I am in a study group with 2 friends I have known and taken classes with for over a year. The 3 of us are all A/B students, come prepared, text each other during the week if we are confused about something, etc. We've become a tight knit group because we know we help instead of hindering.
There is a student who is currently failing A&P 2 who wants to join our study group. All 3 of us are leery about it. She comes to class late, she asks us to send her recordings, she looks at my notes everyday. If she put forth the effort herself we wouldn't mind trying to help her, but we feel like she just wants to ride our backs and we're not cool with that.
Our school has a science resource center she can go to, we have free one on one tutors, and the library has models she can check out for 2 hours at a time to study. There are ways for her to help herself before we help her.
I've worked my butt off to get where I am. I should be hearing if I am accepted to my program in 3 weeks. I am not going to get dragged down by someone who can't do the work themselves.
Absolutely let her study with you... you really never know what someone is going through in their lives that cause them to do what they do.. be compassionate and take her in... especially if you want to be future nurses, practice now! On the other hand if she isn't contributing at all then thats a different story.... I was struggling in critical care nursing and I went to all the A students and begged to study with them, they helped me focus and I got better... now I'm a kick ass ER nurse.
I wasn't going to comment on this, but the more I thought about it the more it bothered me, so here goes:
Nursing is a collaborative profession - there is no room for lone wolves and we all have times when we need help. I tried to get by in school just doing my own work and not interacting much with my classmates. I was working full-time and going to school full-time (and only sleeping part-time, if at all) and didn't think I really had time to devote to classmates who were struggling. That worked for a while - first semester, in fact - but by second semester I found that *I* was one of the ones struggling. You may be an A/B student today but the time may well come that you really need to rely on your classmates for help, either academically or in clinical. That's when you'll wish you were more accommodating the one who you let fall by the wayside. Our class started out as strangers and ended up being very close-knit and I had the privilege to learn and work with a group of very extraordinary future nurses. It was only with their help and support that nursing school finally became bearable and ultimately enjoyable.
I agree that you may want to give the poor student some "homework" to help her get caught up, and also that using this opportunity to teach her will strengthen your own knowledge and skills. Give her a break, cut her some slack, and welcome her into the fold. If she squanders the opportunity, that's her loss, but if she pulls it together you will feel much better in the end. I firmly believe "a rising tide lifts all boats" and we ultimately succeed or fail together.
Now I'm stepping off my soapbox and returning you to your regularly scheduled discussions.
Good luck with school and (try to) enjoy this wonderful journey you're embarking on!
I am in a study group with 2 friends I have known and taken classes with for over a year. The 3 of us are all A/B students, come prepared, text each other during the week if we are confused about something, etc. We've become a tight knit group because we know we help instead of hindering.
There is a student who is currently failing A&P 2 who wants to join our study group. All 3 of us are leery about it. She comes to class late, she asks us to send her recordings, she looks at my notes everyday. If she put forth the effort herself we wouldn't mind trying to help her, but we feel like she just wants to ride our backs and we're not cool with that.
Our school has a science resource center she can go to, we have free one on one tutors, and the library has models she can check out for 2 hours at a time to study. There are ways for her to help herself before we help her.
I've worked my butt off to get where I am. I should be hearing if I am accepted to my program in 3 weeks. I am not going to get dragged down by someone who can't do the work themselves.
How horrible are we?
this is funny because I went through the exact same situation. Me and one of my classmates always studied together, and another student asked to study with us. My friend didn't want her too, because she didn't want us to spend our study time teaching. I felt bad for the student so I let her come and we spent most of the time going over stuff we already knew. I didn't really mind, but the girls bad study habits eventually caught up with her and she's not in nursing school anymore. There wasn't anything we could do really.
