But You’re the Dean, Aren’t You in Charge?

When the College provided me with the means to have this blog, one of the things I envisioned was being able to share important information to current and future nursing students and to answer questions and address issues that come up. I do the same in my podcast– or at least I try to.  Usually, my writing or recording is in response to things that have happened over the previous days or weeks that are making me think that there is confusion or misunderstanding about the way we do things in the nursing program.

As I struggle to find a way to start this post, I can only say that I think there is often confusion or misunderstanding about the role of the Dean of Nursing and other nursing administrators and, for lack of a better way to say it, the way things work in the nursing program and in higher education.

Common questions I get from students go something like:

Can’t you get the test and check it?  Can’t you look at the test before the Professor gives it?  Can’t you make everything the same across the whole program? Can’t you make all the Professors give the same number of tests and quizzes?

The simple answer to these questions is no, I can’t.  The reason I can’t is a bit more complex.

There are two issues here.  The first is the Dean’s inability to intervene in testing, grades, or course content.  This is a long-standing practice in higher education.  I have administrative responsibility and the faculty have academic responsibility.  BC hire academic professionals who are trusted to use good professional judgment.  There are appropriate processes in place to assure that this trust continues, such as performance reviews, promotion reviews, the contract system, and grievance procedures.  Students have their processes in place, too.  The complaint process and the grade appeal process.

The second issue is conformity across the program.  In higher education, the faculty manage their classes.  Throughout all campuses of the nursing programs here at BC, Professors work from the very same outline for each individual course.  The outline for NUR2221 is the same on Central campus as it is for NUR2221 on North campus.  However, Professors have the control, freedom, and responsibility for how they guide students to meet those outcomes.  They have the control, freedom, and responsibility for how they present the content and how they assess student learning.

The best way I think I can explain this is by comparing it to the way nurses work.  Two nurses taking care of the very same patient with the very same diagnosis will have different approaches to their care.  Both nurses have the same goals for the patient, both nurses must deliver the same medications to the patient at the same required times, both have to provide the same interventions for the patient.  However, both nurses may have very different approaches and still take excellent care of the patient, delivering high quality care, administering medications and interventions as prescribed, and assisting that patient to meet health goals. A patient may prefer one nurse’s approach over the other nurse’s approach, but both can still be right.

It’s the same for nursing education.  So, if you are taking NUR2221 on South campus and your friend is taking NUR2221 on North campus, you are both learning material to meet the same objectives, but the teaching style, assessments (tests), and learning activities may be very different. Each Professor has his/her own approach, based on preferences, strengths, education, and experience.

The way both issues are handled by higher education institutions, including BC, is a good thing.  It’s never turned out well when one person or a handful of people have full power and, most importantly, diversity is good.

I would never discourage you from talking with your Associate Dean or Dean when you have an issue.  We’re here for you.  But, we’ll always send you back to talk to your Professor if it’s a classroom issue.  The Associate Dean and Dean aren’t in the classroom and shouldn’t be making classroom decisions.  We’re here to listen and possibly give you a few suggestions on what to do next.  So are your Professors.

Was this new information to you?  Did you think it was different?  I’d like to hear from you!

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