My Preceptor Calls Me Stupid Every Clinical

My Preceptor Calls Me Stupid Every Clinical

From Nursing Podcast by NURSING.com (NRSNG) (NCLEX® Prep for Nurses and Nursing Students) by Jon Haws RN: Nursing Podcast Host, Critical Care Nurse, Nursing School Men

January 21, 2026 · 11 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the difference between constructive criticism and verbal abuse in clinical settings, providing guidance on how to document and report such incidents.

VISIT NURSING.com for help with communication with preceptors: https://nursing.com Being called stupid by your preceptor isn't "tough love" - it's verbal abuse. In this episode, I break down the exact difference between constructive criticism and verbal abuse so you know when to document and report. We'll cover: • The real difference between tough feedback and abuse • What verbal abuse actually looks like in clinical (eye rolls, public humiliation, constant criticism) • How to document every incident (and why this matters) • When and how to report to your clinical instructor • How to request a different preceptor • Why this damages your mental health and what to do about it If your preceptor is making you dread clinical, question your abilities, or avoid asking questions because you're afraid of being humiliated - this episode is for you. Resources mentioned: • Verbal abuse documentation templates: NURSING.com/verbal-abuse • How to report an abusive preceptor guide • Community support for students dealing with toxic preceptors

People in this episode

Host: Jon Haws RN

Topics covered

  • verbal abuse
  • clinical education
  • preceptor relationships
  • mental health
  • constructive criticism

Keywords

  • preceptor
  • verbal abuse
  • clinical
  • documentation
  • mental health
  • constructive criticism
  • reporting

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NURSING.com

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