I have the same problem. I got sick and tired of being abused for trying to help people (I was a high school principal). I had been around medicine before and thought that nursing would be a good way to make a difference in the world. I too am supporting my family (2 kids and a wife). One instructor last semester disliked me from day one...why I do not know. She actually made some nasty comments about me. I thought they were just to my face. Now I find out she put them in writing as another woman is after my hide...I have 80 and 90 % in all of my science and humanities courses. My marks are much lower in the nursing ones. It is irritating because I already have a BA. a B.Sc. and a Masters degree. I am trying to be accomodating Heck I'd lick their boots if I had to (you just gotta do what ya gotta do so you can get out there and do something meaningful). I have even shown female class members how to do the work in our clinical setting (quietly and only at their request). But somehow I'm the loser. I just don't get it.