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.

[logank622]

My clinical instructor once told me "there's no room in nursing for men." That was thirty years ago so quite possibly she's dead now. I sometimes wonder that if upon her demise there was room for her in hell.

I bet she's the same one screaming down the hall for a male nurse to come help her lift an obese patient, change a bed, or handle an aggressive sundowner. I know most nurses can and do handle these things on their own, but I learned a long time ago that as a male nurse, there's an unwritten expectation that I have to be available for heavy lifting when certain people don't want to... oops... I mean, "can't" do it themselves.

[Farawyn]

This possibly qualifies as both the best and the worst:

Retired spinster Army nurse/ director of our LPN school in 1977 (after dismissing the two male student from the room and closing the door): "Never, and I do mean NEVER wear your uniform anywhere but straight home. Men are aroused by white stockings and you could get raped."

I damned near bit through my tongue to keep from laughing- as those mid-calf dresses and grey pinafores made every jack last one of us look like a walking potato.

You've said this one before. I LOVE IT!!!

Those old Army nurses were something else.

[Farawyn]

I bet she's the same one screaming down the hall for a male nurse to come help her lift an obese patient, change a bed, or handle an aggressive sundowner. I know most nurses can and do handle these things on their own, but I learned a long time ago that as a male nurse, there's an unwritten expectation that I have to be available for heavy lifting when certain people don't want to... oops... I mean, "can't" do it themselves.

What.A.Guy.

[BSN16]

My clinical instructor once told me "there's no room in nursing for men." That was thirty years ago so quite possibly she's dead now. I sometimes wonder that if upon her demise there was room for her in hell.

My boyfriend and I went to nursing school together and once during our ICU rotation he was assigned a intubated female 20-something pt (along with the primary nurse) and the charge nurse came up to our clinical instructor and demand his assignment be changed because it was "inappropriate" that he care for her. I'd like to say things have changed, but some people still have their bias.

[JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN]

The best thing that comes to mind is my very first clinical instructor told us "Nobody ever died because their nurse stopped for ten seconds to breathe. You'll better serve your patients if you allow time to compose yourself and think clearly."

[Sydryth, ASN, RN]

You PASSED!

[StarBrownRN]

"You are wasting your time here. You need to go to Law School."

[CryandNurseOn]

Worst: Same instructor told me I should reconsider nursing because I was too sensitive (I was a crier in nursing school, like every single day LOL). I ended up working in oncology, palliative care, critical care/trauma. Go figure.

It's funny how being sensitive is seen a bad thing. It took me years to realize it makes me a great nurse! I pick up on things. I've worked Peds, NICU, L and D and Emerg. Emerg was a bit too much for me I cried almost every night on the way home. I've loved everywhere else, though. I've thought about trying Palliate but worry that I couldn't handle it.

[CryandNurseOn]

The best thing that comes to mind is my very first clinical instructor told us "Nobody ever died because their nurse stopped for ten seconds to breathe. You'll better serve your patients if you allow time to compose yourself and think clearly."

I like that. I need to practise it more.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

Let me see... Things said by instructors of mine...

Worst: You're dismissed from the program.

Best: You have been an inspiration to us all, and we unanimously present you this award... (That included the instructor that failed me out of the program.)

That particular award was a new creation, so for me to be the first recipient was extra special.

[madricka, BSN, RN]

It's funny how being sensitive is seen a bad thing. It took me years to realize it makes me a great nurse! I pick up on things. I've worked Peds, NICU, L and D and Emerg. Emerg was a bit too much for me I cried almost every night on the way home. I've loved everywhere else, though. I've thought about trying Palliate but worry that I couldn't handle it.

I agree that it does make you a great nurse! Crying at/after work does happen, but I've always managed to do it privately. The odd time I have cried with a family when their loved one passed (not dramatically or anything, but you know... it's sad). I loved palliative care -- I always looked at it as an opportunity to help someone have a better death (for them & their families/friends). Sounds weird but it's really in the little things you can offer them outside the "clean & comfortable" standard care. You do bond with them more and it is hard to say goodbye, but there is an enormous amount of satisfaction knowing that you made it less scary for them, provided a judgment-free source of trust and confidence, anticipated their needs, and showed respect for their final decisions. It's not for everyone but I think the more sensitive nurses provided the best care (I still keep in touch with them). I have very fond memories of my time working in that area.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

One of my clinical instructors told me I should go to lunch because she, "didn't want to look at me". This was after I had to stumble out of a c-section because I was about to pass out. I did NOT like OB, at all.