Students who don't come to class

RNinRubySlippers, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2005

Ok, heres the thing. As a nursing student you are considered a mature student. What I mean by this really is, that, if a school does not have a policy re: classes missed, then so what. I agree it is anoying if she/he is asking YOU for your notes as you came to classes. If however, they do not bother you , then who the bleep cares. As long as they are not failing (and if they are not making it, they would be out) then thats thier perogative, THey are PAYING to be there as an adult. I have a guy in my class and a girl as well, who dont come all the time...But they are smart and competent and SAFE. Anyhow, I am in 4th year and I just feel by now, I really dont give a darn Scarlet (heehee). Dont sweat the small stuff honey!

Enjoy Nursing school!

DusktilDawn · Aug 13, 2005

There is a student in my program who never comes to class, except on days of tests and presentations, she even has other students drop off her assignmnets. She was at one Patho, and one mental health class the whole semester. I don't know how she passes (I know that she does with very poor marks). I was wondering if there are other students who you know of who do this.
I know that every student misses class on occasions, but not every class. She has never missed a clincial day.
She was almost caught last year when she was not signed up for a group and met with the program co-ordiantor in which she outright lied to them and they bought it.
How condifdent would you be with her as your nurse.
Just venting,
Kristen

She would definately have more of a problem if she missed clinical days. She is going to have more of a problem as she progresses through the progam however. What you learn each semester is carried forward into the next, it sort of like "building blocks". Her grades in the future are only going to get worse. It does not sound like she even wants to be a nurse. The other students who drop off her assignments for her are facilitating her behavior. They are allowing themselves to be used by her. I would have never done this for a fellow student who couldn't be bothered to come to class. It may appear to you that she is circumventing the system while your working hard, however, it will catch up with her. Next time she lies to a program coordinator, they may not buy it, or in the future she will flunk out.

When I was a student I considered it my responsiblity to learn the material I was expected to.

Best of luck in school, Kristen

Someday-C.R.N.A. · Aug 13, 2005

If she's able to get the concepts and pass the exams, then she has proven herself as well as the peer that gets poor grades and sits through every lecture. This program obviously doesn't have a policy saying she needs to attend classes, so if she can do it by reading the textbooks, well more power to her. Some learners get little out of lecture. I wouldn't feel I could base her nursing abilities on class attendence. I never missed a lecture, but rarely studied or took notes; that's how I learn best. Maybe her way is to read on her own. I can see requiring clinical attendence, as that is the only way to gain that experience and she does that. (I'm sure there are strict attendence policies for clinical.) I think adults should be able to decide what is best suited to them as learners. To each his own!

This is EXACTLY how I feel about this.

(Very nicely stated too - good job!! :) )

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 13, 2005

At my school the policy is that you have 1 excussed absence (with Dr. note, death certifcate etc.).......Anything that is not excussed or cleared by the instructor is automatically a drop in letter grade and so on. It makes sense because missing 1 class in equivalent to 1 week of work.

I have met so many who try to pull the "no show, but still pass" game. Some barely pass (with low markings) and they are absolutely happy with that. Others, gripe and complain and either drop the program or go elsewhere. It is very disturbing to see that. The same goes for those who are always late and want to pop in the middle of lab or lecture and demand to be filled in as to everything they missed. :rolleyes:

I had an incident like that once, but had to say something. The student was always late (30 minutes +) and came in with an attitude and would try to make the instructor feel bad for not wanting to repeat everything. I told her that she was not to interfere with my or anyone's education. We all payed the same amount for the course, and expect to learn and that if she couldn't make it on time she should consider taking it at a later time. She was upset but sometimes things need to be said.

Good luck to you. :)

purplemania, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2005

Regardless of school policy, everyone who graduates must take the same type exam. If she passes it I guess that means she did not need the instruction. My guess is that she will not pass it. What about clinical experiences? Any mandatory attendance there?

penny07 · Aug 13, 2005

I could actually care less. I attend every class just because I'm afraid I'll miss something that could help me to do well on the exam... but we had some who were moms of little ones that were dealing with sick children, or had no sleep the night before etc.. etc.. or felt like their time was better spent studying than it was sitting in lecture. Who am I to tell someone else how they should prioritize or run their life? I can tell you when they were in class they were pretty sharp and on the ball and they were passing their exams just like anyone who was sitting in that classroom day in and day out.
That example aside I'll admit that some other students that didn't attend often did fail out. Of course, some students that attended every day failed out too. I guess the longer I'm in nursing school the more I hate this tendency some students seem to have for passing judgment on who they think will or will not be a good nurse for this or that reason-of-the-week.

Well said, I agree. We don't know all the circumstances of the person in question, their attendance and grades are the business of the professors and the student in question.

