Professor tested us on the wrong topics

StudentOfHealing · Oct 9, 2014

Whatever is in the syllabus you signed stands. If she has those chapters regarding complications to be tested on the syllabus then looks like you may as well accept your grade.

RN403, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2014

A similar situation has happened to myself and fellow classmates when I was in school. The above poster speaks the truth, if it is in the syllabus it is fair game. The textbook is in the syllabus with designated chapters for each chapter. Even though the readings may be "optional" it can still be placed on an exam. I learned to just study everything, especially the stuff I *thought* I would never see on the exam.

Learn from this, prepare accordingly for the next exam, and move forward in your nursing journey. It is possible that if you all come forward and bring this to the attention of the dean you might be able to get this issue resolved in your favor. Best wishes.

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Oct 9, 2014

I can't know what is on your test because I have not seen it, but I want to add another thought to the subject. Early in my schooling I noticed that material would seemingly show up on tests that were from other chapters than what we were studying. This frustrated me so I went to talk to the instructor. She sat with me and we went over some of the questions. She showed me how the question wasn't really asking for information that we had not covered. It just added extra information to make the question sound tougher than it was, or to try to make you think in a different direction.

Best thing to do is when reading the questions, ask yourself what the question is really asking. The may have this long question with many different patient problems and in reality they only want you to understand that you should put the patient on her side. I hope that makes sense. It is hard to explain this without a sample question to tear apart.

PaulBaxter · Oct 9, 2014

A couple of potential lessons (not just for you).

1. You can't always believe everything anyone says. This may not be due to any sort of intentional deceit, but other outside factors.

2. When you have a question about something (and this applies to anything in life), be sure to think about whether the person you are asking is likely to actually know the answer and is likely to tell you the answer. At my program I see this sort of thing all the time. My classmates assume that any of our teachers will all have access to all of the information in our program. I've been on the other side of that curtain enough times to know that just because someone is a teacher doesn't mean they know everything that's going on, particularly if they are new.

3. Study deep and wide. It usually doesn't hurt to read ahead, read often, read books that aren't assigned, etc. I know that's hard when you can barely keep up with the given material. Just think that your ultimate task is not to master the information you think will be on the test, but to learn all the things you may need to know to care for patients.

All that said, it sounds like maybe you got a raw deal there.

kvyates · Oct 9, 2014

This information is 100% not on the syllabus. not as optional reading not as extra help not as ATI testing benchmarks not at all taught not even in other semesters.

kvyates · Oct 9, 2014

these questions were knowledge questions like you had to prioritize between different types of specific antepartum complications which we were not responsible for or assigned for readings. So if you don't know what the terms are you are screwed. I know what they were asking and it was chapter information specific and the answers can be found in chapters we did not need to study for this test.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2014

these questions were knowledge questions like you had to prioritize between different types of specific antepartum complications which we were not responsible for or assigned for readings. So if you don't know what the terms are you are screwed. I know what they were asking and it was chapter information specific and the answers can be found in chapters we did not need to study for this test.

Out of curiosity, are these chapters on complications listed in another part of the syllabus? For example, are they listed in the block of information for the next exam? If they are listed in another chart, that definitely gives you a leg to stand on--they were specifically listed for another section of the term. If they are not on the syllabus somewhere else--sorry for the bluntness, this is almost directed more toward the instructor that to you--what is point of going over maternity if you are not going to cover the care/interventions for complications?

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Oct 9, 2014

This is a labor and delivery class right? I would think that material would be on the test. We have people in my class who ask each exam what is going to be on the test. Like that is the most important thing. Learning the material to use in nursing is the most important thing. Not just what is on some silly test. I would honestly assume those important things would be on the test. If it's in the chapters for reading, it's fair game.

caliotter3 · Oct 9, 2014

My best advice is to get a group together and approach the instructor first. If she does not adjust the exam, then approach the Dean. You might win your point or you might not. But nothing will happen if you don't bring it to someone's attention and fast. Good luck.

Everline · Oct 9, 2014

I'm confused as to how complications are not on the syllabus for a nursing class that covers "maternity".

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 10, 2014

I'm confused as to how complications are not on the syllabus for a nursing class that covers "maternity".

Exactly. We had an entire lecture solely devoted to complications. Really find this hard to believe