I said I wasn't going to dwell on this, but I just can't help it.
I took a test yesterday. I passed it. But.... two of the questions my instructor had on the test we never lectured on nor was it even in our book. One of my classmates, asked her how are we suppose to know about that if we never covered it?
She replied with well, I guess you won't, but now you know what it is for next time. Next time, I thought. A few of my classmates did not pass due to the two questions. I could have gotten an A if these two questions weren't there. UGH! Each question was worth five points. Yes, thats ten points I could of had. Double UGH!
That's 80 instead of 70 for a classmate.
Is she going to do this with every test from now on? Its bad enough I don't like my med/surg. book. Now, I am scared.
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.
If I were you I would go to the Dean of the school and the Dean of the program regarding her comment. If they don't do anything about contact a lawyer about it. I'm pretty sure you could find some witnesses about that comment. Did she even go over the tests with you or just said the class failed without proof. You can make a scantron fail the entire class just by bubbling the wrong answers. In my opinion she's getting back at your class for reporting her. She shouldn't be able to teach anywhere.
Makes me wonder what she was like as a nurse on the floor.
Thanks guys. I am very tired. My eyes are all swollen from crying.
I have approx. 14 1/2 more weeks. If I fail another test, I will not graduate. We all failed her last weeks quiz and now this test.
Some of the questions she asks, all the choices are the correct choices. Its up to her and only her to chose which she feels is the right answer. I am starting to feel that she is using the power of her pen and her title for granted.
Is it possible for an instructor to "fix" the tests? I am getting a feeling, that is what she is doing. I can't prove it.
If I write her up, I will be another one of her target. I am very scared. I don't want to be labeled as a troublemaker. My classmates who filed the grievances are already getting bad looks by other instructors.
I know what my instructor said was inappropriate, but I just want to pass and graduate. I am trying to keep my nose clean.
I can't afford a lawyer, do I really need one?
I know my instructor is not the best, maybe she has issues at home.
I probably have had about 8 hours of sleep total since monday. I have clinical in the morning. Sometimes our clinical is the morning, and sometimes is at night. It all depends on our clinical instructor. Therefore, we can not make a definite plan with our families or work.
I don't want to lose focus. I am sooo stressed out right now. I am tired of crying and I am no mad. Mad, because I have make choices that I don't want needed, or deserved to make. My
instructor is now making things worst for us. And its affecting my grades. Which affects my graduation. Which affects my family.
Whats my first step, exactly. Some of you guys recommended seeking for an attorney, others suggest talking with the Dean.
I will talk with the Dean. As far as the lawyer, what type of lawyer should I look for. I really hope I don't need to contact a lawyer, but yet I don't even know what kind of attorney.
What to do? Gotta go, I have clincals in four hours.
I would not see the Dean on only 4 hours of sleep. Rest up and prepare for clinical. We will all be thinking of you and praying for you to get a peaceful solution to this problem.
Thanks, I know. My head hurts and I need some sleep. Just watched alittle Joel Osteen. His word for the day is expectancy. If I have faith, GOD will give me my what I expected.
I expect this nonsense to end soon. I expect that it will be a good day today. I expect to pass this class and graduate.
My instructor than replied with "I thought for sure you would get this question correct, since you are Mexican." I replied with, "what do you mean?" She than replied with "Well, you mexicans make guacamoles, I thought you would choose avocado because your people eat it all the time." "The answer is avocados." I told her I am not Mexican, I am Puerto Rican. She replied with, "Oh, you look too white to be puerto rican." Same thing. She started laughing.
On that, I think I might consider a formal complaint with not just the department but also with the head of the college/university. I might also consider a letter to the editor of the local paper and the college paper. I might also consider letter to the DONs at the local hospitals.
On the other hand, I might just try to suck it up for the remaining weeks and keep myself above the fray. It is the safest thing.
I don't know. I think my suggestion to you is to keep your mouth shut and your chin up until graduation. Then, I'd let this witch have it.
I'm just so sorry that you have to put up with this psycho-nurse. I wish your classmates had left well-enough alone; I think this reaction was predictable.
I don't think she is going to graduate as of now because this instructor seems hell bent on having them fail because she is bat sh*t crazy. I would be at the Dean of the school's office right now with the "you people" story. Let the class be monitored if need be. Advise the Dean that the whole class has failed 2 exams in a row. If everyone fails it's the teacher not the students.
You need to preotect yourself and pronto. I would also speak to a lawyer today as you mgiht need one before this all is addressed and taken care of. If you don't complain now you won't be able to come to them a few months down the line when you fail. They will aks where you were when everyone else complained and you didn't. They will have a point. Get on it today. Don't let another hour pass before protecting yourself, your grades, your rep, and your ability to graduate nursing school. Make sure to include the threats....no cap, no gown, go ahead report me, etc.
