i failed out of nursing school...now what

[mashamontago]

i have a plan to go to a university.. i did that just in case i failed again. i failed N51 TWICE.. my professor told me it was because she didn't think i had confidence for my pt, that i kept asking for clarification...she felt that i needed to be supervised, etc, and that i couldn't make decisions very well. she felt that in the time that passed, she didn't see me improve from the beginning of the semester to the end. so basically it's her opinion that failed me...

nursing isn't my passion, but i could live with it. it was something i could endure to make a difference in the world, pay the bills.. which is a pretty practical reason. i didnt have this heart overflowing with joy but i could feel good when someone smiled at me and said thankyou. not all of it was bad.

i had a 87% in theory, but i had a borderline 75% in clinical. she told me to do the LVN or the CNA program.

i'm 21 years old. i've said that so many times that i don't even care anymore. what do i want to do with my life versus what is actually possible? sure, i can say i want to major in english literature, take out oans and go to CSUN, and take up gender studies as well. haha. but then again this economy isn't doing so well so while that may be great for 2 years etc, i might not have a job secured at the end. i dont think i'll really care because u can't predict the future.

what you guys recommend i do? it's already summer, so basically i have to wait until fall 09.

[Music in My Heart]

but what of those things we don't get paid for.. like listening to a patient who is depressed or comforting a patient during times of difficulty...

Those sound like the actions of a professional nurse to me. I don't need to have a passion for nursing in order to be an empathetic, caring man. I was empathetic and caring long before I ever decided to pursue nursing as a profession and will continue to be so should I ever decide to pursue another profession.

what are you going to turn and say... "sorry I get off at 7 can you wrap this up" ?

Well, unless I'm authorized for OT then I'm going to follow policy and wrap up my shift on time and clock out when I'm supposed to. Hopefully the nurse following me is also an empathetic, caring, professional nurse.

I hope your passionless career serves you well.

I'm quite confident in that. My former career was also without passion and it also served me well and produced much success.

[Music in My Heart]

why would you want to be miserable in a profession that you don't like?

I couldn't agree more... life is too short to permit oneself to be miserable.

There's a huge chasm between being miserable at something and having a passion for it.

[Music in My Heart]

I can't imagine doing this job without really loving it. The hours suck. The work is demanding and often just plain nasty. Most of my friends with 4yr degrees make way more than I do. I wouldn't be here if I didn't really believe this is where I'm supposed to be. Take the hint,...move on while you're young and find that passion. You'll be so much happier 10 yrs from now!

Best of Luck to you!!

It's entirely possible that I'm older than you are... and I'm certainly not young.

From my perspective, the hours are pretty good and the work, while demanding, is no more so than other jobs I've had and less so than some. Yep, there are some uniquely nasty parts of nursing. There are also rewards offered in few other vocations.

I have my passions, I'm just not fortunate enough to be able to earn a living doing them. My career provides the resources to enable my pursuit of my passions. My career is not my passion.

For all of those who are passionate about their work, I'm pleased for you.

[nkara, CNA]

It does sound like you have made up your mind about not wanting to become a nurse. I wouldn't suggest becoming a CNA either. That is a "dirtier" part of the job and if you don't want to do the work of an RN being a CNA wouldn't help you. It might make your decision more concrete to not further this career path. Maybe look into PT school? A physical therapist or massage therapist might interest you. Way your options carefully and good luck.

[beachbutterfly]

Those sound like the actions of a professional nurse to me. I don't need to have a passion for nursing in order to be an empathetic, caring man. I was empathetic and caring long before I ever decided to pursue nursing as a profession and will continue to be so should I ever decide to pursue another profession.

Well, unless I'm authorized for OT then I'm going to follow policy and wrap up my shift on time and clock out when I'm supposed to. Hopefully the nurse following me is also an empathetic, caring, professional nurse.

I'm quite confident in that. My former career was also without passion and it also served me well and produced much success.

Hmmm.... ok....so when you have a new admission that is unstable you do also just leave for home or when your relief nurse is running an hour late you just indifferently tell your manager that you work 8 to 5 take off and rationalize your actions by thinking "I'm just a bureaucratic professional"? Or when someone calls in sick and your manager asks you to stay few hours more until she finds a PRN nurse?.The point that I'm trying to make is that behaving professionally is simply just not ENOUGH for nursing profession.Perhaps professions that do not require such intimate pt care could get away wih professionalism only,however nursing is that one career that definitely requires passion and a drive from people it involves.

Ok you will be a professional nurse but you will not excell or thrive in your profession because you lack a must passion.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

Honestly, passion or no, ANYONE can do nursing. I see it everyday.

In your case, I feel that you failed for the same reason I did. It sucked the life right out of you. Nursing school tends to do that. Does that mean you can't be a nurse? No. You can go somewhere else and see if they let you pick up where you left off. One of my friends did that and she is a wonderful nurse.

But if you really feel that you must do something else, then go do something else. Don't box yourself off. Make sure whatever you decide is something that is going to make you happy. Life is too short.

[Music in My Heart]

Hmmm.... ok....so when you have a new admission that is unstable you do also just leave for home or when your relief nurse is running an hour late you just indifferently tell your manager that you work 8 to 5 take off and rationalize your actions by thinking "I'm just a bureaucratic professional"? Or when someone calls in sick and your manager asks you to stay few hours more until she finds a PRN nurse?

I don't know where you get the "bureaucratic" part -- I'm definitely not a bureaucrat... never have been, never will be.

As a professional I will help out as much as I'm able. If there's no relief behind me and I am able to stay, then I'll stay. If I can't stay, then I can't stay. For a bona fide staffing emergency, the professional response is to stay and help out.

The really humorous part about your criticism of me is that it's so off the mark. You're typing at a guy who hasn't had an hourly job since high school. In my former salaried position I many times worked 70+ hour weeks including a few 30-hour days... no comp time, no OT, just a professional doing what needed to be done. I sometimes worked weekends and many times travelled overseas for weeks at a time... all while being paid for my standard 40-hr week. I didn't do it because of my passion for the job, I did it because I was a professional and that's what needed to happen in order for our organization to be a success.

The point that I'm trying to make is that behaving professionally is simply just not ENOUGH for nursing profession.Perhaps professions that do not require such intimate pt care could get away wih professionalism only,however nursing is that one career that definitely requires passion and a drive from people it involves.

Nope, I disagree. Professionalism and a caring nature are sufficient. A passion for the job would be nice but it's not a necessity.

Ok you will be a professional nurse but you will not excell or thrive in your profession...

The available indicators thus far would not support your assertion.

Believe what you will, though. You might try being a little more open minded to the notion that some people function differently than you do and that your experience does not define the vast realm of nursing and nurses.

[MaverickyMaverick]

When I was 21 I made a lot of mistakes that I considered failures at the time. Now I see them as common struggles of that age group. Don't be discouraged. I would try something else entirely, but keep your head up. Nursing school is not easy but it doesn't mean you're a failure if you didn't make it. It might just not be for you. I hope that you find your calling and yourself along the way.

Don't give up!

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

Hmmm.... ok....so when you have a new admission that is unstable you do also just leave for home or when your relief nurse is running an hour late you just indifferently tell your manager that you work 8 to 5 take off and rationalize your actions by thinking "I'm just a bureaucratic professional"? Or when someone calls in sick and your manager asks you to stay few hours more until she finds a PRN nurse?.The point that I'm trying to make is that behaving professionally is simply just not ENOUGH for nursing profession.Perhaps professions that do not require such intimate pt care could get away wih professionalism only,however nursing is that one career that definitely requires passion and a drive from people it involves.

Ok you will be a professional nurse but you will not excell or thrive in your profession because you lack a must passion.

You know, I did that once. I stayed 3 hours after my shift for a patient plus the nurse was an hour and a half late. The next time I got to work I got a nice big written up notice for staying OT plus a nice big next time you do that you are fired. So yeah being a passionate nurse doesn't always work. From now on, I don't care what the situation is I am leaving on time because when it comes down to it, your coworker/patient isn't going to stand next to you when you are in the unemployment line.

[I RN A]

Do not go into nursing just because "it something you can live with", because "it will pay bills" and because "economy is slow". You have to love nursing to be a nurse. People who chose nursing career for financial and job security reasons only, shouldn't go into nursing profession. You have to love what you do. It takes a special person to be a nurse. You have to be proud of your profession and love it. I'm sorry you have failed, but I think you are better off with getting into something else, besides nursing. Try physical therapy, radiology, kinesiology.

[cnartnow]

WOW! How unprofessional is that with a BSN? For your information, my patients request me over other CNA's. HMMMM....And another thing, I dont stay til 7......I stay until my work is done even if that means sitting BEDSIDE with some who was just admitted. WOW!!!! I didnt expect that from a BSN.....

[Mrs.BSN71109]

WOW! How unprofessional is that with a BSN? For your information, my patients request me over other CNA's. HMMMM....And another thing, I dont stay til 7......I stay until my work is done even if that means sitting BEDSIDE with some who was just admitted. WOW!!!! I didnt expect that from a BSN.....

what are you talking about? What does having a BSN have anything to do with this discussion? An example was given of what is necessary to be a nurse and what things a nurse may not get paid for but should do to be affective. No one was attacking you are insinuating YOU stay till 7 at your job. Please clarify your angry outburst.