Dismissed from a Nursing Program (Need Advice)

Nursing Students General Students

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Recently, I have been academically dismissed from an ABSN program due to failing two classes in my first semester. I accept full responsibility for my failures and know what I did wrong to reach this point. I am going through the appeals process with my school, but it seems unlikely that I will be re-admitted. I have been looking for other schools that may accept dismissed students, but my options are limited. I refuse to give up on my journey of becoming a nurse, but I am feeling defeated and asking for advice on my options. Has anyone been through this and been able to get into another school? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

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Some options might be below.

  1. Get your CNA cert and work as a CNA till you formulate a plan.
  2. Change your major to another medical-related field, such as MA.
  3. Seek out the school counselor for advice.
  4. Apply at a different school.

Things seem impossible right now, but you can make it work if you are determined enough. Check out this thread.

Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU.

Try applying for an ADN program; slower than an ABSN but not as expensive either! Most RN-BSN bridges are online and can be obtained in 8 months to -1 year, so still less than an entire 4-year BSN route.

If I were in your situation, I would apply to ADN and ABSN tracks to increase my chances of getting accepted by the next cycle with a small gap.

You can do it. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

The most important thing is to really and truly understand what went wrong so that you don't repeat the mistake. Usually, this takes time and reflection. It's usually not the best idea to get back in the saddle because it will take time to make the changes you need to succeed.

Were you working full-time or part-time? Were you taking care of a toddler? What were the contributing factors to your failure? You need to change your life before you go back to school, or you need to change your attitude before you go back, and either way, it will take time.
Your obstacle is to avoid getting into another program.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
babysplash said:

Try applying for an ADN program, not as fast as an ABSN but not as expensive either! Most RN-BSN bridges are online and can be obtained in 8 months -1 year, so still less than a full 4 year BSN route.

If I were in your situation, I would apply to ADN and ABSN tracks to up the chances of getting accepted by the next cycle with as little gap as possible.

You can do it, good luck!

ADN programs are more competitive than ABSN or BSN programs, not less, due to their reduced time to graduation and reduced cost without much, if any, reduction in expected pay. It is improbable the OP would get in.

You might consider earning your LVN, then doing an LVN to RN bridge, and go from there. Good luck!

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I've been in your shoes. I failed two nursing courses and was dismissed six years ago, and now I returned to that same school and repeated those failed nursing courses, and the courses I did pass due to them being expired. It has worked in my favor since I've done better by a long shot. They will most likely deny your appeal because I tried that six years ago when I tried to repeat the following semester. Also, note if your school has a nursing handbook. My nursing school used to say you could come back in 5 years, but now they revised it so that you can return in 3 years.

If anything, your best chance is through a private school like mine. I've been denied through most community colleges, and only one community college barely accepted me, which I ended up declining, so I ended up at the school where I failed. Private schools just want your money so I feel like they accept people for that reason plus they would have to start over from semester 1 which is more money for them.

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Nurse SMS said:

ADN programs are more competitive than ABSN or BSN programs, not less, due to their reduced time to graduation and reduced cost without much, if any, reduction in expected pay. It is very unlikely the OP would get in.

You might consider earning your LVN, then doing an LVN to RN bridge and go from there. Good luck!

All nursing programs are competitive, but you can still get in; people fail and switch schools all the time. Applying to the ADN and LVN programs may be a great option for you. Ask for an informational interview with the dean, make a great impression, and get some advice ( just to feel them out). Best wishes.

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Been there, and here is what I did. I applied to my local community college, which had an RN program. Got in and excelled. Obtained a job in the hospital and enrolled in RN to BSN online school while working full time. Much easier because you are an RN, and the BSN courses are very similar to the community college RN classes. I recently started my Masters's online, and it's, so far, a rehash of the ADN and BSN classes.

Need to focus on your strength and weakness as far as being a student and get that ADN (or ASN, whichever your community college offers). BSN and Master are easier because they are pretty much repeated.

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Specializes in Hospice.
Nursing pursuit said:

Private schools just want your money so I feel like they accept people for that reason plus they would have to start over from semester 1 which is more money for them.

I'm sure there are some private schools like this. However, there are some fantastic private schools as well. Some private schools are reasonably priced and are very supportive of their student's success... if the student is willing to work hard. I would encourage you to talk to some nurses you know and respect to find out about their school experiences. Who knows... you may find a school that accepts you, and that is a good "fit" for you.

When I first went to college, I did terribly (failed out) at a big well, known public university. Years later, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from a private college. I put a lot of effort into my studies, and it paid off.

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Specializes in ICU.
Nurse SMS said:

ADN programs are more competitive than ABSN or BSN programs, not less, due to their reduced time to graduation and reduced cost without much, if any, reduction in expected pay. It is very unlikely the OP would get in.

You might consider earning your LVN, then doing an LVN to RN bridge and go from there. Good luck!

I didn't say it was less competitive - all paths will be competitive; that's just part of the admissions process. I only mentioned it because if they want to increase the odds of them getting accepted to a program, they should apply to more programs; the odds will be in their favor.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

As someone commented previously, it is a good idea to get your CNA certificate. You may be able to bypass going to CNA school as you have a semester of nursing school. Getting your CNA allows you to work with nurses, and it is also proactive. If you're unable to use your transcript, you can go to a school (which preferably takes no more than 4-6 weeks).

I also agree with another person who said to try and get into an ADN/ASN program. It's also less expensive and probably not as rigorous as a one-year ABSN program.

I don't really think an MA school will be a good move unless there is a place that hires MAs in your area. You are better off going into an LVN/LPN program. The only problem with the LVN/LPN program is it tends to be pricey in a private school, and if you ultimately want to be an RN, you can do without being an LVN/LPN first.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
On 12/23/2019 at 2:11 PM, nursing123 said:

I accept full responsibility for my failures and I know what I did wrong to reach this point.

Have you been able to examine not only what you did wrong but also how to fix it? If you don't have a strategy to fix the problem, history will repeat itself.

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