what do you do if your teacher crosses the line

[amybear]

I started my med surg clinical last month with a teacher I have never had before but some friends of mine in the class recommended that i take her section. I have only had four clinicals so far and and I feel as though this woman has been downright inappropriate. I have really stepped up my skills and patient care this semester and have really been feeling proud of myself. I really think the nurses on the unit respect me and they always aske if I want to do things with them. They are all so nice and I feel like they are taking the time to show me things which I really appreciate. On the other hand my teacher stands at a computer all day never observing out patient care. She has been very sarcastic and overly critical whenever I ask a question and I am now terrified that she will continue to berate me in front of my classmates ant the other nurses and doctors if I ask her anything else. When I chart she is standing over my shoulder telling me that I look bad and that she will never let me use a computer again and that just makes it worse!!! I get nervous and go blank!!! Last week I had had enough of her so when she dismissed us for lunch I went to my car (which is definately allowed) telling the class I had to make a phone call but really I just didn't want to sit in the cafeteria with her. I was back in time to walk back to the unit with my class. In fact I have always been very respectful of my teacher and have gone out of my way to do everything she says and to do it to the best of my ability. Well other classmates told me the day I went to my car for lunch she was making fun of me to them saying I ran away crying like a baby. Then she told the class she was going to do what she had to do to me. Am I crazy or is this inappropriat behavior??? I mean she obviously has a personal problem with me but I don't understand why she can't be professional while at the hospital. I can go on and on with the things she says to me but that would take to long. I did speak to the head of my program and she basically told me to talk to the instructor. I don't feel comfortable doing that without a mediator because this woman is irritable and defensive and I am afraid it will end up causing alot of unnecessary drama. I don't know what to do because she is the person who determines whether I pass or fail!!! I am so tied up in knots at clinical and the day before that I can hardly function (eat, sleep etc.). I am at the point where I feel like leaving the program but I love nursing, love what I am doing minus the teacher... I feel as though I am doing well and would make a great nurse... I just wish others would see it as well

[Belli 40 LVN]

I hate to hear things like this because I've had the same thing happen in a Micro BIOL course I took . The only recourse you have is to survive and unfortunately to survive you do have to kiss her ass and suck up.

Sometimes you find that you actually can find something to like about the person and then others you leave class and want to throw up, but in the end, your instructor has something that you want and that is a PASSING GRADE.

Good Luck to you and pray when all else fails :hug:

[momtojosh]

whats going to happen when you are out in the real world and your supervisor isnt overly fond of you?

it happens all the time...

unfortunately these teachers think they are gods...so for these situations all i can say and i have heard this before..put on your big girl panties...and try to make the best of it...i have seen it before...the ones that complain and go crying to the higher ups are the ones who they pick on the most...sorry,but true..

[JBudd, MSN]

Who cares if she gets angry? You're her customer. Put it in a letter to the editor. Schools, which are revenue generating entities, hate bad publicity as much as any other organization.

Bad idea. You are not my customer, I'm not selling you anything. I offer instruction that you may choose to learn or not from. You are not buying a degree, you are buying access to education that will allow you to earn a degree.

To the OP: If you can get your fellow students to stand up for you, do it. What you are describing is totally inappropriate by the instructor, but hard to prove without witnesses. I can understand your reluctance to address the instr. one on one, I would suggest asking the director for a 3 way meeting between you; with corroboration from your fellows if possible. I would hate to lose a semester because of one person.

Instructors discuss students with each other, both good stuff and areas of need. If one of us has a problem, we discuss it to see if anyone is noticing the same thing, so that no one person can deep six a student. So, dropping out and just hoping to avoid her in the future is not likely to take care of the problem.

[cuppa_tea]

I am going through something very similar. What is this tread in instructor bullying? My tormentor also has power over whether we pass or not. In fact, we are not allowed to see our final exam and I think they take it upon themselves to do suspect things there. I have become this instructor's whipping boy (girl). She never says anything positive to me. She is always nagging at me like I'm her daughter and she treats me with complete contempt. She must be a very miserable person. I wonder if your instructor is like that? I feel badly for you. It strips your self-esteem and your confidence and it sounds like she likes to cut off your head to make herself seem bigger. Going above her head will only stir the hornet's nest, sadly. BUT....I would document EVERYTHING. She is in a position of authority and she is abusing you. She's a bully. You have heard that sad statement, "Nurses eat their young."??? It's true. My heart goes out to you. You are in a very difficult place...rock and a hard place. I wouldn't let her make you quit and if you can manage to graduate...that's when I'd make my appointment with the dean of the college/university and tell him/her what you endured. Good Luck to you!:hug:

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Bad idea. You are not my customer, I'm not selling you anything. I offer instruction that you may choose to learn or not from. You are not buying a degree, you are buying access to education that will allow you to earn a degree.

That only works for the young kids fresh out of high school. Add a couple of degrees, over a decade of age, and years of cynicism and yeah I'm your customer.

[cuppa_tea]

I meant trend...not tread...although that still may be appropriate...

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

A classmate of mine was being bullied by a teacher so she tape recorded the teacher and turned it into the Dean of the University. The teacher was put on probation.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

A classmate of mine was being bullied by a teacher so she tape recorded the teacher and turned it into the Dean of the University. The teacher was put on probation.

[AOx1]

I would not record anything without a thorough understanding of your state's laws regarding recording without both parties' knowledge.

[Jonathank]

I would not record anything without a thorough understanding of your state's laws regarding recording without both parties' knowledge.

Good point there. Your state could have stiffer laws against unauthorized recording than against verbal abuse. But as far as I know, it's legal to keep a written record of your experiences and those of your witnesses in any jurisdiction.

I also like the advice of saving up your evidence to present after you graduate your program. That way you're not penalizing yourself.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

"what do you do if your teacher crosses the line"

Get to the other side!

(sorry couldn't resist)

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

"what do you do if your teacher crosses the line"

Get to the other side!

(sorry couldn't resist)

Best reply I've seen on all nurses in a while now.