So I just failed out of Nursing School, is there hope after?

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Hello all,

So last week I found out that I failed Nursing School. I was 1% away from passing and was devastated that I was THAT close to passing. I was in an advanced Med-Surg class in my 3rd semester. When I went to talk to the director of the class she said that I can transfer to other schools but I heard from a counselor at another school that no nursing schools do not take students that fail twice. Also, my 2nd F on my transcript caused me to drop to a 2.4, .1 short of minimum GPA requirements for other schools. I don't wanna waste time taking irrelevant classes just to raise it again and if I do my recency of my sciences will be non-void and I will have to take those again and I don't want to because I got all B's on those. Should I even bother applying to other community colleges? Should I try applying for the LVN boards? I'm trying to stay positive but with my GPA dropping below minimum and the fact that my director and my professor kind of leaving me in the dust its been difficult. I don't know if I should look into private schools, hope that other schools will take a student with a 2.4 average, or just bow down and move on knowing I tried my best. Thanks.

^ for reals. The people on this board sometimes...

OP: submit the paperwork for the appeal, and wait. That's all you can do. In the interim, go over the materials, let them know if given a second chance you will succeed because you'd been studying the material and know it like the back of your hand. You have to show what you did, and what you are going to do, the second time around. Don't think about LPN school or starting over; you will cross that bridge when you get there. You take a semester off; it's not the end of the world.

We have students who graduated from the program and came back to talk to underclassmen. Some were honest, they failed one of the semesters, got readmitted, took that opportunity to flourish, passed the NCLEX and are out in the field like everybody else. They gave hope to students like myself, who struggled in first few tests in the first semester, and didn't know whether or not I was going to make it.

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Specializes in hospice.
The poster came here for consolation and advice, not to be kicked while already down. Telling them to throw in the towel does not help.

I don't know if I should look into private schools, hope that other schools will take a student with a 2.4 average, or just bow down and move on knowing I tried my best. Thanks.

The OP herself put the possibility of giving up and moving on to something else out there.

Sometimes the best advice is to give up and move on. Nursing isn't right for everyone. Why should the OP keep wasting money if it's not right for her?

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^ for reals. The people on this board sometimes...

OP: submit the paperwork for the appeal, and wait. That's all you can do. In the interim, go over the materials, let them know if given a second chance you will succeed because you'd been studying the material and know it like the back of your hand. You have to show what you did, and what you are going to do, the second time around. Don't think about LPN school or starting over; you will cross that bridge when you get there. You take a semester off; it's not the end of the world.

We have students who graduated from the program and came back to talk to underclassmen. Some were honest, they failed one of the semesters, got readmitted, took that opportunity to flourish, passed the NCLEX and are out in the field like everybody else. They gave hope to students like myself, who struggled in first few tests in the first semester, and didn't know whether or not I was going to make it.

Thanks. I guess in my situation thats all I can do. Trying to stay positive! Maybe theyll accept my appeal

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The OP herself put the possibility of giving up and moving on to something else out there.

Sometimes the best advice is to give up and move on. Nursing isn't right for everyone. Why should the OP keep wasting money if it's not right for her?

Giving up is my very last resort. I didn't make it halfway through my program just to give up.

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I'm not sure about going for an LVN because I heard if you reach a certain point in my program you can already challenge the LVN boards, ....

A key point to realize is that those who are allowed to take the NCLEX-PN prior to completion of their (current) RN program are very good students who have a strong understanding of the LPN/LVN scope of practice. It is not something you would pass if you are not already doing quite well in your current program......and given the information you posted here, I'd have little expectation you would pass that exam at this time.

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I did write an appeal letter to get back in, but that won't be looked at until late February. I failed twice in one program so I was dismissed.

What reason did you give in this letter that gives you the hope that you would be readmitted after having failed two courses? I would think it would have to be an exceptional "life event" of some kind, as otherwise their standards would have absolutely no meaning. If everyone who fails can then expect readmission based on an appeal letter....what does that say about their program? Minimum standards are in place for a reason, NCLEX pass rates for their school being a primary one. If they have low expectations that you would be able to pass the NCLEX based on your school performance....they aren't going to allow you to graduate.

If your GPA is this low, and you are struggling this much, I'd have to believe this would indeed be a very difficult road for you to travel (nursing, that is). This isn't about "kicking you when you're down", it's about being HONEST when someone asks what they should do in a specific situation. There will be many people who will say what they think you want to hear and offer hugs; since we're not family and the questions were asked, I think I'm doing a greater service to you by saying that this just might NOT work out.

Sorry, but that's the truth as I see it.

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What reason did you give in this letter that gives you the hope that you would be readmitted after having failed two courses? I would think it would have to be an exceptional "life event" of some kind, as otherwise their standards would have absolutely no meaning. If everyone who fails can then expect readmission based on an appeal letter....what does that say about their program? Minimum standards are in place for a reason, NCLEX pass rates for their school being a primary one. If they have low expectations that you would be able to pass the NCLEX based on your school performance....they aren't going to allow you to graduate.

If your GPA is this low, and you are struggling this much, I'd have to believe this would indeed be a very difficult road for you to travel (nursing, that is). This isn't about "kicking you when you're down", it's about being HONEST when someone asks what they should do in a specific situation. There will be many people who will say what they think you want to hear and offer hugs; since we're not family and the questions were asked, I think I'm doing a greater service to you by saying that this just might NOT work out.

