Set you up to fail?

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I just completed and passed my first nursing class and I'm excited to move on to clinicals next year. It was difficult, but I made it. Many students did not make it and I've talked with a few who believe that the school purposely set them up to fail. Some of them believe that there's this conspiracy to have only a few students graduate even when there's a nursing shortage. I myself don't believe in this "conspiracy" not because I was one of the few who passed because I believe I'm in control of whether I pass or fail. The one thing I didn't like is when the faculty and staff would mention that half of the students who were currently in the nursing program would not pass. Some people automatically gave up (subconsciously) when they heard this while others were determined to pass. I was determine to pass even when I procrastinated from beginning to end. I'm tired of students who refuse to own up to their own mistakes. They need to stop blaming others.

Originally posted by Heartland

I just completed and passed my first nursing class and I'm excited to move on to clinicals next year. It was difficult, but I made it. Many students did not make it and I've talked with a few who believe that the school purposely set them up to fail. Some of them believe that there's this conspiracy to have only a few students graduate even when there's a nursing shortage. I myself don't believe in this "conspiracy" not because I was one of the few who passed because I believe I'm in control of whether I pass or fail. The one thing I didn't like is when the faculty and staff would mention that half of the students who were currently in the nursing program would not pass. Some people automatically gave up (subconsciously) when they heard this while others were determined to pass. I was determine to pass even when I procrastinated from beginning to end. I'm tired of students who refuse to own up to their own mistakes. They need to stop blaming others.

I don't believe in the conspiracy thing either. We had a lot of people fail too, not as many as I thought would fail though. Most people passed the Nursing I course but failed the Pharm or Nutrition course and can not move on to Nursing II until they pass what they failed.

Several people informed me that a few of the students who failed Pharm actually went up to the professor after taking the exam and yelled at her for making the final so difficult. To me, this is not only immature and stupid but it is plain suicide. We do have Pharm II along with Nursing III in a few short weeks and the same professor will be teaching that class as well.

I understand that people absorb and apply information in different ways, there is no secret other than finding a study habit that suits you best and go with it. Many people find my study habits to be a little unorthodox but it works for me. I have even had other students try to highlight EXCATLY what I have highlighted in my books and notes just to see if they were highlighting the information that would be on the test. A few people have even asked me what I think is gonna be on the test and they sit there with their pens ready to write....as IF I am gonna know what the hell is on the test. There is no secret.....STUDY !!!! Improve your time management skills and prioritize.....I have found that time management is the name of the game. JMO :D

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Originally posted by PilotJim68

Several people informed me that a few of the students who failed Pharm actually went up to the professor after taking the exam and yelled at her for making the final so difficult. To me, this is not only immature and stupid but it is plain suicide.

A few people have even asked me what I think is gonna be on the test and they sit there with their pens ready to write....as IF I am gonna know what the hell is on the test. There is no secret.....STUDY !!!!

I definitely can relate to that one. I have no clue what's on the test (although I wish I did). I just study everything.

And I'm sure yelling at the professor will help them too. :chuckle

Do these people have any clue what it takes to pass the NCLEX?

Easing up will NOT help them in the long run.

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When my husband was head of a very large entry-level school for the military (over 1,200 fresh from bootcamp during the course of the year), he had a sign above his desk that said,

"SUCCESS: It's not your I.Q., it's your I WILL".

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Specializes in Adult Med-Surg, Rehab, and Ambulatory Care.

My classmates and I talk about this very same thing constantly. When the faculty talks to you, the word FAIL just jumps out at you. "Do this or FAIL, Do that or FAIL, Don't do this and you FAIL." It wears you down sometimes. At the beginning of the year, we were all told the same thing one other poster here said: "Look around you...half of these people won't be here when you graduate." What kind of psychological mind-screw is that?? (Can I say screw here?? If not, sorry!)

I had an A in the first semester, I am holding an A in this semester, and I will be the first to admit that it's HARD. It really is a lot of work. If you are not 100% dedicated to succeeding, you won't. Plain and simple. I just think there's a better way of motivating your students other than the stern "FAIL, FAIL, FAIL" we hear throughout every semester.

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Perhaps faculty should focus on "do this and you will succeed" instead of using the word "fail" so often.

