So I have a "situation" with my clinical instructor. This happened last week, and I have purposely waited until now to seek help because I was pretty upset by what had happened. I need some advice on how to handle this situation, as it is a very peculiar one.
For clinical we are to do prep work, as per usual med-surg or any other clinical. We were told that our assignments would be posted at a specific time the day before clinical. Knowing this information, I decided to go to the site to check over the paperwork that had been corrected, to have some time to evaluate my mistakes and reference my lab book and pathophys, which was about 90 mins before our assignments were to be posted. When I arrived I asked the instructor if I could get my graded paperwork, and she sent me to the back of the room, where she gestured, to go get it. I looked around for a moment, and found a folder sitting next to her bag. I did not find the graded paperwork inside, but did find the weekly evals. I heard her phone vibrate, and made a note to myself to let her know. I let her know that I only found the evals, but not the paperwork, so she and I return to the back of the room, where she picks up the same folder I had been looking in, and states that she hopes she didn't leave that paperwork at home. I mention to her that I heard her phone go off, and she passively acknowledges it, still looking around for the paperwork. It was on a different shelf, higher up and to the side, not in obvious view. She hands me my work, and I went back to where I was seated to look it over. After a few minutes, she asks if I would like to take room ****, and I say sure! I knew that at a certain time, I would be able to go and read my assignment, I had expected to wait for it patiently, so I was excited to be able to start my research early. The day progresses on, and at one point she has left the room to be with her clinical group. I remain there for a couple of hours, as other students filter in to prep. Finally, I am through with my research about my patient, and I go to find the instructor on the floor to clarify some things about the way I had done my paperwork, and I waited and stayed out of the way until I was sure she wasn't busy. (By the way, she did tell us we would be allowed to ask her questions during prep if she had time) We are having a normal conversation, and she tells me what she would like me to look up and learn. I tell her thank you and that I will go home to figure out what I need to.
This is where it gets bizarre. I am about to turn back to her, to give her a "Thanks, see you tomorrow" and she meets me with this strange look and these words "Ah, I don't appreciate you looking through my bag." Oh course, I am dumbfounded, and just look at her for a moment. I told her that I hadn't, with a questioning inflection. She held her death stare and insisted that I had, because that folder was inside of her bag. I explained that I had found the folder sitting next to her bag. She insisted that this folder was inside the bag and that the bag had been closed. And also that I knew her phone had rung. I was even more dumbfounded, and defended myself "I really did not touch your bag, and that folder was actually sitting next to your bag." Her response was to take a step back, and say "So" in the wierdest way... I said "I can assure you that I wouldn't touch anyone's things without permission" to which she again said "So"
I don't remember what else I said, because I was honestly quite shocked. I have NO idea what to make of this situation. If I were an instructor, I would not trust a student who I knew (for a fact) had been snooping in my bag, touching my things without permission, and looking at my phone. THIS is why I was rather upset.
Is it possible that she is trying to test my resolve? What if she really does believe that I am that kind of person, who snoops, disrespects privacy, and then apparently lies about it? I feel that some kind of intervention might be needed, I don't know, with another teacher or something, or other professional? At a later time, she accused me of smoking a cigarette on campus, because the elevator smelled like cigarettes and I had just helped bringing a discharged patient down to valet (which is pretty crazy, since it would make sense to ask valet whether a student was smoking on campus with a patient in a wheelchair rather than make accusations, AND there is no reason to think I smoke... which I don't...)
I would LOVE to hear from an instructor!! What course of action should I take? What if she really believes I am not a trustworthy and intrusive student? I fear my grade here is in jeopardy! I have already resolved to not be alone on the floor when possible, so that someone can vouch for me. And I'm sure there is probably some sort of permanent file, which I don't need misrepresentations of me residing in...
I would also LOVE to hear from another student that has been in a similar situation. Any and all help is much appreciated.
I did ask her through the first few. She basically read the criteria off of the paper for each "outcome", then told me how she graded me. I did ask how she would have wanted these outcomes to be demonstrated. She simply said, (much in the same way she repeated "So" over and over when I was attempting to explain that I wasn't going through her bag") I just didn't think you earned a 5. I asked for examples in which I could have done better, but she again said "I just didn't see this from you. So." Based on previous experience, I knew I wouldn't get anywhere in trying to figure out what she had wanted to see. There were a couple 4/5 I totally agreed with her on, for which she did cite reasons. I knew at the beginning that these grades aren't generally negotiable, so that wasn't what I was going for, just wanted to know things I could improve on for next semester and nursing in general.
In avoiding the instructor, I should have specified that I avoided going to her with questions. I did though, let her know as we are supposed to, when performing skills for the first time. She was happy to do this, and we even had a nice talk about how she is going to try to get us students time and resources in the skills lab, as many times there is a huge gap between when we quickly learn a skill, check off, move on the the next skill, and have no exposure to it again until we go to practice it a semester or two or three later. Anyways, the "favorite" students were frequently checked-in on by her. Several times I spent my entire shift doing patient care or helping PT or wound care nurses with other patients (which is encouraged and within the rules in my program) without ever seeing her. I still obviously learned a lot without her around.
