Nursing intructor abuse- Where can I find help please

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i was placed in a clinical group with an instructor who i reported for wrong behavior two semesters ago. she found out about it. since there were prior hostilities toward me, i realize her severe treatment toward me came from an agenda to retaliate, naïveté. i assumed i could trust the system and that the problem had been corrected. i did my best to survive and hang in there but she found a way to fail me. she gave me work i could not complete on a new needs improvement program. when i brought the work to clinicals in a huge folder, she would not receive it. i explained i stayed up 72 hours straight with no sleep to complete it and it is impossible for anyone to do it all. it corresponded with a huge comprehensive care plan due at the same time and an exam which i could not study for but passed.

if an instructor does not help a student putting forth the effort, she has let the student down. i more than made up my clinical hours. instead she said you know what that means; it means you are out of the program. i will have to fail you on theory also so you would have to reapply to this program. i was not failing in either course. i need some protection so that she will not succeed. i need help in putting together a letter to the administration of the school and any resources a student has. i have seen this done to others and now it is me.

thank you for any advice.

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Just making sure I read this correctly, your instructor gave extra assignments that no one else in the class had to complete and failed you based on those extra assignments? There was no reason for these extra assignments either? If thats the case then that seems like proof enough itself to go to the dean with.

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Yes there were reasons. My part was coming to clinical with three extra chapters done and only a part of the chapter that was required. She sent me home. The stress at that point was overwhelming and making me crazy. I did not connect her actions to our previous problem.

The 8 week course is compressed and we had a lot of papers to write, along with exams everyweek and I was too busy to think of myself. She grades us differently and I have some documentation on that. I have some audio documentation.

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I'm sorry, I'm still having trouble understanding exactly what happened. You showed up to clinicals and had work from three chapters of the book done but not all of the work done from the chapter assigned so she sent you home? If thats the case, what does your syllabus say about late work?

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i was sent home because i had done too much work on the wrong chapters due later in the week and didn't complete the one i needed by day of clinical. i called to tell her what happened and that i knew she would send me home, she said no, come in, i did and then sent me home anyway after a tongue lashing so to speak. i was told there would be no pip. then she called to have me come in to get my assignment for missing class, the other instructor are much easier and you do not have to get a pip, just an 8 page paper to make up the clinical time. she said come by my office and i will give you your assignment. when i got there she had written a long 2 page single spaced letter about the incident. i said what incident? i was amazed. she also changed her mind and gave me a pip or needs improvement. then the new system started, come in with a low grade, not failing grade and review your test and receive a pip. everyone who received a lower grade came in but this my second pip was also full of the added work mentioned above. no one else was given the duties to perform. when i could not complete all the tests, case studies, study guide and care plan, and website exams, she sent me home from clinicals saying i was out. i felt i was set up to fail but was sure. indeed i was.

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This nurse is gunning for students each semester. It is hard for me to let this go because of my love for them and my own future. Is there any hope besides exposing them to the media which would be my last resort. I know there is a provision for nurses to report activities that are not in accordance the practice act. They protect their identity and begin an investigation. I am older and this is my last chance to graduate. I was recently deserted and Ihave this last opportunity to complete school now. I have one more semester or take what ever job I can and remain under employed. This has been my dream for 35 years.

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this sounds all too familiar. something needs to be done about these abusive instructors. this kind of harrassment is illegal in all other academic settings, why is it allowed in nursing schools?

to bleverrett, this is not your last chance to graduate. be sure to exhaust all appeals at your current school first. check your school handbook on the appeals process and get your paperwork and documentation in order and ready to go. hire a lawyer, or seek out a trusted advisor at the school. dont delay, the appeals process has a deadline. also,even if you have audio evidence, forget it. Taping someone without their knowledge is illegal and will not stand up in court, and could be used against you. sorry this happened to you, but unfortunetly you are not the first or the last. some nursing instructors are just plain evil, but not all of them... if you must, go back and start over at another school. you will make it.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Get a lawyer.

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Sorry to read what happened to you. You know where you went wrong. Under no circumstances should you ever have accepted a clinical placement with this person. She proved to you why not. And you gave her opportunity when you did not follow instructions and lost your composure. You need to go to the Student Grievance Committee of your school. They will tell you to exhaust the grievance procedure with your department before coming back to them. You will need to do all of this in order to proceed with any other action. Recommend you see an attorney for legal advice, but you should not expect to win. Good if you win; if you don't win, at least you tried and fought for yourself. Learn from this life lesson.

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I agree with caliotter3. you probably won't win, the lawyer will tell you it is all "subjective" your word against theirs, and they always win. they can say whatever they want about you, whether its the truth or not. do try though, you will feel better about yourself having exhausted all your options there and fighting, but at the same time, plan where else you can go and don't miss any application deadlines. get back into a program elsewhere as soon as you can.

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I know there is something I can do for the benefit of all students that have come for an education through the doors of my school and were abused. None should be mistreated. I am in this position for a reason. I am sure it is to help other nursing students. I will use this day to learn all the avenues I have to better the situation. I have a hard time sitting back witnessing someone injure at will. I am blessed with wonderful friends and students that support me and this board where I can research options. I have come here often and found help.

I will keep you all updated on this and in my prayers.

Blessings!

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this sounds all too familiar. something needs to be done about these abusive instructors. this kind of harrassment is illegal in all other academic settings, why is it allowed in nursing schools?

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IMHO....I would say "to prepare you for the abuse you will suffer on the floor."

Until nurses/nursing students stand up for themselves (even to the level of filing legal actions), the abuse will continue.

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