Failed nursing school(technically)

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi everyone,

I have been reading posts and things about students failing nursing school. Very few I have noticed win appeals or have a leg to stand on when they don’t take accountability for their own failures as well.

I failed my clinical portion of OB/Peds but passed theory. At the same time we took med/surg. 16 weeks and two courses so 8 weeks a piece. Now for clinicals you have to get a 2.0 to pass. Most of the areas they grade you in the highest you can receive is a 2. There are five areas you can receive a 3. It’s approximately 35 areas you are graded on all but 5 have the possibility of getting a 2. I failed with a 1.96.

I had a zero one day for the “appearance” portion. My stethoscope broke in clinical. Yep! And yes the instructor knew when it broke and the other students knew as well because people saw me pull it out of the case and the diaphragm just flopped off. So I borrowed another students and we agreed to share, as I wasn’t going to take the staffs because they might’ve needed it. The instructor never told me it was an issue and no feedback was given on what I was suppose to do.
We were suppose to be graded on 8 weeks but only were graded on 7. Why? I still do not know. I’ve asked and the only answer I received was “that’s the way your clinicals fell into certain dates” which still doesn’t make sense to me.

(Side note:I have adhd so I’m sorry if this is all over the place. I tend to babble and don’t put things in good order.)

After the grades were “finalized” as my teacher told me they would stand, they went in and changed it from a 1.96 to a 1.95. They were aware I had filed an appeal.
I emailed the instructor and asked why my grade had changed. She stated the other teacher forgot to add something in. She told me the approximate place and it wasn’t changed. I showed her this as I screenshot everything prior to use for my appeal. The next day my grade changed again to a 1.96 without explanation.

As of now the president has issued a recommendation to let me continue to my lpn portion along with the 6 other students that failed this semester. All the same all failed ob but they failed theory by 0.68 at lowest to 1 percent. We all have filed appeals. Our program started with 27 and technically are down to 6.

The other students submitted their appeals and I can’t speak for them but my appeal I showed emails of asking for help and to my response...nothing. We had no tutoring available, no advisor meetings when requested as well.

I will say that I created a plan of action for my appeal. To show what I did wrong and what I will approve on. It’s not just the teachers faults I get it but when covid hit I feel like it definitely prevented me from being the best student I could be. My school allows two attempts however this is my second attempt. My first attempt I didn’t fail I withdrew because of income. Which I should’ve realized that I was going to be in debt with no financial aid. So this year I did get financial aid. I passed fundamentals with a B. In my ob/peds I got level 3s on my proctors. I also showed that to the board hoping it will help me a little. I had to withdraw because I was also going to court for custody of my daughters; which is now resolved ?

I’m not really sure what to do as I haven’t heard back because it takes 10 days and it’s only been 5. I am pretty sure they will deny me. I’ve had hardships which I explained in the appeal which by the way was 47 pages long. ?

ADHD, my mother has schizophrenia and would bang on my door at 3 am but I didn’t put that, I don’t need everyone knowing my business that deeply, my step dad had 3 heart attacks, was diagnosed with kidney failure, my actual dad which is my grandpa I pay his bills which I had documentation for, plus two kids at home helping them with online, I work 2 jobs(I’m dumb) to cover my meds, my dads bills, my moms meds, and here and there expenses.

I’m just wondering, what my chances are of winning my appeal, or what other options I have. I’m done with pharmacology, fundamentals, med surg, and failed ob/peds clinical but passed theory(still a fail) and am now in the lpn(for now)

I keep reading about these awful experiences in nursing school. And I haven't been yet, I'm waiting to hear back for my application, so please know that I'm now judging at all. But which schools are these?? Or at least, which type (state school, private, partly online, degree factory) if you need to maintain anonymity. Is there anything those of us headed into nursing school can do to avoid either the school or the situation?

1 Votes
Specializes in Nursing Student.

The stories are all true, but don't let that discourage you, @Jinjahninja. If you want to be a nurse, make sure you select and accredited program and go for it! Many students experience these hardships and still make it. Others luck out and avoid all the nonsense altogether. Hopefully, you'll be part of the latter group! From what I've seen, I don't think it makes a difference which school you attend. Sadly, the nonsense seems pretty widespread. The worst part is that they make you jump through all these weird hoops and most of it does not apply in real life. I went into a reputable program with a bachelor's in physics, a 3.7 GPA, a positive attitude, and a strong desire to learn. Despite all that, I failed the program for 0.2 points and have several horror stories to tell. I never thought I would be in a forum posting anything like this, but here I am. All you can do is make sure you select an accredited program and do your best while in it. Hopefully it'll go by quickly and you'll graduate with no issues. I wish you the best of luck, don't give up on your dreams!

1 Votes

Al you needed was a 2.0 for clinicals? That grade doesn't sound right, I mean if they said a max of 3 with the lowest being 2.5 would be okay. My school said anything lower than 90/100 is failing. I mean if you failed it then either the teacher isn't doing a good job, the hospital preceptors, or its something the class isn't doing! I mean 27 down to 6 isn't very reflective of the school and probably lose its accreditation.

Always have 2 stethoscopes a cheap one and a really nice one, have your folders, have extra pens and two pair of scissors! Sometimes a few students had extra watches incase something happened. Have your pharmacology books and diagnosis books to.

1 Votes
3 hours ago, Yodi2007 said:

Al you needed was a 2.0 for clinicals? That grade doesn't sound right, I mean if they said a max of 3 with the lowest being 2.5 would be okay. My school said anything lower than 90/100 is failing. I mean if you failed it then either the teacher isn't doing a good job, the hospital preceptors, or its something the class isn't doing! I mean 27 down to 6 isn't very reflective of the school and probably lose its accreditation.

Always have 2 stethoscopes a cheap one and a really nice one, have your folders, have extra pens and two pair of scissors! Sometimes a few students had extra watches incase something happened. Have your pharmacology books and diagnosis books to.

I had everything on me that was required. But something isn’t right when a program starts with 25 and ends with 6

On 5/19/2020 at 6:35 PM, Futurenpcm said:

Let’s say if it happens, are you able to repeat the semester? What do you mean?

1 Votes

Update: My appeal was approved! The board agreed on my behalf and I was added back into my program! Now to continue on with a positive attitude and you better believe I will be documenting everything from hear on out!

7 Votes
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Congratulations! Now ... make the most of this 2nd chance and don't leave any room for any more problems.

3 Votes
9 hours ago, JoC12345 said:

Update: My appeal was approved! The board agreed on my behalf and I was added back into my program! Now to continue on with a positive attitude and you better believe I will be documenting everything from hear on out!

WOW!! I would not have expected that. You're very lucky. Just combine that luck with hard work and you're good to go ?

1 Votes
Specializes in Nursing Student.
10 hours ago, JoC12345 said:

Update: My appeal was approved! The board agreed on my behalf and I was added back into my program! Now to continue on with a positive attitude and you better believe I will be documenting everything from hear on out!

That's awsome, congratulations! I wish you the best of luck!

1 Votes
On 5/22/2020 at 12:07 PM, Serhilda said:

She was the only professor to fail students out of clinicals and completed "sock checks" every morning. Wrong type of socks? Kicked out of clinical.

She's why the saying "those who can't do, teach" exists.

1 Votes
Specializes in oncology.
On 5/22/2020 at 9:34 PM, Forever Curls said:

For some reason the team did not have a certain instrument but the doctor was able to manage it anyway. After the surgery the teacher gave the student a hard time and told her that she would have been able to help if she had brought her own stash of instruments. Everyone was horrified. What ever happened to sterile fields? The student ended up failing for that reason despite having a passing grade on her test average. She was also dismissed from her school. I am not certain but I think they denied her appeal.

I do not believe this is what actually happened. Other facts were in play.

1 Votes

I’m so happy for you! CONGRATS.

1 Votes
Specializes in NICU.
On 5/18/2020 at 1:29 AM, JoC12345 said:

ADHD, my mother has schizophrenia and would bang on my door at 3 am but I didn’t put that, I don’t need everyone knowing my business that deeply, my step dad had 3 heart attacks, was diagnosed with kidney failure, my actual dad which is my grandpa I pay his bills which I had documentation for, plus two kids at home helping them with online, I work 2 jobs(I’m dumb) to cover my meds, my dads bills, my moms meds, and here and there expenses.

I am so sorry for your troubles but when life gets in the way you speak up or see if you can withdraw,forget sympathy ,they have none.

If you are working as a nurse and you have these same issues ,what are you going to do?If you make a mistake in meds,or iv infiltrates you are in a worse situation,you can get fired,sued by the family etc.

You can get help to support your efforts to cope or put off school until you clear your table.This is not a happy call,but if they let you graduate and you later under same circumstances fail to meet standards of care it could be worse for you,even jail time.

Think about it and make your plan and then do what you have to do,hope it all works out for you,many blessings.

1 Votes
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