Clinical instructor issues

shyone2005 · Oct 13, 2005

so not fair... did your instructor tell you in advance that points will be deducted for late papers??? if other students havent even started on their assignment and they are guaranteed to get full points, i think you should keep talking to your instructor... is your instructor the lecture instructor or clinical instructor?? i suggest you talk to the main intructors....

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 13, 2005

I think you should follow the chain of command and speak with the person one step above your instructor. And remember ... the here is the INCONSISTENCY across the different clinical groups, not the policy itself.

Your instructor has every right to enforce a policy that you were informed of in advance. However, the school has an obligation to treat each student equally and to enforce the rules consistenly -- or allow a grace period consistently. Either everyone gets the deduction in points who handed in the assignment late, or no one does.

If talking with the course coordinator (or whoever is the next step up the ladder) does not work, then find out what the school's policy is on appealing grades and/or filing a grievance. Most schools have a formal system in place: use it. You might find it helpful to speak with your academic advisor or counselor about the best way to pursue this.

Good luck,

llg

All_Smiles_RN · Oct 13, 2005

Get used to this... each instructor has his or her own ways about doing things. While some are suggesting you go up the chain of command, I don't know if that's how I'd handle it. Sometimes it's better to just go with the flow. And you did turn it in late.... Whatever you decide to do or not do, good luck to you.

LeesieBug · Oct 13, 2005

At our school, each instructor runs the show the way they choose....it is not about being fair from one clinical group to the next.

I'm not sure that arguguing over losing points for a late assignment is in your best interest.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2005

We had a similar situation when i was in school. One instructor didnt require something the others did. Other groups found out that WE didnt have to do this other assignment (we were her first clinical group of the year). They complained,, they lost their chance NOT to have to do the assignments. If they had just backed off and gone with the flow they too wouldnt have had to do them when they got to her rotation. We did the assignments when we got to the other clinical rotations with the other instructors.

Try to recoup the lost points in other places. Maybe she will let you do some kind of extra credit to help. Sometimes a little research paper on something current to your classroom work?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 13, 2005

The inconsistency amongst the instructors is what i would take issue with.

Catys_With_Me · Oct 14, 2005

Well here's the thing:

1) Life's not fair. Condescending, but true. Of course in school all things should in theory be as equal as possible, meaning one is not penalized for something another has done with full grace. However we're not talking about your instructor treating two of HER students differently BUT that your instructor is choosing to follow the program guidelines while others are running their 'class' in a different way. Which brings me to point number:

2) You're not getting a bum deal, your peers are getting a great deal. It's like going to mom and whining because she is punishing you for staying out past curfew when your friends get to do it all the time and they don't end up grounded for 2 weeks with no phone!!! Which brings me to point number:

3) Trust me. You're going to do nothing but make enemies with instructors if you start pitting one against the other. "I hear they're doing this and she did that and he said this and..." They hate that crap. ESPECIALLY when your instructor is the one choosing to enforce the rules. Which brings me to point number:

4) Own your mistake and take it like the strong, independent, intelligent person you are. Learn from it, don't try to weasel out of it.

Remember, when you are assigned to a clinical group and a clinical instructor you are in a different 'class' than your peers who are part of a different clinical group with a different instructor. As such all does not have to be 100% equal. They all have their different ways of doing things.

Bottom line: Take it on the chin and try to get one of the more relaxed CIs next time.

girlfromtx · Oct 14, 2005

3) Trust me. You're going to do nothing but make enemies with instructors if you start pitting one against the other. "I hear they're doing this and she did that and he said this and..." They hate that crap. ESPECIALLY when your instructor is the one choosing to enforce the rules. Which brings me to point number:

I agree with this. I don't know if it is your first semester or not, but you will see that maybe you should just let this one go. Is this assignment worth a lot? I don't like saying this, but you turned the assignment in late, so this also doesn't reflect too well on you, so maybe taking it up the chain of command isn't the best idea.

rogramjet · Oct 14, 2005

In my 2 years of Nursing Hell, I had 4 clinical instructors. They all graded differently. By the end of the quarter you would figure out what one instructor wanted and expected, the next quarter was a new learning experience, what was an A for one, was a C for the other. Tht's just the way it works. Fair? Probably not, but I learned much more from the tough ones.

Mommy TeleRN, RN · Oct 14, 2005

I know how you feel. I got written up for being less than 2 minutes late to lab one day (we have to take a little transfer bus from clinical to parking and instead of taking us straight to our car he kept making loops picking up other people) normally I am always on time. Another clinical group who sometimes has lab with us has students that come in almost 10 minutes late and the instructor doesn't do anything. That instructor is just really lax, and mine is reallly tough. But when I got wrote up I took it like a big girl and you know what... I am always on time now! I have had a problem with being late in many activities (lack of preparation) and this is teaching me to prepare and manage my time more effectively.

This past weekend I forgot to take an online quiz. I missed 17 pts. But I bet ya I won't forget another quiz! LOL cuz there is NO makeup.

The instructors letting their students stay behind aren't doing them any favors. I think it's really important part of college to learn personal responsibility. Yes sometimes instructors need to flex things and lighten up, but they also have to keep everyone on the ball.

Normally our clinical paperwork is due the day after clinical..giving us litlte time to get it all done. Last week he had an exam the following day. Everyone else is sooo scared of our instructor. But I spoke up for everyone else and asked if she would consider an extension so that we could better prepare for the exam. I said "don't answer now! think about it over lunch and tell us at lab" and guess what? she gave us until the following week! Now she started giving us one extra day every week because I spoke up and asked her. Like I told her the worst she could say is "no".

I guess what I am trying to say is own up to your responsibilities and earn the respect of the instructor and they will be more flexible with working with you in the future. I feel I have earned my instructor's respect at this point and she is really cheering me on to do well.

I do NOT want to be on my clinical instructor's bad side! They are critical to your nursing career. Especially when she is the one following the rules!

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2005

You get used to it.