What do I do after my clinical instructor told me I will never be a good nurse?

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I'm in my 2nd level at a community college. This is my 3rd clinical. I had no problem at all during my first 2 clinicals. The instructors told me I would be an excellent nurse and I always got a 4/4. However, in this clinical my instructor told me otherwise. I had put up a post before asking if I was sensitive in thinking my instructor was not fond of me, when I was putting 110% into my work trying to do my best. However, my instructor pulled me aside and told me I would never be a good nurse. I was just shocked. It was only my 3rd day at her clinical. I have about 8 more days left of clinicals. She told me this at the end of the clinical so when I went into my car, I just cried and cried. I have my nursing care plan due the coming week and I tried so hard, putting in extra things to show that I really want this. I don't know what to do..

Simply put- use it as fuel, and prove her wrong. It's amazing the things you can accomplish in the face of adversity.

I have a previous degree, and was told this in gentler words in my first semester ever in college. I never forgot what she said. By the time I graduated, I was at the top of my class, all the other instructors loved me, and I had essentially made a name for myself in the program for various accomplishments. I kid you not, on the last day of attending college there, I ran into the same teacher and she told me how proud she was of me, and gave me a hug. It was like something out of a movie, but it was most appreciated.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

Did this person give you any reason for this statement or any suggestions for things you can do to improve? If not, that sounds like an unprofessional, unfounded load of garbage and you should try to take it with a grain of salt. Some clinical instructors become drunk with their own power (or perceived power) for some reason, and frankly, some people are just jerks. I completely understand why you are upset; I would have been devastated to hear something like that when I was in school. But, as others have said, try to let it roll off your back and keep working hard and doing what you are supposed to do. One person's opinion won't make or break you. When you are a successful and well-respected nurse, you will look back on this idiot and laugh. Forward motion. :)

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I'm in my 2nd level at a community college. This is my 3rd clinical. I had no problem at all during my first 2 clinicals. The instructors told me I would be an excellent nurse and I always got a 4/4. However, in this clinical my instructor told me otherwise. I had put up a post before asking if I was sensitive in thinking my instructor was not fond of me, when I was putting 110% into my work trying to do my best. However, my instructor pulled me aside and told me I would never be a good nurse. I was just shocked. It was only my 3rd day at her clinical. I have about 8 more days left of clinicals. She told me this at the end of the clinical so when I went into my car, I just cried and cried. I have my nursing care plan due the coming week and I tried so hard, putting in extra things to show that I really want this. I don't know what to do..

Luckily you only have the 8 days left, just remember SHE isn't the gatekeeper to your career as a nurse. Get through her miserable class and don't look back. One thing you should know though is that the likelihood of running into her clone once you graduate and start working as a nurse is pretty high. Learn to shrug off this BS now so you will be prepared later on. Good Luck

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I have my nursing care plan due the coming week and I tried so hard, putting in extra things to show that I really want this. I don't know what to do..

Bolding is mine.

We have no way of knowing if the instructor is off base in her assessment. Regardless, obviously, the delivery was lacking. Based on what you have shared, I will say that I'm inclinded to think that it is more likely that the problem lies with her and not you.

At any rate, remember, how much you want it is not what you should be focused on "showing". It's all about proving that you have everything that it takes to be successful.

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I went to a community college where they were all out to get me. One of them screamed at me and said I would never be a nurse because I got one wrong on the math. Then during OB clinicals I had a young, cheerleader-type instructor on my heels so bad she caused me to have high blood pressure. I ended up in the emergency room and have been on blood pressure meds ever since. She ended up failing me in ob for some stupid paperwork and careplans. I waited almost a year to retake the class, and the second teacher failed me on paperwork also. I found out they were best friends and were on facebook discussing whether to fail me or not. I felt my paperwork was better than most of the students. Found out later they failed all the older students like me. Went there almost 5 yrs. driving 45 minutes a day one way only to have them fail me. Now I am at another school making hot grades. My careplans are flawless (don't mean to brag). The point I am trying to make is why are these teachers allowed to yell at you and fail you. I know it wasn't my work because I am doing very well at this other school. Some of these teachers are down-right dirty. They should be investigated.

