My teacher humiliated me in front of the class

BarbPick · Oct 9, 2003

Your instructor was correct, whether you like it or not.

She needed to stop you in your tracks. A Nursing Class is not a democracy. In every stated situation someone tried to pull the rug out from the instructor, play one against the other, or tell the instructor her fly was open.

What you do not see is the student is opening their mouth to change feet in an attempt to undermind the instructor.

In all my years of doing Nursing Education, there is alway one student in each class I would nominate for Lethal Injection. Most do not completely think out their question before they fire it off.

Had they kept quiet and listened the question would be answered in the lecture content.

It is because of such nursing students who ase so all knowing I am happily taking this semester off, on sabbatical and am back at the bedside

ggfifirn05 · Oct 9, 2003

I think that your teacher(s) could have responded to your questions with a bit more diplomacy and tact. If the first one was really upset or caught off-guard by your question about the bed bath situation, she should have said she would discuss it with you after class. Although I don't think that phrasing the question in the terms of being a "tattle-tale" was the best way to start off...that obviously put her on the defensive. The same for the teacher with the epinephrine/adrenaline question; you are there to learn, and I don't think the question was unreasonable.

Unfortunately, there are people in positions of authority and power, in all walks of life, who have forgotten what it is like to be in the role of a student. Never be afraid to ask questions. That is how we learn. Just remember to phrase your question so it is not challenging or confrontational.

Although I am a nursing student now, I've worked in the business world for the last 29 years, and have trained and educated many new employees...I always tried to remember what it felt like to be the student shoes.

Just my opinion...

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 9, 2003

There's a right and a wrong way to handle things.

I see the teacher's point with "is it in your book" because a LOT of ppl in my class want crap typed out on a paper and handed to them instead of searching for it themselves.

"She said "*WELL* what do you think epinephrine is?"" And a better way for her to handle that would have been "epinephrine is adrenaline" and went on.

kbstudent · Oct 9, 2003

You need to learn early on when to question the instructor and when not to. Don't pit one group against the other or one instructor against the other. If your instructor wants all the patients to have daily bed baths, that is what you do. Guess what?? all the patients should have daily bed baths.

As an experienced nurse told me a year ago, a bed bath is the perfect opportunity to do your assessment on the patient. I try and always remember that.

I am just finishing up my psych rotation and my instructor is a stickler for certain things. We know that and do what she expects of us even though other clinical groups do not have to do the same thing.

There is no excuse to be rude in front of class. It could've been handled better.

Hang in there.

colleen10 · Oct 9, 2003

Hi Twintoo,

I'm a first semester student nurse myself and I think you have learned a valuable lesson early on in the game. Keep your mouth shut, your ears open and don't make waves.

I completely understand Barb's point because that kind of attitude and thinking does occur in a lot of places. There are lots of people that try to undermine their instructors, boss', co-worker's, etc.

While your instructor's reponse was not put delicately the message is clear. Don't worry about what other people are doing, just worry about what you are doing.

You have to kind of look at it from your instructor's point of view too. How would you like to be the clinical instructor and have a student tell you that out of all the other groups you make yours do bed bathes and work hard while the other's seem to be on a free ride. I'm sure this isn't the first time she has heard that type of complaint.

She has probably had lots of students complain in the past that they have to do bed bathes, which it never ceases to amaze me how many nursing students think that those are "beneath them". I'm not saying that you think that way, but your instructor has probably had students that felt that way and is just fed up with it and she took it out on you.

Also, I'm sure your feelings are a bit hurt right now but I would not consider what she did to you "humiliation". I have heard some real doozy of incidences you made out pretty much un-scathed.

Good Luck in the rest of your semester.

Shamrock, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2003

You might want to rethink calling women hagatha's.

Hag, comes from the word hagia which means sacred one. It used to be associated with hagiography, the study of saints.

Carolanne · Oct 9, 2003

Sometimes it is hard to keep your lip zipped, but I've found it keeps things running smoother in the long run. Instructors usually don't like to be questioned or asked why or why not it's being done that way. Instant ego deflation, doesn't sit well. I know a lot of the older teachers could use a brush up course in Manners 101, and find that the younger teachers are much more receptive to students and their questions. The older ones are getting burned out and don't want to get into it with the students. It's a shame that we have to go through this with them, but I try to look on the bright side and tell myself it's good "people skills" that we're learning, getting along with all types of personalities, and it kind of gets me through the semester!

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2003

From what I hear, nursing programs are like branches of the service and instructors are officers. We're just grunts. Say yes maa'm, no maa'm and don't forget to salute.

Krojas21 · Oct 9, 2003

WOW! My teachers are great at my school. They constantly say that no question is a stupid one, and that we paid for our education therefore giving them a job and they are very respectful and kind toward all of us. Maybe it's because I go to a smaller school, (only 28 NS this year), but we learn alot more if we're encouraged to ask questions. They can't expect us to know everything, especially the first year/term. I do agree that bed baths are a great way to assess the client.

colleen10 · Oct 9, 2003

Yeah, I actually enjoy giving bed baths because it's the one time during the day that I can actually have a full conversation with a patient. And you can't beat any other way to do a skin assessment.

My instructor also is having us do more than a lot of the other groups too. They don't do as many bed bathes, history's, assessments, etc. but I am grateful to her that she is pushing us to get these under our belts while we are in LTC because this week we move up to a busy Med/Surg. floor.

It also depends on the experience of your instructor too. My instructor worked in a hospital where the staff was all RN's, no Aides or LPN's. They were responsible for total and complete care of their patients and she has told us that's the only way she knows to nurse so that's how we will be taught. Doesn't sound so bad to me.

ibmissy · Oct 9, 2003

A nurse at my work, who is an RN and has a Masters Degree gave me this piece of advice..."Never disagree with the teachers no matter how much you want to..They have the opportunity to pass you or fail you as they see fit." Thank God I never had to disagree..I am one of those types of people who have a hard time keeping my mouth shut if its over something I believe in.

I am extremely fortunate with the instructors I have, though maybe its because I go to a private school. All of them are VERY nice..They stay after school or will come in early to tutor anyone who needs help. They gave us their email addresses and IM names and told us to contact them anytime we had a question or just wanted to talk. There is one who is strictly by the book...she is a new RN, but I am sure she just wants us to learn everything right. The other teachers let certain things slide though..Most of us don't sit there and say, "Mrs so and so will let us get away with that, how come you won't?" playing teachers against each other just won't work.

You don't have to agree with teachers...but please don't disagree if you want to become a nurse. I don't believe in kissing up..but sometimes its best to remain silent, unless its something urgent.

Good Luck!