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?
Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.
It's not "the whole online thing." It's an accountability thing. The professor should be reading your boards, and deliverables should be posted in a place where group members and the professor can view them.
I agree about accountability. We do have public discussion boards and it's clear to see who participated and who didn't. Even so, the others get the same grade so it's either the instructor doesn't really look at it or doesn't really care. I know I shouldn't care so much, but I'm wearing myself thin making up the slack because I want a decent grade and knowing there is two more semesters of it worries me.
If I may, I'm so glad I'm not the only one!!! I know that sounds mean since I'm just barely starting nursing school :) But seriously, when I went to employee orientation (I'm unit clerk/going-on-tech to pay for school) there was a group contribution thing about how do we have compassion, treat people fairly, etc. Of about 8-10 people in my group, one other person contributed something to write on the whiteboard!! I suggested the other 3-4 items and everybody else just stood there and nodded their heads. Seriously, if you can't communicate, how do you ever expect to be effective healthcare?!!? Even though I'm not in actual school yet, I feel a teeny, weeny bit of your pain. Just pull through and shine as the best and hopefully next semester that will be appreciated!
I had the same beef when I returned to school for my BSN. There were a few motivated people in each group, and everyone else just rode their coattails for a grade with no consequence for their inaction. One project, we had a student who was MIA for the first full 2 weeks of a 3 week project, then showed up on the forum to say, "OK, what do you need me to do?" When the leader replied that we had sent numerous emails and messages without response and had moved on without them assuming they had dropped the course, the student contacted the professor and we were all strongly chastised and told we had no right to try to exclude the student, no matter the circumstance. So they got a grade for doing NOTHING, since we were at the end of the project by that time.
The only positive was one of my last classes, where we were allowed to join the group we wanted to be in, rather than being assigned a group. When the group reached capacity, it was closed to further members. Therefore, all the motivated people ended up in the same group because we got in early, and we were pleased to see all the hangers-on having to try and get it together in a group with each other.
All I can tell you is like the others... just have faith that the world is round, and it will come back to them at some point. Know that YOUR degree was EARNED, and that your grade has integrity.
So, I just received the best non-contributing group member excuse so far. It's been almost two weeks of working on the project and it is due in 4 days. This girl has been non responsive to over 5 emails we have sent and hasn't responded on the discussion board. She just posted "Sorry I'm so late coming into this. My dog had a pesky case of fleas. So the time I would have devoted to school work, I had to devote to getting rid of fleas". 😂ðŸ˜ðŸ˜§
I have been taking an additional class online this summer. We got assigned to groups of four. None of my group members will respond to my emails until after the weekly projects are due and turned in. I've done all of the projects so far, because our whole group receives the same grade hah :)
Anywho- I got excited yesterday when I saw that a group member had turned in our weekly group project (3 days early!!!!)
The "project" she turned in was our class evaluation I am not amused.
I have been taking an additional class online this summer. We got assigned to groups of four. None of my group members will respond to my emails until after the weekly projects are due and turned in. I've done all of the projects so far, because our whole group receives the same grade hah :)
Anywho- I got excited yesterday when I saw that a group member had turned in our weekly group project (3 days early!!!!)
The "project" she turned in was our class evaluation I am not amused.
I seriously do not understand how people do not feel guilty about doing such things. It's amazing how much work ethic and values can differ.
Yea group projects suck ! Most of the time everyone does their part because everybody wants to pass, there may be 1-2 people who slack off but that is inevitable. I get pretty into it though and it turns out okay. In the beginning im like ugh, but the arts and crafts part makes me feel like a kid again, and I like being creative. Easy points ! Everything will be fine. As long as your group follows the rubric and gets it done.
Yeah, group projects can be dreadful sometimes, but every so often, you have a group where members actually do contribute equally and everyone's work is fairly included.
I worked on many group projects in nursing school where I felt compelled to take control because of others' apathy, which drives me nuts, so there I was doing the work of others, and writing lies on peer evaluations... You may have the group member who says "Ohh but I feel so bad that you're doing so much work!"... yet that person continues to do precious little work.
Like someone said, nursing school is not real life, and life will sort out those people who have no interest in actually doing work. You can rest easy knowing you earned your grade in a dignified way - this thought alone always kept me going.
All very good advice! Just got done with a group essay. Yes essay! And I'm in an all online program. A 12 page paper is a lot easier to write alone than in an online group. We got it done though 😠it's funny because our "leader" didn't end up writing one single portion of it. I guess I should have volunteered to be leader on this one too! Haha
I am not amused.
LessValuableNinja
754 Posts
It's not "the whole online thing." It's an accountability thing. The professor should be reading your boards, and deliverables should be posted in a place where group members and the professor can view them.