Readmission request help

KrCmommy522, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2017

You state, "I cannot place the blame of my failure on anything, or anyone, but myself. I was only behind by less than two percent, and now wish I would have pushed myself more to get where I needed to be." You might want to rephrase that. It might just be me, but by saying "I cannot place the blame of my failure on anything, or anyone, but myself." Then, going to say, "I was only behind by less than two percent..." I don't really know how to explain it, just to say that "I was only behind by less than two percent..." like that makes it okay or something? I don't know. I can't really describe it. As a quick side note, I am not in any way trying to say that is what you are saying or meant to say. Maybe say something like, "Being behind by less than two percent shows me that I am able to get there, I just need to make changes in my life and plan accordingly so I will be able to earn a passing grade." Or something along those lines? Just a thought!

Also, I know you said it's your first draft but be sure to proof read!! Don't depend on spell check and grammer check!!

idkmybffjill · Dec 21, 2017

For your second sentence, you might want to bring it back to them reviewing you for readmission, just to actually address and speak your point. ("I would like to apologize for my academic failure and ask that you please review my application for readmission.")

I also have a little of an iffy feeling about the beginning of the second paragraph, partly for the same reasons as the other poster. It feels disingenuous to thoroughly blame yourself, but then try to lessen it right afterward. However, I also think these letters have to walk the line between accepting your responsibility in not succeeding and blaming yourself too much that it feels overboard, which is what I'm kind of getting from the beginning of the paragraph. I might suggest just moving around some of it and taking out the first sentence. Something like, "Coming into my seventh quarter of eight, I was not prepared for the amount of content that NUR 265 included and the amount of time I would need to learn it. I also worked five days a week, and as a result of these factors, I ended up failing NUR265 by less than two percent. This has made me realize that I should have have pushed myself more to get where I needed to be. I did not live up to the standard I am able to achieve. If I am readmitted to this program, I have created a plan to improve my learning skills and study habits. [Etc, etc]"

Also, if you have anything regarding your study/learning habits that you've already set up and are currently doing, then include it. If you've already been meeting with a tutor or taken some type of course that you've aced or gotten a study group put together. Or even if you've created a schedule for studying and reviewing. That's going to make you look better because it's not just something you plan to do, which can very easily go out the window, but something you have already started. That shows you have the motivation to actually follow through with these plans.

Kaitlinash59 · Dec 21, 2017

You state, "I cannot place the blame of my failure on anything, or anyone, but myself. I was only behind by less than two percent, and now wish I would have pushed myself more to get where I needed to be." You might want to rephrase that. It might just be me, but by saying "I cannot place the blame of my failure on anything, or anyone, but myself." Then, going to say, "I was only behind by less than two percent..." I don't really know how to explain it, just to say that "I was only behind by less than two percent..." like that makes it okay or something? I don't know. I can't really describe it. As a quick side note, I am not in any way trying to say that is what you are saying or meant to say. Maybe say something like, "Being behind by less than two percent shows me that I am able to get there, I just need to make changes in my life and plan accordingly so I will be able to earn a passing grade." Or something along those lines? Just a thought!
Also, I know you said it's your first draft but be sure to proof read!! Don't depend on spell check and grammer check!!

Thank you you so much!

Kaitlinash59 · Dec 21, 2017

Thank you so much as well, I really appreciate the help!

Cindyel, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2017

I would also spend more time discussing why you are ready and prepared to take on the challenge if you get the opportunity as opposed to spending time on why you did not succeed the first time. The line saying you were not prepared for the amount of content in NUR 265 concerns me. Nursing is being prepared for anything and that is likely their mindset as well. Focus on the good stuff and positivity. It is ok to take responsibility but phrasing is key and you only have one shot. Good luck!

Kaitlinash59 · Dec 21, 2017

Okay you all have been a huge help. I am posting my second copy where I had added/fixed some issues. Let know know what you all think I need to delete/keep!

"

To whom it may concern,

I was previously a student in the Two-Year ADN program. I would first like to apologize for my academic failure, and thank you for reviewing my request for readmission. Coming into my seventh quarter of eight I was not aware of the amount of content included in NUR 265, and the amount of time I would need to learn it. I was prepared for this class, but had a lot of trouble retaining all of its material. I also was working five days a week, and as a result of these factors, I failed the course by less than two percent. This has made me realize I did not hold myself up to the standard I know I am able to achieve. If readmitted into the program I have created a plan, and already have begun to take action. In order to make changes, improve my learning skills, and study habits I have created a plan to help with these improvements. My plan will include actively working with study groups with my peers, attending frequent meetings with my academic advisor to ensure I am staying on track, and attending each exam review to give me a better understanding of what I am having trouble with where it is the content or the question style. I have also already been practicing NCLEX style questions daily to become familiar with the types of question, and I will continue to so. For work I plan to decrease my hours to only working three days a week while in school. In doing so I will have more time to focus on school while still working which will assist me in my academic success. During the time I will be out of school I still plan to study the material for upcoming classes, and continue answering NCLEX style questions to ensure I am still learning while critically thinking through each question, and reviewing the rationales to tie the information together. Being behind in the class by two percent has shown me that I am able reach this goal, but by making these changes I can earn a passing grade without having to worry by planning accordingly, and making these changes. I understand that everyone goes through tough times, and it is up to me to keep pushing, and working towards my dream of being the nurse that I know I can be. My time at Galen has been nothing but a great experience on campus, and at clinicals. With only three to six months left of my ADN, I would love to be able continue my education at Galen College of Nursing. I have no doubt I will finish out the last two quarters strong if given the opportunity to do so."

