I failed out of nursing school, now what?

Rionoir, ADN, RN · Jan 11, 2018

I mean, the first thing you need to do is be honest with yourself about what went wrong. It's easy to blame it all on test anxiety, but there's likely more to it than just that, right? If the information was studied correctly and in your head, just being an anxious test taker wouldn't cause you to fail out of school. So before you jump (and possibly fail) in another subject, which will also require you to read textbooks, I'd seek out some help with your study strategies.

How were your pre-req grades?

jackieee · Jan 11, 2018

Yes you're right, its also because during the time I was dealing with a lot of family issues and my father going for surgery, not doing well after it and me working full time. I have no other choice, I need to work. my pre-req grades were excellent, A-'s and B+'s

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jan 11, 2018

OP: First of all, deep breath. I applaud the fact that (unlike so many other posters in your situation) you are not casting blame on the faculty, the school, the 'unfair' test questions. You recognize the problem lies within- that's a good first step.

I'm obviously not you, but here is what I would do in your situation. Take some time to collect yourself. A couple of weeks will not make or break your future. Find some resources to help with the test anxiety (which almost everyone has). Investigate some schools, including the RT program at yours. Make lists and compare your options.

If you could complete RT in two years, it is a GREAT flexible, fairly well-paying way to support yourself through another nursing program down the road. In the meantime, you get valuable experience, and most employers are going to jump at an applicant who is both an RT and an RN. There are a number of AN members who are both.

Take care!

jackieee · Jan 11, 2018

Thank you, that was a huge help. Is it bad to just have an associates in RT? I know some places don't want associates. I was thinking doing the RT which gives me an associates and a bachelors in HSL then going back to nursing school.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jan 12, 2018

Thank you, that was a huge help. Is it bad to just have an associates in RT? I know some places don't want associates. I was thinking doing the RT which gives me an associates and a bachelors in HSL then going back to nursing school.

Most RT programs are associates- there are very few bachelor's in RT (my son was an RT student)

neuron · Jan 13, 2018

Thank you, that was a huge help. Is it bad to just have an associates in RT? I know some places don't want associates. I was thinking doing the RT which gives me an associates and a bachelors in HSL then going back to nursing school.

If your heart wants to go in to nursing I would do that. Good thing about respiratory therapy is there assessments are only 5 minutes (Are you on O2, have you ever been on O2, etc).

sweet.tea · Jan 13, 2018

Don't be discouraged. Theres a lot of options here that can be done. It's also important to realize that everything happens for a reason and you may not understand why it occurred but you will later. You never know, depending on the 2nd nursing program youre in it may be 10x better or you may graduate with honors. you honestly don't know. Now you can get your RT if you like,

OR you can do LPN (1 year) get you ASN after (1 year) get your BSN (1-2 year).

OR you can do ASN (2 year)

OR ASN (2 year) then BSN (1-2 year)

OR BSN program with your prerequisites it may not even be 4 years, itll take 2-3 year.

If your passion is nursing, don't give up on it. Just focus on becoming one, don't focus too much on timing.

Cococure · Jan 18, 2018

My advice is to take a good luck at your overall situation and see what you can change in order to be successful in whatever program you choose. The RT program is no cake walk and will the dedication and commitment as nursing does. If you choose to attend another nursing program you will more than likely be asked what you plan on doing differently in order to succeed. That may mean cutting back on working hours? Devoting more time to studying or even seeing a doctor about your anxiety and getting a request so that you have a longer time to do exams (I knew some one that had to do this because of anxiety issues). You may also what to take a step back an really decide what you want...RT or nursing...you don't want to invest time and money into something you don't have an interest in. I don't know your situation but I wish you the best of luck!