Ok that hurt

nursecathy · Jan 10, 2004

Communication fails at time via the written word as it lacks nonverbal clues. I find that happens often on these boards. Just miscommunication. My but nurses are aggressive! The first rule of communication is: Always use the Golden Rule!! See ya!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2004

Originally posted by nursecathy
Communication fails at time via the written word as it lacks nonverbal clues. I find that happens often on these boards. Just miscommunication. My but nurses are aggressive! The first rule of communication is: Always use the Golden Rule!! See ya!

Welcome to the World. Nurses are no more aggressive than: MDs, instructors, the public, pharmacists, interns, residents, visitors, patients, lawyers, etc. - all of whom that you will have to deal with and hold your own among as a Nurse.

And if one has any "communication" issues, one needs to deal with them,. As nurses, communication is paramount - if people on the BB are having trouble understanding you, you can pretty much guarantee that others in one's life are misunderstanding.

bellehill, RN · Jan 10, 2004

My nursing program was the same, no rounding of grades and intimidating instructors. You know what, I graduated with confidence in myself, my education and no one in that hospital intimidates me. It may be hard but it has to be, nursing is hard and your patient's life is in your hands.

Personally I would not be able to do a distance learning program, I need someone keeping me on track instead of daydreaming:D

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 10, 2004

Originally posted by LovKeisha
I don't think I was responding to Angus. It was someone else. I don't know yet how access this site yet I just get the e-mail that my post was answered.

:confused: You just click on the link provided in the notification email. It's even simpler than starting a thread.

Originally posted by LovKeisha
I do appreciated the posting and the warning about Exelsior. I do intended to check it out, infact I already called them for the application.
They just require you to come to NY for a weekend to do a clinical. I hope I get accepted and that I am successful.:roll then I can do this:roll :roll :roll :roll
Oh by the way the class was Peds

When you called them for the application, did you ask them any questions sbout their program? They have guidelines on what kind of title you have to have before you can enter the program. You really need to go to the website and look at the info before you waste the application fee. You are also NOT required to go to NY for clinicals. They have clinical sites all over the U.S. In addition, if you have failed Peds twice, you will also probably have problems with just about every Excelsior Nursing Concepts course, because almost all of them have Peds components where applicable. And you will be required (at most clinical sites) to have 1 (real live) Peds patient to be checked off on.

It would be a lot less trouble for you to go ahead and retake the class at your current school. At least you know where your resources are there, and maybe the instructor that failed you can tell you what areas your weaknesses are before you take the class again.

Also consider financial aid- if you are getting it. It's much harder to get financial aid if you go through Excelsior, because they are not a Title IV school. That means no federal financial aid if you go there, and you will have to do a lot of footwork to get any financial assistance at all.

Also, someone suggested you might want to go through an LPN program instead. But if the LPN program you go to has a Peds class (mine did- with clinicals as well), then you will run into the same problem again.

nyapa, RN · Jan 10, 2004

Originally posted by LovKeisha
ok first of all I am not repeatedly failing the same course. Second of all I do study. However I had a teacher who was very unfair. out of 57-60 students 25 failed and we were all close to a 75. I had a 74.3. I met with my instructor many times over the semester discussing my grade. I was actually doing fine until the third exam whcih she loaded with alot of information and asked some very hard questions. Most of the class did poorly, but she refused to help us out. Infact she is probably on this board......, anyway. I really just need help to find other options and whether or not Excelsior is a recognized program. I really didn't need the negative stuff. Most nurses tend to have that kind of attitude. Aparently nursing is some elite profession where only a few are selected. I know people who did not even deserve to graduate that are now RN's so I guess it is the luck of the draw. I guess that is why so many loose their lisense...........Look I don;t mean to be mean, I am just really hurt because I studied so hard. Can anyone give me info. on Excelsior I appreciate what was said before. Is it hard, what approach should I have in studying. Are the test more management or disease process etc

Sounds like a large percentage failed. I am unaware of your grading system, but I have had the experience of both supportive lecturers as well as ppl who seemed down right intent to fail a class. Im not exaggerating with the latter. The latter can be such a blow to your self confidence. BUT, if this is a career move you want to make, you have to think "OK, so they are making it difficult for me to pass, but I CAN do it!" After failing the first time, remember you do have prior knowledge now on the subject and maybe this may help the second time.

