Weeding out

Published

I have heard my fundementals (Process1) class called the weed out class. its pretty intense there is literally no time for anything else and they try as hard as they can to put as much stress on you i make you feel like you are going to fail out. i know ns is going to be hard but geez. out of the 80 students we had a couple B's and the rest C's and below. ALOT were the below. is there light at the end of the tunnel. i guess its tough being the new kid...is anyone else going through this right now

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They are obligated to weed. There is a certain level of expectation that nurses are held to. This isn't like most other programs. If they allow a student to continue who just can't hack it, they produce an inadequate and unsafe nurse.

That being said, they are also obligated to help you. Go in, review your tests. Ask lots of questions. Don't make the same mistakes twice. Learn how to read NCLEX style questions and learn how to read your texts for the material that is important. Go to tutoring, go to open lab. Get help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our program had a weeding out point that was openly discussed by the instructor who taught that particular class. There was no secret about it and everyone was warned at the beginning. Our nursing school also had a retention coordinator whose duties included working with at risk students. If you find yourself in this predicament, make all efforts to get help before it gets past the point of no return. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Weeding out is a term that seems to scare (and threaten) most students. There are no magic numbers that classes are required to "fail out" each semester. If you all got A's and B's, would they then change the minimum grade to pass? Think about it...

As anonymous stated, the process is meant to cut losses early on; if you can't make it through fundamentals, how can you possible make it through the next three semesters? This is NOT a hard and fast rule; some students can be successful the second time around (but not all of them). Most of the weeding happens either in the first or second semester. Not everyone can make it, it's just the reality of nursing school.

its pretty intense there is literally no time for anything else and they try as hard as they can to put as much stress on you i make you feel like you are going to fail out.

Traditionally, these programs were not designed for people who work, so no, they (we) don't expect you to be doing anything else. However, we do know the reality of the average students' life these days, and (most of us) try to work with you to be successful. Utilize your advisor, and LISTEN to what they have to say. If you have a lot on your plate (home, family and work obligations), then maybe you cannot handle the load you have right now. IMO, it's better to take a step back and lighten your load, then to fail b/c you're overwhelmed, thus running the risk of not being able to return.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

knock on wood no im doing better than most people . it just seems they are very negative even the women who is in charge of helping people with there study habits is not very helpful and many students think shes discouraging too. I dont work but still i dont have ANY freetime to do anything fun outside of nursing at all. i was just wondering is this just part of them overwheliming you and weeding your out. is it just part of being a newbie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My class of 50 has already lost a few in the past month, we're in Fundamentals too. We've already covered, like, 35 chapters of material in 5 weeks of class (only 2 lecture days a week).

So, yeah, my instructors sort of use this class to seperate the hopeful nurses from the hopeless!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Renal medsurg.

Welcome to nursing school, hope you enjoy the ride.

That being said I'll tell you what I tell myself everytime I go to prepare for the next test instead of playing with my kids, or sleeping an extra hour on Sunday morning, "How bad do you want this?"

Study for 2 years, live life after you graduate. I promise it will slow down (during summer breaks) and I promise when you get to your last semester you will realize how far you've come. Now get your nose back to the grindstone!:lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

The thing that frustrates me about the term "weed out" is that it implies that students are tossed aside like refuse. This is not how the overwhelming majority of educators see it. I care a lot about all my students and try to get to know them all as peole. I put so much effort into trying to help them succeed. It is painful to see them fail and see a dream temporarily crushed. BUT, sometimes things interfere. Some realize nursing isn't for them, some aren't ready, a rare few don't try (often when someone else "pushed them") to become a nurse, and others aren't academically prepared.

If they all passed, I would be thrilled, but I have two duties: the first to my students, to provide a positive learning climate, the second is to promote public safety. I would also never pass someone unsafe as it could hurt the patient AND the student. I have witnessed a nurse whose patient died from an error and it devastated her.

Just wanted to emphasize that the vast majority of educators care very much about your success.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion