Stressing about school drama

[Bekallable]

Hi,

This post is a little bit of a vent, but I am looking for advice on whether I should be worried about future backstabbing, etc. I was recently dropped by a preceptor for a Masters program because I had to come in late to clinical. We find our own clinical instructors and they sign a contract with the college. She decided to terminate the agreement and send out a blast email to many people saying the practicum was terminated. My instructors were worried about the reputation of the college, and after initually saying they would help me find a new instructor, decided after seeing the emails, that I needed to have a meeting. In the meeting they said they were just discussing what had happened, and didn't say anything about a "decision" until the end. They then told me that they were sending this to a higher up person to see if I will be able to continue the class. I had asked them many times before the meeting if I would be able to continue the class, and they were silent on the issue, so I had a feeling, but they were never straight with me about it. After a lot of probing, I found out that they had already sent me a letter saying that the class was terminated. I was distraught, and sent out emails asking instructors to help me continue with the class. I also reached out to the higher up, to see if I could just be given a chance to try and complete the course with a new clinical instructor. After a lot of phone calls, emails, and convincing, I was allowed to continue with the class.

This is the thing: The program director, whom I believe was behind the pressure to keep me from continuing in the class set a list of rules for me. These are extra things I have to do that other students don't, and she clearly stated over and over that just because I can take the class doesn't mean I will pass. This seemed like an ominous message.

This program director also stated over and over that I shouldn't have reached out to anyone, that if I was a Masters prepared nurse, and a real professional, then I would accept the consequences of my actions. She stated many times that reaching out was unprofessional and that it is a sign of poor decision making. She also told me that persons with this type of decision making cannot be good nurses.

In my opinion, the lack of professionalism was reflected in them not being honest with me about the meaning of the meeting. The clinical instructor also lacked professionalism for dumping me for being late. I had a feeling it was because she had a vacation coming up, and she had to find someone to take her place for an entire month. Ultimately it was my fault for not being able to be there on time.

I've reached out to a new clinical instructor, who was at first excited to work with me, that has not had any further communication with me after the program director asked for her contact information. I believe that they may be trying to sabotage me. I don't know if this is paranoia after feeling victimized for not being able to continue the class initially, and having my class put on hold for weeks pending the "decision." They haven't been honest with me about anything so far, and have been deciding things without me there, all while reassuring me that nothing is happening, while precious time passed that I could have been finding a new preceptor.

I don't know what else to do but keep trying to find someone and forwarding the information to them, and try to complete the class. Though I have a feeling that I will not pass this class, no matter how hard I try.

[NurseMorse]

First of all--I am sorry to hear that your NS experience is so bumpy.

In a similar situation at my school with faculty that lacks true professionalism--in fact I'm seriously considering dropping from my program and the nursing profession all together, so I feel for your situation.

It is very disheartening to see how unprofessional things get in nursing schools. I wonder if these nursing school directors realize that behaviors from the top filter down to students which will be future leaders.

With this said--I wish I had some advice to your situation, but I don't. This is something you and only you can sort out. How do you find the answer? You dig down deep, compare the pros and cons and decide how you will react and grow from your nursing school experiences.

I do wish you the best!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[Bekallable]

Thank you for the response. Yes, I'm not sure what the answer is. I guess I was wondering if I should just withdraw. They seem to want me to fail, but it could just be paranoia.

[NurseMorse]

You're welcome (not that my words helped).

How far into your program are you?

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

First off, YOU are paying THEM for schooling. Not the other way around. Sounds to me as if the school will now get ANOTHER bout of tuition dollars from you--or keep the money they have already received from you and tell you to move on. Where again, you will have to pay.

The very first thing that I would do is ask for your complete transcript so far. Or make sure you print it from online, or request it on the school's website. You need to be sure that you have proof of the classes that you have already completed, in case you need to find a new school.

With that being said, they are playing some amazing mind games with you at your expense. (literally and figuratively). This whole "you may not pass" thing--SERIOUSLY?!?!?! That to me says that you already have not passed, therefore, they may "humor" you with giving you clinical hours, but not have any intention of you getting credit for that.

Look at it as a business transaction. I have paid tuition to be educated. I need in writing specifically what I need to do to pass this class. I will review it, and after such time I believe I can adhere to these conditions, I will continue. Otherwise, I will be withdraeing from the class, and taking my tuition dollars elsewhere.

Take back the power, here. It is YOU who has contracted THEM to educate you. It astounds me how any school can and does make judgement calls on an occupation where judgement is not warranted. I have never heard of an accounting teacher saying "you will make a horrible CPA".....

In any event, yes, you were late. That is on you. Seems like you know that. In the future, I would be sure that you precept hours that work for you and you won't be late. Because again, YOU are paying for this gig. And I am not suggesting that you need to be entitled and do what you want with other's time, but neither are you. I can only assume that your former preceptor had things set up for you to do, and being late messed that up, and she got upset about that. Lesson learned, can only go forward from here.

Best of luck, and keep us posted.