Help with re-application letter to nursing school

Leda · May 13, 2005

I have not written a letter of this type, but I have read quite a few over the years. My first suggestion is to look through your program's student handbook to find out the specific policy for reapplying after a nursing course failure. You want to be sure everthing is done according to policy and submitted on time. Secondly I would make an appointment with my advisor to get an objective assessment of your strengths and weaknesses so that you can make a sound plan for success.

This may sound a bit basic, but be sure to submit a typewritten/word processed letter. It is very important that the letter both looks and reads appropriately.

Some thoughts on what you might want to include in your letter, based on your outline plan:

1. "Evaluate the year I failed"

It is important to be honest and as objective as possible in outlining why you failed your nursing course. Generally it is a variety of factors, but the point you want to get across is that you accept responsibility for the failure. You can't control the fact that you developed health problems, but you need to acknowledge that because of the circumstances you were not successful.

Evaluate the effect the work and family responsiblities had on your nursing grade. This is essential because your plan for future success has to take into account balancing these responsibilities.

Do you have a learning issue and/or test-anxiety? If you aren't sure then you might want to consider being evaluated so you can receive support and correct these issues.

As part of your evaluation of factors leading to your course failure, take into account your grades in the pre and co-requisite courses. For example A & P correlates with nursing, so if you did not achieve a high grade in A & P and other science courses you need to acknowledge this.

Finally, you should attempt to get an objective analysis of why you failed. This can be obtained by talking with your adivsor or a faculty member who knows you quite well.

2. "Show what changes I have made"

This would be based on your answers to the suggestions made in #1. For example if you were working 40+hours a week you would inform the nursing program in the letter that you will limit you work to a very reduced number of hours. Of course you would include the status of your medical condition, and how this will not be a factor next year.

In other words for each identified factor in your nursing course failure you have to show how you have changed that factor.

3. "Lay out a plan for the future"

This is primarily covered in #2, but you need to be realistic and specific. In addition because you will be sitting out a year, it would be wise to take any required non-nursing course during this time, if it is allowed. If you received low grades in pre and co-requisite courses, especially A & P, I would suggest that you see if you can audit/retake those courses. Also, see if you can get permission to audit any lower level nursing courses that you received a passing grade in.

Finally, I would "retake" the course on an independent basis. This means using the course syllabus start with day one and complete the reading assignments, etc. You can use an NCLEX book to test your knowledge along the way.

The nursing program/committee want to know what positive steps you will be taking during your year off that will place you in a strong position to be successful on your next attempt. Taking support courses, working in the health care field, etc. can be most beneficial to you.

These are only suggestions, but hopefully it will provide some assistance to you.

Best of luck with your education.