Failed nursing school but didn't give up!

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HI all! I wanted to share my experience of how I finally became an RN after going through tough obstacles. It all started back in 2002. I did my CNA but never practiced as I wanted to go back to get a bachelors degree in pych.

After I graduated with my BA, I applied to a BSN program in Chicago (1/2006). Got accepted and that was the first school I had applied to. I was so happy, excited, and felt this was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I didn't know at the time that the school was going on probation due to low NCLEX passing rates (85%).

Nursing school was a whole different experience and MUCH MUCH harder than I ever thought it would be. I was constantly falling behind as I was in the accelerated BSN program, and just couldn't keep up with taking 4 classes, clinicals, care-plans, labs, and writing papers. Mind you learning all the nursing terms/concepts was completely new to me--I came from a university where you had to READ chapters in textbooks.

I had picked up that bad habit of reading everything in my nursing books. Well, to make a long story short. I had failed out. I failed because I didn't pass two classes at the same time. The counselor for the school had told me,"I don't think nursing is for you, you should look into another career." Felt so incompetent after hearing those words. I didn't know HOW to study, what to study, and I sure as heck didn't know what I was doing in clinicals. Everyday was a question mark to me.

When I failed, I was so depressed. Didn't know what I was going to do. Thought my life was officially over. All I had ever wanted to be was a nurse and felt so alone.

I sat down and told myself maybe going at a fast pace wasn't for me..I should start slow. So I did. I enrolled in a LPN program and it was a great program. It was a private school so yes I did pay massive $$ but the quality of education was great. I graduated with high honors and learned MORE in the LPN program of 1.5 years (graduated 12/2009) than the 1 semester of BSN program. I didn't stop there. I applied to a LPN-RN bridge program at a Community College. Once again, very hard, very strenuous but not at an impossible pace. Teachers explained what they expected...and this time I DID NOT read everything single page of each chapter...I recorded lectures, wrote out my own notes, and studied what the teacher emphasized on and that made a huge difference. Went through the bridge program for 1.5 years and now graduated with my RN (5/2012). Just took my NCLEX-RN and passed with 75 questions.

My point of posting this story is to inform others NOT TO GIVE UP...if this is your dream, you must go through it and you only live once. I love being a nurse as I love taking care of people. If this is your passion, keep going. Don't let one failure drag you down!

MissRN2b

12 Posts

Wow thank you for that. I just started my first semester of an RN program at a community college and I'm already struggling with SO much reading. So it's interesting that you're saying the way you finally passed is by NOT reading every single page. I have been reading everything and feel like I don't have enough time. I think I will try what you suggested and NOT read everything but only focus on the main points. Thanks again.

This is nice of you to share! Glad it all worked out for you and that you followed your dream and reached your goal! Dedication!

corram1

4 Posts

Thank you for sharing this story :) . I been struggling this semester on my classes and sometimes when I get frustrated because I dont understand everything on my books I think to myself if I should of have started in a LPN program instead of just going straight for my BSN.

Wow! Such a testimony! I'm going through it right now. I failed two classes so now i'm out the program.This was meant for me. :)I'm not going to give up. I've been a CNA for seven years and i'm ready to become a nurse.

Nbowser

6 Posts

I am so happy to read your story. I failed out my first semester last year after not passing a calculations test by one. I felt like my world has ended and even decided to change career path into sonography but then an icu nurse gave me the lecture of my life. I return back to nursing school next month. I might have fallen but I am getting back up!

athomas2340

36 Posts

Truly inspirational! Thank you :)

panjia

22 Posts

I failed only one class...automatically dismissed from this BSN program. I don't know if I want to put myself through another nursing school, but I am accepted for ASN program -- waiting 2 years. In the mean time, I'm working as a CNA and volunteering at a hospital (rehab and brain injury units) to determine if nursing is really right for me :\

karen_elrod

1 Post

This is a great post, and thank you for sharing your story. I just started my second semester as a nursing student, and as of yet am not feeling overwhelmed. I owe this to finally figuring out, late into my first semester, that NO you do not have to focus on every little detail and words in the textbooks. Now that I know what to focus on, and how to study, a huge weight has been lifted. By no means am I stating that nursing school is easy, it's one of the hardest things I've ever done, but once you figure out your studying style, and what to focus on, there's no stopping you! Good luck with your career.

