MedicDude

I agree that we shouldn't be telling people who they can and can't be involved with, but you have to draw the line somewhere. Students and their educators have certain obligations: the student, to learn and do the work that is assigned; the educator, to supervise, teach, and be as fair as possible. Sure, if a preceptor and student want to get it on after the course is done, then go for it. But during the course, it just causes problems with perceived fairness and jealousy. Talking about human nature... Jealousy is pretty prevalent too, and I hate to think what might happen if either the preceptor or student got "dumped". It could only end badly. So yeah, dating people you like is great, but not when they're in a position of trust! Though I'm sure it happens all the time unfortunately... I'm not in favour of firing people willy nilly, but people should be warned about this kind of thing...

Hehe no, but I know what college you're talking about. The one I go to is somewhat nearby though...

Hey guys (and girls), I just wanted to get some idea of what you feel is appropriate conduct for students in a paramedic course. Here in Ontario (if you didn't know already) it's a 2 year course taught at a community college, with lots of class and clinical work. The reason I'm asking about conduct is because of certain things I've seen and heard in my program. I've heard about students getting involved with other students-- Ok not the smartest thing, but I don't really have much of a problem with it. There's no power differential there; just two students... What's more disturbing is students getting involved with their clinical supervisors/preceptors. I always maintained a professional relationship with the EMS crews and hospital staff I was placed with. However, I've heard stories of a few (not sure how many exactly; maybe two or three) students who have had "romantic" (I use the term loosely) relations with preceptors/supervisors. They joke about it, and other students gossip about it, but I'm really disturbed by it. We are supposed to be learning about the job and learning skills, not "getting it on"... It creates an environment hostile to learning: how can staff/preceptors be fair, impartial, and do their jobs as teachers if they are banging their students? There's always a conflict of interest in cases like that. I blame the students who do this sort of thing, but I also blame the more senior staff who would even allow themselves to get into this position. I'm just not sure who to talk to about this sort of thing. I feel it is bad for learning, turns students against each other, undermines the effectiveness of preceptorship, and puts our college program in a bad light. After all, if the services got wind of this sort of thing happening, what would they think about the calibre of students from our program? Being able to find services willing to take PCP students is already a problem. This is just going to make it worse. So, what are your thoughts on this? Is my concern justified? And if so, who should I talk to about this?