Failed clinical. Feels like the end of the world...

[ari1]

On my last week of med-surg I clinical, I was told that I failed. I was told it was because I was "uncomfortable talking to my patient", thus interfering with my care for my patient.

(A little bit about me: I have had a stuttering problem since I was 7. I was made fun of because of it at school, so I don't talk much. My stuttering has gotten better now, but I'm still awkward around new people; old habits are hard to break).

But what's really bothering me is that if I received any notice or indication earlier (even second to last week of clinical), I could have either improved on my weak points or have withdraw. Now I have to settle for an F that's going to be on my transcript forever.

I'm hoping I can do an academic forgiveness...

My instructor said that I should talk to a counselor about my communication problem. I know I need to improve on it and I'm trying (I didn't realized until now that it's a big problem); I just don't know how to effectively so that I can overcome this obstacle. Whenever I talked to my patients, I am actively listening to their concerns, but more times than not, I am so focused on listening/talking that I missed their nonverbal ques, which as a nurse I need to intervene and address.

Long story short, has anyone failed a class in nursing school and still graduated with your BSN at the same university? I am just so conflicted and depressed on how this will affect my progression and my future. Will I be able to get into graduate school? What if I failed again and be dismissed? I heard that 4th semester is the hardest, so I'm deathly afraid. (I'm currently in my second semester).

I'm sorry for rambling; I really need someone to talk to/get advice. Has anyone been in a similar situation as me and have been successful?

[AOx1]

If this is indeed the only thing that caused you to fail, I would discuss it with the next person up the chain of command if speaking with the instructor isn't helpful. The only reason I would fail a student with no warning is if the student did dreadful things (ex-came to clinical high, practiced out of scope or other gross safety orvprofessional boundary violation). For all other concerns, the students should receive formative feedback. Ex-a student whose paperwork is poor or who is late would be warned and placed on probation.

[NuGuyNurse2b]

LOL@ came to clinical high. Good Lord, this is why they drug screen us to begin with.

[AOx1]

LOL@ came to clinical high. Good Lord, this is why they drug screen us to begin with.

If only it were that simple! Unfortunately, the student was tested prior to the program, as are all students, and then developed a bit of a problem with substances.

[ari1]

First off, thank you everyone for posting and giving me words of encouragement! I really needed them after the roller coaster of emotions I went through...

A bit of update & clarification: the manager of my clinical course wasn't willing to change her decision in not passing me. My communication skills only scratched the "surface" and didn't "explore" the patient's problem. But after she, well what I felt like was drilling me with questions on what I did wrong Gray's Anatomy style, she didn't offer any suggestions or feedback on how I can improve/where I can get help. "You need more time" but more time won't fix my communication problem if I don't get help!

Also, do you guys think it's unfair that the course manager singled me out? She didn't went into the rest of my clinical group patient's room to see how they're doing.

...So I went to the counseling center at my university (didn't even know there was one until recently) and I'm talking to a counselor to help me.

When I talked to my advisor about what happened at clinical, she said I may have social anxiety disorder. I mean, I have most of the symptoms so I guess I have a name to my problem now

I have the option of going to an adn program, but my communication problem will follow me there if I don't get help. I also have the option of waiting a semester, but that will put me behind even more and I need a physician's letter stating that "I can't continue nursing school at this time because my communication problem will make my patient unsafe" (I'm guessing it's the lack of assessing part)

I have one more shot this summer, and I'm praying that I do well. My heart is telling me to not give up, and I don't want to be dismissed all because of this communication problem

[skhy]

I don't want to discourage you at all, but because the instructor decided not to tell you about the serious problems causing you to fail until the end of the term and the response when you talked to her, especially the part where she quizzed you dramatically it sounds like discrimination. This is very bad because you have little power in this situation. If that is the case, you won't pass any classes you take with that instructor. If you can't avoid this person, you might want to look into other schools. Why? Two failed clinicals is worse than one failed clinical. Talk to as many schools as you can ahead of time about stuttering because then you can gauge what their attitude during the program might be.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

social anxiety disorder? I've know people who stutter and are very productive my cousin was one of them. The "drilling of questions" with the army sergeant style many instructors use is not conducive to a learning environment and makes anyone nervous include myself and I choke on a lot of questions and instantly stumble for words. It would be worse for someone who stutters.

From your writing and posts no one can tell you stutter, you can assess someone using other forms besides just talking. I really don't think the school is working with you nor have they provided a path for you to succeed. Have you been singled out? I think so. If we were to hypothetically says things was worse , you were medically mute and you could not talk at all? what accommodations would they have provided? how would things be different to ensure you succeed? Who is to say who can and cannot become a nurse?

[binzy]

Hey I just failed out too. Last week too. I kept all my patients safe and still didnt please her. You are fine I would take this to the dean! I know really quiet shy unit coordinators. This isnt fair

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Is there a mandatory midterm feedback in place?

[rainydayz .]

On 4/13/2014 at 11:57 PM, akulahawkRN said:

While I'm not in a BSN program at this particular time, I have failed clinical in the past. What was worse is that I failed just a few weeks out from finishing the class. My theory grade was just fine right up to the point when I failed. I did a lot of introspection and determined what it was that caused my failure. I rectified the problem and I was, thankfully, readmitted, and now I'm a few weeks out from graduation. Yes, it's very possible to be readmitted to a program after failure, you just have to show that you've developed a plan to address the issue and that you've begun working on that plan. Considering you've got an ongoing problem, I suggest you visit your school's learning assessment center (or whatever yours is called) and find out if they can help you in that regard. You may not have a learning disability per se, but they may have resources that can help you work through your own communication issue that is holding you back from your goals. Being introverted can be a HUGE asset as a nurse, but you have to learn to balance that with the need to communicate with a lot of people, including your patients.

I hope you figure out what you need!

Hi, I am in a similar situation and failed my clinical and your story inspired me. If you dont mind, what did you do in particular to improve in your game plan.

[northmississippi]

I think you should find a education lawyer and sue them for discrimination.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

23 minutes ago, northmississippi said:

I think you should find a education lawyer and sue them for discrimination.

Well, the situation is from 2014, so.....

[northmississippi]

I hope ari1 will follow up on the post and tell us how it turned out.