Should I Try Again?

DalekRN · Jun 16, 2013

Doesn't hurt to try, but you may want to plan on taking those classes over with a tutor. Nursing school is even harder than the prerequisites too. It took me many semesters, tutors, seeing my profs in office hours, and diligent study groups to figure out how to study well enough to get good enough grades.

meeep, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2013

Depends on the school. Most schools will not accept someone who has been dismissed from another nursing program, regardless of the reason. Or if they do, a period of 5-7 years have to have passed. Your best bet is to research schools in regard to that stipulation. I would do that before you start retaking prereqs as that could be for nothing. As a last resort, you could go to one of those for profit schools. They typically will take someone who has been dismissed from a program. Good luck!

readyforachangenow · Jun 16, 2013

Another option is look into a LPN program and then bridge over to RN or BSN.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jun 17, 2013

What has changed that will ensure that you will pass the nursing classes? Past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Any school that considers you will ask you "What was the reason that you failed those classes, and what are your detailed plans to ensure that you will do better this time?" Best bet is to try to get into an LPN program. Doing well in that program will demonstrate that you have a better grasp of critical thinking questions and will look better in the eyes of the RN program admitting committee. They will not give someone a slot in their program that has already failed 2 nursing courses unless you have demonstrated that you have changed.

2ndsthebest · Jun 17, 2013

What has changed that will ensure that you will pass the nursing classes? Past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Any school that considers you will ask you "What was the reason that you failed those classes and what are your detailed plans to ensure that you will do better this time?" Best bet is to try to get into an LPN program. Doing well in that program will demonstrate that you have a better grasp of critical thinking questions and will look better in the eyes of the RN program admitting committee. They will not give someone a slot in their program that has already failed 2 nursing courses unless you have demonstrated that you have changed.[/quote']
I failed by a point in each class but failed nonetheless. My grandmother died. I was depressed. Anxiety. Was trying to manage being an RA. There was a whole lot going on. I should've dropped the courses but I truly believed I was going to do well enough on the finals to pass them.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jun 17, 2013

From personal experience, it is extremely difficult (even with a valid excuse) to get back into school once you have been dismissed. I ended up going into another healthcare career and came back to nursing school 15 yrs later. I am having a far easier time with the classes than last time.

Most programs make you wait 5 yrs to re-apply or completion of a different allied healthcare program (EMT,LPN, Respiratory, etc.).

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 17, 2013

From personal experience it is extremely difficult (even with a valid excuse) to get back into school once you have been dismissed... Most programs make you wait 5 yrs to re-apply or completion of a different allied healthcare program (EMT,LPN, Respiratory, etc.).[/quote'] ^I highlighted these parts of Don1984's quote because this is pretty much the norm. I was off by 1 point when I entered nursing school many moons ago, dusted off, went to PN school, was a LPN for 5 years when I entered my BSN program. I was eligible to return once I completed the LPN program and had a job-the advisor to my program informed me when I went to their open house.
I have been through this. There is life as a nurse after failing nursing school. :)