Failed last semester and it hurts

[HopefulRNtay]

Just found out I Failed my last semester by a point and a half. I ran out of time and was unable to do the last 4 math questions on the final, if I had gotten those done I would have passed.. I've failed a course before (also by a point), which you can only do once in this program..so I'd have to start all over now. I really can't see myself repeating the entire program as it has been horrible for my anxiety/panic disorder and it's taken time from my child. I have a meeting to review the test. I am so upset and can't stop crying, this has been my dream and I was so close to graduation. I feel like a failure, my son was rooting for me, my family has poured money into this for me and I feel like I've let them down. I LOVE Nursing and would hate to have put in 2 years of hard work for nothing. I want to do everything I can before giving up on this.

What are my options to fight for this grade?

If I don't have any, where do I go from here?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

OP: No one belittled you.

And as far as lacking compassion goes: Sometimes speaking the TRUTH is the most compassionate thing a professional can do.

I stand by my original post and suggest you do some introspection about the valuable counsel you have been given. I truly wish you well.

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

This must be very frustrating and even thought I don't know you, I feel really bad because I came close to failing during my second semester in nursing school. I remember writing my final and then crying on my way home and waiting for the phone call for my exit interview. I got lucky!! Nursing school is a beast. Try and fight for your grade. If that doesn't work out, you may be able to challenge the LVN board. I think it's called method 3. I have no doubt that you will be allowed to challenge it. That's what CNAs with experience do. You may need to take pharmacology. When you get your LVN, you can do the bridge program and finish up instead of having to repeat the entire program. Good luck.

[HopefulRNtay]

Persephone Paige, thank you for the advice and words of encouragement. I won't give up. I'm fighting for my grade. I will review my final and look at a previous test that my fellow classmates earned up to 3-4 points back on. I didnt get to review that one so it's possible I have points I could receive and still graduate. I've always struggled with intense panic in classroom settings but have always done well in clinicals. I guess it depends on the person. So happy that things worked out for you and that you're reaching your goals!

[HopefulRNtay]

Lovinglife123,

I know the odds are not in my favor for getting this grade but it is possible and has been done before, So I'm going to try. Hoping for the best but if it doesnt work out I'll figure it out. I trust that God has a plan. If I do choose to repeat the ADN program, I will give it my all.

[HopefulRNtay]

Ponymom,meanmaryjean

I felt I was being belittled when someone says "I can hear you crying from here" and that I'm a whiner who wants to be catered to, that I'm blaming others.

You assumed you knew my motives and personality.

I certainly agree that the truth is a compassionate thing to do and can be the wake up call that someone may need to improve themselves.

My problem is that you assumed what my truth was, and you were incorrect.

Some of you adressed it quite aggressively.

I'm sure you meant well. I wish the best for you also.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Definitely go and review the test because you have nothing to lose...but I say this gently: you weren't able to complete what was required of you and so you failed. It does really sting when the difference between passing and failing was a few points, a few more minutes...but you had the same test and time allowance as everyone else. If a majority of the class failed the test, then there may have been a bona-fide issue with that test. But they didn't.

I'm sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear, but it's kinder for you to hear the truth than to be given false hope with lies. I know it doesn't feel like that right now though.

Mourn this loss for a little bit--that's perfectly natural and you're entitled to do that. But then pick yourself up and decide what to do next.

If you really do want to become a nurse, you will have to complete a nursing program. Maybe you don't have to repeat this one: see if you can transfer to another ADN or a BSN program, though be prepared to explain the failures and more importantly, take responsibility for your role in them. Or you could go into a LVN program--that would also get you working as nurse, and then later on if you still wanted to be a RN, you could always do a bridge program.

And if you decide that nursing isn't for you after all...that's OK too. Sometimes it takes moments like this to see what is--or isn't--really the best thing for us.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

[guest769224]

Wow @ ponymom... harsher than necessary.

Good luck HopefulRNTaylor.

[waterdrifter]

Just wow.

You offer some solid advice Ponymom, but it isn't heard over your complete lack of compassion Extra work perhaps? Maybe. The rest of your post, totally not needed.

I totally feel for the OP. I haven't been in the same situation, but a little love goes a long way and it seems that's all they were looking for. How many of us have ever gone over our test answers, probably all of us. God forbid that she try to assess and work on what she has wrong. God forbid she fight for something she worked so hard for. Will it be successful? That's up to the OP and her nursing school staff.

I never got the whole "eat your young" thing, but you are the epitome of that. Looking at your post history, you usually are the negative type, aren't you? I get it, you're a little mad that you couldn't be a nurse either, huh? That's why you work manufacturing? Great job. Take your negativity elsewhere.

[Ash MBA BSN RN, BSN, RN]

My question is how did u fail the entire program over math problems on exam? It appears exam was a classroom exam, am I wrong?

[HopefulRNtay]

My question is how did u fail the entire program over math problems on exam? It appears exam was a classroom exam, am I wrong?

It was our final, there was very limited time for the amount of questions and lengthy math problems. Several students nearly ran out of time. I met with my instructors today, I did not pass but that's okay. I should have asked for the accomodations I needed a long time ago and that was my mistake. My instructors and the dean were incredibly compassionate, they were wonderful enough to double and triple check my exams (before I arrived and without me asking) to see if there were points I could get back. We all fought for it but it wasn't there. They gave me all the resources I need to determine my next step and Im so thankful for them. I will likely be transferring to another school who will take most of my credits and may go to complete my ADN or get my LPN and bridge from there. I will take this as a learning opprotunity, get my accomodations in place from the get go and do better. Thank you to everyone who has offered support and advice, I really appreciate it.

[headofcurls, BSN, RN]

Good luck, I wish you the best. We had a girl get held back a year and failed the graduation test 3 times, once by a couple of points. She was dismissed from the program. She switched schools and is a RN now.

[Cara_SN]

I am sorry, but I have to agree with a lot of posts I just read. I am a single parent, grew up in a unstable household, have one child and welcomed another during nursing school, worked long hours as a bartender to support my family and I have never failed a class. Nursing school is not for everyone, no matter how passionate you are about the field. It takes quick thinking and understanding in order to make sure people get the best care possible and DONT DIE! My school also has timed tests and I would assume all nursing schools do bc according to my school, we have a certain amount of time to answer questions bc thats have the NCLEX is. It may not be the outcome you wanted, but trying to fight the grade is just looking for a quick resolve while making excuses for yourself.