Clinical Location

bluesky, BSN, RN · May 30, 2004

The request was made in writing to the director and the asst. dean, to no avail. They know the distance as the director even cut me off when I spoke her, stating that she lives in the town adjacent to mine so she knows where I am. They are not budging, as too many students would take my place in a minute so I'm stuck. I just changed programs and had to go through the tension all over again, only to have the same thing happen. I am the only person in the program with two children, working, and am the second-farthest away. I just give up.

All I can tell you is that I went through exactly the same thing and was repeatedly told I was "inflexible" and what about so and so who commuted between coasts or so and so who made it to school despite her complete bilateral amputation? (just kidding but you get the idea). Well, it turned out that the so and so's had a lot of help at home so they didn't have to worry about who was going to take care of their children at 5:00 A.M. in the morning when their husbands were still at work and they had to leave to make the 7:00 A.M. clinical at Children's. :angryfire

To be honest, I lived with my "rep" because I knew in my heart of hearts that I wouldn't make someone else feel bad if they were under duress like that... especially when the program directors favorites always got the placements they wanted... :angryfire Sure I was an angry b***h through all of nursing school, but I graduated anyway and in the end got the placements I needed. I did take away one important lesson from it all about nursing in general, however... most nurses are done with being empathetic after they walk out their patient's door. They don't want to hear about your suffering unless you are their friend and will resent you for sharing otherwise. My conclusion... don't lower my standards for helping others, but don't expect too much from my nursing peers. This is very pessimistic and I'm sure other people have other opinions but there is mine.

It sounds like you are stuck in the same, not so compassionate type of school as I was. Are there people outside of school who can help you manage your other responsibilities? Do you live near Maryland? I'd be more than willing to help you out in any way I can.

Lexi

KristinWW · May 30, 2004

I can understand having the b**** rep but where else is there to turn? If I've been to the Dean's office, what's next, the university's president??? I am completely and utterly baffled by their attitude.

bluesky, BSN, RN · May 30, 2004

I can understand having the b**** rep but where else is there to turn? If I've been to the Dean's office, what's next, the university's president??? I am completely and utterly baffled by their attitude.

You need to make an ally either in student affairs or with someone who schedules the clinicals. Going up the power tree won't help because the dean etc will always side with the instructors (well that was my experience at least).

I found one of the people who scheduled the clinicals and made friends with her, as well as the assistant dean of student affairs. Look for individuals who are sympathetic to your story... they are out there, you just have to find them. Also, do it on the D/L so they don't feel pressured to confront their peers who have trodded upon you. You can also try to bargain with other students who have more preferable assignments... although that never really worked for me...

My school gave us the line that they are not responsible for the students' other obligations, and in a way, in retrospect, I understand how they could adopt that view. They could argue that if this schedule is too demanding for you, you could opt for the less demanding traditional program or go part time.

If you can't find a single ally in the school, you are going to have to find more support among your family and friends to accomodate the repressive schedule. While it stinks to have to bear this extra burden, it still is the best path to the most important goal which is your degree.

KristinWW · May 30, 2004

The scheduler won't work as she is just as bad with the same attitude - already tried that! I never thought of student affairs though. However, the student affairs here is geared for young students and deal with such issues as bigger parking lots - I'm not kidding. But thanks for the advice, I think it's a lost cause.

PCGrad06 · May 30, 2004

Just keep going back they will help you in time to just get rid of you I would think I don't mean this in a bad way. It is just sometimes after you "hound" them long enough they try to help. Best of luck with this and don't give in and never give up.:)