At a Loss to help Students That Won't Help Themselves, and I'm Going to Lose My Job

[clinicalteach]

hi,

in a bit of a quandry and having anxiety attacks non stop lately. i and three other instructors were brought into a new lvn program for the first batch of students, after they had had a horrible experience with their pre-req instructors. the students were not screened nor was there any requirements (i.e. grades, pre-reqs) required for this lvn program and while i am rooting for them, i'm afraid thye are not coming into things prepared for an excellerated program.

we started in november and at the christmas break, 3/4ths of the students are failing. they are given nclex style questions written by the head of the program, thye are given copies of the power point lectures and myself and the other instructors have sat and tried to teach reading comprehension, spelling and study skills. during lectures , they don't take notes, they demand to have their answers spoon fed to them and the majority are not grasping critical thinking. we have had several severe attitude and behavior issues, and we now have police that patrol our halls. in skills lab, ( they are doing fundamentals at th emoment) they think they know it all already and i refused to sign most of them off on skills because they couldn't do it properly which set us back. at xmas break, i reported to the head of the dept that there was no way i was moving past head to toe assesments, until they actually caught up with everything else. during christmas the school hired a woman with years of experience to take over the day to day skills and theory. i did a dance of joy! i cherish the idea that i can learn from someone with so much experience. while the two new instructors took stock of what the tests scores etc were, they did not speak to the other instructors and i don't think it was intentional kept asking, what do you mean you don't know how to do this or you haven't learned that. this has fed into their inabilities to accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions or inactions (as it were). itis now a hostile environment for the rest of us instructors as we walk by in clinicals and here how stupid we must be because we can't get them to pass.

here's the thing:

they have admitted to us, that they never opened their books. they should probably have studied more! ya think?

i put up a website with all sorts of resources for them (many came from here so thank you!)i posted the power points, i posted links to sites that did learning style quizes and how to study for their individual styles. the other instructors spenttime tutoring. well, now this may surprise you, but they have just found out how many hours they must makeup before the end of the module. (oooohhhh, maybe showing up to class might also help) for their makeup we are doing remediation as well. with out that, over half the class would not move on. administration is none to pleased that they might lose this income, so they are breathing down our necks.

here is my question: any suggestions to get them to study for a fundamentals final and remediation test, any tips or techniques, anything!!! that could help me. i'm at a loss, at the end of the rope and so is my job. i am anxious, depressed and ****** off that a bunch of students who don't drink when we lead them to water could be the reason i lose a job i've finally found to love.

i'm sorry if i ranted to much. i'm just concerned and really truly want to see people succeed. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.!

[showbizrn]

I believe the core of problem

is the WRONG candidates

were selected for this program.

Unfortunately, your LVN program

is rampant with under-achievers

and "misfits" to the profession.

I commend you and your colleagues

for your courageous efforts in teaching

your students.

As much as I love teaching, I would have

to "pass" on this one.

Blessings,

SHOWBIZRn

[caliotter3]

I agree with showbiz. You know what they say about the sow's ear. These students have no business becoming nurses. Do not continue with the mess. You know the next step is for the administration to force you to pass unqualified people. You have a responsibility to the profession not to have a hand in this travesty on the public.

[clinicalteach]

I believe the core of problem

is the WRONG candidates

were selected for this program.

Unfortunately, your LVN program

is rampant with under-achievers

and "misfits" to the profession.

I commend you and your colleagues

for your courageous efforts in teaching

your students.

As much as I love teaching, I would have

to "pass" on this one.

Blessings,

SHOWBIZRn

Pass as in like a kidney stone? This to shall pass? :)

You know, I did theater professionaly many pounds and a child ago! Love to hear how you're doing! And thanks for the read.I appreciate the support. It just enrages me that because of some heathens and their shenanigans, soe very good nurse educators (i'm new these ladies have been at it for years) are going to lose their jobs and a blemish on careers dedicated to education.

