Mind Boggling - Not going to graduation?

WYDiceDancer · Jun 17, 2009

If one instructor is keeping you from attending graduation, that is ridiculous. It won't matter after that one day of graduation because the instructor isn't going to follow the graduate to whatever job they may go to and monitor each and every move...No more clinicals! This is one day to shine..letting one person get in the way isn't worth it.

SO TRUE!! Years ago I had the instructor that was handing out the diplomas tell me AS SHE WAS HANDING ME MY SHEEPSKIN "We never thought you would make it through." With that hunk of paper firmly in my hand my reply to her was "And it was no thanks to you." Still makes me laugh to this day. :yeah:

libragirl924 · Jun 17, 2009

I didn't go to my recent LPN pinning ceremony or my graduation because I didn't feel that it was a privilege that I had earned or deserved - I had to retake the two classes that I failed after I petitioned to get back into the program (the reason I failed the classes was that I had A LOT of personal stuff going on and failed 2 final exams in a big way because I couldn't concentrate on studying or anything else - and as a PART-TIME student!!! There's no excuse for that in my eyes - none at all.); I felt like my having been there would have cheapened the experience in a way for the people who had worked hard and gotten through the program when they had 10 times more pressure on them than I did. Oddly, one of my friends says that if anything, I deserved those things more than anybody else because I hadn't given up, but I don't really see it that way. Everyone says I've always been too hard on myself, but I don't think others expect enough from me. Honestly, at this point, I'm contemplating not even taking the boards because I don't feel that I should be a nurse because I didn't earn grades or do work that I was capable of doing. I settled for a half-a**ed "good enough" approach and that is NOT good enough for nursing.

caliotter3 · Jun 17, 2009

I didn't go to my recent LPN pinning ceremony or my graduation because I didn't feel that it was a privilege that I had earned or deserved - I had to retake the two classes that I failed after I petitioned to get back into the program (the reason I failed the classes was that I had A LOT of personal stuff going on and failed 2 final exams in a big way because I couldn't concentrate on studying or anything else - and as a PART-TIME student!!! There's no excuse for that in my eyes - none at all.); I felt like my having been there would have cheapened the experience in a way for the people who had worked hard and gotten through the program when they had 10 times more pressure on them than I did. Oddly, one of my friends says that if anything, I deserved those things more than anybody else because I hadn't given up, but I don't really see it that way. Everyone says I've always been too hard on myself, but I don't think others expect enough from me. Honestly, at this point, I'm contemplating not even taking the boards because I don't feel that I should be a nurse because I didn't earn grades or do work that I was capable of doing. I settled for a half-a**ed "good enough" approach and that is NOT good enough for nursing.

You can change this negative perception of yourself by studying your hardest for the NCLEX. Then when you get your first job, put all your effort into becoming the best nurse possible. Congratulations on successfully completing your program. You have already started on your way to becoming a good nurse. Stop that negative talk now! :nurse:

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2009

I don't want to go to my pinning ceremony. I'm shy about things like this. For example, when I planned my wedding, it was to be done at the county courthouse. Unfortunately for me, my family has heard of this "pinning thing" and they know, in their words, "it's a big deal with candles and pledges!"

If I could get out of this I would. It'll be the first time in over twenty years that both my mom and dad will be in the same zip code at one time, let alone the same room. My muscles tense up just thinking about my parents interacting.

So I'll go for my family. And I'll make nice. But I don't want to.

libragirl924 · Jun 17, 2009

I didn't even tell my parents when graduation was or about the pinning ceremony, nor about failing 2 classes and having to petition to get back in because I couldn't handle my life. They have enough to worry about without my insignificant crap, so why add more things to their list? They only found out about graduation after it was well over with and there was a blurb about it on the local 10:00 news.

nursenow · Jun 17, 2009

I feel the same way but get this, have of my class which will be graduating in oct is not going to pinning. I dont understand why grown people act this way. Why would you let one or two people ruin your day. chances are those people dont know or dont really care how you feel anyway.

"Why do grown people act this way?"

I didnt go because it didnt have alot of meaning to me. I chose to go with other friends and do something else. Why is that so bad? I wasnt mad, just didnt want to go.

We were wondering why people were getting so emotional about such a silly thing and why "grown people were acting that way".

But we knew the answer because we LEARNED IT IN NURSING SCHOOL. It is because everyone is different with different values and priorities. AS NURSES we were ok with the thought that other people did not agree with us and placed a higher value on what we considered a silly ceromony. We didnt condem them for it!!

Shergill · Jun 17, 2009

Can someone please help me to understand why a nursing student would not want to attend his/her pinning ceremony.
I just don't understand. My friend and I are about to complete our nursing program in about 6 weeks. She keeps telling me that she may not attend our pinning. I did not jump down her throat or anything I was just curious as to why she felt this way. Apparently she has not gotten along with one of the instructors and does not want to go. But why would she let an instructor cause her from not going ? She has been through so much to get to this point now. She failed the first semester in nursing school and had to wait a year to get back in... after all that she still doesn't want to attend. She knows how beautiful they are, her mom is a nurse and she's been to her moms. IDK apparently some people aren't exicited about pinnings anymore.
Me, I'm totally different. Every time the thought of me walking across that stage to get pinned gets me teary eyed. I've dreamed of the day of my pinning for so long now and I can't wait to experience the day. I can't wait to wear my all white with my cap and site my natingale pledge. (sigh)
For those of you that did not or will not attend your pinning ceremony, I just have one question: Why ?
Thanks in advance for clearing this up for me.

It takes all sorts to make this world. I am sure there are legitimate reasons for this nurse to NOT attend her graduation. It is additionally possible that she does not have the resources or she fears failing. All behaviours have a purpose, you will learn more when you do more of forensic nursing. It is quite obvious that your friend has not informed you of her reason. Equally true, may be that you do not think that her reason is legitimate. This is your judgment.

The pieces will fall in place with time.

allnurses Guide · Jun 18, 2009

If I could get out of this I would. It'll be the first time in over twenty years that both my mom and dad will be in the same zip code at one time, let alone the same room. My muscles tense up just thinking about my parents interacting.
So I'll go for my family. And I'll make nice. But I don't want to.

Ah, multi. Maybe they'll get it together long enough to make it a good day for you. {{{{Hugs}}}}

Ms.TinyRN · Jun 18, 2009

I have mixed emotions I had to sit out a quater after failing a test and dealing with the instructors returning to school this July has just given me a bitter taste I have no respect for them and like you say the way they weed people out I have been an A B student through out the program and my mother was in an MVC totaling her car and fracturing her sternum I truly think God was sitting me down to take care of her I had to take an incomplete in MED SURG II and was rushed by the dean to return to finish my incomplete. Even before all of this it has been such a stressful year and the truly sad part it's the instructors that make nursing school so stressful!!! The work is not difficult at all if your taught properly or even take that extra step to self-teach...But the instuctors make it difficult... I have gone back and forth with my pinning once I return and finish this July - Sept 09 but onestly at the end of the day who am I hurting me or them!!!

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2009

People may have reasons for not attending that we cannot imagine or anticipate. Like I said, if my family hadn't learned about the pinning ceremony, I don't think I would have told them, and I probably wouldn't go. Or maybe I would go with a good friend and no family?

If I didn't attend, I know there's no way I would tell classmates the real reason for not attending. I would not want to reveal my family problems to nursing school classmates. (I save that for you all here, LOL!)

So maybe we shouldn't press anyone too much about why they aren't attending. (Not saying anyone here was doing that.)

mschelee, MSN, RN · Jun 18, 2009

Can someone please help me to understand why a nursing student would not want to attend his/her pinning ceremony.
I graduate next year, and I probably won't attend the pinning ceremony. At our school students form a committee and vote on the attire of the student graduating. In the past students wore business casual attire, but the last 2 graduating classes have worn their clinical white uniform.
Not me! I plan to burn that ugly white Pillsbury-dough-man-suit, and refuse to have to wear my student uniform to my graduation ceremony. I personally feel very strong about this, and that is why I might not attend; if the rest of the class votes for uniforms, I am not attending pinning, but will go to the college graduation ceremony. Your friend might have her own reason, and you may not understand it, but attending the ceremony is a personal choice.

oncnursemsn · Jun 18, 2009

Wow. Emotional issue- how interesting I'm finding.... I didn't go to high school grad- I took summer school classes so I could graduate at 16. Most everyone in summer school was there b/c they failed a course- I just wanted to get the h#** out of high school. Went to my ADN- I was young, only 19 and was thrilled. Divorced parents played nice.

Didn't go to BSN because I was *required* to go- and it was a conservative Catholic college that I rebelled from. Went to my MSN in CA- but banned parents from coming out. They were not playing nice. Sigh.

Now as a nursing instructor, we are required to go to May graduation- wear the cap, hood regalia. It's kinda nice to participate in the pomp and ceremony and see our ridiculously happy graduates. You can explain to all you friends and family how hard nsg school is, but only your fellow classmates know what you went through.

Makes me a little sad to read the posts of grads who had bad experiences with their faculty. How disappointing for you...:urgycld: