BSN Program Dismissal

[gdoland4]

Hi there,

I am going to do my best to keep this short, but I am in need of advice. A little bit about me: I am from upstate NY; I switched my major from BioMed to Nursing, and double majored in both Nursing and Public Health; and I have severe testing anxiety. I began a BSN program during the Spring '23 semester. The program was set up in 5 semesters. For years, I have never been the best test taker. I know the content and am definitely better at showing my skills hands on or through various assignments. Testing anxiety is something I am still working to overcome, but I am also the type of student that signs up for tutoring services for each class during syllabus week. This past Spring '24 semester, AKA the 3rd semester and halfway point of the program, is known to be the hardest semester because it involves Med Surg II, Pediatrics, and Maternity. One of the downsides also regarding this semester was that the usual professors for each of these courses were on leave. So, I had my Pharmacology professor teaching Med Surg II, and our Global Healthcare Systems professor teaching Maternity. 

Within the first few weeks of classes, I contracted mono and was out for two weeks. As some of you may already know, the symptoms from mono can last for 6 months. I continued to push myself through the semester but began to struggle with both Maternity and Pediatrics. So, rather than just attending group tutoring sessions, I also set up appointments for individual sessions with my tutors and met with each of my professors once a week to go through any questions I had regarding the new/old content, and to prepare for each exam. I also purchased additional workbooks which had practice NCLEX style questions that were specific to each course. 

In terms of working in the clinical setting, I can honestly say that I excelled. Each of my clinical instructors had stated that they impressed with my attention to detail and the passion I had in helping each of my patients. 

As the semester came closer to the end, I was able to improve both of my grades in Pediatrics and Maternity, but my Med Surg II grade decreased. I spoke with my advisor, who was also the head of the program, and she told me that if I were to fail two courses, there is nothing that she nor anyone else can do to "save" me. It was too late to withdraw from any of the courses, so I attempted to pass Pediatrics and Maternity. Obviously, I still tried to pass Med Surg II, but if I failed only one course, then I would still be able to stay in the program and repeat it next semester. 

The first final exam I took was Maternity. I felt like I passed for sure. Until I received my final grade a few hours later: I failed by 1.275 points. It wasn't part of my original plan, and I was beyond heartbroken, but I knew what I had to do: Later that day, I messaged my advisor and said I would like to drop the nursing program and graduate this May with my other bachelor's in public health. 

I still took the other two final exams later that week even after dropping the program, and I passed Pediatrics, but just as I predicted, I did fail Med Surg II. One week later after the final grades were officially released, I received an email stating that I was dismissed from the program. 

I know in my heart I still want to be a nurse. I have the support from my clinical instructors, and some of my professors that want me to succeed in this goal. I am just scared because I am not sure where to start. I don't even know if I should include the "program dismissal" in my new college applications since I technically dropped the program prior to final grades being officially released. Some programs are not willing to accept students who have been dismissed from other programs. I just feel hopeless. I want to be a nurse, but I don't know how to do that given my situation.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Is there an appeals process? You may be able to appeal with what was going on. Be prepared to have a plan to explain that will help you overcome and be successful.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

I don't understand.  Is your school not giving you an opportunity to repeat the courses?  Ask about this.

At my school, they really wanted everyone to graduate.  It looks bad when students don't graduate in terms of performance statistics for the school.  We had students that had to take a year off and then they came back, repeated some courses, and finished.  

You could also see if there are other schools that you can transfer in to.

I'm so sorry you are going through this, and I am extremely disappointed in your school.

[Glycerine82, LPN]

They should allow you to start again, even if you have to wait until the next time it comes around. 
 

The thing about nursing school is it's more about learning the information and then applying it while teaching you how to critically think and less about memorization etc.  you have to really understand and digest the information, if you can do that you'll be fine. 

