Am I out of line?

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I'm not sure how I'm going to come off asking my professor this.... I had an awful weekend, my father has an on going health problem that took another turn for the worse and he was in the hospital all weekend. I haven't been able to sleep or eat much I've been so worried about him. So I asked her if there was any chance I could extend my exam that I'm supposed to take today to tomorrow morning... I feel like any little bit would help at this point. I explained to her in the email what's going on and I also added in that I completely understand if she can't do that and said thank you either way... I just,, ugh! I feel so guilty! I've NEVER asked for an extension in nursing school and this is my final semester! I just feel like such a bum. Do you think this makes me look bad? Do you think she will think less of me for asking such a thing considering my circumstances?? I already sent the email and now I'm here second guessing myself. Crap. Was I out of line asking for an extension?

Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

We all made it through. This is where you find out a lot about yourself and what you are made of. It is easy to get through when things go perfect..you find out what you are made of when it is a challenge. Welcome it. Embrace the pain. Study...work....and study some more. What you DON'T want to do is start feeling sorry for yourself. No one in the medical field will feel sorry for you. You have to learn to get the job done no matter what the situation.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

The answers to your questions are: no, no, and no.

Life happens. It does not matter how proactive one is, there will always be times when your plans A, B, and C do not work out, although it does not happen often. I have allowed students to take exams past the deadline. However, I administered different tests to discourage any potential for cheating. In life, you will negotiate time. You will negotiate time with your nursing manager, with colleagues, with patients, and patients' family. I am currently working towards my PhD in nursing and have had to negotiate an extension twice. Both times I reached out to my professors and explained my situation. I suggested the date for the deadline along with how I will meet the deadline. Often times when professors see a plan in place, they grant an extension. Not that you will, but be certain not to make a habit out of it. We pay close attention to trends :-)

Good luck on your test!

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

I'm glad everything worked out for you but I want to extend a word of caution about projecting feelings onto emails. Instructors sometimes are extremely busy and write off short little snippets of communication. They are just business and nothing else. It's nothing against you and it doesn't make her "cold and non compassionate" especially if you're viewing that in light of how the other instructor treated you. You don't know that your other instructor wouldn't have done that for you if they witnessed it also. So, don't start putting bad feelings where there are none explicitly to be had -- it just makes everything harder and more unpleasant when it doesn't have to be.

That said, everything works out for the best and though you're going through an awful lot, you can look forward to this making you much stronger in the end. I hope things start looking way more up for you. Good luck!

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You make a great point about emails being strictly business and advising against making any assumptions about the professor by the way they respond in an email. Yesterday was just one of those extra sensitive days and I think I may have been reading into things that weren't really there. Onward and upward from here on out...

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Umm absolutely not, if your having problems with a loved one then that is a valid reason for an extension. I know the professors at my school allow for extensions when a student is very sick. Didn't you learn about communication in fundamentals? Be assertive!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Hugs!! That is unfortunate that she gave you such a cold response, but glad it worked out in the end. I hope your Dad is better soon!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
Instructors sometimes are extremely busy and write off short little snippets of communication. They are just business and nothing else.

Good point

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