queenjane

i understand your frustration, and that is certainly a reasonable request. i have gotten so many supportive and helpful comments on various nursing student matters just by posting a help re:....... the "help" is okay, just follow it with what you need help with!!

This is so weird, I also have an appeal in process, which I feel is probably going to be denied in the next day or so. I was targeted at clinicals by a nasty instructor who is known for this. This program is known for just arbitrarily kicking students out, although they deny it to our faces. Just start over somewhere else!!! If you really love nursing, which I do, don't settle for anything less. Don't let them win! Finish your education elsewhere and I know you will go on to be a fine nurse!

Wow, I can't believe how similar your situation is to mine!! This is unbeliveable!:chuckle I have just been dismissed from an associate degree nursing program one week ago. I have an appeal in process, which I feel will most likely be denied. But the exact same thing happened to me in clinical. For some reason, this instructor tarteted me from the beginning. I will never know why. I also developed panic attacks, and sometimes chest pain and migraines from clinicals! I am 7 months away from graduation. But I am ready to reapply elsewhere, even if I have to start over. It has always been my dream to be an RN. When this instructor "dismissed" me, she smiled smugly and said "I'm sorry" (which, of course, she wasn't), and I told her all this means is that I will finish my nursing courses elsewhere. I moved from a beach house into a mobile home and sold my car to afford nursing school, I'm also a single mom, so there's nothing for you to feel sorry about. This is not going to prevent me from reaching my dream. And I walked out. Congratulations on finishing yourself!!! By the way, to the original poster, this instructor also was know to have done this to other students, too. You are not alone!

Thanks, it's good to hear from an instructor's point of view. I just happened to have an instructor who was very aggressive/confrontational, and it wore me down, made me question myself, so of course, I made some dumb mistakes that I personally believe I would never have otherwise made. (in case you wonder, I did not harm a patient!). So perhaps if I can get back in to another program, get my courage back up, and develop a way to deal with this type of instructor, which I'm sure I will encounter again, I can succeed. This particular instructor literally followed me around on my last clinical day last week, writing down everything I did on a piece of paper, she didn't even try to hide it, she would just ask me a question, write down my answer, watch me do a task, write some more on her piece of paper. It was the worst thing I could imagine. I knew it was all over when she started doing that. How many hours can you sustain any type of self-confidence and care for your patient with any kind of focus, prioritizing correctly, with this going on behind you all day? Just as an example, I had documented a patient's skin was warm to touch, she complained I falsified documentation because she felt his hands were cold. I documented that his speech was "clear and understandable" because I had an extended conversation with my pt. in the morning assessment about his wife, family, how long he had been in the hospital, how he had slept the night before, etc. She again questioned that and said his speech sounded "thick" to her and I documented incorrectly. She had me so rattled I eventually went in with her right behind me to give meds and totally forgot to identify my pt. which I have never ever done before! I just think if she had given me a little breathing room I would have had a successful day.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to thank everyone for the kind replies I received over the past few days. Unfortunately, I met with my clinical instructor yesterday morning and I have been dismissed from the RN program. I guess I am still in shock, really. I would have graduated end of April. My self-confidence is just so completely destroyed I don't even know if I can bring myself to apply to another school or transfer in somewhere else, etc. This whole experience with the clinical instructor has terrified me and really made me doubt my abilities to be an RN. Although it's weird, I'm an ER tech, have been for 3 years, and I'm never nervous down there. I know I shouldn't let one bad instructor at one bad school destroy my dream of being a nurse, but I just don't know where to go from here!

Just to clarify, I and my instructor were in the med room, she was pulling my meds for me out of the pyxis-she is not allowing us to do that by ourselves yet, and as we did this, she asked me about each medication, mechanism of action, etc. During this 10 minute or so period of time, I said to her twice, if you are pulling that dig for me, I have not yet checked his apical pulse, I need to go in the room and check it. I said this twice as she was pulling my meds. Another student was standing right next to me and heard me. So I finally went in the room to give the meds and she followed me in, which was a little unusual. I had my hand literally on my stethescope to listen to my patient's apical pulse when she started with the questions about the IV piggy back, and other misc. things. She had me so rattled, by the time, finally 15 minutes later, I was handing the dig to the patient in the little med. cup and she said, "are you sure you want to give that med?". I stopped immediately, of course, I knew right away in here eyes I had made a med error, because had she not been there, she can say, I would have given the dig without listening.

Thanks for your advice, it helps a lot. I am just afraid that even admitting my responsibility and also expressing why I goofed up that they still will not give me another chance. I feel like they are targeting me for some reason. I've never violated any of the 6 rights before, ever! That's why it got me so flustered that she started all over with the questions when we got in the pt. room, I mean she actually sat down in a chair and started writing down everything I was doing! It just totally freaked me out, I'm thinking, we just went over all of this, it was all okay 5 minutes ago, what is going on? I went to hang the piggyback antibiotic at the rate I had just told her I was going to set the pump at 5 minutes ago in the med room, and she had said, yes, that's correct, etc. Then as I start to program the pump, she says "now are you sure you want to run that in at that rate?" She was trying to mess me up. So, of course, I doubted myself, I thought God forbid I run this in at the wrong rate, so I stopped what I was doing, had to get out a pen and paper and yes, I was correct. She then proceeded to hammer me about the heparin injection, and it just went all downhill from there. She had me so nervous I couldn't even think straight.

