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.
Well to me it sounds like they were trying to intimidate you--I dont mean to be negative, but I saw this happen in school and it was pretty viscious.
I would definitely take their criticism and makes some changes because it does sound as if they have your number and are looking to weed you out.
I had a friend in school who was asked the same counselor-type question and she actually did go to a counselor to discuss her anxiety, got proof that she went and then submitted it to the instructors to show she was being proactive. We all think it saved her butt (and helped her w/ anxiety).
Specializes in Case management, occupational health.
I agree with those who are saying that the first semester is all about weeding out the ones they do not think are going to make it. The amount of stress you will be under in nursing is inmeasurable and they want to make sure you are up to the challenge.
Don't let them weed you out, prove to them they are wrong and you can handle anything they throw at you.
I would have to say actually our first year staff were much more considerate and caring than our 2nd year staff.
As far as accredidation and weeding out. The schools look better with the higher nclex pass rate, no how many students actually pass. its actually best for them to weed out of the people they are concerned wont pass the nclex.
I am a second semester student & I hear you wannnabe! While I have not personally had your experience I have witnessed it done to others. I swear they smell fear and anxiousness and go in for the kill. I have seen instructors treat some of my classmates horribly. The same instructors who are so awful to some people couldn't even pick me out of a lineup and tell you my name. How did I get passed them? I have no idea but they definitely do have their targets. It seems like they do make this process a lot harder on some folks. I do agree though that the key is to never let them see you breakdown. No matter how much you want to cry do not do it while they are watching. It comes across as weakness to some of these folks and you are right they have no sympathy for you! Just go in everyday with your head held high and do the best you can. You will make it through just a few more weeks:mad:
They have NO RIGHT to ask you if you are seeing a counselor. that is non of their buisness! that alone is grounds for a discrimination grievence. Try your best not to **** them off over the next few weeks. I had an instructor who prided herself in getting one student per semester expelled. She was almost successful with me, but I held my ground and avoided her like MRSA at clinical. All my paper work was so complete that it was usually 16-20 pages long. Remember, head down, tuck and roll with the punches. You'll get through this. Dont cry infront of them anymore no matter what it takes, bite your tongue if it helps. Listen to what they say and POLITELY say: "Thank you for your suggestions, I'll keep an eye on that." Remember too that nurses eat their young, and some eat the fetus.
Well, I actually have been kicked out of nursing school. So I completely understand where you are coming from. I do have a few suggestions for you. First, I would like to tell you a little about my story. It the end of my first year of nursing school my professors confronted me about their 'concern' for me and said I lacked confidence. This seemed to be all they had to say and offered no suggestions for help. At the start of my last year of nursing school is when they decided I was no longer welcome in the nursing program and they suggested I see a cousoler and then start nursing school over the following year. I actually decided to change schools and did restart nursing school over again and am now graduated. It is worth it and you should stick with it!!!
As for my advice. The school that kicked me out offered me no support and the reason I lacked confidence and was nervous all the time was really because I was not receiving the education and knowledge I should have been recieving from them. So I really think you should think about that and decide if you are getting the best education you can from that school. If you dont feel your learning the skills you need to be, then you need to look for a new program. Once I transferred to a new program I felt so much more confident because I was getting a much better education and the professors were much more supportive! So that is something to think about.
If you do decide to stay with the school your at, try to learn as much as you can yourself, and practice skills in the lab as much as possible! If you are confident and have practiced it will show! And if you need help or dont understand something ASK! The professors arent going to stop watching you, they are probably watching you the closest which isnt going to make it any easier on you. And they are going to be talking about you and your progress so keep it up! You will get through it! Good Luck!
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.
:mad:I know exactly what you are going through. I myself is experiencing the same. I agree they do have their favorites. My instructor likes to act like everything is going well then drop the bomb at the end of semester and say I do not think your ready to move on.
I know. I failed Rn school twice. Once in the class. The second time in clinicals. The teacher did not like me. The third time was in LPN school in test out. I was at clinicals and had to get to the school. I was 10 min late and the instructor would not take me. So, I had a third test out and failed.
allthingsbright
1,569 Posts
Well to me it sounds like they were trying to intimidate you--I dont mean to be negative, but I saw this happen in school and it was pretty viscious.
I would definitely take their criticism and makes some changes because it does sound as if they have your number and are looking to weed you out.
I had a friend in school who was asked the same counselor-type question and she actually did go to a counselor to discuss her anxiety, got proof that she went and then submitted it to the instructors to show she was being proactive. We all think it saved her butt (and helped her w/ anxiety).
Best wishes! You can do it!!!