need advice in classroom ettiquette

[411nurseguy]

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.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

This is my take on it:

Someone that won't speak up in class runs the risk of not speaking up when acting as an advocate for the patient.

No, teachers won't gang up on you, but consider this:

I took a class where class participation was 30% of your grade.

A week before the class ended...our instructor said, "If I don't know your name, that's a bad sign."

The girl that sat next to me, that got over a 90% on every exam...but never said a word the entire semester, was shocked when she got a B on her final grade.

She cried her eyes out over it.

But the instructor was correct...she didn't participate.

Just showing up isn't class participation.

[groovy jeff, RN]

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

There are some quick learners around here!!!

Right on, Sister!!!

[CharlieT]

Thanks Jeff, but ummm....., I'm male, not really a sister kind of person.

Wow, this thread has gone WAY off topic.

[AragornSkywalker]

We cant help going off on tangents. Just like how we cant suppress our insatiable lust for...

[groovy jeff, RN]

Thanks Jeff, but ummm....., I'm male, not really a sister kind of person.

Wow, this thread has gone WAY off topic.

Nothing personal; I say that to everybody except big hairy bikers!

You think this is off topic??? Well maybe a little. Perhaps we are helping the OP to laugh and lighten up a bit.

[CharlieT]

"Nothing personal; I say that to everybody ..."

OK, well in that case I guess I'm cool with it.

Is it just me or are those cartoons drawn a bit ummm.... suggestive?

[groovy jeff, RN]

"Is it just me or are those cartoons drawn a bit ummm.... suggestive?

I am surprised that they are still up......

I do love football though! Go Cardinals!!

[mikeyjsc]

Definitely be assertive. Your instructors want to see that you have a good grasp on what your learning. They also want to see the confidence in you. Keeping patients well informed about what you're doing, and getting them to relay information to you is a big part of nursing. It was a little hard for me. When I started my prerequisites I hadn't been in a classroom in about 9 years. It took me a little time but working as a CNA helped me get over alot of that.

[mysparrow]

relax... you have more important thins to stress out about... if you want good advice... SMILE it changes the everyones mood..

[Essayons]

Being a nursing student who is male- here is my advice.

I am not shy, but one of my classmates is and he is male. He associates with only a few other classmates who are female. He is closer with them than I am with him. He does not get overlooked. I do not think you will also. You are the only male or one of a few- it is hard for them not to notice you.

I would also agree with the females earlier. Do not try to force yourself to fit it- be yourself. It will come naturally. I would not gossip either. And yes, girls LOVE to talk.

Hope this helps.