Life Crisis

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This is my first post and sadly it's not as a certified nurse. I was dropped from my LPN program for failing one test which gave an average below 70. The administration changed the graduation criteria effectively this quarter. I passed with a "B" last quarter. Last quarter, if you failed a test you could take it again and pass with no higher than with a 70. This quarter, that rule was thrown out. I wasn't worried because I passed my first test with a 80. But four weeks into the semester, I had two family members become ill and go into hospital. I couldn't study, come Monday I bluntly told my instructor I will fail this test because of my situation. She said don't worry about,you'll pass. It didn't happen. I went to clinicals the next day and my instructor called me to tell me I fell below that 70 mark and had to drop out of the program and I was to leave the clinical site immediately. I felt world crashing in, what was I to do? The instructor didn't show any flexibility nor did she guarantee me a space in the next class which is 6 months away. I have a mortgage to pay, kids to raise and I sacrificed time and money to do nursing. I could appeal but that will take time and I could sue but that's time consuming too. Is there anyone out there with legal advice on what to do? I really want to just finish what I started and take my boards. I know I can pass. Someone, anyone please help --- point me in the right direction. :bluecry1:

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Specializes in Utilization Review.

What a HARSH punishment! Is there a way to file a grievance with the nursing school? I wish you the best of luck during this disappointing time in your life. Perhaps you can re-take the class, and while you are waiting to do that, maybe get a job as a nursing assistant/technician to gain a little experience. Keep your head up.

(((((HUGS)))))

:redbeathe

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Specializes in Utilization Review.

We aren't qualified here on this board to give legal advice, it's part of the TOS, but best wishes anyhow.

:heartbeat

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Specializes in Telemetry.

First... big hugs to you!

I don't think this is going to be what you want to hear. I think your only option is to try to pick up where you left off next time the course is offered. Unfortunately rules are rules and you don't seem to have alot of ground to stand on here. The policy was made known. If you fail, you fail. You've just got to pick yourself up and try it again next time. I think its a weird rule that if you fall below the passing mark at any time you're thrown out of the program, but I've heard of more schools picking up this way of doing things.

Take care of yourself, I know its devastating right now, but you will make it and next time you'll get it!:heartbeat

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Specializes in district nurse, ccu, geriatric.

I genuinely feel sorry for you because I too had serious family issues in my final year of nursing, I had come so far and I was looking at a fail because of circumstances I had no control over. I went to the nurse educator that I felt the most comfortable with and who I thought would feel most sorry for me:wink2::saint: and I pleaded my case, using my previous grades and my circumstances for why they had deteriorated. The educator represented my case to the nursing school body, and with extra work after the semester, I graduated with everyone else, and the rest is history.

Maybe you can think of someone that you trust that can support you in this way. Good luck for the future.

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I do understand about the situation of illness in the family - and how it can take up a lot of your time (when you had planned to study).

And I hope that you can speak to the people at your school so that they will allow you to continue in your program.

You know that you can pass.

All the best to you.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

First, allow me to extend my empathy. Were you totally dropped from the program or did they offer you an option to come back and repeat that course? Unfortunately, this is how nursing school is. An understanding administration would allow you another chance as long as you fall within their regulations. Most of the schools in my area allow you to repeat a nursing class once; if you fail a second nursing course, you have no choice, but to be thrown out of the program for good, no other chances.

If they allow you to return, hopefully, some of the crisis would have died down, and you may be able to renew your focus to complete. I didn't have a family crisis until the end, but I do remember the feeling of living in a vaccum...not getting too involved in things that can possibly distract me unless it was a situation such as yours...family or personal illness. I didn't listen to the regular ramblings of my friends, didn't get out much, and had to shift responsibilities over to my husband and son. I feel guilty that I had no idea that my father in law had cancer until two weeks before finals. My husband kept it from me because he wanted to see me finish. That tore me apart. He did have his wife, daughter and my husband, so, I was able to refocus, but I felt guilty.

I completed my program in Feb, 2006, graduated in late March, and arranged to take NCLEX the end of May sort of in anticipation that my father in law was close to death. He died the week before I had to take the exam and I had to go with my husband to another state to bury him. Had to reschedule my exam, and, even though I was at my husband's side, I had my NCLEX study book under my arm and would steal away to a private corner to read and do questions. It was a bad time. I did pass, but, I still feel guilty to this day. I wish you the best, and sincerely hope that they will allow you to pick up where you left off.

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Specializes in ICU, ER (ED), CCU, PCU, CVICU, CCL.

A short story: When I was in nursing school I had a room mate named Lee. Lee had sickle cell and every 6 weeks or so (depending on how much we partied) he had to have transfussions due to crisis. His illness kept him back a year after he missed so much time that the instructors could not pass him. After 4 years in our diploma program, Lee graduated with my class. We eventually moved into an apartment together in West Philly (I was the only white guy in an all black neighborhood)... we were like salt & peper! He was a good friend and a GREAT NURSE! Lee went to work for a hematologist at Presbyterian Hospital with other sickle cell patients. His drive to suceed was tremendous.

I watched the Randy Pausch video last night (the last lecture) and in it it stated the "brick walls are there to keep people who don't want things that badly out". Sounds like a brick wall was just placed infront of you!

So what are you going to do? Give up? Go around, over through the wall that was just placed infront of you? If it was easy....it wouldn't mean as much.

Lee died a few years after I moved away and shortly after I got married and had my first child from complication of sickle cell. I watched him live his life to his fullest and get his RN. Some days, in ICU, while getting 5-6 units of PRBCs his heart would be pounding so hard the entire bed would shake violently. But he finished his degree and fullfilled his dream. Don't let this stop you. Walls are ment to be climbed... or just BLOWN AWAY. That's what Lee did.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
A short story: When I was in nursing school I had a room mate named Lee. Lee had sickle cell and every 6 weeks or so (depending on how much we partied) he had to have transfussions due to crisis. His illness kept him back a year after he missed so much time that the instructors could not pass him. After 4 years in our diploma program, Lee graduated with my class. We eventually moved into an apartment together in West Philly (I was the only white guy in an all black neighborhood)... we were like salt & peper! He was a good friend and a GREAT NURSE! Lee went to work for a hematologist at Presbyterian Hospital with other sickle cell patients. His drive to suceed was tremendous.

I watched the Randy Pausch video last night (the last lecture) and in it it stated the "brick walls are there to keep people who don't want things that badly out". Sounds like a brick wall was just placed infront of you!

So what are you going to do? Give up? Go around, over through the wall that was just placed infront of you? If it was easy....it would mean as much.

Lee died a few years after I moved away and shortly after I got married and had my first child from complication of sickle cell. I watched him live his life to his fullest and get his RN. Some days, in ICU, while getting 5-6 units of PRBCs his heart would be pounding so hard the entire bed would shake violently. But he finished his degree and fullfilled his dream. Don't let this stop you. Wall are ment to be climbed... or just BLOWN AWAY. That's what Lee did.

Wonderful story to share...and I am blown away from the courage of your friend. I hope that the OP gains the strength I got from reading this, and I had no recent crisis. Thanks for sharing this.:yeah::up::heartbeat

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I'm sorry, GA.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

GA65 - If you want to be a nurse, dust yourself off and get back on the horse. There are a lot of nurses out there who had to take at least one class over. Don't look at this as a failure, just a minor setback. My son graduated from a 4-yr program by the skin of his teeth, then took 3 tries to pass the NCLEX. That was 15 years ago, and he's one of the best nurses I know - 2 advanced practice certifications. Go for it....

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Thank you all for your encouragement!! Most of the LPN programs here in Gerogia are very inflexible and students are cramming in 1 years worth of info a RN learns in a year and a half to two years. LPN's are taught the basics and when a LPN graduates, they have to hit the ground running. I just wish there were some more flexibility here. However, I will climbe over or go around this wall. I'm already a tech at a major hospital but they don't pay well so I will try to find extra work in a doctor's office or dialysis clinic during my down time. I hate nursing homes, they over work their techs. I think I will try for a RN school as well and see what happens. My LPN experience should make it easier if I get accepted. I don't know God's master plan for me, but I will have faith,continue and follow his will no matter where it leads me.

Again, thank you everyone for your support and encouragement.

GA65

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