dealing with difficult classmates

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Hello,

I'm having a bit of an issue with some classmates of mine. Our program is only 1 1/2 yrs, so our program goes quick. Between our pharmacology and our theory test, our 4th theory exam and our 3rd pharmacology exam fall on the same day.

We are supposed to have them both on 7/25. This date has already been known about since the beginning of the semester; we all signed the same paper agreeing to the schedule. Our professor was nice enough to move our 2nd exam around so it did not conflict with our last pharmacology exam, but now, this group of students has been attempting to get the 7/25 theory test moved with no luck.

Our professor shot down the idea after the first class vote 2 weeks ago, and again when they brought it up on pharmacology a week ago, & gain shot down.

Several student don't care; a few are like myself and have other reasons not to split the tests. They attempted to have the test changed again, without input from the rest of the class, on the sly to the professor this past Tuesday. I spoke up about it when I found out.

For myself, I need to take the exam on the originally schedule date. I have an out of state funeral to attend after that, from thurs-sun. Relying on the test date, I bought my tickets & they're non refundable.

There was a huge stink thrown by these specific students, who have bullied everyone else into changing the day. Our prof stated she would not change the date if the vote wasn't unanimous. I emailed my professor privately about it, but she mentioned it in class, and naturally everyone knew it was me that sent the email.

I had a simulation lab today with my clinical group, and it went badly. I was given attitude from those in my group, with blatant comments made towards how everything was accommodated towards me and I've messed up the chances of those who scored low on the last exam. I've been receiving rude texts from a few classmates who have my number and at last minute decided the test should change. (I have blocked their numbers, yes)

Exactly how do I handle them? I'm not the only student who didn't want the test changed, I'm the only one who spoke up about. A few students have agreed with me that they didn't want the test changed.

I know this is by far a silly bump in the road, but any advice on how to handle this gracefully.. I'm not trying to play devil's advocate, but like I told my professor, this test date has been knowledge since day one. I, and my other classmates, shouldn't have to change our schedules around just to accommodate the few students who don't want to read ahead.

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Brush it off and move on. You will be working with people like this the rest of your life and have to figure out a way to deal with these types of situations. Just know that you won't be around the people forever.

I had this happen when I was in school and I was the one who spoke out about not changing the test grade. People were mad but I just let it go. Like you said, the date was set from the beginning of the semester and there will always be people who complain about something.

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

Ignore it. Its nursing school, those students need to suck it up or drop out.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

They are weak people. The fact that they "voted" to change the test date is ridiculous. I would save those texts and show them to the dean. Totally unacceptable. If I was you I would remember more than likely you won't see these people again after school. You must not let the weak impede your work and completion of your goal.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Just tell them that it's not your fault they felt ill prepared for the last test and that those who are planning their life around the current schedule shouldn't have to bend for poor performers. It won't win any of them over but who cares. You are there to learn but it's not your job to cater to others.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Bring a copy of the form everyone signed and acknowledged and ask them why they have trouble keeping promises, and why you should be receive any flack because they cannot keep their written word.

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I'm a bit stressed with how this is turning out. According to a girl that I study with frequently, the professor seemed very aggravated the next day after my email. This morning however she gave me a smile and said hello when I held the door for her and another professor. Part of my anxiety just stems from the fact that I hate thinking that anyone in an authority position over me is angry with something I've done or said.

Classmates don't bother me. I'm just trying to handle their anger as gracefully as I can and realizing that I can't please everyone and I'm not there to do so. I did very matter of factly tell my professor in my email that

" I don't want to play devil's advocate, but changing the test so early to the test date is a unfair. I would not be in town for the test, and then I would have to go through the hassle of rescheduling an exam that I had fully expected to take on the original scheduled date, one that we all signed & agreed to and knew about for over 2 months. The only reason I waited to buy my tickets was that I was not sure if I would be able to go take care of what I needed to out of state that weekend, because of the uncertainty with the test date.After the 1st vote, I bought my tickets at a higher price and now I cannot get a refund for them. I am sorry for the lengthy email, but I did not want to take up your time after class with this issue. Have a good evening."

Honestly,was that overstepping? Should I have worded that differently? I just felt like I needed to speak up and say something.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

You are not overstepping. You have the right to present your case in a polite and professional manner to the professor based on what was in writing, agreed to by signatures, and planning that was done because of it. Add that your tickets are not only non refundable, but this is for a funeral should (in theory) seal the deal. You acted responsibly; and should not be forced to pay the price (literally and figuratively) because of the poor planning of others.

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You're email is fine.... I'm sure that the professor is not aggravated at your per se... but rather is still being aggravated by the students that are hassling to change the date.

This professor was already nice enough to even consider changing the test date and only had one caveat.. 100% of the students MUST agree.. one didn't so the date should not be changed.. End of discussion.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

You were responsible and made plans based on the syllabus and scheduled dates. More important in nursing you really can't worry about making people angry. People will respond how they respond.....you cannot control that. What you can control is your professionalism. Always refer people by Dr, Professor, Sir, Ma'am etc. Whatever the correct title is. You do not need to feel bad or guilty for expecting the syllabus to be followed. In nursing...once something is written it is basically iron clad. This is an important lesson for these students. When given a task you complete it as ordered. As an RN you cannot just "decide" to give a med when it is convenient for you. Same as a test date. Good luck.

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Thank you everyone. It wasn't as hard as everyone thought it would be; The majority of us passed, as well as passed the Pharmacology exam. Even with the snarky comments made in front of the professor, made by those students.

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The bottom line is that it is the instructor's decision, no matter what input she used to come to that decision. It would have been better for all if she had made her decision from her own standpoint without putting it back on the students to come to a unanimous request. In that respect she was wrong, but again, that is how it goes, and the decision is hers to make. Take this as a good lesson in sticking up for yourself in the face of adversity. You may need this skill many times over the course of your career.

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