Nursing student thinking about quitting due to other nurses attitudes.

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The following email was sent to me by someone that I know asking for input. All of the names, and key identifying details of both the instructors, student, and locations have also been altered to protect the person's privacy. Honestly, I don't know what to say to this person because my wife comes home almost everynight in tears (she recently started an ICU position, I know many of you have objected in the past to my referencing her issues, but her experience in many ways mirrors this person's, which if nothing else proves that it's not just a male/female issue). I don't know how to change the hearts of people who seem to be inclined not to like you. What would you say to this person?

So, the title may be a little misleading. I am not thinking about quitting Nursing school. However, I am already thinking of what else I can do with a nursing degree other than a floor nurse. We are currently on the 3rd floor, which is a neuro and orthopedic unit. The patient care is not overwhelming and I have learned a great deal from this particular unit. However, the nurses are extremely abrasive and they have that "Mrs X, Mrs. Y" (these are two instructors that we had together who were considered abrasive and unsympathetic by many students) attitude. During our clinical prep work we "discovered" that someone was going to receive an unsat day from the week prior (as you know we only get two before being required to drop the course). Everyone was on pins and needles during prep work and no one slept well. During clinicals the following morning Mrs T. (my clinical instructor) informed us that a nurse telephoned the Dept. Chair. Dr. Big the day after our previous clinical and informed her that (student nurse A) used the incorrect tape while doing a dressing change. Dr. Big immediately ordered Mrs T (my clinical instructor) to render an unsat day.

Here is the kicker. 1.) Mrs. T assisted student nurse A in the dressing change 2.) The patient was not allergic to the tape student nurse A used 3.) Nothing negative occured because "the wrong" tape was used. For whatever reason, the nurse was upset that student nurse A did not use the type of tape she normally uses. My question is, why is something so minor so blown out of proportion?

Call me crazy, call me paranoid but I adamantly believe I have encountered two particular nurses who do not like me soley because I am male. One nurse in particular goes straight to Dr. Big if I "did not do something correctly." For instance, this man hater approached me at 9:30 am on Thursday and stated, "I need you to discontinue your patients PCA pump." I replied, "ok, I will get my instructor to watch me." Keep in mind, there are 10 people in my clinical and aside from giving oral meds and making assessments we HAVE to have Mrs. T approve or assist us. As you already know, the PCA is full of morphine. Obviously, a student is prohibited from disassembling the machine and wasting the morphine.

I alerted Mrs. T. to my scheduled task and she replied, "OK, we will do it later." In the meantime, I continue with patient care on BOTH of my patients (yes we now have to prep for two patients and do total patient care for both). At a little before 11am my nurse informed Mrs. T that she has already d/c the pump and that I was no where to be found. Oddly enough I was in my patients room giving him a bed bath. Mrs. T comes in and begins lecturing me. Insisting that I was not working with my nurse, etc...

About an hour later the nurse then goes up to Mrs. T not me and informs her that I did not chart my neurovascular checks on one of my patients. I admit, I did indeed forget to chart that particular assessment but why couldn't the nurse approach me about it? Sure enough I got another grand lecture from Mrs. Cooper in front of everyone. Needless to say I was not happy.

Roland, I have no clue what to do. I only have one semester left, so switching majors is not an option. But at the same time, I just don't see myself being a floor nurse. The attitudes are almost unbarable. Whenever I am around these nurses I remain silent and avoid them as much as possible. Infact, I think I am starting to become a little bitter and jaded, which is something that I do not want.

Again, I like working with the patients and am compatible with the role of a nurse but am not compatible with "nurses." I have to get into a position of management, research or something. Any ideas, any suggestions?

Even though doctors have a reputation for being condescending, I would much rather be around a Dr. than a nurse. While addressing student nurse A's clinical unsat day Mrs T said, "I don't know why but women love to talk and love to tattle tale. For some reason it's part of who we are."

SENDING OUT AN SOS ...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---...---

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Specializes in OR.

Hi there, sorry that happens to your classmate. I think the nurses who worked with him were crazy. And the instructors too were brutle. What is wrong with these "angry", "crabby" nurses?

I am a new grad and I have been working on the med/surg floor for 2 months. I do not like the problem with the short staff and people being crabby with me. What I do with those crabby people is I will try to be extra nice to them and that will make them feel guilty. Tell you the truth, I used to complain to my husband when I got home from work but now I don't even think or address the issues. I don't want to acknowledge those ignorant and crazy people. Some people are just unhappy with their lives and work and they like to take it out on students and new grads.

Try to tell your classmate to stick with the program. It will get better when graduate. I agree that it is almost unbearable to work with people like that but don't let anyone affect your life decision. I am going to be transferred to the OR in Jan. I have heard a lot good things about OR. In OR, Patient care is 1:1 and you deal with mostly doctors (they are not easy to deal with though). People who you work with will be working as a team and you will work with the same group of people most of the time. I think that will eliminate the chances of seeing some crabby, crazy nurses and I have heard nurses there are less crabby because the job is more fun and little less stressful. Maybe that will be a place that you and your classmate can consider going? And how about case managers? They get paid pretty well and you don't have to deal with patient care and crabby nurses. Have you looked into that yet?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

You gotta play the game their way if you want to get throught it.

Ask him not to judge the entire nursing profession on these few people.

Ask him to take a good hard look at himself. I've found often the "victim" of such negativity either subconsciously or not plays a part in bringing in on themselves through their own demeanor and the vibes they send out to others. Just a thought, and an observation, no flame intended.

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Nursing school suks. You WILL encounter people that have no business teaching. Many of my classroom instructors and clinical instructors hated being bedside nurses and went into teaching to get away from patients. Stick with it, and don't let the bastards get you down. There are LOTS of good people to work with, both male and female, in the profession. Some instructors get off on the power the wield over students. They see themselves as something the student must get past in order to be a nurse, rather than as the facilitators and educators they are supposed to be. Sad but true. Just move through the target and do whatever you need to do to get DONE with it.

