Wronged by Clinical Instructor needing some closure.....

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I took my first semester in Nursing and like most was super excited. I do not want to make this super lengthy so I will cut to the chase. I was belittled and humiliated during my whole clinical experience. This is not just my opinion, for my whole clinical group went to see our classroom teacher (1st step up in the chain of command) about how this clinical instructor treated us and they all made it a point to point out how she really focused on me. I also went to the classroom teacher by myself a handful of times to tell her the experiences I was having and that I wanted to be in a different clinical because I had a feeling she was going to fail me. I saw the director of a program at one point as well so she would know how I was being treated, in tears I might add.

On the last day of clinical I was worried because I was told she did not know if she could pass me because of my care plans. She told me she would sit down with my classroom teacher to get her opinion then I would know. This was a week before classes were over. I immediately went to said teacher to let her know Everything that was written in my evaluation and that she would be coming to see her. My classroom teacher assured me that everything was fine and if I was in jeopardy of failing she would have known long ago and not to worry so much.

I took my hesi on the last day of school and made an 85% (woot woot). I found out a week later that I failed from the classroom teacher even though she had not seen any care plans herself. I filed a grievance but, the clinical teacher had already left for vacation (to france) and would not be back till next semester. I spoke with the clinical teacher and the director of nursing in the beginning of the next school year (took the semester off because I am pregnant and am having a scheduled c section on 4-20-10).

I looked at my final evaluation and noticed that the clinical instructor had written 5 more things in it after I had signed. I told the director but either she did not believe me or just did not care. The director said she would give my care plans to the classroom teacher to grade. I am still awaiting that response and it has been 4 months. I had no idea that my care plans were in bad shape because the clinical instructor did not tell me nor give me guidance on how to fix them.

I only got to keep my first CP and did a 2nd that she kept, then told me to do one more a week before the last day of clinical which is when I needed to turn it in. I was the last to be seen on our final day and she then went over line for line my last 2 CPs. She never wrote on my mid term that my CP was bad and in the beginning of the year made me promise in front of our clinical group not to ask another question about how to do the CPs. Very humiliating. I had a fellow student write her observations and another wrote how I was in clinical (knowledgeable, prepared, etc..) The director said she did not care about that.......I am now trying to talk to the dean because of the unethicalness (if that is a word) about the whole situation. Should I get a lawyer? This clinical instructor has done this in the past, only told the classroom teacher knew before class was over and the students passed. one person it happened too, was behind me 100% but was then told she and I were using slander and should not be trying to help (by classroom teacher). This time the clinical instructor waited until classes ended and left the country.

What the heck is the best plan of action?? By the way I would have made a 'B' and thats while pregnant and raising a 3 yr old. It totally bites to have this be my first 'F' and it not be just not to mention that she might be able to do this again. This instructor has had numerous complaints from all the classes she has taught and has done remediation with students because of her actions and yet because of a teach shortage can still teach? Let me know what you all think......so for it being lengthy but there is soooo much.

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Do not waste money on an attorney at this point. All that you will be advised to do is to utilize your school's grievance process. As I stated in your other thread, seek the help of your school's student grievance committee.

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I have and left a message this week because I have been waiting so long. I have wanted to speak with the Dean for some time but, got scared because she asked me if I was sure I wanted to meet with her before getting a response. Now that I am literally 4 days away from my c section I want some closure. I dont believe it is fair or 'right' that she can get away with being a 'bully' and teaching us wrong and so on. I just feel so hopeless that I am sooo smart and did great with my patients and yet can fail because a teacher did not like my personality. Im guessing and have already prepared myself that I will be repeating my first semester but, mainly want to make it known for other future students this may happen to.

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Repeating first semester is better than getting the boot altogether, but it leaves you with no leeway for the future. If in fact, your care planning, or any other aspect of your performance is subpar, you need to get yourself together and seek help. Correct your shortcomings before it is too late. My school had an instructor who served as the "retention counselor". She met with those who had failed as well as those who were in danger of failing, and intervened to do everything possible to see that they passed. If your nursing school has such a resource person, you need to see her/him ASAP. Good luck.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

If the school is a bad as you describe ... I wouldn't invest any more in it. I would be looking for other educational options. But maybe I would contact a lawyer and try to get some statment or change of grade on your academic record so that this "failure" doesn't folow you for the rest of your life.

