Leaving Nursing Program & Coming Back

That is terribly unfair, I agree.

Well, my university policy (as well as Nursing dept. policy) requires any student on educational leave due to government service be allowed to return into the program where s/he left off without any delay. I'm sure if they did otherwise, they would lose a lot of federal grant money (and a big lawsuit).

Has anyone (students or current RN) ever had to leave their academic nursing program and return? (Voluntarily or involuntarily)

How did you do when you returned? How was your boards? Did you forget anything? Tips?

Just background on my situation: Being military, this is the 2nd time I've being deployed while in a BS Nursing program. At this point, I'd fed up, but I understand I signed up for it and I love my job (Army medic). I will be done with my 9 years when I return home and to my nursing program.

I had to leave my final semester d/t an unplanned pregnancy in Fall of 2006. When I tried to return in Spring 2007, they told me they lost my paperwork. Then when I tried to get back in for Fall 2007, they said that since I had been out more than 1 semester, I had to prove myself and redo all of my skills labs and pass them. So I spent the whole month of Oct. 2007 redoing the skills. I then applied again for the Spring 2008 and was accepted in on the first day of class!!! I had to jump through so many hoops, that my head started to spin.

Regarding boards and forgeting things- It was hard on me at the very first especially the first test. We are to make a 78 or higher to pass that time and I made like a 74 on the first test, so I failed. I then got a 78, so I was going in the right direction. By the end of the semester and with HESI which was our final grade I ended up with a B for my grade. I did a whole lot of questions on study CD's, in books, online, etc. More than I ever did in any of my other semesters. For Hesi, I did the Hesi book and CD. For boards, I used Saunders and NCLEX 3000 and 3500, which they now have like over 4000. I pretty much had to teach my brain again the way the questions are supposed to be answered and leave my feelings or what happens in the real world at bay. HESI and NCLEX to me were completely different beasts, but can be accomplished with determination. I even say today that is the word for me is that I had the determination to get back in, finish, and pass the tests I needed to become the RN I am today.

Good luck with the Army and nursing school. Just keep moving and know that there is a light at the end of the long black tunnel!!!!:wink2:

i was on the verge of getting deployed about halfway into my first semester of my nursing program. i would have been SOOOOO upset. i actually had to miss a test because we all had to go to birmingham to do readiness for deploying. (medical exam, quick dental exam, paperwork, immunizations, all of that) but fortunately (after reminding them it wouldnt be a good idea to give a military student on orders a zero for a missed test ) they let me take it.

goodluck to you! i know its hard being in the military, even on reserve status, and in nursing school at the same time. i get out COMPLETELY on july 1st, and i graduate in may. gonna be one hell of a summer for me lol

Getting off topic sort of, but on the topic of students having to leave programs and come back - I'm starting to think there should be legal protections in place for students who have to temporarily leave college programs due to pregnancy and childbirth. You know, accommodation and protection like military members have. I'm thinking of a type of FMLA for students. Students with qualifying medical or military absences would be able to come back into the program in the next semester where they left off.