I am transitioning from an ADN to a BSN, and I am very financially strapped right now. The RN-to-BSN program I hope to start wants proof of sufficient pharmacology. I didn't have a pharmacology class per se - it was embedded in the curriculum. I can test out of it, but the test is $200. The school asked for syllabi from my nursing alma mater, so I contacted them. The current head of the nursing department was dismissive and abrupt -
"Your request for us to verify that you had "ample pharmacology" is not possible. Instructions involved select categories and examples of a few specific drugs, but I would not consider that "ample". And it also varied greatly from course to course. Secondly, your education was over 7 years ago and pharmacology has undergone many changes."
This woman has been teaching since 1980, so it's safe to assume her education is quite a bit older than mine. Does that invalidate it? I don't think so. Clearly I passed my NCLEX, and my RN is current in both OH and NY. I was taken aback by her attitude, but I have seen a lot of this sort of behavior among nurses - especially in academia. I don't understand it. I would think she would want to support a graduate of her program, not shoot me down - the condescension in that reply is palpable. I have a BS and an MS in different fields; I am hardly stupid.
Can any of you speak to this nurses eating their young? Because I just don't get it. We should be supporting each other. I have no problem taking the pharm test - I just don't want to be out $200 - I can't afford it.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I may not have been succinct enough in my posting. I am just a bit frustrated. I am not an entitled young person, not by a long shot. As I said, I am being ranty, which is allowed, I think? I will take the pharmacology test-out option, it's just a real financial burden right now, and I resent it a bit. I have seen much more support for fellow workers in agricultural research, which is what I currently do. I've seen some bad examples in the nursing profession - hence the question. I'm not trying to insult anyone, I'm just trying to understand.
Your rant would perhaps (no, CERTAINLY) have been better received if you had not entitled it "Why do nurses eat their young?" If you've been a member since January 07, surely you have SOME idea how insulting this question and the underlying assumption would be. So if all you want is to understand, not to insult anyone, why start out in such an insulting fashion?
Your rant seems to be about educators, anyway, not nurses.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
So, let me get this straight -- "NETY" is no longer limited just to experienced nurses being (supposedly) "mean" to new grads at work, it now encompasses any older nurse failing to promptly accommodate the wishes of any younger nurse at any point in her/his career, in any setting? Yikes.
And did someone really suggest that the reason the academics involved won't do what the OP would like (despite the various policies and standards of the academic institutions in which they work) is because they have a psychiatric disorder??
Double "yikes" ...
NETY apparently covers anything anyone wants it to cover. And it isn't just academics who supposedly suffer from mental illness . . . .
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I love it too - my dad is a pharmacologist! It's just... well, I've already made my point. Trying to conserve money!
I appreciate your insight... you are likely right. Grouchy lady. Sometimes I am inclined to take things too personally, which is something I need to stop doing. Thank you!
On the bottom of each post, on the right hand side there's a "Like?" button and a "Quote" button. Please use the "Quote" button so we know which post you're answering.
Now that we're here - do you think a refresher course is a good thing? Because I will do that. No, I haven't gotten a job with the ADN. I am working in a nursery doing plant pathology and entomology.
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Working in a plant nursery sounds kind of cool. I've been an RN (BSN) for 36 years...wanna trade jobs?? 😀.
Seriously, though, a refresher course could be a good thing, especially after not practicing for so many years. However, if hospitals around you are hiring BSNs, all the refresher courses in the world won't help you, sorry to say.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Wow. Ok. I was not criticizing that nurse's qualifications at all - I never intended to say that, and if you read what I've written, you will see that I did not. I do think I caught her on a bad day, but I'm past that now - should never have posted to begin with, I suppose. I have no doubt that her credentials are good - it's a good school.
I apologize for asking a question. I was upset - times are lean in my life right now - so I was looking for support. Again, perhaps I shouldn't have posted at all. I don't expect for any institution or other human being to make exceptions for me - I thought my request was reasonable, but it isn't, so here we are. I do take affront to being called entitled. I am not. I am sorry that I came across that way.
Good grief.
This is not a support group. We're here to answer questions, listen to rants and educate but please do not mistake us for a support group.
I'm not sure what you intended to write, but what you DID write did indeed question the qualifications of a nurse who as been teaching since the 80s.
Asking questions is OK. Rants are OK. Even crying "NETY" is OK -- if you're trying to stir up trouble. But if you didn't intend to be insulting and were only asking a question or seeking understanding, your inflammatory post was not the way to achieve those goals. Take a deep breath. Step away from the keyboard and read a bit of AN without posting to get a sense of the community you've joined. That's the best way to join the group without ruffling feathers. (Again, unless that's what you intended.)
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
Your rant would perhaps (no, CERTAINLY) have been better received if you had not entitled it "Why do nurses eat their young?" If you've been a member since January 07, surely you have SOME idea how insulting this question and the underlying assumption would be. So if all you want is to understand, not to insult anyone, why start out in such an insulting fashion?
Your rant seems to be about educators, anyway, not nurses.