Run out of nursing school - what to do?

[Diahni]

Greetings all,

I started my last semester of my RN program very badly. My clinical instructor and I had a serious personality clash. It snowballed into a big mess. I forgot that the instructor is always right. There are many chapters to this which I won't bore anybody with, other than the final one. I was made to sign a contract that said, among other things, that I would meet with the lab instructor once a week through February. After my first meeting with her, I came home to find an email from the dean of nursing saying I was going to be thrown out of the program because I did not pass my lab exam. I wasn't aware that I was being tested when I went to see the lab instructor. Throughout this crisis, I attempted to contact my advisor, other teachers, the dean, and so on. No one responded to me. I have such a bad taste in my mouth about how the entire episode happened that I don't think I would want to continue in this program even if I was allowed. Has anyone had an experience like this? Right now, my strategy is to look into other programs. I will probably have to spend a longer time in school, but I have no choice. Please advise!

Diahni

[Jogirl]

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading your comments on the nursing schools and feeling a little intmidated. I will be applying in fall to several schools in the central valley: MJC,Delta, Stan. State... Does anyone have a suggestion of which is the best program? Thanks for the input.

[Tiwi]

Tiwi and Sonicnurse,

I lost a bit more than a thousand dollars. Truth be told, I'd spend far more than that to never have to lay eyes on these creepy women for the rest of my life. Honestly. Life can be very expensive, but I learned much about what I'm willing to put up with and what I'm unwilling to do. I'd rather not get in a peeing contest with skunks, if you know what I mean.

Diahni

You must be a very focused person, to be able to move on, especially if they have affected your financial situation.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Entering this conversation very late and have not read all the posts. Just want to add that I have taught in both an ADN and a BSN program (present position). Without a doubt, the BSN program is more student-friendly and vested in student retention. We are even piloting a program in which faculty members are assigned "at risk" nursing students to mentor, to improve our retention rates.

[Liddle Noodnik]

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading your comments on the nursing schools and feeling a little intmidated. I will be applying in fall to several schools in the central valley: MJC,Delta, Stan. State... Does anyone have a suggestion of which is the best program? Thanks for the input.

Hi, I haven't answered because I'm not in your area. There is a forum dedicated to your own state where perhaps you can ask the question - good luck!

We are even piloting a program in which faculty members are assigned "at risk" nursing students to mentor, to improve our retention rates.

That is just FANTASTIC, I love that idea! Cool!

I think it would be good too if similar intervention was made during orientation for new grads, don't you think? So they don't reach the end of probation and find out they weren't "getting it"?

[Diahni]

Hi, I haven't answered because I'm not in your area. There is a forum dedicated to your own state where perhaps you can ask the question - good luck!

That is just FANTASTIC, I love that idea! Cool!

So do I!

I think it would be good too if similar intervention was made during orientation for new grads, don't you think? So they don't reach the end of probation and find out they weren't "getting it"?

Yes, some things are not obvious to somebody who has never worked as an LPN. One of the strange aspects of the program I was in was that absolutely no teaching to speak of happened during clinicals. If you didn't "get it" during the labs, you'd find yourself with an "incident report" as a way of discovering how much you didn't "get it." Worse, in our program, many of the "professors" have BSNs and not a clue about teaching. How could they, as they weren't trained as such? At an even more basic level, I'd say you'd have to like students and people in general to teach. It's all but a bad nightmare to me at this point.

[TrudyRN]

OUCH! That's a whole lotta money for nothing! There's really something wrong with a system that doesn't figure out until the bitter end that you don't have what it takes. My experience is this determination is extremely subjective, as well. It's pretty heartbreaking to see somebody waste that kind of money. In some parts of the country, that could almost buy you a house! Nursing programs seem to call all the shots.

Diahni

I think some Deans pressure the instructors in lower level classes to pass everyone.

Then, the students who really can't make the grade without team projects, group projects, open book tests, and very lenient instructors, those students fail at the end. What should happen is that high standards should be imposed from the beginning so that, if a student is going to fail, she would fail early and not waste her time and money.

Perhaps it comes down to the schools want that tuition money?

