back in february, the pre-nursing students were sent a notification whether they were accepted into the nursing program or not. 80-90 students were accepted (i don't remember the exact number) and i was one of them. the majority of my 'friends' that were up for evaluation with me were rejected from the program. (you'll see soon why this is important.) after students had been rejected, there were roughly 30-40 students who complained, cried, and ******* to the dean of nursing that they did not deserve to be rejected from the program. i completely understand the whirlwind of emotions that comes with a rejection letter, so in a way i do understand their response, however, they handled it immaturely. one girl even went as far as bringing her mother in to talk to the dean of nursing for her.
now, last week 30-40 students received letters from the dean of nursing saying that they now had been accepted into the program. the president of the school did not like the complaints being filed against the school, so he pretty much made it so anyone that met the criteria, and complained against the school for rejection was now to be in the program. all of these students, including my friends, are super happy and i am happy for them by all means. however, in my opinion this is not fair. would you agree? i mean, you get rejected and it sucks, but you only get in because you file complaints against the school? how can you look yourself in the mirror and truly think i deserved this letter?
some of the students that have now been accepted into the program include those with a 2.8 gpa, and teas scores way below what should be acceptable. i have a meeting with the dean of nursing this week, and i just feel like i have been slapped in the face. my meeting is mostly to get this off my chest. i know nothing can be done, and i don't want anyone to lose their chance. maybe i shouldn't have tried as hard as i have to get in if all i had to do was complain about it. i have a 3.9 gpa, every science class i have taken i have earned an 'a,' and my teas scores were high 80s-90s. i'm not the only student that is extremely upset with the circumstances and now all my friends are mad at me because i disagree with the way they got into the program (this is why my earlier statement is important).
Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.
I know it may seem like there is bullying and griping now... just wait until classes start and the REAL bullies and butt kissers show themselves. Believe me, they will. Your best bet is to stand up for yourself without being overly aggressive about it, find a group of students that share your common goals and stick with them. Do not do anything to get yourself noticed in a negative manner. The instructors will soon discover who the bad apples are and will be glad for the good ones. I would not talk to the Dean. If you cannot cancel the meeting, then I would try to turn it into a positive experience, maybe talk about your goals and how the program will help you meet those goals without referring to the large input of students. You stated that nursing students should be supportive and help each other, and in a perfect world, they would. In the real world the students are out for number one--themselves only and will, in some cases lie, twist info to their advantage and belittle others in the vain attempt to make themselves look better. Sorry to be negative, but that was my experience in LPN school. I hope your experience is much better than mine in whatever program you are enrolled in.
I agree with what others are saying. Cancel your meeting because now you're complaining to the Dean. And it will make you look bad. Focus on doing well. Anyone who can't handle it or doesn't work hard enough, won't make it through the program. Concentrate on you.
Fair? No. Actually, I think its pretty rotten. To me, I would feel that all of my hard work and good grades were not appreciated or didn't mean squat in regards getting into nursing school. Like some of the others have said, I wouldn't go to the Dean meeting. There is no reason to put more fuel on the fire.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I read both of your posts, OP, and I am going to be blunt. No matter how you spin it, going to the dean to "find out how this will affect my education" is a pretty way of saying "I am going to complain". You won't fool anyone but yourself with that one. Honestly? It sounds to me like you felt pretty special and now you feel less so. That's only human. Just let it go. I feel special every time someone tells me I am pretty. I have no illusion though that I am only one of a chosen few who get told that. Just because someone else is pretty doesn't mean I am not or that I am now ordinary. Someone else getting in has no bearing on the fact that you did it. Heck, you made the first cut. Be satisfied with that.
You said it is no longer "every man for himself" in nursing school. You could not be more wrong. Yes, you have to work with others and encourage one another, group projects, etc. But when it comes down to the wire, your performance is yours alone. Your grades will be yours alone. When it comes to getting employed, your fellow students are your competition. Nursing school is the epitome of every man for himself. Not terms of being cut-throat necessarily, but in terms of accepting that how it all shakes out in the end is completely 110% up to you and you alone...that so-and-so's annoying habits or whining or bragging or hogging the lab time or whatever won't be excuses accepted for poor performance; nor will the lack of those things play into consideration if you do well. You will be judged only on you. There will be no "fair" when it comes to grades, clinical assignments or experiences. You will get out of it what you put into it, particularly when the vast unfairness that is nursing school rears its ugly head and you have an instructor who is tough ( aka unfair), a deadline that is unreasonable (aka unfair) and a load of work that no human being could possibly accomplish on the surface (aka unfair). Your fellow students can be a great resource of inspiration, motivation and camaraderie, but that's it. When the rubber meets the road, its all you. Moreso than ever before.
I hope you have a great experience in school and learn a lot. Best of luck.
silverbat
617 Posts
I know it may seem like there is bullying and griping now... just wait until classes start and the REAL bullies and butt kissers show themselves. Believe me, they will. Your best bet is to stand up for yourself without being overly aggressive about it, find a group of students that share your common goals and stick with them. Do not do anything to get yourself noticed in a negative manner. The instructors will soon discover who the bad apples are and will be glad for the good ones. I would not talk to the Dean. If you cannot cancel the meeting, then I would try to turn it into a positive experience, maybe talk about your goals and how the program will help you meet those goals without referring to the large input of students. You stated that nursing students should be supportive and help each other, and in a perfect world, they would. In the real world the students are out for number one--themselves only and will, in some cases lie, twist info to their advantage and belittle others in the vain attempt to make themselves look better. Sorry to be negative, but that was my experience in LPN school. I hope your experience is much better than mine in whatever program you are enrolled in.