Unfair treatment

[BS Nursing Student]

I am a nursing student with an unusual (or not so unusual situation). I am in a class where the instructor nullifies 25% of each exam (giving persons who got the WRONG answer credit and not giving anything extra to reward those who studied). I have students names, examples, etc. and plan to do something about this at the end of the semester. I have one example where a student's grade was elevated from 67 percent (failing) to 97 percent because of nullified questions. The answers to most of the questions were in the textbook or notes. This is very disturbing that an instructor picks who she wants to give As, Bs, Cs and fail in advance and throws out questions if her A students get them wrong. I am doing as well as anyone in the class and just barely getting by. People who actually miss more questions than myself sometimes get As. Any suggestions on how to get through the rest of the semester? I can't do anything about this until the end of the term for fear that she might try to get rid of me. Thanks for your help.

[BS Nursing Student]

One thing you have to watch, though, is by waiting to report it, the people you report it to are going to ask why you waited so long to come to them.

I understand what you are saying, but this has already been reported to her chariman who said "There is nothing I can do." So waiting is the best option at this point.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Sometimes instructors get rid of questions that the majority missed. This is fair because it probably was a bad question. Is this what they are doing? Or are they picking certain students and elevating their grades, nullifying questions for them and not for others?

I hope that you're understanding this correctly because I find it hard that professional insturctors would pick and choose who they elevate and ignore others.

Our insturctors occasionally would get rid of questions that almost everyone missed, and it always seemed those were the one's I got right.

I'm all for throwing out bad questions, but not for favortism.

Good luck.

[James Huffman]

Maybe if the colleges paid instructors with a BSN or MSN more than an LPN on a med/surg unit we wouldnt have these issues.

For whatever reason would that make a difference with such an incompetent instructor?

Jim Huffman, RN

[MryRose]

Sometimes instructors get rid of questions that the majority missed. This is fair because it probably was a bad question. Is this what they are doing? Or are they picking certain students and elevating their grades, nullifying questions for them and not for others?

I hope that you're understanding this correctly because I find it hard that professional insturctors would pick and choose who they elevate and ignore others.

Our insturctors occasionally would get rid of questions that almost everyone missed, and it always seemed those were the one's I got right.

I'm all for throwing out bad questions, but not for favortism.

Good luck.

I totally agree with you on this. I think throwing out a bad question or two is reasonable.

I try and concentrate on my own learning and not worry about the other stuff. People may pass one class without earning the grade, but they won't likely have that luck more than once.

[BETSRN]

Maybe if the colleges paid instructors with a BSN or MSN more than an LPN on a med/surg unit we wouldnt have these issues.

What does this comment have to do with this discussion at all? This is totally unnecessary and inappropriate.

[zenman]

You are a customer and are paying to get a proper education. If no one in the nursing school can do anything, go on up to their boss, the president of the university.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Maybe if the colleges paid instructors with a BSN or MSN more than an LPN on a med/surg unit we wouldnt have these issues.

Ah, sorry, i don't think that's the answer. It should never take higher pay to makes someone's sense of what is right and fair to work.

[BS Nursing Student]

Sometimes instructors get rid of questions that the majority missed. This is fair because it probably was a bad question. Is this what they are doing? Or are they picking certain students and elevating their grades, nullifying questions for them and not for others?

I hope that you're understanding this correctly because I find it hard that professional insturctors would pick and choose who they elevate and ignore others.

Our insturctors occasionally would get rid of questions that almost everyone missed, and it always seemed those were the one's I got right.

I'm all for throwing out bad questions, but not for favortism.

Good luck.

This instructor is not getting rid of "bad" questions because the answers are in the book or notes in most cases. Also, the I find the fact that she nullifies 15-26 percent of each test odd. She is picking questions that her favorites miss and throwing them out. I have proof.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

This instructor is not getting rid of "bad" questions because the answers are in the book or notes in most cases. Also, the I find the fact that she nullifies 15-26 percent of each test odd. She is picking questions that her favorites miss and throwing them out. I have proof.

If you have proof then go for it. :)

[BS Nursing Student]

As an ex-Special Education teacher, I find this diplorable, especially at this level. While using a curve is one thing, or throwing out a question becuase it was improperly worded or the correct answer wasn't included, what this instructor is doing is unethical to say the least. I could see where you would want to wait until you're out of the class before doing anything about it; it's a tough place to be. Can't you discuss this with a school counselor for your department or class and see what recourse you have while you're still in the class?

As for what you should do...keep doing exactly what you are doing. Study, do the assignments, do the clinical, etc. The ones who are having the grades adjusted are going to be the ones hurt in the long run. She may have control over her class, but she doesn't have control over RN boards. Those student will probably be the ones not passing or getting removed from the program further down the line by other instructors.

I have many friends who are teachers and none of them think that my instructors methods are ethical, to say to least. In fact, most think that she doesn't deserve to have a job. I appreciate your support. I'll let you guys know how this turns out in a couple of months. (end of semester).

[totallytheresa]

I'm with everyone, about throwing out "bad "questions.. that happens with at least 1 or 2 questions for each of our exams. Our instructors are pretty good about looking at the majority and deciding if the way they presented the questions was too wacky, or they left the info out of lectures, etc...

My advice would be to not be confrontational, to maybe go to your advisor or the director, (or even the instructor?) and ask for clarification... that maybe you misinterpreted? Then, if they disregard it, etc.. show them your proof, and get your explanation- as others said, this is YOUR education that you're paying for, you are entitled to fair treatment.

[begalli]

When I was in school one of our instructors was writing questions for NCLEX.

Guess who she tested out those question on?

They never counted in our scores and we never knew if we got them right or wrong, but I sure didn't like the extra time it took to answer those. :stone

At least she told us which ones were test, test questions.