My Nursing Instructor Is making clinical a nightmare

[Chole_0316]

So I'm in my fourth block of nursing school and am about to graduate in December which is so exciting! Even though it was stressful, I didn't really feel like a I struggled at all in the previous blocks. I got good grades and I felt that I was gaining more experience in clinical. However, my instructor for this block has been pushing me over the edge. I have cried several times because she makes me feel so inadequate. Previous students that graduated had told me that she was horrible and definitely not a nice person so beware. At first I thought she wasn't so bad but now I realize why everyone disliked her. The majority of the class has verbalized that they're absolutely terrified of her so I know it's not just me. Anyway, I have this instructor for class and clinicals so I can't get away from her. One day she'll act decent and then another day she'll have a death glare on the whole day. She chewed one student out because she submitted an assignment in the wrong format.

I'm an introvert so I'm quiet and reserved. However, I am extremely driven and take control of every aspect of my life. Even though the medical field is a completely new territory for me, I try to give clinical my all to progress in my knowledge. The instructor explained beforehand that she doesn't want students "holding the nurses hand" and she wants us to take the initiative. I'll admit that I get extremely nervous in clinical (because of the instructor) so this can be scary at times. But I've been making a huge effort to do just this. I go do my own assessments, do blood sugars, check on the patients, tell the nurse it's time to get the meds out (we can't log into the pyxis). Even though I feel like I'm pulling my hair out trying to do all the right things it's still not enough for her. Every week we have to write a little paragraph on our clinical experience and every single comment she writes the same thing. "I am very concerned about your lack of initiative and you need to be more assertive". I feel sooooo frustrated with these comments because I realize that I need more confidence but I'm doing everything in my power to appear confident and push myself in clinical. I feel like these comments are just blanket statements that provide no help at all. I mean tell me exactly what i'm doing wrong and offer some advice on how to improve. I have a huge amount more to learn just like everyone else and am trying to do that. I ask a million questions because nursing is a serious career and I'm trying to show the initiative. We're five weeks into the semester and not once has she EVER said anything positive to me about my performance. I feel at a complete loss because I have no idea where she is getting the idea that i'm not showing enough initiative. To make it worse she hovers and comes to "check" on us every few hours. It just happens that a couple times when she comes up that i'm standing there conversing with the nurse about our patient.. which isn't that what we're supposed to do?? It seem like if we're sitting at the computer when she comes up that she automatically assumes that we've been doing nothing for an hour and she acts accordingly with accusatory questions. Her attitude in person is extremely demeaning and she acts as if everyone is inferior to her. I'm having a really hard time not getting discouraged. She makes me feel so stupid, inadequate, and like i'm the weak link. I know i'm not any of these things but she literally makes me feel an inch tall whenever i'm in her presence which a horrible feeling! I've tried being honest with her about things I need to work on in clinical and what I need help on.. For example, I was having trouble with a few IV's and I told her that I think part of the issue is that on some pts i'm not going deep enough because I'm afraid to "stab" the patient and cause them extreme discomfort. She just replied "Well you need to get over that! nursing has no room for timidity!" I realized what my issue was and I was trying to show I know what I need to work on but obviously being honest with her doesn't work too well. I'm considering talking to her about what exactly she feels i'm doing wrong but I'm not sure if it'll just make things worse.

Any advice from people who have ever experienced an instructor like this? I feel like she's just a very miserable person inside who wants to demean others to make herself feel better. And that I'm a great target because I'm quiet. Help!! =[

[SmilingBluEyes]

I would just stick it out and let it ride before you graduate. When once you have graduated, ask to speak to her or the director about her mannerisms and difficult ways. The reason I say after, is you will feel safe from reproach for saying anything negative about her til then. Maybe your class could get together and write a thoughtful and constructive letter outlining your concerns and have each one sign and then turn it in after graduation.