OP: It sounds to me like keeping quiet is not doing you any good, honestly. You're punished whether or not you personally speak up because she is doing it to the entire class over a few people. If the entire class stood up and went to the dean, you might have better results than the people who already have and are branded 'troublemakers'. Surely they can't ignore it when every single person in the class is saying something. At this point, it really can't hurt you any more than it already is.
OP: It sounds to me like keeping quiet is not doing you any good, honestly. You're punished whether or not you personally speak up because she is doing it to the entire class over a few people. If the entire class stood up and went to the dean, you might have better results than the people who already have and are branded 'troublemakers'. Surely they can't ignore it when every single person in the class is saying something. At this point, it really can't hurt you any more than it already is.
Just my take on the situation.
I agree especially as everyone has now failed not 1 but 2 exams/quizzes.
Tired. Had clinical and was told to report directly to the school the dean wanted to speak to EVERYONE!
So, I walked in the building went directly to the bathroom. Guess who follows behind me? Yes, my instructor. She asked me if I was there to see the Dean. I said yes, I am. We were told to come.
She replied, "Good, well I will see you next semester." OMG I was so scared.
Anway, when it was my turn to talk to the dean, she asked me upfront what happened in class yesterday. I said, "nothing really."
The Dean than proceeded to tell me that they have always had problems with this instructor. I just lost it. The stress, and lack of sleep. I just cried like a baby. She wanted to know if I would sign the grievance list that other classmates had sign. I told her I didn't know.
I don't want to be a troublemaker. I got really sick, I had to go to the bathroom. I told the Dean I had to go home, I couldn't deal with it.
My aunt went through this kind of stuff when she was in nursing school. She is advising me to keep my mouth shut and deal with it.
My heart hurts because I feel like I am being a coward. Isn't a nurse suppose to speak up when they feel something is wrong? What happens if its a patient and I don't agree with what the doctor is doing? Should I be quiet than?
I appreciate everyones advice, I truly do. I just don't know what to do.
I went from loving school and looking forward to graduation, to this.
I don't want any trouble. I need to pray and take a nap, for now.
The instructor threatens you before the class and you don't share that with the Dean?! Furthermore, you tell the Dean you don't know if you will sign the grievance and don't tell the truth about what happened in class yesterday when you were the recipient of a racist comment?! I'm sorry, but you were dead wrong not to be honest with the Dean. The Dean is trying to do what's right, knows there is a problem, and yet you still don't comment. I'm really sad that you didn't back the other students against a bad instructor who needs to go. You should have stood as one and you bailed. I'm sorry for your pain, but really disappointed in how you handled this. If she remains and fails you then you will have nothing on record to fight with because you never filed a grievance. Chances are you will then need to repeat a semester and not graduate all because you were afraid to speak up. What a shame.
You could still go to the Dean tomorrow and tell them you were quite upset and overwhelmed yesterday, but would like to discuss, sign grievance, etc. if you are willing to do so. If you aren't then the chips will fall where they may. I really think it is important for you to speak up not just for yourself, but for your fellow students who you know are right in their complaint. Right now you need huge naps after the class and that is all due to stress. Be a part of making this right. You will feel better about yourself if you do. I bet a weight would be lifted.
There's a reason why the Dean called all of you in. And she made mention of it:
The Dean than proceeded to tell me that they have always had problems with this instructor.
I can totally understand your unwillingness to 'rock the boat'. But so far, it doesn't sound like you have anything more to lose. She already saw you as part of the group going into the dean, she has already made culturally insensitive remarks, and you have already failed two tests. This woman sounds completely unstable, and is exerting her tenure status. She most likely leads an absolutely miserable existence outside of her job. I don't know that there is anything that can be done to a tenured professor, but it cannot hurt to speak your mind. If enough people do, over time, maybe not this semester (or even next semester), it will eventually catch up to her. I am sure the university has ways of making her life miserable as well.
I know you are scared, and I honestly don't blame you. But if you sit back, that's one less person that is letting her get away with this negative behavior.
When it was just about the one question I advised to you keep quiet about it. I
This is so much bigger than that one question. You have to speak up about this because this woman is determined to fail out as many of you as she can whether you complain or not. There is strength in numbers, you need to support your classmates and try to get as many people on board as you can.
I wish you luck and I am truly sorry that you are dealing with this psychotic woman.
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APBT mom, LPN, RN
717 Posts
If I were you I would go to the Dean of the school and the Dean of the program regarding her comment. If they don't do anything about contact a lawyer about it. I'm pretty sure you could find some witnesses about that comment. Did she even go over the tests with you or just said the class failed without proof. You can make a scantron fail the entire class just by bubbling the wrong answers. In my opinion she's getting back at your class for reporting her. She shouldn't be able to teach anywhere.
Makes me wonder what she was like as a nurse on the floor.