Help: I failed out of nursing school

[Maria3248]

I began nursing school fresh out of high school. I believed nursing would allow me to do what I have always wanted, and that was to help as many people as possible. Fast forward three years later, and I have just failed out of a ADN program at a community college. I don't struggle with understanding the content or applying it. Its just when I am taking these tests it feels like everything is going to come crashing down. Ridiculous, I know.

Everyone knows that nursing school is difficult and I really think that it got to me. I excelled in the clinical setting without issue and received excellent remarks from clinical instructors and other nurses. I work in a large hospital right now as a CNA as well. Right now, there are people who are alive because of things I have done there who wouldn't be otherwise. I love the teamwork aspect of running codes as well (you learn a new appreciation for life). I think the reason I was unsuccessful is the increasingly painful depression and the fact that I get so nervous before tests I see spots and almost pass out. I know that its ridiculous, believe me. Up until this one class Ive been able to overcome it and be successful. Not this time though. I have accomplished so much, and in the end I am continuously holding myself back.

So, I have a few options. I have to start over either way.

1) Start LPN school in the fall and start working, then go back to finish RN, then BSN.

2) Wait a year and reapply to the program and start over.

3) There is one other school I can start in the spring (but its expensive).

4) Realize that I have already been unsuccessful in this nursing program; select another career.

I still want to be a nurse despite seeing all the struggles they go through. But, I also realize there is nothing wrong with accepting that this is not what I am cut out for. I have to overcome the anxiety/depression in order to be successful regardless of what I see is the best fit for me.

ANY advice or stories about other people who have been in my situation would be very much appreciated.

[Maria3248]

I have repeated this class and my school only allows you to repeat once. The course is split up over seven weeks and are made up of pediatrics and critical care of adults. If you are unsuccessful in one, you have to drop and you miss the other half of the content. So, its not even a fair repeat the way this section is set up (not that it matters).

[Maria3248]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I really don't want to go the med route unless its necessary like you said. But this is something that has affected me for as long as I can remember, so it might be an option. I went back to work yesterday and really payed attention to myself too. Even though I can function well, it is emotionally draining working in a hospital. I get anxious just trying to explain things. Im not sure if other people notice or if its just me. I clearly can't do this on my own anymore lol. I will be getting help soon. Thanks for all the advice!

[dreamnursing2]

DONT give up! Try consulting with a psychologist to address your anxiety. I wonder how you passed TEAS if your anxiety is the problem here. it could honestly be that youre not understanding content. maybe chaning study habits would work. taking notes differently during lecture then going home and actually physically typing them reinforces you to think about the content. everyone has a different way of studying so trying different ways wouldnt hurt. good luck to you!

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

Address the anxiety with school before you become a working nurse. You won't have time to black out and see spots at work. I am not being mean. I am just being honest.

[Maria3248]

I think i got a 72 but I'm not sure. I do know that it scores as proficient. Its just this one class where it has really hit me, the class before was a little hard but I made it. Its like I'm so close every time, but not not close enough. I used to be able to work through it but there is so much riding on these few tests. It makes me question if nursing is truly within my capabilities. Its gotten to the point i get nervous while studying every once in a while. Its ridiculous.

[Tommy5677]

Relying on a MD for test anxiety is going to get you nowhere, unless you're willing to risk addiction to benzodiazepines. It's not an option. Test anxiety is very real, as real as any other phobia. You acknowledge that it's irrational so here's what I'm going to tell you. It's very unconventional but please go into it with an open mind.

There is a technique that falls under the category of energy psychology. I used to be a practitioner so I know it works. It's called EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). Here is a youtube.com link that I would very strongly recommend watching. It doesn't teach you the technique but it's a slick little production and will give you the start you need. There are other demos on youtube but not knowing the technique first hand I don't recommend trying it on your own but rather find a practitioner in your area who is licensed to deliver mental health care, i.e. LCSW, PsyD., other RN's, LPC's, etc.

Here's the link:

Good luck.