Thanks again, and positive or negative feedback helps!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 21, 2017

Let me break this into paragraphs for you so that it's not a wall of text:

I was previously a student in the Two-Year ADN program. I would first like to apologize for my academic failure, and thank you for reviewing my request for readmission. Coming into my seventh quarter of eight I was not aware of the amount of content included in NUR 265, and the amount of time I would need to learn it. I was prepared for this class, but had a lot of trouble retaining all of its material. I also was working five days a week, and as a result of these factors, I failed the course by less than two percent. This has made me realize I did not hold myself up to the standard I know I am able to achieve.
If readmitted into the program I have created a plan, and already have begun to take action. In order to make changes, improve my learning skills, and study habits I have created a plan to help with these improvements. My plan will include actively working with study groups with my peers, attending frequent meetings with my academic advisor to ensure I am staying on track, and attending each exam review to give me a better understanding of what I am having trouble with where it is the content or the question style. I have also already been practicing NCLEX style questions daily to become familiar with the types of question, and I will continue to so.
For work I plan to decrease my hours to only working three days a week while in school. In doing so I will have more time to focus on school while still working which will assist me in my academic success.
During the time I will be out of school I still plan to study the material for upcoming classes, and continue answering NCLEX style questions to ensure I am still learning while critically thinking through each question, and reviewing the rationales to tie the information together. Being behind in the class by two percent has shown me that I am able reach this goal, but by making these changes I can earn a passing grade without having to worry by planning accordingly, and making these changes. I understand that everyone goes through tough times, and it is up to me to keep pushing, and working towards my dream of being the nurse that I know I can be.
My time at Galen has been nothing but a great experience on campus, and at clinicals. With only three to six months left of my ADN, I would love to be able continue my education at Galen College of Nursing. I have no doubt I will finish out the last two quarters strong if given the opportunity to do so.

That might be a little easier on the eyes. :) Good luck!!!

saongiri · Dec 21, 2017

You state, "I cannot place the blame of my failure on anything, or anyone, but myself. I was only behind by less than two percent, and now wish I would have pushed myself more to get where I needed to be." You might want to rephrase that. It might just be me, but by saying "I cannot place the blame of my failure on anything, or anyone, but myself." Then, going to say, "I was only behind by less than two percent..." I don't really know how to explain it, just to say that "I was only behind by less than two percent..." like that makes it okay or something? I don't know. I can't really describe it. As a quick side note, I am not in any way trying to say that is what you are saying or meant to say. Maybe say something like, "Being behind by less than two percent shows me that I am able to get there, I just need to make changes in my life and plan accordingly so I will be able to earn a passing grade." Or something along those lines? Just a thought!
/QUOTE]
I agree with pp. I would leave that part out entirely. The rest sounds ok to me. Good luck!!!

Kaitlinash59 · Dec 21, 2017

Thank you!!! I'm typing this on my notes in phone until I officially print out the paper work (:

Kaitlinash59 · Dec 21, 2017

Thank you!!!

KrCmommy522, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2017

Coming into my seventh quarter of eight I was not aware of the amount of content included in NUR 265, and the amount of time I would need to learn it. I was prepared for this class, but had a lot of trouble retaining all of its material.

Much better draft!

I don't like this first paragraph though. You say, I was not aware of the amount of content included and the amount of time needed to learn it, but then you go on to say I was prepared for class. I would say something different.

Like a Cindyel posted, maybe state why you feel you are ready and prepared to take on the amount of time and work necessary this time around. At the school I went to, they always made it very clear that it just got harder as you progressed in the program.

Stating that you weren't prepared for the amount of work and time necessary for the course is kind of bad. I'm not sure of another way you could say it, or if you should really say that at all. Personally, I wouldn't include that.

If you include it, I would just say something like after failing this course, I realized that my work and/or life schedule was not conducive to the amount of work required to succeed in my nursing courses. As a result, I have made changes to lessen my work schedule and include more time to study content, practice NCLEX style questions, and complete required assignments.

I know that you say that in your letter already, so just something along the lines of that you realized your schedule was not conducive to the amount of work required of you - or something - but I wouldn't say that you weren't prepared for the amount of work and time necessary for the course.

Also, maybe lay out an exact study plan. Like, you should still have your syllabus from the first time you took the course - go over that, come up with a plan that you would use to study appropriately, complete assignments, etc. Something like going go over notes after each class for 30 minutes (one study habit people, myself include, use was that I would take notes during class - they were always a mess of course because I was writing them fast and thinking of things here and there so things were written on the sides and squished between other things - so, every day after my classes, I would go home and I would immediately type out the notes so they were laid out well and add in things from the textbook. It always helped reinforce the material because I had just heard the lecture. I noticed that if I waited a few days or until just before an exam like other people did, I didn't seem to retain the information as well).

You can come up with your own things of course, but just saying that your going to work with study groups, meet with your advisor regularly, go to each exam review, and practice NCLEX questions regularly isn't really a set plan. Plans tend to go out the window, as idkmybffjill stated.

It is good that you included that you have already started practicing NCLEX questions and will continue it. But maybe include more of a plan related to the course material - maybe state something about taking the syllabus on the first day and come up with a schedule so you will be able to get work done in a timely manner and be able to study the material and retain it by doing it regularly and not trying to cram just before an exam. Or, going over the syllabus from the course you failed, and using that to come up with a tenative schedule until you get the new syllabus. Just something more concrete - reading the chapter and taking your own notes before each class, then taking notes during class and working on notes every day after class for 30 minutes (retyping them and adding in information from the textbook to help you retain what you just heard in lecture), doing practice NCLEX questions each day for 20 minutes, etc. Just a thought of something more concrete!

Other than those thoughts, I think the rewrite is good! Good luck!