Threatened

[BamaBound2bRN]

I am so furious right now I could- and have- screamed. We are in the middle of registration for the spring term, and I went into the system to register for the courses my advisor told me to take. The system would not let me sign up for one of the classes, so I strolled over to the Nursing school to speak with the Director of Student (Poor) Services. She told me yeah you need to take 2 pre-req classes before this class, which was contrary to what she advised me 6 weeks ago! So, I trek on over to the Biology Dept. and they tell me 2 completely different pre-reqs, and try and send me back to the Nursing Dept. Since this was now my second trip to each Dept- Nursing and Biology- today, I go to the Registrars Office, who rudely say sorry we can't help:angryfire So, now I am really steamed and go to the V.P. for Academic Affairs, where the receptionist says I need an appointment. I replied politely that I would wait, and sat down! About an hour later, the Provost and Dean of Nursing take me into the conference room, and politely tell me that I am exaggerating everything, and that I don't need the pre-reqs and act as if I am making everything up:angryfire :angryfire Then, the Provost excuses her self for a minute, and the Dean of Nursing tells me that I need to watch my attitude, and that my "Aggressive behavior would not get me where I wanted to be." When the Provost returned, I asked the Dean if she was threatening not to admit me to the nursing program if I didn't keep my mouth shut, and of course she said no.:angryfire :angryfire :angryfire

[ames4jc]

I just wanted to say a few things. As a recent grad of the Capstone's program I can say that there are many helpful, kind, and caring people that are willing to help students in any way they can. I spent nearly three years getting to know the professors and administration. Did I always think things were perfect? No. All programs have their issues and problems. Did I ever have some frustrating situations? Yes. I learned that if I could possibly figure it out on my own then that was the best thing. If I couldn't I would go one of the professors that I was close to and get their help. I would assume that if you have declared nursing as your major that you have a nursing professor as your advisor. That would be your best contact person. I don't know your whole situation and I am sorry that you had some problems. I would hope that you wouldn't let one problem cloud your vision. Bama has a wonderful and competitive nursing program. They have some of the kindest and most devoted professors you will ever meet. I had some personal things going on my life during my senior semester and the nursing school did everything they could to help me and it worked out just great. I am totally satisfied with the education that I received. In fact, I am now working in the area of nursing that always dreamed about and loving it! Anyway that is just my two cents and no, they didn't pay me to say any of that!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

If you can't get this settled just show up to class on the first day and let the instructor deal with it. The instructor will have the authority to allow you to add the class. The instructor will also be kind of forced to get a definitive answer for you about the pre-reqs required for the class. Do you have the list of classes that your adviser gave you? That would help because it would be in writing. You could also try going back to the same advisor and tell them what has happened.

I am very bothered that the Dean of Nursing would kind of turn into a wicked witch when the two of you were alone in a room. That's pretty aggressive for someone who is in a position of leadership. That says a lot about her personality. I'd be very careful with her. If she's that nasty to you who is just trying to get into the program I would worry about what kind of nasty thing she might pull on you once you are part way through the nursing program.

[IMustBeCrazy]

I am very bothered that the Dean of Nursing would kind of turn into a wicked witch when the two of you were alone in a room. That's pretty aggressive for someone who is in a position of leadership. That says a lot about her personality. I'd be very careful with her. If she's that nasty to you who is just trying to get into the program I would worry about what kind of nasty thing she might pull on you once you are part way through the nursing program.

:yeahthat:

However, not surprising. Secondary education is rife with educrats that are resting on their tenure. They know it will take an act of God for them to get bounced from their cushy government jobs, and some revel in exploiting their positions of power. Good thing you found this out sooner rather than later. Best of luck to you.

~IMBC

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

Sorry, but I strongly disagree. It is never an "Error" for a student, customer, or patient to demand to be treated with respect and integrity!:angryfire

I'm not sure how this should have been handled. I guess if you ever have to go through something like this again, try to get it in writing.

Good luck.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I would consider it an error to refuse to leave until you are seen rather than making an appointment. It isn't respectful to her schedule to do otherwise and demanding respect means you should give it as well.

I agree. You've got to give more than you recieve. Tit for tat doesn't get you anywhere in life and interactions with difficult people.

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

I would consider it an error to refuse to leave until you are seen rather than making an appointment. It isn't respectful to her schedule to do otherwise and demanding respect means you should give it as well.

I agree. Most people would interpret this behavior as agressive.

[IrishItalianRN]

You know what girl, I have the same problems with my school. Everytime you turn around the information changes and they blame us for not having the correct information. Shouldnt that be their job to keep us informed of changes in the program? I have battled back and forth between the nursing department, the biology department and the registration dept. No one knows the correct answer and they toss us around like a hot potato never wanting to take the time to HELP us. My Advisor set my packet aside a few months ago because there was a deficiency (in the meantime i found out on the schools part) and she couldnt be bothered to call and let me know this so i wouldnt lose out on nursing school. Lucky for me i called and was able to get in because they have added classes. Anyway I totally feel for you and i think your behavior was provoked aggressive or not.

I FEEL YOUR FRUSTRATION!

[IMustBeCrazy]

There is nothing aggressive about asking for help in this situation.

Students spent THOUSANDS of dollars for their educations. Too bad the people sitting in their lofty offices don't want to be bothered. WHO IS PAYING THEIR SALARY? Heavens sakes, they're not there to cut work in the afternoon and play golf everyday, they're there for the students. They get PAID to sort out these kinds of things. It was the VP for Academic Affairs after all!! Sometimes things need to get sorted out right away, as in this case....waiting hinders the student and causes classes to fill while they play the politically correct card, causing them to possibly add a semester to their school schedule.

The OP stated that she wasn't being threatening, cursing etc. I believe her. Sometimes people do get in situations of being shuffled from one place to another time after time and all it would take is one person that actually gives a damn to help. Too bad this Dean is more interested about looking bad in front of the VP rather than lending a hand to a student in need.

~IMBC

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

There is nothing aggressive about asking for help in this situation.

The OP stated that she wasn't being threatening, cursing etc. I believe her. ~IMBC

Again, I say demanding to see a dean that normally sees people by appointment only was probably not pc.

I believe the poster too. However, it is the one on the receiving end of the op's behavior that has the power of interpretation. Whether or not the intention was aggressive the intrepretation was. And by people in power.

Am I making sense?

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

Thanks for the replys.

1. I am in my pre-nursing science courses.

2. I did have an attitude, if you consider my refusing to leave until I was helped an attitude. However, I did not raise my voice, defame anyone personally, or use profanity.

3. I did finally get registered when they agreed that no sorry there are no pre-reqs for the course I wanted. Of course they still deny anyone telling me that there were other pre-reqs- whatever happened to INTEGRITY!?

And, yeah I think I am going to look for another school, where a student is actually appreciated and wanted.

Good luck to you.

[IMustBeCrazy]

I understand what you are saying Tweety, I just don't agree. Like I said before this VP gets paid to solve problems, and in this instance, it wasn't in the posters discretion to wait otherwise classes would fill up. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, 'cause no one else has your best interests at heart.

~IMBC

[IrishItalianRN]

YOU GO SISTER!!!! :)

If we just stand back and take it, the nursing departments (and others for that matter) will never change and have our interests at heart. You should consider writing a letter to your Dean or even to the Governor. I know our Governor here in Arizona is very aggressive when it comes to education. Might be worth it!

Good Luck!