Not allowed to tape nursing lectures

shygoofyone · Feb 13, 2009

We have never been able to tape our lectures, and I'm in my fourth semester. We're lucky in the fact that our profs provide us with powerpoint slides for us to print out prior to class. However, I learn best when I'm able to write things down. So, I will go through the reading before class and take notes. Then, in lecture, I highlight what the prof is saying. It's helped tremendously. Good luck.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Oh yeah. We have a couple of those "touchy" instructors at our school too.

I bought a tape recorder that is slim (has the shape of a snickers bar), and has the microphone on the tip end of it.

I have a small purse with a cell phone pocket in it. I make sure the digital recorder is always empty and the batteries are fresh. I go to the bathroom and flip it on before I go into class and set the purse on top of my desk during lecture.

Absolutely, no one knows that I have it. Not even my closest friends in school.

I don't do this for all of my instructors. The two that won't allow us to record, are also the same two that are constantly putting things on exams that don't appear in the notes or the book and they BARELY mention them in lecture and it almost comes across as a passing thought when they speak...not even anything that you would pay much attention to.

I'm not in nursing school to play games...but if they play games with me like these two have, then sometimes you have to play back.

Secrets are easy to keep if you don't tell anyone...and I mean no one. Nursing school is one of those places where your best friend will stab you in the back.

KIMYNURSE2B · Feb 13, 2009

We can not tape either.

Write as much as you can as soon as class is over reread your notes and add what you can. If not look them up in the book.

Make sure you get atleast the main point of what they say so you can look it uo in your book.

I know sometimes it is hard.

Good luck

suzanne4, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Oh yeah. We have a couple of those "touchy" instructors at our school too.
I bought a tape recorder that is slim (has the shape of a snickers bar), and has the microphone on the tip end of it.
I have a small purse with a cell phone pocket in it. I make sure the digital recorder is always empty and the batteries are fresh. I go to the bathroom and flip it on before I go into class and set the purse on top of my desk during lecture.
Absolutely, no one knows that I have it. Not even my closest friends in school.
I don't do this for all of my instructors. The two that won't allow us to record, are also the same two that are constantly putting things on exams that don't appear in the notes or the book and they BARELY mention them in lecture and it almost comes across as a passing thought when they speak...not even anything that you would pay much attention to.
I'm not in nursing school to play games...but if they play games with me like these two have, then sometimes you have to play back.
Secrets are easy to keep if you don't tell anyone...and I mean no one. Nursing school is one of those places where your best friend will stab you in the back.

Sorry, but if the insrtructors do not permit taping, what you are doing can get you thrown out of school.

They do it for a reason, not because they are playing games.

And hate to say it but the internet is not as anonymous as you might think; and you have actually just informed the world of what you are doing.

I would reconsider what you are doing or have done. Especially after you have posted for the entire world to read it. Nothing is anonymous on the internet, anyone can be found.

FLmomof5 · Feb 13, 2009

They do it for a reason, not because they are playing games.
quote]
My question would be....and that reason is? I don't see any justifiable reason for teachers not to allow it unless they have something to hide.
I would never tape them if they said no. I agree, the poster who admitted the secret tapings needs to be careful....as you said...the internet is not as anonymous as one thinks!

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Sorry, but if the insrtructors do not permit taping, what you are doing can get you thrown out of school.
They do it for a reason, not because they are playing games.
And hate to say it but the internet is not as anonymous as you might think; and you have actually just informed the world of what you are doing.
I would reconsider what you are doing or have done. Especially after you have posted for the entire world to read it. Nothing is anonymous on the internet, anyone can be found.

In our school handbook as well as our nursing program, it doesn't address the issue of recording lectures. The only thing that is "vague" is clinical...that is the instructor's sole decision.

So if the school or the program has a written policy on it, I'll be happy to follow it.

Until then, the only person in charge of my learning is me, and I'm not there to stroke the ego of any instructor. They do not discuss patients in our lecture, so HIPAA is not the reason. It's all due to "I just don't like it"...again, I'm not there to entertain ego.

