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

Published

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.

Take it from a male nurse who went through the same harassment in nursing school...tell her to take a hike...of course after you finish nursing school...lol I have always said and will stick by it..."Those who can't do...teach![/ Don't let anyone deter you if it is in your heart. I have been a nurse for 22 years, and would not do anything else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was born and raised in another country, although I doubted my abilities in the past, but you know what? I finished my Micro. with great scores, out of 25 student, I ranked #2, and I am the only non English speaking student in the class. So don't let this teacher tell you what you can or can't do, she sounded mean and nasty. If you need any help and tips, please let me know.

Don't give up that easily, I am sure if this is what you really want, you can do it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Take it from a male nurse who went through the same harassment in nursing school...tell her to take a hike...of course after you finish nursing school...lol I have always said and will stick by it..."Those who can't do...teach![/ Don't let anyone deter you if it is in your heart. I have been a nurse for 22 years, and would not do anything else.

LOL Great point! I have heard this one before for sure!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Bud,

I RARELY reply to things on this site, even though I read every issue. But I HAD to reply to you. I'm also a guy, a minority in a mostly "women's working world"......and I hate to see you even THINK about casting your dreams aside, bkz of a comment from an instructor.

I'll share with you that I'm a really "good student".....graduated summa cum laude with my first BS 30 yrs ago, straight A's in my Master's degree in business. Let me say this: nursing school ISN'T easy, but you CAN do it!! When I took Micro as a pre-req 3 yrs ago, I was "freakin' afraid" to light the bunsen burner......and could usually not make much out in a microscope. I thought I was "headed down the path to failure", especially when it seemed to come easy to so many people. And ya know what???..........it DOES come easy to SOME people, but for most, it requires real work.

Don't give up.....don't be down on yourself. Do whatever it takes to feel comfortable.....and know this: you CANNOT learn when you are "anxious".....so if that's a problem, see your MD or NP and see if an anti-anxiety Rx is for you. I have a chronic anxiety problem, and used to take Klonopin once in a while......well, and I'm NOT ashamed to say it.....in nursing school, I had to UP my dosage, with the help/guidance of a great medical practitioner. Plz consider that, if you need to.....and do all the things "you learned in Kindergarden": get enough rest, eat right, get some exercise, play once in a while.....and GET A SUPPORTIVE GROUP of friends. VERY FEW "do" nursing school alone.

Here I am, now at age 54, a BSN-prepared RN for almost 3 yrs now.....making half of what I did as an executive, but VERY happy......and with NO WORRIES about the poor job market out there overall. Once you get some experience, you can change jobs with relative ease.

Plz don't "hang too much" on that micro teacher, saying "you don't have/might not have what it takes".

I wish you the best of luck and you're on the RIGHT road, by reaching out to other nurses and asking for advice/support/help. Most nurses are women, and THANK GOD, because 98% of them are VERY SUPPORTIVE of new nurses, and "guys" in nursing in particular.

All the best!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What's up with these microbiology instructors? Mine wore a frown to every class. I did not have a lab book because I did not want to pay for one and I sent her an email which she ignored to see if she had an extra one then I asked her in person and she actually got me one! I then broke all my slides and had to start from scratch! By the end of the class, I could swear I caught a glimpse of a smile - maybe making an A helped. YOU WILL BE FINE. Just believe in yourself. What that instructor told you is WRONG. Happy people just don't say such things. So I bet her life sucks. Also at clinicals, one of the agency nurses on med/surg expected me to have done most of her work by the time we left for the day and it was the first day I had taken on two patients. Guess what? She told me that maybe I should reconsider my career path as I would not make a good nurse! That comment really cut deep. Well, fast forward a year and my nursing school buddy was working in the same hosp as this lady and I asked her to ask her if she remembered the comment she had made. She didn't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Psyc, post surg.

In my last clinical rotation which was in one of our 2 local hospitals, one of the nurses told my clinical instructor that I would never "make it as a nurse" because I didn't know how to make a bed. At the time, it was very disheartening because the clinical instructor didn't try to work with me (probably because she didn't know how to make a bed the way this nurse did either).

But I made it through the last school tests, passed my boards the 1st time (didn't have to make a bed for the Boards). I've been a working RN for 25 yrs now in the other Hospital in our community. I don't make beds nor have I ever needed anything I ever learned (not retained) in Microbiology.

Ignore the dragons! Keep moving toward your goal of being a Registered Nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had an old cranky nursing teacher tell me I didn't have what it takes either. I was hurt and kept asking her, "Do you think I should quit nursing school?" She snapped at me and said, "What do you think!?" She was a real idiot, making herself feel better for yelling at me. Even when I got 100% on the math quiz, she yelled that I didn't show my work more. I failed, but I am back on track. The teacher forgot that she had to start somewhere too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Count this one up as experience. In nursing you will meet some truly foul people who will try to tear your soul out. Pity them and move out. Most of the people you meet will be either ok or cool. I have had two people in positions of authority tell me that I was not going to succeed because they were going to make sure I did not. I have made it and it was rough. Do not pick a fight but just do your best and ignore her negativity. As others have said I would worry more about the clinical instructors and what they said. Even they can be wrong but listen to what they say your weaknesses are. If everything is going to well it is probably an ambush. Stay flexible and keep moving forward.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Women's Surgical , MIU,MBU.

I would like to know why you didn't desire to tell your family? They many times are your greatest support system. It amazes me how people feel its okay to speak negativity into other peoples lives. She may be a doctor but so what she isnt God. Last time I checked its those people who were told they couldnt and they did. If this is your true hearts desire you become that RN that you want to be and when its all done and you have obtained your license...I would go back and tell her thank you for her words of "encouragement."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just got my letter on Tuesday that told me I had been accepted into nursing school. And, to be perfectly honest with you, the first time I used the microscope during microbiology, I sucked at it. I couldn't find the bacteria that I was supposed to be looking for, and eventually I had to ask for help in locating it. Don't let the comments of a bitter teacher who has no clue what kind of person you are sway your ideas about life. If you have the desire, and a true passion for helping others, then you CAN become a nurse. Sometimes nursing isn't about being the smartest or the best in clincial, the knowledge and clinical skills can be acquired over time, nursing is more about your desire to help others and tend to the sick and injured. If your school has such a low pass rate, I would suggest looking into a different program. I'm not sure what state your in, but I'm in North Carolina, and we have a lot of great schools here. The school I am attending has a 98% pass rate as of last year. The best advice I can give you is to let the comments your micro teacher made go in one ear and out the other. Unless she is giving you advice about the class she teaches, don't listen to anything she has to say related to nursing. she isn't a nurse, nor will she ever be a nurse, and she has no idea what kind of person can and cannot become a nurse. Don't let a few difficulties with a microscope, and some bitter comments from a rude teacher, discourage you. Keep your head up, and go for your dream!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

I have no idea how this instructor came to the conclusion that you don't have what it takes to be a nurse just because you're having difficulty with a microscope? Nurse's don't even ever use a microscope on the job! So after you've completed this class unless you go on to be a lab tech or something like that, you'll probably never have the occasion to be looking through a microscope again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a Chemistry professor in my first year of college who was so horrible that it made me switch majors. I walked by her one day when I wasn't her student anymore and she asked what I was doing now and I said I'm a psychology major and she responded with oh yeah science wasn't your thing. Well 8 years later here I am getting into nursing school so I guess science is my thing! Don't listen to her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion