I failed Nursing school by a few exam point & I don't want to start over. What are my options

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Hello I'm looking for some advice and possibly other nursing programs to apply to. I was suppose to graduate an ADN program here in California this past May, but I was unable to graduate due to not meeting the 75% exam requirement. I missed the percentage cut off by a few point. My program is not allowing me back in due to the school policy (you are not allow to return if you fail). They offered me a recommendation letter to transfer into another local community college program but there is no guarantee the other school will grant me admission. Also, I will have to start in the second semester at the other school, if I were to get in. I have contacted over 20 schools & programs inside and outside of California to inquire about possible transfer and I haven't found a program that will allow lateral transfer of my units from my previous Nursing program. A good majority of the schools I contacted, require me to apply as a first time student (start over from semester 1) and others say they may be able to accept some of my nursing credit but it's not guarantee. Before the decision is made about possibly accepting my credit, I will have to apply as a first time student, be accepted into the school and accept my admission into said program, before my transcript can be evaluated for transfer of credit. For the school that would allow transfer of credit, the most nursing units they will accept is 12 units( I have 44 Nursing units, not including pre-reqs). In addition to my nursing units, I also have a previous Bachelor's degree. I want a career in nursing, that's why I went through the process of taking pre-reqs, applying to nursing school and attending nursing school BUT, I CAN NOT restart another program from scratch. Does anyone know of a Nursing program that will allow me to finish my last semester & sit for the NCLEX? I'm willing to go to any state or country.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

There will not be a nursing program that will simply allow you to complete the final semester when you haven't attended their program previously. While the BON sets the curriculum that must be covered, each school is able to arrange it as they see fit. That means that there won't be two identical programs out there where you would complete all of the requirements. Now throw in crossing state lines into the territory of another state's BON and you've added more differences in programs.

In regards to missing the percentage cutoff by a few points, that means you were borderline well before the final exam. You will need to establish a plan and be able to articulate it before you go on to apply for other schools. They will most likely want to know what you are planning to do to not repeat what happened.

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Will I be better off applying a first time student & not even mention my previous nursing experience?

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Specializes in NICU.
1 hour ago, Sarwielittlebiigsis said:

Will I be better off applying a first time student & not even mention my previous nursing experience?

If you got your pre-reqs at the same school as your nursing credits, that will be hard to do. Once they see your transcript, they will see the nursing credits. Your current school will not omit your nursing semesters.

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My pre-reqs were not completed at my Nursing school. They were done at the university I completed my bachelor's & at another local community college in my area. I can't start over & I was hoping there were other options to still follow my dream.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology RN.

@Sarwielittlebiigsis Some nursing students end up having to start over and thats okay. Some of them even get as far as you do, get sent to LPN school, come back and finish it off. It is a big setback but it IS possible to finish.

Keep your head up, you can do it!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
On 9/17/2019 at 9:31 PM, Sarwielittlebiigsis said:

Will I be better off applying a first time student & not even mention my previous nursing experience?

No, that would be dishonest and when discovered, you'll be tossed out for dishonesty and you can kiss nursing goodbye. Applications for nursing programs will always want ALL transcripts. You might think you can hide it, but I really wouldn't risk it.

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Depending on your program you should be able to apply and sit for the NCLEX-PN to get your LPN. This will allow you to keep your skills and knowledge fresh while you look for programs and evaluate your options. You might be able to find one willing to accept you as a new second-year student. At my school the only students allowed in mid-year were those who had previously attended our program and even then they had to start with winter term and not spring for second year (even if it was only the last term they failed). Other students were allowed in at the beginning of second year. I didn't have any in my class, but from what I understand it was a struggle for those who did. Granted mine was a exceptionally rigorous program. I was more worried about passing school than I was passing the NCLEX-RN and for good reason; the NCLEX wound up being easy for me.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
2 hours ago, Jeniele said:

Depending on your program you should be able to apply and sit for the NCLEX-PN to get your LPN. 

Not all states allow that. Mine, for instance, requires completion of an approved LPN program to be eligible for NCLEX-PN. Partial completion of an RN program doesn’t meet eligibility.

Those states that do allow it will have criteria that the program must meet.

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Thank you all for your feedback. It's probably time I realize that maybe it wasn't meant to be. Maybe I wasn't meant to be a nurse. Perhaps someone's life may be spared, if I am not the one providing care for them. What I do know for certain is that I CANNOT start all over again.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology RN.
7 hours ago, Sarwielittlebiigsis said:

Thank you all for your feedback. It's probably time I realize that maybe it wasn't meant to be. Maybe I wasn't meant to be a nurse. Perhaps someone's life may be spared, if I am not the one providing care for them. What I do know for certain is that I CANNOT start all over again.

Its all perspective my friend. You can start again but only if you are ready for it. Good luck.

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This is why I think programs that are set up to allow you to sit for the NCLEX PN after the first year (my school after the summer of taking a crash course in peds and OB with clinicals) is best. I can't imagine getting to your very last semester and not being allowed one retake. I'm so sorry to hear this. This is terrible.

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