Tough Clinical Professor

RunBabyRN · May 8, 2014

Show them what you're made of. NEVER say, "I don't know." Say, "I'll find out." Then follow up with them.

My med/surg instructor was tough, and she liked me because of this kind of stuff. That said, she still was hard on me with grading care plans and such. Be thorough, and know your stuff. They won't expect you to know everything on day one, but if your patient has Lovenox injections, you'd better know which labs to check before administration.

This isn't about faking it 'til you make it, it's about making things happen.

smf0903 · May 8, 2014

I had one last semester. It was that clinical rotation that I breathed a sigh of blissful relief when we walked out on our last day. Our instructor would berate students on the floor and in front of patients. I admit there were times I cried, never in front of the instructor--I wouldn't give her the satisfaction! It was unbelievably stressful and only a couple of us survived the semester. She even got some sideways looks from the staff of the hospital for her behaviour. We literally got to a point where we wouldn't ask her questions (every question was a stupid question to her, I believe) and avoided her like the plague. The only time we attempted to make any contact with her was to have her check our meds before we passed them. She would get upset when we came into contact with equipment we had never seen before ("why didn't YOU put that on the patient?"), even though we'd help the RN or tech so we learned how to apply and set up the equipment. She was upset that a second semester student didn't know how to read and interpret tele strips. Before I did my first IV insert she told me "You can try it and then I'll just get the nurse to do it". I picked a site, she told me (in front of the patient) I could try but it'd blow, and then she'd get the nurse -.- Much to my delight I got it in beautifully on the first try (ha!) But it was like that the whole semester, and she was like that with all of the students. Those of us who completed the semester are all bull-headed and made it a point to do the best we could do and not give her the satisfaction of failing...which, ironically, made us better equipped to handle THIS semester. :)

elkpark · May 8, 2014

I've not had any instructor who would berate (or even criticize mildly) a student in front of a client, but, yes, I had mostly "tough" instructors in my diploma program many years ago (as well as in my graduate program many years later), and those were the instructors from whom I learned the most and to whom I am most thankful as the years go by. Instructors are not doing you any favor by being "nice" or "easy."

Everline · May 8, 2014

I got through by accepting criticism/feedback gracefully whether I agreed with it or not. I learned never to give excuses, only offer ways I would improve...and then work hard at actually improving whatever I didn't do correctly. I never argued, even when I thought expectations were unrealistic. I strictly followed rubrics when doing assignments. I worked on NOT showing my uncertainty, anxiety, fear and anger on my face. (Still working on that one.) I worked on not taking things personally as related to my instructor's moods. I vented privately to a friend who understood what I was going through, just to get things "off my chest". I learned little mind tricks and self talk that helped me get through the semester, not the least of which was counting down the days until the end and keeping the long term goal in mind. I reminded myself that I would be on the other side of this challenge very soon and that I would be proud of myself for making it and that it was worth it. I also had to remember to celebrate my little successes and the small ways I made improvements, otherwise I would have felt completely incompetent, lol.

G-manRN · May 8, 2014

The toughest clinical instructor I ever had afforded me one of the best learning experiences in my nursing career. She expected us to "think like RNs" and had us complete all the electronic charting, as well as our clinical paperwork by 10am(clinical started at 7am). There were no excuses unless a patient coded and you went down to the ICU. My advice, keep your head down, think before you speak, research research research prior to asking questions, use critical thinking, review your labs and patho, and try to shadow your co-assign as much as possible. Also, please try to stay busy. There's nothing worse than finding a bunch of student nurses lumped together all chit-chatting when the unit is busy. Some instructors are tough for a reason, they want you to take it seriously. You should understand the responsibility that comes with the title of RN.

morte, LPN, LVN · May 8, 2014

this isn't tough, this is being a that which rhymes with witch. and gave you a rotten example of how to behave as a nurse. hopefully you learned the opposite from her example.

I had one last semester. It was that clinical rotation that I breathed a sigh of blissful relief when we walked out on our last day. Our instructor would berate students on the floor and in front of patients. I admit there were times I cried, never in front of the instructor--I wouldn't give her the satisfaction! It was unbelievably stressful and only a couple of us survived the semester. She even got some sideways looks from the staff of the hospital for her behaviour. We literally got to a point where we wouldn't ask her questions (every question was a stupid question to her, I believe) and avoided her like the plague. The only time we attempted to make any contact with her was to have her check our meds before we passed them. She would get upset when we came into contact with equipment we had never seen before ("why didn't YOU put that on the patient?"), even though we'd help the RN or tech so we learned how to apply and set up the equipment. She was upset that a second semester student didn't know how to read and interpret tele strips. Before I did my first IV insert she told me "You can try it and then I'll just get the nurse to do it". I picked a site, she told me (in front of the patient) I could try but it'd blow, and then she'd get the nurse -.- Much to my delight I got it in beautifully on the first try (ha!) But it was like that the whole semester, and she was like that with all of the students. Those of us who completed the semester are all bull-headed and made it a point to do the best we could do and not give her the satisfaction of failing...which, ironically, made us better equipped to handle THIS semester. :)

morte, LPN, LVN · May 8, 2014

yes, this is tough, there is no need for the disrespect.

I've not had any instructor who would berate (or even criticize mildly) a student in front of a client, but, yes, I had mostly "tough" instructors in my diploma program many years ago (as well as in my graduate program many years later), and those were the instructors from whom I learned the most and to whom I am most thankful as the years go by. Instructors are not doing you any favor by being "nice" or "easy."

smf0903 · May 8, 2014

this isn't tough, this is being a that which rhymes with witch. and gave you a rotten example of how to behave as a nurse. hopefully you learned the opposite from her example.

You get no argument from me!! I learned a lot from her as far as how NOT to be, that's for sure. I don't think she got a clinical assignment this semester, I never saw her name on any sections. I have zero problem with a tough instructor...I've had some and learned more from them than any "easy A" instructors. I am quite accepting of criticism and the like, but I think it's distasteful and unprofessional to belittle/berate students in front of patients. I loved clinicals this semester...we had a fantastic instructor who expected a lot and gave a lot.

loriangel14, RN · May 8, 2014

The tough onesa are the best. They keep you on your toes and make you keep working at being the best you can. The softies maught make you feel warm and fuzzy but you won't learn as much.

Stephalump · May 8, 2014

I had two tough professors. One that made me into a better almostnurse, and one that served no purpose other than to make my life hell for 16 weeks.

I survived both. The former...I let her push me. I accepted her criticisms and her praise and took her suggestions and gave everything I had. In the end, I'm so much better for it.

The latter? Well, I have regrets on that front. I let myself get so bogged down by the anxiety and stress and the fact that I was learning nothing

from HER, that I wasted an entire

semester. I could've grabbed opportunities all around me, but I let it go and I regret it.

Anyway, give it your all. At the end, the most important thing is to be safe and grow. You're going to be strong in some areas and weak in others, but I think most instructors expect that. They also expect you to commit to getting better.

Also, time management x 1000. You're going to need lots of time for those giant care plans!