If you return to this school as a student, you can expect to be treated badly again -- and that is something I would not choose to do.

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Specializes in Community Health.

Your clinical instructor sounds EXACTLY like one I had who did pretty much the same thing, except she passed me (with a 70, which was only passing in the first mod, so on my transcript it looks like I failed)

I ended up being discharged from school my 2nd semester over a complete BS reason, due in large part to the viscious rumors this same CI had spread about me. I filed a greivence, and took it up the chain of command. The administration did pretty much the same thing-wouldn't return my calls, dragged their feet, told me there was nothing that could be done, etc. So when I had exhausted all those options, I filed a formal complaint with the corporate office-within 24 hours I was granted a hearing, and they ruled in my favor and allowed me to rejoin my class. A couple months later, the CI was fired for misconduct (not just with me but with other students)

I would NOT take the semester over, and I wouldn't leave the school either. It sounds like the instructor was dead wrong and I applaud you for recognizing that if this gets swept under the rug it can and will happen to other students. :yeah:

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Specializes in Community Health.

Oh and to add to that...its the OP's first semester and she failed clinical because of careplans? How many people are care-plan proficient their first semester? I looked at one of my first CP's the other day-my NANDA was "impaired skin integrity r/t impaired integrity of the skin" :nuke:

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Thank you, a peer who is now the president of the Nurses Association is the one who was backing me and wanted me to go to the top because she was afraid to do something. She is the one who has backed down because of the threat that she is slandering the CI. I did just talk with the assistant dean and I feel like she was actually listening to me unlike with the director. The AD however did tell me she would not be able to change my grade that only the classroom teacher could do that. I told her I am still waiting and Im sure I failed since I was not given guidance nor was told on my mid term eval. She was schocked but, who knows maybe I didn't fail?? And if I didn't well than.......I think I should make a bigger stink out of this because this is just wrong lol Im litterally having my 2nd baby in 4 days and Im still waiting.......at least I talked to the AD :)

Thank you Matties I think you know what my goal is even though I might have to take it over:nurse:

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You can take it as far as you like but retalliation is REAL. Instructors are people with attitudes/psych disorders/jobs to keep etc.. and no school is going to screw over an instructor for one student. Sad but true. I would consider transferring if possible. I had an instructor say that she didn't think "my kind" belonged in nursing school. I thought of 100 things I could have said/done. I kept my head down for the rest of the semester and because she was class instructor and not clinical I scored so high on all tests that she could not fail me. When summer came and she was off I pulled off a major transfer to another school behind her back and moved on. I graduated top of my class at the new school and have never regretted it. School is not about battles/wars its about finishing and enjoying life as a nurse. Just my 2 cents . Hang in there :)

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I know this post was a long time but had to comment. I presently in the same position with a clinical instructor. I just withdraw from my program one hour ago. The first day I went on the Medsurg floor the clinical instructor did not even help us . We basically had to learn everything on our own. She gave me a failing grade for my mid semester exam. Half the time she is on a computer in a room sitting down . Whenever u asked her for help with something u don't understand, her body language shows that she does not want to be there. I think that she is only doing it as a side job , she is not interesting in the students welfare. She is disrespectful and believes that you should know everything . Hello, If I knew everything I do not need to go to clinical . I sincerely regret coming to this school and is hoping to transfer to another. I believe that if I complain, they would find some excuse to hurt me in some way . So I am hoping to transfer.

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OH MY GOSH! Exact same thing just happened to me!!!! Exactly! I went through the grievance process and.....almost worked but..i will be retaking the class next quarter. But keep your head up. I'm not stopping!

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File a grievance with your Dean of Student Affairs (or Dean of Students). Make copies of supporting documents when you submit them. Once it crosses the chairperson's desk, they will be pretty much FORCED to speak with you, regardless of who's on vacation or who spread what rumor. That'll get 'em, but it won't guarantee re-admittance into the program.

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