Why Do People Fail Nursing School?

[Pachinko]

I found out not too long ago that I've been accepted into a second career accelerated BSN program. I've been combing through some of the threads here and have read a lot about retention rates for schools, what causes people to be dropped from programs, etc. Some of the reasons for students being dropped are obvious, as with the student nurse who was throwing hypodermics at her patient like the were darts :uhoh21: Other people indicate that its the difficulty of the courses that weeds people out.

In your experience, what are the most common reasons for people being dropped from, or failing, their nursing programs? (In case it wasn't obvious, I'm trying to anticipate challenges that might pop up!)

[gallatea]

Can only go by experience - what I've seen?

#1 - most I've seen simply do not pass a final exam and have to retake it or take a year off or leave permanently. The program is rigorous, and stressful, not to mention long including prerequisites.

Family drama - saw one drop out because of that.

Stress & insomnia - some realize halfway through they are about to lose it and have so much stress they drop out. And I'm not talking about women with a big family or a job outside school. It can be that stressful for *some*.

Illness - seen someone drop right away as he felt his past illness would be exacerbated by the stress of nursing school.

And yes, have seen instructors ride a student so bad they drop out. It was heart breaking.

One more thing - most make it, so don't put too much weight on this - with all programs and degrees people drop out for all of the above. That's just life.

[gallatea]

As much as I hate to say it, we had instructors that would try their best to get you thrown from the program if they didn't like you. They would ride students until they were in tears or would up and quit. Of course, it has been nearly 17 years since I have been in school, but I doubt things have changed too much.

Nurses "eat their young" in the hospital setting, wht not in the classroom?

FYI, things haven't changed. Brown nosing still works too. The more you have in common w/ your instructor - the better things can turn out. Some of the younger ones did not know how to finesse the situation. First win their hearts, then work your ass off. Have a thick skin too. Being competent alone didn't always work. If they saw you were weak, they would peck you like a vulture on a carcass.