need advice in classroom ettiquette

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Hi, I'm a male student taking science pre-requisite's to get into a nursing program. The classes I take are primarily for students who become nurses and are like 95% female students. My problem is, I am a quiet type of student and I don't chat much when I am learning and I a concerned that teachers/students may see this as a sign of weakness and take advantage and/or gang up on me in a class setting (forget to give me assignment handouts, tell me about important updates, gossip, etc.) Should I try to be more outgoing in class? I have noticed that women chat A LOT in these female-dominated classes. I don't know what I should do, and how I should approach this type of setting. need advice.

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

Just be yourself. Be nice to the woman...be warm and care for them. keep smiling and being helpful...make one or two solid friends with the woman and let them know how nice you are and they will tell the others and all the doors will be open to you...trust me. Female nurses heart is hardwired to be a open heart. They will only be nasty to you if you are a total jerk. (don't ever try to fit in. Woman are very intuitive and they hate that...let them come to you)

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Females can get catty, gossipy, and downright snooty at times. I welcome the chance to have a guy in class to balance things out. If you aren't given a handout or an assignment, speak up. If you have an opposing point of view, speak up. If the girls want to gossip, avoid it if possible.

You need to learn to speak boldly to strangers in uncomfortable circumstances. That's part of what nurses do. Good luck!

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I agree with begood1967. Just concentrate on making good grades by learning the material well. Sometimes it does seem strange being in a setting dominated by females but you can wow them with your knowledge and stability. When you get into the clinical class, the group will become very tight, and will include everyone. Good luck.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Stepdown, ICU.

Hey there,

Hang in there and don't worry about what others do. At this point, it's about getting into the program, and for what it's worth, that's something only YOU can control. Don't rely on other people for handouts and getting information. Take charge and make sure that you are on top of the game in every possible way and you will get in. Your fellow students, whether male or female, are in the same boat that you are in and once you're on the other side of the fence (you know... actually -IN- the program), there will be less of this, because at this point, the gals will start pushing for their own pecking order. Just stick clear of this and do what you are there to do. In school and beyond, this is the expectation from instructors and employers alike.

To answer your question: Yes, being more outgoing is only going to help, but don't do that just to gain favor with these people. Do it because you will need to be outgoing in your profession.

All the best in getting accepted into the program you desire. It's a great route!

Chordringer

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Specializes in ICU.

Don't gossip, whatever you do, do not gossip. Also who cares if you are quiet in class? I would recommend that all your professors know you by name and can recognize you if you were in another setting besides school. I say this because if you need letters of recommendation which you probably will at some point. Its always nice to know all your profs and know they would do this for you. If you don't know them they will have a hard time giving you letters. Also knowing your professors means its easier to get help if you need it.

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.

Find the biggest, baddest, meanest Nursing student you can find and dominate her.

Trust me, everyone will respect you and you will cement your dominance in the yard.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Stepdown, ICU.

Erm, I would steer clear of the "Prison *****" mentality and approach as recommended by Bug. It can work sometimes... and othertimes it will just backfire in your face and make your situation ten times worse. Just sayin'

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Specializes in Telemetry & PCU.

i would have to agree with the last poster regarding bugouts advice; might work well in prison, but ns????

perhaps i can help with some word tracks that can be employed in times of stress::

  1. when confronting a fellow student on something they did, or didn't do, start with this word track: "i'm not judging, i'm just saying........" gets em everytime!!!!
  2. whenever asked by a fellow student (that you do not like) to do something say: " i would if i could............" then tell them about your sock drawer or some such stuff.

  3. and my personal favourite, when being confronted on your quietness/introvert character just say (with gusto): " i'm not much, but i am all i think about!"

of course there are many other word tracks that can be used; however, you must buy my complete " you don't have to be a sissy man to survive nursing school" course available on a 4 cd set to get the rest of them!!

stay groovy!!

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Find the biggest, baddest, meanest Nursing student you can find and dominate her.

Trust me, everyone will respect you and you will cement your dominance in the yard.

Funniest thing Ive read all day. Cant believe you guys are taking this seriously.

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Specializes in Telemetry & PCU.
Funniest thing Ive read all day. Cant believe you guys are taking this seriously.

Hey, you never know..........:D

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Funniest thing Ive read all day. Cant believe you guys are taking this seriously.

I'm not judging..., I'm just saying....

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