Survivors' guilt -- losing classmates

LaVorneRN · Apr 2, 2003

I had a couple of classmates not get to the end of the road with me. I didn't feel guilty just sorry for the ones who I knew worked as hard as I did and missed by a 0.? It sucks to get almost to the end of a struggle with someone and they not make it with you. Guilt isn't what I felt though. Just disappointed. I have kept in touch with one friend who is graduating on the 30th. I and other classmates have been a support system for her. She didn't resent us because she knew we we pulling for her. Those who don't pull their weight and don't make it? Well that's just too bad. Better luck next time.

TinyNurse, RN · Apr 14, 2003

We've lost about 35 students at my school. Most were my friends, young single moms, working and going to school, managing a ton of things.

This last year has been tough without them, but I realized I have to do it, so that I can guarantee my future.

My best friend in the entire world failed out, then entered the LPN program, which she failed out of last quarter. We still work out and take our kids to the park together.

Other friends I don't really see or talk to .

It's definitely sad, especially when your friends need that degree just as bad, or worse than you do.

Jenni

60 days left

ADN on June 13, 2003

nursejenrad · Apr 14, 2003

I am in a BSN program and we start our 10 week med/surg at the end of April. How was it? I worked on med/surge for 2 years but it has been 2 years and I just want to get it over with. My school makes us go individually and I wish I had someone to lean on. Oh well, thats the breaks

Bevi · Apr 14, 2003

Hi,

For those of you who are continuing students, what would you say are the areas in which people who "fail out" have problems in? Is it the math that gets em.....? the theory? clinicals? I ask this because the rate of failure for some of your programs seem sooooo high! What are your observations and opinions?

Bev )

nursejenrad · Apr 14, 2003

The classmates we have lost so far have been for a variety of reasons. A few flunked out of pharm and A&P. (They are not allowed to go on if a grade is unacceptable and will have to take it again when it is avail) It will be interesting to see how we all do with this clinical rotation. I do know that several of us are just burned out. Most of us have FT jobs and kids and now we add clinicals on the weekends after class all day Saturday. It's insane. I work Mon-Fri, class Sat morning and will have a clinical from 2p-10. I do not want to stop, but it is hard. Have to keep thinking of the big picture. Im a zombie half the time. Any good advice?

TinyNurse, RN · Apr 14, 2003

In my class we actually didn't lose any students due to Math, or Pharmacology.

We lost alot of students taking anatomy concurrent to nursing.

We lost alot to the failing of video tapes ( yes we must video tape our skills, and either get pass/fail) failing one skill on tape leaves you out of the program.

Also, a few people just "decided" that nursing was definitely NOT for them.

We just lost 9 people in the cardiac quarter of senior year.

Jen

june 13, 2003 to graduate ADN

memphispanda, RN · Apr 14, 2003

In my class, most of the people fail the theory/lecture portion of the class. Maybe 2/semester have failed the math. We have had a few who failed both theory and clinical portions of the class. It's very hard to adjust to the style of testing my school uses. There are very few basic knowledge questions and tons that require you to analyze and prioritize.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Apr 15, 2003

Very interesting thread.

In my class, we have lost a few over the last couple of years. It's very hard when it is a person you 've become close to. Fortunately, I stay in touch with a couple of them and still do stuff with them. It's important to me to maintain these friends and contacts I feel that group success if my success. While I'm mostly concerned with my passing nursing school, the whole group passing is crucial and we all try to help where we can; they say our group is very "cohesive."

Z

Whisper · Apr 16, 2003

we've lost about 75 students in my cohort! I don't get survivors guilt, just areal big fear that it could be me next!

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2003

We have lost a few classmates. My friends aren't part of that group of people. I am waiting to see what happens as alot of people are failing the tests. I know I am passing. Our grade for clinical is either a pass/ fail. We haven't had anyone fail clinical yet. I keep up with alot of the ones that dropped only because we see each other during micro, or A&P. I do feel bad for the ones that are dropped in my class. One person had to drop because family issues were making it difficult for her to study. Sometimes it is a lack funds that causes problems. Sometimes it is a lack of trying as well. It is always sad when I see a familiar face leave the school.

Dublin37 · Apr 16, 2003

so can they reapply or do the year over or what? It seems so harsh to be 8 wks from graduation, and then have no hope of succeeding with all those goals they accomplished previously! The newspaper had a big article on the attrition rate at nursing colleges. If nurses are so desparately needed, they should have a program set up to help those struggling, not knock them out on their butts the moment they fall! What about mentors? Something! It scares the heck out of me that I will be one of those! Heather

P.S. Thanks for letting me vent!

FutureNurse2005 · Apr 17, 2003

I think I would feel slightly guilty as well. However, I would feel darn proud that I was still there!

You just have to keep on truckin' and dont let it interfere with your success. As much as we love and care about our friends, we still have to take care of #1!!

Hugs