Failed LPN school twice...need advice

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hello all,

So I am going to try to make this as short as possible. So the first time I went into nursing school it was a 1 year LPN program. I got through second semester and failed on finals day by 5 points! The instructors were really supportive towards the end and were hoping I would have passed as earlier in the year I had some performance anxiety issues with the skills test outs that I got solved with some help from my doctor.

I ended up going to school again at another school this time for a 2 year LPN program. I got to 3rd semester. I had all of my classes at a passing grade. Clinical (and S or U grade ) seemed to be the issue at this point. I was very anxious and went to my adviser asking if i should be concerned about it she said no as she had not heard anything herself. I even emailed my clinical instructor for updates on my progress with no response and about the middle of the clinical time I went to my instructor and she said I was doing fine. Just because I saw something "bad" on the eval didn't mean it was bad it just meant to improve on it. That eased my anxiety for the time being but I could still feel her vibe was off with me for the rest of the semester. At the end for the test out simulation after it was over I got pulled aside saying that they may not pass me. This wasn't my clinical instructor telling me this this was another one. I said why and she told me well some students just have to wait until the end. (the funny thing is this instructor only watched my simulation) They pulled i'm into a meeting with the entire faculty and explained why they may not pass me....now at this point i'm thinking why couldn't the instructor tell me this via email or ask me to come in since I was sending her emails? Their conclusion was at one of the clinical sights I did get enough med surge experience so they extended my clinical time by 2 weeks. Still had me do all the paperwork involved but it was not graded. I ended up getting kicked out of the program because I accidentally took a piece of paper home with a pt last name on it. Even though I was honest and gave it to the instructor the next morning and said it was at the bottom of my bag and I didn't realize it until then they still dismissed me as this was a "HIPPA violation."

In the mean time I got diagnosed with ADD/migraines. This would explain the little mistakes I made at clinical/ lack of focus I did have. So I reapplied to the program. They told me specifically if I reapplied I would start out with a "clean slate". I got in and they made me write out a contract with them with all of these regulations saying I had to meet with the didactic instructor, clinical instructor, tutor, on campus counselor, and disability coordinator. I met with the disability coordinator on my own and counselor along with my therapists. I had a 94.7% in the didactic class. During clinical this time around I screwed up by not recalling a skill fully (i told the instructor before hand this was my first time doing this ever and it has been over a year since we practiced this) and asked for assistance in the pt room...apparently that was the wrong thing to do (the first nursing program I was in allowed this however). Also I made the mistake of letting family help ambulate the patient....granted I honestly thought that would be fine since the pt was able to walk mostly on her own. As a result I got pulled into a meeting with the department chair, didactic, and clinical instructor. They told me basically I was failing clinical after week 2, I needed an adjustment on my meds, they had doubts I could push the code button if I ever saw a pt code, it was over 2 weeks per contract that i saw the tutor (even though i asked about this in another meeting with the instructor) I was going to see her that day, and they were mad I took long to re apply into the program even though I did it before the deadline (yet they could give me less than 24 hour notice for the orientation schedule). They also said I never contacted the disability coordinator. I said I had papers from her in my car I got a response "yeah, okay." Turns out the coordinator made a mistake and thought I only emailed her and that's what she told the instructors. As she went to look back in her papers she realized I did actually see her in her office even before the contract was created. I never got an apology for this from the nursing department for this. At that point they made me go to the counselor on campus immediately. I talked to my psychologist about it and she said It shouldn't have gone down that way, they discriminated, and it sounds like they had their minds made up before I even walked in there for the second time. Also my dad ended up calling them and they brought up the HIPPA violation (which my therapist also said technically wasn't one) from the semester before. That to me says so much for a "clean slate" start.

I went to the dean with an email time line of ones that were never responded to or took more than 24 hours as that is policy for the program, also what was said in the meetings, and what happened last semester. All he could say was it sounds like there was a communication issue between the instructors and he will talk to them. I have also thought about suing for discrimination but then thought its not worth my time and they will do this to someone else eventually that will.

