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Contesting Clinical Assessment Marks...?

Discussion in 'Clinical Skills Assessment, OSCE & VIVA' started by bonitaGBchica, Aug 9, 2011.

  1. bonitaGBchica Member

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    I was wondering if anyone could offer some sound words of advice please...
    Last night was the first shift in four weeks that I've worked with my mentor on a nine week delivery suite placement. During the time we weren't together I asked those I worked with to give feedback (good and/or bad) on the student record of activity forms. And everything was really good... "well organized, good rapport with women, confident, well prepared, knowledgeable," etc.
    But then this morning during my clinical assessment with my mentor, she told me that the same midwives I have been working with came to her and said all of those things but..."comes over too confident, asks inappropriate questions, can come across abrupt to d/s band 7s and coordinators..." etc.
    Which really ¤¤¤¤¤¤ me off! Because they weren't honest on my student activity sheets, I carried on in a way that they didn't like and it ended me up with a flipping C grade! I am totally not happy. How can I reflect, improve, change if they're giving me all this in one ear but then ******** me off behind my back?!?! Do you think I can contest my clinical assessment grade? Who might be the best person to go to?
    Sorry to mither, but I'm a wee peed off.

    A. x
    bonitaGBchica, Aug 9, 2011
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  2. Curly Communications Manager

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    I would definitely contest this.

    Are the people you have been working with accredited sign off mentors? Part of the mentorship accreditation teaches mentors skills in and the importance of being honest about a students progress with them and giving them a chance to improve before awarding a final grade.

    I completely agree - how can a student improve if they have not received honest feedback from their clinical placement mentors?

    This is the reason there should be a mid placement review and a final placement review.

    I would go to a trusted lecturer, or your university student advisor, or a trusted colleague within the trust. It should be taken up formally and not informally so that you yourself follow the proper avenues for contesting grades.

    Good luck, Xxx
    Curly, Aug 9, 2011
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  3. iolaus Education Moderator

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    You can contest however it won't get changed because at the end of the day it is down to the mentor and they can say (in front of the uni) 'it'll be a crime if she doesn't get a first' followed by 'there's nothing wrong with her practice but I'm not passing her and you can't make me' and the uni will end agreeing that she can do that (very relunctantly)

    It will also give you a bad reputation within the uni and make future mentors uneasy with you and get you talked about behind your back and may reduce your chances of getting a job there in future - as you'd be marked as a troublemaker.

    I am not saying this is right, but is probably the long term action of contesting a passing grade, whereas taking this as a learning curve and altering your behaviour will stand you in better stead and hopefully get a better grade in future
    iolaus, Aug 10, 2011
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  4. Roo Well-Known Member

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    isn't it an NMC regulation that a mentor (as in the one that signs you off as competent) should work with you a minimum of 40% of the time? if this hasn't been fulfilled, see if you can get an additional few shifts with your mentor and see if she can give you some informal feedback (and just chalk this last placement up to 'experience').
    sorry you're experiencing this though, it's not really fair how it's come about xx
    Roo, Aug 11, 2011
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  5. iolaus Education Moderator

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    Just thouht, there is a chance that's not what the other midwives have said to her, that it's either what she thinks (or what the band 7s have said)
    iolaus, Aug 12, 2011
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  6. theladydiva New Member

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    Had the same problem with my mentor. Lovely old school midwife who goes more on intuition and personal experiences than NICE and local guidelines and a laugh to be with. Got excellent reviews from other midwives i have worked with as well as them calling her and telling how good i was. She tells me you have good and excellent skills but then i can't give you high marks because you are a first year student!!!!duh!! that is what you are basing the grade on..... first year student on first placement!! Sooo ¤¤¤¤¤¤ i want to cry!!!!!!!!:'(
    theladydiva, Jan 22, 2012
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  7. Hermosa1980 Active Member

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    That is wrong because they are marking you at first year level; some seem to think they are marking you as a midwife ready to qualify which would of course mean that you cannot get high marks. I would take that one up with the uni and ask them to explain x
    Hermosa1980, Jan 22, 2012
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  8. Noo Spoilt Princess

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    I have to say I found this attitude on placement. And "If I mark you high now then what have you got to work towards?" Shocking! By third year it was "I can't mark you too high as I'd expect that as an experienced midwife"... No, you're marking me at qualification level!
    Noo, Jan 23, 2012
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  9. wisewoman Member

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    feell ur pain!! xxx hugs xxx
    wisewoman, Jan 28, 2012
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