So, I am in my 6th week of a nursing program. Recently, we all moved into new seats but most people did not want to do that (director said it would let us meet and get to know others). No big deal for me. Then, low and behold, some of the students wanted to rearrange desks too. Ok, so they do that without permission. Then the whole 'not getting to sit where they want' conversation is started again. Move on to the end of the day....
I had to meet with the director of the program about some paperwork for a scholarship. While picking up my paperwork, I casually let her know that there would be a discussion the next day about the seating arangement, AGAIN! I was told thanks for the heads up. I also informed her of my own opinions of how class felt, like high school with all the drama and mouthiness going on. Nothing else said. Later in the evening at home....
I get an email from some students in my class. The short version of it says, "We know you went and tattled on us about the seating arrangements! You are a narc! Class could straighten it out themselves and you did not need to tattle! Mind your own business!" This was typed in all upper case letters and signed with names. Also, they made an email address just to send this to me.
So, now I am confused on what to do. I in no way 'tattled' on anybody and did not deserve any such email. I did not email the other students back and have not told the director of the program. I spoke with a friend in class and was told to not bring it to the director's attention. That it could possibly cause more problems. I did some research in the school handbook which said, "Any type of bullying or hazing is punishable by suspension or expulsion." I dont know if I should let this go and if they keep harassing me, let the director know. Or, if I should tell the director now. Or, should I confront the students (fyi, I have no proof of the students as it was a made up email and just signed with students names, no actual proof it was them).
What should I do?
P.S. I had to make a new name for this post. My other name gives away too many details on who I actually am.
Yeah, school can be like that at times. You didn't do anything wrong. I would let it blow over if I were you though, sometimes you have to pick your battles, ya know? People can be mean in nursing school and for the most part, those that are very negative and pessimistic won't make it through the program anyway. Good luck and stay strong. You did nothing wrong.
Just an update for everyone.... Word got around about the email that was sent to me. Not sure how, unless whoever sent it started telling everyone (I wasnt even at class today). It got back to the people whose names were supposedly signed on it. They got very upset and went to the director themselves. The director called me and asked if I had actually gotten this email. So, now administration and everything is involved in trying to figure out who actually sent it and how they got my personal email.
Just an update for everyone.... Word got around about the email that was sent to me. Not sure how, unless whoever sent it started telling everyone (I wasnt even at class today). It got back to the people whose names were supposedly signed on it. They got very upset and went to the director themselves. The director called me and asked if I had actually gotten this email. So, now administration and everything is involved in trying to figure out who actually sent it and how they got my personal email.
I didnt have to tell anyone! lol
lol wow... I like the fact that you didnt get to tell anyone. I found this really funny n interesting. Keep us posted! #futurenursingstudent
I'm glad it's sort of working out. Sometimes it's just so much easier to go with the flow. Learning to pick your battles in nursing is tough, but so important. Big life-threatening issue? Advocate and speak up. Seating arrangements? Heck, let them sit indian-style in a semi-circle or form human pyramids if they want.
It's unfortunate that college aged people are acting so horribly but I've gotta say, who has the time or energy in nursing school to worry about seating arrangements? Our professors let us be the big kids that we are and chose where and with whom to sit with. I can't imagine any of them, or the administrators, having the time nor the inclination to worry themselves with whether or not we're all making friends or if anyone feels left out. As for the students, we've got enough on our plates with the academic aspect of nursing school that I can't imagine having what amounts to playground hair pulling going on to distract us.
Let the professor handle their class how they want, even if they can't handle the class. I handle myself at school and at work in the same way. I stay out of everyone's business and I keep politically neutral, but being amicable of course. Even if you're 30 or 40 some people don't lose the high school mentality and it's been my experience working with many different types of people that silence is sometimes the best policy. You gotta let some things go. I'm not sure why the seating arrangement was such a big deal to these students or why it was a big deal to you that they had a problem with it but it doesn't seem worth starting drama over. Like someone else said, you don't want to be the problem student or the one that gets on the students or instructor's bad side. You don't know where you might see these people again or what positions of authority you may find them in later in life. It's best to keep to yourself, trust the people you know you can really trust, and not get too attached to most people and their drama.
I believe that someone just guessed that you said something. How were they to know? Unless you have an obvious school email, I would be more concerned over how they got your email. I would print out the email and take it to the director. If that doesn't put an end to this, it will at least let the others know that you don't intend to be intimidated. You have a right to express your opinion. Don't let anyone take that away from you. But use discretion. From now on, consider keeping your opinion to yourself and staying out of the immature behavior pattern. Sure seems like your class does not have enough to keep it busy.
Wow, high school all over again, huh? Let me assure you, it happens at every school (I've attended 3 college campuses...they all have that bunch that never truly graduated from high school). As someone else has posted, I am very curious as to how these broads knew about the conversation you had. Perhaps they knew you were meeting and just simply guessed. But I would conclude that this teacher turned around an mentioned it in some form. Not cool but that's probably what went down.
I would combine advise that other have given you. Try to mention to these girls (I have another word in mind) about how the topic had just come up in conversation. I would also print these emails incase they want to get ugly. This IS a form of harassment. You're not paying good money to go to the school only to not enjoy going because of these choice few.
One thing you can hope for, these shallow and mean individuals (again, different words in mind) will probably end up dropping out. It's obvious they are more worried about where they sit than their actual classwork.
My advice. I wouldnt have bothered to say anything about what was going on. As long as nothing is directed at me, I dont care. You have bigger things to be worrying about in nursing school than seating arrangements and cattiness, because you are going to find that no matter where you go or where you work, especially if you are involved with a large group of women. Let them worry about them and you worry about. Unless something is seriously affecting your grades, if someone asks you how it's going, you say fine, and keep moving. Women talk, ALL THE TIME. They will smile in your face and repeat every detail of your conversation to their buddies 5 mins later, which it sounds like is what happened. Keep all negativity to yourself, ignore the morons, sit in your seat and do your work. Period.
SweetseRN
199 Posts
Yeah, school can be like that at times. You didn't do anything wrong. I would let it blow over if I were you though, sometimes you have to pick your battles, ya know? People can be mean in nursing school and for the most part, those that are very negative and pessimistic won't make it through the program anyway. Good luck and stay strong. You did nothing wrong.