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 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.
I agree!. I use allnurses as my study break...I always have the computer in front of me when I'm reading b/c if I need to look up a medical term or need something explained differently, it's a very fast resource.
So, when I need a study break....this is usually it, especially if I get insomnia.
I am a bit confused about your grades..one bad test and you are doomed to fail the program? how many exams in a semester? how much are they each worth? any papers and what are they worth? If its your first test, then there in only one way to go and thats up..I am not sure how to comment because, like I said, i am confused with your grades..???
A couple of questions. How have your marks been so far in the program? If you have been a good student, solid b or higher, you should not give up so easy. If you marginally passed each course your case will be harder to present.
Was the Breast Cancer chapter not outlines in the syllabus you initially got in the beginning of the semester? If not you have a strong case.
She told me to put everything in writing, but that is "code" for, "It will make you feel better, but will probably go to the circular file once it gets here."
The last 2 instructors we have had have had major complaints from students for years (the advantage of living in a small town where most of the RN's graduated from this same school...they talk)...so nothing is going to happen b/c I wrote a letter. I know that.
I just have to find another way of securing a living. I called my husband and told him and he's furious with me, as if I didn't put in the effort.
((( HUGS ))) I have not read all of this thread so if I repeat sorry. No matter what choice you make, still write the letter and save a copy or two. The letter is more for your sake than to make changes. This way if/when you decide to go back, you have recourse or a way to explain why you made the choices you did. It is still possible to work part-time or full-time while in nursing school although it is really tough to juggle the extra demands. Perhaps that may be a possibility? Good luck. :icon_hug:
A couple of questions. How have your marks been so far in the program? If you have been a good student, solid b or higher, you should not give up so easy. If you marginally passed each course your case will be harder to present.
Was the Breast Cancer chapter not outlines in the syllabus you initially got in the beginning of the semester? If not you have a strong case.
Is there a part time program you could attend?
I am really sorry to hear this.
Until I started this semester, I have either got an A or a B in all of my nursing courses and A's in all of my nursing pre-reqs with the exception of AP I, where I got a B..I got an A in APII.
This was test #3 that I failed...I also failed test #1 and #2...along with, and I'm not kidding, about half the class...this is a total shock to all of us.
The post the average grade on Blackboard and the average grade was several points below failing.
The syllabus was posted the first week of school and to answer your question, Breast Cancer was not listed among the objectives nor required reading for this Unit...it was added 72 hours prior to the test with her knowing that we all had clinicals that week before the exam along with 26 lab values that we had to memorize.
We knew we were going to have lab values, but we didn't know which ones. When the syllabus came out, she only had pages numbers listed for our labs from the lab book from LAST YEAR...so we told her to list the labs on the first day of lecture for this unit, so we could get started on them (b/c some had different values as you know, for men vs women and peds pts)...so that blew my entire study plan.
((( HUGS ))) I have not read all of this thread so if I repeat sorry. No matter what choice you make, still write the letter and save a copy or two. The letter is more for your sake than to make changes. This way if/when you decide to go back, you have recourse or a way to explain why you made the choices you did. It is still possible to work part-time or full-time while in nursing school although it is really tough to juggle the extra demands. Perhaps that may be a possibility? Good luck. :icon_hug:
Yes it is possible,,,,,, but very difficult. I am working full-time b/c i have to. Plus going to class and clinicals. I have 3 teenagers and the struggles are great. I had a real bad day in clinics today ..... and if i hadn't paid so much money i would tell them not nice things to do with their clinics. But back to the point.....why is it in such a field where a nurse gives so much of ourselves ....... Experienced nurses that teach eat them up.
I have seen it time and time again.
Hopeful hang in there and pray for the answer....... and hug your twins while you have the down time. It will alll work itself out somehow.
I am so sorry for you. I work part time as nursing instructor, I have found students who have a Master's Degree in another field fail nursing courses. Unfortunately nursing courses are very different and very hard to do well. And nursing schools don't make it easy either. The way you study nursing is very different than any other field.
When you failed test #1 and #2 did you speak up to the instructor or go to the department head ? I know you can't go back, but somehow you needed to re-look at the way you study. I know it was not a lack of effort, some how you were not give proper direction on how to study nursing.
I have told me students, they should read the chapters before the lecture, I know many students don't do this. This way you are prepared to ask pointed questions and clarify issues you couldn't understand. So the lecture will be the second or third time you here the material. Then I would read it again, at that point things should start to click. Then when you have a test you know the material.
That being said, it sounds like you have the "right stuff' to be a good nurse. Unless you failed the first and second tests by a point or two you did make a good decision to withdraw. When can you take this class again? I would try to get into the next class, in the mean time I would review everything you learned this semester, so the next time you do the course you will do well. It has been my experience if you can retake this course and do well you will continue to do well and become a RN. You can't worry about the other students, even if every student was failing, the college will review you record by itself. You need get study skills for nursing courses, your college should have had tutors to learn this new way of learning shame on them if they didn't provide with this resource.
Everyone has failed at something important, if people say they never have failed they are lying. It is how you move forward that counts. As I said before, you sound like you have the makings of a great nurse, passion and caring, striving to be your best, and the determination to enter a profession that can be difficult at times. Don't give up ! Don't think you did anything wrong ! We need nurses like you.
Better to have this bump in your nursing career now since I can almost guarentee when you go back you will never be in this situation again, since you will learn from your past.
Be kind to yourself and hope to see you back in school soon.
