Failed 2 nrsg classes; out forever?

[tnmater]

I'm 49 and failed my 3rd semester of an ASN community college program. Last year I failed my 2nd semester and successfully passed the second time. The school has a "two-strikes-you're-out" policy. Without going into all the details, the main reasons for failures were family issues (major illness and family member who committed suicide). It just seems like bad luck dumps on me when I'm in school (so many other things).

I've worked so hard to get this far. Both times of failure were by less that 5 points! Crazy to think that just 5 questions somewhere that I got wrong kept me from succeeding. (That's a whole different story; questions on exams that most of the class would get wrong but weren't evaluated).

I've been very successful in my clinical rotations and have even had hospital staff say they wanted me to work for them after graduation.

I've been accepted to other colleges in general, but the nursing programs all have the "two-strikes" policy even if it was at another college. Is this a state rule? I live in TN. Or another guideline? Is nursing simply no longer an option because I failed two semesters? Especially when circumstances where beyond my control.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

You may have to wait a few years before you can try an ADN program again, or you can go to a Practical Nursing (PN) program and go on and become a licensed practical nurse.

Moving forward, you need to think about what caused the failures, meaning, you still weren't getting enough on your test scoring to not fail. I understand you had family issues; if they were as severe as you stated, the best recourse was to leave school and get that in order than to continue on into your program with grades on the fence.

I failed an ADN program, dusted myself off, went into a PN program and went on to be very successful as a LPN, and went back for my BSN and have been an RN for almost 3 years. Sometimes the straight path isn't always the path destined...

Best wishes.

[s2bLuluRN]

I am not sure which part of TN you live in, I live about 20-30 minutes from Nashville, but you could look into Vol State or Motlow. I attend Vol State for pre reqs for BSN but have looked into their ADN program and don't recall seeing "two strikes you're out" deal. I know some midstate universities will reject you but what about trying at a private college. It's more money so you would need figure out if that would be worth it in the long run. It doesn't hurt to go speak with some of the schools and see where they stand.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Clinical rotations don't mean anything if you do not pass the class. You cite "bad luck", but the vast majority of nursing students are going through tough situations and they succeed. I won't even get into my story, but my life wasn't a bed of roses that is for sure. Try to not blame anyone or anything because then you excuse failure and develop a pattern of not finishing what you start. It gets easier and easier to look for excuses or blame. The road to success is being accountable to yourself. Bad things happen...to all of us..and we still are expected to complete the mission. If you get another chance make it count. Good luck.