ready to quit school, almost

Halinja, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2006

:angryfire I have almost hit my breaking point with school, i am set to graduate in the spring of 2007, but my class mates and i have encountered a problem. In the middle of our two year program ( we are going for our associates degree) the faculty changed our program. In nursing 1 and 2 we were granted four test grades as well as three math test grades and 3 care plan grades that resulted in our final grades. They used a grading system that is very hard to understand but in a nut shell if we passed all three math tests we would get an additional 10-15 points added to our final grade which could push those on the edge over to passing. On our first day of this semester, we were told that our math grades no longer matter, other than the fact that if we dont pass them we get kicked out of the program, add to this the fact that our care plan grades dont even kick in until after we get the required grade to pass. I just feel like we are being set up to fail, perhaps i am just frustrated and venting, but i would like to know if all schools are like this, or if i am just over reacting. I look forward to any input anyone can give me. Thanks.

Sounds like business as usual to me. If they didn't change the requirements in the middle of the semester, then they have the right to change their grading system. In fact, each teacher in our program has different grading systems and different expectations. Be happy they told you at the beginning of the semester, instead of halfway through.

The ONE thing that has remained constant is that we get one ungraded math test each quarter. You get 100% or you're out. You get three tries, but there have been people who have not made it past the math test.

If its just a change in grading, then it isn't really a change in the program. A change in the program would be they added entirely new content or a whole new class. Our program is in constant flux, new teachers, new ideas. That's life in nursing school!

Hang in there. I know from experience that sometimes nursing school seems overwhelming. But y'know, it does end eventually!

hikernurse · Nov 11, 2006

I hear and feel your frustration. Our school is the same, if we don't get 78% on our tests we fail; no matter what grades we get in clinicals/quizzes/projects/care plans.

It does seem unfair to make you change boats midstream, but I think that's how NS seem to operate. We never know what to expect. I guess that's not so different from working as a nurse, though.

The thing that's hardest about my school is that administration seems to feel that communication only goes one way. We have to keep them posted on everything, yet they don't extend the same courtesy to the students. Even if they would just say changes need to be done, give a rationale, or do something to keep us in the loop, it would really make a difference.

I just try to keep my head low and my eyes on the prize. I did find that choosing to accept that things are constantly changing in school and choosing to keep plugging away really helps. Sometimes it's all in how you frame it :-).

Don't quit now!!! You've gone this far and you may as well finish :-). Besides, when you're a nurse and exchanging war stories about NS, it will be worth it.

Good luck. I know NS can be very frustrating and difficult to get through--but if you've gotten this far, you're a tough cookie and can get to the end :-).

nicuRN2007 · Nov 11, 2006

In our program, the only thing that counts toward are final average is our tests. We have to take and pass a dosage and solutions exam at the beginning of the semester (with at least a 90%), and we have to take 2 hesi tests at the end of the semester (on which we must score above the national average). If we don't pass the dosage and solutions test with at least a 90% or if we don't score above the national average on the hesi test, we are out. We get absolutely NO grades other than our test grades, so there's no chance of pulling up your grade with care plans or anything like that.

So, I don't think what your school's doing is unordinary. Don't quit!

Good luck!

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 11, 2006

Well you know, every doctor wants different things, too.That is the frustrating part of nursing. Having to try and please so many differing personalities and preferences is tough. But it is a definate fact. You end up trying to please so many---various doctors/providers, patients, and their families.

If you can adjust in nursing school to all this madness, you have a better chance of making it as a nurse when you have graduated. I would simply advise, as before, going with the flow.

Nursing school is tough. Actual nursing is much tougher, however. Hang in there, and keep on doing your best. The old saying "bend or you will break" is never-truer than it is in nursing.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 11, 2006

Our program changes the grading scale every semester, sometimes in the middle of the semester and it's what the teacher feels their needs are, not ours. And we must have an 82% test average to stay in the program - so our final grade can be much higher but you gotta have the 82% test average. We must also have a 95% test average on all dosage which is every single clinical - or we fail clinical. It's all part of the game that we all play to get through NS and get on with our lives.

bopps · Nov 11, 2006

As a senior RN student I can understand your frustration. Hang in there, the end is in sight. My school requires us to have a 94 on our math tests or we are out of the program. But they let us know that up front and we can take it up to three times with manditory review sessions beforehand. Stay strong!

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Nov 12, 2006

When I was in school (just graduated this May) we passed the class only on our test grades and that had to be 80% to even pass. Our clinicals were a different class and we were graded on our abilities on the floor and our careplans. So believe me we hit the books hard before and during clinicals, never knew what the instructor might ask. As far as math goes we had to pass with a 100%, we had three tries if we didnt pass we were out of the program. Nursing school is tuff and the rules are always changing. Just like some of the other posters stated, learn to go with the flow, it makes life easier.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Nov 12, 2006

And wait til you go to work as a nurse. Every floor in the hospital will have a different way to do things. Every team leader or charge nurse will have a different way of leading. Don't focus so much on the numbers, but rather focus on what you are learning. Once you learn something, then you will be able to pass any form of test or quiz.

ortess1971 · Nov 12, 2006

My school did not count the math tests.You had to pass it with an 85 and you got 3 chances. If you didn't reach the required score, you were done. Care plans were part of clinical and clinical grades were pass/fail. Nursing four we only had 3 exam grades! That meant if you messed up big on one, you were in trouble. We did do ATI testing and if you passed the ATI's with a certain percentile, they would add 3 points to your final grade. The weird thing was, you had to be passing in the first place to qualify for the 3 points so it didn't help anyone who was failing...They also would change things last minute and we just had to suck it up..I think they were trying to prepare us for how hospitals operate!:uhoh21:

catnip · Nov 12, 2006

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has posted a reply, you have all made great points and helped me to look at my situation from other points of view. I know how hospitals love to throw curve balls at their staff as i have been an aide for over 6 years, i think i just feel burnt out, working full time and going to school full time is getting to me. To be so close to the end of the almost 5 year long haul and having the rules changed seems to have thrown me for a loop. The fact that my class mates and i have tried so hard and yet seem to keep hitting walls has brought down all of our morals, but this post has helped me to see that it is happening everywhere. I will share your words of wisdom with my friends and hopefully it will help us all buckle down and as one post stated "keep our eyes on the prize". Thanks again to everyone.

RNKITTY04 · Nov 12, 2006

With the attitude you have just displayed, you will be FINE. Accepting criticism with grace and gratitude are hard traits to master but you have them down pat.

You will be done soon. Remember: "This too shall pass"

Good Luck to you and your classmates :)

DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P · Nov 12, 2006

Nursing school sucks. In medicine things are constantly changing. I have worked in EMS for 10 years and I have seen how things (nursing is the same in this aspect) change and you just gotta go with the flow. In my school, each class is 7.5 weeks long. For instance, the first half of this semester was MedSurg II which involves cardiac and respiratory. There are only three exams, which count for 30, 30 and 40% (respectively) of a student's grade. Finals are cumulative, and you need 75% to pass. (Another local college requires 80%) The 2nd 7.5 weeks is OB, and there are also only 3 exams. For the clinical portions, we also have a 20 question drug dose test in which 1st year students need 90% and 2nd year students need 100%. But I agree that if a school is going to change or add graduation requirements, it should be for subsequent classes. Hang in there!