Can an instructor do this???

Nurses General Nursing

Published

In my school, we take all of our tests in one big room on our lap tops using a lockdown browser. We were scheduled for a 0900 test. Nothing is scheduled for the rest of the day, we are free to leave when we are done.

0910 After everyone got set up, our instructor tried to release the test to us and was unable due to technical errors.

0930 She continues to attempt to release the test with the help of IT

0945 She announces she is going to make paper copies for everyone

0946 A line of about 40 students forms to tell her that they have work/kids/an appointment at such and such time. She says "im sorry looks like you wont make it"

0950 I hear with my own ears the instructor tell a girl that she will have to reschedule her JOB INTERVIEW at the hospital. "tough" she says.

1050 we finally start our test. it will be at least 30 min before the first person is done

What do you think of her behavior? Could we students have done anything?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I question the instructor waiting so long before printing a test on paper!

This happened when I was in school-we took tests in the computer lab- could not access the tests. It was only about 10 minutes before the instructor printed out paper copies.

I guess you could go to the dean of the program....If I had been the person who had the interview, I'd have stepped out to call and reschedule. I'm sure they would have understood.

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It was poor form on her part, but it seems that yes, she could do that. She should have allowed students to reschedule the test, and I'm pretty sure my instructors would have done that had it happened at our school.

OTOH, I remember having skills evaluations go WAY WAY past the time they were supposed to be completed, and the answer to "but I have other things to do" was "sorry". People stomped and complained, but the answer was that if they wanted to complete the evaluation (duh) then they would have to change any other plans that might conflict with it.

What you could have done? Well, you could have refused to take the exam at that time, left, and tried to get the dean to allow you to take it later. Very chancy, IMO. The right thing isn't always what happens, not in school and not in the real world. Sorry you had to deal with it!

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My nursing school pulled this kind of crap all the time....last minute time changes, power plays, etc. Unfortunately, I don't know how to change to system unless you're part of it. It's likely the dean would have backed the instructor anyway. I don't know what you could have done. I believe nursing schools sometimes (can't say always, I don't know) try to initiate students by being as difficult and b****y as possible. It's like, we suffered, so now you will, too. Ok, flame away.:wink2:

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Was this during your normal class time? Does class usually last longer than the test? If it was during regular class time and you just usually get out early after exams then I think the prof was justified in giving the exam so late, because getting out early is just a bonus.

BUT if your exam was not during class time and it was scheduled during a certain time that was not met by the professor, then it was totally unjustified and should not have happened that way. As a student you have other obligations and your time is not owned by class when it is not scheduled. This is not a fair situation, hopefully everyones plans worked out alright. Hopefully the student with the job interview was able to explain and it was understood by the hospital - I know I would not want to start out an interviewing process on such a bad foot and be considered unreliable.

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Our instructor tells us that being a good nurse means being flexible. I guess that's their way of covering their butts! Don't sweat it. It's not going to change anything and you'll be done before you know it w/o getting into their line of fire.

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thanks for your answers. the test time was not during class, it was a scheduled, time limited exam for 0900-1000.

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She CAN, but she SHOULDN'T.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
She CAN, but she SHOULDN'T.

AMEN!

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I learned from the beginning that changes are made last minute. I always planned anything way off from scheduled exams, classes, and clinicals.

I also like to make sure I have a mental rest anyway.

I do this for alot of things especially since I have kids and know many things in life can't be perfectly planned.

Not so say I think the teacher is correct. Like the previous post stated "She can but shouldn't"

I remember others in class getting upset because they were going to be late for unimportant things. I mean really upset. I even overheard students lie. Very few times was it legit. I do not think the teacher should have to hear it. (I know they were not oblivious either) So after awhile I could see the teacher wanting to block all excuses.

Sad that it comes down to this.

Just like the cell phone thread. People abuse and others ending up having to deal with the consequences.

For the job interview, If the hospital is willing to deal with the importance of taking the test then they would understand. (with proof) If not I would question the hospitals ability to be flexible. (Especially if the interview is with a NM, I know my NM would understand)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

It only took me a couple of weeks to realize that while I was in their program they owned my butt, sigh. Once I accepted that if they said jump I needed to know how high it made things easier for me.

:(

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Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm just heartless, but I never, ever schedule anything that close together.

If I had a 9:00 am. test scheduled, I wouldn't have made any other commitments that day until at least 12:00.

You always have to plan for the unexpected.

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