Failed out of nursing school. Do I have a fair chance of getting into another?

Published

I was in a previous nursing school and failed out my 3rd semester. I have tried to transfer to a different school for a year and wasn't successful! Finally, After a year I was able to transfer as a traditional student and was told as long as I meet the requirements I would have a fair chance. Well now I have passed the hesi entrance exam, I have a 3.0 GPA, and I've taken all of the pre reqs and I've applied for clinicals. I exceed the minimal requirements and then some. But now they are telling me that " me failing out of nursing school" will be taken into consideration. Does this mean I don't have a fair chance of getting in? Has anyone had this problem?

Why post this? The only people who can give you a definitive, correct answer to your question are the people at the school to which you applied. Anecdotal stories from strangers have no meaning or bearing on your situation.

umm I posted it because I wanted to know if anyone has ever had this problem! I know my school has the last say so, but some of the comments have been really helpful, especially on how to take action! I'm sorry you feel like I can't ask a question that I'm concerned about!!!!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am sorry that your original school revoked your appeal after granting it :( I also hope that your home situation has improved and that you will be able to focus on school.

I hope the school that you have applied to accepts you and that you are able to be successful there. I encourage you to get an NCLEX review book with a test question CD and practice those NCLEX questions every day! If you get one wrong, study the rationale so that you understand WHY your answer wasn't the best one.

I wish you all the best!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am sorry that your original school revoked your appeal after granting it :( I also hope that your home situation has improved and that you will be able to focus on school.

I hope the school that you have applied to accepts you and that you are able to be successful there. I encourage you to get an NCLEX review book with a test question CD and practice those NCLEX questions every day! If you get one wrong, study the rationale so that you understand WHY your answer wasn't the best one.

I wish you all the best!

thank you! That was very kind. Thanks for the great tips and advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh I don't know.

The College of Staten Island ADN (a CUNY school) has had pretty much the same pre-nursing sequence with a minimum GPA of 2.5 for decades (since the 1980's at least). College of Staten Island - Department of Nursing - 11

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I too had difficulty in my first nursing program. I was under so much stress from family issues (dad dying, mom sick, family business failing) that I dropped out before I could fail. I went back a couple years later and graduated with honors while managing a brand new baby and working 3 days a week. So, YOU can do it. I now have been a nurse for 35 years and am due to retire! Life is good, don't give up. Also, I think the LPN bridge is an excellent idea.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

There are quite a few nursing students in my program who failed out of other programs.

As far as i know, none of them told our university about their past failures.

They got bachelor's degrees in other fields, then applied for the accelerated program.

Most of them are doing well. One failed pharm.

Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to prenursing

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm surprised by how negative some of these responses are. We all know how difficult nursing school is, and people failing a class is not uncommon at all. Everyone deserves an opportunity to have a second chance, although it may be a little difficult depending on the situation.

I would focus on what you can do to make your application more competitive to help make up for the prior failed classes. Perhaps raising your GPA, obtaining letters of reference from your old instructors etc.

Just don't give up hope! I had to retake Med Surg 1 which meant I had to remediate the course, then apply for readmission. I was approved, and I'm very proud to say that I've managed to pull out A's and B's in all my other nursing classes and will graduate in December. Don't get discouraged, just make a plan and work hard to get back where you want to be. Best of luck to you!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm surprised by how negative some of these responses are. We all know how difficult nursing school is, and people failing a class is not uncommon at all. Everyone deserves an opportunity to have a second chance, although it may be a little difficult depending on the situation.

I would focus on what you can do to make your application more competitive to help make up for the prior failed classes. Perhaps raising your GPA, obtaining letters of reference from your old instructors etc.

Just don't give up hope! I had to retake Med Surg 1 which meant I had to remediate the course, then apply for readmission. I was approved, and I'm very proud to say that I've managed to pull out A's and B's in all my other nursing classes and will graduate in December. Don't get discouraged, just make a plan and work hard to get back where you want to be. Best of luck to you!

I was was very surprised too being that this is people who have went through the struggle of nursing school. I still took their advice into consideration though. But thank you for your honest and sincere comment! Thank you for the encouraging words.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nursing education.

As a nursing instructor at a for-profit school, I just wanted to add my perspective.

Probably 80% of my students have failed out of one or more nursing schools and that is absolutely not taken into account in our admission process.

Students either pass or fail courses on their current merits and meeting the outcomes, not on their past.

I realize there is a lot of negativity surrounding the for-profit nursing school business, but we do give everyone a chance, which I really appreciate. If anything, some of them learned quite a bit in their previous coursework; others, it is clearly evident why they failed and nothing changed.

But, at least they have a fair chance with our instructors.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, TNCC.

Nursing credits from other schools never transfer over and I wouldn't have told them that I failed out somewhere else.They even take how many W's you have on your transcript into consideration. That makes it seem like you can't cut it

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Crit Care; EOL; Pain/Symptom; Gero.

Even though your previous school revoked their acceptance of your appeal, can you still apply for readmission and pick up where you left off?

In my experience as a nursing faculty member (> 30 years) at various schools, there always has been a process for rematriculation after a "cooling off" period during which a student demonstrates dedication to the profession by e.g., obtaining CNA certification and working, volunteering in a health-related or community setting (soup kitchen, clothing drive, helping at a health fair or blood drive).

If bridges have not been irreparably burned, think about requesting an appt to meet with an admissions counselor at your previous institution.

Also agree with the recommendation to investigate LVN programs to see which credits may be transferable, and then consider a bridge program in a few years.

Best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion