Just when I thought I was going to be prepared for my exam this week on hematology and oncology. On Monday AFTERNOON, our instructor just happened to mention (via e-mail) that she "forgot" to add a 60-page chapter on Breast Cancer and added 26 NEW lab values that we had to know for our exam today.
Then when we had lecture on Tuesday...she never bothered to cover the the Chapter on Breast Cancer nor another chapter we had on Shock at all.
I had clinicals all day on Wednesday and a night class on Wednesday night...so instead of reviewing my material like I had planned...I had to cover NEW material for an exam whose reading assignments and objectives have been in our Syllabus since August.
That proved to be a devastating error on her part as I am now mathematically too far behind to pass unless I get a perfect score on each test from here on out, and that is impossible to do.
I sent my children to my sister's house for tonight. I just can't deal with anything more right now. I have no idea of what I am going to do and there is no way I want to re-apply to this nursing program. These are the worst instructors I have ever had in my life.
I'm not going to beat a dead horse and say what you probably already know or think. However, I agree with Eric totally when he said, "Call your prof, camp out on the dean's lawn, do what you gotta do to make this work". Don't give up! You have worked to hard and come this far. Good Luck!
Once a syllabus has been posted, it should not be changed during the semester. I took a course on developing currucula, and they were pretty definite about that. Adding to it, you should have plenty of time to catch up. When you talk to the dean (or in your letter), include a copy of the pertinent part of the syllabus, and the email, to demonstrate your point. She should simply have removed the questions about the material she did not previously assign.
As to taking classes to be taught, not to teach yourself, well, we are expected to be adult learners. There are many things that our community college assigns, and papers or questions to be answered (and posted online) that are not covered as thoroughly in class, but are on exams. It would be impossible to give you absolutely everything you need in lectures; without extra reading you'd be missing out on a lot. Obviously, giving you all that data at the last minute does not add to your learning, because studying and absorbing does take time so this two cents worth of mine doesn't apply to the situation you describe.
The reason that students in the area won't go there is because here is a list of their core nursing pre-reqs ASIDE from the general education:
2 semesters of foreign language
Probability and Stats
Economics...yes, it's a business class
Logic...not studying about Aristotle..but a+b=c type calculations...70% failure rate for first time takers...verified by someone who transferred to our program b/c she took it twice and couldn't pass it.
Chemistry I and II...doesn't sound bad...unless you knew it was designed for pre-med majors and had a comprehensive final at the end of Chem II that covered BOTH semesters.
Anatomy I and II...this is the one that most students take at the CC b/c the one at the university was designed for pre-med majors and has a huge failure rate.
These pre-reqs don't sound so bad or unusual to me. I took Statistics, Quantitative Reasoning, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, plus 10 additional pre-req classes. And general ed requirements, too.
Hopefull Im really surprised at you. You worked SO hard to get to this point, and just to withdraw yourself is insanity. Your venture hasnt ended, it just took a detour. Is there an LPN program you can get into? Get some experience under your belt, and go from there.
My friend, I want you to stop beating yourself up. Next time let the professor tell you "you know hopefull 2009 I strongly suggest you withdraw from this program." You are your own worst enemy, I wouldve fought tooth and nail to stay in the program. Just dont give up love.
We had a ton of prereqs too. Writing 121, Dosage Comp, Nutrition, Child Development or General Psychology, Chemistry, Cell Biology, A&P 1-3, Microbiology, to name a few. Plus, each year there were over 200 applicants for about 70 slots. I think the NCLEX pass rate was about 98%.
You know, after the week I had at my school, I can understand a little better better why you did this. When the stress is so bad, and so unrelenting, you start to feel numb. And then you give up, deciding that LIFE is more important than nursing school.
Now, I still wish you had not made a hasty and rash decision. But I understand better now.
Yea I agree with some of the comments about some schools and teachers being concerned with tricking and flunking people as opposed to educating them. On our first adult health test this semester I had the 2nd highest grade in the class with an 86. Only 16 out of 130 people passed that test(75 is passing). I don't understand why the faculty at a lot of schools are so negative towards students. A lot of them straight up tell the students who are not doing well...that they never will do well, as opposed to helping them find whats wrong.
I know you'll find a way. Now might not seem like the right time to continue, but I know you'll reach your dream someday....
Thanks Steve! You have always given me such great advice.
I sat down with my twins watching a movie last night on TV with some popcorn and soda...which they love b/c soda is a rare treat for them. We just sat for about 3 hours and just talked about silly things, life, what they goes on in their little minds, etc. I had one on each side of me, just snuggling up with a huge quilt.
You know how many times I have done that since I started nursing school? Probably none....I've done short stints here and there but not really sat down and truly focused on them without worrying about what I have to study for, or do the next day, or a paper that I have to write, etc.
I sent the Dean an e-mail asking her if I can schedule an appointment with her. I want to take her all of my things and show her what I do to prepare for the tests...so she can see the amount of work that I do.
There are students in our class that scream all the time, "I studied, I don't understand why I failed"...but some (not all, but some) of these students aren't really studying like they claim they are...b/c when I ask them periodically where they are in the reading, "Oh lord, I haven't even picked up the book," or they go out of town every other weekend, etc. So I KNOW there is no way that they have put the time in when I don't do any of those things and I am struggling just to get through the material.
The only reason I'm going straight to the Dean instead of through my own Director at my school, as that there are 3 colleges involved in our program, and the teachers that are causing the issue are on another campus...so my Director at my school has no authority over them to start with.
I can't wait for her to listen to my recording (before she banned them) of another instructor asking her, "Where are you in the book?" and she said, "Oh gosh, I have no idea!"....followed by laughter.
Hey hopefull, it sucks that this part of your journey seems to be over. I've had similar complaints about my instructors from time to time. It's just like any other job: Just cuz you're a great nurse doesn't necessarily make you a great teacher.
I wish you all the best as you try to find the next path.
I'm not sure what your status is now or what recourse there is to file grievances or get enrolled again. Here's what I do know - and I think it tells more of the story than you realize:
Over 2300 posts! In less than two years! It's safe to say that you're one of the most passionate students that has ever come our way. I also know that your Allnurses contributions, as much as we appreciate them, are only the tip of the iceberg for the amount of work you've put into achieving this goal.
I truly hope that Hopefull2009 continues on with her dream of being a nurse and while I agree that we all benefit from each and every member's contributions what I found when I was in school is that spending time here was a wonderful outlet but it also burns a lot of valuable time. Maybe its just me but I can't read just one!
When I was in the middle of a semester that was especially challenging I had to limit my time online and hit the books instead. Being passionate is great but please remember to focus your passion in the most productive avenue that will help ensure success with your classes.
so this two cents worth of mine doesn't apply to the situation you describe.
BreezyFB
23 Posts
Hopefull2009,
I'm not going to beat a dead horse and say what you probably already know or think. However, I agree with Eric totally when he said, "Call your prof, camp out on the dean's lawn, do what you gotta do to make this work". Don't give up! You have worked to hard and come this far. Good Luck!