I messed up, terribly. I failed out of my CA CC nursing program and I'm devastated.

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I received the news today that after my second failure I'm officially kicked out of my nursing program. 2.5 years of my life, completely gone to waste. Two traumatic family situations and the several mental conditions, debilitating and untreated ADHD and social anxiety, that I stupidly didn't seek help for were what made school 10x more difficult for me and what ultimately led me to fail. I failed the same course again, Med-Surg, both times for similar reasons. The first time taking it one of my parents unexpectedly was hospitalized which took a great mental toll on me. Despite putting my all into the second exam and final, it still wasn't enough to put me into a passing grade. My second time retaking the course, being this semester, I came into the course ready to start again, I absolutely did not want to fail again. However, a very close family member unexpectedly passed away during my retake of the course and this affected me and my whole family even worse than my parent's hospitalization from the semester before. This was my first real time dealing with a family member's death and I took it hard. The timing of this couldn't have came at a worse time, but I pushed through until the end and took my final the other day. Sadly, I didn't pass, I was 5 points away from passing, thus leading me to fail the course again and me being forced out of my program as we are only allowed one retake of a course and if we fail again we cannot return to the program. 

My family and friends were my biggest supporters and cheerleaders during my nursing school journey and now I don't have the heart to tell them that this is the end for me, I'm not graduating in December or anytime soon. 

I worked SO hard in my prerequisite courses and received straight A's because I knew just how competitive community college nursing programs are here in California and I was thankfully accepted into 3 different programs. Nursing school was always a bit of a struggle for me, but I did decent my first 2 semesters earning all B's. This ONE class absolutely ruined me, and for some reason always brought along unexpected tragedies into my life. 

Right now I just feel so guilty and devastated about my future. I want to continue my lifelong dream of being a nurse, I know that without a doubt in my mind. But now that I've failed out of a nursing program I've heard that this blacklists me from even being considered for other programs. 

Right now I'm REALLY considering starting at West Coast University (WCU) as I know they'll accept me even with this failure, but the tuition cost is daunting and I, or my family are in no position to be paying for it, I would essentially be paying for the tuition entirely with student loans. Me and my family live paycheck to paycheck so I'd have no choice. 

I'm also considering applying one more time, this fall, for CC nursing programs. I want to still utilize my 4.0 science GPA as from what I've seen some programs have a 5 year recency for them. I hate how I would have to study again for the TEAS test, but I will give it my all. I got 87.5% on the last version and that's what got me into my programs the first time. 

Has anyone dealt with failure like this with being kicked out of their nursing program before? Specifically a CA program (LA area to be exact), and were then able to be accepted into a new one? Any advice or words in general would be greatly appreciated. 

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I'm not a nurse, neither I'm I specialized in medicine & surgery. I just want to encourage you to stand strong. Don't allow this episode devastate you. I believe you will find respite soon. Keep grinding dearest. My prayers are with you. Cheers.

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Specializes in oncology.

You have completed the pre requisites for many health care related programs. I wonder if surgical tech, physical or occupation health assistant, radiology tech would meet your qualifications  for a health related job with a major in those. Then, afterwards, after being in a health provider role, you can reapply to a nursing program.  

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Please don't give up. If you really want to be a nurse then you will find a way.  It seems you had to deal with a lot and of course nursing school doesnt make it any easier. My nursing journey was also a long one but it was done. Sending positive energy your way!

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Specializes in oncology.
Throwaway3472 said:

This ONE class absolutely ruined me, and for some reason always brought along unexpected tragedies into my life. 

No this is part of an aging family. I thought the same when my mother died during nursing school. The events of someone getting sick/dying are no way connected with your nursing school endeavors.

Throwaway3472 said:

I was 5 points away from passing,

At least your honest...on here we always read it was 1 point away from passing. 

Throwaway3472 said:

But now that I've failed out of a nursing program I've heard that this blacklists me from even being considered for other programs. 

Not so...another program might have a slot for you because one of their students failed. You may have to repeat part of the curriculum at that school but that school may have a seat waiting for you!!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
londonflo said:

You have completed the pre requisites for many health care related programs. I wonder if surgical tech, physical or occupation health assistant, radiology tech would meet your qualifications  for a health related job with a major in those. Then, afterwards, after being in a health provider role, you can reapply to a nursing program.  

