Why do clinical instructors do the things they do??

mattsmom81 · Nov 10, 2002

I don't understand either. Seems like she would choose to influence you by showing a little empathy and leadership rather than belittling you while you are trying to learn. .

Belittling a student in front of a patient or other students in particular I find troubling...this is very unprofessional and abusive...plus it can be traumatic to the patient as well.

Think about documenting this woman's actions...even anonymously...to the powers that be in your school..it needs to be investigated, IMO.

Good luck and try to focus on your good instructors who encouraged you. (I remember I had a bad one myself once and I just hung in there and got through it...altho it was rough)

Ortho_RN · Nov 10, 2002

Well I keep reminding myself of a saying: "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" So I use that to to remind me, you know all she can do is yell (and fail me) :)hehe She has snapped at other students in front of patients to the point of tears... Luckily I haven't been yelled at yet, but I am sure it is coming... Our schools accredidation is coming up and there will be some people talking with us students alone about the program and parts of me wants to say something, but other parts tells me to keep my mouth shut, so I don't make the school look bad...

Aussienurse2 · Nov 11, 2002

Those than can, do. Those that can't, teach. She probably gets a boost to her ego so don't begrudge her this, just be smug in the knowledge that you'll be out of there and she'll still be there, teaching.

nightingale, RN · Nov 11, 2002

I am sorry this is happening to you. We had teachers like that in school. Crazy people with egos that needed inflating by someones elses suffering.

We hung our heads low and got the #$%* out of there as best we could. Yes, it allows the problem to continue etc. We did tell those in authority and let me handle the rest. Last time I checked, "they" were still there doing the SOS...

Just get through it. Learn to not do that to others...

Let us know how we can help.

oramar · Nov 11, 2002

This is not proper behavior. There are too many controlling people in nursing education and otherwise. Nursing need people with love in their hearts not control. Thank goodness most instructors are not like this.

shay · Nov 11, 2002

Wow, if I had a dollar for every time I heard about an evil instructor....well, you know the rest. No, her behavior is neither justifiable nor professional, and yes you can complain but unfortunately I doubt it will change much.

You have a good attitude, though. :) Hang in there, sweetie. You'll survive.

mario_ragucci · Nov 12, 2002

Mean clinical instructors may not be pleasant, but prejudice and sexist and snotty ones are the worst. Especially if they choose to work on their own interpersonal communication skills on you instead of being a clinical instructor.

"The path of the rightous nursing student is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish, and the tyranny of evil women. Blessed is she who, in the name of charity and good will, instructs nursing student to the best of her abilities, for she is truely my sisters keeper at the foundation of nursing studies. And I will strike down upon wrong clinical instructors with great vengence and furious anger, those that attempt to harm and hinder my fellow nursing students. And you will know, my name is MARIO, when I lay my science down on YOU.

Mario 25:17

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 12, 2002

You are paying that instructor to perform a service for you- and that is to teach you enough to pass the boards and be an excellent nurse. It is within your rights to make a complaint about her unprofessional behavior- you're not paying her to verbally abuse you. Otherwise, you would have joined the military. And I agree with Mattsmom about jumping your butt in front of the patients- it makes your instructor, your school, and the facility look bad. As patient advocates, I would think that the staff there would not want their sick patients to have to witness this behavior.

mario_ragucci · Nov 12, 2002

well said lgflaminin

I just realized that an incident occured where nursing student shot instructors, and feeel maybe I shouldn't kid about words some may take too serious.

For the record, I told my clinical instructor once during a verbal attack that i loved her for polishing me because it shows she cares. I sensed she need love. And not everyone is gonna correctly assess everyone else, and it depends on your circulation amongst other people to develop people skills. I can think of better things to discuss than clinical instructor who fall short of all expectations. It's easy!

Nothing you can know that isn't known

Nothing you can see that isn't shown

Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

It's easy

All you need is love

Love, love is all you need

melissa24 · Nov 12, 2002

I had one also...She didn't pick on everyone, only a chosen few, and I was one of her chosen ones.

At first it intimidated me, then I realized she must have some psych issues that cause her to belittle others publicly in order to make herself feel better. I got through it one clinical day at a time, but I dreaded clinicals also.

By the time I got to my junior and senior years, I had had other clinicals with other instructors, and further realized it was about her and not me. I even got the courage to stand up to her when I thought she was in the wrong...the things she did made me that angry ...and nobody else would stand up to her.

CMERN · Nov 12, 2002

Mario You crack me Up!!!---Had clinincal instructor once who yelled,even grabbed a nursing student violently... um she went on "probation" was never fired. I detest that woman. I agree that "fear factor" teaching is prehistoric to say the least..But believe me each of us that graduated came out with steel determination if nothing else.