Everyone is failing out...

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2016

I'm not sure why you titled your post "Everyone's failing out." I can assure you that is NOT the case. In every state, in every nursing school, there are students doing quite well and heading towards a successful career as a nurse.

There is not a major offered in college which doesn't have its fair share of students failing out of the program. The nursing curriculum can be challenging, but it's likely far less difficult than an engineering program, one in physics or advanced math, Chemistry or other pre-med track major, etc.

All Nurses has thousands of nurses who somehow managed to survive nursing school and pass NCLEX. You have provided no evidence to suggest that you couldn't be one of them. Don't worry about how other people have done.

missnursingstudent19 · Dec 15, 2016

Hello everyone!
I start nursing school in a couple of weeks and just last week I found out a friend of mine flunked out of the program. While I was touring the campus today I overheard a nursing student saying they had failed a class this semester. I'm a bit of an overachiever/worrier I completely understand nursing school is hard. I know it is very hard. But lately I have come across people who make it seem like it's impossible. I didn't come this far to fail out and I have a lot a lot of drive in me. So I just can't wrap my mind around people actually failing the program. it's actually starting to stress me out and cause a little bit of anxiety. I want this so bad but I find myself doubting myself. Asking questions like is this what I want to do? Do I want to put myself through this torture? What if I fail out?? I have worked so hard to get to this point I can't imagine doing anything else but I'm legitly scared going into nursing school. I think I'm scarred from people's horror stories? Any thoughts?

I have thoughts like this all the time. I worry that I might be working so hard in all of my prerequisites just to fail out of the nursing program soon after I start it. At the same time, I know that, if I don't try to succeed in nursing, I'll always have to wonder "what if". To me, that would be even worse than failing. It reminds me of the quote "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." Yeah, you might fail a class. You might even fail the NCLEX a few times. But then you just keep trying if you really want to be a nurse and you will eventually get there.

Hemeyer · Dec 15, 2016

Sometimes I have these self doubts too, but one thing I've learned is that when I haven't done well in classes in the past it's because I allowed my dislike for a particular subject get in the way and cloud my "big picture." Maybe that's not true for everyone. Also, anyone that I know who has failed out of various programs honestly just didn't want it bad enough. They let other things get in the way, they failed to plan, failed to study- something prevented them from putting forth the effort necessary to pass- and maybe they have a valid reason- but the result remains the same.

all that just to say, don't let other people make you question your own ability. Just because someone seems smart or put together doesn't mean that they are better than you academically or that you couldn't excell where they failed. Don't assume that you're less than.

ZoraNeale · Dec 15, 2016

Don't worry about it. I heard the same from several students who didn't pass that it was impossible to not only pass but to pass with an A. I just finished the first semester of my ADN program and earned a 97% on the final and a 92% in the class.

We started with 60 students and dropped down to 33. I strongly believe this was because a) they let anyone in who meets the 2.0 minimum GPA requirements (e.g., students who may not be as academically prepared to take on nursing curriculum) and b) a lot of the students were young and would rather party than study. Those of us who passed took it seriously and made an effort to learn the information.

Don't let what you hear stop you from doing your best and having confidence in your abilities. A girl who just completed the semester I am about to go into said don't expect an A on the first two exams *eye roll*. I'm ready to prove her wrong too. Good luck!

allnurses Guide · Dec 15, 2016

I would say your anxiety at this stage is a common occurrence as you get closer to your start date. It's a fear of the unknown combined with an absence of factual information or personal experience.

Your worry regarding your friend and the person you overheard might be alleviated if you knew why they flunked out. There are many reasons other than academics a student may fail out of nursing school.

As I have the same personality tendencies, I know the worry problem is also a catalyst for achievement. So take some deep breaths and keep walking forward. Wishing you all the best! :up:

crazydoglady89 · Dec 15, 2016

Don't worry about it.

When I was in school for my BS in business, I remember a stats class where the prof allowed open book EVERYTHING. An astounding amount of people failed the class because they just didn't put in the work.

Keep your head down, study, and you'll be fine! Good luck.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2016

Don't worry about it.
When I was in school for my BS in business, I remember a stats class where the prof allowed open book EVERYTHING. An astounding amount of people failed the class because they just didn't put in the work.
Keep your head down, study, and you'll be fine! Good luck.

My stats class was open book. Very few As, which I just found astounding.

crazydoglady89 · Dec 15, 2016

My stats class was open book. Very few As, which I just found astounding.

YES!

I think it had something to do with (at least in our case) the class actually being quite challenging. HOWEVER, if you did the minimum reading and homework, there was no reason for an average person to not get at least a B. The people who failed just didn't look over anything. Probably figured "hey, open book!" and were shocked when they got to the test. I found the book helpful only when I had a good grasp on the concepts, for the most part.

LiveFit99 · Dec 16, 2016

By "failing" do you mean getting below 80%? Just one class below 80 meant dropped from my nursing program. Deal with it or change majors.

Longleggedstar · Dec 16, 2016

@Livefit99 Sounds like my program at Texas Woman's University but ours was 78. Eeek You just brought back a whole slew of horrible memories. I was 21 when I entered that program I still remember straight up breaking down like a baby when I was attempting to complete my first care plan. Its bad when more than a half a decade later I still authentically feel the emotion.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Dec 16, 2016

Not "everyone" will fail. When you get to your major they want to separate the boys from the men. People will fail but those are the students that don't put in the effort. Classes aren't as easy as the pre req stage.