I failed out of Nursing School... Appealed and WON!!
I am currently a Senior Nursing Student, I have read countless blogs, threads, and websites and have yet to find a story about a successful nursing school appeal. My nursing school journey is unique & I hope that it inspires those who have lost hope to never give up.... I failed out & appealed my grade. It is possible to win a nursing school appeal... I know this because I won MINE!!!
Members are discussing the differences between ADN and BSN nurses, with some arguing that periodic NCLEX testing is necessary to keep up with advances in nursing education and procedures. There is also debate about the importance of critical thinking skills in nursing, with some members questioning whether all nurses, regardless of degree, need to think critically. Additionally, the impact of having a BSN versus an ADN on patient outcomes is being discussed, with some members highlighting the importance of practical nursing knowledge beyond just passing the NCLEX.
I didn't choose nursing it chose me. I firmly believe that God called upon me to become a nurse. I know this because he planted a seed in me long before I knew it myself. I've had quite the journey in nursing school, and I attribute my success to persevering and never giving up. Florence Nightingale once said, "I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took an accuse". This quote really means a lot to me and is what inspired me to keep going even when the odds were against me.
I was diagnosed with ADHD as a young child. I have always struggled, but I have learned to manage my disability, and I continue to strive to be an exceptional student. It is because of my learning disability, I have to make a daily effort to stay on top of my studies, and overcome the adversity of my circumstances.
In nursing school you're only able to retake one nursing course, which I already did a year prior. However, last fall my worst nightmare became a reality, I failed a second course by less than half a point, 0.43 to be exact. I was completely devastated but I wasn't going to give up that easy. If a nursing student fails a class regardless of whether it's their first or second failure, and if that student has reason to believe that the grade does not reflect his or her academic ability then they can appeal the grade with the dean of nursing. And that's exactly what I did, as a Bachelorette nursing student we have been taught that the best practice is evidenced based. After all that is what separates a BSN degree versus an ADN degree, we are trained to use our critical thinking knowledge and research the best clinical evidenced based practice.
I researched nursing school appeals to see if there were ever any students to fail out but were able to win an appeal. To my dismay I did not find any successful nursing school appeals even ones that went to court. That was a little discouraging but I knew I was born to be a nurse and that even if my appeal was not successful at least I gave it my all. Any nursing student can attest to the fact that it is infuriating when you get a test question and every answer available is correct. However, there is always one that is "most correct". Those pesky priority questions and select all that apply will always be the death of me. In this particular course there were three exam questions that I knew were reasonably debatable and I was going to find the evidence.
I wrote my nursing appeal letter and made a meeting with the dean. I found evidence base practice in my text-books, reading material from other classes and even in an NCLEX book that my school endorsed. All I needed were two points added back in order to be successful, I knew I had to appeal this because I was meant for greatness. After a long few weeks, I finally received the letter that would determine my future career as a nurse. I opened the letter and it said that my appeal was successful. That I was given back two out three of the test questions that were contested. I was in tears because I had never fought so hard for something in my entire life. But it was worth it and the only explanation that I can come up with is that this experience was a test. God knew I was supposed to be a nurse but how far was I willing to go? Also, one day I will have patients with way bigger fears and battles than I have ever had to endure. He wanted to know that I was willing to stand up for what I believe in and that I would speak even if my voice shook.
I graduate FINALLY in August this year and I plan to attend graduate school to pursue a masters in nursing. I would love to become a nurse practitioner but I think after this experience I would love to pursue a degree in nursing education. Nursing school is hard, I especially know this and hopefully my story will inspire others to never give up. I couldn't have done it with out God because he is the one who called me to be a nurse. I could have thrown my hands up and quit but I didn't. I inspire to always attribute my success to never giving or taking an accuse, like Florence Nightingale. Little did she know that her one observation of how important hand washing was between patients would forever change healthcare. And how it gave nurses and future nurses like me the hope and courage to make a difference.
-Hope this inspires others to keep going & believe in the impossible, JB ?
Oh, and I hope, OP, that, if you ever do end up teaching nursing, you'll come back here and tell us how you feel then about students who fail an exam and then want to argue about the answers to a few of the questions until they get their grades changed.
And that's exactly what I did, as a Bachelorette nursing student we have been taught that the best practice is evidenced based. After all that is what separates a BSN degree versus an ADN degree, we are trained to use our critical thinking knowledge and research the best clinical evidenced based practice.
And yet, while writing this article you didn't use your critical thinking skills to figure out how to avoid offending half of your audience --or perhaps that was your intent?
Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
You lifting up your "Bachelorette" degree over an ADN is just too perfect. I am trying to be offended, but I can't stop laughing! Plus, though I got a lowly ASN, I do have a "Bachelorette" degree in another major, so I'm hoping that qualifies me to squeeze out a critical thought or two. But really, I hope that's some kind of autocorrect. I've never had that word autocorrected that way, but it certainly makes for a laugh or two.
I can only hope that the reason OP hasn't been back with her tail tucked neatly between her knees is that she is busy studying her cute little socks off for her final exams....
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
BuckyBadgerRN said:
I can only hope that the reason OP hasn't been back with her tail tucked neatly between her knees is that she is busy studying her cute little socks off for her final exams....
