Dismissed, what now?

allnurses Guide · May 12, 2020

All you can do is apply and try. You may have quite an uphill battle. Be prepared to discuss your part in why you failed out and what you plan to do differently.

Consider also looking at other healthcare careers that pay well and have patient contact. Respiratory therapy, physical therapy assistant, surgical tech, etc.

nursepaloma, RN · May 12, 2020

Hello. I just wanted to say: things happen! I have had classmates that have failed 2-3 times... some left the program and some stayed determined to finish. If you know deep down that you really want to do this you should keep at it! Look into another program nearby you. But first make sure you really understand why you didn't pass-- was it outside life stress, bad study habits etc.? Good luck.

Forever Curls · May 13, 2020

Thank you! I am disheartened. I love nursing! To make matters worse, my husband remortgaged our home to support me in school and now I can't even go. Thank you for listening!

Guest1142305 · May 13, 2020

14 hours ago, Forever Curls said:
Thank you! I am disheartened. I love nursing! To make matters worse, my husband remortgaged our home to support me in school and now I can't even go. Thank you for listening!

Appeal. Talk to the dean, do what you have to do. You failed by such a small amount I’d be surprised if the didn’t give you another shot.

caliotter3 · May 13, 2020

10 minutes ago, anewmanx said:
Appeal. Talk to the dean, do what you have to do. You failed by such a small amount I’d be surprised if the didn’t give you another shot.

Worth a try. Most programs allow a redo later, or a chance to reapply for a new start later. Exhaust this avenue at your old school before concentrating on a search for a new program.

Wuzzie · May 13, 2020

On 5/12/2020 at 8:21 AM, Nurse SMS said:
Be prepared to discuss your part in why you failed out and what you plan to do differently.

This is super important and must be well-thought out. You need to take a brutal look at the part you played in your situation because that is the only thing you can change. Do not make excuses. If you appeal to the school you were dismissed from do not play the blame game. Speak only to your part and what you are going to improve. If you apply to a new school, which are notorious for not accepting students after they've failed another program, try to figure out how to play up the advantages of their program. Do your research. Good luck.

Forever Curls · May 13, 2020

I appealed for a redo at my old school. Told them I a am aware it was because of my job, which I have since resigned. They are looking into it, but I am not hopeful. They seem very strict with these things.

I failed because I had a full-time job while going to school. I thought I could do it, but found out the hard way that I can't.

Thank you all for replying. I will let you know what they say.

allnurses Guide · May 14, 2020

17 hours ago, Forever Curls said:
I appealed for a redo at my old school. Told them I a am aware it was because of my job, which I have since resigned. They are looking into it, but I am not hopeful. They seem very strict with these things.
I failed because I had a full-time job while going to school. I thought I could do it, but found out the hard way that I can't.
Thank you all for replying. I will let you know what they say.

Undoubtedly your job impacted your ability to get things done, but the truth is, and what your school also knows (because they have seen it over and over again), is that LOTS OF PEOPLE work full time and go to nursing school successfully. You are going to have to get more humble than this if you expect anyone to take you seriously. It doesn't mean you are bad, wrong or a failure compared to others. It means they are going to want you to the soul naked about what you didn't do, whether it was not studying, not identifying and following up on concepts you were having trouble with, not working as aggressively as you could have in skills lab and clinicals, not managing your nutrition, sleep and recreation well, not getting along with your peers, not managing anxiety or depression or both, etc.

Don't feed them "I had a job so I failed". They will see right through that. It's a bit of a cop out, even if its partially true. Break it down further.

"I was tired a lot and slept when I should have been studying. I believe my full time job impacted this a lot. I have since left that job and begun a better sleep hygiene regime. I've also started private tutoring to learn better study skills and how to prioritize my time"

Stuff like that.

GoingtobeRN · May 15, 2020

8 hours ago, Nurse SMS said:
Undoubtedly your job impacted your ability to get things done, but the truth is, and what your school also knows (because they have seen it over and over again), is that LOTS OF PEOPLE work full time and go to nursing school successfully. You are going to have to get more humble than this if you expect anyone to take you seriously. It doesn't mean you are bad, wrong or a failure compared to others. It means they are going to want you to the soul naked about what you didn't do, whether it was not studying, not identifying and following up on concepts you were having trouble with, not working as aggressively as you could have in skills lab and clinicals, not managing your nutrition, sleep and recreation well, not getting along with your peers, not managing anxiety or depression or both, etc.
Don't feed them "I had a job so I failed". They will see right through that. It's a bit of a cop out, even if its partially true. Break it down further.
"I was tired a lot and slept when I should have been studying. I believe my full time job impacted this a lot. I have since left that job and begun a better sleep hygiene regime. I've also started private tutoring to learn better study skills and how to prioritize my time"
Stuff like that.

This is great advice! I have not attended nursing school yet, but when I was in community college, I had to put in an appeal to get financial aid back. My GPA and completion rate fell below what is allowed for aid. I included very personal and in-depth details as to why I did poorly and why I thought I deserved another chance to prove myself. Thankfully, my appeal was granted. Just as Nurse SMS stated, just saying you had a job really doesn't offer them anything or show that you are capable of being successful if they give you a chance again. In my opinion, you should provide (if possible) some type of outline or plan in your appeal as to what you intend on doing differently if given then opportunity. This not only shows that you have given this a lot of thought, but have check points for yourself to keep you on track, and if you find that you aren't meeting those check points, you can assess where you are at and get the help you need to get yourself back on a good path. I hope it all works out for you!!

NewRN'16, ADN, RN · May 15, 2020

On 5/12/2020 at 11:13 PM, Forever Curls said:
Thank you! I am disheartened. I love nursing! To make matters worse, my husband remortgaged our home to support me in school and now I can't even go. Thank you for listening!

How far were you in the RN program? In some states you can get permission from your school to apply and seat for LPN NCLEX, if you have sufficient classes completed.

Forever Curls · May 16, 2020

16 hours ago, NewRN'16 said:
How far were you in the RN program? In some states you can get permission from your school to apply and seat for LPN NCLEX, if you have sufficient classes completed.

I had 2 more semesters to go.