Scared my instructors are trying to kick me out

[wannabenurse69]

Hi everyone,

I'm in my first semester of nursing and I had a bad experience yesterday at my clinical. After clinical, the 2 instructors asked me to stay back. After everyone left, we were sitting at the table in the private staff room. They told me that they were "concerned" because they said they were seeing signs of stress and said that it seemed that it was affecting my ability to concentrate. I responded with "yes, I am stressed-I'm in nursing school, and everyone else in my class is expressing that they are stressed too".

The instructor gave stupid examples of my "signs of stress" such saying that I appear "nervous" all the time, my hands shake, it's affecting the other students and my patients". I do not agree with this at all. First of all, I feel that I have done very well in communicating with my patients and they seem to respond positively to my care. As far as the "other students" go, I am not seeing how I could be affecting them. I dont really say anything to them. My average on my tests are a"B". The instructor said that b/c I forgot the combination to a door, and that I wasn't sure how to place a bedpan under a 80 lb. geriatric patient that I am showing signs of not processing information. I felt that I was being interrogated and harrassed. They asked me if I was seeing a counselor, and even though I was crying they just stared at me blankly, did not offer me a tissue and when I was leaving and still crying all they said was "have a good weekend". Can instructors do this? I only have 4 more weeks to go in this semester and I just want to get through this semester. Also, I've noticed that these instructors seem to have "their favorites". What advice does anyone have for me to get through these last 4 clinicals? I realize that I will probably have to transfer to another school but I could really use some insight on this.

[suanna]

Thank goodness the instructors at your school are paying attention! I be grateful that they are looking out for your best intrests. The best response is thank them for thier input and accept any advice they have for stress reduction/coping skills. It beats a program that ignors students until they implode in thier last semester. I don't think you are being "weeded out", but the fact that you see this as a threat rather than an opportunity for help dealing with the stress of school tells me you could use some help dealing with the stress of school. The ability to accept constructive criticism is a mark of maturity and professionalism. If you learn to profit from this kind of input you will make a better nurse in the future.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

I've talked to a lot of nurses about their NS experiences. It's almost universal to be treated like crap by instructors. The consensus is that NS is about seeing how much crap you are willing to put up with to become a nurse. It's truly no surprise that there is a shortage of nurses, is it?

From what everyone has told me, it appears that you need to adopt a "me against them mentality" to survive clinicals.

They aren't there to help you-they are there to trip you up and destroy your confidence.

If they were there to help, they'd answer questions, demonstrate things more than once, and be accountable for test questions/answers that they can't explain.

I respectfully disagree with the "universal" application of this statement. I am finishing up my 4th semester and found that in nursing school, as in life, there are all kinds.

There is the instructor who is apathetic and almost appears to be there just to make her house payment.

There is the instructor who doesn't feel compelled to yell and belittle her students while still infusing in them a sense of wanting to learn and do things correctly.

There is the instructor who's very knowledgeable and expects you to fulfill the high standards she holds for herself as a professional in this profession.

There is the instructor who keeps you on your toes simply because you don't know if you're going to be the target of her wrath-of-the-minute. Or who might act like you're the best student she's ever had and "go ahead, go do it".

Funny, but I've worked with and associated with these same personalities in other facets of my life in my many years on earth.

I think it's important that the OP take some of the advice to see where this criticism was constructive and also to figure out where she can fill in the cracks to get through the next 4 weeks. There are many things in nursing school that don't seem equitable; I'm not out there working yet, but I'd betcha' it's that way in the 'real world' too. Time to get a slightly tougher hide and do whatever it takes. You've worked too hard to get to this point. Take some deep breaths and try to relax and really think....

Best wishes!!

[kcalohagirl]

Okay, I may seem a bit brutal here, but hang on for a sec. . . .

Your nursing instructors are not there to make you feel good about yourself.

They are there to make sure you are a decently trained, fairly competent nurse when you graduate.

You are in your first semester. It is natural to be tentative and nervous. I would hope that your instructors would take that naivete into consideration. I mean, face it. Every nurse in the world was a newbie at some point. Every new nurse has had the same insecurites.

I would hope that instructors would be supportive.

Some instructors, though, seem to subscribe to the "tough love" school. They seem to think that the only way that you will succeed is if they tear you down completely.

Don't allow them to cause your failure.

I have the most awful situational anxiety imaginable. I did great until the instructor was there in front of me, then my voice would shake, etc.

You know what you know. If you know what you are supposed to, when the instructors start to grill you, take a deep breath, remind yourself of all the things you DO know, and answer the questions. If they ask you something you really have no clue about, tell them so, don't try to fake it, and tell them that you will find the answer.

You'll be okay.

Don't give anyone in the world power to make decisions for you. If you want to be a nurse, don't let them tell you you cannot.

[pebbles, BSN, RN]

From your description, it does sound as if you are becoming overwhelmed and maybe this is affecting your patient care and how you present yourself to others in clinical as well. I think maybe you should take what your instructors said with a grain of salt but also try to learn from it and figure out how to make yourself stronger.

Many times if a student is becoming overwhelmed, they lose the skills they once had - that's often the first outward sign that a student is actually losing thier ability to function due to being so overwhelmed and not coping. So maybe that is what your instructors are noticing and commenting on.

They are trying to give you a heads-up that you have work to do, not trying to kick you out.

I think it's possible that the "way they said it" could have been better. But I think you ought to think long and hard about what you are doing in clinical that could be improved on. Try to present yourself as less shakey, more confident. Study the skills. Practise in lab. Know at least some of what you need to know in terms of hands on skills before you even get to the ward.

This is what ****** me off about "modern" nursing education: They tell you that you are there to learn the critical thinking skills, etc. But in not teaching the tasky hands on skills, they rob the students of the one thing they need to feel more confident in the clinical area.

So my advice is to find friends among your classmates that will help you and be study-budies for hands on skills practice. And practice a fake-it-till-you-make-it type of confidence. It can help a lot.

[wannabenurse69]

Thanks for your input. In retrospect, I realize I should not have argued with my instructors-I should of just said that I will improve by doing such and such. I have been doing some serious thinking and I think part of my problem is that I'm having a hard time with doing "hands-on" stuff. I will be going in to practice in labs. Also, my school workload has increased b/c of care plans and clinical journals that need to be submitted each week. They take such a large chunk of time on top of taking Anatomy and Phys.II. I am considering that I need to change majors. I have wanted to be a nurse for so long and it makes me sad to think about giving up but the fact that I'm having so much trouble remembering hands-on procedures is making me wonder about my future.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

I am considering that I need to change majors. I have wanted to be a nurse for so long and it makes me sad to think about giving up but the fact that I'm having so much trouble remembering hands-on procedures is making me wonder about my future.

EVERYONE has problems with the hands-in procedures...unless you do them over and over again, it's nearly impossible to remember exactly how to perform them.

One thing I did was create a small notebook of the steps for each skill we needed for clinicals. Then, if I knew something was going to need to be done (catheter, IV, etc.), I could quickly review my sheets. As we approach graduation, I'm sure there are still a large number of us who have yet to start IVs, never mind catheter or NG insertion, etc.

Nursing programs are intense. If you are 4 weeks from finishing this semester AND an A&P II class, it's no wonder you're overwhelmed. That's why most people in these forums recommend completing all prereqs and coreqs before beginning school. Hopefully after this you can concentrate just on your nursing core.

If you truly believe this is what you want to do, hang in there this last month -- one day at a time. You can do it. Or, you can throw in the towel and always wonder what might have been.....

[llg, PhD, RN]

. They take such a large chunk of time on top of taking Anatomy and Phys.II. I am considering that I need to change majors. I have wanted to be a nurse for so long and it makes me sad to think about giving up but the fact that I'm having so much trouble remembering hands-on procedures is making me wonder about my future.

Can you change your timetable rather than change your major? For example, take the courses such as Anatomy and Phys. II first ... and then take the clinical courses in a later semester.

Switching to being a part-time student instead of a full time one will delay your graduation -- but if it makes your success possible by reducing your stress and enabling you to be successful, then the delay would be worth it.

[amybethf]

I agree with the other posters. Self-awareness is a good thing to take a critical look into. Ask yourself, 'how do others perceive/see me?' All first even second semster students are nervous, you're supposed to be! But are you nervous to the point that doing simple tasks is difficult?

Nursing instructors evaluate students on many different levels. They expect nervousness, but they also expect it to subside week by week as you grow more confident and comfortable. Make a cheat sheet for tasks or a priority sheet to keep you focused or on track cuz time mgmt is another thing they are following.

No, they are not out to get you, they are giving you a chance to improve on the skills that they see as not up to par. You'll grow from this experience and thank them on your last day!! It in no way means you are being failed. But here's a hint, DO NOT CRY anymore!!!! They view that as weakness. Think about being a student nurse as on the job training. Try to conduct yourself in a manner that represents a professional (not that you aren't) but looking at this way puts a different perspective on how to conduct yourself.

You will be fine. We are all nervous at times and that's normal. Take the CI's advice (it is constructive criticism) and improve. You can do this!

Take Care:redbeathe:heartbeat

[MiaKeaRN]

I carry a little pocket sized Med/Surg Notes book, I think that's the name. It walks me through almost every single procedure that I need to know. A few weeks ago I wanted to make sure I knew how to do a straight cath, because I hadn't done one since lab 5 months ago. I pulled out that little book and it gave me step-by-step everything I needed! I can't remember the exact name of it right now, but there is a series of these spiral bound books....and you can actually write in them and then use an alcohol pad to erase it.

Good luck. Hugs to you.

[eire1]

I use the same "NOTES" series. They are "E.A.Davis Company" books. I have the MED-SURG book and the OB-PEDS book. They are small and easily stuck in a pocket. Lab values, procedures, assessments...they have it all. Most large bookstores carry them (Borders, Barnes & Noble, BooksAMillion) Take a moment, deep breathe, check the NOTES really quick... and go for it! We soon-to-be nurses are NEEDED!

[kck605]

Usually the instructors will give you credit for working on the things they asked you to. I have a problem with shyness and this interferes with my confidence. One of my instructors brought this up to me. I ended up taking a couple continuing education courses at the college...one on shyness, one for self esteem. This showed them that I was making an honest effort to fix the problem. So maybe if you practice extra and find something to help calm your nerves, it can prove that you trying to change these things, whether you believe them or not... :)

[scrapbookcrazy, ADN]

Before you make the change in majors - do you just dislike the hands on because of all the writing etc or because of the actual tasks and things you have to do with your patients? This is like driving a car - at first things will be awkward and difficult and you will make mistakes - don't change if your long term goal is to be a nurse. There are so many opportunities out there for nurses. I took the easy way out 24 years ago and became a business major. Easy school but tough career!

If you choose to change majors don't do it because school is too hard - do it because when you graduate you don't want to do what a nurse has to do. We need nurses and I hate for you to leave the school just because you had one talking too. (There will be many more by maybe even worse people out in the "working" world.) Trust me! Let this experience build your character not destroy it!