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.
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.
I have to agree. I am just sick thinking about what you and your classmates are having to go through, I really am. I am SO sorry about what you have been experiencing. It is just not right.
But you have a chance to make it better. I strongly urge you to go back to the Dean tomorrow, explain honestly that you are afraid for your reputation and your ability to pass the program in the current situation, apologize for not being forthcoming because you feared the repercussions, and tell the Dean the truth. I truly believe it is your ONLY chance to overcome this instructor's insanity and finish your program. She has already failed everyone on 2 exams, I don't see her having any qualms about doing it again, and then not only has she gotten away with abusing an entire class of students but she'll get to do it again next semester.
Please go talk to the dean again. I really think it's your best chance at making everything better.
Hang in there, I'm so sorry you're experiencing this.
Perhaps a moderator could ring in with an opinion but would it be appropriate to list the name of the college here? It seems like something about which other students should be warned.
As much as I advocate keeping a low profile, when directly asked by the Dean, I'd be honest. I would absolutely report the direct threats from the teacher.
I would also consider making a report to the campus newspaper and the local news organizations. I might still ask them to keep you anonymous.
Normally I am one to advocate staying above the fray and that would be fine when it was just 2 questions on 1 test. It now has become much bigger and the attack is no longer professional, it has become personal, racial, and harassing.
You seem to be a Christian woman, what does the Bible say? Or Joel Osteen? The passages that come to mind all would encourage you to stand up not only for yourself, but for others who are with you and those who will follow. The MLK holiday just passed, what if he had not taken on the civil rights fight? Where would YOU be now without the rights and progress that was made through his sacrifice?
You allowed a wonderful opportunity to pass, I have never heard of a Dean, Manager, or CEO coming to their students/employees to encourage filing a greivance. Please for your own peace and well being, do what you know is right.
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.
The Dean knows that something's going on in this class. The instructor already saw you going to speak with the Dean from what you posted so most likely your already on her list. I agree with everyone else that you should go back to the Dean and tell him everything especially her comment that I'll see you next semester because you were going to the Dean that's a threat and that the only reason you didn't say anything the day before was because you were upset about the situation.
Yes your instructor can make it look like everyone failed or did poorly on a test especially if they're done on Scantrons. The instructor has to put a master Scantron for each test that has all the correct answers filled in, the machine reads it then she puts each one through the machine and it grades that way and you would never know because you never see the master copy. Are the people who have been doing well in the program and in class also being affected by this? I know that people can screw up on one test but if the people who have done well throughout are now struggling then that could be what she was doing.
My instructor took a toll on me. My expectations of college/nursing school is destroyed. I feel like she robbed me of something. Not quite sure what, but my heart feels not only pain but empty. Confused about what I am feeling. I have so many questions for my instructor.
How dare her put us through this? Why can't she just admit what she did? Why can't she just make it better? Is it true we are not going to graduate? The next semester would mean, fall of 2008. What would that mean? No license, no job, and no money. All because my instructor decides she wants to play games with our lives?
Anyway, I had to take the week end off. I called it my self evaulation week end. It was difficult not to listen to my heart,. Its so much easier giving advises, instead of taking them.
I did not go to the school friday, however, I did call the Dean. I will meet with her tomorrow after class. I also wrote a three page letter. It consists mostly of the incidents that had occurred for the past several weeks. I will submit that to the Dean.
A few classmates did see a reporter, so maybe, it will be in the papers. I didn't want to be labeled as a trouble maker. Or be labeled as "one those students who don't study." I study my butt off. I have weight gain, and lack of sleep to prove it. By all means, I am not a straight "A" student. I am a strong B student.
My student history/grades and past instructors/professors evaluations were explemnary. Unlike, my instructors'
I greatly appreciate all of you guys for being so straightfoward. I RESPECT and need that. I was so confused and scared. Thank you for keeping it real. I am soooo sorry, for not stepping up to plate.
I'm so happy you reported in because you have been in my thoughts often these last few days. Good for you for taking steps to rectify this situation. And you are stepping up to the plate. You just needed to clear your head a bit before doing so. That's okay. What's important is you have banded together with the rest of the class as one. You you will feel much better about yourself for sticking up for what's right and true. You have all been wronged and it sickens me that all of you are going through such a terrible ordeal due to an instructor who is just not fit to teach. Pls know you are in my prayers. This too shall pass. Remember that and keep holding your head high. Hugs!!
If you read enough posts on allnurses, you will find that NS isn't always fair. Do the best you can to get yourself through school, pass your NCLEX, then start working. Those who miss passing by only two questions will need to work harder to keep their scores up by studying what has been covered. I think we've all been there.
Best wishes!!
This is right on the money.
I am fortunate that at my school, instructors are very open that if you can find conflicting information in the book, you get the point, and they don't take it out on you later.
I think it's b/c instructors want to use the same test year after year, and they are too lazy to read the new textbooks when they come out.