I want to go back to nursing school again and face all the fears as I feel that now I have a diagnosis there are ways to find to adapt and do even better. Also any thoughts on the story would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care-Family Medicine.

I just want to make sure I'm understanding this right. You went to NS # 1 and failed out in the last semester. Then went to NS # 2 and failed out in third semester so restarted NS # 2 again and failed out in first semester. So you've actually failed out three times total?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I just want to make sure I'm understanding this right. You went to NS # 1 and failed out in the last semester. Then went to NS # 2 and failed out in third semester so restarted NS # 2 again and failed out in first semester. So you've actually failed out three times total?

Yeah that's what I'm confused about. I'm trying to get everything sorted out. It's a lot to get through.

If you failed out of nursing school three times due to the clinical portion, maybe there are concepts you are not grasping. Before you try to apply to another nursing program, you should figure out what is tripping you up in clinicals. Talk to your psychiatric if your medication isn't working or dose needs to be adjusted.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

OP, the best thing you may need to do is work with your psychiatrist before going again to nursing school; also moving forward, even if your parents want to help, they most likely can not help you when you have problems in nursing school because most of what you do is risky for a HIPAA violation.

I also suggest getting a job in a healthcare facility and becoming comfortable with pts, families, and a few skills such as ADLs and working closely with nurses to get a feel of being comfortable in a clinical setting once you have a workable plan for your ADD; also if you are able to attend a program in the future, have a plan in place how to study, know your learning and test taking style, and home your skills with interacting with faculty by approaching them early and often, by being factual and to the point to prevent confusion or any other potential miscommunication.

I also implore you to not divulge your disorder unless you can prove that you are able to grasp the information appropriately theoretical and clinically; otherwise it is seen as an excuse and a lack of accountability; especially if you may be sitting next to someone with the same issue, but they are handling it appropriately-you wouldn't know it because they may have a plan in place and is advancing appropriately-if you are clinically unsafe, the focus will be on that, in addition using your disorder as an avoidance of being accountable for practicing safely.

Best wishes.

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The first program I was in had "three" semesters fall spring and summer. I failed out of the spring semester with the lecture portion on a final by 5 points but a passed their clinicals. The second program I went in had four semesters fall spring "summer" fall spring. I failed out of the third semester with accidentally bringing the paper home which they deemed a "hippa violation." This was during the extended portion of clinical as described above. I then reapplied to the same second nursing program for the third semester class. I never failed but for how they ended up treating me I quit 2 months in. Ironically I talked to a classmate after and she also said she had the same issue with not getting treated well in 3rd semester and that ended up carrying over to 4th which is what I would fear would happen so I quit after that meeting.

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I agree with what you are saying. When I re applied to the program they were still working on me with finding the right med/dosage. I plan to wait another year or so before I hop back into another program. I want this more than anything at this point and am willing to change what is in my control to get there. Thanks for the advice and encouragement :)

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Gonna be honest here pick another major.

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Dont give up. This will be my second and hopefully LAST attempt.

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Just hang in there, I failed the lvn program once and im back at it the second time. Dont give up keep striving for what you want and you"ll eventually get there, this second time around im more focused and taking things more seriously, I lacked motivation the firat time into the program. I take finals for pedis this monday and medsurg finals this tuesday and thats it im done. Its been a long road, but well worth it. I hope you dust yourself off and get back on that horse and ride it like theres no tomorrow. Best of luck

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Don't give up that was rude comment telling you to pick another major. Question to the people that failed how can I prevent not failing ? I'm ADD as well you are not alone.

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Omg you sound like me. I suffer with anxiety. I didn't start clinicals yet but based on how I do in lab I know I'm gonna fail out because of my nerves. When I read posts like this I get so discouraged. It makes me want to already give up.

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You need to get a nursing coach. You should not have to have failed that many times.

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