Run out of nursing school - what to do?

Diahni · Feb 21, 2007

What did you mean that you were off for a while and than went on vacation for a month. Did you take time off from school?

yeah, we had at least a month of psych clinicals, then a month off for winter vacation. As many have pointed out, that's no excuse. I don't have a problem with catching h*ll for being rusty, my complaint was the way it all happened. Sometimes you have to know when to fold 'em, and that I have.

Diahni

katienj · Feb 22, 2007

Have you transferred to another school? Have you just given up? I certainly hope not.

Gennaver, MSN · Feb 22, 2007

Hi TeleRNer:
Not sure I made it clear, I'm speaking of an ADN program. I'm not sure if individual experiences depend on which kind of program one is in. This is funny: I told my tale of woe to two nurses I know, both shook their heads and said, "You should have gone directly to Yale." They've got a program you can go to if you already have a bacherlor's degree. Supposedly, it's as far from boot camp as nursing school can be. I don't understand what all the meanness is about. I started having a clue when I watched a movie in class about the history of nursing. There's one place where the commentator says that nursing schools took women and turned them into compliant children. I can really understand this legacy. Time for a chage, I think, don't you?
Diahni

Hi,

Oh, I would bet that direct entry programs are indeed just as tough as associate ones.

We lost three men in the last two quarters of my program. Our program concludes this june.

So, yeah, the programs are equally about personalities and teamwork as it is about the grades, integrity, clinicals and skils.

Good luck to you, my own thoughts are still reeling at having lost FIVE out of our 25 people in the last two years...

(fwiw my program tuition alone is 42,000 dollars-big investment to get booted out of ).

Gen

SonicnurseRN · Feb 22, 2007

I'm sorry for your situation. Maybe it's just my personality, BUT if I had a contract with them & they did not honor that I would be filling a suit to get all the money back I invested - while looking for another Nursing School. Can't let them get away with that.

Tiwi · Feb 22, 2007

How can they get away with not notifying you that a lab session is an exam? I have to agree with sonicnurse; that should be clear from the start! Studying's an expensive business both financially and mentally. Like everyone else here, I support you and best of luck

Michael076 · Feb 22, 2007

Greetings all,
I started my last semester of my RN program very badly. My clinical instructor and I had a serious personality clash. It snowballed into a big mess. I forgot that the instructor is always right. There are many chapters to this which I won't bore anybody with, other than the final one. I was made to sign a contract that said, among other things, that I would meet with the lab instructor once a week through February. After my first meeting with her, I came home to find an email from the dean of nursing saying I was going to be thrown out of the program because I did not pass my lab exam. I wasn't aware that I was being tested when I went to see the lab instructor. Throughout this crisis, I attempted to contact my advisor, other teachers, the dean, and so on. No one responded to me. I have such a bad taste in my mouth about how the entire episode happened that I don't think I would want to continue in this program even if I was allowed. Has anyone had an experience like this? Right now, my strategy is to look into other programs. I will probably have to spend a longer time in school, but I have no choice. Please advise!
Diahni

Were you working many hours while in school? What led to you having to do the lab work to begin with? Believe me I am not placing blame, I do not know the complete details pertaining to your situation. However I was fired from a high paying job a few years back which I was not fond of anyway and really stopped putting forth my best effort. After 2 years of placing blame on everyone else I reflected and realized that is was nobodies fault but my own. This doesn't make me a bad person I was just working in an environment where my true talents could not thrive.

While reading your post it reminded me of how angry I was at my manager but in truth I was mad at myself. She told me to practice my presentations but quite frankly I kept winging it because I hated selling and was burnt out. I am guessing you could have worked a bit harder and got those skills mastered. Again, i don't know the details but in my experience this is normally the case.

For example last week my nursing notes were a little sloppy at clinical. This week I practiced writing them so i'm prepared for the next time.

I'm sorry to hear what happened and I hope everything works out for you. It does sound unfair that the school was not forthcoming in telling you about the lab testing. If you were putting forth the effort they could have been more flexible. I hope you are being honest and were putting forth the effort because I have no sympathy for students who complain about failing a test/pratice skill that they never really studied for. Those students have to take acountability for their own actions. Well good luck.

Diahni · Feb 22, 2007

Hi,
Oh, I would bet that direct entry programs are indeed just as tough as associate ones.
We lost three men in the last two quarters of my program. Our program concludes this june.
So, yeah, the programs are equally about personalities and teamwork as it is about the grades, integrity, clinicals and skils.
Hi,
Isn't this true in so much of life? I hear one can't get tenure without being well-liked by the rest of an academic department. Then I know of a guy who worked hard to get a big grant for his company department, only to see the job go to someone the boss apparently was more friendly with. Sure, one can always make it look like something else, but people have a tendency to be "tribal" and go with those in their own tribes, which is very unfair.
Diahni

Diahni · Feb 22, 2007

While reading your post it reminded me of how angry I was at my manager but in truth I was mad at myself. She told me to practice my presentations but quite frankly I kept winging it because I hated selling and was burnt out. I am guessing you could have worked a bit harder and got those skills mastered. Again, i don't know the details but in my experience this is normally the case.

Michael,

To be sure, my attitude was suffering greatly. I absolutely loathe these women, you have no idea. This is generally true in the program. No love lost between students and teachers. That said, some people can just put their heads to the grindstone. Long story short, I'm glad I bailed, and found a better situation. Thanks for your comments!

Diahni · Feb 22, 2007

How can they get away with not notifying you that a lab session is an exam? I have to agree with sonicnurse; that should be clear from the start! Studying's an expensive business both financially and mentally. Like everyone else here, I support you and best of luck

Tiwi and Sonicnurse,

The bottom line is the school is always right - I wouldn't even waste my time in an endeavor that would prompt them to point out all the ways in which I was wrong. As for the money, I withdrew without the requisite filing of a grievance, etc. Just didn't have the stomach for it. As it turns out, I'm very happy about finishing with an online program. So I lost a bit more than a thousand dollars. Truth be told, I'd spend far more than that to never have to lay eyes on these creepy women for the rest of my life. Honestly. Life can be very expensive, but I learned much about what I'm willing to put up with and what I'm unwilling to do. I'd rather not get in a peeing contest with skunks, if you know what I mean.

Diahni

Diahni · Feb 22, 2007

(fwiw my program tuition alone is 42,000 dollars-big investment to get booted out of ).

Gen

Gennaver,

OUCH! That's a whole lotta money for nothing! There's really something wrong with a system that doesn't figure out until the bitter end that you don't have what it takes. My experience is this determination is extremely subjective, as well. It's pretty heartbreaking to see somebody waste that kind of money. In some parts of the country, that could almost buy you a house! Nursing programs seem to call all the shots.

Diahni

Diahni · Feb 22, 2007

No one told you it was a test??? No one would get back to you??? :uhoh21:
You need to start at the start and get to the bottom of this. I, also, would not throw in the towel without a major battle if I were at the last semester. Surely you've had some warnings and notices along the way and this is not happening out of the blue??? Fight it.

Hi Trudy,

Yeah, no indication of the troubles, but this is how it is. A person can be doing famously, bomb one test, and out they go. It is a heartless system, yet it's couched in terms of "safety." I'd rather go someplace smarter, kinder and all-around closer to my concept of how human beings should treat each other.

Diahni

Liddle Noodnik · Feb 22, 2007

(fwiw my program tuition alone is 42,000 dollars-big investment to get booted out of ).
Gen

Incomprehensible! I forget what mine was - back in 1981 - but it was definitely MUCH LESS! I can't IMAGINE 42,000! oh my! especially given the shortages...