H E L P ! I failed pharmacology class :(

[Cityshoegal]

I just go through my 1st semester in NS. I got mostly B's, but failed Pharm! My BSN program only allows you to fail 1 class. If you fail twice, you're silly butt is kicked out. I am VERY discouraged and worried now... b/c what if I fail another class AGAIN and get kicked out?? I met w/other nursing schools to look at my options, and it turns out I'd graduate one year later b/c I'd have to start all over, as opposed to staying in my current school and graduate sooner. In my opinion, one year means a lot, b/c I can be working and making money. People always say "the 1st semester of nursing school is the hardest, and after that it's not so bad until you take med surg II." -- is that true??

Help!

should I leave this school and start fresh at another school? I feel like now, I'm going to be so stressed/scared with all my prospective classes b/c there's a chance I'm going to get the boot.

Has anyone failed one class and did fine the rest of remaining semesters and graduated? I just feel like I'm now statistically in the bottom of the barrel in my class, and what if I won't make it?

Please, I would love to hear your stories and opinions!

[Acosmo27]

My BSN program is roughly the same in regards to the fact that you are only allowed to fail one class. It can be scary, but its important you learn from your mistakes. I start every semester scared to death of failing however I just keep telling myself that failure is not an option at this point and it makes me work harder.

As far as the whole, 1st semster is the hardest until you get to med surg II... well... I think it depends on the program. I think all nursing students are adjusting in their first semester and its hard getting into the "nursing frame of mind". Im in my 3rd semester of 6 and honestly, in my program, 3rd is considered the toughest due to the sheer volume of material.

If I were you, I would not leave this school and start fresh at another school. No way. But thats just me. I dont think thats a great idea, because youve already done well in your other classes. Just because you failed one class doesnt mean you should already transfer schools, I think thats a little radical. Thats just my opinion. Retake pharm, work your butt off, and learn from your failures. You can do it, mind over matter.

Good luck!

:redbeathe A.

[Jules A, MSN]

Sadly many of the students we lost were in Pharm. I did think the first semester was the hardest mostly because of the shock of the politics etc. not the difficulty of the work. This math is something you just have to learn how to do and the good news is that once it clicks you will be golden. I also wouldn't leave a program at this stage because any other one will be very similar. All nursing schools are pretty much pass or bye-bye. Best wishes with whatever you decide.

[gaajr1, RN]

Please don't loose heart and in my opinion transferring to another college is not the solution. Think calmly the reasons you did not do well in pharm. You agree you are doing well in other classes, so pinpointing your weakness shouldn't be a problem. If you need, take help from other students and instructors. If nothing they will guide you in the right direction and give you some tips.

Good luck and trust me, you can do it!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I just go through my 1st semester in NS. I got mostly B's, but failed Pharm! My BSN program only allows you to fail 1 class. If you fail twice, you're silly butt is kicked out. I am VERY discouraged and worried now... b/c what if I fail another class AGAIN and get kicked out??

here's what bothers me. . .are you taking Pharmacology again? Or do you just continue on? Please tell me you have to take it again.

I don't think it's silly at all to get kicked out of a program after failing two classes. (1) it shows poor course management, and (2) poor decision making. Management and decision making are two very important skills that an RN must have to perform their job proficiently. If I was failing a class I would have withdrawn from it by the cut off date to do so without getting a failing grade. Withdrawing from a class is easier to deal with and explain than a failing grade on one's transcript. If it means waiting a year to finish nursing school so be it. I would work as a CNA or nurse tech to make money during the summer months.

[Jules A, MSN]

If I was failing a class I would have withdrawn from it by the cut off date to do so without getting a failing grade. Withdrawing from a class is easier to deal with and explain than a failing grade on one's transcript. If it means waiting a year to finish nursing school so be it. I would work as a CNA or nurse tech to make money during the summer months.

You make an excellent point and that is exactly how I would have handled it if it looked like I was heading for a failing grade. Unfortunately that isn't how I saw it done in either my LPN or RN program. I wasn't ever in academic jeopardy so I'm only passing along second hand information but it seems that students were not encouraged to drop. On the plus side the ones that did get back in were basically re-taking a class they already had, good for them I guess. Imo if the student knew they would be allowed back into the program the following year that would be ok but there were no guarantees or really even a clear cut policy as to who would be re-accepted. Having a failing grade on my transcript isn't a chance I would have taken.

[Cityshoegal]

Yes I am taking pharm over before I move on to the next classes. So this summer, I'll be taking pharmacology.

So w/NS -- is it generally one gets use to the politics of the classes and teachers, and just getting use to the school is what makes things a little easier after the 1st semester? Or is it the fact that the class work really is a tad bit easier? I mean, I know NS in general is tough, and I'll be working my butt off no matter what. I just hear everyone telling the freshmen class "don't worry it'll get easier after this" or "it's the first semester that's the worst!" So I'm just wondering if that is the general trend in other schools too?

Thanks for the input and advice everyone.

[Jules A, MSN]

I did not feel that the work got easier. I never really thought it was very complicated just that it is a lot of material that all sort of builds on what you have previously learned which is why it is so important not to get behind. Try not to be too stressed out, look at how many of us have already done it, you can do it too! :)