As far as positive feedback, good luck. You will run into clinical managers who are long on criticism and low on positive anything. The pat on the back may have to come from within in those cases. The old saying that good work in its own reward applies in such cases. You should pamper yourself on non-work days and remember why you became a nurse in the first place.

Just my thoughts. Sorry you are going through this and just hang in there; you are nearly done. YOU GOT THIS. Best of luck and congratulations on coming so far.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I hate to tell you, but many of us have had a clinical instructor like this. They are VERY particular and want things done a certain way. This is not always a bad thing. Many of us look back on those instructors and see they really wanted us to perfect our skills.

You mentioned a fellow student getting chewed out for not submitting an assignment in a correct format. I can fully understand why the instructor would be upset. Many instructors would give a zero for that. Why do they deserve credit for something that was done wrong?

I would just suck it up and make the best of this for now. You are in the home stretch and can address problems once you are done. Most likely the instructor isn't doing anything that will get them fired. It sounds like they are a bit crude, but you'll encounter plenty of co-workers, MD's, and managers like that. It is best to learn how to work with that personality now.

[Savvy20RN, BSN, RN]

I could have written this post word for word when I was in nursing school. I also had a nursing instructor who was tough/condescending, etc. Nothing I did pleased her. I was also very timid in nursing school but being in her clinical group broke me out of it. I think students need a balance between the tough instructors and those that are nice and make you feel confident in your abilities.

Honestly, I learned more from nice instructors who taught skills in a calm way rather than in an abrasive fashion. When I did something wrong they told me and I improved. I wasn't afraid to ask them questions for fear of being belittled. Sure, I also learned from the tougher instructors because I was terrified of NOT retaining what they taught. I think there should be a balance. Instructors shouldn't feel like they have to kiss your behind and give you a gold star for doing something you should know how to do...especially in your senior year. But they shouldn't make you feel stupid either. Nursing is tough and students should know that their mistakes and short comings (even being shy) could harm a patient. I just don't think a nursing instructor's presence should invoke fear in their students to teach them nursing.

I agree with SmilingBluEyes. Talk to someone about it. I wish I would have upon graduation, but I was so glad to get out of there I didn't really care about expressing my opinions to a program I had no intentions of returning to. I think you'll do fine. Do your work, pass your classes, don't give her a reason to fail you. If your instructor hasn't found a reason to kick you out you're probably doing fine. If her only issue with you is your 'lack of initiative,' and not 'you're lack of critical thinking and issues with patient safety, etc' I'd work hard, get in there and learn like you're doing and keep it moving.

[Chole_0316]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!! I know there's going to be a lot of similar people out in the work field just like her and worse. I'm really trying to not let it get to me and to gain confidence..It's just really hard to feel extremely confident when I still feel like I don't know anything lol. As far as the document submission goes, I completely understand that it should be submitted in the right format and there's no excuse for that. I think the issue was that throughout the whole program we were told to submit in Rtf and this instructor said submit in word document which rtf is a word document.. But what she meant to say is that she wanted it in docx, so we were all confused on what she wanted and then she kinda blew up on this girl because of it. I think you're right that I probably shouldn't discuss this with her. I'll just suck it up and try to get through this last stretch! I appreciate all the comments!! =]

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Any advice from people who have ever experienced an instructor like this?[

Welcome! Your thread has been moved to our General Nursing Student forum. Good luck with this unfortunate situation.

[FlyingScot, RN]

I think many of us have been in the same place including myself. Just get through it and let it go. I disagree with talking to anybody about it. Unless you want to open up a can of worms which may have long lasting affects on you. I assure you the school knows how she is and frankly she really isn't doing anything wrong, just unpleasant. She isn't going to change and I doubt the school really cares that she made clinical uncomfortable for you.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

I agree this is just an unpleasant part of dealing with people. Some are easier than others. And it is pretty good practice for your real nursing career. Keep your head down and off her radar if possible. Like a PP said, don't give her a reason to fail you. She will probably pass you but don't expect any praise.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

When standing beside her picture her naked....

