Having an ethical dilema

[meluhn]

I am a new nursing instructor at a technical school for an LPN program. I am finding the calliber of students being admitted is extremely disappointing. Some students are pushed along despite failing grades and discipline problems. Administration is willing to tolerate these things in order to "keep their numbers from getting too low". One student called an instructor an "A-hole" and was back in class the next day. I love teaching but I am having an ethical dilema about the current state of affairs. I would like to make the program better by weeding people out who are innappropriate and setting standards higher. Has anyone had a similar experience and if so, any advice?

[meluhn]

There is a much more significant problem than the "bottom-line." With all the lateral violence we presently have in our profession, we really can't afford to admit one more disrespectful nurse into practice! There is no room for disengagement and ugly attitudes in nursing school or in practice. I am of the mindset that if a student can't conduct themselves in a professional manner while in school, then they are almost definitely going to be a problem when they graduate. These same students will most likely have challenges with their colleagues and also with their patients. Like you, I wouldn't want such a student to represent our profession. Student apathy will likely manifest itself later as nursing apathy. YIKES! This reflects poorly on your educational institution and also on nursing as a whole. We have an ethical obligation to promote the professionalism in nursing practice and when we graduate students such as the one you described, we are failing that mission in a monumental way. Just my thoughts. I don't envy your position.

Good Luck,

Tabitha

I was just wondering...Do you teach in an ADN program? Do you think it makes a difference weather it is an LPN program or an RN program? Are the students any different? I know the politics were different at the NS I went to. If the Profs had a beef with each other or the admin, we would never know about it, they were very professional and they would not hesitate to weed out anyone they thought was inappropriate. I am sure the admin would back up any Prof. In my situation, there was alot of talk about backing us up and not tolerating bad behavior but when push came to shove, they tolerated everything and never kicked anyone out. Not for poor attendance, not for insubordination/verbal abuse to the instructor, not for blatant incompetence and not even for getting caught cheating red-handed. I would like to think it would be different in an ADN program and would someday like to give it another try but I don't know if I could go through that again.