Failed Fundamentals at BMCC, now what?

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Hi everyone, so I was so excited early this year when i started Nursing 1 at BMCC. I was dedicated, joined a study group, quit my job to concentrate on school, did well in the first two tests.......then....out of nowhere, my 2 kids got ill one after the other, I lost my Dad and my husband decided he wanted a divorce, he dropped the news one evening when i was busy studying for midterms. needless to say it was devastating , I passed midterm very narrowly and did poorly on the 3 exams that followed that one. I tried to be strong and still study despite all that was going on in my life, but I would be distracted and find myself crying when alone. I did not pass the class, got a C- instead of the required C, and the rule in CUNY schools is that once you fail fundamentals you are out of the program.

I talked to my Mom and she is willing to help me with the kids and other stuff if I can find another program. so there is my question, which schools, Non-CUNY, would take me, and I would also like to hear from anyone who happen to have been in the same situation, what schools did you apply to after leaving a CUNY program? Did you go to a four-year school or went the LPN route? and can a LPN program at A CUNY school take me being that I failed at a CUNY school? I would like to hear from you all.

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Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

Stuff happens. Life happens. But it is important to realize when it might be best to step back rather than soldiering on. This advice is often best headed when high stakes are on table, such as nursing or any other educational program where grades and continuation policies are often set in stone.

My standard advice has always been if floundering (for whatever reason) in any course by first several weeks it is best to look at withdrawing. If that option is off table still wise to sit down with an instructor, counselor and or even department chairperson to see what options are available.

Everyone can come back with one thousand reasons for why they failed an exam/class after the fact. But that often is cold comfort as instructors/departments have heard it all before. However if someone reaches out before things hit the fan, then things *may* be different.

Cannot recall if BMCC has any sort of re-entry procedure for students, but I'd see if that is an option.

Sadly far as CUNY is concerned nursing programs are one big family. Having been removed for cause from one program most always means none of the others will allow entry either. You might find this thread useful: https://allnurses.com/failed-nursing-first-time-cuny-t335108/

You may find only a handful of options (if any) open.

Complete your undergraduate (AAS) at BMCC, then go onto a BS program (rocking each with a GPA at or > 3.0), then apply to second degree BSN programs.

Attend a LPN program, then upon graduation and licensure move to a bridge RN program.

Try applying to a private (and or for profit) nursing program some of which may be more forgiving of accepting those with a past. In particular I'd look for a school that gives personal interviews as part of the admission process. This would give you a chance to explain what went down.

That being said things cannot come across as a Pity Me Pines sob story. Again these people have heard everything and their primary concern is how potential students are going to handle the demands of a nursing program.

Am here to tell you right now, if your current GPA is barely 2.5 or worse hovering around 2.0, most places even if so inclined won't take a second look. Far too many applicants and or current nursing students these days with 3.0 and above GPAs.

In summation if at all possible I'd try to get back into BMCC, that would be the easiest route. If haven't already try meeting with department chair, advisor, instructor.... anyone to see if something can be done.

Good luck.

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On 5/24/2019 at 9:27 PM, DoGoodThenGo said:

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

Stuff happens. Life happens. But it is important to realize when it might be best to step back rather than soldiering on. This advice is often best headed when high stakes are on table, such as nursing or any other educational program where grades and continuation policies are often set in stone.

My standard advice has always been if floundering (for whatever reason) in any course by first several weeks it is best to look at withdrawing. If that option is off table still wise to sit down with an instructor, counselor and or even department chairperson to see what options are available.

Everyone can come back with one thousand reasons for why they failed an exam/class after the fact. But that often is cold comfort as instructors/departments have heard it all before. However if someone reaches out before things hit the fan, then things *may* be different.

Cannot recall if BMCC has any sort of re-entry procedure for students, but I'd see if that is an option.

Sadly far as CUNY is concerned nursing programs are one big family. Having been removed for cause from one program most always means none of the others will allow entry either. You might find this thread useful: https://allnurses.com/failed-nursing-first-time-cuny-t335108/

You may find only a handful of options (if any) open.

Complete your undergraduate (AAS) at BMCC, then go onto a BS program (rocking each with a GPA at or > 3.0), then apply to second degree BSN programs.

Attend a LPN program, then upon graduation and licensure move to a bridge RN program.

Try applying to a private (and or for profit) nursing program some of which may be more forgiving of accepting those with a past. In particular I'd look for a school that gives personal interviews as part of the admission process. This would give you a chance to explain what went down.

That being said things cannot come across as a Pity Me Pines sob story. Again these people have heard everything and their primary concern is how potential students are going to handle the demands of a nursing program.

Am here to tell you right now, if your current GPA is barely 2.5 or worse hovering around 2.0, most places even if so inclined won't take a second look. Far too many applicants and or current nursing students these days with 3.0 and above GPAs.

In summation if at all possible I'd try to get back into BMCC, that would be the easiest route. If haven't already try meeting with department chair, advisor, instructor.... anyone to see if something can be done.

Good luck.