[Chole_0316]

She can't fail me because she thinks i'm not showing enough initiative can she? We never really went over the guidelines for that stuff..

[Parakeet]

Chole,

I understand what you are going through right now. I too, am an extreme introvert. I also deal with eyesight and memory issues, which does not help my situation. Some people might look at how my instructors evaluate me and think they are harsh. I have come to learn that is not so.

I could repeat your story in my own experience. Too much timidity, lack of self-confidence, a whole list of issues. And sometimes I have found, that when I think I am excelling and doing great, until I compare with others and see that I am really the slowest and farthest behind. Your instructor may be trying to help you, but not necessarily doing it the right way. You know what, my instructors have made me cry before, but I had to step back and instead use each difficulty as a stepping stool to higher learning and experience.

You can do it. Just take each comment and criticism, ignore the negative and use it to better yourself in all areas. Life is challenging, and you will meet people who will be even more difficult to you than your instructor. If you take this well, you can look back and see how much stronger you've become from that difficulty.

I wish you well!

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I also had an instructor that was known for running things just this side of outright bullying behavior for how she ran her clinical groups. As an instructor, she actually wasn't very good. Fantastic and knowledgeable RN to be sure, but she didn't have a clue about how to teach. As bad as she was, I actually learned a LOT from her. What I learned was attention to detail, being sure to have everything ready ahead of time, knowing darned near everything about the patients I was assigned. I also learned that people like that probably subconsciously "grade" their students on how they present themselves through tone and body language. The nurse you work with also has eyes on you too. When you greet your nurse at the beginning of the shift, instead of just going ahead and doing things on your own, have a quick discussion about your plan for the day, like you are going to direct how your shift is going to go.

I'm going to make up rooms... because I don't know your floor's layout.

It could go something like this: Good morning! I've been assigned to 201, 203, 205, and 206. I've already glanced at their charts, and after we get report, I'd like to discuss with you the order that my patients should be seen, just to make sure we're both on the same page. I'll go see them, do the blood sugar checks while I'm at it, and check in with you as I go along. I'd like to get the med pass going at 8:30 so we can meet up at the med room so that we can draw the meds from the Pyxis and see if we need to change anything. My instructor needs to be here any time I do certain skills and it looks like 203 has one of those coming up. Could we quickly go over that before my instructor gets here so that I'm refreshed on the procedure? Thanks!! Now, let's go get report...

You're not barking orders, acting like a drill sergeant, or even like a know-it-all. You're nearing the end of your training, you're starting to learn to be a coordinator or team leader. You're laying out your plan for the day, bouncing those ideas off of others, refining your plan as you go along, and trying to follow the plan, as revised. Do the above with a "hey, what do you think about..." kind of mentality/tone, and you'll be just about right!

I can be either an introvert or an extrovert, but given a choice, I generally prefer to be an introvert, or at least lean that way. I'm no Yoda by any means... I'm "only" an ED nurse of about 7 months. My shift this morning was not an easy one. I had 4 patients, all were fairly high acuity, though not enough to force a ratio change from 1:4 to 1:2, so that's what I walked into. I could have ran around like the proverbial headless chicken, accomplishing tasks, but not much else... or I could develop a plan and start implementing it, even if it was as I was going along.

The attention to details, the making sure everything was set up/ready, the developing a game plan, all that stuff I learned from that terrible instructor, all played a hand today in making sure that I could walk into that chaos, figure it out, straighten it out (even if not perfectly), and get things rolling somewhat smoothly. Now, about that "timidity" thing, yes, I had that too... once upon a time. I had a patient that was a pretty hard stick today. My approach was from "I've got this..." instead of "I'll give that a try." With that patient, I guarantee you that I was thinking, "where the heck am I going to find a vein on that arm?" Trust me, that patient never had a clue that I was just about stumped at first... I ended up finding a vein, and somehow convinced the vein to be still long enough for me to get that IV in.