ANW10

4 Posts

Thank you so much for putting this up, I really needed it! I'm in a LPN program right now and I must say it's pretty challenging and I want to eventually get my RN. I REFUSE to give up on this, it is my dream and I've never wanted nothing more. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation to keep going! :)

HI all! I wanted to share my experience of how I finally became an RN after going through touch obstacles. It all started back in 2002. I did my CNA but never practiced as I wanted to go back to get a bachelors degree in pych.

After I graduated with my BA, I applied to a BSN program in Chicago (1/2006). Got accepted and that was the first school I had applied to. I was so happy, excited, and felt this was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I didn't know at the time that the school was going on probation due to low NCLEX passing rates (85%).

Nursing school was a whole different experience and MUCH MUCH harder than I ever thought it would be. I was constantly falling behind as I was in the accelerated BSN program, and just couldn't keep up with taking 4 classes, clinicals, care-plans, labs, and writing papers. Mind you learning all the nursing terms/concepts was completely new to me--I came from a university where you had to READ chapters in textbooks.

I had picked up that bad habit of reading everything in my nursing books. Well, to make a long story short. I had failed out. I failed because I didn't pass two classes at the same time. The counselor for the school had told me,"I don't think nursing is for you, you should look into another career." Felt so incompetent after hearing those words. I didn't know HOW to study, what to study, and I sure as heck didn't know what I was doing in clinicals. Everyday was a question mark to me.

When I failed, I was so depressed. Didn't know what I was going to do. Thought my life was officially over. All I had ever wanted to be was a nurse and felt so alone.

I sat down and told myself maybe going at a fast pace wasn't for me..I should start slow. So I did. I enrolled in a LPN program and it was a great program. It was a private school so yes I did pay massive $$ but the quality of education was great. I graduated with high honors and learned MORE in the LPN program of 1.5 years (graduated 12/2009) than the 1 semester of BSN program. I didn't stop there. I applied to a LPN-RN bridge program at a Community College. Once again, very hard, very strenuous but not at an impossible pace. Teachers explained what they expected...and this time I DID NOT read everything single page of each chapter...I recorded lectures, wrote out my own notes, and studied what the teacher emphasized on and that made a huge difference. Went through the bridge program for 1.5 years and now graduated with my RN (5/2012). Just took my NCLEX-RN and passed with 75 questions.

My point of posting this story is to inform others NOT TO GIVE UP...if this is your dream, you must go through it and you only live once. I love being a nurse as I love taking care of people. If this is your passion, keep going. Don't let one failure drag you down!

traumanurse2b?

123 Posts

I think it is really amazing that you stuck it out. Over the past 5 years I have hears from so many people about how I wouldn't get into school for this or that. You proved that if you are dedicated, you can do it. I've Bern accepted into a BSN program to start in January and it is a great feeling! Congrats to you, best of luck in your future endeavors!

Thank you for posting your journey to achieving your dream as nursing has been my dream since I was a little girl. I was supposed to graduate in May of 2012 from my ADN program but I failed the last semester by 1 point and I felt like my world had ended and am still pulling myself out of a rut. So, it's inspiring to me to hear that it happened to someone else and they pulled out of it just fine and still achieved their goals. What makes it worse for me is that I also didn't know that my nursing program was on probation as well and they are closing the doors on the program so I can't go back. I will be applying to take my PN nclex soon though and then I will find a bridge program to continue my nursing education. Thank you so much for posting this. It has helped to motivate me.

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