Nursing school is difficult and requires a tremendous commitment, and well it should, because the nursing profession is difficult and requires the same huge commitment.

I'm amazed at the number of nurses coming out of schools who just don't "get it"- this is not just a job, it's not easy, and requires a great deal of critical thinking skills and professionalism, in addition to a thorough working knowledge of nutrition, pharmacology, anatomy & physiology, etc.

It's not a conspiracy, it's an attempt to ensure that only those who can really make the commitment and step up to the plate will be taking care of acutely/critically ill people!

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Perhaps faculty should focus on "do this and you will succeed" instead of using the word "fail" so often

I agree one hundred percent. I think this is why so many students get so psyched out. I am not a nursing student yet, but I will be in January. I also have the benefit of being an older student. Hey, I have teenage kids, enough said.

As for the studying end of this, I know I have to sudy hard for things like biology, etc. Some subjects come easier than others. Sometimes I worry that I will not be able to handle a bigger credit load but I know I will give it my best effort. Someone on this bb has a signature line that reads "failure is not an option". I notice I have been saying that to myself when I start to get nervous about nursing school. You can either psych yourself up or psych yourself down.

Although some of the tactics and pyschological stuff that goes on does seem detrimental, I suppose the schools are preparing these students for the real life of nursing. Ain't nobody gonna coddle them on the floor, right!

mona

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Specializes in ER.

At our school we do refer to sophomore year, the first year of the nursing program, as the "weed out year". However, the reason is NOT because we think there is a "conspiracy" by the faculty to keep us down. It is because during the first year, many will realize that the nursing program is SERIOUS business. It is stressful and challenging. So, those who either truly don't want to be there or don't have what it takes to get through the program are weeded out.

Our instructors, though FRUSTRATING at times, were always supportive of us. I think it stinks that some of the instructors announce that "look around- half the class won't make it" kind of thing. Give me a BREAK! Our instructors, when questioned by a few students, gave realisitic numbers about the amount of students who do not graduate, then explained that hardly any of them ACTUALLY FAIL. Most leave for various personal reasons, such as deciding nursing just ins't for them, family issues, money issues, or the fact that the program is more difficult than they want to deal with.

I think if I REALLY felt that my school was INTENTIONALLY trying to keep me down, I would find a new school.

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Personally, I believe being able to acknowledge responsibility for your success or failure is a sign of emotional maturity. I think some people are unable to accept the idea that they failed, so they believe in a conspiracy which shifts the responsibility for their failure from them to the school. It is perhaps a good thing that these people do not make it through the program. Nursing requires a high level of maturity and responsibility, and belief in a conspiracy says to me these people are not demonstrating those characteristics.

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Specializes in Oncology RN.

I think when they say "Do this and FAIL." They really want to say, "Do this and your patient may DIE." In nursing, there is no margin for error. In that respect, programs have to be pretty tough because of the nature of our jobs in the trenches.

I don't buy into the conspiracy theory, although it makes a handy little scapegoat instead of fessing up and saying you shirked your studies. When I didn't study, I failed tests. When I did study, I pulled passing grades.

The class under me is up in arms because a bunch are failing mental. They've even involved a lawyer!

Reading the book would've been a lot easier...

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Originally posted by Headhurt

The class under me is up in arms because a bunch are failing mental. They've even involved a lawyer!

Reading the book would've been a lot easier...

Wow. How do you involve a lawyer? Sue the school for failing you?

That you be a new one. :chuckle

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Specializes in Oncology RN.

No, they have involved a lawyer because they think there are unfair grading/teaching practices at work.

All the material in the tests, are covered in the book and the course syllabus. The students are given the material at the beginning of the semester. I don't see how they have a case. The class is pretty much self study, yet they expect the instructor to spoon feed them the information.

I'm just glad I am not in that class.

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Originally posted by Headhurt

All the material in the tests, are covered in the book and the course syllabus. The students are given the material at the beginning of the semester. I don't see how they have a case. The class is pretty much self study, yet they expect the instructor to spoon feed them the information.

Unbelievable!

I'm glad you're not in that class too ... LOL

Self study is pretty common for a lot of courses.

It's amazing to see the lengths people will go to avoid studying.

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