group work fear

Nursing Students General Students

Published

i know this might sound totally irrational, but i can't help it, so here goes. i absolutely HATE the thought of having group assignments/projects in nursing school. did any of you have to do these?? my whole life, i've always made straight A's and been very dedicated in school. even in junior high and highschool, i hated group work because i somehow always ended up being the one who got stuck doing everything, and taking up my partners' slack. my other classmates loved group stuff, because they got to socialize and could put some of the work off on others. any group assignment stressed me out, and my classmates always wanted to be in my group because they knew things would get done, and get done well. however, now that i'm about to start nursing school, i'm terrified at the thought of my grades on anything being in ANY way dependent on anyone else. i don't like doing group work, period. i want my grade to reflect what i did, and if i don't do well, i want myself to be the only one to blame. i get very nervous when i'm relying on anyone else to come through for anything. i would really rather just do it myself, because i know it will get done. plus, i can do it on my own time. please let me know if any of you had experiences with group work, or if everything was pretty much individual. thanks! :)

...I don't like group projects in school because many times if you truly do care about your grade and tend to work to achieve your best, you are sometimes grouped with others who don't feel the same....unlike a job where you are often required to "do your part" on a large team project, a school project isn't necessarily the same...

this is my thought exactly. i realize there is a lot to "learn" from teamwork, but when grades are everything when you're trying to get into grad school, it's a whole other ball game. i can't afford to have MY grade be based on anything another individual might or might not do. in a job setting, it's different... you're not getting a grade for it. plus, nursing school for me is a stepping stone. i'm afraid my other classmates will see it as the "end" of their education, and that passing nursing school is all that matters. for me, getting A's is what matters. not passing boards, becoming a nurse and being done with it. i have a larger goal in sight, one that requires a very high GPA, and i don't want to rely on anyone else's work and study skills for that. i can't tell you how many nursing students i've heard say, "i'm so burnt out on studying, at this point i'm just trying to get through it, i don't even care about my GPA anymore." like i said before, if i don't do well, i don't want anyone else to blame but myself. i don't want to have to babysit someone and stay on their back to do their part because MY grade is at stake.

APH401---Its not that serious of an issue, you are acting as if your whole life is going to be ruined if you have to do group projects on nursing school. And im nto trying to be rude or anything but the attitude you have towards working with people is not very promisng for a future nurse, a future member of someone healthcare TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

APH: Ok, I've read your second post clarifying your initial worry. I understand what you're saying, but think of it this way: everyone who has graduated nursing school has had this same situation. I cannot think of anyone in school who did not strive for their best performance when it came to any kind of assignment, be it group or individual. EVERYONE knows grades matter; the rationalization of "C=RN" is really just a mantra people use to help lighten the stress a bit. That you CAN get to the NCLEX with a C--NOT that it's the goal.

Many people do not see nursing school as "the end". They often are looking toward getting into higher programs and know full well there's competition. The competitive nature of the student that got them through to this point is not going to just disappear in an "oh well, I can sit back now" attitude. Just doesn't work that way.

We had one fella in our program who was, IMO, way too laid back, and had a "blah" attitude toward many things we had to do or learn. He was bright enough to blow off studying and still get a B, and he was fine with that. HOWEVER, even HE stepped up to the plate in group projects, pulled at least his own weight, and probably because he knew full well the hell he'd get if he didn't, since other people were depending on him to DO his best.

I understand your worries, really I do. But I really can't stress enough that nursing school is unlike other group efforts--everyone has busted their hump to be there and everyone, frankly, is rather achievement-oriented. The rare exception, as I just mentioned, still isn't enough to make a difference in your world.

And the poster who suggested you loosen the grip of control, well, she's right too. The reality of group assignments is that you need to learn to do *precisely* that for effective teamwork. There will always be a leader emerging in every group situation, but it does not benefit you to have YOU always be that person, nor does it even translate into better grades for you all. There are clearcut reasons for having these types of assignments in school, and you will get the most out of them by recognizing this going in.

Don't take the tact that group assignments are inherantly troublesome, or that you are automatically disadvantaged. I think you might just find that the students in your group have at least as much to gain as you....and what if you find yourself matched up with a student who is even more ambitious than you, she's headed for med school, and sees YOU as a problem to overcome? ;) Just a thought!