Thank you so much for your response, I met with chair and advisor, they advised to pick another major, something I don't want to do since my heart has been set on Nursing. I believe there are non-cuny schools/ private schools that will take me. I had a 4.0 gpa when I applied for the Nursing Program, right now the C- I got on Fundamentals, dropped my GPA. I am not making excuses about why Didn't do well, I didn't just see the things I wrote above coming and that affected me so bad, you are right, I probably should have withdrawn but its okay, I am focusing ahead. I am still looking at other options out there for me. Thanks again

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Oh no Honey! Been there, done that with BMCC. Don't give up and most importantly, run far away from CUNY Schools. I also went to BMCC and failed. I looked into Private schools 10 years ago and Today I'm RN, BSN. There are Many opportunities and many Private schools willing to accept. Hush your mouth girl, don't even disclose failing out of Nursing school. Look into Saint Paul school of nursing in Queens. ASA in Brooklyn. Yes it Private, Yes it may be a little expensive but remember sweetheart, it takes Money to make money. Take out student loans and pay for your education. You may be in debt for 50k but remember, the first year as RN you'll make 100k! and even more. I know one Nurse who clocked in at 160K as RN working OT in NYC. Don't give up! I sure didn't. CUNY schools are known to fail students and wean most out! You don't have time for that since your children now depend solely on you! Good luck and I hope you take my advice. :)

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Yes girl I understand where you’re coming from all these CUNY schools have the same bs I just graduated from City Tech but it was hell to get here. My advice like previously stated in this post—> Apply to private university.

Keep in mind nursing school is all about “Survival of the Fittest” and if those who survived can pass NCLEX ? That’s all these schools care about and no matter where you go nursing school will not be easy.

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Just to be fair, CUNY nursing programs do have a method behind their madness.

You can go online to the NYS website and look at historical board passing rates for various programs. Over the years many CUNY schools (especially the ADN programs) had abysmal first year passing rates. IIRC it wasn't that long ago that BMCC was in the middle to low 70 percentile passing rate. That was nor is very good. Nationwide average NCLEX first time passing rates are around 90%.

Medgar Evers College was down to *46.9%" in 2003, but by 2007 had reached 94.4% by 2007. They did this mainly by graduating less students, but of those GNs more passed the boards on their first attempt. Right or wrong that is pretty much what matters nowadays.

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nurseprogs-nclexrn2003-07.htm

CUNY is hampered in a way because the system must accept all graduates of NYC high schools. Only question remains is if they are admitted to a four year or two year/community college. As such you have classes composed of students with various levels of academic skills.

Nearly all CUNY community college nursing programs still have on paper the same qualifications for entry they did back in the day. Completion of a pre-nursing sequence with a 2.5 GPA and a few other bits. By 2000 or so many began adding standardized test scores (NLN, HESI or SAT) into the mix. Four year colleges weren't that much different either.

Back in the day, say in the 1980's through part of the 1990's before everyone and their mother wanted to be a nurse chances were good that even with a 2.5 GPA you could get admitted to most CUNY community college programs. Hunter-Bellevue was always TOL and had high demand, so things were different.

Going into the 2000s and beyond a growing amount of research linked first time board passing rates along with certain skills of graduate nurses to academic success. Simply put those with 3.5 or above GPAs not only passed the board first time around in higher numbers, but scored well in orientation /new graduate training programs.

Because of their unique situation as a "city" university, CUNY nursing programs have to walk a tightrope. They cannot be seen as discriminating against anyone, but they have to produce graduates that pass the boards (on first attempt hopefully) and places will hire. This isn't just an academic or rhetorical situation either; places with low board passing rates can (and do) loose professional accreditation. This and or if a school acquires a reputation for turning out poorly trained/educated nurses no one will hire them out of hand.

BMCC did what other CUNY nursing programs long have; they tightened up retention and admission standards. This has resulted in better, but still not great first time board passing rates: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nurseprogs-nclexrn2013-17.htm#AssocProg

BMCC still hasn't reached 90% range (Bronx CC, La Guardia, and College of Staten Island all have), but mid 80% range is vastly better than being in the 70% range.

Finally as every one knows or finds out CUNY nursing programs provide excellent value for money when it comes to nursing education. Hence the reason their programs are deluged with vastly more applicants than they can admit.

While there *may* be a certain cachet or benefit to attending NYU or whatever famous name private nursing program, bottom line is everyone sits for same board exam and gets the same license. No one really cares what school a nurse went to these days, well that is unless it is really so bad you don't want their graduates near you, *LOL*

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On 6/21/2019 at 9:48 PM, DoGoodThenGo said:

@DoGoodThenGo Couldn't have said it better myself, that is all facts. CUNY, especially at my school constantly remind us about NCLEX passing rates. We started off with 70-80 students and only 25-30 graduate per semester. ?‍♀️

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@DoGoodThenGo And this is very I stated no one should take CUNY schools into consideration! It's all a joke and it really determines who is the strongest as this city does have 8 Million people. But that doesn't define who I would be as a nurse, and it doesn't matter if I take the test 1 time or 1000 times. NY is built to take the exam hundreds of times unlike other states where you would need remedial after failing 3 times. I actually know a few CUNY nurses who took the NCLEX 8 times before passing. NCLEX measures content as well as Clinical thinking skills. If you don't have Critical thinking skills you have no chance with the NCLEX. CUNY schools are all about setting examples and weaning people out! OP, Good luck and please take my advice.

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