Has anyone else ever failed Nursing 101

[Lericalpoet]

Well, I hate to say fail because I got a C. It just wasn't a high enough C for me to pass. I freaked out at first. I was so depressed and I wondered,"Is it really meant for me to become a nurse?'..... Then I got up and relized that, "yes it is!!!!" OK, I didn't pass. I learned alot. I loved clinical. It was such a conformation that this is what I want to do. So, I'm taking some other classes I need next semester. I have to re-apply to the nursing program with a letter. If I'm not re-accepted, then I'll just transfer or apply somewhere else. I am fully confident that I will get in somewhere else if need be. I just want to incourage anyone else who may not have passed to hang in there and keep trying. As for myself, I knew the information very well, I just have to learn to think critically and apply what I know. I'll get it!!! If there is anyone else out there that may have failed their first Nursing course and gone on to complete and get their RN. PLEASE respond and share your story. So as to incoursge myself and others who may be in this same situation. God bless everyone!! And if there are others like me, don't worry, we'll get get there.

Look how far we've come!!

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

((hugs))

I know that it has happened to others, one of the girls I met this year was a student last year who failed and was re-accpeted and she told me that there were 7 other students in our class who had failed the year before and were re-accpeted.

What I learned this first term was it is not just knowing the matrial, but rather what is the question really was asking. They let us write on our test and I went and underlined all the "key" words in the question like, "best" "first" "most" and once I started doing that the test seemed slightly easier.

Dont give up.

[dorselm]

Here's my story:

Nursing 101 for us was about communication skills (therapeutic, non-therapeutic, verbal, non verbal......) anyway, I loved the instructor, she was awesome! Trouble was, I couldn't pass the test to save my life. When I did, I would pass by one point! It was soooo frustrating, I was on the verge of failing but then again, so was half of the class. So a few other instructors took this instructor's test and failed! After that the instructor resigned, we got a new one and I was able to pass the class. I will graduate next Friday. Your optimism is great. Keep your head up and don't give up, your determination will be what gets you there!

[TeleNurse2010]

I just passed my 1st semester of nursing, but I know of several people who did not. It was not an easy class by any means. However, I commend you for your optimism and encourage you to continue on your journey, regardless of the road blocks you will encounter. My friend and mentor, who has been an RN for eight years now, told me that she failed her first semester and was so heartbroken that she fell on the floor and cried for hours. She didn't give up though, and went back the following year and passed the course and continued on. When she took the NCLEX, she passed the first time.

So, don't give up. You will have to fight for some things worth having, but you will appreciate it so much more.

Good luck and God bless you.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

Hey-

I made it through with a B but seriously, quite a few folks need to repeat the course in our program! The attitude seems to be that if you made it in then they are probably committed to seeing you finish the program. You just need to get try again.

I certainly don't judge these folks. A lot of that first semester is learning how to think and test. I don't think of anybody as being incapable or "not nursing material" or whatever other craziness is going through your head, ok?

The fact that you have a C tells me that you were close and aren't just one of those slackers who randomly began nursing school with this idea that it was a kiss for Christmas.

Keep it movin'. We are rooting for you!

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

When I was 18 I was accepted into an associate degree nursing program. I was a smart kid and had taken all my prereq's while in HS during the summer and at night. Anyway, I got pregnant that first semester, with twins! So, needless to say, I was sick all the time and my grades were terrible. I made a C also and was kicked out. I tried to get back in a year later but they wouldn't accept me. Well, about 7 years later and after retaking the biology courses, I was accepted into a different nursing program about 60 miles away, I moved there to go to nursing school. I passed and have been a nurse 5+ years. I'm glad that I went to a different school because they were so much better there,, and they didn't try to flunk us out like they did at my first school.

So, you might want to look into a different school before you waste your time going back to the same one. Something was not right at that school and maybe you should try a new one. Each school is different in the way they approach teaching and they way they handle their students. Even if you have to pack up and move, if nursing is your dream,, DO IT!!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

One of the reasons why I think Nursing101 has taken many people by surprize is because nursing questions are far different than any other subject. It is not just memorization involved, but critical thinking and choosing the BEST answer. This takes some getting used to for many students that are used to memorizing terms for anatomy, dates for history, concepts in psychology and the like. A person is not a failure for not passing 101...it just takes more time to adjust to this type of thinking and strategy. Kuddos to you for thinking positive!

[Lericalpoet]

Thanks for all the encouragement! I was told it is a different way of testing and thinking. I'm just trying to grasp it. I test myself with the NCLEX 3,500 CD that was given to us with our books. I'm going to try to do at least 10 questions a day from now on. I hope I get back into the program. I know I can get in some where else, maybe it will be better. But it might be worse? At the end of the day, I have to learn how to think critically and answer these type of questions regardless. Thanks again for the comments.

[carluvscats]

Some of the smartest and most savvy people I went to school with were just not good test-takers, for whatever reason. As you said, some of it had to do with getting the hang of critical thinking, some just had high test anxiety. I have no doubt that with your positive attitude and love for clinicals, that you will make a great nurse. The whole process is more of a marathon than a sprint, and it might just take you a little longer. In the whole scheme of eternity, the one failed semester will matter very little.

Something I would encourage you to do when you do get back into the program, is to study your NCLEX book as you study for your tests. It will really strengthen your critical thinking skills. I used Saunders throughout my last 2 semesters. I really felt it helped a lot.

Best of luck to you on your journey.

[camicorn]

I am in my third semester of nursing school in an ASN program. I was to graduate in May 2010, and 2 days ago got a 90% on our semester required math calculations exam, so I will be withdrawn from the program. I am heartbroken. I am a single mother with four children, and up to this point have handled the stress quite well, earning a B in Fundamentals, and a B in an accelerated summer semester of Med-Surg. I feel like I have let everyone down, my classmates, my family, but especially my children. What kind of a mother am I that is incapable of properly supporting her children? I don't know what to do. I can reapply but the course is not offered again until summer semester 2010 at the earliest, maybe not until fall. I have never had much self esteem, but my acceptance and success in this program up to this point had given me a little bit of self confidence. That is all gone now. I feel like the same loser I was before I began school, and am fearful I will always remain a loser. I am terrified.