Why do teachers tr to fail you???

MrazFan · Apr 4, 2009

Maybe I am in the minority, but I honestly do not believe that instructors set out to fail students. They are trying to teach us, and so they need to set the standard high, to be sure that we've actually learned what we were supposed to. It is unrealistic to expect that your instructor will "dumb-down" exams just so everyone can pass. Many times, courses like A&P and Micro and such are the classes used to weed out those who will not succeed in the nursing program. In fact, on my first day of A&P I, my instructor told us point-blank that if we didn't do well in that course, we should probably not even consider a health care occupation. It sounds harsh, but now that I'm in NS, I understand why he said it. The information and concepts that you learn in those classes are the heart and soul of everything you will learn in NS. If you can't get the basics down, you will not be able to succeed. I don't know if you said you're in NS or not yet, but NS is tough. And believe me, the instructors put questions on the exams that they KNOW will challenge you. Why? Because you are training to become a health care professional and YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PEOPLE'S LIVES, and you don't get a do-over or extra credit after you graduate and are responsible for patients. I know that I don't want nurses that got through NS just because the instructors made the exams so easy that everyone could pass taking care of my family.

Many people WANT to become nurses. Not everyone who wants to become a nurse SHOULD become a nurse. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but that is the reality you have to deal with.

Good luck to you.

Natingale, EdD, RN · Apr 4, 2009

We're always so quick to point the finger at the teacher. Some people study smarter, some people memorize everything and still miss many questions. I recently got an 89 on the last exam, and the rest of my class bombed. I feel bad for them but when they were discussing the questions they kept over analyzing the question. Have any of us taken the boards? The boards will ask you a psychosocial question dealing with a Native american. Now it may be something we'll never come across in our career, but we're SUPPOSED to know this stuff

When we get out there in the real world, theres no right or wrong. IF you cant guess the right answer, then my prayers are with that patient.

If you want to become a NP go for it. Its hard work, it doesnt come easy, find where your weaknesses are and fix it. Some people get test anxiety are you one of those people?

53Kalypso · Apr 5, 2009

We've all had different experiences in our education. There very well may be a few instructors out there that want us to fail... I'd like to think not, but regardless, it's up to us to just make the best of any situation. So my advice would be to not harp on why they are out to get you, but to use that fear, anger, etc. to fuel your studying. I know for me personally, there's always something more I could be doing for a given class. Like right now I could be studying instead of farting around on this website haha... Maybe you could make some flashcards to keep in your purse to look at when you're waiting around for something. And you know what? It's really not fair if you have an evil instructor. But all you can do is to push yourself as hard as possible and don't let it discourage you. You'll probably be a better nurse for having gone through it. I wish you the best of luck!!

***Blessed*** · Apr 5, 2009

WOW It seems as though you are at the point of the big weeding out process........It's sad because some of the greatest nurses weren't the ones making the A's. I know you have seen that in clinicals..the A student taking the whole time getting help doing a bed bath....I really have no advice besides Hang in there. You will make it...

Music in My Heart · Apr 5, 2009

I also don't think it's generally appropriate to point at the profs and start accusing them of being "unfair."

I've had three teachers (analytical chemistry, genetics, and microbiology) who all had that same reputation... The word on the "street" was that you had to just take your 'C' and live with it. Well, in all three cases I *earned* an A... even as many other people were crying "unfair!"

To me, "unfair" would've been lowering their standards and thus cheapening my hard-earned grades.

Here's some general advice from a 45-year-old dude who's been around the block a time or two: Don't look to blame anybody else for your lack of performance... just pick up the pieces, set your sights higher, and work harder.

AOx1 · Apr 5, 2009

To the above post:

I couldn't agree more. As an instructor this is quite frustrating to read. I put in so many additional unpaid hours as an instructor to ensure that my students have great opportunities to learn. I hold study sessions, offer additional help outside of class, and will help in any reasonable way. Around midterm, I ask that those students who are not passing make appointments to see me to determine a plan to help them succeed. MAYBE 1/4 of them come in for the help. I often hear some of these students talking in the halls talking about how much fun they had at the bar/at the movies/going out that weekend, and how I am "unfair" for not just "telling them exactly what will be on the test." I have news: your patient won't come in wearing a sign on his/her neck stating exactly what's wrong with them and how to treat them.

There are also many of these students who don't perform well who do study, but haven't yet learned to critically think; nursing school is a big adjustment for many. How much time have you spent working with others who are succeeding? Investing in other resources such as a review text? In tutoring? In talking with your professor about the class and asking for suggestions?

I don't fail my students, they fail themselves. I am too busy working hard to help those who will do anything to succeed to form a plot to "try to fail students". I made nearly double the pay working the hospital, and came to education because I believe there is nothing better than assisting the next generation to succeed in nursing. But all that aside, my ultimate responsibility is to the public, and I owe it to them to graduate only safe and competent nurses. I don't believe that the "top of the class" students are always the best nurses, or that those who have lower grades will necessarily perform less adequately, but if a student can't pass, they don't have the theoretical knowledge on which to base safe practice.

truern · Apr 5, 2009

To the above post:
I couldn't agree more. As an instructor this is quite frustrating to read. I put in so many additional unpaid hours as an instructor to ensure that my students have great opportunities to learn. I hold study sessions, offer additional help outside of class, and will help in any reasonable way. Around midterm, I ask that those students who are not passing make appointments to see me to determine a plan to help them succeed. MAYBE 1/4 of them come in for the help. I often hear some of these students talking in the halls talking about how much fun they had at the bar/at the movies/going out that weekend, and how I am "unfair" for not just "telling them exactly what will be on the test." I have news: your patient won't come in wearing a sign on his/her neck stating exactly what's wrong with them and how to treat them.
There are also many of these students who don't perform well who do study, but haven't yet learned to critically think; nursing school is a big adjustment for many. How much time have you spent working with others who are succeeding? Investing in other resources such as a review text? In tutoring? In talking with your professor about the class and asking for suggestions?
I don't fail my students, they fail themselves. I am too busy working hard to help those who will do anything to succeed to form a plot to "try to fail students". I made nearly double the pay working the hospital, and came to education because I believe there is nothing better than assisting the next generation to succeed in nursing. But all that aside, my ultimate responsibility is to the public, and I owe it to them to graduate only safe and competent nurses. I don't believe that the "top of the class" students are always the best nurses, or that those who have lower grades will necessarily perform less adequately, but if a student can't pass, they don't have the theoretical knowledge on which to base safe practice.

GREAT post!!! I couldn't agree more.

Adams_Mommy_07 · Apr 5, 2009

Well what it really boils down to is what do you mean by "left field?"

Did she pull questions out of source that you did not have access to? Was there stuff on the test you had never even heard of because they aren't in your textbook/labbook/notes? Was the stuff tested on not even discussed or instructed in any way, shape, form or fashion. If not than you a correct. However, if the information was readily available to you than you didn't study as hard as you should have.

Personally, I always "overstudy." I read EVERYTHING and make sure I understand it so that I can actually explain it to other people. I always make sure I know everything so well by test day that I could teach the class myself. Thus, I get As. No questions are ever left field because I know everything like the back of my hand going in there.

AOx1 · Apr 5, 2009

Speaking from personal experience, many professors analyze exams. We look at each test item to determine (using a statistical program) whether the question was a "good" item. In order to do this, you look at how many people missed the question, how many of the top scorers selected the correct answer, how many of the lowest scorers selected the correct answer, etc.

If an item was poorly written, or was worded in a confusing manner, we throw it out.

You mention that 30% of one class failed; even if these statistics are entirely accurate, this means that 70% did not fail. This tells me that the class can be passed, and by the majority of the students. These students are able to find the information needed to answer the questions that are out of "left field" from somewhere. It might help if you asked one of the students who is performing well to do a "rundown" with you, and discuss how they arrived at their answers, and also to meet with your professor to discuss your thought process and why you chose the answers you chose; this may help you better pinpoint where your studies are going wrong and to succeed on future exams.

In an earlier thread https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/does-anyone-else-366809.html#post3409114 you mentioned you were behind in your readings, and several of those who posted to your thread gave good advice on how to get more help in physiology. Did you follow the advice suggested??

libnat · Apr 5, 2009

I don't think a 30% fail rate is very good, passable but denotes some real suck and stress time for it. I'm about to take an Algebra class with a professor who has a 48% fail rate so it could be worse I guess. (Damn you limited summer classes)

Basically all professors are different and it's up to you to adapt. Some are hard on purpose. Is it fair if you get a hard professor and end up with a C in class, while your friend taking the exact same class, different professor puts out the same amount of effort as you and gets an A, who knows.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2009

I am sorry, I just have a hard time believing that an Instructor would purposely try to fail their classes. They wouldn't have a job. Not because they are being unfair to their students, but because they obviously have the inability to teach. Very high fail % reflect bad on the teachers, not the students. 30% seems pretty average. I know at our school the NS pass rate is 70%. On that same line of thinking, teachers with a 99,100% pass rate, might not be great teachers. It might mean they are not challenging their students enough. Unfortunately someone always has to be at that bottom percent. Our country is going in such a bad direction of "fairness" and "equality" when it comes to so many things. (not talking about race or anything on that level).

My pathophysiology class is a hard class. Our instructor told us the first 2 exams would be hard, the second probably being the hardest exam we ever take. Said this was what many of his past students told him. I got A's on all the quizzes and my case studies. the first test I got a C on and the second I got a D, he wasn't lying, it was by far the hardest exam I have ever taken. I could have studied a lot more, although it wouldn't have mattered. What I would have focused on wouldn't have been, I sat reading those questions thinking WTH, where did this come from. 4.0 students were coming out saying WOW that was hard. Thankfully I still have a B in the class and still have 2 quizzed and 2 more exams for points. Anyway, with that. He has been a wonderful Instructor, I was so scared to take his class from all the rumors I heard, he is the only one that teaches the class so didn't have a choice. I don't agree with the rumors at all. I think he is a good teacher even though I felt his exam wasn't exactly "fair". It's my own fault I got a D on the exam. Even the 4.0 kids that thougt it was hard got a B. Their are no curves, their are no oppertunities for extra points. Unfortunatility we are all individuals and we were not created equal. It is what it is. My advice to you and support I could offer you would be to take a step back and stop pointing the finger somewhere else, look at what you can do to improve your grades and get the most out of this class.

BTW support and help isn't always someone telling you what you WANT to hear and jumping on the, lets bash everyone else bandwagon.

Good luck with it all.

Music in My Heart · Apr 5, 2009

It's interesting to me how we've decided that if a substantial portion of a class fails - or even just gets C's - somehow it's a reflection on the teacher rather than an indication that a substantial portion of the class is either (a) not working hard enough, or (b) not academically capable in whatever the subject might be.

I wonder if it's always been thus... somehow, I think not.