I am currently finishing up my first semester of three in an RN to BSN program. I am going through the program at my local state university. It's all online. While yes, there is a ton of paper writing and such, the only issue I am having are these never-ending group projects. I know most bridge programs have them but mine is feeling excessive. Plus being all online, it's very hard to coordinate. My program requires a 3.5 gpa to get into and I expected more from others in my cohort... But seriously, this is like pulling teeth to get people to contribute or participate at all. I send out numerous emails, organize the project, etc because no one else will ever step up. How bad is it? For one group project I am currently in (and of course the leader for because no one else will do it even though I work FT and due with a baby any day now and everyone else is "too busy") each week 4/10 people participate. I literally have not heard from some people for over three weeks. I have gone to the instructors. They tell me "you've done everything you can as leader, it's up to them to participate now". Okay, but what about the final project? It won't be complete and that's my grade affected! Who then has to step up and do their whole part since they obviously aren't?
It's terrible, but true. In school, we had research groups of six, and two of us did everything. Not saying others didn't contribute, but the two of us liked getting things done early. Other group members had children and that complicated things, schedule-wise. In fact, there were a million schedule conflicts, be it kids, jobs, family, school, etc. All I can day is that the madness ends! I love my work team, but BSN group projects are not missed. I would get the good grade, vent, and move on. It's not fair or right, but thank God it's behind me!
My wife and I have had similar experience with group projects. Ex. - A 2 person assigned project for the semester and the other person is "on bed rest- SERIOUSLY??" and cannot contribute past week #1!!!!
Oh well, We just finished the project for an "A+" for both of us.....We're just trusting "Karma" to catch up and pay us back....and it DID!!!! Just remember, God is always watching! We pray for those who are in a project with us and push ahead with 150% effort to get it done!
I finished my degree 2 years ago so I know exactly what you are talking about. State college online. Yes, many group projects. Having just completed my Adn 6 months before entering BSN program I was geared to making straight A's, unlike others who just wanted to pass with a C. I made sure to be leader every time after first project where we got a B because so many sloppy mistakes and no one would fix them. One paper I stayed up all night the night before it was due because someone just copy and pasted their part and we were continuously warned about plagerism. After class was finished and grades were posted, I emailed professor to tell her what had happened. She said I should have notified her when it happened and the group would not have been penalized, just the person who plagerized. I felt wrong ratting but I was really tired of doing all of the work. I had one guy say, y'all just do it, I am going to ride my horse! Like I didn't have things I would have rather been doing. But isn't this how nursing is? There are some that work hard, some that don't and some that are happy with the minimum. So I bucked down, and did my best work so that I could get the grade I wanted. I wouldn't have been happy without doing my best.
Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.
I'm with Jose.
I did my graduate work for IT all online, and since it was IT, pretty much everything was a group project (as it is in the real world).
So pretend it's the real world. If someone isn't doing "their fair share," do you run and tell the teacher/boss, do you mope about it, or do you shine?
If you don't know the answer to this question, please refer to the article titled, "If you want to get ahead, don't worry about the failures of others, worry about your own success."
Your simple needs are these: A BSN, and a GPA above a certain level.
Concentrate on these.
Self-defeating comments about how your situation is something, or not something, isn't going to help anything including your attitude. In the real world, no one cares if you're pregnant, missing a leg, or tired. They only care whether you can make their life better, or worse. You may get brief sympathy, but that sympathy will turn into disdain if you bring it up more than once a quarter.
There are a lot of things that can help with group projects in an environment where you're just getting to know eachother. I've been the project manager on hundreds of projects, and I can tell you that simple techniques work well part of the time on some people. The most important concept that leads to technique is accountability, and the human features accountability (in public) affects most are a desire to appear to be doing well/doing your job/contributing, and embarrassment. Even turds feel embarrassed when they have to show up to a meeting and can't produce what they agreed to produce at the last meeting. Schedules, skype or other real-time group meetings where you go over deliverables, discussing deliverables that were not met, and so on. You'll generally find that 90% of people will up their involvement if they have to be at a "real" meeting and talk about their deliverables for the week/3 day period or whatever. In every group or two, there will be a person who is just a plain turd, pretty much like the real world. You'll be annoyed that they're (theoretically) going to get the same degree as you, but you should take satisfaction in knowing that their life probably is less satisfying because people, well, don't like their lazy ass, and it'll flow beyond school into the 'real world.'
In short, worry about your goals, hold real-time meetings where each person's schedule and deliverables are discussed, and take satisfaction in knowing no one else likes that one turd either.
Live by the mantra I tell your kids, "Fair? I told you FAIR-y tales when you were two. You're almost an adult now. Fair doesn't exist, only needs, desires, and results."
Do your part and theirs, get your good grade (and they will too) and then let life sort them afterward. Their time is coming.
I know it all feels so unfair, but your primary concern is your grade. Don't let their irresponsibility damage you. School is not the real world, and they will discover this in a hurry when they graduate. Or else lose their jobs.
I am in agreement with one of the other responses, I have been in groups and I did all the work and they did little to NONE. I am NOT a tattle-tale, but I finally had my fill, finished the project and told my instructor that the only individuals who did any work as a, b and me, the others did NOTHING. That is all you can do!! If you want to fail because they don't want to do the work, your choice, or you can complete the work and get the good grade............gotta remember karma!! Your hard work will pay off!!
I Do Not believe group work belongs in nursing school, especially in an online setting...most people like me decide to do an online program for many reasons...schedule, commitments, work/family balance.
I used to work in a different field that required group work so I believe it has its place and in school such as business school but not in an online RN-BSN program...
I am basing my opinions on over twenty years of work experience and five degrees
If you cant work with a group, you have no business looking after patients. Nursing is a group/team effort. As for research, do your part, and hope the others will do their.
Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.
Re: Paratroopa,
I was unaware that nursing was not a team sport. I was also unaware that as you move from ADN to BSN that you are less likely to be in charge of groups who will under no circumstances work together to make a common goal or goals into reality.
I'm unaware of many things it seems!
I am basing my opinion on the word "group."
I Do Not believe group work belongs in nursing school, especially in an online setting...most people like me decide to do an online program for many reasons...schedule, commitments, work/family balance.
I used to work in a different field that required group work so I believe it has its place and in school such as business school but not in an online RN-BSN program...
I am basing my opinions on over twenty years of work experience and five degrees
I too had this issue last spring. Instead, I did my portion, added whatever little they contributed, and made sure everyone was referenced for the work they did. Our final project was crap as the other members chose not to participate, but I still got an A.
Group work done via an online setting is pretty difficult to boot. It's an online program yet a couple of group members have emailed me back days and days later saying they do not check their email often and haven't looked at the group discussion board. Again.. Online program, how is one not checking their email or the discussion board?
I did group projects in my undergrad studies before nursing school and then again in the ADN program and never really had any issues. We would meet up, hash it all out, regroup as needed, done. I've had 3 group projects in this 15 week semester so far and it's been beyond difficult. I don't know if I'm in an awful cohort or it's the whole online thing.
rnsheri
1 Article; 48 Posts
It's terrible, but true. In school, we had research groups of six, and two of us did everything. Not saying others didn't contribute, but the two of us liked getting things done early. Other group members had children and that complicated things, schedule-wise. In fact, there were a million schedule conflicts, be it kids, jobs, family, school, etc. All I can day is that the madness ends! I love my work team, but BSN group projects are not missed. I would get the good grade, vent, and move on. It's not fair or right, but thank God it's behind me!