Nursing School Dilemma

[MilwaukeeRNstu]

Hey everyone,

I'm just wondering if anyone was/ is in my situation and what they think about it.

I'm currently in a 2 year RN program at a community college and just finished my 2nd semester. However, I didn't pass my L&D/women's health class by a couple of points and have to repeat it in the fall. In my program you have to get an 80% or higher in each class and can only repeat one class. If you have to repeat more than 1 class in the program you're out. Also, starting in the 3rd and 4th semester you have to pass the HESI with an 850 or higher in order to pass the semester.

We took the HESI in the 1st and 2nd semester and I got a 785 in the first semester and an 825 the 2nd semester, so I didn't pass them either semester.

I'm sure this is how most RN programs are structured but I'm really thinking that If I already have to repeat a class and haven't passed the HESI I should save myself the embarrassment and humiliation of being kicked out of a program and just retake the L&D class this fall and then take the LPN exam and be done with it. I really want to be a Registered Nurse but I feel like the odds are stacked against me at this point and I think it would ruin my self-esteem to actually be kicked out of the program.

I really can't talk to anyone about this unless they are a nurse or in nursing school because other people don't understand how grueling nursing school is.

Thanks for any comments.

[blondielocks]

Milwaukee -

1) What are your other responsibilities outside of school?

2) Do you have test anxiety? Are you not understanding? Basically, do you know WHY you failed the L&D, and why you are having trouble with the HESI?

3) Are you a strong student? In other words, has school always been very easy for you?

Without knowing more info - my opinion would be this: retake the L&D and talk with the previous instructor if possible, find out what you maybe missed, what concepts, etc, so you can study them.

Then, retake the HESI. I don't know HESI grading, so I don't know what percentile an 850 would be in, but study. I would dedicate my life to studying my NS concepts and studying the HESI. If possible, use your student resources - study skills lab, etc, for help too. And don't think that those are for "stupid" people. I'm a pretty good writer - but I always go to the writing center at my school, or book an online session, to have them review it, give me tips, etc.

NS is so hard to get accepted into. Do you really want to look back in 10 years and know that you didn't give it your all? If you try your hardest and just can't do it, then so be it. But I have a feeling that there is something deep down inside of you that you can pull to the service that will give you some extra motivation.

And channel your inner Robert Frost! "The best way out is always through."

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I think a good many people fail a class in nursing school. Please don't feel bad and I understand why you feel embarrassed but I doubt anyone is judging you as hard as yourself right now.

You have to retake the class anyway to get the LPN. What I wonder is, have you had a chat with one of your instructors? Do you actually know what is going wrong for you? Is it that you have too much going on personally and don't really have the bandwidth needed to succeed OR is it a case that the nursing style exams are the problem?

It is probably a good idea to work out what the problem was before you decide a direction. It may not take you much to bump up your grades and get safely through NS. Plus, if you are on summer vacation now you can do some remedial work (maybe you have HESI books or an online practice account). It is a pity you couldn't retake over the summer.

I am sorry you failed your class but I really don't think this need be the end of your RN dreams.

I wish you all the best and hope you go for it.

[mammac5]

Nursing schools can afford to be pretty choosy these days, which tells me they don't bother admitting many people who really don't have what it takes to be successful in their program.

Having said that, I'm assuming you've got what it takes brain-wise to make it. So it's up to you to decide whether or not you want it enough to make yourself succeed. Get the HESI study guides, figure out what areas you are weakest in, ask your instructors for extra help or suggestions of how/what to study, get dedicated.

I think of nursing school like marriage now...

Failure is NOT an option! I'm in it, I'm going to be successful, I'm going to do whatever it takes. You can't go into marriage thinking what your options might be if it doesn't work (should I divorce her/him, should I have an affair, should I move to Timbuktu...) and the same applies to your education.

You will do yourself a favor if you stop thinking about what your options might be (should I drop down to an LPN education, should I quit and forget about nursing, should I go work in a fast-food joint...) and commit. You can do this!

[JBGC4]

You are letting the bad guy win! It's easy to feel discouraged in these conditions and that is what I think nursing school is designed for sometimes. I think it drags us down so WE can build ourselves back up. Stay in school. My theory is that I'm staying in until they make me leave.