Hello, All I am looking for advice for my son who found out today that he is being withdrawn from a BSN program here in Atlanta, Georgia at Kennesaw State since he has failed out of the same class twice. I am not in the field so I am hoping someone here can let me know what his possible options are for continuing towards an RN.
A little background, he has his AS in pre-nursing, was a certified CNA/PCT at one point, has a 3.5 GPA, he was 1.5 years into the nursing program and would have graduated this spring. He still has an appeal process to see if they will reinstate him for summer term.
My questions would be:
1) Should he try to apply to another school or schools? For either a BSN or a 2 yr RN program? Will any of his nursing credits transfer or will another program make him start at the beginning anyway? Realizing not all programs are created equal, could he potentially get through another nursing program easily? I would hate for him to get into another program only to be in the same position again in about a year and further in debt.
2) Having completed 3/4 of the program does this make him eligible for any certification as an LPN, CNA, phlebotomist, etc? Or could he get an LPN fairly quickly? Again would he be starting at the beginning again?
Its just extremely frustrating that he has nearly two years invested, and thousands of dollars in loans, and the school is basically saying sorry you missed this by standardized test by 3 questions, your out!
I'm sorry you're experiencing this situation with your son. I am also sorry that some people on here
are saying things in a manner that appear bold and insensitive to your situation.
I know Excelsior College will take students who finished at least 50% of their program but
I think they want students with experience in the clinical setting. Its still worth a shot to apply
to the school though. Just call their admissions staff to see. I think its really a case-by-case basis whether
or not they take students from other programs.
I, also, think he could check out LPN programs to see if they will allow him to have advanced standing in their class
if he completed that much of his program. I don't know if LPN programs do that but its worth a shot to ask because
you never know. I'm sure LPN programs have had students from RN programs ask about this.
Call other RN programs to see if they will accept his transfer credits. I work with one nurse who knew another classmate who failed and asked a college that was 1 hour away if they will accept her credits. She transferred successfully and is now a practicing RN. Its worth a shot to ask around at different RN programs in the area or even out-of-state. Maybe, a nursing program that isn't so renowned or is looking for applicants may accept him. Who knows. Don't rule it out just because people are saying most RN programs won't let your transfer, there are always exceptions!
Good luck! Keep us updated with your son's appeal. I hope you get the end result that you desired.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
FYI Excelsior is no longer an option, even by appeal, to students who completed 50% clinical & theory of an RN program. The program is only available to current actively licensed LPNs, paramedics (MICP/EMT-P) and certain military medics.
An assessment needs to be done as to why he failed the same class twice before he can move forward in any direction. If critical thinking and knowledge application is the problem, then ASN, another BSN, or LPN is not going to render success until the core issue is corrected.
Specializes in NICU, Acute Rehab, Med/Surg, Quality.
Try Tri-County Community College in Murphy, NC. It is about an hour and a half from Kennesaw and there are several Georgia students that attend there. He could at least get his ADN and then could do BSN online.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
But Esme what the OP described was a clear personal attack. I'm disappointed you don't acknowledge that.
I did....however, I do not address individual actions/post on the open board. It is ALL done privately. So there is a ton of behind the scene conversations and deletions. I am really big on no public humiliation. There are times posts...while not the nicest posts, sigh...are not exactly Terms of Service.
Even as an instructor...I always address the students privately. I am just not one of those people.
Nursing school and coursework is set to a standard, to produce safe, competent healthcare professionals. Appeasing to the least common denominator does individuals no service, much less society. I think you need to let your kid face the harsh reality of their actions, truth is never easy to hear.
I am sorry your son failed out of his BSN program. The time, money, and effort toward a goal are taxing. I will reply to your question 1.
In my city, transferring courses from one nursing program to another is very difficult but doable. Some nursing programs accept courses if the student is in good standing from his previous program and the courses must be an A or B. Perhaps it is different in your location so please verify with all the nursing schools of interest.
Your son may have to start all over again. Some 2 yr RN programs are easier to gain acceptance than BSN. In my area, science pre-requisites have an expiration date of 5 years. Depending on where you live, your son may or may not have to repeat some classes. Again, please look at potential nursing school requirements.
Now is the time for your son to have a self-evaluation on where he went wrong in the class that he failed twice. Did he seek help during the semester with his professors, advisor, class mates? Basically, did he exhaust all his resources to succeed?
Usually when one fails a course or a nursing program, there is an exit interview with a faculty member or the dean. It's a great way to determine what went wrong and to seek a solution. Has your son have his exit interview to receive feedback?
Unfortunately people fail. I've met nurses that have failed a class/program but have achieved an RN behind their name. I do not know the mental state your son is in but if he is to be in a nursing program, he must not let his failure determine his future. He must have courage, determination, and resiliency. Some students in my program have failed themselves because they let their past failures dictate their future success.
I truly wish you and your son the best of luck. If he truly desires to be a registered nurse, he will find a way.
A corny quote but worth putting on here: "Success is the best revenge."
Thanks for actually answering the questions I love the quote. Its exactly what I told my son. We also have a favorite family quote "Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome".
He did inquire about help midway through his first round of the class and again on the second and didn't really get much assistance. Unfortunately its one of the larger schools and you are bit of a number at some of these schools. He did get a brief exit interview as well.
He is already checking into other programs and I am sure he will be back on track soon with either direction he takes.
One option may possibly be to finish in another major, get his bachelors, and try to enter an Accelerated BSN somewhere. However, I'm not 100% sure if that idea would work, especially since it will be more intense than a traditional BSN.
Sometimes it's for the best. GrnTea's response, while it can seem harsh (personally I appreciate a cup of GrnTea every now and then) is every bit correct. The students who barely skim by are the ones who won't survive the last semester or who won't pass the licensing exam once they're out of the program. So sometimes failing out may save the individual by allowing him to reflect on what went wrong and what he will do to correct it once he is offered a second chance; and it is that drive that will push him to be a better student a second time around and a better nurse on the other end. And if he's not granted re-entry, he'll simply have to cut his losses and start from square one if this is what he intends to do with his life. It's not the end of the world.
been there,done it
84 Posts
Son needs to work with his school counselors/ advisors as to the next step.
There must be a process in place for when an otherwise good student fails.
I am throwing out an off the wall suggestion... can he finish in an on -line program?
( Just curious.. what class did he fail? Could be an indication of problems in the future.)
It all depends on what state you live in.... as to what his current credits would qualify him for.
I personally feel an LPN position would be a huge, unnecessary setback.
Sorry you experienced so much negativity on this site. Best of luck to you and your son.
Hope you let us know how it's going.