What it takes to fail

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hi everyone. it seems i have read through a lot of threads about failing lately. so i'm curious, what does it take to fail... ie, get kicked out? i know every school/program is probably different, but what's it like in your school? i'm going into ns in the fall. is it taking a test twice and failing? failing a class? is it really super easy to get kicked out of the nursing program? this worries me much. :banghead:

thanks,

jenna

Specializes in Rural Nursing = Med/Surg, ER, OB, ICU.

The nursing school I attend in Colorado has a failing average of 78%. If at anytime your average for any class falls below 78% you are out. This is not for just one exam but for the average grade for the class.

The nursing school I attend in Colorado has a failing average of 78%. If at anytime your average for any class falls below 78% you are out. This is not for just one exam but for the average grade for the class.

Mind if I ask where you are in Colorado? I am in CO as well!

As best I remember, when I went to school, people who failed one or more nursing classes were allowed to repeat, but there were limitations on repeats (only one) and stipulations about your overall average. Students having problems were required to meet with the retention coordinator, who would assist them. The whole process was tightened up during the period of time that the curriculum change was being implemented and many people were dropped during this time because they got caught up in this. Something to take into consideration, no matter how large or small your school, is that nursing instructors communicate with each other, so if a person starts to project an image of being a non-performer, they will be scrutinized for removal from the program. Different schools have different criteria. And within these schools, you may find individual instructors who are presenting the material or grading at different levels, just like in regular classes. Personality conflicts can also come into play. You can find some examples of instructor/student mismatch on this board. It is always best to give 100% and try to keep oneself off academic probation. Asking for help early if you find you're not "getting it" will prevent failing in many cases. Never try to go it alone or wait until the last minute or expect the instructor to come to you when you need help. Good luck in your schooling and I hope you are successful.

Added thought: I forgot to say that students repeating classes were always on a "space avail" basis. So, added stress of signing up for classes last, getting what was left, but only if avail. They could always tell you that there was "no room for you". No recourse to this b/c as far as the school was concerned they were doing you a big favor by allowing you to remain.

Specializes in Rural Nursing = Med/Surg, ER, OB, ICU.

I am on the Eastern Plains of Colorado. Work in Wray go to school in Fort Morgan, Co at Morgan Community College....You?

Specializes in PCU/Hospice/Oncology.

In my school it goes by section. A section is 4 tests which is four class meetings. ( we get tested every class ). If you fail a section, youre out of the program and have to reapply for entry into the same term to retake it.

GI failed out the most students this term. Ironically endocrine and cardio, claimed by many to be that most difficult, were easier for most of my class then GI. Odd :)

It will probably depend on your school. My school will only let you repeat a class twice (

Specializes in PCU/Hospice/Oncology.

Our school only lets you fail twice. Then its mandatory to start over from term 2 if you wish to try and continue. Our class size is 24 students and usually of those 20 graduate each term.

I think every school is different

Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

My poor brother took one semester at a university to establish and then was let into the nursing program. This year the college thought they would try something new. They raised the GPA from 2.5 to 2.75 to stay in the program, he received a 2.71 and was out. He aced his clinicals but didn't make the cut with his fundamentals class. He struggled with the whole critical thinking thing. The sad thing is he asked for help repeatedly and was denied. And also his nursing counselor was his instructor. Go figure!!!

At my school if you fail one class you get kicked out and have to start all over. The students who are failing were told what they need on the finals in order to pass the class (finals next week). Some need between a 78 to 95 :banghead: on the A&P finals in order to pass and I don't know how they are going to do it if they failed all the other tests.

At my school you need to pass in three separate areas: pass clinicals, pass lab with a 75% or better and pass theory with a 75% or better. Out of 32 students 8 failed (25%) the theory portion. They may possibly be readmitted on a space avail basis at some point in time. It's not that the theory tests are hard. The problem is there's so few tests with only 20 questions apiece. Many students overthink the questions and think the teacher is trying to trick them. Some really don't study and think since they've already gotten into the program it will be a breeze. I spent a lot of time and money on buying NCLEX materials which really helped. You have to keep up with the work. Out of those 8 people that failed, one really bombed but the others missed by a few points. It's sad to see them go, but you really have to buckle down and work. Good luck. You can do it.

All depends on your school's pass rate and what other factors go into your grade. Ours is 80% (i.e 79.4= failing). Also the first semester we had a few papers and quizzes that factored in. Then we had one paper the next semester. Now the 3rd semester only the exams (4 of them) count and the final. Therefore, you can't really afford to mess up any exams b/c each one is 20%! Also we have loads of clinical paperwork to do every week but it does not factor into our grade (it is pass/fail). I think it is easy to fail b/c it is unlike any other school you have ever been though. If you fail one exam, you will keep failing if you don't get a handle on the material. The material never "goes away" once you learn it like it may with other subjects (i.e I'm never going to use this again) Oh yes you will!!

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