Failed Nursing School

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I was accepted into a nursing program at a 4 year university in the Spring of 2015. I successfully completed my first semester of nursing school. However, during my second semester I failed my Adult Medical Surgical class by 0.12 points. I earned a 79.88% in this class. For my Obstetrics class I earned a 78.2%. Unfortunately, we had to score at least an 80% to continue in the program. We were only allowed to score below an 80% in one class and retake the class while being able to continue in the program. This all happened in December of 2015. I decided to leave my university even though I was in good academic standing. I then transferred to a community college in hopes of getting in their nursing program to become an LPN.

Knowing that this was a community college, there were many applicants and limited space. Only 24% were accepted. I was not one of them even though my GPA was a 4.0 and my TEAS score was 80. (My GPA before the last semester that I failed out of nursing school was a 3.7. I have always been a straight A student at my previous 4 year university, but when it comes to taking exams like the TEAS, SAT's, and so on I score on the lower end. I know the TEAS score is not the greatest).

At this point I don't know what to do with myself or what I should change my major to. I am 22 years old and was supposed to graduate with a degree this December 2016. I clearly cannot continue with my dream of nursing. I need to be logical and major in something that does not have a program I must be accepted into. This is unfortunate because I am only interested in the health care field. I have browsed other majors and nothing sparks an interest in me. My problem is that it's so hard for me to study something like business, information technology, so on when the majors are so dull to begin with. I don't feel happy or feel as though I would succeed pursing a new major that I don't care for at all. This whole experience has crushed me emotionally and I feel like my education has been taken from me. Any advice is much appreciated!

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Keep your chin up, dear one. If your dream is to be a nurse, continue. I see what you have gone through reminds me a lot of myself. I struggled in school & now am a nurse of 9 years & have just been accepted into a NP school in my area. If you want it, you can do it. My advice is to go to a tech school & become a LPN & then a RN. I struggled in my A&P class at my 4-year university. I took those at an area tech school & made A+'s. I remember that we used plastic human models, the teaching style was more straight forward, & it clicked. If you want it, you can do it. Going through this will make you an even more excellent nurse one day. You will appreciate your degree even more. I would get a LPN then RN degree at a tech school then maybe go to 4-year school to get your BSN. My area state school nearby has their RN to BSN online. If you decide not to do nursing, how about teaching? You could teach science or health or even PE. Or you could study public health. I love public health, which is focused on more population & preventative medicine. Pray/meditate on what you want & relax & go for it. You've got this! :-)

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Have you asked the last school you applied to how you might be able to improve your odds for acceptance in the future? That's where I would start.

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You can also look at applying at another 4-year university. I went to a solid public university nearby, & as long as you had C's, you were golden. My university gave you a bit more chances for those of us, like me, who grew a lot in college. 3.7 GPA is amazing. It's easiest to just go straight through & get your RN-BSN in one swoop. Less steps to get done. I would check at other schools if this one didn't work out. Talk to an admissions counselor. Just make sure they're accredited. I tend to go for the old-fashioned brick & mortar universities, but to each their own. You've got this! All is not lost.

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How many classes do you have toward a degree? If it is enough to get a liberal arts degree, then you could go from there for your masters in perhaps public health or something of that nature.

Or there may be another university that will take all of your credits. Just because this school won't take a 75 or above, doesn't mean they all won't.

You could go a technical school route, and get your Medical Assistant certificate to work in an MD office (and check to see if there's jobs available in your area), or Emergency Medical Technician and work on an ambulance or in an emergency department setting. Phlebotomy to draw blood. You could take physical therapy assistant certification. Recreation as an activities director in a long term care facility. CPR instructor in an adult learning facility. There's lots of possibilities. You just need to know where you could get a job. And to do that you have to research local facilities web sites for what jobs are open--the web sites of ambulance companies, nursing homes (you could also get a CNA and work you way to an advanced CNA that does physical therapy activities with people).

You could also take your liberal arts degree and get a master's in counseling/mental health.

There are lots of things that you could make with what you have. But you need to sit down with your academic advisor, create a plan, and move forward. Also, if you do not test well, you need to be sure you have supports in place (such as a tutor) to assist you in your future educational goals.

Best wishes, and look at where the needs are in your area and make an appointment with your academic advisor.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You may have to sit out a few years besides getting back into a program.

Before trying another program, get the required test exam review books before taking the exam again and make mock tests to be prepared.

I failed an ADN program at 19 and decided to not return; I waited 4 years to get into a PN program and graduated and passed my boards shy of 24; I made sure I got an associates so I wouldn't have to retake my courses when I was ready to return to an RN-prep program; I returned to school in a BSN program when I was 28, and graduated before the age of 31.

Life is not a hard line of steps...the setbacks help the journey of success.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Look into bachelor degree programs to become a physician assistant.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I am sorry to hear of your failure...

You have a choice...you can be honest with yourself, analyze where you went wrong, and learn from your failure to re-emerge as a stronger student who passes a nursing program. Or, you can change your major.

Again, you have a choice. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

If you want to be a nurse find a way.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

One consideration might be LPN school and then bridge to a RN program.

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do pre-med or pre-law. Can't go wrong there. :yes:

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No one is always successful in their first attempt of doing things. I have known nurses who did not pass everything the first time, they went back to school and knocked the ball out the part. If you know this is your passion, get back into nursing school. You have high scores at that. Research school with high acceptance rates in their schools. Even the one with low ones I'm sure you could get in because of your scores. Even though you feel you may not be good enough, apply for everything. God gave some of the most unqualified people task and turn their turmoil into a testimony. Keep pushing, It will pay off in the end.

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