Nursing school discouragement

[KarmenB]

After struggling to get into nursing school (6 years, co-reqs plus pre-reqs while working) I finally succeeded! I started this fall and learned quickly how much more difficult it was than I could ever realize until I actually got it and started. I have been working/studying hard but unfortunately I messed up, at the much needed recheck on medications (3rd try) I failed. (combination nerves and for whatever reason completely forgetting to give my "patient" PO meds--I even prepped my drug cards and grabbed the darn cup for water!)

This means I am out for the semester. I did the exit interview and withdrawal, all on the same day as failing, as well as doing the request to re-enroll next semester, Spring. My intructors told me that means I will graduate December instead of June 2014, so that isn't too terrible. My close friends and family are being amazing and really supportive. I am trying to figure out what to say, if anything to people at work. I am keeping my hours the same as is, planning on practicing checkoffs, finishing my huge drug list for next semester (will need it anyway!) and chugging along as I have always done. I am just stuck on what to say at work...suggestions? Thank y'all!

[april1970]

Well what I have learned in the many yrs of nursing I have been in....was to be honest. Not only with yourself but with others. It takes a stronger person to be truthful and in the end you will be a far better nurse (and person). Dont be ashamed to say what happened...things happen. Be happy it wasnt a real person and a drug error happened. Of course I know several nurses that have done harm like that to patients...and I had to testify in court...not fun at all...

good luck to you...and no worries you will get through this and graduate...in Dec :)

[KarmenB]

Update:

I contacted the director of the school for advise regarding my checkoff (She was present at the last one) and she gave me good pointers regarding what I should work on. I did ask about the primary instructor being the primary for a second time at it~~my understanding it was supposed to be a different one (I had three instructors) but have yet to get a response on that question. I am not holding my breathe for a few reasons:

#1--It is all said and done

#2--I have no idea what it would mean in regards to my checkoff anyway (in fantasy land a 4th checkoff that I would surpass with rainbows! LOL)

For now, I have enrolled in English Comp II~~I will need it for my BSN down the road and I feel it will keep me in focus/student mode while I continue practing my checkoffs as prep for next semester.

I have only told a precious few at work regarding my situation--none of them will say anything unless I give the go ahead but they all agree it is no one's business and to just say that I am graduating in December/2014. (I know the question of "Aren't you a Level 2 now?" will probably come up next semester and I thinking I will take above advice from y'all and just say "Not yet, had to redo a few things to make sure I had it down right!" with a smile and leave it at that--Honest without a lot of detail)

A bummer note: I got booted off of the social page for my prior class--I get it but it still was like getting grazed by a bullet, this just happened last week! I will definately keep posting/replying to allnurses.com: it is really helpful and supportive!

[Sadala, ADN, RN]

Meh. I'm not so good at keeping things under wraps, being one of those overly sincere sorts. So EVERYONE in my life (ok, so its not a huge group) knows how stressed I am. So if something happened with a class, I'd just be able to tell them, even the people with whom I work. And I guess I would sort of expect, if not their active support, at least some tacit understanding. Because if that happened to anyone else, I'd certainly be understanding and supportive. Anyway, a lot of times I'm harder on myself than other people are on me.

By the way, you ALSO may be giving yourself a more difficult time than others would. Just sayin'

[bredenfam]

I agree! I'm still laughing about the kraken and as someone in nursing school currently that was awesome advice CP. I only wish you had mentioned something about psychotic instructors and I'd be set.