I hate group projects

Published

Seriously. I get the whole point is for those who have not been in the work force to learn you "have to work together with everyone" in the real world but I have repeatedly been the one in my pre-req classes that ends up doing all the work because people either A.) do not do it or B.) do it last minute and so terribly that I have to correct it. We have to take small group quizzes every week in one of my classes, it's torture. It actually hinders my learning working in groups rather than help it (which is the professor's aim).

Ugh, just venting while I finished up YET another project because the other girl couldnt get it to it and is out of town till the due date with no access to a computer (really, at least tell a good lie). Can i just point out I have 3 kids under 6, a job, and nursing school and it's just her but yet she can't seem to find the motivation to do a couple freaking slides.

What is wrong wtih people?!? And I am 28 so not ancient and I am not trying to offend anyone here because I know there are exceptions, but I know if I am in a group with anyone under 24, chances are 90% of the time they won't do it. What is that?!!

Specializes in Critical care.

I thankfully had pretty good experiences in nursing school because the instructors had such strict policies and deadlines, but in general I'm really not a fan because of some really horrid experiences.

I have had two particular nightmare experiences. One was when I was receiving my first degree (I'm a second degree nurse), when the other people in my group didn't do their work and did not get it to me on time. I scrambled to fill in missing info and get the paper finished on time. They then failed to submit it by the due-date and then had the gall to blame me. I spoke with the professor and told her the situation. I don't know what grade they made, but I still got my A. My worst experience ever occurred in high school. My "friend" asked to work together and I ended up being cornered in their house by a parent and verbally threatened and b**ched out. I was so terrified I was literally shaking and had no clue what my teacher would do. I would have accepted a 0 on the project before completing it with the person (and it was a major portion of our grade). Thankfully though I was allowed to totally restart it with a new topic. I did what we spent months on in less than 2 weeks and earned a 100%- but I was a "slacker". I even placed high enough in a highly competitive regional competition and went on to present it at the state competition.

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I am starting to see I should have been more cautious in my partner picking...it just seems like there are two students: one gets it done and well the other just does the bare minimum and skates on by. Unfortunately for me, I seem to be finding all skaters. I just don't see the point in doing something if you are not going to do it well....

Call a group meeting the day it's assigned. Corner them in class if you have to.

Write a group contract with due dates. Divvy up the work and make deadlines for completion. Turn it in as part of your project or paper.

Covers your butt, decreases stress and hopefully saves your grade.

The leeches don't do the work because they have figured out that you will ether do it for them or fix it. Either way they get a good grade.

Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

When I die I want my pallbearers to be my group project partners, so they can let me down one last time.

When I die I want my pallbearers to be my group project partners, so they can let me down one last time.

That's extremely morbid.

Specializes in Psychiatric nursing; Medical-Surgrical.
Seriously. I get the whole point is for those who have not been in the work force to learn you "have to work together with everyone" in the real world but I have repeatedly been the one in my pre-req classes that ends up doing all the work because people either A.) do not do it or B.) do it last minute and so terribly that I have to correct it. We have to take small group quizzes every week in one of my classes, it's torture. It actually hinders my learning working in groups rather than help it (which is the professor's aim).

Ugh, just venting while I finished up YET another project because the other girl couldnt get it to it and is out of town till the due date with no access to a computer (really, at least tell a good lie). Can i just point out I have 3 kids under 6, a job, and nursing school and it's just her but yet she can't seem to find the motivation to do a couple freaking slides.

What is wrong wtih people?!? And I am 28 so not ancient and I am not trying to offend anyone here because I know there are exceptions, but I know if I am in a group with anyone under 24, chances are 90% of the time they won't do it. What is that?!!

Girl that was the same thing I went through when I was in nursing school. The younger and immature they were the more they got on my nerves....

But seriously, I would like to hear from those who think that it's ok to let others do the work or those who do a poor job and essentially let the group down?

And unfortunately, it doesn't end with group projects. We have hired a string of young, new grads lately who are the same way at work. I'm not saying that they are all like that, but we have quite a few that have come off orientation and have gotten so lazy. They won't help their coworkers do anything. If it doesn't benefit them, they don't want any part of it.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I hate group work too.

I couldn't agree with you more!! I am going through this frustration right now! GRRRR!!

Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
And unfortunately, it doesn't end with group projects. We have hired a string of young, new grads lately who are the same way at work. I'm not saying that they are all like that, but we have quite a few that have come off orientation and have gotten so lazy. They won't help their coworkers do anything. If it doesn't benefit them, they don't want any part of it.

That's just an awful attitude but I can see how this is happening with the 18-early 20 somethings I am in school with. They complain they get bad grades but yet they do not work for good ones :banghead:. I would be so ashamed of myself to be known as that kind of co-worker your describing above. Honestly, they give our profession a negative image. I don't understand how these people are passing NCLEX and school.

Call a group meeting the day it's assigned. Corner them in class if you have to.

Write a group contract with due dates. Divvy up the work and make deadlines for completion. Turn it in as part of your project or paper.

Covers your butt, decreases stress and hopefully saves your grade.

The leeches don't do the work because they have figured out that you will ether do it for them or fix it. Either way they get a good grade.

Honestly not to be rude but this is easier said than done. I can't physically force people to help and meet up and trying to corner them they just say "No can't now"

I had to do all the work again yesterday for a non-nursing group project. I texted everyone in the group chat for over an hour. Later at night one said "sorry I was at a party." Her grades are C's. I want A's anyway.

Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

I think they are really trying to teach us to trust no one and CYA all over the place when it comes to the real world. I has nothing to do with learning to work together -- by college we should know how to do that already. That's what kindergarten was for.

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