going to LPN school after failing RN program

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Hi, I am contemplating as to whether it is a wise decision or not to pursue nursing school again to become a nurse. You see I got out of high school in 2001 and 2 months later started my pre reqs for the RN program at the local college. A year later I began fundamentals of nursing but failed miserably not only in class, I barely had a C, but in clinical as well. I felt very out of place because most of the students were already LPN's, MA's, CNA, or EMT's and a couple paramedics. My work experience involved filleting salmon and slicing lunch meat. I then re applied to the program and began again. I passed fundamentals with the skin of my teeth and then failed medical surgical nursing. I had a strong B in class but the teacher really gave me the run around in clinical, she accused me of not turning my homework in, claimed I was unsafe for medication administration, and poor communication skills. Everything I did was wrong. She even watched me give a bath!!!! In med surg, a very basic skill in which I did well. She then asked me why I wanted to be a nurse and if it was for a job with very good pay! I pointed out some of the stupid things I saw other students do and she didn't believe me. I was tired of being picked on and threatened with remediation. They sent me to our disability counselor who then referred me to the OVR counselor. I was sent for psychological testing!!!!! Guess what they said absolutely nothing was wrong and my intelligence and aptitude for learning was normal. Eventually I found out I could become a CNA, took the test and passed. The teacher said I shouldn't have even passed fundamentals. I now work as a CNA and have been there three months. I'm now planning to attend LPN school and am hoping I've made the right decision.

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Maybe starting over would be a good idea, but only if you are sure you wi l have different teachers. I doubt your exerience will be different with the same people. Also, you've had some practical experience now and you should be more comfortable with someone watching you so closely. Good luck! :p

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Specializes in Hospice.

:balloons: Hey, here's my story and opinion for what it's worth....

14 years ago, I failed my 3rd quarter of nursing, I was heartbroke!!! My marriage was over, I wasn't a nurse and I had to small children.(2 and 7). I didn't know what to do. I was working as a CNA and knew I would not be able to support my girls with that pay scale. So........a friend of mine (LPN) told me to go to tech and apply at LPN school. Girl...I am so glad i did! In less than 2 years I was working as an LPN. I have never had any regrets! It was tough going to school w/ my little ones, but my parents helped out ALOT. Now, the are grown up, my oldest is married now. ANd me? I just graduate w/ my RN degree in May. The experience as an LPN helped me grow and prepare for what I'm doing now.

Hang tough!

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Recipe for sure failure: give up every time you don't succeed.

Recipe for sure success: keep trying til you get where you want to be.

You're on the right track. Don't give up! You made the right decision!

Some instructors just really aren't meant to be instructors. After all, if you already knew the material, why would you need nursing school? And if you don't know the material, shouldn't you expect to be appropriately taught?

Don't, I repeat, DON"T give up!

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Don't, I repeat, DON"T give up!

I agree... keep on going, girl. You will find the right route.

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Alot of nursing instructors are A-holes! I know from experience because I retook pharmacology with these LVN students at my local community college to get the credits to challenge the Cali NCLEX (California does not recognize the U.S. Army LPN program), and man...those teachers were mean to those students. I wouldn't let them bother me because I already graduated from nursing school and I just needed to retake pharmacology. I like the military nursing instructors I had at the Presidio and Ft. Sam Houston. They were anal, but in a professional, supporting way. The only civilian instructors I ever liked were these CNA instructors I had when this convy I used to work for back in 1992 offered a 6 week free program. They made nursing fun and we got paid while we were learning.

Edited in: Atleast nursing instructors in the Army are in better shape and are not allowed to be "moody". They practice what they preach about keeping yourself healthy mentally and physically. :)

Why are civilian nursing instructors fat and grumpy? :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

SoldierMedic - sorry your experience has been so negative. Have you been able to challenge the NCLEX?

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i do not think you should let mean people interfere with your dreams and aspirations, because there's always a mean person around. my mom is an RN who graduated after getting A's in everything except one B in micro. she cried a lot in nursing school and at her first real nursing job. she is often charge nurse where she works and is respected. however, she says nursing school is a ***** and there are a lot of mean people including instructors. she says you have to figure out how to roll with the punches. for example when she had to make a bed in class she flunked twice because while she was doing it the first time one RN came by and said "that is all wrong you have to move the linens TOGETHER," and ripped the sheets all off so she started over and then the second instructor came by and said, "that is all wrong you have to move the linens SEPERATELY,' and ripped them all off so after that she tried to watch which instructor was heading her way and tried to look like she was doing it their way. "I still don't make a good bed to this day," she says. "Only nurses eat their young," meaning they do not help or in any way encourage their "babies." doubt your experience is unique. she also said at her nursing school (which has a good program) many many people had to take labs over five or six times before passing-- that was just not unusual. so tough it out if that is what you want to do. maybe at a different schools program though-- this one sounds over the top mean. schools do get federal funding i am pretty sure through financial aid so if they are really mean maybe you could complain to some kind of federal organization. organizations hate that sort of thing.

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SoldierMedic - sorry your experience has been so negative. Have you been able to challenge the NCLEX?

I've been California licensed 4 years now :)

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It cracks me up on how these "intructors" think they're drill segeants :uhoh3:

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Hi, I am contemplating as to whether it is a wise decision or not to pursue nursing school again to become a nurse. You see I got out of high school in 2001 and 2 months later started my pre reqs for the RN program at the local college. A year later I began fundamentals of nursing but failed miserably not only in class, I barely had a C, but in clinical as well. I felt very out of place because most of the students were already LPN's, MA's, CNA, or EMT's and a couple paramedics. My work experience involved filleting salmon and slicing lunch meat. I then re applied to the program and began again. I passed fundamentals with the skin of my teeth and then failed medical surgical nursing. I had a strong B in class but the teacher really gave me the run around in clinical, she accused me of not turning my homework in, claimed I was unsafe for medication administration, and poor communication skills. Everything I did was wrong. She even watched me give a bath!!!! In med surg, a very basic skill in which I did well. She then asked me why I wanted to be a nurse and if it was for a job with very good pay! I pointed out some of the stupid things I saw other students do and she didn't believe me. I was tired of being picked on and threatened with remediation. They sent me to our disability counselor who then referred me to the OVR counselor. I was sent for psychological testing!!!!! Guess what they said absolutely nothing was wrong and my intelligence and aptitude for learning was normal. Eventually I found out I could become a CNA, took the test and passed. The teacher said I shouldn't have even passed fundamentals. I now work as a CNA and have been there three months. I'm now planning to attend LPN school and am hoping I've made the right decision.
You should change schools. The LPN program I attended(was part of lpn-rn Bridge program) all gen. ed courses were the same,including anatomy, Physiology,nutrtion,ect.ANd it WAS intense.7 out of 23 finished. LPN school is not easier-maybe a year shorter but not easier. Seems like you had a personality conflict with this teacher.Don't let one teacher ruin your life.
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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Some nursing instructors make me SO mad!! When I was in LPN school, one week before graduation might I add, I accidently cathed a woman's lady parts twice, when I was getting ready to try a 3rd time, my instructor grabbed the cath kit and did it herself. Later she pulled me aside and told me I would never be a good nurse, because I couldn't start a catheter properly. This was a week before I was done!!! I was so upset, I cried about it...but now I've been an LPN 2 years and I STILL cath a lady parts every now and then!!

I know it sounds hard, but do not let one negative, hateful person ruin YOUR dream. Don't give up!!!!!! There are many ways to get what you want and it sounds like you have just decided to take a different route. That is GREAT!! You are obviously still motivated to be a nurse, even after all you have been through so far. It sounds like a cliche, but you will be stronger for it and that's the truth. You are obviously very dedicated and following your dreams so just go for it!!! You'll do great!

:) Kacy

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