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First of all,, (((((((((((((((((Hug)))))))))))))))))) for YOU. Iam Sorry that we as human beings, Nurse, Lawyer, Cook, Babysitter, whatever profession/position we choose to do............to try and make it HARD for those that are working hard and trying to accomplish their goal. People as we all know (some not all by the way :) ......... are not always nice and sometimes unfortunately, they will do whatever it takes to make them look good, make You look bad (AKA Marter'), miserable with their own life resulting in ATTEMPTING to try and ruin anothers. WE HAVE ALL BEEN THERE ONCE regardless of what profession we go into. We must remember that and often times its forgotten.

I GIVE YOU PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR EVENING GOING TO NURSING SCHOOL. It is taxing and exhausting BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

it will pay off. I know its hard to see right now with all the obstacles and challenges that you may face, but PLEASE hang in there. You will Make it and will be a Fantastic Nurse because of the experiences you are going through. Try and think of this way - "the more challenges you face, there is a reason behind it and that is in my opinion to make you stronger and be a wonderful Nurse". Also, this is only temporarily as hard as it is Iam sure of to have to face that right now because its emotionally exhausting, but I can guarantee that this is Temporarily and will not last. Learn as much as you CAN..............and one of my favorite sayings is "Kill them with KINDNESS". You can never go wrong. Try your hardest to "tune the negative out". "Pick your battles", so to speak.

As far as not documenting or this and that (the other nurses are referring to), what I would do is make yourself notes on your sheet after you do each assessment, so then when you finally have a chance to Document it on the actual assessment form, you can refer to your paper if you have to. And, you can also say to your instructor or whom ever it may be, (yes, I didnt chart it YET, but its here (see) on my paper and Iam going to do it. DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT and Document........... Unfortunately, we have to protect ourselves even from our "own" so to speak.

Lastly, I would like to say be open to constructive criticism (spell right? :)

Iam not saying you are not, but just be a SPONGE, demonstrate that passion that you really want to learn (not that you are not). This will show to others and will also demonstrate that you "need" their help as well.. Sometimes, its a psychological game because that is Just life...ya know?

PLEASE dont Give up. You have worked so hard and so long to get where you are at. If Nursing wasnt something you had a burning passion for overall, you would of not taken the time to even thread what you posted. Also, regardless of where you go with your profession in Nursing terms, people will always be "people". You will meet some wonderful mentors, genuine people and then you will meet not so nice and unwillingly to help you"... I thought myself of giving up many many times and in fact I thought it would be different and easier so to speak to enter into a new area of nursing to find myself 4 yrs later BORED and still having that desire to go back to floor nursing. I finally went back after 5 yrs and regretting that I left (to early) because of my own "fear of failure" or not feeling like Iam good enough. I am often times a perfectionist (not literally), but anal retentive, I should say.. LOL... Now, Iam back in hospital working on a step down unit and genuinely for the first time since I graduated, feel good and learning more NOW than ever. (fyi I graduated 1998)....

SO to wrap this UP..... DONT GIVE UP... and if you ever want to chat please email me or respond to this thread. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST and Remember, Tune yourself out (try at least) and "kill em with kindess"

GOOD LUCK !

Michelle....

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Sounds like the facility where you do clinicals is not very student friendly and either are the nurses! DO NOT GIVE UP! When the going gets tough, the tough must keep going! You can do it, you can make it through - you are in the home stretch!:icon_hug:

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If i were you i would not quit! This is a really good thing for you!

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There are definitely some floors and some nurses who are unbearable. But, remember as a nurse you don't have to put up with as much as you do as a student. The other nurses will be busy with their own assignments, so they can't bug you as much. My advice, just try to find a unit where the nurses are nice (they are out there!). A friend of mine recently started a correctional nursing job and loves it because she's usually the only nurse working her shift.

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Specializes in LTAC, Telemetry, Thoracic Surgery, ED.

my recommendation would be to find the strength to get through school. Some of the attitudes are toward nursing students in general not just the male thing....there are many different shifts / hospitals / depts a person could work in...your friend after graduation will find a spot for him with coworkers that will appreciate him

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You gotta play the game their way if you want to get throught it.

Ask him not to judge the entire nursing profession on these few people.

Ask him to take a good hard look at himself. I've found often the "victim" of such negativity either subconsciously or not plays a part in bringing in on themselves through their own demeanor and the vibes they send out to others. Just a thought, and an observation, no flame intended.

I agree with tweety.

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Thanks for all of the advice it will be relayed along with some other suggestions. For me it is too late as I dropped out of nursing school this semester (I withdrew in November with a W). I was getting one of the highest grades in class, but struggling with getting my care plans complete by 0700 of my clinical day (our care plans had to be handwritten and averaged about 25 pages with drugs, ND's, interventions, patho, assessments, labs ect). This combined with my four hour commute (and the fact that I probably took longer than average to do my care plans) meant that I was literally not sleeping at all the night before clinicals. My program had approximately a 40% attrition rate by the thrid semester of a five semester program (and Spring semester would have been even harder since I would have had to do hand written care plans on two clients due the morning of clinicals). In any case, I will be attempting a radiographic technician program which will take approximately 14 months starting next June. On the plus side this will at least allow me to better support my family and will only involve a 30 minute commute. On the other hand I really did enjoy nursing even though I struggled with many of the skills (plus I will be graduating with 190 hours of college credit and only an Associates degree to show for it!!!).

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Specializes in Psych.

Giving p.o meds w/out an instructor's approval? That was strictly verbotten where and when I went to nursing school.

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