Got kicked out of an RN program don't know what to do

goodstudentnowRN · Jun 17, 2009

Courageandcare,

I feel your pain. Whatever you decide to do, please do not discuss your plans with these nursing instructors. They can be very hypocritical. They can be very devious too. Sometimes they report lies on the srudents and pretend to be unaware of what is happening. I have been there, I know what I am talking about. I am taken aback as to how deceptive these instructors can be and yet they claim to be good nurses. May god continue to bless the few genuine and honest instructors around. I have very good instructors but what I have experienced at the previous school has caused me to be very cautious as to what I say to them. I was the victim of discrimination too and I got the NAACP involved and that moronic idiot was kicked out of the school. She was always telling students that nursing used to be a white profession. ***? Who cares? That was the last straw for that imbecile!

amfc · Jun 17, 2009

I unfortunately was kicked out because I failed on my third attempt on drug calc. Fortunately, because the school accepts students twice a year, I'll be able to start again in September. I will have to take a remediation class on drug calc starting next month and will have to pass the class in order to continue. Thinking about starting up school again is making me nervous that this will happen again. I've never had test anxiety until I started nursing school. Any suggestions?

Goodoldnurse · Jun 17, 2009

I don't want to name the school, but there is a lot of prejudice and disscrimination, both of the student that I know repeated twice are both white, I'm black(not really in my favor) as sad as it sounds "Things haven't changed much:cry:. But it should not be this way, if you can bent the rule for one person you should do it for anyone in the same predicament. I'm also praying a lot, I beleive in God and I know He'll show me the way. Usually when they take you back, they make you wait a year, which is still better than starting over, the course that I failed was only a six weeks course, needed a 75% got a 72%, I still can't wrap my head around that, but I'm staying positive and I'll keep on praying.

Nursing Faculty here. Sorry could not help but to reply.

If the College of Nursing requires a 75% to pass a course, you MUST achieve this!! Many times it is about the grade you earned and nothing else. Unfortunately, the NCLEX is not graded on a curve and you cannot question it. Even if you have to change schools, I hope you reach your goals.

:twocents:

goodstudentnowRN · Jun 17, 2009

The point she is trying to make is that other students got a chance to repeat and she was not given that chance. I do not think she is complaining about the test grade, she is simply contesting the fact that if the rule is bent for one student it should also apply to all! I agreed!!!

courageandcare · Jun 17, 2009

Thank you goodnursingstudent fot understanding and defending my point, I'm not fighting the grade, after all it is a genuine reflection of how much of the course content I was able to grasp. All I'm saying is sometimes those appeal process are based on favoritism instead merrit, it's about who you know, your race, skin color, and wether your mother and the chairperson are good friends. As far as I'm concerned, I deserved another chance as much as those before me who have been granted one. The grade is mine and I take full responsibility for it, however we were all created equal, and the"law" should be one for all.

I'm sorry if goodoldnurse can't relate. I guess you would have to be in my shoes to be able to understand. Goodnursingstudent thank you for your advice about being cautious with the professors.

AOx1 · Jun 17, 2009

Most facilities I've worked for require you to make 100% on your calculations. If after 3 tries you can't, I personally wouldn't want you to pass my meds. After several semesters, your competency and ability should increase.

This is not meant to hurt your feelings, but since you mention you had two courses in which you didn't pass, I would seriously investigate, with a lot of self-reflection, the reasons why you didn't pass. I would try to meet with your old instructors to review exams and see if the problem was with your knowledge of theory, critical thinking, changing your answers, etc. This may help you more than anything in a new program. If you don't know what the issue was that led you to not pass two courses, how can you correct it? Also, when you knew your grade was in trouble, how often did you seek faculty and advisor help? I have seen this turn around some grades that were previously in peril. Take advantage of any opportunities like this early, if you didn't already. I would hate to see you repeat the pattern at a new school.

Also, I would really recommend you look at a copy of "Test success: test-taking techniques for beginning nursing students". It is such a great book, not just for a beginning student, but for anyone who has difficulties with tests. There are tons of hints for all kinds of questions, and even a tool (on pg 197 of the 4th edition) to help you analyze where you went wrong on a particular test. Even if you can't get back into that program, I would highly recommend petitioning to review your peds exams. I've seen students' scores go up as much as 20 pts on an exam after I asked them to buy this and work through it on each test.

The key thing is you may need to fight for your dreams. A lawsuit is an expensive drain of time, money, and emotions. I would rather see you find out where you went wrong, and pursue a program where you can feel confident and capable. Whatever your decision, don't let past problems get in the way. I have seen some students who are very tentative and afraid after not passing a course. I can certainly understand the fear, but it's really critical to get to a point where you feel good about yourself and your skills. This takes time to overcome. Give yourself permission to grieve a loss and regroup.

courageandcare · Jun 17, 2009

I'm great at med math, I got an A+ in dosage and calculation. Thing is we're all human and stuff happened. I had some personal circumstance that threw me off focus. Family tragedy that was well described in my appeal letter. About consulting with the instruction, I definitly agree that it does work, but only if the instruction is available and welcoming, she ignored me the whole semester, made me feel uncomfortable every chance she got, and also comented to my classmates about me and my grades(very unethical, big breach of confidentiality). She just wasn't the type that I would go to if I'm having problem. When I asked a question in class, her attitude and facial expression went sour. She could not help herself one day to say something very hurtfull about me to another student. Other than these two course that I've failed with C-, everything else is B and A. My careplans were good and I perfom great in clinical, after all I work in a hospital and I know half of the stuff already. I agree 100% that I need to work on my test taking strategies, tha's why I'm going to check out that book you recomended. Other than that, I think I can be a great nurse, starting over at another program would also cost money, time and energy. Also, if I'm in the hospital one day, I would much rather have a nurse who repeated two courses, mastered them, studied hard in nursing school and went through, what i went through, such nurse would care more about her license and would have a better sense of devotion. Those who passed all their nursing courses with the minimum passing grade C, tend to take life for granted(now that's some scary thought).

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2009

Girl, you can pass my meds! As a new grad I always know that unlike school, I have fellow nurses that I can ask if my calcs are correct and if their busy, pharmacy is just a phone call away. Most meds are precalculated already. Schools put so much weight on med calc and we all dreaded it. Of course you need to be accurate, but once the pressure of school is off, it seems to be much easier for me to calculate. You just hang in there!

Goodoldnurse · Jun 17, 2009

It is unfortunate that they are not treating all students with the same respect and dignity. This should not be tolerated by the school administration.

The math test is HUGE!! You can cause great harm by having the decimal in the wrong place or giving medication by the wrong route. Where I teach is the same. We take medication and calculations very seriously.

Thank you for going into nursing and I wish you well.

courageandcare · Jun 17, 2009

OMG why does everyone keep talking about med math, I did not fail med math I got an A+ in med math, I failed pediatric nursing by 3 points, I think you guys are mistaking my post with somebody else's.

Ellean55 · Jun 17, 2009

Hi I am so so sorry to hear that you have been chucked out of nursing school. So close to graduation as well. My heart goes out to you. Is there any way you could appeal the decision? Maybe go to the exam board? It such a shame.

NewGoalRN · Jun 17, 2009

check into some LPN schools. Even though they are clock hours, many will exempt you from AP1 and 2 with lab, nutrition, lifespan and Core ie CNa portion of the course. It will see be a year but you may not have to sit through many of the classes.

Also, check into other RN programs and see if they may take you(slim chance) but worth a try.

I get that you passed med calc- many here are wound into being self righteous and want to nail someone to the wall. Just one thing, they didn't read all of your posts.

Good luck and I wish you the best.