I wonder if she'll try to appeal if she fails her finals.
Offended. Everyone on the ****** planet is endlessly and marvelously offended.
I wish for once, just one mother freaking time, an article could be posted without 1/2 of the entire audience plucking ONE sentance out of it to indignantly and furiously set straight. Honestly! Is anyone mature enough to let something go?
First of all, there is a difference between ADN and BSN degrees, refer to Spidey's Mom's post for clarification as she explains it quite nicely. Second, yeah the OP's statement, taken literally and out of context, can be made to sound as if she believes BSN nurses are trained to critically think in contrast with ADN nurses. HOWEVER, the mature, sensible, critical thinker reading the article will note that this sentance isn't the main point of the article, could be interpretted in multiple ways, and comes and goes quite quickly without being expounded upon. He/She then will likely decide to give the writer the benefit of the doubt to thereby FOCUS on the POINT of what's being said, rather than a flipant sentence which isn't really built upon at all.
Immature people feel the need to endlessly correct everyone. Mature people recognize the vast differences in opinions out their and decide to move on.
Good for you OP. Nursing questions are 1% legitimate and 99% total B.S. Glad you fought your way back into it.
Then I will take the high road and not correct the multitude of spelling/grammar errors in your post. The problem with forums such as this is that her intent is open to interpretation, and people have the right to read it anyway they choose. Any post. Any time
Mully said:
Offended. Everyone on the ****** planet is endlessly and marvelously offended.
I wish for once, just one mother freaking time, an article could be posted without 1/2 of the entire audience plucking ONE sentance out of it to indignantly and furiously set straight. Honestly! Is anyone mature enough to let something go?
First of all, there is a difference between ADN and BSN degrees, refer to Spidey's Mom's post for clarification as she explains it quite nicely. Second, yeah the OP's statement, taken literally and out of context, can be made to sound as if she believes BSN nurses are trained to critically think in contrast with ADN nurses. HOWEVER, the mature, sensible, critical thinker reading the article will note that this sentance isn't the main point of the article, could be interpretted in multiple ways, and comes and goes quite quickly without being expounded upon. He/She then will likely decide to give the writer the benefit of the doubt to thereby FOCUS on the POINT of what's being said, rather than a flipant sentence which isn't really built upon at all.
Immature people feel the need to endlessly correct everyone. Mature people recognize the vast differences in opinions out their and decide to move on.
Good for you OP. Nursing questions are 1% legitimate and 99% total B.S. Glad you fought your way back into it.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Mully said:
Offended. Everyone on the ****** planet is endlessly and marvelously offended.
I wish for once, just one mother freaking time, an article could be posted without 1/2 of the entire audience plucking ONE sentance out of it to indignantly and furiously set straight. Honestly! Is anyone mature enough to let something go?
First of all, there is a difference between ADN and BSN degrees, refer to Spidey's Mom's post for clarification as she explains it quite nicely. Second, yeah the OP's statement, taken literally and out of context, can be made to sound as if she believes BSN nurses are trained to critically think in contrast with ADN nurses. HOWEVER, the mature, sensible, critical thinker reading the article will note that this sentance isn't the main point of the article, could be interpretted in multiple ways, and comes and goes quite quickly without being expounded upon. He/She then will likely decide to give the writer the benefit of the doubt to thereby FOCUS on the POINT of what's being said, rather than a flipant sentence which isn't really built upon at all.
Immature people feel the need to endlessly correct everyone. Mature people recognize the vast differences in opinions out their and decide to move on.
Good for you OP. Nursing questions are 1% legitimate and 99% total B.S. Glad you fought your way back into it.
The PP won't correct you but I have nothing better to do, so I will.
*SENTENCE x2
If you're gonna be rude, use spellcheck.
Ok, so there's a difference between ADN & BSN nurses. But she still failed. Period. Why does she think she's better than anyone else who failed? Maybe if she was more determined she would've passed instead of feeling so entitled.
The PP won't correct you but I have nothing better to do, so I will.
*SENTENCE x2
If you're gonna be rude, use spellcheck.
Ok, so there's a difference between ADN & BSN nurses. But she still failed. Period. Why does she think she's better than anyone else who failed? Maybe if she was more determined she would've passed instead of feeling so entitled.
The irony of you responding to my multi-paragraph response about focussing on the point of a post rather than a small detail to correct with a spelling correction is sort of too good to make up.
Mmmmmmm. BSN vs ASN. Lol. Should I tell her or did someone already. ?? Lol. Don't GO there. You will understand when u flop on your face and the person who pics you up just might NOT be a Bachelorette. lol.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Mully said:
The irony of you responding to my multi-paragraph response about focussing on the point of a post rather than a small detail to correct with a spelling correction is sort of too good to make up.
There were two parts to my post but if the biggest part of it to you was that then you misspelled focusing.
But really, I hope that's some kind of autocorrect. I've never had that word autocorrected that way, but it certainly makes for a laugh or two.
elkpark
14,633 Posts
Oh, and I hope, OP, that, if you ever do end up teaching nursing, you'll come back here and tell us how you feel then about students who fail an exam and then want to argue about the answers to a few of the questions until they get their grades changed.