'Borderline' students?

Shamrock, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2003

Hmmmm, I know some kick-*^% nurses that struggled

somewhat in the academic setting. I also know some nurses that excelled in academics but don't know their right foot from their left hand. My thoughts are that I would not want to work with judgemental people.

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2003

Originally posted by Shamrock
Hmmmm, I know some kick-*^% nurses that struggled
somewhat in the academic setting. I also know some nurses that excelled in academics but don't know their right foot from their left hand. My thoughts are that I would not want to work with judgemental people.

I agree. I would hate to think that just because someone has difficulty learning, that they wouldn't be given a chance. I know many nurses that didn't do well in school, barely squeaked by, yet they are excellent in bedside care.

Then there are those that did great in school, and think they are better than everyone else. Just because they got a 4.0 GPA.

delirium · Apr 2, 2003

If I am being judgmental, I am judging based on the MINIMUM standard promulgated by my college. These aren't my rules.

Granted, there are some good didactic students that are not so great clinically, but it does a disservice to those of us who are successful in school to suggest that that is the norm, rather than the exception.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Apr 2, 2003

If someone is willing to spend extra time getting help and working to pass I am willing to spend extra money to help someone that shows commitment. But I agree that if standards are set and people don't live up to them we needs to enforce them.

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2003

ok, I guess I need to clarify my opinion. Yes, I think students should be given every chance possible to succeed. But there are those that think that their education be "given" to them rather than working hard like everyone else. Those are the people that I would fear working with.

And no, I don't think it's fair to have standards differ. If the Standard is for a 20 on the ACT, then everyone needs to have a minimum of 20. If the standard is 75% to pass, then they should only pass with 75%.

But I also think that if those students that are struggling would find someone to work with and find out what their learning problems are, it might help.

Maybe they are working and expect special treatment?

delirium · Apr 2, 2003

I work full time, and I don't receive or expect special treatment. I turn in my assignments on the same day as everyone else. We are evaluated on our performance in clinical and by examination, regardless of extra-academic activities.

I guess its the attitude of entitlement that I don't like. Encouraging students who fail to meet the minimum standard on the ACT, who fail to achieve the minimum score of 75 on the exams...catering to them, coddling them, helping them along.

For the record, I don't like to see people fail. In fact, I help people that are struggling when I can, I encourage them to feel good about themselves and to expect success, yada yada yada. I just think there should be a limit. There are people that have been trying to pass this program for 9-10 years and they continue to readmit them every semester. It doesn't make sense. At some point there should be an action plan, a meeting with someone, something, instead of blindly readmitting someone to a program that he or she cannot independently pass.

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2003

Hmmm.... this is a toughie. I do think students should be given extra support (tutoring, extra reviews) if they need it and are willing to make the effort, but I certainly don't think standards should be lowered for some people simply because schools want the tuition money or because there's such a nursing shortage or whatever. Ideally, students should be weeded out in the admissions process rather than getting accepted, struggling, and flunking out. We just lost about 8 people from my program and I think this may be due to the fact that admission standards were not quite high enough.

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2003

9-10 years??? you've gotta be kidding me!

delirium · Apr 2, 2003

I wish I were kidding, Shandy. I'm not. There's one woman in my clinical group who has been at this since 1992.

Clue phone? Its for somebody. Something isn't working for her. I've heard other programs where if you fail, you can take it again, and if you fail again, that's it. That makes more sense. I can only admire this woman's dogged perserverence, because I sure wouldn't be trying to pass a 3 year program for 11 years.

Shamrock, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2003

Originally posted by delirium
I just think there should be a limit. There are people that have been trying to pass this program for 9-10 years and they continue to readmit them every semester.

Sounds VERY extreme to me!!

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2003

Wow that is crazy, in my program you have 2 chances to pass a class, and after that, PEACE OUT.