I failed my first semester of 4th year

[megaroo22475]

Hi everyone,

I am feeling incredibly dejected right now. After my experience with my preceptor, I just don't feel confident anymore and my school talking down to me further. I had a bad day at clinical and my preceptor talked me down so much that it hurt my confidence. I made mistakes because I was not feeling confident and because my preceptor was not willing to take time to teach me things and make sure that I was confident. My preceptor never told me how to improve and never told me when I was doing a good job. They then dropped me as a student late in the semester and without those hours and a new preceptor, I failed my semester. I blame myself though for taking so much of my preceptor's put-downs and not voicing a complain myself sooner. I used to feel very confident in practicum but now I feel like a failure especially at the year 4 level. My mom is trying to encourage me by telling me that I did my best and that my preceptor was the failure for not teaching me but that doesn't really help me feel much better. I can retake in the summer but I just don't feel to great right now. Any words of advice or encouragement would be really helpful right now.

[missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN]

This too shall pass. Start reviewing NCLEX questions while you wait for the summer course, and try to really analyze what went wrong, even if everything was out of your control. This way, if another situation like this presents itself, you will be ready for it.

[midwifemae]

I'm sorry you have to go through this. I feel like there is a fine line between preceptors wanting to toughen us up and actually being good teachers and leaders and it honestly depends on the person. I'm an empath so I get it. It sucks and I too would be really hard on myself but as the previous poster said, take this time to review and learn and take care of yourself so you are totally ready by summer. Good luck.

[OveRNineThousand]

Retake the class. Don't let anyone or anything stop you or stand in your way. You're in your 4th year, you have the knowledge and you know what to do. Spend this time going over any procedures that you now know you're uncomfortable with until you can recite the steps in your head without any effort at all. The way to come back from a defeat like that is by showing them all, including the preceptor and your instructors, that they were wrong about you.

[Irish_Mist, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I am feeling incredibly dejected right now. After my experience with my preceptor, I just don't feel confident anymore and my school talking down to me further. I had a bad day at clinical and my preceptor talked me down so much that it hurt my confidence. I made mistakes because I was not feeling confident and because my preceptor was not willing to take time to teach me things and make sure that I was confident. My preceptor never told me how to improve and never told me when I was doing a good job. They then dropped me as a student late in the semester and without those hours and a new preceptor, I failed my semester. I blame myself though for taking so much of my preceptor's put-downs and not voicing a complain myself sooner. I used to feel very confident in practicum but now I feel like a failure especially at the year 4 level. My mom is trying to encourage me by telling me that I did my best and that my preceptor was the failure for not teaching me but that doesn't really help me feel much better. I can retake in the summer but I just don't feel to great right now. Any words of advice or encouragement would be really helpful right now.

The fact that you have the option to re-take in the summer is wonderful! Let that be a small dose of encouragement for you today. I'm sorry things didn't go well with your preceptor. Not everyone is cut out to teach nursing students. Take this time to brush up on your studies and heal from the hurt. I'm sure this coming summer, you'll be much more prepared.