Dismissed from the Nursing Program...what to do now?

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I was just dismissed from the nursing program and my appeal was denied. I was a transfer student into this 3 yr BSN program and had all my pre-req's done prior to beginning the program... meaning the University thought my grades were acceptable for the program. The school also allowed you to begin the first year as a traditional nursing student and then have the option to accelerate the next year so instead of completing your BSN in 3 yrs you can do it in 2.

My first year here I was traditional, and then in my second year I tried accelerating. With accelerating I found it was not for me.... I wasn't retaining the information and was not happy in it. I decelerated half way through the semester and went from 18 to 10 nursing credits. I dropped my two senior level courses and was left with my two junior courses, however dropping them halfway through the semester my grades were not what they would have been had I begun the semester as a traditional student. My nursing gpa for the semester was a 2.456 the required nursing gpa is a 2.5.

In our school you cannot get a nursing gpa below a 2.5 or get lower than a C (77%) in any of the courses. If you get one of those you're on academic probation... and if one of those happen again you're dismissed from the program. This spring semester I struggled in the courses, specifically OB I ended up getting a 75.45% (C-) in the class and am now dismissed from the college. My appeal was denied as well.

I am ADD and late, late this semester connected and recognized why I was having academic difficulties when I seemed to get through my pre-req's fine. I was having adverse reactions from the medication I was on (Adderall). It was increasing my test anxiety and due to that I received lower test scores. I went to my doctor and my prescription was changed to a smoother acting drug. I've been on it for 3 weeks and feel calmer and more focused. I also got approval for accommodations during exams from the University. I mentioned this in my appeal and feel it is an important piece of information but when completing my pre-req's and prior to beginning the program I was on a different medication... however the drug is no longer approved by insurance so I switched to Adderall right around when I started the program. If you're not familiar with ADD , note that when placed on these medications a person with ADD will have a different reaction to the drug than someone without ADD.

I know nursing is what I want to do and I know I am capable and at a healthy state where I am capable of being successful in the program. It's been an extremely stressful year. I included all of this, with a doctors note, in my appeal but it was still denied. My mom was also diagnosed with MS this year and that has also added to the stress- however I did not mention that in my appeal.

I just would like to move on and get back on the saddle... however I'm faced with the challenge of getting into another Nursing program. Does anyone know any nursing programs out there (either associates, bachelors or second degree programs) that accept a student who has been dismissed from another nursing program? I'm planning on finishing my bachelors with an individualized degree at this school within the year and hopefully getting back into nursing somewhere... help? Thank you for reading this....

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You have ADD and decided that you want to take an ACCELERATED program that requires MORE attention? Something doesn't wash here.

Otherwise, welcome to life. Everyone has the "It wasn't my fault" excuse once they're thrown out of a program: it was the teacher's fault, they had it in for me because (insert dumb excuse here), the clinical site was bad, the exams were unfair, etc.

Welcome to the elite group of dismissed nursing students: you can have a notarized statement from the President of the Unites States saying your dismissal was unfair, and you still won't get back in. It's also called LIFE. Get used to it. Things won't go your way all the time.

Look into for profit school that have nursing programs. They usually give the second chance to students looking for another opportunity. But it won't be cheap.

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Tyler77,

The point of me telling my story is to say why I am at the point I am at. It's some of my background information to say how I am at this point now. I did not include the points where I do take responsibility for not addressing my needs earlier on in the semester, etc. ; or how I did realize accelerated was not for me (HENCE decelerating), during that time I was passing my all of my courses... yes, even with ADD.

I accelerated because my grades allowed me to be eligible for the program and also for financial reasons. The whole ATTENTION thing, yeah, that's treated with medication. For me, it was not really an issue when on medication. Adderall helped me focus... but I experience high pulse rates, shakiness, anxiety attacks, and depression. I did not connect that at the time as to a factor contributing to a reason as why I was not performing adequately exam wise as I had in the past-- MY BAD --- don't assume things, brush off that big ego of yours.

An "excuse" is an explanation... and my reasons for not performing academically well were as stated. Never did I say none of this was my fault or blame it on others.

"It's also called LIFE. Get used to it. Things won't go your way all the time."--- :yeah: Really? I had no idea! If you took this as me complaining... that was not my intent. Never did I blame this on my school, my teachers, my clinicals... I think very highly of my school. I'm asking about options because I want to be a nurse. Don't stray from the point because you feel the need to express judgments. But thank you for your response.

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I think if you apply somewhere again to not focus so much on what happened but you you have done to fix the problem. They don't really care why you were dismissed as much as will you be able to succeed this time around, kwim? They %s of students who drop out/dismissed/graduate/land a job all come down to the students they accept and just like a loan officer giving someone a loan they want to know they aren't going to be disappointed. At first I did take your initial post as "whoa as me, I have ADD and I got kicked out..." until I read your defense on the pp...

