It's hard losing classmates...

[SopranoKris]

I just found out today that a good friend was dismissed from our program for failing sterile technique. I feel awful for this person because I know how hard they worked to get in.

The shock was that this person is a stellar academic student. Has made an A on both our exams so far. I just feel terrible that this one issue ended it.

It's so hard to see classmates leave I didn't think it would be so hard. But when someone sits next to you each day, it really hits home when they're not there. So sad!

[13grad71]

I lost my friend in first semester. It was hard. But you make new friends, however, the sting was tough to overcome.

[kcataldo31]

Our school as competencies that one must pass in two chances (you get a third, but you have to sign an agreement with the dean). If you do not pass you fail the program. I recently was in this position (on my third try for the easiest competency). It was an extremely nerve-wracking position to be in. And further it wasn't for lack of ability. I have worked on a med/surg floor for four years and practiced the particular skills I was working on numerous times. And it wasn't for lack of intelligence as I have made fantastic grades thus far. It was simply nerves.

I passed (this one), but I know there are more coming up in the future (three a semester) including one on sterile technique. Thus in my program it is totally possible to fail on sterile technique and fail the program. Unfortunately it doesn't really seem "fair". And as a previous poster said, it is a lot harder to teach ethics, passion, and professionalism than it is to teach techniques. We have lost a few so far (1/2 a semester in). And I have seen some whom I've gotten very close to get very close to the cut off. It's very hard to watch classmates fail. I'm reminded how easily it could be me, but I take this and it gives me reason to work even harder so I can stay far clear of that cut off.

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

As mentioned previously, I would imagine most universities give you more than one chance to pass a skill check off. Generally, it's three. However, different universities come with different standards. For our school, you can get as many chances as you want, but, you have to get it done BEFORE a specific date. You're not allowed multiple tries in a single day.

Sorry to hear about your friend!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

And then in my school, we have students having physical fights with injuries in the parking lot and fighting over who sits in a particular seat in the classroom and disrupting the entire lecture. And they get put on probation. And these are NOT stellar students academically. I don't think enough people are being booted from my program and they have good reason. Sterile technique can be taught far more easily than self control, ethics and tolerance.

Where on Earth do you go to school, the Sing Sing School of Nursing?? Seriously....behaviors like you describe aren't going to be tolerated in a hospital parking lot...or anywhere else for that matter. Ought to be interesting to see how your classmates progress.

Good luck to YOU, though; professionalism will rise above :)

[PrettyGirlLexi]

My school unfortunately put up with same childish behaviors *sigh* majority only come just to get a refund off of their financial aid, but after disbursements they stop coming which is good but they are an annoyance and take up spots for students who take college serious and actually want to do something with themselves. I go to a community college in Southeast Wisconsin

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

We don't need your pity.I didn't pass my third quarter of the program. It was devastating and it didn't help that my so called friends weren't there for me.I deleted all of them from Facebook and now here I am almost two years later and finishing up my fourth term in my junior year. The last thing I wanted is pity.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

We don't need your pity.I didn't pass my third quarter of the program. It was devastating and it didn't help that my so called friends weren't there for me.I deleted all of them from Facebook and now here I am almost two years later and finishing up my fourth term in my junior year. The last thing I wanted is pity.

I'm not trying to give "pity". I truly miss the friends I've lost!

We just lost another classmate today. She's a wonderful person. Luckily, she gets to repeat next semester and will graduate the class behind us. I'm sorry you had a negative experience, but the intent of my post wasn't aimed at "pity". It's truly hard to lose people you like.

I'm glad to hear your 2nd go-round is going well. Good luck to you :)

[sjalv]

We don't need your pity.I didn't pass my third quarter of the program. It was devastating and it didn't help that my so called friends weren't there for me.I deleted all of them from Facebook and now here I am almost two years later and finishing up my fourth term in my junior year. The last thing I wanted is pity.

That sounds really unpleasant. It's called being a decent person. 'We don't need your pity.' - maybe that's why your friends "weren't there" for you.

[MedChica]

They were bounced for 'sterile technique' but a good student? Weirdness. Can they appeal?

Some people just clam up during skill assessments and clinicals.

I passed NCLEX, first time with 85 questions. Most nurses that I work with assume that I'm more experienced. One nursing student whose known me since I was a CNA asked me if I felt nervous on the floor because I appeared so confident.

...but I know for a fact that I never came across that way in nursing school labs. Work is one thing; school is another. I am a 'hands on' learner. If I do a task once, I'll remember it forever.

Of course, you practice like you perform but there's a way to go about it. I, personally, don't like to perform in front of a nitpicking audience. I generally don't get visibly nervous but situations like that leave me feeling and behaving in a very flustered manner. I remember one of our instructors used to put us on the spot in front of the class to do mock scenarios and answer questions. I could not stand it. I was dinged on 'participation'. Often.

I couldn't actually focus on what I was supposed to be doing or the questions thrown at me because I was under the microscope with 30 pairs of eyes watching me. I'd just say and do whatever to sit down as soon as possible and be left alone. Yes, I usually looked like an idiot. Yes, I looked unprepared. Often.

[MedChica]

It was difficult to progress through the semesters without your friends, though.

Even the difficult personalities. I lost two friends 'during'. To the day, I assumed that they both would make it. We studied and everthing. I was like, "You better pass, b----!"

When they didn't? The rest of my time, I kept to myself. I don't like change.

You know what it's like, having these funny insights to make during class/about school and no one to share it with? Of course, the class regrouped but it wasn't the same.

Eventually, I just embraced my new-found loner status and stopped trying to make fetch...'happen'. LOL

On the upside, I was always thrilled when one who doubted if they could pull that 86 on the final does...and managed to squeak by. Even if I didn't care for them. I congratulate, anyway.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm not trying to give "pity". I truly miss the friends I've lost!

We just lost another classmate today. She's a wonderful person. Luckily, she gets to repeat next semester and will graduate the class behind us. I'm sorry you had a negative experience, but the intent of my post wasn't aimed at "pity". It's truly hard to lose people you like.

I'm glad to hear your 2nd go-round is going well. Good luck to you :)

As someone who has been that "lost" classmate, I am just letting you know how it feels to be on the other side of the table. It is really difficult to return that next year having to face the "friends" that got to go ahead of you. The last thing a person needs is looks of pity and I got the impression that this was what this thread was about from the tone of your post...pity.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

That sounds really unpleasant. It's called being a decent person. 'We don't need your pity.' - maybe that's why your friends "weren't there" for you.

I think you need to be reminded that personal attacks are not allowed on allnurses, and if you cannot post without making personal attacks, then do not post at all.

Thanks.