How many people who start NS finish?

NoviceRN10 · Apr 5, 2008

True. But that test is also a comprehensive exam that you take after the culmination of at least 2 years of study correct? Each prereq is the culmination of 10 weeks of study (for me it's quarters) in one subject.
Like right now I am taking a Capstone class where I have to write a 20-page paper that draws from every class I have had in the past 2 years in order to get my General AA. If I had tried it at first I obviously would have failed but now it is an easily achievable task. I assume the NCLEX will be the same.

Okay then :). It's simple. Study the material and ace the exams. It's just like that .

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 5, 2008

There are reasons why many drop out. Some realize nursing just isnt for them (scared of blood, giving needles) some find other interests, and some just fail.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 5, 2008

OP, when you see stats on here in general they are only for Nursing School. MORE people drop from pre-reqs and co-reqs... but it is hard to get stats. Nursing Schools do not compile or follow stats on students who drop from pre-reqs because there is no benefit unless the student is considered a Nursing Student rather then pre-nursing. Although most nursing schools do not publish their stats for all to see, there is a simple way to find out.

I began asking 4th semester students how many are graduating from those who started with them. At my school I figured that for the past two years on average 60% dropped/failed at some point in my ADN program. It does not mean that those students do not graduate later... I have not figured out those stats. I also do not know how many fail twice and are made to leave the school permanently. On a brighter note, the NCLEX pass rate at my school has been 100% or within a few percentage points for the past ten years so I cannot complain! I am doing what I have to do so that I graduate and pass the NCLEX too. GL! :nurse:

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 5, 2008

Do you guys think it is mainly people who just decide nursing isn't for them, can't comprehend the material, can't deal with the stress, or personal reasons?

All of the above and more.

nurz2be · Apr 5, 2008

OP, I would like to make a few simple statements about nursing school.

NOTHING about it can be wrapped up into a neat, tidy package and be placed on a flow-chart and analyzed.

NOTHING you do or plan to do will prepare you for "testing" NCLEX-RN style.

I will tell you that, in my school, those who have "experience" are the ones who seem to be dropping out due to grades as opposed to those without "experience." The others who have dropped are those who have issues outside school that are directing them away from school, or they just simply realize it isn't what they thought it would be.

Pre reqs are a "joke" IMHO, comparatively speaking in relation to nursing school and the "new of way thinking and analyzing data."

It can and is being done all the time, the person just has to decide how bad they want it, and what they are willing to do to make that happen!

GOOD LUCK!

MB37 · Apr 5, 2008

What's the percentage of college freshmen who declare as premed that actually make it through med school and become physicians? I'm not going to try to compare the level of difficulty - I've never attempted to go to med school, so I wouldn't know - but there are more reasons than anyone can count. I was pre-law the first time, graduated undergrad with honors, and scored >95th percentile on my LSAT. I took a couple years off in between, however, reexamined some things, and realized that I had no actual desire to become a lawyer.

There are many people who do well in prereqs, apply and get into NS, and then realize it's not for them. There are others for whom the timing is bad - a family member gets ill, they get pregnant, spouse gets military orders to transfer or go overseas, or they have to work too many hours and aren't able to concentrate fully on school. There are others who aren't mature enough to put in the hours of study required, and they think they can party as much as the other 21 year olds they know who aren't in NS. There are also people who desperately want to become nurses, work their tails off, don't have jobs, have help with any children that they have, etc., who still don't make it. Maybe there's a concept that just won't stick, and it's something that comes up frequently. Or they can't pass the required math tests. Or they can't figure out the NCLEX style questions. It doesn't mean they wouldn't take great care of patients, but maybe they should do it in a different capacity, or get some practice as a tech and then try LPN school (no idea of the difficulty difference, I haven't gone there either). Some instructors and some schools seem to want a certain percentage to fail - this may or may not reflect their admissions process. My school wants us to succeed, but only those of us who care to make the effort. It's different for every person at every school.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 5, 2008

True. But that test is also a comprehensive exam that you take after the culmination of at least 2 years of study correct?

I had to re-read the post this was in response to a couple of times before I understood what she meant and I think what anursetobe09 was saying (forgive me if I'm wrong) was that the exams in nursing school are all based on the NCLEX style which really gives some people trouble. Not so much worrying about passing the boards just passing school to get to the boards.

In my classes it has been the exams that have caused most people to flunk out. We have lost a couple from clinicals but not many.

