nursing schools. May have screwed myself...

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 8, 2010

I would try to re-apply and talk to the Dean or someone else in that dept about how you identified the problems and how you are correcting them.

Even if you apply elsewhere the school may wonder about your transcript so be prepared to explain. The mature student will have an action plan to either correct a situation or prevent it from occuring again.

rockabye · Dec 8, 2010

I am a little confused. Did you lose both your job and drop out of school? Did you fail your nursing classes? It can be really difficult to go to nursing school and have a full time job plus any other family obligations you may have. If you go back to nursing school and need to work, maybe you can consider a part-time job or school part-time to help you out. Look at the school policy for being readmitted because some programs ask those who fail the program to wait and reapply a couple of years before another consideration. If you really want to be a nurse, consider the other nursing programs in your area too. Otherwise, you may want to look for an alternate field.

selunurse · Dec 8, 2010

I would go talk to the Nursing dept head at your school. Make an appointment and prepare your defense. If you really want something bad enough in life you will obtain it 9 times out of 10. I had to repeat a whole year of classes i had already passed with a B to get into my program. I did it because i wanted it bad. Also you can do a LPN program and complete it and then reapply to your school. Wish you luck.

defhalotones · Dec 8, 2010

I still have my job, but i am able to cut it down to part time hours. Heck, i could actually get by without a job, since i have grants/loans paying for all my schooling right now. It's just a department store job. I'm not married, nor do i have any kids. I'm just 26, living with some roommates. I had to drop out due to my low test scores. I wouldn't have been able to get them back up in time to pass the courses.

Summers_Off · Dec 8, 2010

I am not trying to be mean, but I am just wondering (and your school administration might too) why you kept FT hours at your job if you didn't even need it? After the first bad grade or two, why did you not cut down or quit then? Was it that bad from the very beginning? Did you talk to your teachers? I am a 2nd degree PN student so maybe this does not apply in NS, but often instructors will work with you if you talk to them and show vast improvement from early low scores. I hope you get back in. Avoid the expensive programs if you can. Why get in more debt for the same credentials? :-)

Quiet_Storm · Dec 9, 2010

Explore all your options, including your previous school.

selunurse · Dec 9, 2010

It´s normal to make bad decisions when we are young. When you are my age, 44, you realize what it is you really enjoy in life and it makes it much easier to see through all of the haze of youth. Don´t loose your sight of what you want. Disregard all of your past mistakes. Make a battle plan to regain your stance in your school or another. Think about it, talk about it and seek guidance from knowledgeable people in your schools nursing program. If you think you did´nt get the answer you wanted ask someone else. Just don´t give up on something you want bad. And most importantly make changes in your life synonymous with your endeavor. Stay fit, sleep, eat right, and be prepared to make the sacrifices that will be necessary to reach your goal.

coolpeach · Dec 9, 2010

Here if you fail out there are certain steps you must take to be readmitted. As soon as you fail out you need to set up an exit interview. If you want to be readmitted you say so at that time. You have to write a letter detailing what happened, why you failed, and what you plan to do to correct the situation. You also have to get a couple of letters of recommendation from your current nursing instructors stating they think you can improve. A board will review it, and let you know if you are eligible for readmission. If you are then the following semester if they have spots open they readmit based on certain criteria..... Those who had to drop due to health, family situations etc get first spots, ....Those who had grade issues second....and those with clinical performance issues third. There are time limits for the exit interview, and letter of intent, and references if you plan to reapply. This how things are at all the schools in my area.

On of the girls who failed out of my program applied at another school, and that school wouldn't accept her without letters of reference from her old nursing school instructors (and they refused).

The schools get rated on NCLEX pass/fail, and drop out, fail rates. That's why they are so picky with applicants. They only want to admit the students with the best chance of graduating and passing NCLEX. Even with everything in your favor its still hard.

If nursing is still something you want to do then make things right with your school soon.

shortnorthstudent · Dec 9, 2010

Did you withdraw or did you simply stop going? Did you get any sort of exit interview? Did you form a relationship with any of your instructors? Perhaps you can go and talk to one of them.

I would contact the nursing department and try to set up a meeting to find out what the process is to request readmission. The process may be different than the standard application process. You might have to petition for readmission and they may want you to come in with a plan - a reason why they should give one of X number of spots to you rather than to someone who is new to the program.

defhalotones · Dec 10, 2010

thanks for the replies everyone. I am going to set up a meeting to see what needs to be done to get back in the program. Will try to update this once i find out.

vegas2009 · Dec 10, 2010

Here's a thought: Or u can just totally go to a different school? (same state or out-of-state). Whatever works for ya .

Most nursing schools are pretty fair on admissions. Just because u failed in one school, it doesn't mean that -- it will dictate/affect ur admission in another. Of course, just as long as u have a "W" on ur transcript and not an "F". Things might have not worked out at your previous school, but when u apply as a brand new student at another nursing school (play by their requirements, etc. etc.), there really is no reason for them not to accept you. Your re-instatement committee will always have something over ur head, for the rest of the time that you are in their program. You really wouldn't want to be on their radar.

The bottom line is, why should they give u another chance -- when they can give someone else, the chance or chances u have already gotten yourself? Seriously, do u really want to play that game? Start anew, wipe the slate clean and do yourself a favor. You'll thank yourself later.

P.S. If it's time to leave a party, you'd know yourself. You don't need anyone to tell u that it is. If it's time to go, it's time to go... u know? (a little rhyme? ha).