I just had my nurse pinning and it was an amazing experience but I also left feeling a little bit upset. They gave out awards and some if the awards for clinical excellence. A good bit of the students did not demonstrate this in my opinion. They picked all the students who did the LPN program and then finished with the RN for one thing. Of course those students are going to have extra time with the instructors. Then the picked one girl who complained every chance she got and talked so much crap about every instructor. I had to intentionally distance myself from this person she had mouthed our program so much. One guy almost failed clinical which isn't even easy to do in my program because basically everyone gets As and Be in clinical. One girl who openly admitted she refuses to do CNA work to the instructors got picked. Another girl who said she hates bed side nursing and went through the same oncology immersion as me and said she wanted to cry everyday because it was so hard. It upsets me because I always tried to keep a positive attitude. I had multiple nurses go up to my instructors and speak about how well I did. I hadn't gotten any deficiency points in clinical since level one in clinical. I had an incident that I won't go into details about but that nurse personally write my instructors emails about me. And I was upset because I did so well in clinicals moreso than the students who were chosen and didn't get picked. It made me angry that every person who did the LPN got picked. Not to mention there were a few other students who were exceptional in clinical who ddint get picked. It actually has stuck with me and I am thinking about writing a letter to the new dean of nursing. They also picked some students who had failed and then came back. Of course the instructors are going to know them better they had an extra year to get to know them. My school also lets students who failed a semester who retake a course into the honor society. I just think the whole structure in u fair. Not to mention my school uses the same exam questions and the students with friends or siblings who went through the program previously all cheated their assed off. They only change a few questions every semester. And I watched them get awards I don't think they earned.
I had a health issue that I never complained about or tried to get attention for, my husband had a gambling addiction, I have three children... and got through it with no failing and exceptional clinical abilities. I'm just mad it was a popularity contest instead of a recognition of clinical ability. I didn't have time to linger around the instructors offices all the time I had to get home to my son.
I can't help but feel negative emotions even though it doesn't matter anymore because we graduated anymore. Should I write the dean an annamous letter?
No, I would not write a letter. Welcome to the real world where life is not always fair and every player does not get a blue ribbon. Focus that energy on your career and family which is a much better place for it! Congratulations on your graduation!
seems like you need to worry about your self and your future. you just gave us a list of everyone elses faults. you seem real judgmental and that can also be a characteristic that they seen in you. you are not entitled to an award and its only a piece of paper. as long as you got through the program. that was your goal unless the award was your goal
Nursing school is a microcosm of the work-world you will be entering. There will always be people that you feel are getting by with something or getting preferential treatment. The operative words here are "you feel". While it is your opinion that they did not deserve these awards, your instructors felt differently. Such is life. Hanging onto resentment over something that is not hindering you in getting a job, doing your job, or living your life, seems to me to be a waste of time and energy. Just my opinion, of course, but life is too dang short to sweat the small stuff...and in the big scheme of things, this is definitely small stuff.
I think you should definitely bring this up during employment interviews. Let the interviewer know how upset you are about what happened and that they should hire you as the best clinical nurse!
And dont listen to the others. You should totally write the letter to the Dean, but make sure you sign your name to it. Also demand a really good reference letter as compensation for no certificate.
I understand your frustration. I felt that way when awards were given as well. However, like the other posters have said, you have bigger fish to fry. When you get into the work place, you will see this continue to happen. Life isn't always fair. Hope you feel better!
Oh for heaven's sake. A letter??!! You're an adult, please lose the "that's not fair" whine. It's unbecoming. And welcome to the wonderful world of reality. Get ready to face even more of it in terms of scheduling, rewards, awards, assignments, shifts, special projects, you name it. Here's the deal. Nobody cares about your opinion. You don't have the right to judge other students. You don't have the big picture. You are going to be very unhappy if this is the kind of crap you let rent space in your head. You have a husband and a child. They should be your focus and your joy.
The best advice I can give you is to stay in your lane. You seem to have spent so much time taking note of other nurses' imperfections, while not concentrating on your own. I understand that this is your opinion of how the awards were distributed, but it is not your call or right to say what someone else deserves. You spent so much time talking about what they DIDN'T deserve, not enough time talking about the fact you felt you deserved it as well. You weren't there the year prior, so you have no idea what those returning students went through. Their business is front and center, whereas you decided to keep your issues to yourself. Sometimes, awards are based on the will to get up after falling, dear. At the end of the day, focus on what matters- TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS. Accolades will come, but shouldn't be your primary focus. Let down your guard and be vulnerable. It's okay to not know exactly what to do all the time. It's okay to feel lost, or unprepared. That's the beauty of learning and nursing. If you keep the attitude of highlighting failures instead of accomplishments, I'm afraid you'd only block your blessings. Oh, and the student you "intentionally distanced yourself from,"- you WILL come in contact with patients that are JUST like that person you ran from. Learn to deal with different personalities. That is the whole meaning behind group sessions, and interaction with peers. You can't always run, charge it head on and deal with it. As far as writing an anonymous letter, I advise you against it. What would it accomplish?? If this is an issue that you want to pursue against the advice all of the above commenters as well as myself, then do so with DIGNITY and COURAGE. Learn to express your thoughts, especially if they're contrary, in the light-not the dark. Wishing you well in your endeavors. Congratulations, Mal.
I would let it go. I was unhappy I was not chosen for awards at our pinning ceremony because in my opinion I deserved it over the others that were selected. My opinion does not matter in this case and neither does yours. Let it go and move on.
Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.
GREENeyednurse1228 -
Stop. Really. It's over, move on.
Envy is a toxic waste of your energy and life. I have never really been one to be jealous or envious, I think I lack the gene for it or something. My position is generally - something great happens to someone else, good for them - but it doesn't make my life (or career) "less than" in any way. And, of course, I know folks that should not be doing certain jobs or dumb***** that get promoted - or whatever. It always inspired me to step up my prep and excel in some way.
I take the "how does this impact me" approach - easy, peasy to move on and spend my energy on things that... MATTER.
THIS AWARD ISSUE AT PINNING DOES NOT REALLY MATTER, IMHO.
How are you going to feel if you don't get a great assignment or interesting patients?
I think it's to your benefit to talk to a therapist. Really. Therapy was the best gift I have ever given myself. Consistent energy spent on surveillance of others is unhealthy. It will hurt you over time (personally and in your career).
Self awareness and healthy patterns in communication and intention is a beautiful thing.
Seriously. Go study for the NCLEX! It doesn't matter. As a current instructor at a community college and former clinical instructor at two four year schools, I am sure that there is a distinct possibility that your perception of your own ability may not match your professors assessmentsof you.
One clinical group of mine included a person who hung out in the nursery studying for another class and a person who was always late and complained loudly that I should get her some time in the NICU even though it was not part of the rotation at our clinical site. So although like these students, you may rate yourself outstanding for every aspect of care.. your instructors may disagree.
I understand that you are dissapointed but don't do anything irritational. The important thing is that you got pinned. There are plenty of people who would kill to get into nursing school and even more to finish and get pinned. It sucks to work hard and not get something you feel you deserve. I hope this was just a rant and you cope with the negative feelings in a healthy way. Good luck with NCLEX and finding a job.
Daisy4RN
2,238 Posts
No, I would not write a letter. Welcome to the real world where life is not always fair and every player does not get a blue ribbon. Focus that energy on your career and family which is a much better place for it! Congratulations on your graduation!