Handling inappropriate student requests

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I have noticed in the last few years that inappropriate student requests are becoming more and more common. For example, a few of the requests I have received include:

"Can I take the final early? My mom and I have planned a trip to NYC to shop and I HAVE to go."

"Can you come in over break and help me out? I'm struggling in your class." (student did not attend any of the optional review sessions and often sleeps during class)

"Can you just bump me up a few points? I'm THIS CLOSE to a higher grade. Or can I take one of the quizzes over again?"

"I need a reference letter tomorrow for an interview. Can I pick that up in 30 minutes? Oh, and by the way I will need to miss the test tomorrow for the interview."

I just recently had to change my home phone number and have it unlisted as I had a student call me at 5am on a weekend regarding her quiz grade! I don't give out my phone number, but the student looked it up.

I am by no means a soft touch, am quite strict in the classroom and have no idea why students would even think these requests are acceptable. The majority of my students are wonderful and professional, but to be honest, it's very hard not to become frustrated with this small minority that seems to require constant reminders that I will follow policy. I feel as if this small minority feels that by paying tuition, they are entitled to a teacher 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that they are entitled to a degree.

Our program is extremely competitive, yet I am finding more students in the past few years seem to lack professionalism. Having done my best to demonstrate and encourage professional behaviors, and immediately correcting outrageous behaviors such as those listed above, I am at a loss.

Has anyone else noted the same? Thoughts on handling this?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

I don't have no problems students taking tests early in my class. If the student does not show up for test day, they will be taking a same but different test but the grade starts at a 80%. So they are not going to try to miss any test days. I give my number to all of my students. I have not have any problems them calling me at 5 in the morning. You need to inform students when it is a good time to call and not to call because you do have a life outside of work. If the student continues to call you out the times you request, you need to go to through the chain of command and make note of the situation. This usually cause for a meeting with you, student, and administrator. This behavior may go in their file. In my class you have to pass with 80% not 79.5 or 79.9. They know the rules by the first week of class. No assignment accepted late because they have the due dates and the students have atleast two days to turn in their clinicals packet every week. The student who have clinicals on Friday turn their packets in on Mondays by 0830. If not turned in it is a zero. For a reference later, they should have had plenty of time to notify you in a week prior to the interview. You just tell them this is not enough time you have to ask someone else for one. They will start asking earlier. You will always have one or two students who are going to try you and you just have to be prepared and put your feet down by letting them know the rules. This will help you in the future maybe adding more rules and regulations in your classes. You may want them to sign something on the first day of class. I have not done this but I know some instructors have. I may do this on the next new start. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

OMG! This is my life also. The incivility of students is astounding. Their remarks, demands (never requests), and then astonishment when you call them on it. Rules are given, in student handbooks, syllabi, and then these students think it doesn't apply to them. They are mad when reported, written up, and disciplined. Then the instructor " is out to get me." By the end of the semester I am tired, all of the faculty, including adjuncts are sick and tired of them all. Then everything starts all over again the next semester.

With the rules in place, students are dismissed when applicable, but how many slip by without means to not get into nursing. I am tired of other students saying " I didn't want to say anything, but assumed you would know." Like I have 20 eyes and ears. Trying to impress on students the value and need for professionalism inside the classroom, and in the profession of nursing gets harder and harder. The most irritating is the student's assumption that getting into the program is enough, now they will get through without working, they are entitled. I am glad it's just not me. If it wasn't for those few students that are really good, I wouldn't come in at all!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

:cool:unfortunately,

a few misconceptions "run rampant"

with some nursing students----

one is "nursing is easy."

the other is "everything is negotiable."

yipes:confused::eek::confused::uhoh3:

success in the pursuit of nursing education

requires hard work.

period.

those unwilling to put in the toil and sweat,

need to take another career path.

as far as the manipulation

of every deadline or due date

for exams. papers, or otherwise,

a few words of caution:

state boards wait for no one

neither does graduation

or your first nursing job.

understandably,

life happens and

goes on,

so does nursing!!!:cool:

take it or leave it;)

just my 2-cents. :D

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Specializes in OB, critical care, hospice, farm/industr.

I had probelems with students doing inappropriate things and then saying "I never read/heard/knew that." I had a sheet made up with important data, all the things lk washington mentioned and had them sign and date it, saying they had read and understood it. They had a copy and so did I.

The compalints and offenses dropped. I still had some crazy things go on, but it was greatly improved. Good luck.

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Specializes in OB, critical care, hospice, farm/industr.

Man, I shoulda proofed that last post-sorry for the spelling errors.

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I am hoping that some cohorts of students are better than others. The group that just graduated were difficult all the way through their program and have caused faculty heartburn and burn-out for their entire school careers.

Is it a generational thing? These students seem to believe that they are entitled... entitled to a good grade, entitled to your exclusive time, entitled to special treatment, entitled to take their issues over your head to the program director/department chair/dean, entitled to special treatment and considerations, entitled to have you care about their FEELINGS/ entitled to have questions on the exam thrown out, entitled to malign you for any reason whatsoever.

Have your students sent poison pen, unsigned letters to your program director? Not only are we (the med-surg faculty) evil and unfair, but we would punish the students making this report if we knew who they were. Huh?

Words cannot express how relieved I am that they are gone.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Words of wisdom I heard from another faculty member, that apply to this mind-cramping behavior are: "one of the best things about teaching is that you get a new group every few months!"

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I'm not an instructor, I am a student, but wow, I really wouldn't want some of my classmates for a nurse if I need care. A girl in one of my science classes last semester who cheated on tests also got into the program I am starting in Sept. I never said anything, I figure the process of nursing school will out the truth, whether to the good or not. Just curious, are you instructors in BSN, ASN, diploma programs?

Maybe the exponentially increasing influx of a hugely diverse group of seekers after job security/upward mobility, and the plethora of morals, values and upbringings which comes with it, is one reason for the push toward increased educational requirements in the profession.

On the other hand, as a 42-y.o. woman, I am often amazed at the maturity and intelligence of some young students also, of all socioeconomic/racial backgrounds, and when I look at them, I sometimes get glimpses of the proficient, confident professionals which they are surely destined to become, and imagine they must have been really raised well. Jeez I sound like a ******* textbook or a Hallmark card.

I go to a community college in a very large city.

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You can't say "freakin'?" (The system *****'d out my word there!) Teehee

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.
Words of wisdom I heard from another faculty member, that apply to this mind-cramping behavior are: "one of the best things about teaching is that you get a new group every few months!"

Yes, absolutely!! I am happy to report that the new group is already doing well, with very few outlandish requests.

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