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..

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.

i agree with kooky.

her cruel comment to you, is indicative of her ability to fail you, so this really does need to be taken seriously.

ask her to put her concerns with you, down on paper.

whether you agree with her (concerns) or not, you want everything in writing if possible.

in addition, i would still make an appt to talk with the dean.

in the meantime and as others have suggested, just prove her wrong.

i had an instructor such as yours, who told me the same thing.

but instead of being hurt, i got incredibly ticked off, "how dare she!" and continued giving my personal best.

i also shared my concerns with dean, in event that this instructor tried to hang me...

at least it was noted that i sensed instructor had personal vendetta against me.

continue doing what you're doing, as it sounds you are truly liked and respected.

do not give her any power over you, but still cover all bases.

keep it going, op...and show 'em what you're made of.

it's your time to shine.:balloons:

leslie

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"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"-Eleanor Roosevelt.

Don't EVER let anyone tell you that you cannot do what you've have set your heart on. If being a nurse is what you want to do, you will face a lot of obstacles and your clinical instructors opinion is only the first thing to get in your way. Chase your dreams and to hell with what anyone else has to say about it.

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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..

Just keep going....

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A friend of mine was told she would never make it when she decided to apply for the nursing tract at her school. She showed them and not only made but graduated with honors, let me tell that instructor must have had egg on her face. Chin up and ignore that clinical instructor you know in your heart you have what it takes to be a nurse.

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

I had a clinical instructor who told me the same thing, she just had it out for me. Years later, after another of her clinical groups raved about me to her, (I took the time to teach them and show them advanced clinical skills) she came to me and said "You've become a great nurse, my students love you..." then she offered me a job!!

Keep your chin up, be respectful, work hard and believe in yourself. You can be successful at anything you put your mind to!

Blessings.

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Specializes in MED/SURG STROKE UNIT, LTC SUPER., IMU.

I had the same thing. Yes, the clinical instructor told me that "You will never be a good nurse." I was promoted to evening nursing supervisor in my first job and they are talking about charge nurse in my second job. Just try to figure out what it is that she objects to and overcome it.

I still to this day do not know what that instructor objected to with me, but obviously others do not see it. This too shall pass and so will you if you keep going and learning all that you can everyday!

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
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.

All of that, absolutely,

and in addition to that:

make copies of everything written under this instructor. Date them carefully (with date and time) and keep them at home. Try to do it as inobtrusively as possible, so that others do not tell your instructor. Follow HIPPAA rules very carefully while doing so (obliterate all information which might help one to identify the client).

contact all your previous instructors you felt comfortable with AND who already gave you good scores and ask about a good letter. Only do not tell why do you need it.

absolutely, meet with the person next in chain of command in your school ASAP. If you cannot figure out who that might be, go to whoever you're feeling comfortable with. Tell the story and ask for directions. You probably will be sent to Dean's office.From that moment on, DO NOT go to any meeting, with your instructor or without her, alone. Someone from your family may be helpful - as a moral support for you now and as a witness later on. A lawyer will be even better;)

absolutely, try your best, but just keep in mind that sometimes (and it is quite a lot of "sometimes") you just cannot change the situation. If you feel like hitting the wall, ask your Dean about immediate transfer to another clinical group.

write your instructor an extremely polite letter asking her to elucidate, in clear English, your problems and deficiencies and provide a plan for remediation. Keep a copy for yourself. Do not mention the "episode". If she doesn't do it, then you'll have to speak with your Dean ASAP.

read your school's grievance policies and rules. You have to know your rights and your options better than they know them.

do not be afraid of lawyers. If you happen to live in or near of a large city, check local school of law. They may have "law clinics" for students; services there are either very cheap or free, and what is better, these guys will either give you a good referral or will do the good job (that's their scores). If your instructor won't be able, or wish, to give you the aforementioned paper about your deficiencies, then what she did can be named "slander", with all the sequela. Be careful with race/age/gender cards, though (it is just way too common nowadays).

if you feel any physical symptoms of stress, go to your doctor, tell him the story short and ask for evaluation. If he finds elevated BP, or insomnia, or weight gain/loss, or symptoms of depression, ask for treatment and documented evaluation where it is clearly stated that this condition could be caused by recent severe stress. It can be really useful later on.

your goal now is not only to do your bestest of the best, but to show your clinical instructor that you're not going to lie down helpless and harmless and let her enjoy her power over you. Letting such a person know early that you're prepared for serious battle for your future is the most important thing you're able to do now.

be strong. be brave. YOU'RE NOT ALONE:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

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Specializes in Critical Care.

