Dismissed from Program (Venting)

Published

Hey all,

I am (well was) in a Private BSN program. I recently got my 2nd fail (I didn't pass OB by 1 point). My first fail was Pharm (I didn't pass that 0.8%). I realize my faults, I frankly was spread too thin between my work and school and did not set enough time apart to study. I do have severe ADD, which I am getting treated with medication with. I do need to go to CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to further fix my issues. I am horrible with time management (which is part of the ADD).

Anyways, I am absolutely devastated this happened, I mean to the point of going into a depression. I wish I could go back in time and change certain things but I cant. I am also extremely discouraged by reading the outcomes of Appeals on this forum. I absolutely plan to appeal, but I feel like the outcome is going to be not good.

One thing I am really worried about the Appeals board is the fact that they will look at my past and see I had one or two classes I barley squeeked by in and they will find me unfit to continue. Although my GPA is 3.05 currently.

I plan to give them an action plan of cutting back my hours at work (it takes a bit to do that). and also seek further treatment and school accommodations.

A question that I have: What are my chances that the appeal will be successful? what can I do to give me a greater chance to have a successful appeal?

I dont have any backup plans, I have my future riding on this. On top of that, if my appeal does not go through and I get dismissed I am going to be in a massive economic downfall, as I will have massive student debt with nothing to show for it.

I just feel extremely lost right now... I guess I just need some words of encouragement or advice or something..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

what is your defintion of "words of encouragement"? To some they want people to feel sorry for them and tell them it is the schools fault. Others see words of encouragement as the hard truth and facts. It is how you perceive them. When you were not earning the grades you need to pass a class you need to identify it AT THAT TIME and prevent your nightmare scenario. Now your life is 100 times more difficult than it had to be if you simply passed the class. However you are in this situation so you must move on. Learn from this experience. Life and nursing school are hard enough..do not make it harder by not passing. Remember many people in nursing school are going through tough times yet they find the will and way to be successful. Your challenges are real no doubt, but passing the class is non negotiable. There are two options. Either 1. you did not study enough or in an effective manner or 2. you are unable to pass the class no matter the amount of studying. If it is number 1 then it is on you for not passing. If it is number 2 then nursing is not the correct career as you will never pass. More than likely it is number 1. So let go of the excuses and just pass the class. Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ugh what a pessimistic response from above. Some people find academics hard and it does absolutely mean they will never make it as a nurse. I have mental health issues and that makes ability to pass harder, and if the above seriously thinks its just an excuse then they better become more open minded with mental illness or they wont make it either.

Glad you are getting help, good luck with the appeal :)

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

Are you requesting to be re admitted, appealing to not be dismissed or are you appealing your two failed courses? Success in appealing a failed course is rare. Extenuating circumstances (hospitalization, sudden death in close family) for a student who was doing well before the crisis (shows a pattern of success before an unforced trauma) are more successful in appealing dismissal from program. A student who was on the passing border throughout the semester will not be successful

A realistic plan of action that includes self reflection on the student's errors and poor choices and the student accepts responsibility for their poor choices (working too many hours, poor study habits, etc) and plans for remediation of academic difficulties (going to the college academic center for tutoring and improved organization & study skills or college counseling center for assistance) have better potential for success.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgical.

In your appeal, include factors that are modifiable such as working hours, study strageties, extra helps or groups. Do not use your mental health as an excuse. People with mental health disorders succeed too. Then the committee will question why you didn't. Always be honest and tell them exactly what the outcomes of this program means too you. Tell them to give you one semester and you will show them your accomplishments. Good luck. Everything is a life lesson. Learn from it

Ozlem RN-BSN (ANP '18)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.

How much is "massive" student debt?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
How much is "massive" student debt?

I'm guessing 'Private BSN program' means 'for profit school'.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm guessing 'Private BSN program' means 'for profit school'.

Based on the OP's avatar, I would not be surprised that we are reading of another WCU disaster.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OP, you say you sqeaked by in previous courses more than once. More than once you had warning signals. You failed pharm, another warning signal. You had several warning signals that were telling you that you needed to modify your study habits, but you did not heed them or brushed them off. Now, you are forced to look at what you did wrong and change your approach to nursing school. Hope that you are successful in your appeal and that you make the necessary changes to help you succeed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

In reading some of your other posts, it seems like you had plenty of self-awareness about your ability to pass your nursing classes. That you recognized there was a problem, yet it still got the best of you may make an appeal pretty futile, in my opinion. Did you end up dropping classes too?

Crossing everything for you, but I'm at a loss to figure out how so many nursing students fail to meet the minimum requirements to keep their spot in nursing school and then think they have the "right" to appeal

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, Trauma.

Remember that the classes are just the beginning. Then there is passing the NCLEX, then seeking and securing employment and finally making it through the stress-ridden first year of nursing. If you do poorly in nursing classes then you'll find you have this "Swiss cheese" effect wherein you are missing large swaths of important nursing knowledge, which will effect your ability to pass the boards and to be successful in the actual career you're studying for. I wish you all the best but it really seems like this may not be your time, either in your ability to prepare for the classes or in how relation to your financial needs. It's time to fall back, regroup and figure out how you can do differently next time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was reading this and thinking how failing out of nursing school is kind of like having a car accident because someone was texting and driving. Some may never think it will happen to them, even though they know the risks but they keep thinking "one more chance/time...whoa that was a close call but I didn't crash so I won't make changes." The full realization of what the consequences will be and feel like don't hit home until it's actually happened. It's sad and we've all had consequences happen to us because we took a risk we maybe shouldn't have. After reading these posts it is really drilled in my head to not get behind in my NS studies.

OP I think Ddestiny said it good that it's time to rethink and regroup before you can really go forward. You said you know you need CBT don't wait to make the appointment. I am not even graduated or anything yet but if I was on the Appeals board I wouldn't consider you if you just said what you know is the problem and what you should do I'd want to see actual steps. I don't think you should give up even if you aren't readmitted this time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion