Finishing program but very hurt and disappointed

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Ok, so I have to vent. I am completing my LPN program next week. A classmate has just informed me that despite the fact that ALL of us have worked VERY hard in order to pass the program, only a select few will be receiving special awards. I can understand receiving an award for having the highest GPA. But to receive an award for being the instructor's favorite at clinicals? That is a bit too much. Throughout this year I have watched teachers pick on certain students and yet allow others to get away with just about anything. I am so hurt and disappointed with my school. I do not recommend it to anyone. Has anyone else experience this and if so, how do you move on and not be hurt? I really don't want to even attend our pinning ceremony.

Some things you cannot change. But look at it this way: you completed a very hard program and deserve to be honored at that pinning ceremony. You should go and focus on the positives and have fun with your fellow classmates. Now you get to move on and get a job helping people and using your skills.

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Moons ago when I graduated, our school gave out awards for such things as "most therapeutic nurse-patient relationship," a "nurse leadership" award, and I think an award related to neuroscience and a few other things.

I don't think 5 minutes after graduation, anyone remembered who got an award. Our focus was on graduation and passing boards. My GPA did not even matter to my future employers.

Nursing is a profession where you will work hard every day and get little thanks or recognition for what you do. If you need recognition to feel validated, you might find yourself one frustrated nurse! Don't be hurt. You are getting the best award of all. You graduated! Congratulations!

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At my graduation, it seems EVERYBODY had a cord of some sort, some for not even doing anything for them. Well, let me be the first to tell you how weird it felt that I, one of maybe 5 people, DIDN'T have a cord to put around my lovely neck. I felt a little left out, with some students boasting 4 or 5 cords, and a little ticked that I graduated with a 3.495, 0.005 GPA points off from getting the "honors cord".

But you know what the best of all of it was? Myself and another student, who was one of the students who was whipping her 4-some cords around in the air, making sure everybody saw what achievements she made, had applied for the same job. Guess who got offered the job? That's right, ME; just me and my bare neck. I didn't have any fancy rewards on my resume as I had not received any, but that didn't mean anything when it came time to get a job, a job in one of my preferred specialities at that.

So just remember, school is school, work is work. There is a big difference and how you were perceived to do in school isn't what most managers rely on/even take in account when hiring you. Let them receive their little papers saying they are the "Best at... blah blah blah" while you collect your paper with Benjamins on them.

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School is by far the easiest part of this whole nursing thing. If something like this bothers you, whooo dogggie... wait till you get into the real world of nursing.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

So just remember, school is school, work is work. There is a big difference and how you were perceived to do in school isn't what most managers rely on/even take in account when hiring you. Let them receive their little papers saying they are the "Best at... blah blah blah" while you collect your paper with Benjamins on them.

THIS....

Best post EVER. :yes:

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I'm no nurse yet but i have been working in the field and just merely will be beginning my nursing school journey in January 2015 however the best advice that I can give to you is to make this a stepping stone. If the teacher allowed them to get away with anything and held other students to higher standards im sure you will make a far better nurse. Don't miss out on your pinning ceremony because of the foolishness hopefully you have family to come support and be proud of you for making it if not the classmates you struggled with be there to support each other you deserve it and you shall rejoice in your hard work. Congrats on your success and im not telling you to just get over it but see what the "harder work" it does for you in the near future. Good luck!

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Honey get your pin. And certificate and move on you don't have to look at them ppl no more.. I wouldn't give a flying flip. Give me mines and im out.. teachers will always have there favorite. If this was a issue it shoulda been address way before graduation. You made it to the end. Just move on.

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Get your pin and move on. You think you're gonna be stressing over this when you're making a difference in people's lives?

Move on. Live and Let Live.

Good luck.

Source: Experience

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At my graduation, it seems EVERYBODY had a cord of some sort, some for not even doing anything for them. Well, let me be the first to tell you how weird it felt that I, one of maybe 5 people, DIDN'T have a cord to put around my lovely neck. I felt a little left out, with some students boasting 4 or 5 cords, and a little ticked that I graduated with a 3.495, 0.005 GPA points off from getting the "honors cord".

But you know what the best of all of it was? Myself and another student, who was one of the students who was whipping her 4-some cords around in the air, making sure everybody saw what achievements she made, had applied for the same job. Guess who got offered the job? That's right, ME; just me and my bare neck. I didn't have any fancy rewards on my resume as I had not received any, but that didn't mean anything when it came time to get a job, a job in one of my preferred specialities at that.

So just remember, school is school, work is work. There is a big difference and how you were perceived to do in school isn't what most managers rely on/even take in account when hiring you. Let them receive their little papers saying they are the "Best at... blah blah blah" while you collect your paper with Benjamins on them.

Thanks I really appreciate this!

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THIS would be EXACTLY why I can't stand the idea of every kid getting a blue ribbon because he entered the race, regardless of performance.....or a trophy handed out because the kid had the very special quality of having his Mom register him for the group activity.

Awards are, by definition, offered in recognition of an achievement above and beyond expectations....if offered at all.

I cannot get over the idea that a grown adult would actually be "hurt" to not receive her very own special recognition for being, well.....special?......at a Nursing Program graduation ceremony.

BTW: No one gave ME an award today, and I'm really quite good at what I do. I am genuinely hurt.

Sorry, but this is just over the top.

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I think its great that YOU finish the course that is a battle itself. I was in CNA class and had to retake the course because I let my CNA lapsed. Because I worked as a CNA for years and told a few students the instructor was mad and treated me like I should have said anything she had favorites too. Do not let her ruin what you accomplish go to graduation and get that pin there is your award.

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I think the "favorite at clinicals" award is just ridiculous. But I do support other awards that have meaning (Valedictorian, etc) and I agree with the others that of course not everyone is going to get an award even if they worked really hard.

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