A friend enrolls in your class, what now?

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Mar 4, 2009

I have had experiences with friends from my earlier staff nursing days being in my class or clinical. A few were very awkward, if not downright distressful (especially when the student failed). Most were positive experiences. I tried very hard to treat my acquaintances as everyone else - no favoritism.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 5, 2009

I almost had that happen to me this semester. Like you, JBudd, I work full time at a hospital and just teach 1 class per semester. A colleague of mine was going to take my class this semester, but changed her mind at the last minute due to unrelated personal things in her life.

Before she dropped out, I offered her the opportunity to have her work graded by someone else. My plan was to inform the undergraduate program director of the situation and arrange for another faculty member to serve as a back-up grader for me if there was any question about my friend's grade. Because this particular course has only written tests and group projects, the use of the back-up grader might not have been necessary. But if the course had required individual papers to be graded, I would have graded my friend's paper, then have a colleague read it and confirm that my grade was appropriate.

My feeling about those types of things is that an ounce of prevention is worth the investment.

Good luck!

allnurses Guide · Mar 7, 2009

The problem with doing that in this class, is that the lab work sheets on assessments are done every week. It has to be somewhat subjective as to the quality of the history obtained and how well the descriptions of the assessments are done. I have wildly varying skills levels being turned in now. I grade papers over the weekend, when the school is closed, so I really don't have access to someone else to grade the lab sheets. Quizzes and tests are all scantroned, so that isn't a problem.

But, I do have really good support from the full time faculty, who mentored me through learning to teach clinicals and for my master's field work. I can ask for help if I need it, its just the timing that would be a hassle.

Thanks, I hadn't thought of having someone else grade things!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 7, 2009

You're welcome. I would definitely recommend talking with your boss about this situation and asking for someone to "back up" your grading. You need to protect both the student and yourself from any doubts about the grade -- and a colleague should be willing to help out. Also, the student should be willing to tolerate a little inconvenience if necessary (e.g. a grade given late) to assure that the grading process was fair.

Good luck!

BigBadInstructor · Mar 9, 2009

I had this same problem but in reverse. I had my son's "girlfriend" admitted into the nursing school where I worked as professor. Now my son and his "girlfriend" were both married at the time, just not to each other. We live in a very small town, and this was noticed by one and all, especially since he worked at the college where the school of nursing is located. And my much beloved daughter-in-law, and 18 month old grandson were devestated. Anyway, I was truly panicked on how I would work with this woman. In class would be no problem since the course was graded by exams and quizzes, but I was truly panicked about the subjective grading in clinical. Luckily, the Director of the program, and the other faculty were wonderful, and arranged for me not to have this woman in clinical. And best of all, prior to the "girlfriend" entering the nursing program, she and my son moved to another state. So I really dodged the bullet on that one. But since this is a small town, and everyone knows everyone else, or went to school with them, work with them or their relatives, or are related to them, it's not unusual for a friend or acquaintance to enter our program. The faculty work closely with one another and talk out their problems, and make sure that every student is treated fairly. The faculty is not above calling out another faculty if it seems that one student is being treated differently. And remember, students talk, and they will notice if one student is being treated differently than another. Just treat them the same, what you would do for one, do for all. Good luck

caliotter3 · Mar 9, 2009

If all of your students can contact you by email, or phone, or before class for extra help, then do the same for her. No more, no less. If she asks for more than this, then tell her you have to be fair to the others and she needs to follow the same rules. Hopefully, your friend would not place you in an awkward position.

AOx1 · Mar 13, 2009

If you feel comfortable enough, you might just talk to this person and say "Jane, I just wanted to let you know that while you are in school, I will need to limit my contact with you to the hours of clinical/classroom/etc. I've always enjoyed seeing you in church, but don't want to give any impression of favoritism. "

This way she won't be hurt, and will realize (if she doesn't already) that while you will be friendly, you aren't her friend (til she graduates, at least!).

Been there, done that, and it was a bit awkward at first, but went smoothly from then on.

allnurses Guide · Mar 15, 2009

We've all gone out to lunch together after church, I would hate to have to give that up. But if she gets in, its the accelerated course for 8 weeks, I can last that long :chuckle

allnurses Guide · Aug 15, 2009

Well, the semester went very well. My friend did really well, but so did the entire group. I found I didn't have any problems with grading her paperwork (since I just look at the answers most of the time, and the names only when listing them in the grade chart).

Had another instructor do her final check off, and she scored the highest grade in the class! Its a standard check off list, so differences in the person doing the grading isn't very significant. Besides, the other instructor is the one who taught me how to do it!

So thanks all for the advice!

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 15, 2009

I'm happy to read that there were no big problems -- and that your friend did so well. Now you have some good ideas about things you might do if something like that happens again.

Sunflower3 · Aug 16, 2009

llg,

This is sage advice~thanks so much! By the way, could you recommend a book about classroom management techniques?

Sunflower3

:)