Life after RN school dismissal

Nurses General Nursing

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I attended an associates level RN program from 02-03 but was dismissed due to acedemic reasons. I failed 2 classes and their policy states that you're out if you fail 2 classes. A few years later I successfully completed an LPN program and have been working as a nurse for 4 years now. I would like to continue my education and become an RN. I tried the online route, however, I'm not diciplined enough for that. I've been signed up for 2 years now and have yet to take my first test. So now I've decided to apply to a traditional school (to do the LPN to RN fast track), but every school in my area is asking for a letter of "good standing" from all previous RN programs attended. I contacted my old RN school rep who stated that she could NOT give me one because I'm NOT in good standing...because, of course, I failed the 2 classes.

My question to you guys is...is there a way to get around this or what should I do next? Does this mean I can never become an RN? Please help.

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Specializes in ICU.

I don't know if this will help you or not, but maybe it will give you some encouragement. I have a friend who went off to college right after highschool. She admits that when she got away from home she went out and partied like a rockstar. She was in an RN program and failed out. She immediately went to another school, got into their program, and then she dropped out of that program in the middle of the semester leaving I's on her transcript. Now she has moved back home, settled down a bit, has a baby, and wanted to try to salvage her academic career. She applied to a local nursing program, and I was with her when she explained her situation to the head of the program. He told her the commitee won't take anyone who has failed out of a nursing program previously, and she should go back to her old program and try to get re-instated in it. Undaunted she went ahead and applied, but included a letter explaining the situation along with her application. We had taken a CNA class together, it is required for admission, and she also got a letter from the CNA instructor basically saying how hard she worked in class. Well, she did get admitted and she started classes in January. So do all you can to make yourself look like your serious, and apply anyway. Good luck.

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i would think the fact that you have been academically successfull in the interim should carry weight.....

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Would they accept a letter of recommendation from your manager (and/or staff educator) in lieu of your former nursing program? Perhaps you could argue that you have made up for your past academic difficulties by maintainng an excellent work record.

Best of luck to you!

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I don't see why they would need a letter of good standing from the previous RN programs, unless you listed these schools on your transcript. A letter from the LPN school should be sufficient. What if you had never attended these programs in the first place? Not every LPN started in an RN program, so a letter shouldn't be necessary.

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Specializes in LTC, Wounds, Med/Surg, Tele, Triage.

That is kind of silly to ask for that. Agreeing with the fact that you may not have previously attended an RN program. Plus, would you be applying to their RN program if you had good standing in a previous program? My word of advice to you is to explain your situation right away. You're obviously beyond that bump in the road and are ready to further your education. Good luck...

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
I don't see why they would need a letter of good standing from the previous RN programs, unless you listed these schools on your transcript. A letter from the LPN school should be sufficient. What if you had never attended these programs in the first place? Not every LPN started in an RN program, so a letter shouldn't be necessary.

I know, at least in PA, its the same. It is to keep people for hopping from one program to another, using grants and school loans for living expenses. That was becoming very common in PA. There were people who would go around the state, place to place, starting school, getting grants and loans, using the money on rent and other stuff (wouldnt even buy the books for the program) and then quit halfway through the first semester. Now, once you've not done well in one place, most others are sceptical of taking you in. Thats not to say you cant get in, but it will take some extra documentation of being responsible.

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Specializes in LTC.

Are you my mother ? Your story is identical to her story. She was in the nursing program failed twice, became a LPN worked as a LPN for four years. She recently became a RN in January. She initially tried to go back to her CC to complete the RN but they would not accept her because of her academic standing. So she had to keep applying to other programs until she got accepted, which she did. So don't give up.

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You guys I decided this morning to write to the Director of the program, I explained my dilemma and asked if I could meet with her to explain why I failed before. She wrote back to say that because of the failures, I was not eligible for the LPN to RN program unless I did whats called a "fresh start program" first. So I'm very happy about that. She was very nice, she referred me to a counselor and the counselor emailed me. I'm very excited. Thanks guys.

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Glad to see that you seem to be getting a positive resolution to your situation. Good luck in school.

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Specializes in LTC, Wounds, Med/Surg, Tele, Triage.

Congrats to you!! Remember, honesty is always the best policy in nursing!!

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That truly encourages me. Thanks

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