Suggestions in helping you study:

* Do you have a counsellor at your institution who can help with study skills.

*Is there a possibility to approach the lecturer herself, and say, "Hey, I didnt succeed last time, but I really want this...can you point me in the right direction re: study?" Of course, she cant give you specifics, but maybe she can give hints on how to improve your study practices.

* Do you know any nurses currently practising? Its difficult to visualise some concepts from a book...perhaps you can bounce your thoughts off them.

One last thing, is it possible to take some time off, to recollect your thoughts, and build up your confidence, so that you are strong enough to jump in the deep end and try again?

Of course failure hurts...been there done that. But if you really want something, you have to fight for it, although sometimes that doesn't seem fair. I am an enrolled nurse in Australia, and when I did this course, I had the most brilliant supportive lecturer. When I commenced my RN there were a couple who made it difficult (including screaming at the students...out of 27 only 6 survived) I had a long break, went back and did really well; my lecturers seemed more supportive though it was the same institution, but it could have been my change in attitude too. I did recognise that they were under tremendous pressure in their role, as our course had students enrolled externally from all over the country which meant much coordination, travelling and marking of assignments. Remember your lecturer is probably also under similar pressure. Institutions expect a standard. However I did pull out of my RN close to completion due to health problems, and because I had a long think about what I REALLY want. Because of the latter, I am not ashamed of pulling out; I recognise I can use all this information in my current job.

As I said before if you REALLY want it, and you really have to think about it, then I hope the above suggestions help, and GO FOR IT!!!

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Jan 10, 2004

Well now that I think about it, yes, we had a tough time in school. The workload was always piled high, and there never seemed to be enough time in the day to complete it all.

One solution I found was making flash cards. Then the night prior to an exam, I took them to bed with me, and literally went to sleep studying. I say that was a good thing, because the information was fresh in my head when I woke up.

Also, since we are told in the very beginning that nurses have to PROBLEM SOLVE, I do believe that is one reason pressure is placed on us while we're in school. Also, nurses do get the brunt end of the stick so to speak, but we are willing to accept that for the love of nursing.

I feel that it is an honorable profession, and nurses definitely EARN their titles. They have saved many people from receiving wrong meds, wrong tests, wrong treatments, etc. and have also saved many doctors from making mistakes by asking them if a certain medication would be better, or another medication would be the correct one, and not the one mentioned. They have also questioned written orders to make sure they are correct, and if not written clearly enough, have phoned the Physician and asked him/her to clarify the order.

They DO put their patients first. They are patient advocates to the nth degree, and love what they do. Why? because they love to see people reach the highest level possible on Maslov's Heirarchy of Needs pyramid.

When I was in school I had several pediatric patients, from infancy to late teens. Some were critically ill, and I knew I was there to see what I could do to help them in any way I was allowed.

I personally LOVE nursing, but am unable to practice it now. I only wish I was able. But I can still use this computer, and I have an online ministry to help the victims of abuse and their abusers. It is very fulfilling for me, even though I don't get paid. Getting paid is only one part of it, and I have the freedom to encourage and empower others who need it, and that makes me very happy.

