I need advice on if I can change my record.

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I was in my fourth semester with just 8 weeks to graduate. I had become sick with a sinus infection for a week. I got antibiotics onboard during the week, but I was still under the weather. Since I was so close to being done, I just didnt want to call of for my one of three clinical shift left. I had no write ups or reprimands up to this point at all. I passed all my previous semesters with no issues at all.

I was exhausted and should have called off and do a make up day. But, I tried to be tough and push through because I was so excited to be so close to finish. I had a G-tube patient and had a 12 meds to dissolve in individual cups at bedside and push in the tube, plus an IVP of protonix and a syringe of senna. I pulled about 12 meds out of the pixis. a 4 I should have pulled two tabs, and I only pulled 1ea. Which was caught during my second/third check at the pixis, I had all correct meds when I left the med room. I walked over to the side of bed for patients IV and happen to have both the senna and the protonix in my hand. I asked her which med to be pushed first (meaning the IV or G-tube) Then when I pushed my protonix, I questioned her about the senna because I could see the syringe it was in, was not a locking fit for the g-tube port and I asked her if I should squirt it into the little cup like the pills that are in dissolving, she said no, push it right into the g-tube...so I had a puzzled look on my face but did it anyway.

Later I gave a feeding bolus, and afterwards while doing my paperwork I asked her where in the computer was the feeding order listed, (I was just tired and in a haze from being sick) I would have eventually found it on my own..( I also wasnt too familiar with the system at this hospital)....

So, she decided that at 4th semester, I should not be making a mistake in pulling meds from the pixis, and that she "ASSUMED", I might have tried to push the senna into the IV line because I had it in my hand while I was pushing the protonix, and questioned her on the route. Then she just "added" that I should have not needed to ask her where to find the feeding order in the system..........So, since they consider this Med error.....pretty much Im screwed!!!!!!!....I am not really sure what to do yet, but Im not a quitter. I spent 10 years and an EMT/paramedic and was a full time care taker for my mother from 13yrs old to 44yrs old and that included...IV antibiotics at home, indwelling catheter, meds, Groshong for 5 yrs...I was dismissed from the program and now having a very hard time trying to find any other program to consider me to transfer in a finish...........I just dont think this one day is enough to say I would be an unsafe nurse????? Someone please give me some in put????

I suggest you talk to your advisor about an appeal to retake the semester. Your school probably has a student handbook with policies listed regarding your options.

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Moved to General Nursing Student Forum, as more suitable to this type of inquiry.

Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.

I would agree with bookwormom, find out if you could appeal the situation and see if there is a way to either get back into the program or if there is a way to retake the semester. Worst case, go talk to other nursing schools and explain the situation, im sure advisors understand.

And i would avoid mentioning the sickness, they would probably be more upset because as student nurses we are supposed to call off if we are sick to reduce our patients getting sick.

I am feeling so defeated and need help to put my goals back in order. I recently failed out of 4th semester with only eight weeks left. I had never been on probation/contract in previous semesters for clinical, but my 4th sem clinical instructor felt "I wasnt as good as I gave myself credit " I have been completely devastated. I spent 7 yrs as a EMT/paramedic, I nursed my paraplegic mother for 30 yrs of my life and always thought nursing was where I was suppose to be. After 2 yrs of preparing, I get kicked to the curb for something I really dont believe rated expulsion. I had a "near" med error that was corrected at the pyxis before ever leaving the med room, then I had a syringe of senna in my left hand while I was pushing IV protonix with my right hand and she claimed I was going to push it in the IV, on a peg tube patient. She never questioned me for my intentions, just waited for class the following week to dismiss me. Additionally, she claims because I wrote in my weekly journals that I was working on organization skills that all of this adds up to an unsafe nursing student.

I was never counseled or given a contract to improve as some of my fellow students were given......

My question is: I have been told by some of my classmates that I can challenge the LVN NCLEX....Has anyone ever done this? I have researched other schools, but I would have to start from the beginning, including the "new" version of TEAS....that would cost me two years......Any recommendations out there??????

In my nursing program, if we fail once we are allowed to be re-admitted into the program. Is this your first time failing, talk to your advisors. they are here to help you.

Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I failed my 2nd semester clinical in the 7th week of an 8 week course and I went back in the next semester, retook it and did fine. As far as the LPN NCLEX we could sit for it after the first year of our two year RN ADN program. I would check with academic advising on both points.

Specializes in ICU.

Did you submit an appeal to your nursing school board? I actually failed a (chemistry) class my 1st semester...was able to submit a letter of appeal and was readmitted. With only 8 weeks left, I would appeal that ASAP! You may still be able to graduate.

Check your state BON website-some states allow people to take the NCLEX for LPN after the first year of nursing school. However, since you failed I'm not sure because some states require a sign off by the nursing program.

I would check with the state.

Good luck!

Specializes in Pediatrics.

I would visit your states site here on allnurses and see if anyone has an answer to that question. In my state, a student who has competed 3 semesters used to be eligible to sit for the LPN NCLEX. But they changed that rule a few years ago.

I would also explore the option of repeating that final semester. You've put in so much work to let it go to waste.

Also, look into excelsior online. I recall that there have been students here that have claimed to finish their degrees there. A program like this tends to cater to people with previous medical experience (like yourself). They do a lot of challenging of clinicals.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

duplicate Threads merged.....

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