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.
I think your doing the right thing. Like you said the instructor is playing with your lives regarding your class having to repeat the semster. Just tell the facts and try not to let your emotions get involved. Your not only doing this for yourself but for the next class who hopefully won't have to deal with this instructor.
Best of luck to you this morning/today with your meeting with the Dean. Stand on your record and provide references. And be calm and OBJECTIVE, if you let too much emotion in to your meeting you may very well lose your objectivity.
Now, if you are asked a subjective question you like "how has this experience affected you?" It will be hard to keep emotions out of it, but be honest and put a positive spin on it. "It's been very hard, I've not slept well since XXX, been nauseated ... But through all of this I discovered how much Nursing School and my potential career mean to me and through this I have become stronger." Point out that it may be too late to change the outcome for your class but this problem is beyond your class and that you are here to testify for the good of the program, school, and future students.
I wish you the best; please remain calm, positive, and objective.
Yesterdays meeting with the Dean went fairly well. I told her the truth. I signed the grievance letter, finally. All of my classmates, 34 of them are on the grievance letter.
I guess on Friday, the Dean of the school requested from our instructor our copies of the exam that has been given along with our scantron. Today, we found out that the instructor does not have our original tests, only the scantrons. She told the Dean that she shredds the exams to prevent students from cheating. Huh?
Today, we had an exam on respiratory. Yesterday, our instructor told us, "By the way make sure you also read Integumentary System and their medications, it will be on your test tomorrow." Wasn't that nice of her?
We read a total of 14 chapters on Resp and medications, a 12 page patient teaching plan, and a story board on resp. Now, 24 hours before the exam, she wants us to read 4 more chapters on skin. ???
Anyway, today's exam was monitored by a Dean. Alittle nerve racking.
The chancellor for the school also spoke with us after class. It seemed to me that the chancellor is on the instructors side. But, definitely, the Dean is on ours.
The chancellor made comments such as, "are you guys studying?" "are you coming in on time, are you doing all of your assignments.. etc. "Don't expect this program as a free ride, you all have to work hard."
We have high standards here so don't think you guys will get away with anything."
What? How is it that every student in the class has the same grievance with the teacher? She delineates from the syllabus, we don't know which chapter to read until later on the week. Next week, we are going to have a titration exam. Which we never did before. So, one of the students asked her if she can spend some time after class with us to teach us. She replied with, "Thats something you need to talk to with the tutor, I don't do that." I looked over to the Dean who was monitoring the class, he didn't do/say anything.
I hope I passed this exam. Thus far, I failed one exam and one quiz.
I can drop one exam, and the quiz is 30% of our grade.
I am praying.. Next semester, is Leadership. I really need to get out of here. It doesn't seem to be getting better.
I really think that the Chancellor is on our instructors side. I am getting that vibe from her.
When every student in the class has signed a grievance they should there is a huge problem with the instructor. Would any of you think about reaching out to a lawyer for some advice?! It might not hurt any as my guess is she is hellebent on failing a lot of the class. I would keep a log of what transpires from here on out.
The instructor is full of crap and the Dean clearly knows that. They don't keep a master copy of the test at home?! How convenient. The Dean should make her give it again. I would.
The Chancellor being on the instructor's side (while gross) doesn't shock me. They want to avoid a lawsuit which is probably coming from either the instructor or the students. Try and stay clam and do your best.
Yeah, I don't think I'll ever use the words "fair" and "Nursing" in the same sentence... It's one of those, "OH IF I ONLY HAD TWO MORE POINTS I'D BUMP UP MY AVERAGE!!!" things... and I think EVERYONE goes through it...
I'm not trying to sound harsh, but generally, there is a REASON that professors ask certain questions--- it's to make you THINK. ANYONE can take a class, memorize facts, and pass the tests... that's not how NS works... They aren't trying (well somewhat...) to force you to memorize the history of every nursing specialty-- in real life, we will have resources for that if we need to look it up... It's not about facts--- it's about how you USE them--- lab values are just numbers unless you figure out that a patient is in Metabolic Acidosis because of them... You don't save lives with FACTS, you save lives with CRITICAL THINKING.
future L&Dnurse
263 Posts
I have to agree. I am just sick thinking about what you and your classmates are having to go through, I really am. I am SO sorry about what you have been experiencing. It is just not right.
But you have a chance to make it better. I strongly urge you to go back to the Dean tomorrow, explain honestly that you are afraid for your reputation and your ability to pass the program in the current situation, apologize for not being forthcoming because you feared the repercussions, and tell the Dean the truth. I truly believe it is your ONLY chance to overcome this instructor's insanity and finish your program. She has already failed everyone on 2 exams, I don't see her having any qualms about doing it again, and then not only has she gotten away with abusing an entire class of students but she'll get to do it again next semester.
Please go talk to the dean again. I really think it's your best chance at making everything better.
Hang in there, I'm so sorry you're experiencing this.