Help, failed out of a nursing program last week

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hi everyone. I just received my final grades for my first semester of my BSN program Sunday. I failed one class by 4 points, one by 10 points, and the other by 15. During this semester I developed severe test anxiety and by the week of my second exams in all my classes I was a mess. Heart rate above 115 before an exam, tears and all. My instructors suggested I go to the student help center, but they wanted 300.00 to tell me I had a problem and to maybe get the opportunity to take my exams in a separate building with 30 extra minutes. I wish I would have charged that to any credit card I have, but I thought I could pull through. Of course our finals were 30% of our grade and I came up short. I have finally found a doctor in town who will prescribe me a beta blocker, and have gone to see the student services again. I said all that to say my program has a policy if you fail two you're kicked out. I have an appointment with the director Thursday which I think is required to basically say you're kicked out. I have called, emailed, visited every college within two hours of here and every single program will NOT even allow me to apply because of the D's in my nursing courses. This is what I want, this is what I was meant to do. I am 27 and my husband and I are depending on this. Can my dream really be over because of test anxiety?! Help.

Specializes in ICU.
Not only should you address the problem,you should have a plan of corrective action and start putting that plan into place now.

You need to be able to state what you are doing about the problem and what you will continue to do about the problem.

Do not throw in personal excuses. No excuses. None.

"This is the problem."

"This is what I plan to do."

"This is what I have already done, so far."

And if they keep mentioning what you did wrong, just stick to your theme:

"That was a problem, however, this is what I am doing and this is what I have done so far."

Repeat that often as needed and remain unemotional.

Don't say nursing is your dream and don't say it isn't.

BTDT.

Cheers.

That is really good advice

Specializes in Cath lab, acute, community.

Have you attempted to write a letter to the dean of nursing explaining you want another go?

Hello all, so it's been eight months since my last post. I met with the director and she was far from helpful to me. The only thing she wanted to know was how the school could improve for the upcoming students. I now know that last semester for the new students was easier for them than us because of students like me who were dismissed. They made it easier on them by finally taking our complaints into consideration, well I'm happy for them, but sad for myself. Can't find any RN programs to even apply to due to my D's even with a 3.4 gpa. My local community college only accepts 18 students a year, and I would have to get CNA before applying. I'm currently registered at my old school in a different major just to have a degree, but my heart is heavy and discouraged. I just want to be a nurse.

Have you spoken to anyone on campus like the DSP center for testing (LD) and getting extra time on your tests... Sometimes you can get up to double the time and take your tests in a private room. Best of luck to you! Keep us posted!

When one door closes another opens. Honestly, I've been in a similar situation. I had problems like yours, I missed weeks of classes. I've even failed out of college at one point, it haunts me still to this day. BUT, there is always an option. Have you tried an online BSN program? Get documentation to show there was a reason behind your grades. GO back to school, I know it isn't ideal, but proving that you can take classes and pass them with flying colors shows that you have made an effort to resolve any outstanding issues you may have (i.e. health related problems, testing anxiety (which is something I think in your case might one of the issues), and any other problems). Keep your head up.

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