Denial Back Into program

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Upon receiving a letter today signed by my school president stating that my appeal for reinstatement had been denied, I felt my heart drop. The meeting with the appeal committee had in my opinion gone very well and I felt very optimistic that I would be allowed back in. I was recently diagnosed with ADD and had even provided the committee with a written statement, which was accompanied with a doctors note. What should I do now? I feel that if the president of the school signed the letter I am doomed. I was told I have an opportunity to re-appeal the decision, but is it even worth the effort? Disappointment and humiliation cannot even begin to describe what I am feeling at this moment. When I look in my sons face all I see is how let him down and the fact I am not good enough.

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Specializes in Maternity.

Is there more to this? You can't be denied due to ADD.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Did you focus your appeal on your ADD, or what happened to cause you to fail? While ADD can interfere with study and focus, it is seen as a crutch when an appeal is based on it. Also, unless you had very severe ADD (which would be odd for it to just be diagnosed in adulthood), then it would not be the only reason for failure. The school wants to see that you can admit what YOU did wrong, and that you have evaluated what YOU could have done better, then they want to see a plan for moving forward and how you will pass if readmitted. Getting treatment for your ADD can be used to show only part of what you have done to ensure you succeed if readmitted, you will also need to let them know what you will do for yourself. GL is you re appeal.

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What happened that got you kicked out of the program in the first place?

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During orientation, we were advised to apprise the school of disabilities that would require accommodation. Your post reads like...I was in program, all of a sudden I found out I failed...then out of nowhere you uncovered you had a disability, so how could they deny me? Obviously, there is more going on with your situation. I have children as well. If I was at the bar instead of studying, which resulted in being booted from program, then yeah, I would have a difficult time looking in their eyes. If I gave my all, and it wasn't enough, i would pull myself together for them, and find another way to succeed. Children unlike adults, find ways to justify loving us, despite our shortcomings. Get back up and brush yourself off, regroup, and give it your all for your son. He will be proud of you regardless for trying.

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There were a few different circumstances which led to my dismissal. I unfortunately went into a couple finals with a low average which is was caused me to fail. I did go in and see tutors and other nursing staff in order to help me understand materials better. I do not party and I did a lot of studying but still couldn't manage. I was embarrassed to get a diagnosis early enough and that is probably why they looked at the sudden diagnosis as an issue. I have had problems with academics my whole life, it s like a bad cycle that has been occurring since grade school. I am not sure how ADD could be used as a crutch as I have been prescribed medication which is supposed to help me concentrate better. I have heard of individuals being allowed back in with no issues. Do you believe there is another way I could persuade the president to allow me back in? Every other school in my area has such a long wait list.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Did the school specify the reason for denial? Such as "you haven't shown sufficient remediation in your weak academic areas that would increase your academic success so we cannot offer you readmission".

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

Sometimes, as hard as you work, one's grades are just not up to snuff for certain pursuits. Most schools have two strike policies in which you can fail one class and retake it, but if you fail a second class, you're out.

It sounds like you failed more than one class in a single semester. Is that right? And there were other circumstances, aside from academics, like maybe errors in clinical? School officials want students who can succeed in the curriculum, and it's possible that they've determined that your performance academically and clinically does not bode well for your ability to successfully complete the program, hence the denial of reinstatement.

Nursing school can be difficult, and maybe the academic problems you are facing now and have faced all your life, by your own admittance, will prevent you from becoming a nurse. I know that's difficult to deal with, but the academic expectations are also necessary to help ensure a minimum competency for the stressful and life-and-death nature of nursing.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

At this point, I would suggest you take a different strategy. You got diagnosed with ADD recently, despite years of academic hardship. You did do well enough to get into nursing school once... but now that you've been bounced out, take some time to get used to your medication, find a study skills course or even a mentor that knows ADD/ADHD to teach you how you will need to study from here on forward. Then go forth and take some college-level courses that are sufficiently rigorous that you can give them a solid sense that you're really capable of successfully completing the program.

Why not ask them what would make them reconsider you and allow you to reenter the program? It might be worth it so you know that you legitimately have a chance to reenter.

My concern is this: if you don't do the steps above, you'll continue to have problems academically anywhere you go. Changing programs won't help you succeed. That just changes where you are. Like the old saying goes, "wherever you go, there you are."

I suspect that your road to nurse won't be a short one. It'll be a voyage of self-discovery and relearning and in the end, you'll look back on your journey and you should be amazed at your accomplishment, if not in complete awe. My 2nd time around in nursing school was totally different than the first and I'm not the same person I was when I started, and certainly not when I failed out and was amazed they allowed me back in.

Yes, I had issues the first time through. It was rough, actually. The second time through? I maintained a good GPA and was the student they rarely had to visit because I wasn't the one they had to worry about. I don't know if they'd decided to gamble with my readmission, but I certainly proved capable. Show them that you're truly capable, and they may be willing to readmit you too.

Good luck.

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Ok...you need to look at how you worded your "circumstances" which resulted in dismissal. My feeling is you are having a hard time accepting that you are responsible for your situation. Many posts to students in your situation offer advice concerning ownership of failure and plans to remedy weak areas. Honestly, you shouldn't be embarrassed of your condition, but you should have some feeling about not actualizing your condition, and allowing your condition to get the best of you. You let yourself down by not being true to yourself. Many people choose helping professions with the idea of helping others, but often times we are helping ourselves as well. Self discovery, pushing past our comfort zones - over all evolution as human beings. The field you have chosen places you in a position to impact others in situations you would probably define as embarrassing for you and them. You have to be willing to help yourself in order to help others, this demonstrates maturity on your end. Reading your words I feel bad for you because you had yourself set up for failure before you started. When people suggest conditions like yours are labeled crutches, it is because some speak of the condition as if it defines who they are, and this mentality breeds the perception of emotional and mental weakness. Obviously, strong and competent professionals are expected to have strength and stability. To sum this all up, you are not your condition, it is an obstacle you conquer on your path to where you want to go. You will grow from this experience, so get your mind right and don't beat yourself next time.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You have the option to appeal; my question is, if you want to be a nurse, despite your challenges, do you have an action plan on improvement?

You have to show what are you going to do to improve; sometimes one needs to step back, dust oneself off in order to be successful.

As another poster indicated, you obviously were able to complete the pre-req's to enter a nursing program; whatever pitfalls you endured, what missteps can you reflect on that you can improve?

Nursing school is very intensive, and requires a form of a plan from study skills and test taking skills in order to be able to succeed.

I have failed nursing school before, due to my test anxiety and mood disorder traits having a cyclothymia trait; I dusted myself off, and went to an intensive PN program and passed my NCLEX the first time; my previous program could not understand why I wasn't passing, but didn't look close enough to the reasons why.

I was a LPN for five years and successfully passed a BSN program and passed my boards the first time-again; this time having physical challenges and PTSD and that was because I had a plan in place and adhered to it in order to be successful.

On this forum, there are many of us that have many issues and challenges and are successful as nurses; I am sure there are nurses on this forum that have ADD as well; make your plan of success for YOU and your son, whatever you decide.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in ICU.

Yet again, I have to agree with Lady Free. Everyone has a story and you successfully completed your prereqs. My sister was diagnosed with ADHD in college. She made it through just fine before and after the diagnosis and earned her doctorate. I myself filed for divorce from an abusive marriage and signed up for school in the same week.

My point is, we all have issues and stories of hardship to endure and we manage to get through. If I were you I would look at other programs and see where you can get in. Take responsibility for what happened and move on.

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