Lectures prior to exams

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We are having an exam in our Maternal/Child health class today. Out of 10 chapters, the instructor lectured over only 3. We have had 8 days of lecture since our last class and 5 of those days were taken by class presentations that covered material we were tested over on the previous exam. So, here we are today getting ready to be tested over all 10 chapters without the benefit of any type of lecture or class discussion regarding 7 of them. Many of us formed study groups and have spend hours covering the material ourselves. Although I understand (and readily accept) that as students we are responsible for learning the material, I can't help but wonder if it is commonplace for nursing students to have to "teach" themselves from the ground up. Do your schools do things like this, and if so, how do you ensure you learn the material effectively?

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Specializes in LTC.

I've learned a little while ago that as nursing students we must teach ourselves. I remember being upset and furious because one of the instructors did not lecture us on one class. She just gave us the powerpoint and said Good luck on your exam, basically. So what did I do ? I came to AN to vent, after getting back good feedback I realized that I must learn how to teach myself. First you must read the text and class notes. Then I do a lot of practice questions to make sure I understand the material. Studying in study groups help as well. You may even try case studies ? Do what you have to do. Not every instructor is going to "teach" not every instructor is good.Some instructors I think shouldn't even teach, but thats my opinion. Just because you have a BSN or MSN doesn't make you a great teacher. Some instructors are excellent and you can totally tell the difference between them and not so good instructors.Anyway, you must learn to teach your self and don't depend on anyone to " teach " you. Good luck

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Teaching yourself is common in nursing school. I don't love it, but that's the way it is. Good luck on your exam.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

our school does the same thing. It's termed "adult learning."

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or paying for a piece of paper.

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The class, as a whole, averaged 75%. In our program 79% is passing. Thank goodness I passed today's exam, and all previous ones. Come to find out, the instructor passed review questions to a select few in the class last Friday. I was not one of them, and neither was anyone in my study group. One of those students still didn't pass the exam. I feel pretty good about my ability to teach myself. It just sucks. Thanks for letting me vent.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
The class, as a whole, averaged 75%. In our program 79% is passing. Thank goodness I passed today's exam, and all previous ones. Come to find out, the instructor passed review questions to a select few in the class last Friday. I was not one of them, and neither was anyone in my study group. One of those students still didn't pass the exam. I feel pretty good about my ability to teach myself. It just sucks. Thanks for letting me vent.

Your concern is valid. Personally, I don't see why these schools don't get rid of all of their faculty and just hire clinical instructors and have the rest of the course online.

Seriously...when you think about it, that is all that you are getting.

What your instructor did was also unfair. Everyone should have been given the review questions...period.

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