Worst/Best thing a nursing instructor ever said to you?

[CryandNurseOn]

What is the worst or best thing a nursing instructor (or preceptor) ever said to you?

My first clinical instructor told me to consider a different career because I cried too easily and wasn't assertive enough.

Ironically a later preceptor (after I teared up at my first delivery) said you were born to do this and you'll make an excellent nurse.

Both pushed me to keep going so I guess both good? Although I still can't stand that first nursing instructor.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Walked in to my interview with the Dean. Didn't have time to give her my packet and letters of reference. She said "Honey, I don't think u have what it takes to be a nurse."

I was broken hearted! Picked myself up and applied at the nursing school about 30 minutes away. Got accepted and started the next quarter.

Fast forward about 10 years - I'm working as a charge nurse on a busy med -surf unit. A new pt comes in - the same dean that didn't think I had what it took.

She kept asking me questions about who my parents were,where I was from, where did I go to nursing school. I told her which nursing school I went to - she asked why I didn't apply to her school. - I finally told her I did try but I was told I didn't have what it took to be a nurse.

Her mouth dropped open - I was finished giving her IV meds and walked out, giving her a smile, asking if she needed anything. Her doc came on rounds - he came out of her room and asked for the charge nurse. I told him that was me - he had this smile on his face and told me his pt wanted a different nurse. He said when she told him that I was an excellent nurse and I had even taken care of him before. I explained - he just laughed and laughed.

The MD that was taking care of her that day had been one of the references I had in my application packet that day.

Anne,RNC

[Nurse_Nancie]

I had an instructor tell me that I was being "inappropriate" for asking too many questions. My intentions were not malicious, but I was only trying to understand the concept. Now, I don't want to ask her anything anymore. I really need her help, but she doesn't take kindly to those who need extra help or does not get it the first time with minimal explanations. Her response is usually "I don't know..." I mean that's her favorite response.

[Kitiger, RN]

I had an instructor who was an older nurse with years of experience; one of her favorite sayings was"There's nothing you can get on your hands that can't be washed off with good old soap and water. It's an insult to your patients to wear gloves into their rooms as if you think they're gonna give you something" (slightly paraphrased) Of course this was early '80s but how far we've come since then!

We were taught that, too, but then came AIDS.