Failed clinical - How will this affect my ability to get a job?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hi Nurse Beth,

I have seen many of your articles pertaining to new grad nurses and they have all been very informative and useful. I am a nursing student and when I apply for jobs, I will be sure to use the articles.

I have a particular question regarding my situation. I have three withdraws in nursing classes because of medical reasons. Besides that, I also did not pass a clinical. My other nursing grades have been mostly A's and just very few A-s.

New grad programs such as UCLA, CHLA, etc ask for transcripts and will see that I failed a nursing class, even though I have repeated it.

How will the fact that I failed a clinical and had to withdraw affect me getting into a new grad program and what can I do about it?

Thank you.

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Dear Failed Clinical,

Don't worry.

Not all employers ask for transcripts. Of those that do, it's unlikely that they are going to go through your transcripts with a fine-tooth comb to discover that you withdrew and repeated a class or clinical. If they do, and if you are asked, a simple explanation is all that's needed.

I experienced some health problems during school but they are completely resolved now”.

This is definitely not a game-changer as far as your future in nursing is concerned.

Your job now is to apply yourself and get through nursing school. There is nothing you can do about the past but plenty you can do to ensure your future. I hope this helps you let it go and keep moving forward.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think Nurse Beth is a little too optimistic in this response. Employers who ask for transcripts often look at them. They will see those negative entries and will want assurance that they will not have to be dealing with your personal problems if they hire you. They will be wanting to know that you will bring your "best self" to work, not your "worst."

What evidence can you include in your application to show that the negative things on your record will not repeat themselves? That's the question. I recently hired someone who had failed a clinical -- and who presented a glowing letter of recommendation from that course's instructor saying that the failure had been related to some personal issues that were resolved now -- and that when the student had re-taken the clinical, she had been outstanding in her performance. That letter of recommendation was important in easing my mind that hiring this new grad might be worth the risk. I had been impressed with the way she handled it in the interview and the letter tipped the scale in her favor.

Can you get such a recommendation? If you could get a few outstanding letters, I believe it would help you. Also, will you be providing any references from recent employers who can attest to your work performance? That would be important, too. If not, I would seek a part time job now -- or do volunteer work -- so that you can add a great work reference to your job application.

Finally, practice how you are going to discuss it in your interview. The person who impressed me so much with her interview brought up the topic at the beginning of the interview ... talked about the situation ... told me what she learned from it ... pointed out her very positive letters of recommendation ... and asked openly for a chance to prove herself. I was impressed by her forthright approach and her recommendations and I hired her.

Getting a good job is mostly about showing the employer that you ARE the right person for the job. The first step is to actually BE the right person for the job. Then provide evidence. Gather good evidence of your worthiness and demonstrate that you are worthy throughout the application process.

Good luck to you.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

That letter of recommendation was important in easing my mind that hiring this new grad might be worth the risk. I had been impressed with the way she handled it in the interview and the letter tipped the scale in her favor.

Good suggestion. Their overall impression of you is a composite of many things- your cover letter, resume, letters of reference, the way you carry/present yourself, sense of genuineness, in some cases, transcripts.

Like llg said, it's showing that you are the right person for the job.You know you are- you have to make they know you are as well!

Best wishes, Beth