i failed out of nursing school...now what

Nurses General Nursing

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i have a plan to go to a university.. i did that just in case i failed again. i failed N51 TWICE.. my professor told me it was because she didn't think i had confidence for my pt, that i kept asking for clarification...she felt that i needed to be supervised, etc, and that i couldn't make decisions very well. she felt that in the time that passed, she didn't see me improve from the beginning of the semester to the end. so basically it's her opinion that failed me...

nursing isn't my passion, but i could live with it. it was something i could endure to make a difference in the world, pay the bills.. which is a pretty practical reason. i didnt have this heart overflowing with joy but i could feel good when someone smiled at me and said thankyou. not all of it was bad.

i had a 87% in theory, but i had a borderline 75% in clinical. she told me to do the LVN or the CNA program.

i'm 21 years old. i've said that so many times that i don't even care anymore. what do i want to do with my life versus what is actually possible? sure, i can say i want to major in english literature, take out oans and go to CSUN, and take up gender studies as well. haha. but then again this economy isn't doing so well so while that may be great for 2 years etc, i might not have a job secured at the end. i dont think i'll really care because u can't predict the future.

what you guys recommend i do? it's already summer, so basically i have to wait until fall 09.

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Until you are certain what you want to do for a career, perhaps you should go ahead and get a CNA certificate and start working as a CNA. This will help you decide whether nursing is for you and it will give you confidence to work with patients. Once you have your mind clear as to what you want to do, then you can progress to an LVN license. That will put you in line to enter an LVN to RN bridge program. Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC, Orthopedics.

I think that you made your mind up already when you say "nursing isn't my passion" and that "I don't care anymore". Maybe you should take your instructors advise and try CNA.

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Nursing is not the kind of profession that you enter into lightly or just because you can bear it. Nursing comes from within and it does have to be a passion to truly be an effective nurse. I have just graduated this May with my BSN, and in the beginning I was scared, however my heart was always with my patient. A lot of times your passion and heart will move you learn more just for your patient's sake, so that you know you are not hurting them.

My advice for you is to do some soul searching, ask yourself if nursing is really what you want to do. If you are leaning towards nursing for the job security that is a fact it is not difficult to find work after graduating, but if you are leaning towards nursing for the money you will find nurses do not get paid what they should for the amount of skill, knowledge, and compassion the job requires. If you still want to be a nurse.... study the areas you are lacking in this summer and apply for another nursing school, the same type of program you are out of now. Nursing school is very difficult but IT CAN BE DONE!:D

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Nursing ... does have to be a passion to truly be an effective nurse.
No it doesn't. It can be a job that you perform as a professional caring for people in a vulnerable position.

To the OP: Failing the same class twice tells me that you're not into this. Find something that suits your interest and aptitude and then move in that direction.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I am sorry to hear that you failed this class twice. I do see this as an omen to seek another career. I don't necessarily believe that nursing HAS to be a passion or calling, but a keen interest and being proactive in patient care is necessary, to say the least.

To be honest, I am not sure that becoming a CNA would inspire you, either if you are already saying you can take it or leave it...it is very hard, physical work that is not always appreciated by patients, families, even some nurses (that are not appreciative of a good CNA) or administration. It is, however, the shortest route to enter into the field and can give you a bird's eye view on what this career is about. Give yourself time to reflect and make a decision in a few weeks. You are young and have time. Good luck!

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Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life when I was 21, either. I started doing nursing pre-requisites when I was 18, changed majors when I was 19 because I didn't think nursing was for me, and spent the next 3 or so years just taking classes and hating the direction my life took. Now, at 25, I'm mature enough to handle the rigors of nursing school, and I'm an A student. Sometimes all it takes is stepping back or getting some real life experience to figure out what you really want to do.

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I think you might consider seeing a counselor. These are some big questions and you seem depressed -- understandably. Even if it's not that serious (and I would argue seeing "able to bear it" as a major qualification for a career path really is), a counselor might help you with aptitude testing, study skills, and/or galvanizing your passion for nursing or something else.

FWIW, I flunked out of nursing school when I was about your age. Now I'm 28 and starting a nursing program in the fall. If it's really what you want to do, you'll find a way back. But in the meantime, regardless, I think professional help is order.

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Could it be that you had instructors who were "not teacher material" I did and it

has cost me this semester in both APII and micro. I finally dropped micro to try

and concentrate on APII and studied for bkfst, lunch, dinner, sleep, etc. and I

still ended up making a C so you see, just because you failed this course twice

Does not, in my opinion, mean that it's an omen or that you're not supposed to

be doing this.

Just relax; 21 is such a young age, you'll find the right path.

And, if you really want to be a nurse, you will; if not, you'll find something that

you really want to do.

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No it doesn't. It can be a job that you perform as a professional caring for people in a vulnerable position.

If you are not passionate you perform your job as a robot not providing empathy for you patients in their time of need. Nursing is not all books it also requires a heart, a heart that is vested in caring for others which equals PASSION.

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i failed out of nursing school...now what by mashamontago

hi there... just wanted to say hang in there. perhaps, just continue in a general ed., and seek out areas/majors that really interest you. at your age, it is somewhat common not to be 100% sure of your life's work.... just don't give up on your education.

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I failed out of nursing school when I was your age also, but I have now graduated from nursing school and passed the NCLEX. Don't be discouraged, if this profession is meant for you, it will be. You got to know that sometimes in clinicals, it is different because you are under pressure by the CI to do what is expected from his/her point of view as well as your own. If you had been a CNA first, you probably would have a better idea if this profession was for you or not because you are at the pts. bedside 24/7. So maybe you should take the advice of your CI. Just give yourself time to think about what makes you happy and follow your heart.

FYI: Just because you become a nurse, doesn't mean there will be a job available to you when you finish with nursing school in this economy. Believe it or not nurses are affected by the economy too.:twocents:

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