Nursing school pain

caliotter3 · May 18, 2015

Sometimes it is good to remember that they control what you want. No matter how bad or good the instruction, you have to get through it, in order to get the school to sign off on your paperwork so that you can test to get a nursing license. Just another way of saying "keep your eye on the prize".

jaycam, RN · May 18, 2015

One thing I have had to do as a nursing student is reevaluate my perception of what is going on around me. I can't control how others behave but I can control how I react. I noticed very quickly that when I did that it became less stressful. It was noticeable to others as well because I got comments on how well I took feedback after that point.

School can only be brutal if you allow it to be. If you struggle with how critical the professors can be, my suggestion is to note what they are saying, but allow yourself time to allow the emotional response to cool, then reevaluate what was said.

Professors want you to do well, but they won't coddle you.

Hollyhocks720, MSN, NP · May 18, 2015

Sometimes it is good to remember that they control what you want. No matter how bad or good the instruction, you have to get through it, in order to get the school to sign off on your paperwork so that you can test to get a nursing license. Just another way of saying "keep your eye on the prize".

Agree - but that doesn't make it right! I guess my question is, why? What makes this segment of instructors this way? They make me not want to continue.

Hollyhocks720, MSN, NP · May 18, 2015

One thing I have had to do as a nursing student is reevaluate my perception of what is going on around me. I can't control how others behave but I can control how I react. I noticed very quickly that when I did that it became less stressful. It was noticeable to others as well because I got comments on how well I took feedback after that point.
School can only be brutal if you allow it to be. If you struggle with how critical the professors can be, my suggestion is to note what they are saying, but allow yourself time to allow the emotional response to cool, then reevaluate what was said.
Professors want you to do well, but they won't coddle you.

While I appreciate your comments, I disagree that these instructors want us to do well. There is no evidence of that. As as person who has had a lot of schooling, multiple degrees at universities before this endeavor, it's been shocking how this particular school is unfriendly. "tough" is not equivalent to "rude" or "mean". Not in my book anyway!

HisKonstantine · May 19, 2015

I believe the major issue is these people are nurses and nothing about being a nurse qualifies a person to teach. Just the same as nothing about being a teacher qualifies a person to be a nurse.
I believe this is a bigger problem in the budget community colleges than it is in a four year program. Any thoughts? How do you maintain your sanity while sitting through this robot style of instruction? I have mostly had to teach myself because they are not teaching.

In order to be a nursing instructor, a nurse must have their Masters in Nursing Education. They certainly are more than "just a nurse".

In terms of how I get through class is pretty simple. There's entirely too much information for the instructor to cover in the small amount of lecture time. So they focus on the important stuff, but it's not smart to think that they'll only test you on what they lectured. I think that nursing is kind of self-taught. It's up to you to prepare for lecture by reading the assigned chapters, taking the best notes you can during lecture, and then studying those notes outside of class to prepare for tests. Not to mention, the practice questions and additional resources.

jaycam, RN · May 19, 2015

While I appreciate your comments, I disagree that these instructors want us to do well. There is no evidence of that. As as person who has had a lot of schooling, multiple degrees at universities before this endeavor, it's been shocking how this particular school is unfriendly. "tough" is not equivalent to "rude" or "mean". Not in my book anyway!

You'll find that most nurses do not have time for what you consider polite. It's sad, but true. In the real world you will have rude patients with mean families. You'll have life or death situations where being clear and precise is key. What most people consider rude or mean in normal conversations is actually needed in nursing for patient outcomes. I don't want to end up injured by a student or new grad nurse because the nurse around them were to busy being mindful of the poor nurse's feelings to just tell them "you're doing it wrong."

A good example of my own not getting it and having to adjust my own attitude was when I was taking pre reqs. I had a class that was taught by a nurse. She was blunt. Blunt to a point that I found rude and mean. I was scared of her and thought she was out to get me. Then we got to the end of the class and it was like I was looking at a different person. She was friendly, and happy for us and I ended up staying in contact with her. She wanted us to do well, but in nursing, a "mean" professor is the least of your worries.

As stated before though, even if you're right and they are just power tripping mad women who teach because they enjoy being mean to nursing students, the key is that you can't change anyone's behavior but your own. If they are doing something illegal or against school policy, document and report it, but if they aren't, it's up to you to let the pain roll off your back and become stronger for it.

We cannot make others into what we think they should be, just take the experience and learn from it.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 19, 2015

All of my instructors have MSNs. They are able to teach and this is in a community college. They have tons to deal with. Stuff goes on in nursing school that is crazy and I personally could not deal with. Students constantly in your office, emailing, and calling you over trivial stuff. This person is mean to me, this person chews too loud. What's on this upcoming test, I want to know every question. Your tests are too hard, too easy. This can't possibly be the correct answer because I am always right. Students being rude, coming to class late, and not prepared. Not to mention we are not their only cohort. They have several others. Papers to grade, power points to make, tests to make up, not to mention all of the program stuff. They have clinicals. It is crazy and they don't get paid a whole lot either.

I try to cut them some slack if they are crabby. The amount of crap they deal with on a daily basis in unbelievable and I am thankful they are there to teach me as nursing professors are extremely hard to find.

springchick1, ADN, RN · May 19, 2015

While I appreciate your comments, I disagree that these instructors want us to do well. There is no evidence of that. As as person who has had a lot of schooling, multiple degrees at universities before this endeavor, it's been shocking how this particular school is unfriendly. "tough" is not equivalent to "rude" or "mean". Not in my book anyway!

Maybe you need to change your attitude. Nursing school IS different. And maybe since you have "multiple degrees at universities" you sure had many different types of instructors.

People have different teaching styles and learning styles. Have you gone to sit down with any of your instructors? Have you asked for help? Try changing your attitude a little and see if that helps.

AspiringNurseMW · May 19, 2015

I believe this is a bigger problem in the budget community colleges than it is in a four year program. Any thoughts? How do you maintain your sanity while sitting through this robot style of instruction? I have mostly had to teach myself because they are not teaching.

What's the NCLEX pass rate at your school? If it's high then there clearly IS thought behind the way they teach.

My school, although the only ADN program surrounded by 3 BSN programs has a very good reputation and the graduates do not have trouble getting jobs, so I think your community college point is moot.

I expect my teachers be there to guide, there is far too much information to expect that they teach it all. I fully anticipate having to do ALOT of self teaching, as nursing is unlike any other major. I don't expect them to be nice to me either, not part of the job description.

But like most said, you can't change them, just change the way you react. Being angry/upset about it is just a lot of wasted energy that could be channelled elsewhere.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · May 19, 2015

I think that nursing is kind of self-taught.

THIS TIMES ONE MILLION :bookworm:

I know it sucks to have professors who seem like they aren't really invested in teaching but when it comes down to it, you're the one who has to prepare yourself for NCLEX. After you graduate, you're on your own. While I haven't had any professors who are like what you describe, they do care but they cannot help but rattle off powerpoints to get through the materials. Whether they are kind and compassionate or "tough" (rudie pants, apathetic meanies), the teaching is still the same. I still have to learn on my own.