Kind of an aside, RN is my second bachelor's degree, in my first degree and in earning my pre-requisite credits post bachelor's, there were several classes that required attendance as part of the grade, or lack of attendance adversely affected your grade, etc. I find it to be a frustrating policy, most because more often than not, those classes requiring attendance were so easy that if the attendance portion wasn't there no one would have to show up and we'd all still pass. I realize nursing school is not at all like that, but I don't wish to disrespect those who may not need to listen to all the lectures like I do, or have other circumstances in their lives that the professors are willing to make accomodations for.

truern · Aug 13, 2005

Personally, I just don't understand missing lecture. I pay close attention in class, and very seldom have to study as a result.

PLUS, many times you can tell what material will be on a test just from the way the instructor stresses the information.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Aug 13, 2005

I had a classmate that fell asleep in class and even snored some times. When we got a new teacher for the second semester she told her that if she was sleeping than she was "absent" she still fell asleep all the time and she still passed I don't know how.

There is a student in my program who never comes to class, except on days of tests and presentations, she even has other students drop off her assignmnets. She was at one Patho, and one mental health class the whole semester. I don't know how she passes (I know that she does with very poor marks). I was wondering if there are other students who you know of who do this.
I know that every student misses class on occasions, but not every class. She has never missed a clincial day.
She was almost caught last year when she was not signed up for a group and met with the program co-ordiantor in which she outright lied to them and they bought it.
How condifdent would you be with her as your nurse.
Just venting,
Kristen

kendarswife · Aug 13, 2005

There is a student in my program who never comes to class, except on days of tests and presentations, she even has other students drop off her assignmnets. She was at one Patho, and one mental health class the whole semester. I don't know how she passes (I know that she does with very poor marks). I was wondering if there are other students who you know of who do this.
I know that every student misses class on occasions, but not every class. She has never missed a clincial day.
She was almost caught last year when she was not signed up for a group and met with the program co-ordiantor in which she outright lied to them and they bought it.
How condifdent would you be with her as your nurse.
Just venting,
Kristen

Lucky she doesnt attend my school. After so many missed days, you are dropped from the PROGRAM and you have to reapply and be put back on the waiting list. How confident would I be? Not very. Seems as though she can not prioritize well, take it seriously or maybe both. If she's like this in school, imaging working with her in a unit or on a floor. YIKES!!!!! :uhoh3:

suzanne4, RN · Aug 13, 2005

Lucky she doesnt attend my school. After so many missed days, you are dropped from the PROGRAM and you have to reapply and be put back on the waiting list. How confident would I be? Not very. Seems as though she can not prioritize well, take it seriously or maybe both. If she's like this in school, imaging working with her in a unit or on a floor. YIKES!!!!!

I didn't attend too many classes my first year, but was there for every single day of clinical. I was there for each exam as well as presentation. I had already had the the more advanced classe at the universtiy level, but my hospital-based program did not give me credit for those classes and I was required to repeat them. My instructors were well aware of this and it wasn't an issue. Nor did I bother anyone for notes.

None of us have any idea of what is going on with this student, nor is it any of our business, It is strictly between the school, instructors, and this student. And because she isn't there for actual classroom time but is there for all of the clinical time, and is passing, then it should not be an issue.

smk1, LPN · Aug 13, 2005

I didn't attend too many classes my first year, but was there for every single day of clinical. I was there for each exam as well as presentation. I had already had the the more advanced classe at the universtiy level, but my hospital-based program did not give me credit for those classes and I was required to repeat them. My instructors were well aware of this and it wasn't an issue. Nor did I bother anyone for notes.
None of us have any idea of what is going on with this student, nor is it any of our business, It is strictly between the school, instructors, and this student. And because she isn't there for actual classroom time but is there for all of the clinical time, and is passing, then it should not be an issue.

i agree with this. If there isn't a policy that she is violating, and she is making her clinicals and doing well in the class without sitting through lecture, I think it's fine. Now if she is depending upon others to tape classes and turn in assignements etc... then it is up to those students to decide if they want to be bothered to do this. If they don't then they should just say so. I don't like the idea that she may have lied about a group project though. That is completely inappropriate. I have had classes where attending the lecture didn't help me one bit, and so if there wasn't a strict attendance policy, i skipped and studied on my own. My grades actually improved in these instances. I guess what i am trying to say is, as long as she isn't getting special treatment, then I don't see a problem with her skipping class if she can still do well overall in the program.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2005

This is EXACTLY how I feel about this.
(Very nicely stated too - good job!! :) )

Thanks. Ridgidity and punitive measures put in place to assure that rules are adhered to, have no place in college. That's high school mentality. I think adult students need to be allowed to make decisions that fit their needs. If they make the wrong decision and fail, then they will suffer the consequences. Online courses are set up in such a way that students can focus on what they need without attending classes; those who attend classes on campus should enjoy the same benefit. It's the colleges job to provide the material, the student nurses' job is to pass the courses and clinicals, then prove competency by passing boards.