[londonflo]

I would recommend you find out if you will have "withdrew Failing" WF, or have 2 F's for the courses Maternity and Med-Surg on your transcript. (If you had withdrawn from the nursing program, how were you allowed to take the Pediatric Final and the Med-Surg final?) I think you also need to find out if your success with the Pediatric Course will be on your transcript and count as passing the course. 

I also would recommend you contact clinical faculty for a letter of reference that states they were impressed with your attention to detail and passion for nursing. I would also suggest you ask your tutors for a letter of reference that states you sought out there help from the beginning of the class with testing skills. 

Yes, you need to acknowledge you attended this program in future college applications. If you received financial aid there will be a record of your request and payment, I believe.

Can you work using your Public Health degree to establish your continued interest in healthcare? 

I know you are terribly disappointed with the situation you are in now. But, you made it  through 2 full semesters of nursing and passed one subject in the third. Don't be so sure you will not be accepted into another nursing program! But do understand you may have to start all over. 

Why not make an appointment with the Dean/Director to describe your positive attributes, your motivation throughout the semester to meet the objectives and the impact your health problem had on your success. 

I wish you the best .. 

 

 

[gdoland4]

Rose_Queen said:

Is there an appeals process? You may be able to appeal with what was going on. Be prepared to have a plan to explain that will help you overcome and be successful.

Unfortunately, the appeal deadline has already passed. Prior to the deadline, I asked the head of the program (who's also my advisor) for more information regarding the appeal process, however she said that even if I submit an appeal, it would not be approved. She didn't really give me a reason as to why except for mentioning that it is usually never approved.

[gdoland4]

londonflo said:

I would recommend you find out if you will have "withdrew Failing" WF, or have 2 F's for the courses Maternity and Med-Surg on your transcript. (If you had withdrawn from the nursing program, how were you allowed to take the Pediatric Final and the Med-Surg final?) I think you also need to find out if your success with the Pediatric Course will be on your transcript and count as passing the course. 

I also would recommend you contact clinical faculty for a letter of reference that states they were impressed with your attention to detail and passion for nursing. I would also suggest you ask your tutors for a letter of reference that states you sought out there help from the beginning of the class with testing skills. 

Yes, you need to acknowledge you attended this program in future college applications. If you received financial aid there will be a record of your request and payment, I believe.

Can you work using your Public Health degree to establish your continued interest in healthcare? 

I know you are terribly disappointed with the situation you are in now. But, you made it  through 2 full semesters of nursing and passed one subject in the third. Don't be so sure you will not be accepted into another nursing program! But do understand you may have to start all over. 

Why not make an appointment with the Dean/Director to describe your positive attributes, your motivation throughout the semester to meet the objectives and the impact your health problem had on your success. 

I wish you the best .. 

 

 

Hi there,

I have never heard of the term "WF". I will have to check my transcript and see what it says.

I will definitely reach out to my clinical instructors and ask them to write a letter for me. I think that is a great idea!

In terms of Public Health, I have been trying my best to find a job in that field, however most of the jobs that I have seen available require a Master's Degree rather than a Bachelor's.

I truly appreciate your kind words and advice. This process hasn't been easy, and it means a lot to know that someone out there is rooting for me!!

[londonflo]

gdoland4 said:

I have never heard of the term "WF". I will have to check my transcript and see what it says.

If your school had a deadline for dropping the course to have a W (which means withdraw) by a certain date, you will have a W on your transcript. There is no indication of what your grade was at that time. But if there is a deadline and you drop or fail after that date, the transcript says WF for withdraw failing. 

gdoland4 said:

In terms of Public Health, I have been trying my best to find a job in that field, however most of the jobs that I have seen available require a Master's Degree rather than a Bachelor's

Of course I don't know the size of your city or public health department but some have a position of health educator or something like that.  

For example ..My Health Department has a position open like that and these are the qualifications

Quote

Bachelor's degree in health education, behavioral or biological science

I wish you the best luck in your future -- and you do have a great future ahead!