RN teacher failing students to "weed" them out?

[xmissxscarlet09]

Here is the situation that has had nursing students, including myself, very upset over this one teacher. I am a first semester RN student, and along with 35 others and we have many complaints about one teacher. Now I am not out to make a big deal about this person, but I feel that what they are doing is very wrong. First, there have been numerous students and ADVISORS who have said that this teacher is trying to weed out some of the first semester students by making the course extremely difficult to pass. I believe this.

For our competencies (where we perform a task to pass on a dummy), it was using a certain technique. And the lab instructors are the ones who watched us and gave us our grade. Well this teacher, after everyone took the competency, said to us "I am the ONLY person who can determine a final grade, and if I feel that you cannot perform the technique by reading the notes the lab professors put on your paper, I have the power to fail or pass you".

Additionally, this teacher never posts our grades, power points, notes, content guides, or any of the material we NEED until 2 days before there is an exam when numerous students have asked this teacher to post them, and they said they would, but they still do not.

I am getting pretty good grades, but I do not feel confident at all when I am the school. I feel really confident when im in the clinical setting. Our clinical instructor said we need to talk to the Head of Nursing, and we all have. I just feel like that isnt enough and this teacher is going to win against us. I really like our teacher as a person, however when they instruct us, I feel like they are looking down on us and trying to fail us.

I dont know what to do, and Im also worried about my fellow RN students... does anyone think this is right??

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

this isnt about "complaining" about my teacher. if you would read on about the other comments i made, i said that i am getting good grades, im just trying to be an advocate for the other students.

that's really not your role. especially as you are not privy to all of the relevant information regarding each student's academic and clinical performance.

a wise person once told me "you worry about you and that will keep you plenty busy."

[nola1202]

Weeding out in the first semester really is what is happening. You will find a bunch of people gone by the end of your first year. The advice I'd give is study hard, and make sure it isn't you. You aren't alone, all majors have weed out courses. I'm sure you've noticed the information presented isn't that difficult but the sheer volume and pace is what makes it so hard. good luck with your studies and try to focus on yourself rather than the drama around you.

[mazy]

to an addition to what I have posted, I just would like everyone know that I do apologize in the way I may have stated things. Also, that teacher made an announcement today and she made it clear as to what they meant when they changed this rule. What happened was, everyone kept their original grade, and for FUTURE references, the rules will be more clear. I think it was just a big misunderstanding. And I really was not trying to get her back for anything. I was just curious to see if this was happening. In all reality, I really do not believe this teacher is trying to "weed us out". I think that at the time the students and I were just stressed out. But I will always remember to keep my head up and just take the issues as they come along. Thank you everyone for your comments :]

Well, I guess the lesson here is that when you're stressed out your brain can take you to some really crazy places! Just remember that this is your brain on stress....it's a good lesson for real world nursing.