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 wish The NETY argument would be made DNR already. *sigh*
With regard to student nurses struggling when they come to a program with greater than 2 years' work experience due to a perceived "power shift": that seems to be a pretty broad generalization. Do you have some peer reviewed evidence to support your opinion? I only ask since I was extremely successful in nursing school after having over 20 years executive management experience. My colleagues, friends, and faculty all felt that adult learners brought a unique perspective to the table and were oftentimes more successful in certain areas than their traditional counterparts. Of course, being a non-traditional student poses some unique challenges as well.
I would tend to believe that professionalism, recognizing the realities of a steep learning curve, and a certain depth of life experience to provide context would make one more perceptive of the idiosyncrasies of nursing education, not less.
OP: you've gotten some excellent advice here. Continue to take initiative for your own learning. Khan Academy is a wonderful resource. I actually used it for a focused content review when preparing for nclex.
I reported an instructor to the Dean once in a pre-req course. No teaching was occurring and due to a unique set of circumstances, I felt pretty qualified to make that assessment. Additionally, blatant cheating was occurring; a student sitting in the front row of the class, in plain view of not only the instructor but the entire classroom full of students, had a pretty obvious method for trying to pass her tests.
After speaking to the instructor directly and her repeated refusal to even attempt rudimentary test security/cheating prevention, several of us made formal complaints and statements to not only the Dean, but the Vice President of Instruction. Students may need to use discernment to decide when to keep their head down and plow through nursing school (and its associated politics) without a target on their back, but considering the emphasis programs place on performance in pre-requisites and other important factors, students do have a say in the quality of their education. Students may not be able to generate immediate change, but reputable schools often have processes in place for just such eventualities.
DrKim, I responded to everyone as you can see to say thank you for the great advice because I was serious about looking for ways to succeed in this class minus the help of my professor plus I'm pretty new to all nurses. I found it to be a common courtesy. While I appreciate your input and feedback, I stand by my decision as a student and adult. I went back and forth internally about whether or not to do it because I did not want to appear as the arrogant student. While that opinion may have been taken, I have made peace with that because for me it was the right thing to do. Again, this is not a common practice for me so that should shed light on the fact that the practices occurring in the classroom were pretty bad. Once again, three other students in the classroom reported her as well. While I need no one to validate my choice, just to be clear that this was not an issue of the overly sensitive student running to tell because my feelings were hurt. I just want the same quality of education as everyone else going into this program so I don't find myself at a disadvantage later. If that means she won't give me a letter of recommendation later, I'll be ok. But thanks for the feedback.
With regard to student nurses struggling when they come to a program with greater than 2 years' work experience due to a perceived "power shift": that seems to be a pretty broad generalization. Do you have some peer reviewed evidence to support your opinion?
Cmon, really? Peer reviewed evidence to support the opinion of a former nursing student and present nursing faculty? If I didn't take notice of anecdotal experience, advice and opinions of respected peers my practice would be crap. It was a little broad but I have seen it also in second degree students. Although they are usually my favorites there can be a rude awakening as the nursing school culture sets in. This said both as a second career nurse who spend the first 3 months in my LPN class muttering to myself "who do theses beatches think they are? I'm a grown woman" and also as an instructor. Trust me going to the Dean about anything does you no favors. I am shocked at the number of people where who admitted they went to the Dean with complaints about a professor.
On a side note I liked that the OP seems to have such a good attitude with all the different responses she received and appreciate when a poster actually has the courtesy to thank those who took the time to reply in their thread.
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.
Well.
You seem to be a part of the problem. Maybe you "eat your young." I don't. Never have, never will.
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.
Reporting a professor IS pretty bold. Some teachers are trash and have no business teaching. I reported a crappy professor with the hope that it would help future students since I knew not much could be done to help me at that time. It takes a bold person to speak up when something isn't right. People like you are part of the reason why crappy teachers are still crappy teachers.
Reporting a professor IS pretty bold. Some teachers are trash and have no business teaching. I reported a crappy professor with the hope that it would help future students since I knew not much could be done to help me at that time. It takes a bold person to speak up when something isn't right.
Thanks for this. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I believe in quality education especially when I'm paying for it in cold cash. Lol!
BTW, everyone I had my first test this week. Although I haven't gotten it back yet, I left feeling pretty confident. Your suggestions were awesome, as I used quite a few of them.
This thread was awhile ago, but I figured I would come back and give an update. Due to the overwhelming amount of complaints from students, dean observation, and the class being severely behind; the professor was replaced with someone phenomenal. I ended up getting an A in the class! Great end to what started out as a nightmare.
With regard to student nurses struggling when they come to a program with greater than 2 years' work experience due to a perceived "power shift": that seems to be a pretty broad generalization. Do you have some peer reviewed evidence to support ?
I'm returning to finish my BSN and this is mentioned in our peer-reviewed text book in Chapter 1. It's called a re-socialization phenomenon where the nurse goes through a power struggle with self/peers when furthering their education after working in the field for a few years or more. Text is Transitions to Professional Nursing :)
This thread was awhile ago, but I figured I would come back and give an update. Due to the overwhelming amount of complaints from students, dean observation, and the class being severely behind; the professor was replaced with someone phenomenal. I ended up getting an A in the class! Great end to what started out as a nightmare.
Glad to know things worked out well for you. I hope your remaining pre-reqs go well and you have smooth sailing from here on I out :)
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kalycat, BSN, RN
1 Article; 553 Posts
I wish The NETY argument would be made DNR already. *sigh*
With regard to student nurses struggling when they come to a program with greater than 2 years' work experience due to a perceived "power shift": that seems to be a pretty broad generalization. Do you have some peer reviewed evidence to support your opinion? I only ask since I was extremely successful in nursing school after having over 20 years executive management experience. My colleagues, friends, and faculty all felt that adult learners brought a unique perspective to the table and were oftentimes more successful in certain areas than their traditional counterparts. Of course, being a non-traditional student poses some unique challenges as well.
I would tend to believe that professionalism, recognizing the realities of a steep learning curve, and a certain depth of life experience to provide context would make one more perceptive of the idiosyncrasies of nursing education, not less.
OP: you've gotten some excellent advice here. Continue to take initiative for your own learning. Khan Academy is a wonderful resource. I actually used it for a focused content review when preparing for nclex.
I reported an instructor to the Dean once in a pre-req course. No teaching was occurring and due to a unique set of circumstances, I felt pretty qualified to make that assessment. Additionally, blatant cheating was occurring; a student sitting in the front row of the class, in plain view of not only the instructor but the entire classroom full of students, had a pretty obvious method for trying to pass her tests.
After speaking to the instructor directly and her repeated refusal to even attempt rudimentary test security/cheating prevention, several of us made formal complaints and statements to not only the Dean, but the Vice President of Instruction. Students may need to use discernment to decide when to keep their head down and plow through nursing school (and its associated politics) without a target on their back, but considering the emphasis programs place on performance in pre-requisites and other important factors, students do have a say in the quality of their education. Students may not be able to generate immediate change, but reputable schools often have processes in place for just such eventualities.