I'm failing in my final semester of nursing school. 1 pass/fail course, and I'm failing it. (Decided to remove the details of why for protection.)
It's my fault, but it still hurts to be mere weeks from graduation and dealing with this situation. The embarrassment of having to explain to family members and friends. My obvious absence at graduation. Being stuck in my current job with the mediocre pay for another 6 months.
The positives:
- I will get a chance to repeat the course I am failing, and will still be a graduate nurse soon.
- Now I get to graduate in the spring with the warm weather.
- My really good friend, who failed in our third semester, will be with me in the spring class.
- I will have the chance to retake a couple of courses for grade replacement to improve my GPA.
- The material from this semester, which I did struggle with, will be reviewed for me.
- More time to get my life in order, plan my upcoming wedding, and get my anxiety under control.
- I get to enjoy Christmas and the holidays without the threat of NCLEX over my head.
- I get one last college Spring Break, and maybe it will be the best one yet.
This is an obstacle I must overcome to get to my end goal. But it will not be a failure; it's a delay.
Please do not attack me or give me a lecture. I love nursing. I got careless, but I have learned my lesson. I only wish that my preceptor had been more amenable to my learning styles, and one of the things I hope to come out of my experience next semester will be a better fit during my preceptorship.
If you made it this far, thank you for letting me organize my thoughts and gather my emotions before I go into this meeting with my instructor.
My mom is upset that they let me continue clinicals for 2 weeks past the incident that failed me, but I don't know what the statute of limitations on that kind of thing could be. I'm sure they were well within their right to fail me regardless of how long it took them...just seems extremely unprofessional.
Thank you all for the support.
I'm surprised they did that too, letting you continue on--in a lot of programs they would have dropped you ASAP...unless they were taking that time to decide what to do about the matter and possibly keep you on. It's also a bit surprising that you were auto-failed for being late with a med...not excusing the lateness, but it's just surprising to me. A lot of facilities often have a window (30-60min) where you can give most meds and still be considered on-time. And there were a few times in clinical that some of us missed that window by a few minutes--we were lectured/cited, but no one ever was failed for it. It must have been a very time-sensitive medication or you were 1+ hours after that window ended
I'm sorry this has happened to you. It's good that you are taking responsibility for your mistakes and using this experience to make yourself stronger. I am impressed that you were able to find positives to it, especially with how much this ordeal must be hurting you right now.
My license (and life) was delayed by >20 years. I applaud you for listing the POSITIVES, because most of us would focus on the negatives. You will make a good nurse, when your time does come.
Honestly, it's very good that you've got perspective on what caused this...that way next time, you can address that issue and succeed. It's hard to not graduate on time, but it is very commendable that you are able to look at the positives in a very hard situation.
We all make mistakes, and the one you made in clinical, you will never ever make again. I'm so sorry you aren't going to make it this semester and by the sounds of it, you will make it next semester. You have a great outlook and I just bet you'll get rave reviews next semester! :redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe
I agree with the other posters who commend you for accepting accountability--that's hard to do. I think it's wonderful that you are given a second chance; and personally, I think if you always have this perspective about not-so-great situations in your life, those situations will be a lot easier to heal from and life will much more pleasant. Good luck next semester.
Now hold on there.....most facilities that I am familiar with, 1 hour and 15 mins plus or minus is OK.......seldom do meds get passed exactly on time? I would press this a bit if I were you
I'm so sorry. Bad things happen all the time to good people, and all you can do is learn from it and try, try again.
I'm glad you're not giving up and dropping out. I've failed at things too. Looking back, I don't regret them because they were major learning experiences.
It always warms my heart to hear about people bouncing back despite hard times. Your list of "positives" made me smile, especially the part about graduating in warm weather. :) Silver lining to every cloud...
It stinks now but I bet that by the time you do the class again, things will be better than you expect.
I just needed to update and let everyone know that yesterday at around 1:40 pm, my mother, father, and fiance helped place my nursing pin onto my graduation gown. On Sunday, I will walk across the stage and receive my BSN cover (the actual degree will be sent months from now...haha).
I made it! And 6 months doesn't seem all that long now that I've gotten here. I definitely feel confident about my nursing skills at this point and after having not one, but TWO preceptorships, despite failing one of them, I feel more marketable.
Thanks for all of the kind words. I wrote this in a time of complete sadness and looking back...I'm extremely proud of myself. I took responsibility, I learned from my mistakes, and I moved forward. I received rave reviews from all of the staff on the floor where I completed my preceptorship this semester. The manager even asked me to keep in contact so I could float over to the unit when they need someone!
I'm going to enjoy this moment. As someone who does not believe in the mantra of "everything happens for a reason", I still have to concede that everything does certainly work out in the long run. There are things I got to experience this semester that I would not have gotten to do without failing last semester. There are people I met, people that have forever changed my life, and patients that I hope I forever influenced, and without the hurt of that failure, I never would have seen them.
And if there are any students out there reading this who find themselves in the same situation that I found myself last semester - please keep hope. Please keep moving. Please remember that you were accepted and have made it this far for a reason. Walking up to my parents and my fiance today was surreal, and I quickly forgot every tear I cried last semester as the love and pride flooded me. It will happen for you too if you simply persevere.
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Bad things happen all the time to good people, and all you can do is learn from it and try, try again. 
Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN
4 Articles; 7,907 Posts
I'm surprised they did that too, letting you continue on--in a lot of programs they would have dropped you ASAP...unless they were taking that time to decide what to do about the matter and possibly keep you on. It's also a bit surprising that you were auto-failed for being late with a med...not excusing the lateness, but it's just surprising to me. A lot of facilities often have a window (30-60min) where you can give most meds and still be considered on-time. And there were a few times in clinical that some of us missed that window by a few minutes--we were lectured/cited, but no one ever was failed for it. It must have been a very time-sensitive medication or you were 1+ hours after that window ended
I'm sorry this has happened to you. It's good that you are taking responsibility for your mistakes and using this experience to make yourself stronger. I am impressed that you were able to find positives to it, especially with how much this ordeal must be hurting you right now.
I wish you the best of luck!