Also, I think step 1 would be to go and talk to another school's counselor and see what their opinion would be on how to best go about it. Good luck! It's too bad that you recognized the problem when it was too late!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I am sorry that it didn't work out for you. It is a very devastating thing to have your hopes shattered, and not know how to pick up the pieces. It's probably like being suddenly homeless, or jobless, or being left by your spouse :(

It will nit be easy to find your second chance opportunity. Many programs will be of this mentality: why should we give you a second chance when you've already demonstrated that you can't do it? We havesny others dying for a first chance. (I'm just being honest, and speaking from experience as an afmsiions committee member).

Some for-profit schools may turn a blind eye to your past; others will not. Without knowing where you live, it's hard to steer you in a direction.

You could also try the LPN route. I'm sure it's not what you envisioned, but we know that god often has other plans for us :)

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Thank you, Lanesmama. I have gotten on track to fixing the problem and am prepared to demonstrate that. My next step is a meeting tomorrow with a someone from the college of arts and sciences. I need to get out of this university, due to the costs, but I've accumulated a lot of credits here that can be used towards an individualized major, leaving without a degree would also be an even bigger waste of money.

Nurse educate- It does feel that way. I actually started out college undeclared and when I found that nursing was something I wanted to do I transferred here... which is a private school. From my experience it's nearly impossible to get into a state school as a transfer, so I do know how tough it is initially to get into a program... A part of me does feel like my chance is completely blown. My entire nursing experience, including now, has taught me a lot, but the money, time and hard work put into this to be where I am right now is incredibly devastating- but I'm not gonna give up hope. Fall seven times, stand up eight. If I made it this far, I can get there. I'm in the Midwest area IL/WI. Thank you.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
I am ADD and late, late this semester connected and recognized why I was having academic difficulties when I seemed to get through my pre-req's fine. I was having adverse reactions from the medication I was on (Adderall). It was increasing my test anxiety and due to that I received lower test scores. I went to my doctor and my prescription was changed to a smoother acting drug. I've been on it for 3 weeks and feel calmer and more focused. I also got approval for accommodations during exams from the University. I mentioned this in my appeal and feel it is an important piece of information but when completing my pre-req's and prior to beginning the program I was on a different medication... however the drug is no longer approved by insurance so I switched to Adderall right around when I started the program. If you're not familiar with ADD , note that when placed on these medications a person with ADD will have a different reaction to the drug than someone without ADD.

I know nursing is what I want to do and I know I am capable and at a healthy state where I am capable of being successful in the program. It's been an extremely stressful year. I included all of this, with a doctors note, in my appeal but it was still denied. My mom was also diagnosed with MS this year and that has also added to the stress- however I did not mention that in my appeal.

I just would like to move on and get back on the saddle... however I'm faced with the challenge of getting into another Nursing program. Does anyone know any nursing programs out there (either associates, bachelors or second degree programs) that accept a student who has been dismissed from another nursing program? I'm planning on finishing my bachelors with an individualized degree at this school within the year and hopefully getting back into nursing somewhere... help? Thank you for reading this....

All I can advise you, is to look. However, I will give you some advice:

The school has to make reasonable accomodations for a disability to allow you to succeed, but they have to know about any pertinent medical conditions up front. Otherwise, it appears you are backtracking.

With that said, while they have to make accomodations, they do not have to make academic exceptions...because performance on the NCLEX puts the entire accreditation of the program at risk, therefore, the higher grade requirements.

Anything at my school lower than an 80 was considered failing. Even an 80 was a C.

Some schools will allow you to take provisional classes and base an admission on your new grades. So that is a route you can ask for.

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Specializes in Nursing student.

I have only just begun my process. I'm nowhere near your accomplishments, but I do congratulate you on your efforts. With persistance, positive encouragment from this social network, and a lot of prayer will hopefully guide you in your endeavours. I wish you the very best. (hugs)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I would try for a private college. While pricier, the wait times are usually shorter to nonexistent.

Once you get out and are working as an RN, then repay your loans as quickly as you can.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

It sounds like you may have enough credits for something like a general studies degree from your current college, am I correct? If you get a bachelor's you can try applying to accelerated programs for 2nd degree students, but many are competative to get into and those at private universities can be pricey. Also, you need to determine if you can handle the accelerated pace once your meds are correct. I wish you all the best. Don't give up!

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Hi,

I am in the same position, however, I switched to Psychology and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in that major. I am looking into accelerated/second degree programs as well. I live in New York, and it is quite hard to get into programs here (even private schools; it is nearly impossible to be accepted into the public schools here in NY). I am considering moving Midwest, but am unfamiliar with the schools there-what schools (if any) have you been looking at? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

NYCRN2Be13

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Hi,

I am in the same position, however, I switched to Psychology and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in that major. I am looking into accelerated/second degree programs as well. I live in New York, and it is quite hard to get into programs here (even private schools; it is nearly impossible to be accepted into the public schools here in NY). I am considering moving Midwest, but am unfamiliar with the schools there-what schools (if any) have you been looking at? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

NYCRN2Be13

Have you looked in Philadelphia at all? There are a lot of nursing schools here and some of them have accelerated programs, although they pricey. Off the top of my head I know that Thomas Jefferson University and University have 1 year accelerated programs. Well it comes out to more than 1 year because of the pre-reqs you have to take but..faster than going traditional BSN.

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