It's hard to throw someone out of a program when no one knows you are doing it....thus, the purpose of keeping some things to yourself. My purse has a cell phone, the garage opener, a PDA, and a book light...the recorder blends in with all the other stuff.

Also, if these two instructors were not famous for being so disorganized, I wouldn't see the need. There is a reason why I do it for these two...and only these two.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Oh yeah. We have a couple of those "touchy" instructors at our school too.
I bought a tape recorder that is slim (has the shape of a snickers bar), and has the microphone on the tip end of it.
I have a small purse with a cell phone pocket in it. I make sure the digital recorder is always empty and the batteries are fresh. I go to the bathroom and flip it on before I go into class and set the purse on top of my desk during lecture.
Absolutely, no one knows that I have it. Not even my closest friends in school.
I don't do this for all of my instructors. The two that won't allow us to record, are also the same two that are constantly putting things on exams that don't appear in the notes or the book and they BARELY mention them in lecture and it almost comes across as a passing thought when they speak...not even anything that you would pay much attention to.
I'm not in nursing school to play games...but if they play games with me like these two have, then sometimes you have to play back.
Secrets are easy to keep if you don't tell anyone...and I mean no one. Nursing school is one of those places where your best friend will stab you in the back.

That is so dishonest and it is not fair. I too have a tiny, small digital recorder that I can easily put in my purse, but I could never sneak and let it record a lecture with out the instructors permission. That is not right at all. Just be careful, because one day that little thing may just go off by accident.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Some instructors at my cc, let us tape lectures and some don't. I also find it more better when I tape myself on the recorder from the powerpoint. Not only am I reading the notes, but hearing my own voice in my own words which helps reinforce the information more better.

Amy'sGrandbaby, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Thanks everybody.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

In our school handbook as well as our nursing program, it doesn't address the issue of recording lectures. The only thing that is "vague" is clinical...that is the instructor's sole decision.
So if the school or the program has a written policy on it, I'll be happy to follow it.
Until then, the only person in charge of my learning is me, and I'm not there to stroke the ego of any instructor. They do not discuss patients in our lecture, so HIPAA is not the reason. It's all due to "I just don't like it"...again, I'm not there to entertain ego.
It's hard to throw someone out of a program when no one knows you are doing it....thus, the purpose of keeping some things to yourself. My purse has a cell phone, the garage opener, a PDA, and a book light...the recorder blends in with all the other stuff.
Also, if these two instructors were not famous for being so disorganized, I wouldn't see the need. There is a reason why I do it for these two...and only these two.

You are already starting to develop some bad habits. Not every little detail is going to be in the handbook policy, you still need to follow your instructors rules ! Everyone else is what makes you the exception ? Its not listed in the handbook to not eat off patients food trays, but would I do that ? No way ! I can tell by your posts that you are very sneaky, and thats scary especially when working in the nursing career. It makes me wonder what other little sneaky things you may do as a nurse ? Maybe its just me. I remember a few days ago I went into the cafeteria to grab a bite of eat before class. I had my hands full so I had my bottled water under my arm. After I left the cafe I noticed that I only paid for my food and not my drink. I was already in my car and ready to go, however I thought to myself " there is no way I can drive off without paying for this", Any way.... I decided to do the right thing and pay for the drink even though no one knew or noticed that I didn't pay for it before leaving the cafe. The cashier thanked me for my honesty and was shocked that I did that. This is just an example of how being honest is always the right thing, even if you think no one else will find out about what you've done.

Its not to late to turn this around, stop recording your instructors lectures and move on !

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Not only is it unethical to tape someone when they have asked not to be taped, I believe it is against the law!

Babylady, if you see nothing wrong with being unethical and breaking the law as a student, I hate to think of you entering the nursing profession -- where such behavior can get people killed.

The fact that you don't know or understand the rationale for the rules/laws does not give you the moral or legal right to break them. Even if you did know the rationale, the fact that you disagree with it does not justify your behavior either. Finally, whether or not you ever get caught is also irrelevant. Your disregard for the rights of the instructor, the rules of the school, and the law of the land is unacceptable for a nurse. Period.