Thanks so much! I know it's trial by fire, and I am willing to put in as much hard work as it takes to make it to the end. I am just afraid that even with my "plan", and taking responsibility for errors, etc. that they will ask me to leave the program. I've been doing so well up until now and had a great relationship with all 3 instructors! Do you think it's already in their mind to ask me to leave?

Thanks so much for your kind words, I suppose I could ask for the department chair to be present. This meeting will be up against the 3 instructors, they will have everything on paper, of course, every tiny mistake I've ever made in 4 semesters, and I am expected to also bring my own "plan" as to how I am going to improve. I feel like they have already marked me, though. I don't know why, though....that's the confusing part! I do well on tests, have great rapport with my classmates, with all the instructors, but I am somewhat sensitive, I'm not a "toughie", and I get nervous more easily than some of my other classmates during clinicals. Perhaps they have seen this as a weakness and are weeding me out because they feel I am too "weak". I don't know what other reason there could be. There are those in my clinical group who are consistently failing tests and they have not been targeted in clinical the way I have been. I just wish I knew why they are doing this.

No, not that I'm aware of. It's a very small community college, only in its third year with the RN program. But thanks for the advice.

No, I don't believe there are any student advocates at this college. It's a small community college only and the program is very rigid. I want so badly to be a nurse. I'm also a single mom and I fell humiliated to think that my son might see me "kicked out" of an educational program. He is 14 and wants to be a doctor! I've worked for three years as an ER tech and am soooooo close!

Hi there, God, I don't even know where to start. I am a senior level nursing student in an ADN program at a community college. I will be graduating in May of '09. Yesterday part of my paperwork was incomplete at the beginning of clinical, and my instructor sent me to another floor of the hospital to speak to the other more senior instructor and show her my care plan. (my fault that certain parts were incomplete). This senior instructor sat me down, humiliated me, told me that certain parts of my labs were missing. The long and short of it is that my clinical instructor was requiring different things in her care plans than this senior level nursing instructor was, so I tried to explain, when I could get a word in, that yes I took responsibility for the parts that were incomplete, but the labs were not due till a later date and this was even stated on the website/clinical requirements. She got in my face, wouldn't let me talk, and said "well, then are you calling Mrs. ... a liar? Is that what your'e saying, that she's lying?" in a very aggressive tone. It all got sorted out and she went to the college website, saw that I was right and gave me a very short apology and sent me back down to my clinical floor to my regular instructor. This was in the morning, first thing, and I was devastated. I really look up to both these instructors, and am one of the best students in the class. I work so hard, I have given up my house, my care, my whole style of living to make it through this program and they are aware that I am willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. I never argue with them, never complain, and to be accused of calling my instructor a liar just hurt me very deeply. I was so anxious that the end result was I forgot to check a pt. apical pulse before giving dig. I forgot to even check his name band. I had it in my mind all morning, since I had never given dig before, check the apical pulse, and told my instructor as she was drawing meds out of the pyxis, wait, I still need to get that apical pulse before I can give the dig. She followed me into the room and started hammering with questions about the meds, which I had already answered correctly for her in the med room when we pulled the drugs! I got so distracted trying to answer her questions and give the drugs at the same time, it just all spiraled downward from there. I had to put a nitro patch on, give a heparin injection, hang an antibiotic, and give pills. I trying to organize my meds in the room and give everything correctly but she was asking me questions like "now are you sure you want to do this?" and "are you sure you want to do that", when I was doing the right things, but she wanted to "test" me. Anyway, I am now in danger of being asked to leave the program. I have a meeting with them on Monday. Of course, they view it as a med error because had she not reminded me, I would have given the dig. without checking the apical pulse first. I just feel they need to take some responsibility for the way they talk to students and basically treat them in a way that verges on harassment, sometimes. Any advice would be greately appreciated. I am just devasted, I've been crying for 2 days, I'm in shock that this happened. I have never done anything like this before. Thanks queenjane

