Can I do this if I really try?

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Hi everyone this is my first post though I have been reading others posts for awhile. I am 44 and start RN classes Sept 2. My orientation was last Wed. and I was doing fine until then. A second year RN student was answering questions at the end of orientation and she said that about half of her class had either failed or dropped out. Yikes! I have worked hard just to get accepted into RN school, and at least for me failure is not an option. I have always wanted to be a nurse, and I am trying to keep a fire in my belly saying "I think I can" but now even with determination I am a bit afraid. Someone please tell me I am not alone. Do the students that fail not give it their all, or is it so difficult even good students that really try fail?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

As an instructor, I think this RN was blowing smoke.

If 1/2 of a class failed or dropped out, I would probably lose my job. 50% loss rate is crazy high.

BUT, people do fail. I teach first year nursing courses, and I think the loss rate is about 8-10%. After than it lessens. We lose the most people the first year.

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Is your program selective admission? My school doesn't have that bad of a fail/drop rate at all. We only lost one person the first semester (failed a class and had to step back). Wow, nothing like a little inspiration at your orientation, eh :eek:?

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I took an Algebra 1 class this summer. It was just intro to Algebra...ya know, that class that is the lowest one possible that counts for college credit and is not a "remedial" class?

Halfway through our class, our professor got fired/lost his visa/whatever. All I know is that he dissapeared and another showed up. The new guy pushed us through chapters so fast our heads were spinning. It was a LOT of work, and heavily weighted homework, tests EVERY CLASS etc. (just trying to stress that it was NOT a "coast through" kind of class)

I would have to say that about 50% of the students in the class did not give even CLOSE to their all. Two dropped out just because they saw the new professor (after the end of the drop/add period). Two asked me for help w/ homework, only to tell me that they just wanted answers, and didnt actually want to learn how to do the problems. An assignment that was supposed to count for TEN PERCENT of our grade was 100 fairly long math problems, and I ran into a student on my way to class, 15 min before the bell, and she was ON HER WAY TO THE LIBRARY TO START THE ASSIGNMENT.

I only mention my experience with this class to show you how it really does happen that people go to college and then not give their all. That makes me truly feel that if I want it bad enough, I won't be part of that 50% that fails. I am 31 and have not taken a math class in over 13 years, yet I graduated this class with a 97%. When our class average on our exam was 65%, I got a 98. Not because I'm brilliant or anything, but because I put forth the effort.

Success is 98% persperation, 2% inspiration

:)

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scribbler this wasn't an RN she was a student, and the nursing class professors were right there so I think it was true even though I hope not. But it has me worried.:no:

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anurse to be yes it is selective. I was on the list for 3 years. Not nice at orientation or inspirational.:icon_roll

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scorpiostudent then I won't worry cause I will give it my best:wink2:

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I would be seriously worried too if there was a 50% drop out rate! Makes you wonder how a program could sustain themselves losing that many students!

Did the other instructors actually hear the student? Is there a possibility that they didn't hear that claim? If they DID hear and didn't say anything, it doesn't mean it is true. It does mean that these instructors may be the type to invoke fear tactics to increase student anxiety- which is not good.

If you have been assigned an academic advisor from the nursing program, I would talk to him/her to see if this is true. If you could get your hands on another nurse student or grad from the program, talk to them.

I would like to say that if you really try, you will be fine, but unfortunately that isn't always the case. If you are smart and have done well in the past in school, hopefully by working hard, you will be fine. However (and here is where my realistic nature comes in) I have seem some of the hardest working students fail classes because they just can't get it. Sadly not every one is smart enough.

I don't mean to be negative. But an individual's brain and ability can only take them so far. What I mean is I can want to be a physicist, I can study and work more towards that than any other student, but I would fail because I am JUST NOT SMART ENOUGH in that way. This is true in nursing as well. You can feel it is your calling and that you would be great at it, but it doesn't mean you will be successful.

What you CAN do is do your best, and hopefully your best is more than enough!

Good luck. Study. Don't procrastinate. Prioritize. And treat nursing school like a full-time job in which you can NEVER call in sick or put off an assignment.

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Well i would just have to say surround yourself with postive thinking. Also surrounding yourself with positive people. I will be starting the Nursing program Fall of 2009. I don't want to be around people who make remarks like that. You have worked hard to get where you are at, don't let someone destroy your dreams. Thoughts are powerful. I am 43 years old and a single mother of eight. I have to do what I have to do to make a better life for my family. I have no other options. I always wanted to be a NURSE and I currently work @ a hospital in Oncology. I work as a Patient Care Assistant. I had to cut my hours because school will be my life for a while. Hang in there, if you need support come to this forum there is many positve individuals here. verioncacarla:redbeathe

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Thanks all. I have a 3.7 GPA and I will not fail. I know I am smart enough. If the statistics about failure were accurate I say they did not apply themselves. Maybe still living on mom and dads, or hubbys income and thought this is SO hard. I talk tough don't I? Truth, I am afraid, but I think it is doable with determination.:D

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

If you have that high of a GPA, you should be just fine.

Hang in there.

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Thank you Scribbler that is exactly what I needed to hear:yeah: I knew I posted for a reason.

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