I failed nursing school now I want to come back. Would you accept me?

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2 years ago I was in the nursing program, I was doing very well in the beginning but unfortunately everything fell apart after the midterms, it was as if I completely lost a hold of myself and gave up due to external circumstances. I ended up failing most of my classes, hence I was removed from the program. I was granted an appeals process but I was not accepted back to continue my education. There are many reasons to why I failed, first and foremost is because I was young and stupid, I was irresponsible and I was still trying to find myself in the world. I did not know how to handle all the stress and frankly I don't think that I was ready for everything. Couple that in with the fact that I was having financial difficulties, fear of loosing a family member and personal problems at home it was really a recipe for disaster.

My GPA dropped down from a 3.2 all the way to a 2.8 that semester. However, instead of moping around and feeling sorry for myself all day. I've decided to opt for a different degree (Criminal Justice) to prove my sincerity towards my endeavors. This field is unrelated to nursing however I took it because one day I would like to try to get into the Forensic Science field or Paralegal nursing.

This semester, I will be receiving my Associates degree in CJ. My GPA for the CJ field will total out to a 3.8 and I have been on the Dean's List consecutively for the last two years.

However, is this enough to make a case for re-admission to the nursing program? I realize that I made a huge mistake in the past, it is still my dream to become a nurse and a good one at that. I also realize that there are other schools around that I can attend but I would like it if I could stay at this school because they really are top notch when it comes to their nursing graduates. In fact each hospital that I visit have high praise for our graduates and I also agree with their core values such as caring with a holistic approach.

I really want to make up for the irresponsibility's of my youth and I am a completely different person than the one who entered into the program. I am older and wiser and I have made necessary steps towards reaching my goals. I also believe in myself more and I no longer doubt myself as much as I did before. My mind is set on one goal and that is to become the best nurse that I can ever be. I know how important a nurse can be specially dealing with having family members and family friends who have been sick the past two years.

I really just move on from the past, I still look back at it but I no longer dwell in the past. Because a wise friend once told me that you should never look back in the past unless you're planning to head that way and I have lived to that quote until this day.

The steps that I have taken to try to persuade them to accept me back is that I have tried to be as proactive as I can. I will be talking to my adviser and asking him for the necessary steps that I need to take. I will also be receiving a letter of recommendation from 3 people: The Dean of the Criminal Justice program, A nursing teacher at our university and the Vice President of Student Affairs. Would all this be enough? Thank you all for your time, I appreciate it! :D

Are you trying to get into the same college where you were rejected? If you try again and they reject you again, why not check out other colleges and transfer what you can from your CJ degree.

But, I think in all fairness, you should still have to go through the same steps as someone who is transferring credits as a new student nurse potential.

Yes,I am trying to get back into the same college. And I agree with you, I am in no way looking for an easy way back in the program and I'm more than willing to go through the same process that a new nursing student would have to go through. If that is what it takes, I will do it.

Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

I think you have a much stronger leg to stand on since you completed a degree with a 3.8. You can state the reasons why you failed that particular semester, but explain that things are completely different. You have proof of your ability to be a good student. Just apply and have your ducks in a row for when it’s time to appear before the Dean of Nursing to plead your case.

Good luck to you.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

How long has it been since you failed out the first time? If it's been some time, and it's obvious your GPA is good this time around--and you keep it up for nursing pre-reqs--I think they will take "youth and stupidity" into account.

My bachelor's GPA was definitely not stellar due to "youth and stupidity", but that was a long, long time ago. I earned a really high GPA for nursing pre-reqs, and I did not have any trouble being accepted. You will also have to deal with applying to the same school, so is it possible to complete your application and hand-deliver it to the school? Possibly ask for an appointment with the Dean or head of the admissions committee?

I was 19 years old when I got accepted, which makes it 2 and a half years ago. I didn't get kicked out of the school, only from the nursing program. I am still attending the same school and I will be receiving my CJ degree at the same school.

This really sucks, I was only 2 percent from passing. I should've been mature enough to drop one of the two classes so I could start over. But I guess it's better this way, I wouldn't want a nurse who barely passed his/her basics. Do you think I have a good chance of getting accepted back? And should I do anything else besides the letter of recommendations? Thank you all :)

I have heard of people writing a letter of explanation when they have had not quite been ready the first time they were in the program. It would probably be helpful to have those letters of recommendation that someone mentioned as well. Good luck!

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I think you have a chance ... but ... I would go easy on the "I was young then and now I am mature" line. Don't overdo it. It's only been 2 years. You are still young.

It's fine to say that you are a bit "older and wiser" and that you learned a lot from your experience, etc. but you OP sounds like it happened 10 years ago, not 2.

Be prepared to answer questions about how you would have handled things differently ... and what steps you will take to see that you don't "fall apart" again when and if the going gets tough again. Nursing school may be a lot more stressful than criminal justice -- or at least, stressful in a different way. The fact that you were able to handle the one major doesn't mean you will handle nursing equally well. So be prepared to present a plan for handling stress and getting help promptly should you need it. Be prepared to describe in concrete terms how you will prevent similar problems from happening again.

Good luck to you.

I went through the same thing. Was young and didn't know for sure what I even wanted to do with my life and ended up failing med surge and giving up. I went back a few years later and now I graduate in February and can't wait to be a nurse:) YOU CAN DO IT!!! Go back if that's what you want to do. Sometimes it's easy to give up hope and get overwhelmed....so hopefully whatever school you go to has dealt with that before. My dean was very understanding because I was honest. So good luck to you!!!

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