psychotic teacher??? long...

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I am in my final semester of my ADN program - Adult Health Care III which is basically cardiac and respiratory. Let me start by saying that I have received straight A's throughout my entire nursing program (I'm not saying that to brag just to set the foundation). In fact, there are several students in my class who are straight A students. We currently have 44 students in our class and on our first cardiac test - the ENTIRE class failed the test. Our "teacher" refused to go over the test or review it in any way. She told us to write down any issues we had with any of the questions and she would "consider" them. She refuses to let us tape her lectures (because she constantly gives us incorrect information). The questions she gave us were not in our lecture or in our textbook. We just took our second test today and though we don't have the results yet, the questions were just as off the wall. In fact - it was a 30 question test and 4 of the questions were on the test TWICE!

My question is what to do. Apparantely, other classes who have had her in the past (we also had her for GI but even then she wasn't THIS bad) have gone to the dean of nursing but nothing has been done. I along with many others in my class are much older and cannot afford not to graduate this May. Any recommendations??? thanks!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry.

I feel for you. I had a similar situation with my Foundations teacher, and ended up writing and anonymous letter to the dean. Of, course, nothing was done about it because this teacher is a friend of the dean, but I tried.

I have another situation right now with a new Pysch teacher who gave us a class schedule with the first test in 2 weeks (17 chapters), the second test 2 1/5 months later (only 6 chapters), and "Exam #2" written down on THREE different days, including one we don't have class! We asked her for a new schedule, and she conveniently "forgets" to make a new one up. For three full weeks of classes, I have a half of a page of notes...that's it. She floats from here, to there, topic to topic, and none of it makes sense. She then had the audacity to tell us that the Accelerated program took our same test and actually asked in the middle of it if they had the correct test! That's just wrong! Our class is now in the process of a formal complaint.

The only thing I can suggest is for one or two people to make an appointment with her privately and discuss the issues you have on behalf of the class. Don't be rude or argumentative, though, because then she'll just get defensive. If that doesn't work, you need to make an appointment with the dean, or whoever is next up on the chain of command...maybe an undergraduate director??? I hope something works out...this teacher sounds like she's off her rocker and has no clue what she's talking about. If you managed straight A's through the semester so far, I'm sure you'll figure something out. Good luck with this class! :)

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thanks for your support, it sounds like you are having just as much trouble on your end! We have decided as a class to sign a formal complain and present it to the dean of nursing next week.

I feel for you. I had a similar situation with my Foundations teacher, and ended up writing and anonymous letter to the dean. Of, course, nothing was done about it because this teacher is a friend of the dean, but I tried.
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Specializes in Utilization Management.
thanks for your support, it sounds like you are having just as much trouble on your end! We have decided as a class to sign a formal complain and present it to the dean of nursing next week.

Good idea. Let us know how it works out.

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Specializes in Neuro, NICU.

i suffered through a similar situation last semester. unfortunately, just about everyone in the class went to the director of the program or the dean and not the instructor. i did try to work through the instructor and by the time i needed to bump it up the chain no one wanted to hear about it. basically, the feeling was if we can't advocate for ourselves with our teacher (following the chain of command) then how are we to advocate for our patients with difficult doctors, etc.

the chain exists for a reason (although we may not understand those reasons all of the time). you should start with your instructor - a quiet one-on-one discussion, non-argumentative. if that doesn't work, then you go to the instructors direct supervisor, etc. the group petition should come after all other avenues have been exhausted.

i wish you and your classmates the best of luck! i know how frustrating it can be - especially so close to the end!

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Specializes in LDRP.

Another suggestion-do not write an anonymous letter. If you feel that strongly about it, don't be afraid to put your name on it. Our program head got an anonymous letter and told us she pretty much disregarded it because the person wasn't brave enough to put their own name to it.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry.
Another suggestion-do not write an anonymous letter. If you feel that strongly about it, don't be afraid to put your name on it. Our program head got an anonymous letter and told us she pretty much disregarded it because the person wasn't brave enough to put their own name to it.

Never did think of that...good point. I'm sure that even if my name was on it, still nothing would be done. Classes before me have complained, and all 3 classes after me have complained. Some things never change. :rolleyes:

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