Okay, I read a thread on the number of "how many students did you lose" and I was wondering, in your honest opinion, why these drops occurred. I do allow that there are some students that may have had to withdraw due to circumstances beyond their control, and many have come back to finish at a later date. I'm curious about those students that could have remained in the program, but didn't and why.
A friend of mine just finished her first semester, and she had some interesting tales to tell. Many who had not finished, just didn't take going to nursing school serious or expected everything to be spoonfed to them.
A more positive story: She also told me about a student in her class who had delivered her baby late last week and still managed to come for her final three days later, and missed only one day and that was due to her going into preterm labor. They were able to reverse that and the student went back to her clinicals the next day. If that is not dedication, I don't know what is.
There are many reasons people disappear from my program too... sick mother, student needs surgery (will come back next semester/year), failed a class, etc. I would guess ours are about 65% failing a class/changing their mind about wanting to be in the program and 35% for other reasons. One of the girls in my clinical stayed out until 3am all the time the night before clinicals (you know, we have to be there at 6:45), another girl just couldn't seem to grasp the info (I wonder how she even got into the program?), etc.
I am not sure yet how many won't be back next semester.. it will be interesting.
Like someone else alluded to... it sounds awful but I almost hope a few of them don't show up (out of 100) - I felt like they were wasting our time, leaching, and dragging us down. I kinda wanted the teachers to bi+ch them out or go ahead and kick them out... instead the teachers would get frustrated and yell at everyone... no thanks.
Generally my school doesn't seem the kind to just kick out marginal people quickly, they try to help (within reason) first. I was writing about that the other day, I think it's one reason our NCLEX rate isn't very good. It's fine with me except when I have to pick up the slack for someone. I'd still rather it be this way than the boot camp attitude way.
My question is this... if you get the flu and you're out of it for like 4 or 5 days and highly contagious, do they really expect you to still go to clinicals and spread your flu germs to patients that don't have the immune system to fight off the germs?
At my school they don't want you to come if you are honestly sick...but obviously you are walking on shaky ground if it happens more than the normal amount. We are basically NOT to miss unless there is a dang good reason.
My question is this... if you get the flu and you're out of it for like 4 or 5 days and highly contagious, do they really expect you to still go to clinicals and spread your flu germs to patients that don't have the immune system to fight off the germs?
At my school they don't want you to come if you are honestly sick...but obviously you are walking on shaky ground if it happens more than the normal amount. We are basically NOT to miss unless there is a dang good reason.
Its the ridiculous exam questions thats killing my classmates. Some ppl just dont get these questions and theyre not necessarily stupid or slackers. Some questions can be really bad and frankly if your not getting the questions right when you know you can and should, is quite discouraging. Sometimes its also the fault of some instructors. They teach so little but expect you to know so much. Like this peds teacher, she doesnt teach the material and students end up not knowing 40% of the exam. How does this happen?
Its the ridiculous exam questions thats killing my classmates. Some ppl just dont get these questions and theyre not necessarily stupid or slackers. Some questions can be really bad and frankly if your not getting the questions right when you know you can and should, is quite discouraging. Sometimes its also the fault of some instructors. They teach so little but expect you to know so much. Like this peds teacher, she doesnt teach the material and students end up not knowing 40% of the exam. How does this happen?
We lost one because he was in the Army Reserves and was called out.
One dropped first semester becuase she couldn't handle it but I just saw her last week with the new first semseter class so I guess she's trying again.
Three were dropped within the first three weeks of this semester because they didn't pass the endocrine module (once you fail a module you can't continue on, you have to wait out the rest of the semester and start it over if there is room).
We lost one because he was in the Army Reserves and was called out.
One dropped first semester becuase she couldn't handle it but I just saw her last week with the new first semseter class so I guess she's trying again.
Three were dropped within the first three weeks of this semester because they didn't pass the endocrine module (once you fail a module you can't continue on, you have to wait out the rest of the semester and start it over if there is room).
I don't know how many total we've lost, but I do know we have lost at least one. She was at the end of her pregnancy, and I guess her grades weren't that great before hand. She lacked 6 points after the final to remain in the program. Who else? I have no idea.
I don't know how many total we've lost, but I do know we have lost at least one. She was at the end of her pregnancy, and I guess her grades weren't that great before hand. She lacked 6 points after the final to remain in the program. Who else? I have no idea.
Nursing students don't make it through the program for many reasons. First, they are not prepared for what really goes on in nursing. I think a lot of students come in only caring about the amount of money they are going to be making, and how there is a shortage of nurses so there will be plenty of job opportunities. Second, the drive to study and be focused is not there. They would rather be out with their significant other and their friends then taking the time to study. Thirdly is time management skills and prioritizing. There is one particular student in my class that takes an additional 30-45 minutes after the rest of the class is finished and waiting for post-conference to begin (sorry, that was a little venting). It happens every class.
And last but not least, eventhough many will make it through the program, there are definitely those that will not pass the boards. I have seen it first hand on numerous occasions...the amount of glaring eyes in the classroon during an exam. I am shocked at the amount of people that cheat. Grow up...this isn't grade school. These are people's lives that are in our hands.
mitchsmom
1,907 Posts
There are many reasons people disappear from my program too... sick mother, student needs surgery (will come back next semester/year), failed a class, etc. I would guess ours are about 65% failing a class/changing their mind about wanting to be in the program and 35% for other reasons. One of the girls in my clinical stayed out until 3am all the time the night before clinicals (you know, we have to be there at 6:45), another girl just couldn't seem to grasp the info (I wonder how she even got into the program?), etc.
I am not sure yet how many won't be back next semester.. it will be interesting.
Like someone else alluded to... it sounds awful but I almost hope a few of them don't show up (out of 100) - I felt like they were wasting our time, leaching, and dragging us down. I kinda wanted the teachers to bi+ch them out or go ahead and kick them out... instead the teachers would get frustrated and yell at everyone... no thanks.
Generally my school doesn't seem the kind to just kick out marginal people quickly, they try to help (within reason) first. I was writing about that the other day, I think it's one reason our NCLEX rate isn't very good. It's fine with me except when I have to pick up the slack for someone. I'd still rather it be this way than the boot camp attitude way.