This student that I had been helping out had been having issues I didn't mention, because I didn't mean for that situation to become a focal point of conversation, but since you seen curious she asked me questions that she should have done in prework, such as figuring out what her patients were taking certain meds for, or how to give certain meds. I am not saying that she deserved a lower grade. When we talked about our grades together, she said that she figured I would get the higher grade, as I am always prepared, know what is going on with my patients, know what to do (at this level), and she said that I seem to "have things under control all the time". So don't worry, I am not talking smack about her grade, I just felt that I earned a higher mark than what I got. I guess what -really- matters isn't so much my GPA as it is how well I learned and the progress of my competence. GPA is nice for choosing clinical placement during transitions, which is why I guess I am preoccupied with it...
I don't feel that my impulse to want to change sites was necessarily rash, and in retrospect I kind of wish I had the opportunity to do that. There were some clinical groups that were able to observe surgeries, perform many skills, etc. I may (or may not) have had more learning opportunities, and I wouldn't have had to be on edge and avoidant of asking questions. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and the way you stated it did not sound mean. At any rate, the situation is over, and I am looking forward to next semester, stressful as it may be at times, I am really enjoying it!
OP, you will find that you are not going to mesh with every instructor. That's just the way it is. I also agree with direwolf that you need to keep to yourself and stay out of what other classmates are doing. Just worry about yourself.
It was hard for me to read the entire post to get an understanding of what happened but I gather you and clinical instructor butted heads. She ended up taking some things out on you and you think it affected your grade. I think it probably had to do with all of the people you went to after the incident. Don't you have a strict chain of command? We do. And not abiding by that can cause some serious problems.
Please learn from this experience and move on. Start the next semester fresh and forget about this one. Keep your head down, worry about yourself and show your next instructor how great of a student you are. Good luck!!
Firstly, sorry you found my posts difficult to follow. I did include a lot of information (I know I certainly vented a lot). That being said, I'm not sure you got the gist of the entire situation.
I do realize that I am not going to jive with every instructor, and indeed not every employer, that I have. I think I've made several references to this.
Though I agree that advising someone who is having problems that stem from minding other people's business, to "not worry about others" is generally good advice, I do NOT prioritize anyone's business above my own in school. Very good point, but if you were to read all of my postings I think you would see those do not focus on other students. (though yes, I was informed of others grades, which were announced to me, not requested)
As for chain of command, we were never instructed as to how to react to situations regarding teacher and student "miscommunication" or "conflict". In fact, I don't believe I've even heard any staff refer to chain of command... I have no idea who my instructor's bosses are, to be honest.I still feel confident in my decision to FIRST consult the guidance department, which is completely separate from the nursing department, so as to no go over anyone's head, or ruffle anyone's feathers.
Honestly, all I want is to worry about my patients and my classes. I don't want drama, I don't need to make BFFs, I just want to get along with everyone I will have to work with, help my patients, do my job properly and learn as much as possible. Who needs accusations from instructors of all people? I am INDEED looking forward to a new semester and a fresh start. Good luck to you too.
MilieuRN
15 Posts
I did ask her through the first few. She basically read the criteria off of the paper for each "outcome", then told me how she graded me. I did ask how she would have wanted these outcomes to be demonstrated. She simply said, (much in the same way she repeated "So" over and over when I was attempting to explain that I wasn't going through her bag") I just didn't think you earned a 5. I asked for examples in which I could have done better, but she again said "I just didn't see this from you. So." Based on previous experience, I knew I wouldn't get anywhere in trying to figure out what she had wanted to see. There were a couple 4/5 I totally agreed with her on, for which she did cite reasons. I knew at the beginning that these grades aren't generally negotiable, so that wasn't what I was going for, just wanted to know things I could improve on for next semester and nursing in general.
In avoiding the instructor, I should have specified that I avoided going to her with questions. I did though, let her know as we are supposed to, when performing skills for the first time. She was happy to do this, and we even had a nice talk about how she is going to try to get us students time and resources in the skills lab, as many times there is a huge gap between when we quickly learn a skill, check off, move on the the next skill, and have no exposure to it again until we go to practice it a semester or two or three later. Anyways, the "favorite" students were frequently checked-in on by her. Several times I spent my entire shift doing patient care or helping PT or wound care nurses with other patients (which is encouraged and within the rules in my program) without ever seeing her. I still obviously learned a lot without her around.
This student that I had been helping out had been having issues I didn't mention, because I didn't mean for that situation to become a focal point of conversation, but since you seen curious she asked me questions that she should have done in prework, such as figuring out what her patients were taking certain meds for, or how to give certain meds. I am not saying that she deserved a lower grade. When we talked about our grades together, she said that she figured I would get the higher grade, as I am always prepared, know what is going on with my patients, know what to do (at this level), and she said that I seem to "have things under control all the time". So don't worry, I am not talking smack about her grade, I just felt that I earned a higher mark than what I got. I guess what -really- matters isn't so much my GPA as it is how well I learned and the progress of my competence. GPA is nice for choosing clinical placement during transitions, which is why I guess I am preoccupied with it...
I don't feel that my impulse to want to change sites was necessarily rash, and in retrospect I kind of wish I had the opportunity to do that. There were some clinical groups that were able to observe surgeries, perform many skills, etc. I may (or may not) have had more learning opportunities, and I wouldn't have had to be on edge and avoidant of asking questions. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and the way you stated it did not sound mean. At any rate, the situation is over, and I am looking forward to next semester, stressful as it may be at times, I am really enjoying it!