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.
Eventually, not doing the work in school will end badly for the student. They won't be able to pass NCLEX. Simple as that.
In my opinion, the moderators can correct these posters if they choose to.
Your opinion is duly noted.
I have no belief whatsoever that a student who takes the easy way out on interview assignments will be unable to pass the NCLEX. None. Surely most people understand that the interview assignments don't put one in a better NCLEX-passing position...? It does, however, help one understand The Big Picture. Which is WHY this thread is important, even if you do not see that. Maybe taking your own advice to ignore the thread at this point would be a good idea? Vive la difference.
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
Good luck finding a nurse manager that will bother with a nursing student. I spent weeks emailing and calling NM's in my own facility to complete a shadowing assignment. Most didn't respond. Eventually, 3 of us ended up shadowing the only manager nice enough to help us out.
I sympathize with students who have to do these assignments. Maybe you all live in areas that are friendlier than mine, since it seems to be so easy for you.
I think as a profession, we're very quick to criticize our peers and a lot of the time it isn't constructive.
Yes, ideally these students should do what their professors tell them.....of course they should......but is interviewing someone via the internet vs in real life the end of the world? No.
Is this one project for a brand spanking new RN student going to magically give them unlimited inside into our profession and the nuances of healthcare? No.
Is this one project for a brand spanking new RN student going to magically give them unlimited inside into our profession and the nuances of healthcare? No.
Unlimited insight? No. But for a "brand spanking new RN student" YES, it IS going to give a pretty GOOD insight if done CORRECTLY....which is the primary point, since you are still missing that, it seems.
Look, you keep insisting there is no real difference between a live interview with a verified nurse and one done on a forum such as this (where anyone could be anything, and oftentimes IS)....we get that. You can keep repeating this, but it doesn't make it any more valid than the first time you asserted it. And since I guess I'm a bit weary of explaining it over and over....I'm done with it now.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
kool-aide, RN said:
I think as a profession, we're very quick to criticize our peers and a lot of the time it isn't constructive.
Yes, ideally these students should do what their professors tell them.....of course they should......but is interviewing someone via the internet vs in real life the end of the world? No.
Is this one project for a brand spanking new RN student going to magically give them unlimited inside into our profession and the nuances of healthcare? No.
There is no magic to education. You do the hard work, you learn and then you reap the benefits of having the education. Skipping over the hard parts isn't the way to learn.
^^And the crazy number of people posting their emails on the NCLEX threads asking for study guides. Would hate to see what junk emails they'll be getting soon. :what:
The answer is not LYING on an assignement stating you "interviewed nurses". It isn't the responsibility of a message board to figure out that answer. It is the student in conjunction with the professor.
The importance of research, evidence, and data are important for all nurses. Understanding what evidence IS and IS NOT is part of nursing school. Better to state "I could not locate a nurse to interview properly" than to lie and say "I interviewed a nurse" who was actually a truck driver on a message board.
Agree. It scares me a little when posters on a supposedly anonymous site use their real information and sometimes picture. Not just the student forums either. Don't the authors of some of the vent threads worry that the boss they are venting about might be reading and know exactly who you are?
Also, its well-known that HR departments will search the net for applicants posting history. Yes they do. You sure you want to be found saying stuff like that?
VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN
22 Articles; 9,996 Posts
I wish I could Like the OP a hundred times. Good job, Rose Queen!