I apologize if this is a little lengthy, but I'm looking for some advice. Just some background I am a 27 year old pre-nursing student in NJ. I have a B.A. degree and currently work in social services. I just started taking pre-requisites at my local community college to enter into their nursing program next fall. This has been a great experience thus far with the exception of my AP I lecture professor. She is absolutely horrible. In all my years of school, I have never had a professor this bad. She's disorganized, unclear, rude, and condescending. After asking a question in class one day, she humiliated me in front of the entire class. Long story short, it resulted in me reporting her to the dean. Since my report, she has been a little nicer but still she is HORRIBLE when it comes to teaching. Thank God for google, YouTube, and my lab professor because that's how I've been learning. We have our first lecture test this week and I'm just nervous because I don't know what to expect. Not to mention one of the chapters on the test she hasn't even lectured on saying "we should have learned cells in lab." Any pointers anyone could give to succeed in this class would be awesome!
I appreciate the honesty. In all my years of schooling, I have never reported a professor ever. Prior to the incident on Friday, I already knew she was a bad teacher (unclear, disorganized, confusing in presentation) but her nasty attitude combined with an unwillingness to answer a very simple question I asked pushed me over the edge. Not to mention, prior to going to the dean, I went to talk to her. She dismissed me abruptly. Not to mention three other people reported her as well. I say all of that to say I'm pretty tough and tolerant. In this situation, I thought it was important someone be made aware of what was going on inside of her lecture hall. Now that I know that I can't rely on her lecture, I'm just trying to identify ways to succeed in AP 1 and get the hell out of this class, lol.
Awesome suggestions, I'll be doing all of this stuff. This has been ridiculously helpful. I refuse to drop this class or leave with anything less than an A.
Now that I know that I can't rely on her lecture, I'm just trying to identify ways to succeed in AP 1 and get the hell out of this class, lol.
Excellent strategy and since it is what you are doing anyway if you didn't report her it would avoid any chance of having a target on your back. You will find nursing is a very small world and its better to fly under the radar when possible especially where Deans and Nurse Managers are concerned, lol. Good luck.
I would highly suggest you ask the dean again especially if it is toward the beginning of your semester/quarter. Here is a YouTube channel that helped me. It has some physiology in there, but the physiology helped me understand it better. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZSk-EGR8dearVjlImOrtPg the lectures are just like if you were in a class. I felt so hopeless when I had this professor and she was the first and only professor I ever reported. I wanted to give up so badly, so I feel your pain and felt compelled to reply to you. Good luck!!!
Awesome suggestions, I'll be doing all of this stuff. This has been ridiculously helpful. I refuse to drop this class or leave with anything less than an A.
Specializes in Med-Surg; Infectious Diseases; Research.
Reporting a faculty member in a prerequisite class to the Dean is pretty bold. I also notice that you responded to every single comment on your post - something I have never seen anyone else do. Students who work for 2 years or more before entering a nursing program typically struggle with the power shift that occurs. Nursing programs are highly competitive and do not subscribe to a customer centered business model. They don't have to because your satisfaction/happiness is not their goal and they will always have a surplus of applicants. And you are expected to come into the nursing program with fundamental knowledge. Your Physiology professor is fair to assume that you should already have a basic understanding of cell structure.
Having been a student, nurse, professor and now consultant here are my pearls of wisdom:
1. From this point forward, walk with humility. You never know who you may have to ask for a recommendation letter. They have something you need. Save your complaints for the teaching evaluation at the end of the semester - that's where it actually sticks the most. The evaluations are added to the faculty member's file and are used in their annual evaluation.
2. It will not get any better in a nursing program. Nurses still "eat their young" and they are unapologetic about it. Most nursing programs have a small amount of core faculty. They all know each other and they all talk. Do not be THAT student.
3. Pick your battles. You are going into a profession where thick skin is vital to your survival. Your feelings were hurt but this was not a battle worth fighting. Learn to walk away.
you're going to have to come back to this thread and tell us all you got your A ..right 
sn_blessed
17 Posts
I appreciate the honesty. In all my years of schooling, I have never reported a professor ever. Prior to the incident on Friday, I already knew she was a bad teacher (unclear, disorganized, confusing in presentation) but her nasty attitude combined with an unwillingness to answer a very simple question I asked pushed me over the edge. Not to mention, prior to going to the dean, I went to talk to her. She dismissed me abruptly. Not to mention three other people reported her as well. I say all of that to say I'm pretty tough and tolerant. In this situation, I thought it was important someone be made aware of what was going on inside of her lecture hall. Now that I know that I can't rely on her lecture, I'm just trying to identify ways to succeed in AP 1 and get the hell out of this class, lol.