Troubled nursing student

DoGoodThenGo · Jan 23, 2014

Hi, to make a long story short...I got in the ADN Nursing program with a 3.16. I failed 2 classes and got dismissed and now my gpa is a 2.81. I made the mistake of my life when I took micrbiology with these Nursing classes and now I might never get reaccepted. This is so unfair, I worked hard to get to where I am and I don't know what else to do...P.S.- I passed microbiology with the lab, as for the nursing classes, we're required to take 4 nursing classes 1st semester and I passed 2 of the 4.

Sorry to hear about your situation, but you don't say what program.

In any event lack of specific information probably wouldn't matter, if the program clearly spelled out grounds for retention and or dismissal the only thing you can now is either seek reinstatement (if possible), or start over somewhere else.

Sadly many nursing programs will not accept anyone that has been removed for academic or other reasons from a previous program. However there maybe some that will but you'd have to get your GPA back above a 3.0 to even qualify.

Have you tried to appeal your dismissal? If that option is not open you may wish to look into other nursing programs. If your current school is a CUNY program do not think other ADN schools in that system will allow you to apply either, but you may want to look into that option. Other choices would be private nursing programs like Saint Paul's.

Your situation while sad is hardly unique. Most all nursing programs have limits on failing and or repeated courses. If anything things have gotten stricter over the years with some schools refusing to accept any repeated courses. Students have been bounced out of nursing programs in their senior year for failing by one percentage point.

While it does seem unfair there is a method behind the madness. There is enough statistical research linking high academic achievement in nursing schools with passage of the boards on first attempt. Programs have responded to his by raising the bar and clamping down on repeat courses. Back in the 1980's must CUNY ADN programs allowed only *one* failure of either a nursing or core related class with a repeat.

Nursing pursuit · Jan 23, 2014

Thanks for responding. I'm in the 2 year RN program at a private school and I did appeal the decision along with sending a letter. I won't find out until February if I'm going to get accepted in the Fall. I only have one class to take this semester which is a psychology class but if I don't get accepted then I might be taking this class for nothing. I've tried researching other schools but none of them can take me in. With the exception of this psychology class, I have every other class out of the way including A&P 1,2 micro. etc.. It's really stressful just waiting because if the committee says no then its pretty much a permanent decision.

Nursing pursuit · Jan 23, 2014

Where is Saint Paul's? I'm from Buffalo ny.

DoGoodThenGo · Jan 23, 2014

No, the Saint Pau's schools one was thinking of are in NYC and were formerly Saint Vincent's. This is why you need to give detailed information when making posts! *LOL*

Anyway there is no use sweating things until you know what the decision is regarding your appeal. Until then concentrate on doing well (as in an "A") in your remaining classes.

Yes, there is a very good chance that other nursing programs will not accept you for admission, but we've covered that already. Even if they did you'd probably have to apply as a new student and repeat at least the nursing classes.

If the worse comes to it, you have a few options though neither is certain.

Finish your associates in another major, then go on for a four year degree. Afterwards apply to a second degree RN program. Be warned many BSN programs again will not accept a student that was removed from a previous nursing school for cause. However there is the chance you may be able to find one that will overlook your past on that matter.

Finish your associates in another major then try for a LPN. If you succeed there once licensed go for a bridge program to become a RN.

Either consider transferring or applying as a new freshmen to an ADN program elsewhere in the state that will take you. See above, but again you never know.

Finally there is the Excelsior program: Excelsior College | The School of Nursing at Excelsior College

Before leaving will give my standard advice to persons in your situation. Before rushing out to get back on the nursing program horse, some sort of deep soul searching should take place. All nursing programs are not easy, and if you failed out the first time what if anything will you do if or when you are admitted to another? Look at your grades and take an honest evaluation of your efforts. If you really gave the best you could and still couldn't pass the first time, what makes you so sure you'll do so the second time around?

The fact you failed *two* nursing classes is troubling. If you were sitting on the fence with barely a "C" average or whatever minimum for passing was at your former school, that is sitting very close to the window's edge in any nursing school. It means one push and out you go.

Nursing pursuit · Jan 23, 2014

Hold on, get an A.A.S in something else then go for LPN? Why would I do that? If I wanted to be an LPN I could get started in that immediately for this spring semester. However, I don't want that route unless its my last option. I wrote a well though out letter to the readmission committee about what I would do differently and I have my own copy on the steps of what I would do differently. Not only that I'm making appointments with advisors and my nursing instructors to discuss what I was doing wrong. The thing is when you take pre-nursing classes together with major nursing classes, your low on time. Open labs would conflict with my microbiology classes making it tough for me to study. I felt like my schedule was really jammed pack. Believe me, I wouldn't go back to retake these classes unless I knew where I went wrong and thats what I'm doing right now...I know that there is no easy Nursing program, I'm aware of that.

nur18 · Jan 24, 2014

When I was in school I know of a student that fail two classes and appealed and he was allowed to finish. But in his case it was not in the same semester. So don't give up go through the appeal process and see how that goes.

Cuny kbcc

Nursing pursuit · Jan 24, 2014

Thanks nur18. I should find out in early February.

DoGoodThenGo · Jan 24, 2014

Hold on, get an A.A.S in something else then go for LPN? Why would I do that? If I wanted to be an LPN I could get started in that immediately for this spring semester. However, I don't want that route unless its my last option. I wrote a well though out letter to the readmission committee about what I would do differently and I have my own copy on the steps of what I would do differently. Not only that I'm making appointments with advisors and my nursing instructors to discuss what I was doing wrong. The thing is when you take pre-nursing classes together with major nursing classes, your low on time. Open labs would conflict with my microbiology classes making it tough for me to study. I felt like my schedule was really jammed pack. Believe me, I wouldn't go back to retake these classes unless I knew where I went wrong and thats what I'm doing right now...I know that there is no easy Nursing program, I'm aware of that.

Why go for an LPN? Well was trying to be nice and offer assistance but quite frankly after failing out of one RN program your options are few and limited towards finding another. Perhaps if all this occurred ten, twenty or thirty years ago and you are an "older" student starting from scratch a RN program *may* not bother about your current situation, but as it is all recent history you can rest assured it will come up at most every ADN or BSN program you apply. RN programs of all types have more applicants than they can manage and are turning away students each semester. Therefore most have no reason to "lower" their entry standards for any reason.

For the record some RN students that failed out of a program have done just that; obtain a LPN and bridge over to a RN. If you *REALLY* want to be a registered nurse and have had some set backs, you'll need to keep all your options open to reach your goal.

Good luck with your appeal,

DGTG

Nursing pursuit · Jan 24, 2014

Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude Dogoodthengo. I like your suggestions but I was looking for the shortest route possible to go back into nursing. Today, I'm actually starting my first day of my last remaining pre-requiste class so I'm going to go hard and hopefully I can get reaccepted. Thanks!