[Michael076]

While reading your post it reminded me of how angry I was at my manager but in truth I was mad at myself. She told me to practice my presentations but quite frankly I kept winging it because I hated selling and was burnt out. I am guessing you could have worked a bit harder and got those skills mastered. Again, i don't know the details but in my experience this is normally the case.

Michael,

To be sure, my attitude was suffering greatly. I absolutely loathe these women, you have no idea. This is generally true in the program. No love lost between students and teachers. That said, some people can just put their heads to the grindstone. Long story short, I'm glad I bailed, and found a better situation. Thanks for your comments!

Good luck,

They should not expect us to perform every procedure perfect during clinical because humans are much different than working on dummies in lab. The one thing I can't stand is not getting enough quality clinical time, then they expect you to know everything. This semester my instructor is good but I was used to being treated with kid gloves previously. I have a long break before my final med surge rotation so I guess I better brush up. Alot depends on how your instructor is because clinical is much more subjective grading wise so basically if they don't like you your gone, very scary. You seem persistent and I know you will prevail, take care.

[jamonit]

i'm glad that things are working out for you, diahni.

it's so odd to me that you (or myself) have written posts in which we are asking for constructive criticism or perhaps opinions of how others would handle certain situations and our fellow nurses in this community bash and criticize. it astounds me that there are so many people waiting to point their fingers and blame the poster, as if this whole situation was your fault. i hate that on this message board there are people that just can't wait to tell someone else that they're better than you.

i think you did the right thing. hang in there, nursing school will be a distant memory before you know it.

best of luck

[Diahni]

I think some Deans pressure the instructors in lower level classes to pass everyone.

Trudy,

I can't imagine this, or open book tests.

Then, the students who really can't make the grade without team projects, group projects, open book tests, and very lenient instructors, those students fail at the end. What should happen is that high standards should be imposed from the beginning so that, if a student is going to fail, she would fail early and not waste her time and money.

I sincerely doubt than any of this is about high standards. I have seen too many smart people fail at the final moment. I have never thought of teachers as sadists, ever in my life, yet I think many of these teachers are.

There's no other explanation. I know some very smart people who failed because of the most idiotic and vague multiple choice tests. As Humpty Dumpty said, "A word means exactly what I says it means." That is what their ridiculous tests were like. Real flibber-flabber disguised as nursing lingo.

Perhaps it comes down to the schools want that tuition money?

Definitely, that's a possibility. But why squeeze it out of poor women who are struggling to improve their lives? This is just sick. We need nurses, and therefore need nursing programs to train them. I have to get my head examined to find out why I put up with the abuse as long as I did. Meanwhile, I am happy to say I've heard nothing but good things about the program I will be starting soon. How can there be so much variety in the training of a profession that is supposedly so regimented?

Diahni

[Liddle Noodnik]

It's all but a bad nightmare to me at this point.

I hope someday that what works out for you is better than you imagined :) I know it seems horrid right now, but maybe there is something better for you down the road, ya never know... meanwhile, let it go - if your hands are still holding on to this experience, you can't grab onto the next opportunity. B well!

it astounds me that there are so many people waiting to point their fingers and blame the poster, as if this whole situation was your fault.

It's hard, not seeing both sides of a story, but you're right - there are better ways of communicating than point first ...

...why squeeze it out of poor women who are struggling to improve their lives?

... if a student is going to fail, she would fail early and not waste her time and money.

Yes, and the men, too. Some are failed simply because of their gender, I bet.

Also, back in 81, anyway, it seemed they were held to a higher standard than the female students. I'm not sure if that has continued?

Anyway, I agree with you both - and I've always said that evaluations should be more frequent so that students know right along how well they are doing!

[shelll4329]

It would be best to go to another school far away because many deans know each other and if you go to another school close by chances are things will carry over. I would hate for you to have to go thru something similiar at another school close by. Go to one far away where the deans/instructors probably don't know each other.

[Diahni]

It would be best to go to another school far away because many deans know each other and if you go to another school close by chances are things will carry over. I would hate for you to have to go thru something similiar at another school close by. Go to one far away where the deans/instructors probably don't know each other.

shell4329:

I sincerely doubt it!