I was just dismissed from the nursing program and my appeal was denied. I was a transfer student into this 3 yr BSN program and had all my pre-req's done prior to beginning the program... meaning the University thought my grades were acceptable for the program. The school also allowed you to begin the first year as a traditional nursing student and then have the option to accelerate the next year so instead of completing your BSN in 3 yrs you can do it in 2.
My first year here I was traditional, and then in my second year I tried accelerating. With accelerating I found it was not for me.... I wasn't retaining the information and was not happy in it. I decelerated half way through the semester and went from 18 to 10 nursing credits. I dropped my two senior level courses and was left with my two junior courses, however dropping them halfway through the semester my grades were not what they would have been had I begun the semester as a traditional student. My nursing gpa for the semester was a 2.456 the required nursing gpa is a 2.5.
In our school you cannot get a nursing gpa below a 2.5 or get lower than a C (77%) in any of the courses. If you get one of those you're on academic probation... and if one of those happen again you're dismissed from the program. This spring semester I struggled in the courses, specifically OB I ended up getting a 75.45% (C-) in the class and am now dismissed from the college. My appeal was denied as well.
I am ADD and late, late this semester connected and recognized why I was having academic difficulties when I seemed to get through my pre-req's fine. I was having adverse reactions from the medication I was on (Adderall). It was increasing my test anxiety and due to that I received lower test scores. I went to my doctor and my prescription was changed to a smoother acting drug. I've been on it for 3 weeks and feel calmer and more focused. I also got approval for accommodations during exams from the University. I mentioned this in my appeal and feel it is an important piece of information but when completing my pre-req's and prior to beginning the program I was on a different medication... however the drug is no longer approved by insurance so I switched to Adderall right around when I started the program. If you're not familiar with ADD , note that when placed on these medications a person with ADD will have a different reaction to the drug than someone without ADD.
I know nursing is what I want to do and I know I am capable and at a healthy state where I am capable of being successful in the program. It's been an extremely stressful year. I included all of this, with a doctors note, in my appeal but it was still denied. My mom was also diagnosed with MS this year and that has also added to the stress- however I did not mention that in my appeal.
I just would like to move on and get back on the saddle... however I'm faced with the challenge of getting into another Nursing program. Does anyone know any nursing programs out there (either associates, bachelors or second degree programs) that accept a student who has been dismissed from another nursing program? I'm planning on finishing my bachelors with an individualized degree at this school within the year and hopefully getting back into nursing somewhere... help? Thank you for reading this....
