PLEASE HELP!!!!!

olpoohky · Dec 15, 2009

1st, is it you or is it her giving you stress? I used to quit 3-4 times a week only to pick up the books after a break and go back to it. Reduce your own stress first.

Do you study study with classmates or are you trying to do it alone-don't do it alone. You and your mates will all benefit stress reduction and emotional stability-the burden alone is exhausting. The stress and learning lessons on more than one set of shoulders, it is easier to carry.

If that doesn't work,ask a few of your classmates if they have the same perception as you do about how you interpret the input the instructor is giving. Nursing/change is stressful. Everything that happens while in the program that is negative seems to be magnified. If your classmates give the same report about your interactions with your instructor, I would ask the instructor if she realizes how you are interpreting the feedback you are getting from her, ie, when you say... when I do ..., I feel like....

Communication is the key. Work as a team/fellow students with the instructor. In college, you can not isolate. It is not conducive to a quality experience nor does isolation enhance your grades or emotional wellness. Think this through as your communication will have lasting effects!!!!!

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Dec 15, 2009

Don't quit! Keep your chin up and trudge on through; I had a similar experience with a clinical instructor while in NS. It seemed like at the time I would never make it through the term and actually thought about quitting myself...stick it out, it will make you a stronger person at the end. Plus, you'll feel so proud of yourself when you graduate and know that when you put your mind to it you can make it through anything. Good luck to you!:redbeathe

AshiPanda · Dec 17, 2009

STAY IN IT! Take whatever that teacher throws at you and roll with the punches. They are being strict because 1) you're taking care of HUMAN BEINGS, and 2) when you get watched by STATE while working, you better do it perfectly or you'll get fired probably!

If she reprimands you, just play nice and dumb and ask her how she wants it done. Usually even if I know I'm doing it right or I have my own way of doing it, I give them their little spotlight and let them make their point, then move on with my life. Everyone is happier that way. Nursing school is SO stressful, I know, trust me, I got out less than a year ago...

...but it's all worth it in the end! So cry those tears and make the best of it :) 'Cause it doesn't matter later!

You can do it!

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2009

All nursing instructors seem to be difficult. They are seeing if you can take it. Keep your head down and do what they say because you will never win by arguing and you may get kicked out. Just hang in and be good. sorry thats the way it is

wsp4905 · Dec 22, 2009

Hi, sorry you are having these problems. Don't let your clinical instruction make you consider quitting the program. That is not worth it. She is not going to be the last supervisor/ co-worker that you will have that will give you a hard time. Try to learn what you can from the experience.

Is she also your theory instructor? Or program director? If not, I would possibly talk to your main instructor about switching clinical groups at the beginning or the spring semester. If she asks why, tell her. In my program, they try to switch your clinical groups up anyways, as to expose you to other instructors, hospitals, and classmates anyways.

This may be the best solution for you.

My clinical instruction this past semester liked me, but she did play favorites and I was NOT one of her faves. There was two girls in my group that were such brown nosers and they always managed to get in and see almost ALL the wound care, procedures etc. all semester long. It was so annoying. I even mentioned to the instructor on occassion, " if there is any wound care today, I'd like to get a chance to participate" hint freakin hint.

I only saw like two wound care procedures all semester long, while these girls saw at least a dozen, and there where some ppl in our group that didn't get to see or change any wound dressings.

Just take what you can from the experience and try and become stronger in other areas that maybe they can't affect. That's what I did. when I realized I wasn't going to see so much stuff, I decided to focus more on pt. care (we should be doing that anyways), I started taking care of and passing meds of 2 pt.s, while my classmates were still only taking care of 1! That was a challange but fun. And IMO, it made me look like a more proactive student that the classmates that were just sitting/standing around trying to look busy in between taking care of there 1 pt.!!!

Good Luck!

caliotter3 · Dec 22, 2009

By all means, have a talk with the instructor and get to the bottom of this.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2009

Who complains about how a blood sugar is done?

In the real world of nursing, a facility will be tagged, cited, and fined lots of money if a state surveyor happens to witness a nurse improperly obtaining a finger stick blood sugar glucometer reading. There is a right way to do this particular skill, and there are numerous wrong ways to do it.

Anyway, do not allow your clinical instructor to get to your head. Believe me when I say that you might be stressing out over the mere thought of her, but she is definitely not losing one minute of sleep over any student under her watch. Clinical instructors "test" certain students, and they pick at the ones that they deem the weakest. Show her that you are willing to accept and embrace positive and negative feedback about your performance during your clinical rotations.

Good luck to you!

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2009

I remember during my first clinical rotation giving injections and passing medications. I was sooooooooooo nervous because even though my instructor was there with me to make sure I was doing the procedure correctly it was still in the back of my mind that I can potentially kill a patient. That particular clinical instructor was very intimidating. I could have sworn she was in the military. She cracked that whip out and had us in shape. It's people like that you want as your instructor. She had 12 years experience as a RN in several areas of nursing plus she had 3 years experience as a clinical instructor. I learned a lot from her. She didn't have her favorites as she treated everyone the same but we always came prepared to clinical rotations because she would drill us, and as long as we knew our stuff she didn't pick on us. I remember the first day I gave insulin, she drilled me and I got so nervous I missed the question and she gave me that look and said I needed to be prepared next time and that I should have the answer by the next day. I did have the answer that same day but I was nervous. She said she knew I knew that answer but wanted me to learn how to work under pressure. Now that I'm finished with my LVN program I'm so grateful to have had her as an instructor because I did learn a lot under her.

If you feel like you're being singled out it I would take that as a compliment. Your clinical instructor wants you to be the best you can be. She/he wants you to be the best nurse out there because you'er under their wing. In the end the clinical instructor is responsible for your actions and you're practicing under her/his license. Always make sure you're prepared for class. If you're asked a question that you haven't gone over during lecture don't be afraid to let your instructor know. Also let your instructor that since you haven't gone over it in theory that you would like to learn more about it. If you say that with a straight face and not look so intimidated then you will get a more positive response. Hope this helps, and good luck!