Need advice for failed NP student

[thebladeitself]

Hello I need some advice. A few years ago, I applied to and was accepted in an excellent FNP program. However, I got a C in one class in my second semester and then failed another class in the third semester. I made an appeal but ended up getting booted from the program. I have no one to blame but myself because I was not prepared for the intensity of this NP program in combination with a full time job and some major unexpected life changes. I was preoccupied and simply didn't put all the concentration and hard work into the classes like I should have. This is the first time I've ever failed a class let alone an entire program and it is extremely shameful to me.

Today, my life has stabilized. I really do want to become an NP and this time I'm prepared to make it my priority above all else. So I have some questions and was hoping someone here would know the answers.

1. My undergrad GPA is beautiful but obviously my graduate GPA has suffered due to the failed class. Will I need to take some other classes to improve my GPA? I don't even know what classes I could take since I wouldn't be in an official degree program.

2. If I apply to another NP program, is there any way I can explain to them that I will work my butt off to succeed and that it won't be a repeat of my previous failure?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[Oldmahubbard]

I would avoid explanations, which may look like excuses.

It seems at the time, you thought you could work full time, go to FNP school possibly full time, and be successful.

It is a shame that anyone would think that, and hopefully others will take the warning from your experience.

My thought is to retake pathophysiology and pharmacology and get an A. You will absolutely need A's.

There should be some way to do this.

Then you have some leverage to re-apply.

And of course, now you understand that you should only take one course a semester while working full-time.

[thebladeitself]

Thanks for your response.

I absolutely want to avoid excuses. I have to show them that I'm ready.

I already have an A in patho and pharm in both my undergrad and during the NP program. In fact the classes that I failed were embarrassingly less demanding than patho and pharm. I really took too much on in addition to school which I won't make that mistake again. Unfortunately I can't retake the classes I failed because you have to be admitted to the program to enroll.

I already have a plan in place to quit working if I get accepted to another program. I'm saving money like a crazy woman right now lol.

I have heard about the GRE but I don't know if that is an option. I didn't want to apply to any schools yet but I suppose I could just contact some of them to see what I can do to improve myself as a graduate candidate.

[elkpark]

I would suggest the same advice many of us here give to people who have been fired from jobs and are asking about how to go about interviewing for new jobs: Practice talking about what happened at the last school without sounding defensive or blaming the school. Be prepared to take responsibility for your shortcomings the last time around and to talk about what you have learned or done since then to ensure that you won't have the same problem the next time around.

This happens more often than people realize (the folks that do go through this tend to not talk about it), and people do survive and keep moving forward.

Best wishes!

[Oldmahubbard]

This happens more often than people realize (the folks that do go through this tend to not talk about it), and people do survive and keep moving forward.

Best wishes!

Yes, people who have gone through some stigmatizing situation often do not talk about it until many years later, if ever.

If people knew everything I have been through, they would be astonished.

Most of it undeserved, but no one will believe that.

We dust ourselves off and try again.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

I am so sorry you went through this. It's good that you are doing better now. The top schools place a very high importance on their graduation rates.

It might be worth contacting your former school to see if you can reapply. If not, ask for advice. You might also contact some former professors there.

Contact some nursing schools of interest and speak to an admissions officer - they may be able to give you some guidance.

Best wishes.