Students are cut-throat!

Published

I attended my local community college last year doing my pre-req's before getting into the program. I thought everyone was nice and we helped each other, it was great. 1000 people applied to my schools program for the 100 spots available, so it was quite competitive, but we all got along. Now that we are in the program it's a whole new world, some of those nice people have turned into mean, competitive, I can't even describe people. There are cliques forming, talking behind peoples backs, rude remarks to peoples faces, I feel like I took a blast to the past and am in high school again. The median age of our class is 30 yrs old. Has anyone else experienced this? I am just perplexed because now we are in the program if anything I would have expected this while fighting for a spot in the program not in the people who got in. I think that I am a pretty nice person and I have gotten a few snotty remarks from people I don't know - it's only been one month! Some people I know say they feel isolated excluded in their labs and clinicals by the others. Is this typical????:no:

Theres not a lot of other students i would consider close friends. In lectures we all have our own cliques, on clinicals though we tend to gather together in the canteen and get through it. I dont think i will stay in touch with a lot of them when i finish

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I were you I would just ignore all of the nonsense drama and keep your head in your books...the way I see it is, I am in school for one thing and one thing only...I don't have time for any extra drama...these types of people exist everywhere you go...when you graduate and enter the field, I am sure you will encounter a different kind and group of cut throat, drama filled individuals....just ignore them and do you :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.
i start clinicals in january. i've experienced this already, too. a lot of whispering about a certain individuals progress in the program. and who is going to make the clinical list along with who is cheating on their exams, etc. this happens when you have hundreds competing for limited seats in a program that is *cough* cough* majority female. :argue: sorry somebody had to say it.

my experience is quite different. it's the men in my program (3 in particular) who are being "catty" and talking behind others backs...who's grades are better, who's the teacher's pet, who interrupts class with silly comments.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, subacute CNA.

I've only come across a couple of not- so nice people in my program, and avoid them. Just about everyone in my class seems really supportive with eachother. If someone is having trouble understanding the material people will make an effort to help them out. My clinical group is wonderful,too. I have a friend in another program who had to take a mental health leave of absence because of all the backstabbing and cheating that was going on. I feel lucky!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you ever question the integrity of your professors? Do they play mind game and try to flunk students? Weird behavior. Are professors always fair? What do you do if you suspect injustice?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thats ok honey. just go to school, read your book, do your homework. who needs them? i went finished my degree without any help from classmates, friends and only because i have a busy family life and i work full time so i could not afford needless drama in school. just learn what you can. do your best and God will do the rest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

I couldn't agree more. I am courteous to others, but I stay mostly to myself. I avoid sharing grades at all cost. Let's face it, getting through these courses is hard enough without dealing with pettyness. I am always willing to help someone if asked, but I avoid study groups and the like, that's where all the nastiness is bred. Long experience has taught me to stick to my rules.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can't tell if that "30 years olds are too old to be in college" was sarcastic, joking, trolling or really ignorant?

Either way, it really is an incredibly ignorant statement considering 1) the age range on these boards and the age range of people currently in college (hint, it's a lot more common to see people 'over 30' in college these days) and 2) many people change their careers around that age or older and go into nursing.

Hopefully I didn't just feed a troll but that comment made me press the post reply button with great haste.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Seriously? 30? I'm 30 30 30!! I graduated with my BSN when I was 30!

And for the record, I completely plan on a masters. How old is too old for that? 35?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in -.

Sadly some of the women in my class are the same. They have come into this class, with absolutely no pre-nursing experience but seem to think they know EVERYTHING.

If one of us in class makes a mistake these women will make a big show of rolling their eyes at you.These women will put down people right to there faces and say the most nastiest things...and will refuse to work with other people they think are "not smart enough" and will say that to their faces. And when it comes to when we get our grades back...if they didn't get a good grade they will go on and on about how the teacher is mean...ring their husbands/boyfriends and complain and just sit there for the rest of the class with there arms folded, ignoring everyone and looking angry.

I am not making this up. I have been truly shocked to see this kind of behavior, especially in a higher learning institution. This people have argue with each other, saying things like "Well the teacher said I was the BEST nurse...I AM top of the class..".

I can't wait till I finish. Their are some real gems in my class, but these girls and there over the top antics are increasingly putting a damper on everything. I feel like I am in high school .

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah, that so funny because those people who did the rolling of the eyes and talking behind people's back did not make it. My class graduates on May 11 and I couldn't be more happier.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in E.D..

Yes, it's typical. Think about it...the same competitive spirit which gets one into a nursing program is the same competitive spirit which will get one through a nursing program. It's an ingrained trait...it's a part of you (and your classmates). I'm just finishing my 3rd semester of an ADN program, and it's always been an underlying theme.

I used to throw around the word "clique" as negative, but I realize I do have my own "clique", too...I prefer to refer to us as just a group who bonded early in the program and rely on each other heavily for emotional and intellectual support. There's nothing wrong with that. Of course, there are those who just didn't seem to hit it off with others at the beginning, and they tend to feel isolated. That's really sad, because we all NEED a few others with whom to relate. It sounds like you're just getting started, though, so embrace a clique of your own, or you'll go crazy.

Now, on to people being rude and gossiping...that, my friend, is probably from the female element of nursing. I am a proud female, but I'm also a realistic female. We tend to just be that way. I used to work in HR at a large bank. The banking industry is dominated by females, and the same type of things happened there. I can't tell you the number of times I had to hold a poor teller's hand and listen to her cry because "so and so" didn't say "hello" to her that morning. We are female, we are emotional, we are delicate, but we can also be royal "you know what's", too.

All I can say is this is a very stressful time for all of you. There are going to be heartaches, there are going to be hurt feelings, there is going to be drama. There is no way to avoid it or stop it. But, you just keep your head up, and you will be able to rise above it all. And, believe me, one day you will laugh about all the silliness you are experiencing...and your classmates will, too! Good luck, hold on, and just enjoy the ride!!!!! It will actually go by much faster than you think!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion