Repeat Education?!

[nursingstudent_12kp]

Hey everyone!

I went to nursing school and graduated Dec 2013. I was 19 years old, didn't take the program very seriously, didn't have responsibilities and I definitely wasn't anticipating the nclex being so difficult. While it's not an excuse, it's the truth. I crammed for my exams and barely studied, somehow I managed to pass all of my classes, proctors, and exit exam.... don't ask how because I'm really not sure. I graduated and started doing the virtual ATI program that my school offered, took be about a month but I received my green light to sit for my boards. The night before my exam, my old program director called me and told me I would not pass, that I needed extra time but of course I did not listen.... I failed with 76 questions.

After I failed, I was devastated. I began studying so hard that I was eating, sleeping and living nclex. I retested May 2014 and failed again with 265 questions. They say that is the closest you can get to actually passing. I was "at the level of passing" on absolutely everything, but because I wasn't "above the level" I was failed. To say I was devastated was an understatement.... I gave up.

I tested again without studying at all (like not even opening a book) in Nov 2014 and failed with 186 questions. In Florida, If you fail 3 consecutive times you have to take a remedial course... so I did. From Feb 2015-April 2015 I spent my life studying for this exam, I just had to pass.... well, May 2015 I failed again with 265 questions. That was the last time I opened a book, tested, etc. I think about it every single day.

Fast forward to now, I am married (over a year), and I have a beautiful 7 month old baby girl.... I need this more than ever. I have responsibilities now, a family who needs me and I will be damned if I do not become an RN one way or another... so here is what I'm thinking. And yes, I may just be crazy!!

I believe eve I am wasting money by constantly paying for an exam that I am obviously not passing for whatever reason, and the remediation course didn't help me pass either. I'm tired of wasting my time, my families time and money on this. I want to go back to school. I want to start over from the beginning and take this program seriously since I did not before. I was 19 then... I'm 25 now. Am I insane? Florida does not require you to ever go back to school, I can test until I'm blue in the face.. my old school will not accept me back because legally I cannot pass courses and get a degree and then retake them.... but I have been told by other schools that I could start as a new student as long as the board approved. Or maybe I go down the LPN route, get my license and then do a bridge program to become an RN... idk, all I know is I want this.

I cant find any information for anyone that has ever been in my situation before. Has ANYONE ever successfully passed nursing school and returned for a second time? Is this something the FL BON will allow me to peruse? Sorry for the long inquiry.... any adviceor information will be appreciated!

[nursingstudent_12kp]

Thank you so much!

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

If repeating the program is an option, I say repeat it. You've got a different outlook on life & more responsibility now, thus more to lose if you don't take this seriously this time around.

[nursingstudent_12kp]

Exactly! Ok thank you so much!

[cesarlcase]

The most important thing is to evaluate how you're studying. When are you studying? What time are you studying? How are you studying? Your studying approach may be an issue. Uworld was the greatest thing for me. Find out what you're struggling with and focus your studies. Going back to school for LPN would be unacceptable for me, but if you feel you need that then go that route. If you want to become a RN, then you will become a RN... Believing is the first step, period. Good luck

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I think that the idea makes sense for the reasons that everybody else has said (learning the material, minimizing the gap between graduation and employment, etc). I just wonder if you'll have trouble finding a program willing to accept you. Nursing program admissions are notoriously competitive, and you may have a hard time finding one willing to give you a second chance with your track record. You could certainly reach out to some programs you're interested in and give it a shot, but you may not end up having the option depending on the admissions committees.

I'd also reach out to the FL board of nursing and ask them if repeating the program would allow you to sit for the NCLEX again. It would really stink to repeat the process only to discover that you're ineligible.

[nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

I understand where you are coming from. I went to college straight out of high school and did not take anything seriously. I did not have any commitments and worked retail jobs for many years until I grew tired of not having a career. I began nursing school 100% committed and graduated with my ADN last December, I'm currently finishing up my first semester of RN-BSN program and I'm starting at my first choice medical center's ER program soon (pending background check right now). My first college attempt was not nursing, but I do understand how you can get through it but not completely grasp the content. I think going back to school for the full ADN program or LVN-RN will be beneficial. You are more mature and understand how it's not just about a passing grade, but about understanding the material and relating it to clinical. Before you embark on that journey please talk to your state's BON to learn the process and make sure you take the steps needed.

I wish you the best and don't give up on your dream.

[harvestmoon, RN]

actually telling someone to switch is EXACTLY what is "a place for anyone to say". If you don't want opinions, don't ask for them. If you only want people to tell you how wronged you were, you poor baby, don't ask for advice. From the way you're responding in this thread, I have a feeling I know why you're failing constantly.

Additionally, it sounds like you are just not studying effectively if you're as smart as you're portraying yourself. If you really just sailed through nursing school and barely cracked a book, I'm not sure what going through school again will do for you besides cost lots of money. Since you can take the NCLEX a million and a half times, why not check the recent thread about testing (something about "how to get 4.0 in nursing school") and instead of nursing school, go to NCLEX school. test yourself until you're blue in the face and passing consistently in the practice. then take the real NCLEX and you should be good to go.

[BAY AREA RN, BSN]

study uworld

[debirn918]

What is your Bachelor degree in? How did you fit that in while attempting NCLEX? I'm wondering if it has anything to do with nursing, or if it is in a totally different field. You seem to have done a lot in just a few years since nursing school. Marriage, baby, Bachelor degree etc. It might be good for you to discuss your career plans with a counselor at one of the schools you are considering. Have you talked with your previous nursing instructor and asked for advise? It might be worth the attempt. Having a young child and going back to school will have challenges. Make sure you have babysitting back up to the 3rd position. Clinical experiences can occur on any shift and sometimes change at the last minute. I wish you the best of luck in your life pursuits.