What to do when you think you ****** off the instructor?

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 6, 2008

E-mail is NOT the best way to communicate a problem or concern, that is for sure.

It is hard to detect one's tone or sincerity when reading it, especially when it involves personal criticism and/or constructive feedback.

I would arrange a face to face meeting with her to restate your concerns. And I would certainly apologize, because it seems as though some you "said" in your e-mail did not make her happy and may (or may not have) been misconstrued by her

And move on from there. You have enough to worry about in nursing school, without one more thing on your plate. In the future, I would advise face to face meetings/appointment with an instructor for matters such as these. Trust me, I'm stating that from experience :rolleyes:

Best,

Diane

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2008

Hmmm..you wrote a email to tell her that she was teaching in a way that didn't help her students? I'd be ticked off too! She is the instructor. Just because she asked previously for the feedback, doesn't mean that she wanted it....face-to-face is always better.

I would personally apoligize to her....and refrain from trying to offer anymore suggestions about her teaching style.

Even though you get three attempts, the health assessment test out often has to be passed before you can go to clinicals...and often has a date on it. If you only have one more lab class, then you HAVE to pass it that day...cause there are no more labs.

GL though!

sunnysideup09 · Oct 7, 2008

Each instructor is different and while she may have asked for feedback in the past, it definitely was not the right move to change how the class is taught. Teaching is not an easy thing and instructors spend hours developing the curriculum and how to each it. Sometimes depending on the dynamics of the class, it blows up in their face and they feel just as badly when students fail.

I personally would set a time to meet with the instructor face to face and when you do, apologize. They are the expert, you are the student. If you're going to offer constructive criticism, then it should be from a consensus of the entire class and not in email. Don't be speaking for everyone in the class, especially if you don't know if everyone feels that way or not.

Regarding your heath assessment check off, if your school does not have a policy about rescheduling, there's probably not much you can do. What do you mean by work with you about scheduling your lab test out? Are you trying to do it on a different day? Schools of nursing don't HAVE to work with YOUR schedule...you should work with the school's schedule. Good luck! I'm sure you will do fine on your assessment!

goodstudentnowRN · Oct 7, 2008

I am in awe at the way these Instructors relate to students. She asked for the feedback and you were honest enough to tell her what would make the class be more successful as a student. She should have respected you honesty and move on from there. It does not mean that she has to do what you suggested. This instructor really likes the attention and she yearns to be validated. I would go to her and apologize since this is what makes her feel important and from then on just do my work and concentrate on passing the class. I had an instructor like her and the first time she yelled at me was the last because I did not ask another question in the class neither do I entertain her petty talks. Whenever she gives me my patients I to my patients' room and do what I have to do. Now she tries to be very nice to me because she realize that I do not indulge in pettiness.

I wish you all the luck my dear and God will see you through. Her blessings will stop pouring on her the day she tries to fail you. Keep the faith. God is always for us.

intensity_too · Oct 7, 2008

I realize what I did was stupid. I tend to have a big mouth and lots of ideas, and I can't say this is the first time it's gotten me in trouble.

I just worry now that the instructor is going to use this grudge against me and not pass me on my health assessment this Saturday.

She has always been easy to work with up until this time, and I feel she is acting the way she is because of what I said.

I'll schedule time to go in and see her to apologize in person, and hope for the best from there.

Training2bRN · Oct 7, 2008

i lie low, and say very little to the instructors. i certainly would not critisize them, even if they are disorganized and drive me crazy.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2008

I feel for you. I can walk into a class and see how I would make things better, but then I realize that this instructor has been teaching and I haven't. Chances are she has tried many of the things I would suggest. I keep the mantra of 'lay low and just get through it'. We have an opportunity to give feedback at the end of the class (probably doesn't go anywhere). Many of us will complain to another instructor about the teachings of x colleague and that works wonders. If you have a friendly instructor and enough students complain, they may bring it up during one of their staffing meetings. We have a couple of instructors that will go to bat for us and things have changed. Not always for our class, but for incoming classes it has helped. I'm fine knowing that things are changing at least for incoming students.

Good luck and just try to get through it and ask for no accomodations. Try to lay low. Just my :twocents: