Dear Nursing Students: We Need to Talk About Homework Help
Nursing school and the assignments that instructors give require effort on students’ parts to get the most out of the work. Why are some of the assignments given, why isn’t it always about the answers, and how should students ask for help when needing assistance? Gain a little insight into the minds of instructors and experienced nurses and why homework questions on allnurses aren’t always well received.
There is a reason this site is called allnurses: It's for all nurses (and anyone remotely interested in nursing or its related professions). That means that your instructors just might be on this website too. That means we can recognize postings asking for help with one of the assignments we've given. Sometimes, we can even narrow it down to exactly who you are- and that isn't always going to be a good thing.
One of the very common threads we've seen from nursing students are requests for interviews. I know that students don't have insight into the exact reasons instructors assign the work they do, so here's a little insight into the purpose of these interviews:
Sometimes, it's not really about the answers. It's more about pushing you out of your comfort zone, getting you to talk to people you don't normally interact with, making connections in the nursing field, and several other purposes unrelated to what you may be asking the person you've been assigned to interview. It's amazing how much more you can learn going off on tangents when talking to someone rather that just seeking the answers to specific questions.
The key point of an interview is the interaction: a back and forth exchange of information. That is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to do in the format of an anonymous internet message board. It also puts an undue amount of work on anyone who would be willing to respond: rather than the simple act of talking while you listen and take notes, they must take the time to type out lengthy responses. It also makes it quite easy for you to utilize copy and pasting functions, making many who decry such requests feel as though answering on this message board is essentially doing the work for you. Be considerate when asking nurses for interviews: do it in a format they prefer (in person is best, phone is a second place option, email is a distant third) and in a way that decreases their work to do you the favor. After all, they aren't getting any compensation for providing an interview.
One of the other issues with requesting interviews in this format is that you never know for sure who is answering. The person may be a nurse, the person may be someone who thinks they know all about nursing but isn't a nurse. Is that a risk you want to take? No, I'm not going to whip out my diploma and license when you come to my office to interview me, but you've got the fact that I've got an office and an ID badge that confirms that I am, indeed, a nurse.
Interviewing a nurse in person can also provide you with a better chance at finding a job after graduation. Right now, many areas are seeing a glut of new grads with not enough new grad jobs to go around. Sometimes, it's not what you know that influences whether you get that job you interviewed for (or even get the interview!) but it's who you know instead.
Now, let's move on to general questions. We instructors and knowledgable posters here at AN are willing to help out with any questions students may ask- with a caveat. You know the saying you have to give a little to get a little? Well, that works when asking questions here as well. Instead of flat out posting a question, let us know what you've already found and what specifically you are having trouble with. That makes it much easier for us to find a starting point and give you the help you need. It also makes it easier for us to guide you to the answer- that is what helps develop critical thinking, which you will need to master in the nursing workforce.
You will get out of nursing education what you put into it. Keep that in mind when you ask for help and how you ask for that help. Also use all of your resources: most instructors are willing to email back and forth, set up appointments, or even just show up unannounced during office hours- that's what they are for. Instructors can be an awesome resource when you need help- you just need to ask.
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
prnqday said:
If you a new grad RN with no exp. Completing a RN-BSN program online you may not have contact with nurses . Sure you can call around done facilities and that does take time and alot of effort. I have sympathy for these students so seing the interview posts does not bother me so much. In fact , why not help a student out.
It is better than them making up an interview using creative imagination and turning that in.
Still doesnt leave me with confidence in an new grad RN who takes the easy option as opposed to what may be the best option.
Great post! I enjoy talking with student nurses but yes, I do like to see some initiative on their part. I remember how tough and time consuming homework assignments were, especially after a long day. But what appears to be an assignment can really help with job placement later. Students, networking can't be stressed enough. Good luck!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Tenebrae said:
Google
White pages
Telephone
There was one on here just recently (last couple of days) who posted requesting help with an assignment and then proceeded to throw a hissy fit because some of us encouraged her to get off line and talk to an actual nurse manager in real life as opposed to someone who may or may not be an actual nurse or manager
I dont really have a hell of alot of confidence in students who insist on the easy route as opposed to the best route as a means of writing assignments
The hissy fit ones are always entertaining. Please don't limit the hissy fits!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
prnqday said:
If you a new grad RN with no exp. Completing a RN-BSN program online you may not have contact with nurses . Sure you can call around done facilities and that does take time and alot of effort. I have sympathy for these students so seing the interview posts does not bother me so much. In fact , why not help a student out.
It is better than them making up an interview using creative imagination and turning that in.
There have been long, clear and eloquent posts describing why NOT to "help a student out."
There have been long, clear and eloquent posts describing why NOT to "help a student out."
I look at this as sort of like when your kid comes and asks you a question, and you say, "No," and the kid goes to the other parent and tries again.
I am very happy to see more and more members here joining the clearly-stated, "No, we don't do your homework for you because you aren't showing us you're putting much effort into it" camp.
Yeah, we're meanies. But when you're a working nurse and realize you don't have the faintest idea how to solve your own problems, or even how to think about how you could find out how, then it's too late.
Anybody watch Nurse Jackie and make the acquaintance of the resident who is always turfing off her work to others because she really doesn't know how to do it, is always on her phone, and is really scared that others will find out she is incompetent? Do not be that person. When they made her do things, she learned how, and then she learned that learning takes effort but SOOO pays off in patient care, sure, but also in her own self-worth. That's the lesson here.
It's against TOS to ask for answers to homework without doing the work first. So no, ignoring it doesn't make it go away, shouldn't be happening in the first place.
Who cares if it's against TOS? Are you the hall monitor? Just let it go.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
After participating in lots of online forums that either have no rules at all or rely on something arbitrary like "reputation points" I am certain the best way to have a successful forum is to have real human beings who care about the standards we set, and they do.
Anyone is free to go someplace where the culture is more to their liking, my personal opinion.
Who cares if it's against TOS? Are you the hall monitor? Just let it go.
You seem to be missing what everyone else here is saying, and I happen to think it's being said very nicely (as opposed to the "are you the hall monitor? Let it go" comment you made).
It's already been explained WHY "letting this go" isn't in the student's best interest, nor in the best interest of the nursing professionals these students hope to one day work alongside. I guess at this point if you still don't see why this thinking is valid (and why the TOS is the way it is), I'm not sure what else can be offered to help you understand.
MOST of us have long outgrown a need for a "hall monitor", but not peer reviews.....
BSNbeauty, BSN, RN
1,939 Posts
You are right roser queen.