How would almost everyone throw dirty water at this student without even hearing her side of story? She probably have some stuffs going on with her or her family, but she is determined to better herself that's why she seemed to join a group; too bad she's not even given a chance. Remember this world is very small, that she's doing poorly now doesn't mean she's doing poorly in other subjects. There is nothing like helping one another in life regardless of the situation. I have had couple of students turned me down for a study group just because I don't take notes in class, but that's not my learning style, I'm an auditory learner. At the end of each test/semeter, I still get better grades than them. Oh I forgot to mention that I have an accent, but that doesn't mean I'm not smart.
So my dear, accommodate her in your group. Make her study and you too will be learning as well. Don't ever think you have it all.
I totally agree with Pharmguy.....as a BSN student, about to graduate in 6 weeks, just because all of you claim to be A/B students, you dont want to be held down by someone who is struggling.... you are in for a rude awaking as a team player....and you will need help by someone at many points of nursing school and as a nurse. Patients rely on the nurses to be team players... Patients become very sick very fast and you will get swamped very fast and will need your co-workers on many situations...if you cant help out a fellow student who could be someone who has not been taught how to study effectively, maybe comes from a less fortunate life who didnt get the support at home with school work, it could be she just needs a very simple direction in effective study habits..who knows, but I will say....I am in a cohort of 50 students, we all have been together on this journey...... you will have to do plenty of GROUP papers, projects, and research together so you better learn how to play nice to each other now......you will be that new grad someday, and veteran nurses can spot a new grad a mile a way who is not a team player and they will eat you alive......your A/B means nothing on the floor taking care of patients, I have seen many C students in my class in clinical who ROCK when it comes to being confident and caring and able to handle a stressful CPR...... I saw another A student who froze in her shoes when a patient wasn't breathing and a doctor told her to do compressions.....on a CPR patient..... so take away.....be nice, helpful, and know that this person you don't want to help or maybe another one later on.....could be that nurse you end up working with years later, or someone who could help you get a job...... and she will remember you and how you treated her.....and I think you are being mean by all the attitudes who are so worried that it will hinder your studying or bring you down.....I have a 3.6 GPA and there has been a class where I went into a final and needed a 87 in order to pass my class.....I had a death in my family and was struggling to pull it together that semester......my class mates all came together to give me notes, and recordings three days before that exam.....I passed with an 87.5.......its all about team work in the nursing profession......get use to it now or you will be a lone warrior and probably not make it on your own.....in this profession.....
the three you already don't like the idea.. the negative energy is already there, and the three of you will be looking for anything to pick on.(which you should)- but first be clear on your rules for the group and acknowledge how much each of the main three follow your own rules.
first off the study group is about getting ahead- how do you that? What is your purpose.. just to get through the next test or to become a nurse? A nurse is much more than Websters dictionary version of one.. you can read through all the blogs on this site and you will never run out definitions to what a nurse is...to the patient- to the nurse- to society-- Nurses are extremely abused super beings..in many cases.. yet they come back with a smile and ask for more..
So what defines your group?
what are the rules- if you are meeting at 7pm for study then all should be there at 6:45- say hi, wind down, idle chit chat- start the IV drip of caffeine and by 7pm books open and the chit chat stops and work begins..
treat it as you would be treated on the job-- study group is not just about the info to pass the test- but also practice of the regiments that go into nursing or any other occupation... what you are being tested will come back over and over while in school..
there is a reason why military do what they do.. its because it works..
the student recognizes they need help- offer it- with rules it is now your responsibility just as it would be your responsibility on the job to see that they follow the rules - at least this burden falls on the shoulders of many.. be upfront......
one thing i don't like about schools today is that they only take those A+ averages...
there is an old saying in the legal field- the A+ student will become the professor- has all the knowledge but doesn't know how to use it
the B student - becomes the judge- has most of the knowledge and some use of it... and the C student makes the best trial attorneys... for they know how to think.. how to use what they know, how to pay the A+ student for info and how to work the judge...
sometimes a failing student-- is not failing because of the reason that you think they are-- they just might think differently. they may save lives... they may be the one to keep someone out of jail.... Most CEO's of major companies are not A students-- many are actually drop outs and possibly D students...
