Dishonest Instructor

button2cute · Sep 12, 2005

I need advice. I have an instructor who graded me low on a test and will not allow me to see the exam. The exam was essay, so everything is subjective. It is now in the hands of her superior. She is stating that she did not grade the exam, another instructor did. I have spoken with the other instructor and she did not grade the exam. I cannot trust her superiors to tell them this. They stick together. I am going through the university system to get this resolved. So far it has been a good amount of time and I still haven't seen the exam. Going through the channels will take 3-4 months. Is there anything else I can do? Shouldn't I be able to report this instructor to the State Board of Nursing without anything being done to me. I am afraid to do anything because they all stick together. This should be illegal. Please help. If anyone knows of anyone I can contact, please let me know. And please don't tell me this is trivial. I have spent many sleepless nights over this woman's lies. You have no idea what she has put me through.

Hello,

I would not take the course of action untill you had thought this through clearly. Choose the your battles carefully and wisely.

I understand it is frustrating and mind-bottling about the dilemmia you are facing, these past days. Just continue your path of pursuing it with the university. In addition, read the policies in your program about examination and the reveiw of them after the exam and you may find some information that may help to the resolution.

In conclusion, I am was the "bad gal" in the nursing progam and brought more trouble than I deserve. I learned over the years, how to resolve issues without bringing down the wrath upon myself and everyone else. Listen, you do not want to be "black bolted" in nursing school and you want to have a fair chance as weveryone else. Just follow the proceedure that is given by the program and the university to address your problem. DO NOT USE HEAR-SAY in your defense of defacing an instructor because it will not help you at all. Use constructive critisicm, positive attitude and communication skills, and most of explain yourself clearly and precise to resolve this issue. Therefore, you will cath a lot of flies with honey than vinger.

Good Luck,

Buttons

Trauma Columnist · Sep 12, 2005

I am sorry that you are having such a hard time. Have you considered changing schools? In the end, have you considered picking and choosing your battles? Sometimes it is not about straight A's but more about learning from experiences. Spending time consistently looking at the negative aspects of life is inviting more negatives. There are some things in life that just have to be overlooked. I wish you the best.

peaceful · Sep 12, 2005

Just get through school, if you can pass, hopefully scored not too low on essay, just bite the bullet and play the game. During school i had teachers who loved me, ones who disliked me, ones who that i would be a fantastic nurse, others not. Very, very subjective. Really it did not matter what they thought. It matter that i got good grades, passed my clinicals and received my BSN. I am a nurse. Do not pay attention to what later on in life will be trivial. What matters is that you get your degree and become a nurse. It is a hard road. Just stay focsued and be professional at all times. Believe me this attitude works. I watched others students go down for over reacting to a situation or try and change an archaic system that is not going to change. Nursing school is a game, not been changed in years how the subjects are taught. They have over the years added in "critical thinking" and still spend days and weeks teaching bsn students how to bath and change a bed. Believe me you will not change this "old boy" network. I hope some day nursing school and the teaching methods become modern and more effective. But in the meanwhile just get your degree!

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2005

Most universities have grade appeal procedures. I suggest that you find out about your school's policy, and then follow it to a "T". As the others said, you do not want to bring additional problems upon yourself. That being said, you have a right to question a grade.

Good luck!

sunnyjohn · Sep 12, 2005

I was in one of those healthcare programs where "all the instructors stuck together" It was a pervasive culture at that school. Respiratory, Surgery Tech, Radiology, Nursing, it didn't matter. A student would hit " The gray wall. "

I was one of those students who got it. I was a pretty diplomatic person as my parents had always taught me to be respectful, tactful but to stand up for myself and those in trouble.

I can't believe I am going to say this, especially since I love getting straight A's. Truly, if you passed and the grade is not putting your GPA or continuation in the program in jeopardy, PICK YOUR BATTLES CAREFULLY!

My mum and dad would also often say, "You have to get along to get on!"

This DOES NOT mean anyone should accept something that looks like a grievous wrong. If yu truly feel you have been wronged and can stand the possible consequences, do what you feel is right.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2005

I agree with Sunnyjohn. If this isn't a make it or break it exam score, you will do yourself more harm than good by turning the university system upside down. You will only have this instructor for a short time and then it's off into the hands of another. Do you really want the next instructor to have a preconceived attitude about you based on the instructor grapevine? The nice thing about a new semester is a fresh start.

BS Nursing Student · Sep 13, 2005

I agree with Sunnyjohn. If this isn't a make it or break it exam score, you will do yourself more harm than good by turning the university system upside down. You will only have this instructor for a short time and then it's off into the hands of another. Do you really want the next instructor to have a preconceived attitude about you based on the instructor grapevine? The nice thing about a new semester is a fresh start.

I know everyone means well, but the forget it and move on approach will not work. This could jeopardize me getting into NP school. It is that severe. I have to appeal and get to the truth. Changing schools is not an option, because the other schools would require at least a year and thousands of $$$ more. I know that you have to pick and choose your battles. That doesn't mean that I should accept being wronged. If nursing instructors are willing to lie, who is to say they might not make a mistake in clinical that could cost someone something much more than a grade.

truern · Sep 13, 2005

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I'm sensing alot of sour grapes here..

From group projects, to failing by .76 of a point, now this..

Maybe I'm naive...maybe I've been extremely lucky...but I've never had an instructor that I thought would LIE or worse as you've implied

I'd be very careful about the accusations if/when you talk to school.

peaceful · Sep 13, 2005

Somehow this story just does not sound right. Once you mentioned it was a graded essay, now some how could keep you out of grad school. Is there more to the story such as you are being accused of cheating? When tat happened in our nursing school over papers written & heads would roll. If this is the case, you do have reason to be worried. Follow the guide lines your university has for this type of offense. Not exactly sure what your problem is because you are so vague in the description. Essay keeping you out of grad school just does not sound like full sotry.

QUOTE=BS Nursing Student]I know everyone means well, but the forget it and move on approach will not work. This could jeopardize me getting into NP school. It is that severe. I have to appeal and get to the truth. Changing schools is not an option, because the other schools would require at least a year and thousands of $$$ more. I know that you have to pick and choose your battles. That doesn't mean that I should accept being wronged. If nursing instructors are willing to lie, who is to say they might not make a mistake in clinical that could cost someone something much more than a grade.

peaceful · Sep 13, 2005

Somehow this story just does not sound right. Once you mentioned it was a graded essay, now some how could keep you out of grad school. Is there more to the story such as you are being accused of cheating? When tat happened in our nursing school over papers written & heads would roll. If this is the case, you do have reason to be worried. Follow the guide lines your university has for this type of offense. Not exactly sure what your problem is because you are so vague in the description. Essay keeping you out of grad school just does not sound like full sotry.

QUOTE=BS Nursing Student]I know everyone means well, but the forget it and move on approach will not work. This could jeopardize me getting into NP school. It is that severe. I have to appeal and get to the truth. Changing schools is not an option, because the other schools would require at least a year and thousands of $$$ more. I know that you have to pick and choose your battles. That doesn't mean that I should accept being wronged. If nursing instructors are willing to lie, who is to say they might not make a mistake in clinical that could cost someone something much more than a grade.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2005

Did you not have to type this essay? Do you not have a copy of it? If you do, maybe you could take a copy to an English instructor, etc, to have it looked over. Maybe, just maybe, you didn't do as well on it as you thought.

Did you document your sources? Did you plagiarize? Was it copied from someone elses paper?

Ok, all that out of the way...trying to get both sides of the story...if all the above answers are no, then I am truly sorry for you having to deal with this mess.

Good luck.