Oh sweetie:crying2:, I'm so sorry to hear this. I genuinely send u my sadness. I worry about this all the time, so I definitely know how u feel. I am so sorry.
Just keep ur head up and keep strong. Nursing isn't the only thing out there. There are so many other healthcare jobs out there. Don't give up. This isn't the end, this is only the beginning of something new. :)
I am so sorry for you. I work part time as nursing instructor, I have found students who have a Master's Degree in another field fail nursing courses. Unfortunately nursing courses are very different and very hard to do well. And nursing schools don't make it easy either. The way you study nursing is very different than any other field.
When you failed test #1 and #2 did you speak up to the instructor or go to the department head ? I know you can't go back, but somehow you needed to re-look at the way you study. I know it was not a lack of effort, some how you were not give proper direction on how to study nursing.
I have told me students, they should read the chapters before the lecture, I know many students don't do this. This way you are prepared to ask pointed questions and clarify issues you couldn't understand. So the lecture will be the second or third time you here the material. Then I would read it again, at that point things should start to click. Then when you have a test you know the material.
That being said, it sounds like you have the "right stuff' to be a good nurse. Unless you failed the first and second tests by a point or two you did make a good decision to withdraw. When can you take this class again? I would try to get into the next class, in the mean time I would review everything you learned this semester, so the next time you do the course you will do well. It has been my experience if you can retake this course and do well you will continue to do well and become a RN. You can't worry about the other students, even if every student was failing, the college will review you record by itself. You need get study skills for nursing courses, your college should have had tutors to learn this new way of learning shame on them if they didn't provide with this resource.
Everyone has failed at something important, if people say they never have failed they are lying. It is how you move forward that counts. As I said before, you sound like you have the makings of a great nurse, passion and caring, striving to be your best, and the determination to enter a profession that can be difficult at times. Don't give up ! Don't think you did anything wrong ! We need nurses like you.
Better to have this bump in your nursing career now since I can almost guarentee when you go back you will never be in this situation again, since you will learn from your past.
Be kind to yourself and hope to see you back in school soon.
The problem is, we are getting zero direction on what to study. We have begged and pleaded as a class for them to help us but it falls on deaf ears.
I have went over the exams with them each time I have failed, and normally, I agree with the professors during first year with the rationales, it was very rare that I didn't...this year, they seem to drastically contradict each other.
What I think the problem is, is that they are creating the questions themselves instead of using a test bank with validated questions. They have been telling me to use my Saunders textook, my ATI and the disk that came with our book for practice questions...I do this when I have finished my studying to test myselves for weekness...I can get a 90% or better when I test myself.
However, I cannot "get" the unvalidated questions that they are using.
They are also putting material on the exam that are not part of our course objectives for the unit we are covering. For example, I understand that blood transfusions of all types is extremely important in both hematology and oncology...we covered thi material in first year and this summer in pharmacology...so we have been tested on it twice...it was not covered in lecture nor part of our course objectives and I figured that it was the reason why...but there are 4 questions on our exam (very incredibly detailed, not general questions) regarding this.
Now, I had no problem reviewing this material...if I had only known that I needed to go back and just do a quick review of this material...so most of us missed those questions b/c it was not part of the objectives...and they are always, constantly harping, "Learn the objectives! Learn the objectives! They guide your reading!"
You add things like that...along with umarked SATA questions...lab values and breast cancer that was added to the test just a couple of days before (which cut into my time reviewing the material as a whole)...that is enough to cause you to fail a test.
Each test has had a similar, but different story.
I know I sound like sour grapes, but I really and truly think that there is a problem with the test structure that we are getting...b/c there is no reason for me to score incredibly well on these other test bank questions...and not only NOT do well on their exams, but not even be able to pass them at all.
Yes it is possible,,,,,, but very difficult. I am working full-time b/c i have to. Plus going to class and clinicals. I have 3 teenagers and the struggles are great. I had a real bad day in clinics today ..... and if i hadn't paid so much money i would tell them not nice things to do with their clinics. But back to the point.....why is it in such a field where a nurse gives so much of ourselves ....... Experienced nurses that teach eat them up.
I have seen it time and time again.
Hopeful hang in there and pray for the answer....... and hug your twins while you have the down time. It will alll work itself out somehow.
We have something in common, I worked full-time too all through nursing school. With 2 tennagers and 1 who is disabled. It's really tough. Sorry you had such a bad day at clinicals, I remember going home from a couple crying. I hope it gets better for you.:heartbeat
Alexk49 had some very wise and valuable input. I also get the sense you are smart and would be an asset to nursing. I still think you should write all your greivences and the rationals behind each. Then re-enter the program. Hope you come back to nursing soon.
Find out what the other half of the class is doing right, follow them for a day. Eat what they eat, read what they read, sleep when they sleep LOL. I guess print out that Blackboard thing and show it to the dean, I really hope you go back in. Also did you go back to class since this happened? Its a short sacrifice, and the program goes by SOOOO fast (im already registering for the next semester!) you will have plenty of snuggle days with your family once this nightmare is over, it will benefit them in the long run. I know its hard, but nothing worth having comes easy.
Hang in there but if you have dropped from the program try another school. I think all nursing school programs are designed to frustrate students.:cry::cry:
:cry:
justme1972
2,441 Posts
I agree!. I use allnurses as my study break...I always have the computer in front of me when I'm reading b/c if I need to look up a medical term or need something explained differently, it's a very fast resource.
So, when I need a study break....this is usually it, especially if I get insomnia.