How Should I Address My Failure in my Personal Statement?

caliotter3 · Jan 16, 2015

I left school for slightly different reasons and have never had a positive experience since, regarding reentry, except for the Excelsior College program, that is quick to take enrollment fees, so I can not offer you advice that I know works. At one interview with a program director (for something different) I was coached by the person sending me in for the interview, to turn my unofficial transcripts to a page that did not show that I failed to officially withdraw from school and to focus my talk away from that. She said that the benefit of the doubt is never given to the student, no matter what the circumstances.

Others have posted that a person should be able to explain a well thought-out plan for how they will approach things differently, so that they can succeed. I think this is a good idea. And think positive! They pick up on your feelings of self doubt!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2015

If you told us you flunked out because of some outside stresses in your life, a serious illness, a very high-demand special-needs child, or some such, all of which were settled down now, or perhaps acute adolescent buttheadedness or immaturity from which you had recovered, we'd probably all say, "Tell them the truth and throw yourself upon the mercy of the court."

They will see those nursing classes and they will ask you. They may very well call your old school to speak to your faculty, too, to find out what kind of student you were then. So ... what was your excuse for having so much difficulty with critical thinking? This often becomes apparent when students advance beyond the basic nursing coursework into their jr/sr years, and all the faculty at the schools you mention know that. Was there a particular reason, or was it just something that didn't click with you and you're as mystified as all get-out to this day about what you didn't get?

You might be better off at a junior college, but that's not to say they would have lower standards for critical thinking and putting it all together. The only reason I say that is because your other prereqs and such would be out of the way and you could really, really focus on learning nursing better than you did before. You might want to read up on critical thinking to help you prepare for this round of interviews -- and for the more advanced topics you will encounter in nursing school.

Good luck.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2015

I say admit your failure and say how you have learned from it.

ALL programs in MA are very competitive. My daughter just went through this process. Spread a wide net and if you don't go the ABSN route....be prepared to do a RN-BSN right away.

BanannaFish · Jan 16, 2015

I realized I did have a lot of extracurriculars at the time (being an RA, being in the Honors program, having a job, taking extra classes..) I was trying too hard to be wonder woman. I understand that might have attributed to my failure. Yet I am baffled about how my failure unfolded, because I had done very well in my previous rotation- with all of those same stressors. Perhaps they had finally gotten to me during my second rotation. I did not want to admit that maybe I was stressed, although at the time I was convinced I wasn't. My plan for the future, whether I am accepted to a Accelerated program or an Associates program, is to do nothing but strictly nursing, and have no other distractions.

caliotter3 · Jan 16, 2015

Well, that sure sounds like an excellent one sentence plan to me. I think you will do well with that.