Turned off by fellow nursing students...

Published

Specializes in Taking one day at a time....

I must admit I am disappointed by the majority of students that I find myself surrounded by in the nursing program. When I took my prereqs, I had at least one person to rely on in each class, and they were genuinely nice & helpful people!... Now that I am in the program, I have found that it is even MORE competitive than the prereqs, HOW IRONIC. Everyone seems so willing to throw everyone else under the bus. You can't imagine all the eye rolls I have seen because someone asked another question (Okay, sometimes it can be annoying, but most of the time its no big deal and yet the other students still get annoyed...)

Most of the students are "older" (I'm only 20...) so I was under the impression that this would be a good thing... Thinking that perhaps, the older students being that they were... you know... moms and such, and of a certain (I would imagine) maturity level, maybe I would really like them!

I am so turned off by how everyone else treats eachother, and even more bothered by the fact that most of these people are old enough to be my mother and still act so immaturely. I cant tell you how many times I have heard "Ugh, SHE sat in my seat today! What a B*$#ch, what was she thinking? :argue:"... Or "Some people just dont know when to shut up!:devil:"... Just stupid things that I havent seen since highschool. They are all out to save themselves and dont care if they are rude to anyone else... And I definately never thought i would see this in nursing school! Its not just the older students too, I have seen many of the younger ones be very rude to eachother...(And even to myself, for no reason)

Let me add that although I am a really shy person, I am definately agreeable, friendly (Once i know you..) and willing to help others. I wouldnt roll eyes because someone asked a question, or make someone else feel stupid. I get along with people... At the start of the semester I felt really bad that I didnt have any close nursing buddies. But as the semester rolls on, I am seeing more and more of why its quite possibly a good thing that none of these people are my friends-- They all have attitudes! They are occasionally willing to help but at the expense of making you feel like an idiot.

These ladies are going to be nurses one day... And they cant even treat eachother with respect and dignity. Thats the part that bewilders me.

(As a disclaimer I should add that I do not believe every student in my program is like this, I guess I just havent met any of the nice ones yet... Also, I am not knocking older students by any means... :redbeathe)

Just needed to vent my frustrations.:banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can feel that way too about some of the classmates in my program...the last test for instance, fluid and electrolytes, I got an A that was a HARD test and my first A YAY!!! ok but if someone asks and I tell them they give me a nasty look and get all ****** off at me...not my fault that they failed the exam!!! I don't ask people their grades but if someone asks me I usually just tell them what I got out of either 25 or 50 points the test is worth....

I just get through it- and I ignore it as much as possible...you have to do what is right for you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it is that way everywhere. My class has some real trouble makers / gossipers / two faced people as well. Its unfortunate because it could be such a fantastic experience if people just got along better.

The first two weeks of my nursing classes were sheer BLISS. I LOVED going to class SO SO SO much. Then, all of a sudden, the claws came out. People started rumors, flat out lies, horrible horrible things about eachother. Some about me (completely untrue) and some about other students. Its just really stupid and it takes away from the goal, which is to become a nurse.

If it helps any... this morning I had my first day of clinical. I met the two patients that I will be taking care of this week, one of whom was in and out of consciousness (more on the un part) and a total care, and the other who I would not even know needed to be in a nursing home, other than her sitting in the wheelchair. I have to say that everything faded away for me when I went in today. I wasnt scared, or nervous or unsure of myself at all. Classmates were near hyperventilating and all I could think was that this was for me. Suddenly all the classroom drama matters nil, and the long hours of studying and frustration are worth it again. I love nursing school, despite the students... :D and I cannot wait to go back.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICCU - cardiac.

When you have a profession that is dominated by women, you are bound to see an abundance of caddiness. It can truly be astounding sometimes at the rudeness some display but just be glad you aren't like that! Let it be an eye-opener: it won't be much different when you are an RN. I am always listening to a clique of nurses talking derogatory about another nurse who will then walk up and they will chat to her as though they hadn't just been airing her dirty laundry and discounting her professionalism. And I am an nurse extern so what I do know is that I won't be working on that unit when I graduate nor will I partake in the cycle of gossip. And for those who don't get involved, they are also targets/outsiders for attacks. It is surreal! I wouldn't want some of these nurses caring for my dog let alone a loved one. But this is sad truth and that's why you have to leave work at work. I work to live not live to work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

Wait until you get a job and start working. When I became a supervisor I was even more shocked at what I observed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro.

Further into the program you should be able to find some people who feel the same way you do. Usually the people who feel outnumbered keep quiet for the first semester.

I have a group of peers who are "outsiders" like me. And our program is also dominated by women exactly like those you described. Just take pride in the fact that these are people who will never be as competent at nursing as you will be. Theses are the women that get so involved in floor politics that they are absent when it comes to providing care. I see it all the time at my clinical sight.

For the most part, getting through the nursing program is about making it all about you. Don't stress the other students and just work to get through.

Good luck! You'll make it. :yeah:

Erin

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I definitely understand where the original poster is coming from. I am fustrated with some of my classmates too. Things are not as bad in my class as yours. Some of them are really working my nerves though. I can't wait until next semester, where my classes will have a different mix of students.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Quietly observe. You will notice periods of time where all the pinheads wander off together. Staying behind will be a few students keeping to themselves. They are the real adults.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

Yeah nursing school is kitty cat central! Lots of eye rolling and schnitt talkin by adult women. I am just amazed, then again putting all of us women in a room together is a disaster waiting to happen. Why are we so competive and snotty towards other women? I am guilty of it myself, but I often wonder just why I care!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

we SHOULDNT care. we should celebrate eachother's accomplishments. I measure myself by the yardstick of my peers but I don't think that is a bad thing. (if the whole class got an A mine is not as "special" as it would be if half the class failed and I still managed an A yk?) But why be snotty towards ANYBODY? Male/female/whatever??? Why worry about what other people are doing? Its not like you're competing for a job or anything... I just don't understand it?

We should be GOOD to eachother and celebrate eachother, as individuals who are about to embark on a most noble profession... I just dont get the desire to do otherwise. If someone is negative towards you, you're only wasting your time in being/thinking negatively back to them.

People tend to think negatively and be mean spirited towards others when they are too afraid to face their own shortcomings. I feel bad for them. I wish they would understand the value of getting along with those they need to work with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is my opinion and is more of a general view of women more so than just nursing students-- don't assume because someone is "older" that she is "mature" or above being catty and juvenile. From what I have seen in my years, many women never outgrow this and tend to get worse as they get older. Keep to yourself and avoid the trouble makers and hopefully soon you will find a like-minded individual you can chat with. I am sorry you are having to deal with this, but I think in a profession dominated by women that this may be the tip of the iceberg.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I, too, am surprised at the "older" students who still act like they are in high school.

I hope you find a nice group of students to hang with. I felt like an outsider, too, but did manage to find a few nice people...

The rest, well, who cares, really.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion