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.
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.
We have the same policy, but I always understood it as you can miss just one clinical day WITH NO EXCUSE. I've never missed any, so I don't really know, are you supposed to show up if you are sick as a dog.
one lady showed up to our orientation and had just found out she was pregnant the week before and we never saw her again. Some people just stop coming and you dont really know why. Several people have just up and quit b/c they disliked the instructor or it was too stressful. Failing of course is a biggie. Some even get booted b/c of excessive absences. You can miss one clinical a semester, if you miss a 2nd one, you're out of the program. So, we've lost several due to that also.
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? It seems like you'd be doing more harm than good. But yes, our instructors don't care. If you have the flu, you better be there in full uniform with a smile on your face. Seems counter-productive, but I guess they can't bend the rules for anyone.
We have the same policy, but I always understood it as you can miss just one clinical day WITH NO EXCUSE. I've never missed any, so I don't really know, are you supposed to show up if you are sick as a dog.
one lady showed up to our orientation and had just found out she was pregnant the week before and we never saw her again. Some people just stop coming and you dont really know why. Several people have just up and quit b/c they disliked the instructor or it was too stressful. Failing of course is a biggie. Some even get booted b/c of excessive absences. You can miss one clinical a semester, if you miss a 2nd one, you're out of the program. So, we've lost several due to that also.
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? It seems like you'd be doing more harm than good. But yes, our instructors don't care. If you have the flu, you better be there in full uniform with a smile on your face. Seems counter-productive, but I guess they can't bend the rules for anyone.
I am disappointed to read some of the replies in this thread. As a 41 year old, if I've learned nothing in life, I've learned never to make negative assumptions about another person. Actually, I've learned not to assume at all. None of us can begin to know what is in another's mind and heart and to even suggest you do is nothing but arrogance and stupidity and for those of you who boast....don't boast too loudly.
I'm sickened to read "They just didn't have the brains" or "I wish some of them don't come back!" I'll tell you both.....what shall you sow, so shall you reap. I truly hope you have received or will receive more compassion than what you fail to dole out to others. No one can know how hard a student has worked (or how hard they didn't!) Sometimes it just simply wasn't their time but if they want it (and you know, my thing is the majority of nursing students want it or they wouldn't be there) they'll get it......despite your feeling that they're wasting YOUR time.
Remember, as nurses we will "be there"....It doesn't necessarily mean just to patients.
I am disappointed to read some of the replies in this thread. As a 41 year old, if I've learned nothing in life, I've learned never to make negative assumptions about another person. Actually, I've learned not to assume at all. None of us can begin to know what is in another's mind and heart and to even suggest you do is nothing but arrogance and stupidity and for those of you who boast....don't boast too loudly.
I'm sickened to read "They just didn't have the brains" or "I wish some of them don't come back!" I'll tell you both.....what shall you sow, so shall you reap. I truly hope you have received or will receive more compassion than what you fail to dole out to others. No one can know how hard a student has worked (or how hard they didn't!) Sometimes it just simply wasn't their time but if they want it (and you know, my thing is the majority of nursing students want it or they wouldn't be there) they'll get it......despite your feeling that they're wasting YOUR time.
Remember, as nurses we will "be there"....It doesn't necessarily mean just to patients.
we lost over a third of my class this first semester and it really upset me. sure there were probably some that did not put in the time needed to pass, but many others i know did. in our fundamentals class the test questions were so different and so difficult with so few questions (only 25 questions per test and only four tests) that some people just could not figure out how to pick the best right answer. i felt so bad for these students when they would come to me and ask me how to study because it was not just about studying, it was figuring out how to answer the question. it is sad that someone has to give up their dream to ambiguous and often very tricky test questions especially the first semester.
we lost over a third of my class this first semester and it really upset me. sure there were probably some that did not put in the time needed to pass, but many others i know did. in our fundamentals class the test questions were so different and so difficult with so few questions (only 25 questions per test and only four tests) that some people just could not figure out how to pick the best right answer. i felt so bad for these students when they would come to me and ask me how to study because it was not just about studying, it was figuring out how to answer the question. it is sad that someone has to give up their dream to ambiguous and often very tricky test questions especially the first semester.
I am disappointed to read some of the replies in this thread. As a 41 year old, if I've learned nothing in life, I've learned never to make negative assumptions about another person. Actually, I've learned not to assume at all. None of us can begin to know what is in another's mind and heart and to even suggest you do is nothing but arrogance and stupidity and for those of you who boast....don't boast too loudly.
I'm sickened to read "They just didn't have the brains" or "I wish some of them don't come back!" I'll tell you both.....what shall you sow, so shall you reap. I truly hope you have received or will receive more compassion than what you fail to dole out to others. No one can know how hard a student has worked (or how hard they didn't!) Sometimes it just simply wasn't their time but if they want it (and you know, my thing is the majority of nursing students want it or they wouldn't be there) they'll get it......despite your feeling that they're wasting YOUR time.
Remember, as nurses we will "be there"....It doesn't necessarily mean just to patients.
Thank you! I totally agree! I started in the ADN program at our local Community College in the fall of 2003. I graduated last May with my LPN. I started working at our local hospital and DID NOT want to return to school. I did....for 2 days and then withdrew. Everyone thought I would be the last person to drop...even the DON couldn't believe it.
It was the best possible decision I could have made for me at the time. I was burnt out and needed some experience and build some much needed confidence. It worked-I'm returning in January. I'm ready to move on and will be a much better nurse for knowing myself well enough to know when to walk away.
I think that the students we lost weren't serious......they wanted to play around and they thought that they would pass because they were charming or whatever. I feel sorry for them though...........because it was awful for them to have find fail. Students have to realize that nursing school is very serious and you have to give a lot to pass. Some people arent willing to give that or they just arent ready. I know that at the beginning I thought that I could just cram and still get by but after making a low C on my first tes I felt bad. Plus I felt angry that people were making A's because they had studied and I hadnt. So I started studying and cutting back on tv and shopping and sleep of course! I started really putting in 90% and my grades shot up to A's and B's. I felt so good when people started asking me for study tips.........it felt good to work hard and see results. I am really proud of myself because if I hadnt gotten "serious", I think that I would have failed a class or two this semester and I would have felt bad for not trying..........the students who didnt make it , I will miss them alot. It's sad.......nursing school asks alot of you. I just hope that next semester I will pass and do well.
acgemt
174 Posts
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.