" I guess the big 12 universities are not "real" schools!! hahaha! I literally just burst out laughing! He was furious, and I was laughing! It is amazing what other people will do to try to make THEMSELVES feel better!!!

Don't let ANYBODY tell you what you are good enough to do. Quite frankly, I now LOVE it when people say, "uhh, i don't know if you can do that, its hard" because it is like adding fuel to my fire baby!!! bring it on!

Don't let anyone steal your joy, your dreams, your hopes. Take it as a challenge and show them...and make sure you invite that microbiology teacher to your nursing school graduation!!!

Show your true character, and be a fighter!!! It's your life, don't go down without one!

[oopsimout]

In college my biology teacher was a Dr. a DVM!! So, anyhoo, don't let her get you down. Believe in yourself and let your family know your fears. I bet they think you will not only succeed in nursing school but I bet they believe you will be the greatest nurse of all time. Who you going to listen to? Someone who has seen you work with a microscope once or twice or someone who shares their life with you? I got my BSN and never touched a microscope during nursing school. Do not let her dictate your self fullfilling prophecy. You create your own.

[Code_VSA]

What a bunch of bull puckey.

I have yet to look in a microscope as a nurse in the past 35 years. Come to think of it....I don't see any in the lab when I drop off or pick up PRBC's. I think machines do it all now???

[JeanineG2885]

I had never touched a patient in my life when I went back to school to be a nurse. I am a very small petite person and will never forget the first few weeks as a brand new nurse. You may cry but you will get over it and get stronger :-). I think that is very out of line what that teacher told you!!!

[aem31]

I rarely log in to respond to a post, and I really only read the first post in this thread so I'm sure I'll be repeating what multiple others have said.

I'm closing in on my first half of nursing school. I've maintained a 4.0 throughout. And guess what? I was clumsy with the microscope in microbiology. I even accidentally got oil on the lens you are FORBIDDEN to get oil on...lol. I dropped countless instruments and was a general klutz in lab. I managed to pull off an A in that class but honestly, my weakness still is in doing. What I mean is, I preform clumsily in skills. I'm just a bit slower in that department than my peers. I have the knowledge in my head but my nervousness makes me slower when I have to put my hands on deck.

It is still rather disconcerting to me to know that I can pull off a 100 on a nursing exam (and nobody in my program has done so in five years) but that I am like in the bottom bracket of my class for being able to gracefully manage application of skills in clinical and lab.

However, I know myself. I know that given time my nerves will ease and I'll be just fine. You may be the same way.

Shame on that old hag for trying to undermine your confidence and negatively impact your life. She probably hates her job and is a miserable unhappy person. Write it off and keep working on your goals. Don't give her words another thought.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

It is amazing what other people will do to try to make THEMSELVES feel better!!!

Make sure you invite that microbiology teacher to your nursing school graduation!!! :

EXCELLENT ADVICE!!!!:up:

[futurenurse310]

Dont wanna sound mean, but ... Man up.

Success is the best revenge