[clinicalteach]

I agree with showbiz. You know what they say about the sow's ear. These students have no business becoming nurses. Do not continue with the mess. You know the next step is for the administration to force you to pass unqualified people. You have a responsibility to the profession not to have a hand in this travesty on the public.

Yes, I know. There are some that will be wonderful nurses, you can see itin their eyes, their touch and their care when they step on the floor...the others , well..I will be taking this into consideration. Thanks to you both!

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Pass as in like a kidney stone? This to shall pass? :)

It just enrages me that because of some heathens and their shenanigans, soe very good nurse educators (i'm new these ladies have been at it for years) are going to lose their jobs and a blemish on careers dedicated to education.

This program is poorly executed and almost doomed from the start - especially since they did not prescreen the candidates My advice would be to resign as soon as possible, to avoid a "blemish" on your career because you cannot do the impossible. Besides the fact that you may be fired (which is a travesty in itself), this unproductive environment full of entitled students, quarreling faculty, and unreasonable and unsupportive administration will also quickly burn you out and jade you forever towards a career in nursing education. You may want to review the principles of adult learning theory. According to the theory of the adult learner, the student is ultimately responsible for his or her learning and success - not the teacher. The teacher is a facilitator for learning; however, each student must do his or her part in the learning process. You cannot do the "learning" part for them. It is obvious that many of these entitled students are not putting in the necessary effort or even have the motivation to succeed. So, my advice would be to move on and find another nursing program in which to teach: one which has much better structure and planning, reasonable expectations, and the faculty are supported. Best wishes to you :redbeathe

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

I agree with showbiz. You know what they say about the sow's ear. These students have no business becoming nurses. Do not continue with the mess. You know the next step is for the administration to force you to pass unqualified people. You have a responsibility to the profession not to have a hand in this travesty on the public.

I totally agree. You have a responsibility to the public to only "pass" qualified people. Would you want your mother, father, brother, sister, or child being cared for by some of your students?

[elkpark]

Is this a for-profit school???? Certainly sounds like it ...

[dfurbee]

Is this a for-profit school???? Certainly sounds like it ...

I was having the same thoughts....

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

appears that admin is looking at tuition coming in and the students just want to fill time till graduation, like they did in high school. If Admin is not supporting you there is nothing to do but look elsewhere for a position. This program is doomed

[clinicalteach]

Hi!

Thanksfor all the input. Vicky, just like to take the time to say thanks for all the great advice and tips that I"ve silently absorbed from your blog, posts and attachments.

It looks like the Dean of Nursing has had enough! I wanted to weep and then smother her in a hug when she told admin to hell with you and started cleaning house! Its amazing what forty eight hours and a few well timed expultions can do to a group. I walked in today, and there they all were, notecards, quizzing each other, STUDYING!.

Keep your fingers crossed. Nice long talk with my Dean and she is steel in a velvet glove and i don't think admin knew what hit them.

I'll keep you posted!

Thanks to all!

[orthonurse55]

Hi!

Thanksfor all the input. Vicky, just like to take the time to say thanks for all the great advice and tips that I"ve silently absorbed from your blog, posts and attachments.

It looks like the Dean of Nursing has had enough! I wanted to weep and then smother her in a hug when she told admin to hell with you and started cleaning house! Its amazing what forty eight hours and a few well timed expultions can do to a group. I walked in today, and there they all were, notecards, quizzing each other, STUDYING!.

Keep your fingers crossed. Nice long talk with my Dean and she is steel in a velvet glove and i don't think admin knew what hit them.

I'll keep you posted!

Thanks to all!

I've been following your conversation and can feel your pain. I teach high school seniors in a program that will qualify them to take their CNA exam at the end of the school year. Same story as you were saying in many cases. And in the past, we often find that booting out one or two (or more) bad eggs is often a huge wake-up call for the rest of them. I hope this helps so you can share your passion with the ones who really want to learn! Good luck!