For those that have failed

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 28, 2007

If you've had your nursing fundamentals, test out to get a CNA. You could either work for a nursing home or sign up with an agency. You might get paid more working for an agency. If you are willing to throw on a uniform and go to work at the last minute when an agency calls, you'll get work because LTCs have CNAs calling off work all the time and need replacements for them on the QT. Another suggestion would be to look for work in an acute hospital as a nursing assistant or nursing tech. In some states, the acute hospitals do not have to require a CNA certification of their nursing assistants (depends on your state laws).

I believe that doing some kind of nursing work is going to help you with nursing school when you go back. You would be around the licensed nurses and able to watch how they are doing their job. You would be seeing some of the diseases and their symptoms in patients that you have or will be studying. Seeing these conditions in real patients who you are working with helps to reinforce the information in your brain. In the ER you're only seeing patients for a very short period of time. I'm not saying it's not going to be helpful, but not all patients come into the hospitals for treatment through the ER.

Whatever you end up doing, if you know you are going to be repeating a course, take some time to do a little Internet and library research of the topics that you might have had some trouble understanding. You may not have the time to do that once you are back in school.

staceytania · May 28, 2007

What ever you do.........dont give up. Fortunately when I failed an exam or had to resumit a paper I didnt have to wait another year.

If you love nursing.........do what you have to do and redo the exam ..... sorry but I think nursing is worth it.

angelinab · May 29, 2007

I would suggest being a CNA or even a unit clerk in a hospital. I think that working in a department where you can see the type of care that goes on will give you some insight for the future when you are the one providing the care. I feel bad that you were in and now have to waitl. Just suck it up, get a "in the meantime job," and make sure you go back. You have to decide if nursing is what you want, and go for it. I have worked in a very busy ER for the past 7yrs as a clerk. I know that some of the techs get paid less than I do (even the ones that have been there longer than me). The techs there are required to have hospital experience and be either EMTs or CNAs.

momathoner09, BSN, MSN, APRN · Jun 2, 2007

Failing was the best thing that could have happened to me. Sure easy to say now...Fortunately I got right back in but it still sucked and I understand how you feel. I went from being in the bottom half of the class to the very top the next semester. I thought is was a fluke b/c (duh) I had already taken the class, of course I would do well. But then I did well in semester 2 and now I am in semester 3 (of 5) and made one of the few As on our first test. Point is- DON'T GIVE UP! Even if it takes a year to get back in- you can do it and you will go back and have the confidence to rise above this. It will only make you a better nurse. (hope all that is not too corny Good luck!