I failed out of Nursing School... Appealed and WON!!

[ToBeBornANurseJB]

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 ?

[FineAgain]

My "batchelorette" status is for ME. I wanted to have a degree and got it. Does it make me a better nurse than someone with an ADN? No. No way.

My question for OP is...why were you riding the "fail line" to begin with? Not once, but twice! I tell people who are struggling to pass that they need to learn to "play the game". You will not succeed in nursing school unless you do so. Learn to answer those pesky NCLEX style questions, no matter how poorly written. Do what you are told to do and do it in a timely manner. Only then will you succeed in nursing school. Not to mention you won't have to appeal a failing grade/dismissal.

I'm not touching the whole "god planted a seed". Not going there at allllll.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Anna S, RN said:

You did not read my whole post.

I said that we were told the difference between RNs and LPNs is critical thinking, not that I believed it.

I also said that I'm sure there are LPN programs which stress critical thinking.

I was alluding to the OP believing what she was told...without actually having any first-hand knowledge or experience, re: ADN vs. BSN.

I was an LPN for a number of years, and have now been an RN for years.

Please re-read my post.

Go back & re-read your post, that is NOT in your post. I read your post over & over many times. That second part was NOT in your post. Maybe you meant to put it in there, but it wasn't there.

I never said you believed that, just that, that way of thinking is ignorant. All nurses regardless of title, use critical thinking.

[ICURN7]

Congrats. I am glad you chose to go the route of a nurse educator. I hope you finish up and become a nurse educator as you said, to share and encourage nursing students. Now, that has thought you a big lesson that you will never forget in a hurry. Being a nurse educator helps you teach and also encourage the students not to stay at the edge but rather stay on top of their studies. Most importantly, they need to understand that whoever God has chosen to be a nurse would definitely become one some day inspite of all seemingly impossible situations.

I am not a nurse educator neither am i studying to be one but being in one's chosen place makes you function with ease. I wish you all the best...:)

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Congrats. I am glad you chose to go the route of a nurse educator. I hope you finish up and become a nurse educator as you said, to share and encourage nursing students. Now, that has thought you a big lesson that you will never forget in a hurry. Being a nurse educator helps you teach and also encourage the students not to stay at the edge but rather stay on top of their studies. Most importantly, they need to understand that whoever God has chosen to be a nurse would definitely become one some day inspite of all seemingly impossible situations.

I am not a nurse educator neither am i studying to be one but being in one's chosen place makes you function with ease. I wish you all the best...:)

She hasn't even graduated from her BSN program. She has failed, twice. Who knows, she might fail again! That makes me worry if she ever becomes a nurse educator.

[julee1414]

Although I do not commend or support the original post, I do have to say this: Lashing out at someone in response to being offended by something they have said......reflects on your OWN character. Many of you should be ashamed by your unprofessional, bullying and downright nasty comments. This whole thread is quite shameful.

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

I so wanted to respond to this but it's very hard to type while shaking my head....I got nothing for the OP...

[KimberlyTheNurse, BSN, MSN, CNA, RN]

On 4/21/2015 at 10:03 AM, USMCRN2015 said:

We had ten people fail, appeal and all got back in. Sorry but I think if you fail, you fail. Black and white. It's the whole "entitled" era.

I came onto this link by accident and this was a post made 5 years ago. I really hope that mindset has changed and adjusted as not only a nurse but a human being. The logic used to argue your point is more concerning than unsatisfactory. So, if youre driving your car and get into an accident caused by an oversight on your end, does that mean you should never in your lifetime be able to drive again? Life is never black and white and it has nothing to do with "entitled" but more to do with your bruised ego. Unbelievable!

[Daphanie]

Hi there, 

I am currently doing an appeal and was wondering how did you do that. 

I am trying to understand how did you make an argument. was it just based on critical thinking. 

[iNurs5, CNA]

 "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." 

You made my day today, but critical thinking is taught in any major by employing and utilizing scientific evidence before their bachelor's degree, not just in nursing. Don't get too flattered. This is why some people find nurses "full of themselves." 

I hope you will realize that you had a brain fart. Anyway, congratulations that you won your appeal.