Sincerely,

Fran:nurse:

Big Bab's · Jan 11, 2004

The nursing school I went to was VERY competitive and VERY demanding also, and had a pretty big failure rate, I guess they thought they were "weeding out the unworthy" or something......My class had something like 500 applicants and they accepted 26, two years later 15 of us actually graduated!!......Nursing school and the nursing profession are difficult no matter where you are......The one course that almost "ate me for lunch" was pharmacology, but I just dug in my heels and studied my a** off and passed it, and actually, now its one of my stonger points, I NEVER forget info about meds now........Frances is right it takes dedication and fortitude......You can do it!!!....Its hard and it sucks sometimes, but it CAN be done!!.....My thought is that going to a different school may not be the answer!!....You're just running from a class that you will have to pass no matter what school you're at......One of the saddest stories I know of, as far as NOT passing, is a gal that was in my class, she made a MAJOR med error in clinicals, just 2 weeks before graduation!!.....She was dropped from the program and can never go back!!....(she can try other schools but this would be on her permanent record, so I don't know how that would work out.)......I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes its just not meant to be....Now realize that may NOT be the case with you!!...but think really hard about it and decide exactly how much you want it and what you're willing and NOT willing to sacrifice for it........Good luck, things will work out, one way or another!!:kiss

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jan 11, 2004

Your nursing program doesn't sound all that much different than mine, or many other programs. Large failure rate and no rounding up on scores is on par with many others described on this BB. And it is not to the Instructor to 'help you out'.

Amen to the above! Be thankful that you at least have instructors. Nursing faculty are fast becoming a scarce commodity all over the country.Those of us who are left are doing double and triple duty. If we all leave--who will be there to teach you?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2004

They didn't round up at our school either. If they round your grade up, what about the one who made .1 below you? The one below them and etc.

It would be elistist and showing favoritism to round up. IMHO. Blaming the instructors and calling those of us who made the grade elistist and having the luck of the draw is insulting. I'll chalk it up to your bitter disappointment after working so hard. That must hurt and I'm sorry.

Good luck.

georgia peaches · Jan 11, 2004

You took the words right out of my mouth!!!

John

Erin RN · Jan 11, 2004

I agree with Tweety also..

Nursing school is difficult. I can't speak for everyone but I know out of the 60 that started with me less then 20 graduated. A very few dropped due to reasons other than failing. I have read on this board repeatedly where others experienced the same thing.

If there are individuals in your class that are passing then it can obviously be done..can you perhaps link up and study with someone who is passing?

Each instructor is different and they all have different teaching styles. Sometimes an individuals learning style is not in sync with the that so adjustments need to be made..this would be the responsibility of the student, not the instructor.

I know nothing about excelsior other than it is online? I have taken online classes through NAU and online classes are difficult. Like Agnus said, it takes a huge amt of self direction plus there isn't anyone there to answer your questions immediately. Before NAU would let me enroll I had to have a conference with the dept head and a counselor on the phone so that they could determine if I would be a successful online learner...they based it on my past GPA and the interview..does Excelsior require anything like that? Probably worth checking out.

Agnus · Jan 11, 2004

Originally posted by Erin RN
I know nothing about excelsior other than it is online? I have taken online classes through NAU and online classes are difficult. Like Agnus said, it takes a huge amt of self direction plus there isn't anyone there to answer your questions immediately. Before NAU would let me enroll I had to have a conference with the dept head and a counselor on the phone so that they could determine if I would be a successful online learner...they based it on my past GPA and the interview..does Excelsior require anything like that? Probably worth checking out.

Actually only the MSN program is on line and only a small part of that program is done on line.

The ADN and BSN are not on line. There is NO instruction. You must study on your own find your own leanring experience oportunities. I am enrolled in the BSN program.

It is entirely self directed. The exams are application based, a lot like the NCLEX exam. So it is not enough to know facts you must be able to take knowledge of numerous facts and apply them together. In other words you have to have good critical thinking skills.

It too is very doable. However, many people have misconceptions about it because your are granted credit based only on examination. So they think it is easy all you have to do is take a few fact filled tests and pass.

You are provided with a self assessment tool to deternine your own readiness to start this program. There is no one at the school that does this for you.

There is absolutely no rounding period. There are not even plus or minus grades. If you get a B it is a B not a B plus. You must get at least a C on every exam, no exception. You are allowed to retake an exam that you did not get a C on but there is a limit on the number of retakes.