BillyMan · Apr 6, 2008

Wow! Lots of responses. I really hope I'm simply not taking this whole thing too lightly because up until this point I seen it as a very 'doable' task. I say doable because I sure as heck wouldn't say easy but I didn't think it would be super hard either.

By doable I mean I think that is something I can accomplish with lots of study and focus and get by with decent grades not up late nights thinking "OH OH GOD OH GOD I'M GOING TO FAIL THAT TEST TOMORROW AND GET KICKED OUT!!!!"

I mean, I know it is going to be very challenging. But it isn't going to be something where everybody is struggling to get just a passing grade is it? :banghead:

stressed317 · Apr 7, 2008

We started out with 90 people in the fall. Fall we lost some, winter we lost some more, now in spring, we have 50-60 and they are still dropping. I think that the program is harder than people think, which is a good thing, who wants a dumb nurse. But people try to go into the field for the wrong reasons (money) and they don't realize that it is very hard. Hopefully the strong of mind and heart will survive and we will be left with good nurses.

Hang in there if this is what you really want.

NurseBrittney · Apr 7, 2008

i think you have the right idea about it

NurseJeanB · Apr 7, 2008

I want to echo JulesA that the nursing exams given are in the NCLEX style to prepare you for boards. So a lot of nursing students find that style very hard to get used to, and sometimes the class grade is based entirely on two or three of these tests. Lets say you have a midterm and a final. Every nursing school I have heard of requires you get a minimum C. And for some, C is high 70's. If you bomb a test then you have to get A's on the next test. I know in one class there was someone who bombed the first test so bad that the teachers said there was no way they would get a C even if they aced the final. Furthermore, if you fail getting at least a C, then you possibly are out of the nursing program. Some schools let you fail once, but they don't let you retake the failed class until the next year. If you fail two classes, in most schools you are out.

As for the NCLEX style questions:

These tests are multiple choice but there are usually 2 to 3 answers that all could be correct, you have to be able to choose the most correct answer. There was a thread that had a joke NCLEX style question.

Which of the following is red?

a. Blue

b. dark red

c. light red

d. red

Of course this was a joke, but at the same time there is some truth to it.

Then there are some tests that are mandatory you achieve certain grades.

There are a couple of dosage tests that you must score at least a 90% on. I have heard stories of people who were getting high grades in nursing school, but failed the dosage test by a point or two and were out of the nursing program.

So far I have talked about tests and haven't even begun to talk about clinicals and careplans. The thing about nursing school is you not only have to excel in the academic areas, but you also have to excel in skills as well. In my class, once we started clinicals the class average wen't down because some people had a hard time juggling it all:bugeyes:.

Add all the above to normal reasons for dropping (illness, personal reasons, finances, deciding nursing isn't what they want) and you start to see why there is such high attrition rates.

Having good study habits and working hard are required of all nursing students, but is no guarantee of success. The average GPA of my cohort was 3.8. So everyone I am in school with are good students.

I want everyone to be successful. I don't want to scare you into thinking that nursing school isn't doable, just go in there with your eyes open. It may help to get some NCLEX review books and maybe read an NCLEX test taking strategies book. Also really assess your learning strengths and weaknesses. If you are prone to excess anxiety during tests you want to address it now. Work out ways to relax. I know that when I have an "anxiety attack" my mind will go blank. I had to work out a routine that I follow prior to a test. I usually will have a good meal before the test and I get all my test taking supplies together. I have my favorite pencil and eraser and just before the test, my study group will verbally go through the information.

Now these are the things that work for me. You will want to develop your own methods of calming and focusing yourself.

The last bit of advice, is to be hyper-organized. Nursing students become masters of juggling it all. There are many nursing students in my class who are moms (or dads), who have to work, and must be jack of all trades. They are usually the more successful, because they are used to wearing multiple hats, and are usually well organized.

Take care and best of luck to you.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 7, 2008

By doable I mean I think that is something I can accomplish with lots of study and focus and get by with decent grades not up late nights thinking "OH OH GOD OH GOD I'M GOING TO FAIL THAT TEST TOMORROW AND GET KICKED OUT!!!!"
I mean, I know it is going to be very challenging. But it isn't going to be something where everybody is struggling to get just a passing grade is it?

This is how its been for me. It is a lot of material and I need to stay on top of studying but I haven't had a semester where my grades weren't As and Bs. I find it challenging but not overwhelming. Figuring out the politics has been the most difficult part for me, lol.