Failed clinical. Feels like the end of the world...

[ari1]

On my last week of med-surg I clinical, I was told that I failed. I was told it was because I was "uncomfortable talking to my patient", thus interfering with my care for my patient.

(A little bit about me: I have had a stuttering problem since I was 7. I was made fun of because of it at school, so I don't talk much. My stuttering has gotten better now, but I'm still awkward around new people; old habits are hard to break).

But what's really bothering me is that if I received any notice or indication earlier (even second to last week of clinical), I could have either improved on my weak points or have withdraw. Now I have to settle for an F that's going to be on my transcript forever.

I'm hoping I can do an academic forgiveness...

My instructor said that I should talk to a counselor about my communication problem. I know I need to improve on it and I'm trying (I didn't realized until now that it's a big problem); I just don't know how to effectively so that I can overcome this obstacle. Whenever I talked to my patients, I am actively listening to their concerns, but more times than not, I am so focused on listening/talking that I missed their nonverbal ques, which as a nurse I need to intervene and address.

Long story short, has anyone failed a class in nursing school and still graduated with your BSN at the same university? I am just so conflicted and depressed on how this will affect my progression and my future. Will I be able to get into graduate school? What if I failed again and be dismissed? I heard that 4th semester is the hardest, so I'm deathly afraid. (I'm currently in my second semester).

I'm sorry for rambling; I really need someone to talk to/get advice. Has anyone been in a similar situation as me and have been successful?

[Blindsided]

I have never been in this situation, but I hope someone will be able to advise or help you. I am sending you a huge hug and hope that you'll succeed. Some of us have had huge obstacles to overcome, but still got there!

[catlvr]

>I realize that you are looking for a specific scenario that is similar to yours, but I have been out of school for a while and don't have one to relate. However, I do think that you were treated pretty shabbily - it seems only decent to be instructed in advance if there is a serious problem. I hope that you get some good insight from other nurses and can rise above this.

[ritit123]

I have heard of students doing med errors, missing clinical and showing up inappropriately dressed and not one of them got kicked out. When I think of all the foreign medical staff I have met that can't string two words together in English I'm shocked this happened to you. I would consult ur student hand book then go to the higher ups. No teacher whether in an academic class or clinical can simply fail a student, there has to be some kind of communication and improvement plan. Please make sure you see your dean and get this figured out. Good luck, let us know how it went.

[ritit123]

By kicked out I mean fail, sorry

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Hold up are you saying you failed because of your communication problem and stuttering? I don't know why nursing schools think the best nurses are chatty extroverts. In your case I totally agree with the previous poster and I find this failure absolutely shocking and this should not have an impact on your as a nurse or your ability to do the job.

This sounds to me like you have a legitimate speech impairment and you are being discriminated against. Of course I do not know the whole story as to why you failed but I would definitely take this up with the dean and higher ups or even seek free legal counsel from the ADA and challenge this decision.

I absolutely hate when someone has a goal in mind and then someone else comes along to try and squish your dreams.

Did you pass your regular non clinical classes/tests?

[NuGuyNurse2b]

Have you tried talking to the director of the program?

[MoshRN]

You need to talk to your classroom professor for this clinical. The same thing happened to me. My clinical instructor stated I failed his clinical during the last week. I had a B in the classroom class and talked with professor (Who agreed I should not fail out of the blue). So, talk to your class professor and your Dean if you have to. Sounds like protocols were not followed. Hang in there. Some instructors suck.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

While I'm not in a BSN program at this particular time, I have failed clinical in the past. What was worse is that I failed just a few weeks out from finishing the class. My theory grade was just fine right up to the point when I failed. I did a lot of introspection and determined what it was that caused my failure. I rectified the problem and I was, thankfully, readmitted, and now I'm a few weeks out from graduation. Yes, it's very possible to be readmitted to a program after failure, you just have to show that you've developed a plan to address the issue and that you've begun working on that plan. Considering you've got an ongoing problem, I suggest you visit your school's learning assessment center (or whatever yours is called) and find out if they can help you in that regard. You may not have a learning disability per se, but they may have resources that can help you work through your own communication issue that is holding you back from your goals. Being introverted can be a HUGE asset as a nurse, but you have to learn to balance that with the need to communicate with a lot of people, including your patients.

I hope you figure out what you need!

[RN3339]

1. I agree with the previous poster that if you had no feedback regarding this issue at any point in the semester until the last week that you should begin with your classroom instructor and work your way up the chain of command to ensure that there isn't an issue with improper protocol here. It is the responsibilIty of your clinical instructor not only to ensure you are training safely, but to provide you with regular feedback so that you can improve where necessary.

2. I did not personally fail a clinical, but three people in my class did at different points in the program. The rule at my school was you could fail one class or clinical one time and retake it, but a second fail whether in the retake or any other portion of the program meant dismissal. Two of the three students successfully repeated the failed clinical and graduated one semester later with the next graduating class.

3. It varies by school, but again at my school a successful repeat meant that although the fail stayed on your transcript, only the passing grade would then be part of your GPA.

Yes, in general the last semester is the hardest for some, but remember at this point you have learned many things that you are building upon. Regardless of the improper way you were made aware, you now know what you need to focus on and you can reach out to faculty and your guidance department to help find ways to overcome. Your professors will respect you for coming to them for advice and showing that you're working towards improvement. I say do not give up! I know it feels like the end of the world right now, but truly it's a minor setback that will not preclude you from graduating, continuing your education towards a higher degree later, or from gaining employment.

Good luck and I'm rooting for you :-)

[jetsy62]

I can't believe you were failed with no warning. If this was the final week of clinicals, obviously this issue did not just appear. I don't know about your program, but at mine this would not be allowed to happen in this manner. There is a remediation process that must be followed to give the student a chance to make improvements. This benefits the instructors and the students. I would look at what your handbook says. And speak with your professor. Also see if you can get some help from disability services. You won't know if you don't ask. Good luck.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Hold up are you saying you failed because of your communication problem and stuttering? I don't know why nursing schools think the best nurses are chatty extroverts. In your case I totally agree with the previous poster and I find this failure absolutely shocking and this should not have an impact on your as a nurse or your ability to do the job.

This sounds to me like you have a legitimate speech impairment and you are being discriminated against. Of course I do not know the whole story as to why you failed but I would definitely take this up with the dean and higher ups or even seek free legal counsel from the ADA and challenge this decision.

I absolutely hate when someone has a goal in mind and then someone else comes along to try and squish your dreams.

Did you pass your regular non clinical classes/tests?

I agree with this. You have a disability that should be accommodated. I would talk to your dean about this. If you have an academic advisor, s/he should be able to help you fill out the paperwork to apply for accommodation. When I did this, I had to have a physician fill out a portion of the application attesting to the limitations I had, and in my case I was given extra time taking tests and in participating in online discussions.

​It's definitely worth a try.