FAILED my first semester

Kuriin, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2015

A single fail of a class = dismissal of the school? Those are pretty harsh (ours was two fails) criteria, but it is not uncommon. If you wish to be a nurse, try again. The first semester always causes a lot of grief to students because they are not used to nursing questions. Evaluate what went wrong -- think of it as the nursing process. You are already at the end of the semester in which you failed, so your goals and implementations have failed. Why did they fail? Did you have poor time management? Did you not grasp the material? Did you read too much into the questions?

If you're serious about being a nurse, don't give up your dreams.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Dec 16, 2015

Honestly it happens more than you think. You will not be the only one to fail a class. This of course doesn't make the sting any less painful. You only wasted money IF you didn't make an effort. My advise is reapply and try again. Before hand work on your study habits, figure out what went wrong, and go from there.

eris08, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2015

I agree with Kurlin, do not give up. The first semester is hard especially with the nursing questions. Are you in an accelerated or a regular program? Can you transfer credits from the classes you did not fail to another college? Which school did you go to? Rutger's, Seton Hall? I know each school is different. I had a friend that went to Seton Hall that failed one class and she went to talk to the head of the program and they gave her a second chance.

direw0lf, BSN · Dec 16, 2015

I feel so bad for you thinking those thoughts about yourself. Please try to stop that you don't want a habit with thinking a string of negative put downs about yourself every time something bad happens you know?

My school doesn't even allow a grade of W, that's considered the same as a failure.

I think it would help you to figure out why you bombed the final. That would give you confidence to try again when you figure out what went wrong then you won't repeat it.

KThurmond · Dec 16, 2015

Don't give up. I failed med surg and was dismissed also. I didn't know I was bipolar yet but I was so discouraged I took phlebotomy instead. I know it will help me as a nurse but I missed being a nursing student. I spent my free time in clinicals at the nurses desk lol

I recommend talking to a counselor of some sort to help you with your negative thoughts. Nursing school is a whole different ballgame than prerequisites. It hurts but it will be ok.

Good news is some colleges do allow a student to fail a previous class and still be accepted. I called a few colleges. I wouldn't do the LPN route unless I had no other choice.

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Dec 16, 2015

It happens. I was in micro class this semester with a very intelligent co student who failed her first semester by less than a point. Thankfully, our school gives you two chances, she just had to wait a year for the next co-hort to roll around. Look into your options, reflect on why you think you may have had difficulty this semester: do your study skills lack something? are you not putting enough time in? are you experiencing test anxiety? If you can nail down why you didn't pass this time, the next time you are almost certainly setting yourself up for success.

Sola8729 · Dec 17, 2015

Don't feel bad. I just failed my first semester as well and everyone keeps telling me that I won't get into anything because I've been black listed. I'm in NYC. The best thing I could tell you is go back when you can and try again. I failed by less then half a point. I have those same feelings so not being adequate enough. I'm rooting for you not to give up but to look at all your options.

teapiglets · Dec 17, 2015

Dear futurenurse0989,

First, I am very proud of you for coming this far. You took science classes and the fundamentals and more. You have learned so much!!!

Nursing is a demanding major and it requires time, hard work, but most importantly confidence and faith. You have to believe in yourself. I always tell my friends that if you go into an exam with confidence, you got 50% of it already. :)

I'll let you in on my story and I hope to inspire you.

I love helping people and I wanted to go into the health field. I have anxiety and exam phobia. When I was taking my science courses, I made one bad exam grade, say the first one, I would withdraw from the class, with such negative thoughts pounding in my head: failure. I would withdraw from school that semester. I was depressed yet no one knew because I appeared very successful in terms of running clubs, RA, student government, etc, etc. I got into my nursing program, an associate program. Failed two semesters and had to leave, which was the policy. I realized I worked 2 jobs and it was not smart. I lacked sleep and nutrient. I had an ex that was just as condescending towards me as my parents which did not help. I studied, reading every chapters, taking notes, going through the ppt and review sessions. I still got 50s! During those two years in my nursing program, I was going through major depression. I couldn't figure it out. I went through counseling and it began to help me realize that I had low confidence and anxiety that it interfered with my test taking. I literally blanked during my exams (when I go to review sessions, I don't even remember answering) and the fun part, I hyperventilate and get dizzy! haha! It is funny looking back. So I left that school because the environment was also destructive - my peers were not positive and their priority goal when they graduate was to make money, not help people. You know what, even my own adviser at the time told me I would not be accept to other nursing schools because I failed two semesters already.

I prayed. I was debating whether I should do LPN and transfer into RN BSN. YOU KNOW WHAT? I can do this I told myself repeatedly. I applied to one school. I got in after several interviews with the admission counselor and Director of Nursing from my current school. I gave them my word that I am going to work hard, not only studying but on my own mental health. I went to counseling and the learning center for extended time so that I can relax and think more clearly.

Now I am in my junior year and my last report card shows As and B+s for nursing courses! Another friend who dropped out of the same program went for her LPN and she graduate this past summer and now she is working, while doing her BSN RN.

In regards to your mom paying for your tuition, that's a parent's role, that's what parents do. They brought you into this world. They know you're going to get an education and it costs money. Wouldn't you do the same for your kid? If you cannot handle that pressure of your parents paying for your tuition, get a part time job, some easy and light. I do not recommend full time or more than you can handle because it is not worth the time and additional stress. If you cannot handle a small part time job, please do not take it because YOUR JOB in school is being a student!! A parent's love is unconditional. They are there to help you, they are your resources, PLEASE USE THEIR MONEY for your education. When you graduate, you can treat them out to dinners and spoil them and show you were a great investment. :)

I've learned, you gotta YOU GOTTA BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. And I am very sure you have people believing you. I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!!

You have to also self-reflect. Is it time management? Is it anxiety on text exams, anxiety in general? Talk to your professors and the learning center and even a counselor to figure this **** out before it seeps into your career and your future. It is not easy. But once you have overcome the hardships of life, it is so rewarding.

So to conclude, surround yourself with positive people, communicate with others and ask for help (parents, professors, counselors, learning center etc) BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! You're are going to be awesome. NOW SHOUT, I AM AWESOME, I CAN DO THIS!!!!!

deedee724 · Dec 18, 2015

Nothing beats a trial but a failure...a few years ago when I started nursing school I failed the first semester and was kicked out of the program. I was so devastated...I brushed off myself and enrolled in an LPN accelerated program for 10 intensive months...have no regrets. I gave myself 3 years, and then I enrolled in an LPN-RN bridge program-18 months. I graduated from nursing school November 17th and I am now studying for the NCLEX exam. Don't give up on your dreams because you fail, try again. There are many schools in New Jersey...start looking around, if your classes are not more than 5 years they are transferable. If this is any consolation to you...I live in New York and attended nursing school in New Jersey.

futurenurse0989 · Dec 18, 2015

Thank you everyone :)

I'm not giving up. Granted that would be WAY easier but this is my dream.

I'm really considering an LPN school and bridge to RN and eventually BSN.

I don't know much about it.

One program I looked at required a CNA license which I have but expired this past July.

How long is LPN school typically? A year?

I have most if not all my prereqs done. It's just the nursing courses I need.

KThurmond · Dec 18, 2015

LPN normal last a year after you get into the program