1/2 nursing class cut, WHY??

BlessHealer08 · Jul 12, 2011

:eek:Wow! that is scary what school do you attend?

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Some people show up for clinical and after one day decide nursing isn't for them. Others are unsafe in clinical and get thrown out for that. Others aren't up to snuff academically and fail out. 50% of my class did not make it through the first semester. 72 started and only 36 made it through. Something like 52 people actually sat for the final exam the rest were gone by then. It's not really unusual.

NSGstudent12 · Jul 12, 2011

We started with 45 and ended 1st semester with around 30 or 29. Most didnt make the grades, some quit bc of family life or just decided it wasn't for them. They pretty much do "weed" out the ones that really aren't serious about it but if you are then you should be fine! We only lost 4 in second semester, 3 of which dropped bc they wanted to. Only one failed bc of her average.

caliotter3 · Jul 12, 2011

My city had a school that had a reputation for getting rid of at least half of each class. They released so many to maintain their record of students passing the nursing boards. This info was widely known and talked about. My dad who lived in another city knew about the reputation of that school.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jul 12, 2011

My class started with 68 students. 8 were dropped in the first 2 weeks since they were only certified for 60 and some students were on the waitlist. As it was since several students left or were forced to drop due to background check issues all of the waitlisted students got a seat.

Only one student failed the first term but I think 10-12 failed the second term and another 15 failed the 3rd term. I ended up graduating with about 15 people from the original class.

Now my school was fairly fair in that you could repeat up to 50% of the program 2 terms. The only term you couldn't repeat was the first so most students ended up graduating eventually. Only 1 student ended up failing the same term 2x and he was dismissed.

Some students who were obviously unsuitable for a life of nursing were dismissed and thank goodness for that. One was known for hiding out in the cupboard during clinicals.

mangopeach · Jul 12, 2011

Wow, I'm nearing the end of my 2nd semester and we've lost a few folks but nowhwere near half. Scary! - My school does not round so everyone knows that the best thing is to not hover at barely passing all semester. I like having a cushion going into final exams knowing that if I don't do well on the final, I'm still passing. I'm not letting passing or failing come down to 1 exam and a fraction of a point.

Music in My Heart · Jul 12, 2011

I start nursing school in one month, and have been hearing how half of the class before me has been weeded out!! That worries me, and I'm wondering for those of you in the program or just finished.....Why do you think most of those people get cut? Are we talking just like one point from passing....or are there really obvious things that people don't do, or do in error???

We lost about 25% of our class from matriculation to graduation.

Various reasons... A couple just never seemed that earnest in their pursuit... a couple were just not very good students... and a couple seemed to have personality conflicts with the instructors (one of which was a completely inappropriate and unfair dismissal... it happens)

A great many schools admit by waiting list or by lottery... and the reality is that a lot of students who get in just aren't academically able to handle nursing school (which really isn't that hard, to be perfectly candid).

Get in, be diligent, and be prepared and you'll probably do OK.

Always_Learning, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

We lost about half of our class first semester. Some failed and some withdrew voluntarily for a variety of reasons. I don't think there was deliberate "weeding out," at least at my school. It's a term that is thrown around loosely, but I didn't feel my instructors were out to get anyone.

The best advice I can offer is this: if you identify an area in which you are weak, ask for help, and do it quickly. Don't wait around and see if your grades miraculously come up. This serves two purposes: 1) the instructors can assist you before you get more confused/discouraged and 2) the instructors see that you are seriously making an effort.

Just do your best and ask for help/suggestions if you need it, and then you won't have to worry! :specs:

k1p1ssk, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Wow, these schools seem harsh. In my ADN program, they tried to weed out people BEFORE starting the program. They had strict prerequisites (minimum B+ for math for meds, C+ for all others). We lost 2 people the first semester, a third the second, another couple the 3rd. Everyone who started the 4th passed and graduated. Our class started with 47, ended with 44 (added a few LPNs, lost a couple due to pregnancy). Good luck to you, however! The fact that you care means you'll do whatever it takes to make it through!

healthstar, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

In our program 60 students get accepted every year and only 50% pass. Scary.

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2011

Our school also weeds during the application process. I was shocked that we lost someone in the first 2 weeks because the student didn't realize how much work the program was going to be. Pregnancy, medical issues, family issues claimed a few others (poor test scores were the actual reason). Then there were one or two who had no distractions but couldn't handle the academics. A couple of people made serious medical errors in clinicals (people make mistakes but there are some who are just plain unsafe).