I don't recommend going through life seeing opportunities as only "stepping stones" to other opportunities. BE HERE NOW, I say. You criticize classmates for wanting to pass the boards, become a nurse and be done with it, but that sounds EXACTLY like what you want to do -- only you want to get an "A." How will becoming a nurse help prepare you for this other career you are alluding to unless you actually do it and don't just go through the motions?

I don't think it's fair to assume your classmates are slackers. I suspect that you don't have any respect for nursing students or professionals and feel that you are somehow better than they are. You'll see...

I know how you feel about group work and all, I was the same way, but what everyone has said here, group work is very important in learning to work as a team. But I am a little bothered by one of the posts you wrote...that mentioned about going to PA school and that nursing wasn't really your goal....I don't know if anyone caught that.

I am in no way going against you and all. Like i said I understand how you feel, but I'm just curious, why did you want to go to nursing school? Are you going to take the boards after you graduate and work as a nurse??? You mentioned that nursing wasn't your goal, why didn't you major in something else? That could have helped with getting into PA school. And I agree with what firstyearstudent said, you can't really go through life seeing opportunities as stepping stones. Nursing is a really difficult major, and when you get out there in the real world, it's going to be harder. Challenging, but can be enjoyable. Even as a PA, I'm sure you have to learn teamwork as well. Just a thought....

And im nto trying to be rude or anything but the attitude you have towards working with people is not very promisng for a future nurse, a future member of someone healthcare TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

maybe you should actually read my posts before you reply. i'm not planning on being a nurse -- i'm going to grad school for PA, and this is why i'm so concerned with my grades. 36 students are selected every year out of 400+ applicants, and GPA is everything in this situation. nursing school is simply the quickest way for me to achieve this.

I don't recommend going through life seeing opportunities as only "stepping stones" to other opportunities. BE HERE NOW, I say. You criticize classmates for wanting to pass the boards, become a nurse and be done with it, but that sounds EXACTLY like what you want to do -- only you want to get an "A." How will becoming a nurse help prepare you for this other career you are alluding to unless you actually do it and don't just go through the motions?

I don't think it's fair to assume your classmates are slackers. I suspect that you don't have any respect for nursing students or professionals and feel that you are somehow better than they are. You'll see...

ummm... wow. you shouldn't see opportunities in life as stepping stones? good thing doctors don't have this view, or they wouldn't exist. biomedical sciences degree, then med school, then internship, then residency... these are all stepping stones to doing what they want to do, which is being an MD. same with many other careers.. even nursing - many people go the LPN route as a stepping stone towards eventually being an RN. how did i criticize my classmates for wanting to pass boards? i'm just saying that i have other goals in sight. i also never said they were slackers or better than me... hell, i'm not even IN nursing school yet. i'm addressing a fear i have for a potential problem that has always been a problem in the PAST. you suspect i have no respect for nursing students? then WHY the hell would i be trying to be a nursing student?? your post makes no sense. just because i see nursing as a "means to an end" doesn't mean i think i'm better. people like you are exactly the kind i hate dealing with -- you think anyone who wants to better themselves from nursing has a self-righteous attitude. no, i just want to make more money. end of story, really.

I know how you feel about group work and all, I was the same way, but what everyone has said here, group work is very important in learning to work as a team. But I am a little bothered by one of the posts you wrote...that mentioned about going to PA school and that nursing wasn't really your goal....I don't know if anyone caught that.

I am in no way going against you and all. Like i said I understand how you feel, but I'm just curious, why did you want to go to nursing school? Are you going to take the boards after you graduate and work as a nurse??? You mentioned that nursing wasn't your goal, why didn't you major in something else? That could have helped with getting into PA school. And I agree with what firstyearstudent said, you can't really go through life seeing opportunities as stepping stones. Nursing is a really difficult major, and when you get out there in the real world, it's going to be harder. Challenging, but can be enjoyable. Even as a PA, I'm sure you have to learn teamwork as well. Just a thought....

