Weddingbee boards

Ugh.

I rarely complain about being a clinical instructor, but today I am.  For the last two weeks, we've had a student shadowing us, about to apply to a program for what I do, and it's been...uneventful.

 This person (not getting married so probably not gonna be here) has shown absolutely zero interest in what we do, yet she's sent out her application to the university last week.

You're supposed to shadow for 40 hours, and actually learn about what we do, and have a general working knowledge of our field and when you go (if you get accepted) to the school, then they'll ask you about it most likely in your interview to get in. 

Today I had to actually go out to my waiting room and pry her away from the television.  She was sitting in there for 2 hours with her shoes off watching "Project Runway".  Now I love fashion like many of us do, but that sent me over the edge.  I asked her if she cared to participate any more, since she came in this morning, got magazines (my secret stash for when I'm at lunch) out from my cubby, began reading them and didn't watch one damn thing we were doing. 

When she got ready to leave, she asked me if I'd sign her shadowing information and in it I'm supposed to attest she followed us around and watched us performing procedures, etc and I refused.  I said, "I can't say that you really watched or paid attention at all.  You haven't asked any questions, but I can write that you watched 2 hours of project runway today."  I then asked her if she really wanted to do this b/c she's shown no interest.  She said she did want to do this and I told her that she'd get grilled on what she saw and what area she likes best in her interview and that most likely she'd have no clue how to answer them.

This was her last day and she asked if she could come back more to watch more and I said it was not up to me.  I sent her to the department director for his judgement call on that. 

That's the first time ever I've had to do this.  We're in a recession.  Good jobs are snatched up quickly for college grads and it's competitive. You'd think we'd see some level of tangible motivation from a would-be student.

Arrgh.  I've had to babysit her there for two weeks and the whole time it was pleading w/her and prodding her to step away from the magazines and participate.

I still can't believe I had to do this today.  My director took my side and might talk to the program director at the univ.  Seriously.  A waste of our time. 

She came in this am and flipped out the magazine from my cubby and said "hey..aren't these shoes cute?"  I said "wow, I don't have time to notice because I'm going to check on my patient in the other room."

Well I went off on her right before she left today.  She went back into the waiting room to watch more tv and I came back in and said "would you like to come shadow now?" 

Before she left she started talking about her chemistry undergrad degree like she was soooo smart.  I said whatever.  She looked at me surprised.  I said "Hon, today there are lots of talented people out there who are fighting for good jobs.  You have to work for them.  Effort."

I said that.  And a few more things.  When she left I didn't even walk to badge her out. 

It was insulting to hear that she already applied to the program and apparently thought she was getting in.  Yes, I did call.  Report given.  Could you blame me?  I worked my butt off in college.  She's not immune.  I hope that acceptance letter never comes in her mail. 

In my family, my dad worked 2 jobs to give us a good education and he worked his butt off to make sure that he covered whatever my scholarships didn't.  I appreciated all he did for me and made sure I did my best. 

I don't think she'd get in if there is any decent competition out there at all.  Crossing my fingers there is!!!  So what for good grades.  Bleh.  There's more to a person than a gpa.  There's dedication and committment which accounts for alot in my book.