Failed Nursing School 2 yrs ago..Go back? (Long Post)

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Hi everyone, I am not sure if this is the right forum to ask..but I need to vent.

2 years ago I was in an ADN program. I failed in my 2nd semester and was kicked out. Theory I was fine, but on the floor I was a mess. No matter how hard I tried or how much I prepared, I could never get a grasp on my time management and would just freak out..in a calm way. It was scary.

I did not feel I had support I wanted when I was there and I asked...trust me..went to office hours..shadowed other students, etc. On the day they were dismissing me, my clinical instructor didn't even look at me in the face, she just signed the paper and left. I was so hurt.

This also put a strain on my marriage at the time, because I would come home cry, be depressed, etc. But...I knew I needed to hold my head high and get through it. And I did, until I was dismissed.

Anyway, I always had a backup plan, which was to transfer to a university. I did and yesterday I recieved my Bachelors of Science in Community Health Education, so public health really. I love this field, however still think about nursing school.

My dilemma: I am afraid I can't handle it again. I am afraid because I know what is expected, I won't be able to get through it. I still have my nursing books collecting dust and it pains me to look at them. I am...slightly..resentful and jealous (should I say) of my friends who have finished RN school and are working, but I do not miss the LONG and late hours of studying, case studies, anxiety and depression. I think, can everyone BUT me pass nursing school?? Maybe its not in my cards.

I am much happier now in general, but think...should I do more? Can I do more? Am I not living to my full potential? Or should I stick with public health, get my masters and work in non-clinical fields?

Another thing, my anatomy has deffinitely expired, so if I did decide to go back, I would have to start all over.

Has anyone gone through this? Do you move on or try again? I could use any and all advice.

Thank you for listening.

Holly

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I failed out of a Rn program in 2012 & almost gave up & changed majors because my "advisor" told me i needed to change career path which yeah i could have gone back & majored in health info & waited the 5 years to reapply but i knew in my heart nursing was something i am passionate about so after much praying & talking to other nurses, i took the lpn route. I must admit i didnt want to do it at 1st because of my ignorant mind set lpn equals low paid nurse etc, but once i found out just by talking to most Rn's in my area, they were lpn's 1st! For me going this route was a better choice because it has helped build the foundation for me to continue to build upon. I'll be finished this aug w/a 3.90 gpa(started from the bottom now im here). I plan on doing a bridge lpn-bsn nxt year. I kinda wish i had buckled down & got serious along time ago & would have still gone the lpn route sobi could have been more prepared for a Rn program. Im 30 & just now starting when most of my friends are nurses, doctors, lawyers & yeah im jealous but everything happens for a reason. If your passionate & your hearts desire is nursing GO FOR IT! It can be done , dont give up, dont let fear stop you. Turn that FEAR into FAITH. In order to get something you never had, you have to do something you've never done is what im living by. YOU WANT IT, GO GET IT!

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Listen to your "inner voice". You said that you're afraid that you "can't handle" nursing school again. Like they say, a goal without a plan is a dream. If you can put together a solid plan, where you will go about nursing school in a DIFFERENT MANNER than your first attempt, then give it a shot. Otherwise, I would try another field.

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If you "want" and are now "dedicated" to be a nurse... do it! I feel that you will benefit from retaking A&P. Never give up on yourself.

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I went to a pinning ceremony for one of my friends and 4 students failed out in fundamentals in fall 2010. They reapplied to the same program, got back in the program in fall 2011 and they just graduated. Do not give up on your dream because if you do that feeling of wanting to be a nurse will always be in the back of your mind.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I think it's a little more tough when you fail the clinical portion of nursing school. If you fail lecture you can say, hey, I didn't study enough or answer enough practice questions or attend class, etc.

When you struggle at the hospital, how do you really formulate a plan to do better? That's where you cut it or you don't, and there's no faking your way through or practicing at home.

So I'm not really sure what to suggest. Have you worked as a CNA or the like? It seems like that would be a good way to get a handle on things like time management.

Other than that, for me it would probably just come down to what I had to lose if I went back and it still wasn't for me. If you didn't have to invest a whole bunch of money or sacrifices, then it might be worth jumping back in and seeing what happens. I would not risk life, limb, family, or financial security over it, though,

Regret is a tough thing to live with, and I think the whole thing needs to be resolved. Either you go back, or you make peace with your choice to move on and find more happiness somewhere else than you could have in nursing.

I left school for my ultimate goal for my plan B - nursing. I love what I'm doing, I know I'll have a great career, but I haven't quite put my other ambition to bed, and when it rears its head it aint pretty. So I feel your pain.

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