soooo.. set your rules- and be true to them and be brave- to say get out of it doesn't work out-and understand the negative energy-- and the ability to transform that into a positive force. if it was easy-- you would never have wrote the question here to get feed back-- that speaks volumes of you and your caring. Only you and your group knows the right answer... this page is full of opinions.. and.....!!!lol everyone has one... good luck
It's great to see all the constructive feedback on this post, and your willingness to help another student who is struggling. While I realize nursing school slots are competitive, being a nurse starts with compassion and a desire to help others. Giving her something concrete and straight forward to complete for the group such as the suggested vocabulary cards is a great way for her to prove her willingness to work, without intimidating her. She may be lazy and that's why she requests other people's study materials, or she may be genuinely overwhelmed trying to work full time, and balance children and husband as well. By following the previous suggestions, you'll probably find out which, and be able to feel good about helping or relieved she isn't a burden of she chooses not to do the work.
I totally agree with Pharmguy.....as a BSN student, about to graduate in 6 weeks, just because all of you claim to be A/B students, you dont want to be held down by someone who is struggling.... you are in for a rude awaking as a team player....and you will need help by someone at many points of nursing school and as a nurse. Patients rely on the nurses to be team players... Patients become very sick very fast and you will get swamped very fast and will need your co-workers on many situations...if you cant help out a fellow student who could be someone who has not been taught how to study effectively, maybe comes from a less fortunate life who didnt get the support at home with school work, it could be she just needs a very simple direction in effective study habits..who knows, but I will say....I am in a cohort of 50 students, we all have been together on this journey...... you will have to do plenty of GROUP papers, projects, and research together so you better learn how to play nice to each other now......you will be that new grad someday, and veteran nurses can spot a new grad a mile a way who is not a team player and they will eat you alive......your A/B means nothing on the floor taking care of patients, I have seen many C students in my class in clinical who ROCK when it comes to being confident and caring and able to handle a stressful CPR...... I saw another A student who froze in her shoes when a patient wasn't breathing and a doctor told her to do compressions.....on a CPR patient..... so take away.....be nice, helpful, and know that this person you don't want to help or maybe another one later on.....could be that nurse you end up working with years later, or someone who could help you get a job...... and she will remember you and how you treated her.....and I think you are being mean by all the attitudes who are so worried that it will hinder your studying or bring you down.....I have a 3.6 GPA and there has been a class where I went into a final and needed a 87 in order to pass my class.....I had a death in my family and was struggling to pull it together that semester......my class mates all came together to give me notes, and recordings three days before that exam.....I passed with an 87.5.......its all about team work in the nursing profession......get use to it now or you will be a lone warrior and probably not make it on your own.....in this profession.....
You are so correct! Most people these days always forget this world is really a small world.
I totally agree with the other posters. She needs remedial help and has gotten too far behind. Sounds like she needs help with study skills and note taking. Be honest and let her know that she is just too far behind to join your group.
I like your ideas ! I agree You don't have to help but why not help if you can ! That is in essence the foundation of being a good nurse in my opinion . The desire to help others who struggle :) that being said .... if the other student is hindering your own education and ability to study you should not feel horrible for not studying with them .
I am really surprised that so many people are answering negatively about your fellow student. I disagree with not allowing her to join. A great way to solidify the information for yourself is to teach the information to someone else. It will benefit you to help teach another. Also, once you get into a program you will find that we all need each other to be successful. You might as well learn how to be a team player now. To exclude someone is not beneficial to you, and I hate to say it but "treat people how you want to be treated." I am laughing that you feel so highly of yourself that you think another person will "drag you down". If this girl doesn't do the work and study she will not get into a nursing program and if she does then she will have to learn how to study at some point because the curriculum is way more difficult than A&P. You want to be in a profession that is helpful to humanity, why don't you start now and help this girl?
Apples&Oranges
171 Posts
"...and well nursing lets just say the bsn was rated the most stressful degree in America to get"
By whom? I find that very hard to believe. Unless it was a study done by nursing students :-)