Good advice! Plus you may find one of these deciplines as rewarding if not more than nursing. They may also better suit the challanges you endorse. As London said you can always go back to Nursing school at a later date. I won't try to discourage you from going back now but beware for-profit schools and saddeling yourself with thousands of dollars in debt.  It does pay to be ready to discuss the reasons for dismissal from the previous program and how you plan to meet such challanges should they reoccur in the futue. No matter what you decide please take time to get your ADHD and other mental health conditions properly assessed and treated. Start with a complete physical with a primary provider and go from there.

I wish you luck in the journey to come.

May blessings be upon you

Hppy

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Although I've never been a for profit school (such as WCU), I too wouldn't recommend simply because of the sheer cost and the reputation. I've had some former colleagues that went to WCU and are excellent nurses; however, I've heard of some hospitals that do not consider WCU new grads high up on their hiring list and that WCU students have a bad rep of not really knowing much. Although I have no backing on that claim, it's just what I've heard from former colleagues and coworkers and it is something to consider. It is also important to consider the possibility that you may not pass again in a for-profit school. By no means am I saying you are going to fail again, but you should consider that possibility. You need to weigh your options if it does happen and you are stuck with an enormously large student loan. I am completely all for you to not give up, but I definitely would not recommend a for profit school and sticking to other CC programs and trying again there.

Also, the recommendations of looking into other health professions as an alternative is a great option as well with your current pre-reqs. I've known nurses that were former RT's and x-ray techs before going back to school for their RN. Which ever program you choose to enter, please do take care of yourself and seek help right away for whatever you are dealing with internally so you can do well in your program and do not ignore your symptoms. 

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Just remember that you have decades and decades and decades and decades and decades of life left, and some day in the future this will be a distant memory. At the moment it feels like your universe crumbled, and I wish I could fast forward you a few years down the line!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I would recommend seeing your Dr for your mental health re meds and therapy, if you keep ignoring it the same problems will still be there no matter what school you go to.  Before I went into nursing, I was working part time and taking classes part-time at the local university many years ago when you could do that without student loans, but I had untreated anxiety and depression and so I had very uneven grades.  I would normally get A's, but if I was depressed then would quit going to class and get an F.  Also, self-medicated with alcohol back then and felt I was addicted to alcohol but by a miracle one morning I woke up and no longer desired to drink.  Alcoholism is in my family on both sides, so I thank God I was able to stop drinking.

By the time I went to nursing school I had a spiritual conversion back to Christianity.  I had been mad at God over abuse in my childhood which was one of the reasons I had anxiety and depression.    I received the therapy I needed during nursing school and as a nurse for a couple years and was able to function well.  I was even on the dean's list.  I don't think I would have been successful without dealing with my past and the anxiety and depression that was interfering with my ability to function.  At times I took psych meds as well, but therapy was even more important and prayer for me.  

Also, as others have suggested you may want to consider another field in the meantime such as ultrasound technologist or Xray technologist.  Your science credits would apply.   But first please talk to your Dr about your mental health problems and get the help, meds and therapy you need.  

PS:  You are not a throwaway!  You are precious and valuable and it's obvious you aren't thinking clearly that you chose that as your username!  I don't know why nursing is your lifelong dream but whether you become a nurse or not you can live a happy and fulfilled life and help others in many different ways.  Take it one day at a time.  Be open to all the possibilities.

 

 

 

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Specializes in Operating Room.

You just got your get out of jail free card. Consider yourself fortunate, thank your luck stars, and move on to a beautiful life.

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You can probably challenge the LVN exam and become an LVN now, then take your time to figure out how/when to go back to RN school. Best wishes.

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I'm sorry you are going through this sad moment. I suggest you reevaluate your situations, strengths and weaknesses and then make sound decisions. Be truthful to yourself and be clear about your career objective.  Maybe professional nursing isn't for you. However don't be deterred! Don't be discouraged by one setback! Keep pushing! All the best!

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