Sorry, but that's the truth as I see it.

At least youre being honest. But in the end, I still want to be a nurse and if I have to do whatever it takes to become one, so be it. So they don't accept my appeal letter, so be it. I'm starting to realize that the road is more difficult than others and if I was chosen to travel it than whatever. I didn't make it halfway to realize its not going to work out. But thanks, maybe LVN school than a bridge might be the route to go if my options right now dont pull through.

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I agree with RNsRWE. Unless you had a major life event, no REPUTABLE school will let you in. It's standard knowledge when you go into an RN program. You fail twice, and you're out. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

You have to see what the admissions department will see when they look at your case. You only got B's in sciences (most schools you're required to have all A's just to be competitive) you failed 2 classes, and now your GPA isn't even considered to be "good standing". Why should they give a spot to you in their RN program, knowing how sought after those spots are, when they could give it to someone who has a much higher chance of succeeding in their program and passing the NCLEX?

I'm sorry, but I don't see this turning out for you to be an RN. LPN/LVN, maybe. It definitely can't hurt to look at those options. I know this isn't what you want to hear. And I'm truly sorry.

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I agree with RNsRWE. Unless you had a major life event, no REPUTABLE school will let you in. It's standard knowledge when you go into an RN program. You fail twice, and you're out. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

You have to see what the admissions department will see when they look at your case. You only got B's in sciences (most schools you're required to have all A's just to be competitive) you failed 2 classes, and now your GPA isn't even considered to be "good standing". Why should they give a spot to you in their RN program, knowing how sought after those spots are, when they could give it to someone who has a much higher chance of succeeding in their program and passing the NCLEX?

I'm sorry, but I don't see this turning out for you to be an RN. LPN/LVN, maybe. It definitely can't hurt to look at those options. I know this isn't what you want to hear. And I'm truly sorry.

Well, I know for sure a nurse is what I want to be, and the truth hurts sometimes, but in my opinion my gpa only matters on an academic level. I may have failed in theory but in clinicals I excelled. Knowing that I know for sure I shouldn't give up because of 1 percent. Maybe my test taking skills just need to be worked on but I know in my heart the clinical portion is my strong point and a nurse is what I'm going to be no matter what obstacles come. Just because I'm a bad test taker doesnt mean I'm a bad nurse. Thanks for your opinion

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
Well, I know for sure a nurse is what I want to be, and the truth hurts sometimes, but in my opinion my gpa only matters on an academic level. I may have failed in theory but in clinicals I excelled. Knowing that I know for sure I shouldn't give up because of 1 percent. Maybe my test taking skills just need to be worked on but I know in my heart the clinical portion is my strong point and a nurse is what I'm going to be no matter what obstacles come. Just because I'm a bad test taker doesnt mean I'm a bad nurse. Thanks for your opinion

You have to do well in BOTH to graduate from a program. I'm not (and I think few here) saying that you're not going to eventually be a good nurse. I had a friend of mine fail out of nursing school by 2 points. When he failed the first time, he took a look at what he was doing and made some changes and was readmitted. He barely passed each course, but he passed with a comfortable enough margin that he never had to worry about failing out again. The key thing is first time. I had a clinical fail and also looked at what I was doing, made some adjustments, and came back and, like my friend, I'm also a nurse.

Another friend of mine failed out twice and there's not an RN program around that will accept her for several years unless she does something significant to change that. For her, if she wants to be an RN, it'll be via LVN-RN. She'll have to go through an LVN program and transition to RN once she's shown that she can handle things. I and everyone that went to class with her know that she'll be a good RN once she can get through a program.

That's essentially your challenge now. You've failed out twice from an RN program and most RN nursing programs won't want to touch you right now because you have a track record of failure at that level. If you're admitted to a new program and you "forget" to tell the new program about your failures and you're subsequently found out, that could also be a problem for you. The new program could drop you for ethical reasons. You have to figure out your path forward from here and it may require that you become an LVN first.

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You have to do well in BOTH to graduate from a program. I'm not (and I think few here) saying that you're not going to eventually be a good nurse. I had a friend of mine fail out of nursing school by 2 points. When he failed the first time, he took a look at what he was doing and made some changes and was readmitted. He barely passed each course, but he passed with a comfortable enough margin that he never had to worry about failing out again. The key thing is first time. I had a clinical fail and also looked at what I was doing, made some adjustments, and came back and, like my friend, I'm also a nurse.

Another friend of mine failed out twice and there's not an RN program around that will accept her for several years unless she does something significant to change that. For her, if she wants to be an RN, it'll be via LVN-RN. She'll have to go through an LVN program and transition to RN once she's shown that she can handle things. I and everyone that went to class with her know that she'll be a good RN once she can get through a program.

That's essentially your challenge now. You've failed out twice from an RN program and most RN nursing programs won't want to touch you right now because you have a track record of failure at that level. If you're admitted to a new program and you "forget" to tell the new program about your failures and you're subsequently found out, that could also be a problem for you. The new program could drop you for ethical reasons. You have to figure out your path forward from here and it may require that you become an LVN first.

Thanks. If my options don't pan out right now, I might just have to try LVN school.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I don't know if I should look into private schools, hope that other schools will take a student with a 2.4 average, or just bow down and move on knowing I tried my best. Thanks.
Click on the link below to read about ways to enter nursing with a noncompetitive grade point average. Good luck to you.

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/i-want-nurse-916987.html

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