That is her opinion! You have others that have given you totally the opposite and positive feedback. It is unfortunate that the instructor did this to you, making you doubt yourself. I think this is a personality conflict between you that you are not aware of. This instructor may be one that picks on certain people to harass.

Do your best and if you feel things are not improving and she is harming your grade speak up to your college about getting a different preceptor. Unfortunately these situations occur where someone may not like you or has a habit of bullying.

I would speak up and defend yourself and ask specifically what is her reason for saying that to you. What does she think you are doing wrong exactly. Also let her know that several other clinical instructors have given you glowing marks.

If she has valid criticisms, admit yes I'm weak on that, thank you for pointing it out, but let her know you plan to prove her wrong and that you are going to be a great nurse!

She has no business being an instructor because she is psyching you out and causing you great mental anguish in a difficult enough time already. Some nurses can be battle axes and you may have just met one! An instructor is supposed to give "constructive" feedback and there was nothing constructive, only destructive in her comments.

Good luck to you and don't let her get you down. Just keep on doing your absolute best to prove her wrong!

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I'm sorry to hear of the unkind remarks your clinical instructor made to you :-( No one should play games like this. Know that every time you allow an unkind word get to you, you allowed that person to take a piece of you! Be strong, know that you will excel because you want it that bad and remember, many of these teachers play these games to test you and prepare you for the real world of nursing. It is not nice, not necessary and down right cruel, but it is reality. Someday, you may have a charge nurse or Dr. that treats you this way. You know what? you will be ready for it because you stayed strong. Keep your head high only 8 days to go :-)

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I'd like to suggest to everyone here who has had bad clinical experiences to try getting a job as an aide. If you are beloved as an aide the clinical instructor or anyone else for that matter is near powerless in their rhetoric. I think we have all had a bad clinical experience, maybe even two, where the instructor seemed to expect us to actually understand, having done something exactly twice before, how to do it professionally without their direct hands on attention. Some people just have to repeat a process a dozen or so times before it begins to click. You will get there. As for now, it is the ability to work with people that is critical. Working as an aide greatly boosted my confidence in that regard.

Additionally, I agree with a couple other posters. Do take what she says seriously, as if you don't approach it in a humble "I will try harder and do what you tell me" submissive way she may find a reason to get rid of you - for whatever reason she has, legit or not.

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Ask her if she's ever heard the saying "those who can't do, teach". I've had one decent nursing instructor out of 10 so far. There's major shortage of good RN instructors. It's a tough job (if you do it right) and the pay is minimal. Mine have been incompetent and its unsafe that they are in charge of teaching people. It's like my current instructor has never been a bedside nurse before. She flipped out on a code and I had to take control of the situation because she was so flustered. Ever since then, she treats me like crap. Tells me to shut up, doesn't help me when I do poorly on a test. I swear she's doing it on purpose because she's so insecure about her own shortcomings.

Anyway, my advice is to brush it off. We're going to encounter nurses like that all the time. Keep doing you and let her worry about her. I know its easier said than done because she's sorta in charge of your grade, but you can do it. Just try your best to listen to what she wants and next time she says something like that to you (which by the way is totally ridiculous. I mean, she's not gawd...how does she know what kind of nurse you're going to be?!?!) , stand up for yourself and tell her that you KNOW you're going to be a good nurse and ask her why she's saying that. Maybe there's something minor that you can work on.

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Specializes in ICU, Public Health.
Well, my friend, you are in good company. As you can see almost all of us have had a teacher that for whatever reason decided they could be mean for fun and sport. I had a clinical instructor in my last semester of associate degree nursing that told a whole elevator full of people that I was to stupid to be a nurse because I accidently hit the 3rd floor button instead of the 1st floor button. Of course she said many other rude, mean things to me too. Just wanted to give you the perfect example. Also, I wasn't too worried because I had previously graduated from an PT program with a 4.0 GPA. Of course she hurt my feelings and made me feel bad, for a little while but I talked myself out of it.

Flash forward 8 years and I am now a traveling ER/ICU nurse who has worked at multiple level 1 trauma centers all over the country. Currently working staff ICU near my home.

There are mean people everywhere who feel insecure and try to build themselves up by cutting down others. If I were you I would not talk to anyone about it. I would simply put her out of my mind and get on with my life.

Also want to say that I know a couple of other nurses who were put down by their instructors and went on to be outstanding nurses.

I will say that although I hated this teacher I listened to her carefully in classes and 2 of the most important things I have learned as a nurse I learned from her. Everyone has something to teach us. Be open, but don't take any crap.

What were the two most important things?

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