Feeling Discouraged

That sounds like it really sucks. Nursing programs are hard to get through, partially because of rules like those. But all is not lost; you've only just begun and you can come back from this. Think about it this way: You didn't fail because you don't know the material. You failed because of a technicality. So there's nothing keeping you from getting right back up and being successful. It'll all be okay.

Take a deep breath and try to relax. I don't really think you have derailed your whole future. YOu need to stop thinking like that, because it will not help you at all. You are able to retake the course, correct? Look at this as a bump in the road. ShadowNurse is right, this was a technicality, not that you didn't know the material. I'm sorry that it happened to you.

BTW: I completely failed out of nursing school the first time. I went back to school 20 years later. I hit a BIG bump. A lot of people have hit the bump in the road. Just try to focus on staying positive and work hard. I wish you the best of luck!

I just started my nursing program, and everything was going great so far. However I missed a lab and the policy says I can make it up but it has to be reviewed by the Dean. I just heard back from the Dean and she rejected my make-up. So that means I have failed the course and I can't attend clinicals. However, I'm still required to go to lecture and lab for the rest of the term..

No, you're not. Nobody can force you to go to college. You're an adult, you're allowed to just stop going.

Also, are you sure you fail for 1 missed lab? That seems a little unrealistic. People get sick, real life happens. And if it does mean you fail, try going above the dean, move on to the whole schools administration, don't forget, YOU'RE PAYING TO BE THERE.

If you can just retake the class next semester and then you can just move on, then just deal with it. Keep going to your classes and pass them and just retake your class in the spring. If you're not guaranteed to be back in the nursing program, then fight, talk to whoever you have to to make sure that you can make up that lab.

Also be thankful that you can retake this course next semester.. there are many programs that only offer courses once a year so students in those programs who have to repeat a course have to wait an entire year before they can re enroll... at least you don't have to wait a year...find the small victories where you can.

Best of luck.