Why Do People Fail Nursing School?

[Pachinko]

I found out not too long ago that I've been accepted into a second career accelerated BSN program. I've been combing through some of the threads here and have read a lot about retention rates for schools, what causes people to be dropped from programs, etc. Some of the reasons for students being dropped are obvious, as with the student nurse who was throwing hypodermics at her patient like the were darts :uhoh21: Other people indicate that its the difficulty of the courses that weeds people out.

In your experience, what are the most common reasons for people being dropped from, or failing, their nursing programs? (In case it wasn't obvious, I'm trying to anticipate challenges that might pop up!)

[OrthoRN09]

Wow stressgal, that sounds like my former classmates. In my program, we were required to pass a math exam on dosage calculations each semester in order to pass the course. We were given 2 opportunities to take and pass the exam. I can't tell you the number of students that failed the math exam MORE THAN TWICE but petitioned to remain in the class. One threatened to sue for discrimination if she was not allowed to continue in the program. It ticked me off like you wouldn't believe! Some of these same people some how managed to graduate from nursing school, don't ask me how.

[dreamon]

Now I'm scared- how is being shy a reason to get kicked out? Was the person too shy to ask questions or just their whole demeanor like that?

[r0b0tafflicti0n]

They probably smoke too much weed?

[RadfordSN]

Now I'm scared- how is being shy a reason to get kicked out? Was the person too shy to ask questions or just their whole demeanor like that?

I can only give you my experience, which is this:

I'm a very anxious person and introverted. I'm usually a little hesitant going in to each clinical not fully knowing what to expect with each patient we're assigned, but I have gotten better. The instructor has noticed an overall improvement as well. However, with my last patient, I did not know how to interact with him at all so I asked my professor for help and that is when she decided to tell me my shyness was effecting my ability to care for patients and that she would have no choice but to fail me because she doesn't think I'll survive in critical care next semester. I understand where she was coming from, but I still feel like she went too far.

As for the others, I'm quite curious myself as to how shyness is grounds for dismissal from the program.

[PinkAnther]

I absolutely disagree with kicking people out because they're shy. I'm thinking the logic behind is it that you do have to interact with patients. You'll have to be the one to not only provide care, but take care of patient teaching. Also I think people who are shy are often viewed as lacking confidence. When your life is in someone else's hands, it's probably a little disconcerting to feel that they aren't confident. Why should I believe you can do it, when I'm not sure you do!

BUT I'm the least shy person many people know. But even I get shy when I'm unsure. When you asked your instructor for help, she should have used HER OWN interepersonal skills to figure out what you needed from her to instill confidence. It seems lazy to me for her to just say you gotta go. It's her job to produce competent nurses. We can't all just show up to the first day of nursing school that way!

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

passive reasons

- Drama

- Back stabing

- Gossiping

get away from them you will be ok

active reasons

- poor time management skills

- poor test taking skills

- poor lab and clinical skills

over stressed, anxiety, depression, and all those disturbancies that could affect one's productivity!

other than that you will be ok!

[Heogog53]

My Diploma program started with 65 students. When graduation came around, we graduated 25 people.

Our class had students as young as 17 and as old as 52. The educational backgrounds of some were pretty basic high school average to those with previous college degrees. I had a BA with honors from an excellent university as well as some graduate work at another excellent university. I placed out of a lot of classes, but still had to take A and P, biochem, chem, etc.

Nursing school was MUCH harder than I thought it would be. It was harder than graduate school.

I had no background in biology to speak of, so it was hurry, hurry, hurry to keep up with A and P, etc. I struggled with those courses. Many of our students couldn't pass those courses and either left our class to try taking them again and graduating later, or simply couldn't pass them.

Nursing classes were challenging as well, because there was so much to learn. I despaired of learning how to take a pulse until I asked the head of the school to help me. She was generous enough to do so, gently.

Nursing care plans(not standardized at the time) were huge and a completely new way of thinking. We also had to write up our own drug cards in time for clinicals, and of course, we started on the med/surg floors where the patients had a ton of meds to learn.

We had some wonderful instructors and some burnt out old nurses, several of whom were alcoholics. My study group was small, but we all took turns at saving each other's butts. My clinical group turned out to be the best one in the class, because the five of us all wanted to work in the ICU areas, so we pushed each other and had a friendly competition going on.

Some dropped out because the learning load was more than they could handle. Others dropped out for family/illness. Some were forced to drop out because of money.

Some dropped out because they had no earthly idea that nursing was and is so demanding of all your skills.

Our grading system was 94 and above-A

88-93 B

80-87 C

Below that and you failed. People were given some chances to pull up their grades, so if they missed passing a test by a point, a new test was given. However, those who couldn't keep up were gone, and suddenly there was an empty seat in class.

I do applaud you for your choice. Just remember that part of the pressure is to see if you can make it under pressure. Make sure you get into a study group and help each other as much as possible. Nowadays, care plans and diagnoses are standardized(big help) and drug cards are prepackaged.

We need new nurses more than ever. I sincerely hope that you and all the rest of the new nurses make it through school.

I want to warn all of you that after you get out of school, the honeymoon period will pass and then you'll run into the Reality Check of what "real nursing" is like. That's one of the toughest periods of your life as a nurse. How you work through it and settle in will help you figure out how to stay in nursing, whether you want to go back to school for another nursing degree or what path/s in nursing you choose.

[letarn2b]

so true if a teacher does not like you ..you are most likely screwed i have noticed that in non nur classes.Also if you are passing theory they will try to make sure they nit pick everything you do in clinical so you fail.Every teacher has thier fav students.

Never become a teachers enemy you will be marked and they do talk among themselves.It is like warfare lol never burn bridges,do not bad mouth other classmates and always remember what you came to get your AAS OR BSN.Failure is not a option

[tbell2]

I didn't read every post, but as I was thinking about the "shy student". The reason I can think of that a teacher may push this student or question their ability is because, as a nurse, it is someimes necessary to be assertive to be an advocate for your patient. Shy folks often have trouble with that.

[Chixie]

We have had a variety of reasons why people have dropped out of the group that im in

1 person dropped out due to skin infection and the constant handwashing made it worse

4 person didnt get a clear CRB

2 people didnt get funding

1 person was removed for assulting fellow class mate

1 person removed for cheating

1 left due to bereavement

3 or 4 left due to financial issues

1 left due to pregnancy

4 left due to bad placements

6 left due to not getting the hours/grades required to move into year 2

and 4 left as nursing 'wasnt for them'

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

Our class started in January with 48 people we are down to 22 already. All sorts of reasons, most people said they had no idea it would be so hard. Some had family issues or health issues, but mostly it was just too hard for a lot of them. Not everyone is cut out for this, no matter what you might hear. Just like not everyone is "college material". It might sound harsh and not very pc but it's true.

[futureOBnurse]

The many reasons given here are reasons I have experienced as well when people fail. Mostly in my school, it's because people don't want to buck down and study and read, they think you can read for a few hours a week and pass. Nope, not the case. If you aren't studying 20-30 hours a week in nursing school you aren't going to pass.

I have also seen my Med/Surg instructor pick out people and pick on them. Although it can be mean and I'm sure very embarassing for those who are being singled out, the ones my instructor have singled out and hounded to death in pre conference before clinicals are the ones who aren't studying and don't know anything about their patients when you ask them. They are the ones who don't finish their prep sheets, can't even pronounce the name of their meds let alone know what they are used for and just generally don't act like they want to be there. In that instance, I think they should be weeded out. Unless you are dead serious about this profession and all of the hard work it takes, don't even bother. Nursing school is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. But it will all be worth it when it's over!!! (About 59 weeks and counting! :) )