Please, help. I'm a failure.

[selectivemute]

I have not officially been kicked out of the nursing program, yet, but I might be. I've failed multiple classes and have taken them over again, because of this I have not completed enough credits to be in good academic standing with the school. My GPA is over a 2.00, but since I am not at the pace they need me to be, I can't take A&P II another time until I am out of my "Financial Aid Warning" and all of the classes after that has A&P II as a pre/co-requisite.

I don't know what to do. I'm going to try to see if I can take A&P II at another community college, tomorrow, then just transfer my credit to the place I currently go to. I am also trying to see if I can appeal my warning and be allowed to take the class this or next quarter.

It's a two year program and I'm so behind. I've been having panic attacks since yesterday when they removed me from A&P II, which they already had me in because the quarter started 4 days ago. I'm being a burden on my parents and it's not something I want to do, so I've been paying for school myself since I started a year ago with two jobs. I've left one now, so I can focus on school

I really want to stay in the program, but I had personal situations come up with an uncle and friend passing away within a few months from each other. It was something I've never experienced before.

Please, help. Any advice?

[RunBabyRN]

Are you in any kind of counseling?

It sounds like maybe right now isn't the right time for you, honestly. Working 2 jobs is not conducive to a nursing program, and that compounded with life stress isn't a recipe for success. Life stress will happen, regardless of whether or not you're in nursing school (not to minimize the loss of loved ones, which is ALWAYS hard).

A break might not be the worst thing right now. Take some time to figure out who you are, save some money to return to school when you're ready, learn to cope with the panic attacks, and when you're ready, make your case for a return, this time with better grades (because you WILL need to pull them up before you can go back in, most likely).

I would wait on A&PII until you get life sorted out so that you can get an A.

[selectivemute]

I've left one job, now. Just so I can focus on school.

I know I can do it, but I feel like I'm out of options right now to stay in the program.

I'm not in any type of counseling, but I have been talking to family & friends about it, instead of bottling it up for the past few months.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to help you. You're either going to make it work, or you're not. There are plenty of obstacles in all of our lives. We each have to decide if we're going to give up or find a way get around them. There's always a way. It's not always easy, but there's always a way. The hard part is finding the way ...and from my experience, that's not always something that other people can help you with.

[Grateful.Mom]

If you truly think you can put all of this behind you and move forward, you need a plan, and you need accountability. We are in control of our own life, our own education, and responsible for our own failures. If an appeal is an option, start by writing a letter. A, B, & C have led me to this point, because I should have done this, this, and that differently. Life happens, and I am very sorry for your loss as there is no greater heartache. Ask what you can do to move forward, again, take responsibility, and come up with a solid plan for being successful. It's all about learning and growing, and if you can show that you can own your actions and move forward, you'll have a much better chance. Also, it can't hurt to ask if your program offers counseling services, it will only show that you are willing to do whatever it takes. Best of luck to you.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

We;come to AN! The largest online nursing community!

You are not a failure. You have grades that you need to address...but YOU are not a failure.

Clearly you are struggling and that is OK...You need to talk with Someone to help you emotionally...professionally. Heal and help yourself first so you can start fresh. What has your advisor suggested?

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Hugs selectivemute:

Life is about learning; learning involves mistakes. When a person makes a mistake, it never makes the person a failure; it just means the person is human, and made a mistake. It does sound/read like you need to get counseling to help you deal with some issues outside of school. That's ok; and, it is more common than people think. Do get help.

I know in my case, last fall my emotions were getting out of hand, and testing showed I had a neurotransmitter imbalance (basically I was in fight or flight mode during non stressful times, and it would not shut down until I was exhausted, then it would start up again). I got help along with supplements to balance out my neurotransmitters. Once those supplements kicked in, wow, what a difference.

Once you get help for issues outside of school, then start looking at why the poor grades. What has changed that would make taking those classes again end up differently? What can change to make a difference?

Thank you.

[selectivemute]

I'm determined to follow through with this. So, I've written my appeal letter and I am awaiting a response. The dean said that they will let me know what is going on by Monday, but that does not necessarily mean it will be a successful appeal, as she put it. I've looked at the option for doing A&P II at another school as a transient student, then transfer my credits to this school, if the appeal is not successful. I truly hope it is successful. Because the A&P II class at the other school is a semester long, while the school I go to is a bit accelerated because classes are 11 weeks long, it will put me behind by two quarters.

In my appeal letter, I conveyed what I would need to fix and what I have already done. I am in works with the Learning Center Coordinator to speak to them about my strengths and weaknesses, and what I need to do about time management.

Thanks for your help.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

In the grand scheme of things, it might be beneficial to take a break from nursing school just so you can work on those classes you need. Time management is HUGE but it's not going to be the only thing that prevents you from continuing on. You're going to have to address those deficient grades somehow and if that plan puts you 2 quarters back, that's only truly about 1/2 year back from your original schedule. My advice is that you should throw out the "old" schedule and make a new one because the old one is not likely to continue. The new one should be built around what you need to do to re-enter the program and continue on successfully, and this is going to be a more global plan for you, encompassing your job, family, stress management, academic renewal to address deficient grades, and so on.

I wish you the best... I had to repeat coursework myself. It's not fun, but if the material doesn't change that much between visits, you may be able to pick up more the second time around.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

The learning center coordinator is a good choice. You may have to slow down a bit, take fewer classes, and take some more time. Is there an option of doing APII online/hybrid? Does the school offer tutoring?

If the Dean decides against your letter, can you look at other options? Can your credits transfer to the community college where there may be more flexibility?

And I definetely would see someone about your anxiety. R/O any learning disabilities, as sometimes they are not apparent until one is in college.

The end result of this may be online for some courses, hybrid for others, then re-visit going back full time when you have had the chance to look at 1 or 2 classes at a time instead of an entire courseload.

AND be sure to ask about tutors. Sometimes 1:1 works better.

Best wishes