i'm going to nursing school because i have all the pre-reqs for it, and in order to change my major to biomedical sciences (which typically leads to PA school), it would take me an extra 2 years... not to mention i'd have to endure tons of science and calculus classes that aren't even required for the PA program. plus, nursing will help give me experience in the healthcare field, and working in hospitals in general, that i think will be valuable to me in PA school. bottom line, it's the quickest way for me to get to PA school, and will also give me a degree that i can immediately get a job with and work as a nurse before PA school starts, without having nothing to do while i'm sitting out of school for those months. the PA advisor i talked to warned me that there is a rivalry between the nursing program and the PA program, and that the nurses get "huffy" when students graduate the nusring program and run straight to the PA people to try to get in. but like she said, you can't let that stop you from your goal.. and PA school is my goal. people who have a problem with that are very small minded. i'm not demeaning nursing in any way, i just would rather do the extra 2 years of PA school if it means making more money for the rest of my life, and getting out of some of the more "undesirable" aspects of the nursing job. is that really so bad?

I anticipate going for a master's in public health as soon as I graduate nursing school (I already have a BA in an unrelated field). So nursing school is also a stepping stone for me. It is just not "only" a stepping stone. I have a lot of respect for the nursing profession and intend to become the best nurse I can in whatever time I carve out for myself at the bedside. I don't want to move on, but to incorporate a nursing background and all that I learn in nursing into a future career. But public health is a calling for me, it doesn't have anything to do with money or not wanting to get my hands dirty as a bedside nurse...

i'm going to nursing school because i have all the pre-reqs for it, and in order to change my major to biomedical sciences (which typically leads to PA school), it would take me an extra 2 years... not to mention i'd have to endure tons of science and calculus classes that aren't even required for the PA program. plus, nursing will help give me experience in the healthcare field, and working in hospitals in general, that i think will be valuable to me in PA school. bottom line, it's the quickest way for me to get to PA school, and will also give me a degree that i can immediately get a job with and work as a nurse before PA school starts, without having nothing to do while i'm sitting out of school for those months. the PA advisor i talked to warned me that there is a rivalry between the nursing program and the PA program, and that the nurses get "huffy" when students graduate the nusring program and run straight to the PA people to try to get in. but like she said, you can't let that stop you from your goal.. and PA school is my goal. people who have a problem with that are very small minded. i'm not demeaning nursing in any way, i just would rather do the extra 2 years of PA school if it means making more money for the rest of my life, and getting out of some of the more "undesirable" aspects of the nursing job. is that really so bad?

Thank you for your clarification, and also thanks for understanding that in no way was I going against you. I do understand your goal. I actually think about going to med school now and then...I have most of the prereqs done like I'm sure you have for the PA program, and yes very hard science classes and calculus (ugh...). But I definitely want to do nursing now so that I learn good assessment skills and help take care of my patients. Pretty much I want to be the best nurse I can be. Good luck in your endeavors.

I don't want to move on, but to incorporate a nursing background and all that I learn in nursing into a future career. But public health is a calling for me, it doesn't have anything to do with money or not wanting to get my hands dirty as a bedside nurse...

right, like i said, i think nursing would get my foot in the door and give me the hospital experience and medical-related background i need to be a better PA... rather than, say, getting a history degree and applying for the PA program. i have always wanted to be a PA ever since i shadowed one a few years ago and learned more and more about the profession through research. however, i'd be lying if i said there weren't practical reasons, too. i have an infant daughter and would like to take advantage of the fact that my parents are willing to pay for my further education, and do it now while they are willing, so that i don't have to struggle financially as a single parent, and regret later that i didn't take them up on their offer for grad school when it's too late and i have to pay for it myself. i do respect nurses, i just want something different for myself, and i feel the need to further my education NOW so that i don't have financial issues in the future... i want the best for my daughter, so of course, that's a big reason for me thinking "practically" about a career choice.. it's about more than just "my calling".... right now, my calling is to do whatever i have to do to make a comfortable life for her.

APH:

It sounds like you have a good plan and I applaud your efforts to make a good living for yourself and your child. However, I do think it's a little naive of you to get on a website for nurses and expect support when you have no interest in becoming a nurse but only want to use the degree to get somewhere else.

You accuse nurses of being small-minded concerning your goals, but there is a nursing shortage and applicants out there who want to be bedside nurses. (Of course, I'm no one to talk, because I'm not sure how long I'll be at the bedside myself -- but at least I see how this might irritate nurses in the trenches!)

I don't think group work will signficantly impact your GPA. Good luck.

+ Add a Comment