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She needs to give you specific reasons for her godlike pronouncement.

Have you been having problems with her? Did something happen recently? Is she the same race as you? Any history of bad blood between you two? Or are there problems between you and anyone she might be taking up for?

Does she maybe have a legitimate reason to hate you?

She needs to tell you now so you have time to correct whatever she thinks you are doing wrong. It should be in writing - her assessment of your shortcomings and what she wants you to do about them.

I would let no grass grow under my feet on this. It sounds like she intends to flunk you. Don't let that happen.

If she does not respond immediately, if she is not specific, if she won't put into writing what the problems are and what she wants you to do to fix them, you need to hightail yourself to her boss (the Dean?) and have a talk with that person. You might need to request a conference with the three of you. If you live close to your parents, maybe one of your parents could be there with you. Your parents will be on your side and will be your witnesses. In lieu of a parent, consider taking a representative of your student organization or a pastor, priest, rabbi, imam, etc., someone who's on your side and can do a little intimidating of that "teacher" just by being there.

I think I'd see the Dean even if she does give you written reasons and repairs, because this teacher needs to know how wrong it is for her to say a thing like this to a student. She needs to learn to find a more positive way to talk to students and learn not to dump her negative assessment on students.

Take this very seriously. This is war and you are in jeopardy. I'd make certain to always have a couple of witnesses when you talk with her, be they staff nurses, doctors, etc. Your fellow students will likely not stand up for you if it means crossing her, so don't expect them to go to bat for you or be supportive of you. They fear for their own wellbeing.

Keep a log of your interactions with her - what she said, what happened, who else was there, your response.

If you cry or give up the ship, she will win.

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I went to a community college where they were all out to get me. One of them screamed at me and said I would never be a nurse because I got one wrong on the math. Then during OB clinicals I had a young, cheerleader-type instructor on my heels so bad she caused me to have high blood pressure. I ended up in the emergency room and have been on blood pressure meds ever since. She ended up failing me in ob for some stupid paperwork and careplans. I waited almost a year to retake the class, and the second teacher failed me on paperwork also. I found out they were best friends and were on facebook discussing whether to fail me or not. I felt my paperwork was better than most of the students. Found out later they failed all the older students like me. Went there almost 5 yrs. driving 45 minutes a day one way only to have them fail me. Now I am at another school making hot grades. My careplans are flawless (don't mean to brag). The point I am trying to make is why are these teachers allowed to yell at you and fail you. I know it wasn't my work because I am doing very well at this other school. Some of these teachers are down-right dirty. They should be investigated.

They were on facebook??????? Did they name you? WTH?

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Specializes in ICU.

I was told that I was too hard-headed by my pediatric clinical instructor, and my rehab clinical instructor 2 different semesters. That was 3 years ago. Now I am a great ICU nurse that starts Anesthesia school in January. Tell her to eat it.

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luckily you only have the 8 days left, just remember she isn't the gatekeeper to your career as a nurse. get through her miserable class and don't look back. one thing you should know though is that the likelihood of running into her clone once you graduate and start working as a nurse is pretty high. learn to shrug off this bs now so you will be prepared later on. good luck

she is the gatekeeper right now. and worrying about her clone showing up in the future won't help op to have a future. so she doesn't need to shrug, she needs to figure out what the troubles are and fix them. now.

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I had one start to wander into the danger zone with me. I happened to have one of the hospital's nurse educators as my patient in my job that I had during school, and after getting a big hug in the hallway from this person, I was then asked by this sociopath of an instructor if I "knew people around here?" I said I sure do, some are my patients.:p

That shut her trap. But I heard many a story of total abusive behavior towards students I had in my class and ones I've since met. Truly a sociopath.

But, alas she moved out of state. So here is a a big "Illinois is sorry for sending that one to you folks in Tennessee"

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Specializes in med surg.

Don,t believe her, I believe people can only make you feel inferior if you let them.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Really??? they word for word said "you Starrys will never make a good nurse...." that seems unlikely. what exactly did they say?

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