Saw an angry clinical instructor...

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

For the last two weeks, as I was walking to my office in the hospital, I've passed by a clinical instructor and her students from a local university nursing program. She gathers them in a hallway that serves as a seating area for visitors.

this woman has, every time I've seen her, been literally ranting and raving at her gaggle of students. I've heard her call them stupid, lazy, slow-witted. Heard her practically yelling that they will never survive as a nurse. Seen her literally rip their care plans to shreds and toss it on the floor.

it is all I can do to not stop and put her in her place, but I'm pretty new at this hospital and am not sure how that'd go over.

Should I confront her about this behavior? Would there be a contact at the hospital that would deal with the college staff? Should I just mind my business? ****** me off to see this reprobate treating students like this.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Id see if there is a hospital liaison that works with the school clinical team first. If so, report your observations and concerns. Especially since this is occurring in a public area. Visitors have no way of knowing that she is not a hospital employee and appearances mean a lot.

If no hospital liaison (and Id be surprised if there was not) perhaps contact the school clinical coordinator.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I didn't make it clear, too, that this behavior is occurring every morning...not just a one-off incident. My office mates noticed too, and were talking about her when I walked in Friday.

[RN403, BSN, RN]

There should be a contact or liaison that you could relay your concerns to. I would ask your supervisor or a co-worker if anyone knows who that person is. You could always reach out to the head of the nursing program as well if you cannot find this specific individual.

You could confront the clinical instructor first to relay your concerns regarding their behavior. I would still report it to a higher up also, however. the behavior is completely unprofessional and does not look well for the school or the hospital. It doesn't look good for the hospital to have what looks to be an employee having some sort of adult tantrum in the hallway. Not to mention the poor students.

[caliotter3]

Your description of her reminds me of one of my clinical instructors. I would think that there would be better oversight in order to keep people with obvious mental problems away from contact with students, much less the patients, staff, or visitors at clinical sites.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

You are so kind to notice the plight of the nsg students. I've been a student as well as a staff nurse in the last 12 months. I'd say that while it's wonderful if you were able to affect change as a nurse, for the students, don't impair your relations with your job for their sakes. Only say something If you will not jeopardize your job.

Thank you so much for caring!

[AdamantiteEnigma]

Your description of her reminds me of one of my clinical instructors. I would think that there would be better oversight in order to keep people with obvious mental problems away from contact with students, much less the patients, staff, or visitors at clinical sites.

Yeah, I was thinking about the same. My clinical instructor really brought out my thick skin.

[Nonyvole, BSN, RN]

If there isn't a specific coordinator for the nursing students at your facility, check with the education department.

But yes, I'm firmly in the camp that you should speak up to the responsible people at your facility. There is teaching students to have thick skins and then there is...that.

I would avoid saying something directly to her, however, unless you have back-up. There's always the risk that it'll backfire on you and/or the students.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I would most definitely see about speaking with the school regarding this. If they believe that their clinical site is as risk, then I would not be surprised if they acted pretty quickly to fix this.

Being annoyed regarding errors that students have been shown to do and are not getting right (and as an aside, I think it is all about how one teaches....but story for another day) is one thing (and I am not suggesting even that is right) but to call any adult names, rip up care plans....that is way, way over the top.

And patients, visitors, co-workers....not fair to be a party to all this craziness first thing in the morning either.

The students pay tuition to be at a school. The school doesn't pay them. They have a right to be treated as adults.

[NightOwl0624]

At the very least, shouldn't she be doing this in private and not in a hallway? Imagine what patients and visitors must think!

i hope something is said to the instructor, she needs to act professionally.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I don't know what your position is...maybe check with your director?

I would say something...if anything it is unprofessional to have her acting this way in the hallway. I would check with the clinical liaison/director of the program. This is completely uinecessary. I have folowed you on here for a long time...you are not one to over dramatize things...this must be appalling behavior. Those poor students.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

What a terrible learning environment for those students. That teacher is out of control. I would start with your manager and see who is in charge of this within your hospital. I would not confront this instructor as you never know how they might react. Kudos to you for stepping in.