Classmates and schedule VENT-sorry so long

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Hi everyone!

I don’t normally post, but I seriously need to vent today. I am completing my first semester of an evening ADN program that 1) only starts a new program once a year (Spring) and 2) Does not take breaks for summer. In other words, our summer schedule, though a few weeks shorter, has a full course load. Well, 2/3 of the class has decided that the schedule for summer is too strenuous so they all signed a petition to split the course load between summer and fall. The school basically agreed saying that they would offer all of the classes this summer and offer the remaining classes in the fall for those opting to only take half during the summer. The problem with this is that all of our classes have to be taken in sequence, so they would basically push the entire program back a semester. Another problem is that the school requires that there be X number of people to hold a class, so the 1/3 of us that want to take the full load and get finished with school are not enough to create a class, which basically FORCES us to stay back with the others because there will not be enough students to have the remaining classes. My VENT is this: I am in the top of my class and I don’t think I should be punished and be held back a semester because other people don’t think they can handle it! Before now, I always thought that if you couldn’t handle a class, then YOU had to stay behind. NOT the other way around. Am I really being unreasonable? I came into nursing school knowing that this was going to be the hardest thing I have ever done and I thought that the others in my class (some who are my close friends) thought the same. Has anyone else ever had this problem?

bigmona

267 Posts

Specializes in tele, ICU.

I don't think you're being unreasonable. The admitted students know the schedule ahead of time and should have prepared accordingly.

I also think you have every right to voice your opinion to the school and form your own petition like they did. Will pushing back classes a semester affect your tuition? Will you end up having to pay more than you originally thought because of this? If so, that's unfair to you and your other classmates who wanted the coursework to remain the way it was.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Before now, I always thought that if you couldn’t handle a class, then YOU had to stay behind. NOT the other way around.

That makes sense to me.

orrnlori, RN

549 Posts

Wow, I've never seen a school accommodate a student petition. Very strange. Hope you state and win your case.

Specializes in Critical Care, ER.

I am sorry to say that this is probably not the first time that you will experience situations that seem/are completely injust. All I can say is, get used to it girl.

scrubs70

157 Posts

How ridiculous, no you are definitely not being unreasonable. But please somebody tell me, what happens when these nurses start working and get the winter flu rush, Do they ask 2/3 of the patients to go home and come back in the spring when things aren't so hectic???????????????

Stick to your guns and I hope the school sees sense in all this.

Danelle

69 Posts

Thanks for the responses from everyone. We are planning to meet with the faculty to state our case and get an explanation as to why we are being punished for wanting to complete the program as they originally set it up.

While it won't raise my tuition to extend another semester, I am paying out of pocket and have stopped working fulltime to go to school with my DH being main breadwinner, so this will extend our financial crunch for at least 16 more weeks.

bluesky, I know that there are unjust things in this world. I am not a child. But if everyone took the attitude of "get used to it" then who is left to fight for the principles that are just? Sometimes you have to argue your beliefs even if you don't win. :)

I will keep all of you posted. They just made the announcement last night, so I am sure Monday's class will be interesting.

Specializes in Critical Care, ER.

bluesky, I know that there are unjust things in this world. I am not a child. But if everyone took the attitude of "get used to it" then who is left to fight for the principles that are just? .

I've actually done jail time for participating in protests against the death penalty and the war, so I do 100% believe in standing up for your principles. It's just that I was working with that frame of mind when I started nursing school too and wasted alot of my time advocating for myself and others in my class to no avail. Hopefully your school will do the right thing. :)

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