Hi there, God, I don't even know where to start. I am a senior level nursing student in an ADN program at a community college. I will be graduating in May of '09. Yesterday part of my paperwork was incomplete at the beginning of clinical, and my instructor sent me to another floor of the hospital to speak to the other more senior instructor and show her my care plan. (my fault that certain parts were incomplete). This senior instructor sat me down, humiliated me, told me that certain parts of my labs were missing. The long and short of it is that my clinical instructor was requiring different things in her care plans than this senior level nursing instructor was, so I tried to explain, when I could get a word in, that yes I took responsibility for the parts that were incomplete, but the labs were not due till a later date and this was even stated on the website/clinical requirements. She got in my face, wouldn't let me talk, and said "well, then are you calling Mrs. ... a liar? Is that what your'e saying, that she's lying?" in a very aggressive tone. It all got sorted out and she went to the college website, saw that I was right and gave me a very short apology and sent me back down to my clinical floor to my regular instructor. This was in the morning, first thing, and I was devastated. I really look up to both these instructors, and am one of the best students in the class. I work so hard, I have given up my house, my care, my whole style of living to make it through this program and they are aware that I am willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. I never argue with them, never complain, and to be accused of calling my instructor a liar just hurt me very deeply. I was so anxious that the end result was I forgot to check a pt. apical pulse before giving dig. I forgot to even check his name band. I had it in my mind all morning, since I had never given dig before, check the apical pulse, and told my instructor as she was drawing meds out of the pyxis, wait, I still need to get that apical pulse before I can give the dig. She followed me into the room and started hammering with questions about the meds, which I had already answered correctly for her in the med room when we pulled the drugs! I got so distracted trying to answer her questions and give the drugs at the same time, it just all spiraled downward from there. I had to put a nitro patch on, give a heparin injection, hang an antibiotic, and give pills. I trying to organize my meds in the room and give everything correctly but she was asking me questions like "now are you sure you want to do this?" and "are you sure you want to do that", when I was doing the right things, but she wanted to "test" me. Anyway, I am now in danger of being asked to leave the program. I have a meeting with them on Monday. Of course, they view it as a med error because had she not reminded me, I would have given the dig. without checking the apical pulse first. I just feel they need to take some responsibility for the way they talk to students and basically treat them in a way that verges on harassment, sometimes. Any advice would be greately appreciated. I am just devasted, I've been crying for 2 days, I'm in shock that this happened. I have never done anything like this before.

Hi there, I'm a senior nursing student and I really need to find a good set of drug cards that I can put in my pocket and have with me throughout the day in case the instructor asks about a med I'm giving. We already have these researched in our care plan, but sometimes I forget in the craziness of the day. Do any of you have any suggestions or favorites that have been helpful to you during the clinical day? Thanks! :)

You go, girl!!! :redpinkhe You can and will graduate, just ignore everyone else and move forward. I myself have struggled with severe depression that has required hospitalization in the past, and this is my second attempt at nursing school. I'm doing really well this time, and I just have come to accept that I am not here to make friends. I am certainly open to friendships in school, but becoming an RN is my whole life right now, it means everything to me. I don't have a plan B. So I just usually end up sitting by myself, and putting my hand up less and less often to answer any questions. As for venting, thank God we have each other to vent to , otherwise we would surely go crazy!!!!

I totally agree. Although it obviously doesn't matter what your grades are as far as passing NCLEX goes, nevertheless, it's just a matter of personal pride with me. I know a good test grade shows I really grasped the material, and I definately think it will make me a "better" nurse, at least a more knowledgeable one. I am currently an ER tech, and I am always sticking my nose in whenever I can if something interesting/new is going on with a patient. I want to know why and how, that's just me! I probably annoy the heck out of the nurses! But I hope to be able to answer my patient's questions more often than always saying, "not sure, ask your doctor". I suppose everyone's personality impacts this as well. But I do think your test grades overall are a reflection of how knowledgeable and competant you will be as an RN.

I followed them, too, named my only son Cassidy West, who is now almost 14! That's an interesting comment from Dylan, I think it's very true! Despite all the drugs and deaths in this band, I still maintain they are the best rock band that ever was or will every be! (i'm very unbiased, though!, Ha Ha)

It definately is a self-esteem issue, one I've been struggling with all my life. I guess I just wanted to vent and see if anyone else has had similar problems. I know I need to be who I am, those who don't like it, too bad, and surround myself with people who are not petty and like me for who I am. Yesterday, in clinical, no less, a student asked me what I got on the last test, I said a 95, and she literally just rolled her eyes at me, said "Oh, my God!", I felt like saying, geez, you asked!

Absolutely, we nursing students are a competetive bunch! I guess my skin is too thin-my instructors and the director of the nursing program frequently greet me, tell me how proud they are of me, how great I am doing, etc., and I just cringe, because I know other classmates hear this and may resent me for it, or think the instructors are playing favorites. I wish the teachers would just say "good-morning" and walk on by!

No Freudian slip, it's the name of my favorite Grateful Dead song.:chuckle

Hi there! I am new to this site, this is my first posting. I am an RN nursing student, approaching my senior year this fall. I have sort of a weird problem....has anyone else experienced this? I don't volunteer my test scores to anyone, of course, but occasionally people ask, and I will tell them what I got on the latest test. Long story short, in a small class (about 30) I and one other student very rarely get below a 90 on tests. I try to be friendly to everyone, I'm a "people-pleaser"! I want to be friends with everyone! But I feel lately like people are just avoiding me somewhat, and they act as if I am a snob or something. I go out of my way not to advertise my grades, and be open to friendships with everyone in my class. I'm not any smarter than anyone else, I just study my butt off, pretty much every night. Am I paranoid, or has anyone else experienced this?:wink2: