Final Semester Nursing School Failure...What do I do now?

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I failed out of nursing school my final semester (5 days before graduation) by 3 points. I need advice. Here's my story in it's entirety...

I began taking prereqs right out of high school in 1997. I would go to school for a semester and then go back to work for a while. In the meantime, my husband and I got married and started our family... I put my nursing degree on hold for a long while. When both of my boys were in school all day, I decided to go back. I applied and was accepted to an ASN program in Oklahoma in 2008. My grades were awesome! When the final class of the final semester rolled around, my husband's job was transferred to Indiana. No big deal, right? My clinical rotations were complete. The only class I was still attending was Advanced Med/Surg online. I talked to my instructor about our move and she said it wouldn't be a problem as long as I was willing and able to return to campus for exam purposes. I agreed to travel back and forth between Indiana and Oklahoma for 5 exams. I did well on all of my exams except the final. I totally stressed and blew it. When I sat down to take the exam, all I could think about was that this was the final step to my dream... Test anxiety hit me hard that day. I failed out of nursing school because of one class and 3 points. I was heartbroken but still determined.

In Oklahoma, they have a gray area where if you are 3/4 of the way finished with RN school (includes Psych/OB/Peds), you can sit for the LPN boards. Ok...I can do that, right? Wrong!!! There isn't a gray area in Indiana. You either have to graduate from the LPN program or graduate from the RN program. No middle ground. Next, I thought I could obtain my LPN licensure in Oklahoma and have it transferred to Indiana. Nope...Can't do that either. You have to verify proof of graduation from one program or the other. Now I am totally crushed. I was supposed to graduate in Dec of 2009. I can't think straight and I don't know what to do. I have contacted ALL of the colleges in the state of Indiana to see if I can transfer into an ASN or BSN program or even attempt to get the LPN. Everyone says I would be better to start all over again because nursing program courses do not transfer. Basically, they are telling me the last 12 years of my college life has been a complete waste of time and money. One final & 3 points killed my dream (for now). I'm not giving up, but I can't afford to start all over again. Does anyone have any ideas or advice?

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Don't you get to repeat that one semester over? My college allows you to repeat a semester over, but only once. If you fail a second time then you have to repeat the whole process of applying to nursing program again.

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Unfortunately, I don't have that option. During my 1st semester of nursing school, my mom passed away and I took the remainder of the semester off. That was considered my repeat.

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Wow you're really between a rock and a hard place): So your nursing courses won't transfer and you can't repeat the semester. I don't really have any advice for you, I think you will probably have to start over again from scratch.

So sorry this happened to you. Hopefully someone else has some advice for you that will help you get back into school!! Good luck Hugs (:

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I have seen others on this board post about Excelsior. I would also talk to the Dean of the school if you haven't already to discuss your situation.

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Can you look in to Excelsior? I think they will offer the program to students with a certain portion of an in-person program finished. Can you petition your school to allow you another repeat since your first one was a withdrawal for family reasons and not an academic issue?

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You have completed at least 50% of an RN program to include the clinical portion, so you are eligible for Excelsior. That would be a better option than starting over from scratch. Check them out at http://www.excelsior.edu.

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I heard Chamberlain college accepts nursing classes from other schools. You should look into that. I dunno if there's any Chamberlain College in Indiana though. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

If the school was not accredited, nobody is going to acknowledge/accept the transfer classes. This is why so many warn about going to "for profit" nursing schools. Also all science and math classes age off after 5 years and must be retaken regardless of the school they were taken at. I am assuming your school was not accredited and that is why the courses won't transfer. Otherwise they should.

I am sorry for your frustration. I hope you are able to find a way to pursue your dream.

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Specializes in none.

I would try Excelsior College..:twocents::twocents:

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The same thing happened to me, I got all the way through nursing school and failed my last clinical, I had dropped it the semester before to focus on lecture and that was my only chance. I was dismissed from the program in the last two months. I was and am still devestated but I found a LPN program that would let me test out of all but the last semester in the LPN program. I also had to pass skills exams to be accepted into the final semester. Well, I just finished the semester and am waiting to take my boards for LPN. At least as a licenced LPN I can take numerious bridge programs to RN, usually in two semesters, thats the main reason I became a LPN, so I would not have to repeat the whole process. Im not sure if you had that option, I live in Pennsylvania. Im not sure I would recomend excelcior college because I hears the clinical final 2 1/2 day exam is brutal and you could find yourself in the same position, I am very wary of it. Best of Luck, Keith in PA

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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that if you've already completed 3 semester of Nursing you qualify to sit for LPN state exam.

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