[NurseJamillah, MSN, NP]

If I were you, I would try it again. FYI, I am in my 2nd semester and averaged I have really bad test anxiety and a nurse in my family recommended that I asked my doctor for something I could take before exams. She said she had to to get through exams, and she has been a great nurse for 10 years now. I can speak in front of a large group, and I usually excel under pressure, but exams usually give me issues!

My doctor prescribed me propranolol. I explained to him that I may not actually take it, and he said that is fine, and that it is ok to take as needed. I do deep breathing during the first 5 minutes of each exam and I "talk myself down" so that I don't panic too much. I tell myself that I can do this, that I studied hard and that every question they ask is going to be in reference to something they have taught me. I tell myself that the key is retrieving the info and applying it correctly, and that I can't do that unless I am calm. I repeat to myself that I am calm, that I am confident in how I studied, and that they wouldn't ask me something that they haven't prepared me for. I tell myself that I MAY NOT remember everything, but don't panic. Through all of this, I continue my deep breathing. I decided that I would try one exam without the medication. I got an 89.9. I never took the propranolol, but I do still have the medication. I have an 89% exam average now, and I will say, anxiety is no longer my biggest enemy.

I tell you all of this because I know firsthand that it is hard, but once you can "talk yourself down" once, the result may help your confidence so that you don't panic as much each time after that! If you know that this is what you are meant to do, then please don't give up! No one can tell you that, though. Only you know. Either way, good luck in whatever you choose.

[dreamnursing2]

mzinfinit- may i ask if that medication had any side effects for you? I took TEAS and i had so much anxiety during the test and my sister who is a doctor told me to ask my doctor for medication to help me during exams. Im just bit scared it might make me too relaxed and i wont be able to think through the test. what is your feedback about that?

[midwifemae]

The school I attend is like this. It's a private college and if you fail one class (under 75% total), then you're out and you have to start over. Also, for comps we get two chances before it is a fail. It's rough but the guidelines are clear. So far it is working for me and all the students I'm with (about 55) and so far 3 students have failed out.

[Bumex, DNP, NP]

Agreed with assessing the anxiety level with a professional. There are a few questions that I will ask you to ask yourself:

1) with the level of anxiety, how will you be able to take and pass the NCLEX?

2) even if you went to a LPN program, do you think you would be more successful? Yes, LPNs have a smaller scope, but they still need to take their version of NCLEX.

3) I understand that you excel in the clinical realm- but what if you are presented with a problem that you've never been presented before? Would your anxiety get in the way of patient safety? Being a RN is a stressful job; even if you feel like you are calm in the clinical realm, how would you explain to a future employer that your anxiety won't get in the way when you have 5-7 patients in the acute care facility?

Im not trying to be demeaning, but these are questions I have posed classmates (when I was in school) and current students that I teach now. Please reflect on this anxiety and evaluate how you can control it to be successful in the future. I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

[Maria3248]

No, you're exactly right. These are actually questions I frequently ask myself. I would have an advantage in an LPN program (according to the instructor who advised it) since I have heard most of this material already. After I address the anxiety problems, I truly feel that I could be successful if I tried again.

Of course I can't say if the anxiety will affect me in a nursing job. But, as a PCA, on my floor I frequently help during codes doing EKG's and things like that. There are a few people who are still alive because of choices I have made where other people thought something "was no big deal"; thats actually one of the things I am proud of and the reason I don't think I should quit. And if working in a hospital is to much, then there are other areas of nursing I can try.

If I can do all this, then shouldn't I be able to take a test? I feel like a crazy person. I can answer questions in class and ask the instructors questions, there is no reason for this. Not to mention eventually I'll have to tell my friends that I didn't make the cut and thats going to be painful. The ones who I've told said the same things all of you have said too.

[nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

I think you really need to address the anxiety to be successful. Whether you go the LPN to RN route and so on you will still have to be in nursing school and you are just taking a longer way to get there. Why go LPN to RN if you say you know the material and that isn't the problem? It's Nursing 101...address the underlying issue ;-)