Stuudents kicked out of nursing program in NY state

U.S.A. New York

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Hi all...need some adivce,

I was kicked out of a nursing program last spring after my first semester due to failing two classes with a C. Even though it was just shy of point something mind you (not even a full point). I was not prepared for the rigorous full time work load, my family was going through a lot of hardships and I was also working which I think all contributed to my dismay. I filed a grievance letter but to no avail I was still let go. I won't call the name of the school because I don't want to bad mouth it just yet before I graduate. Anyway, since then I changed my major to Psychology and will be graduating this may. I manged to pull my gpa back up to a 3.0 and have been applying EVERYWHERE in New York since i got dismissed but all I seem to be getting are rejection letters. You name it, i've probably applied there (Accelerated, Associated, 4 year programs). I have spent almost over $200 in application fees, transcript requests and exam fees. My total rejection letters as of today are 5 and I am really starting to give up hope. Nursing is my passion and I really don't want to give up on my dream. I think that one semester of nursing school on my transcript is really screwng me over. I am not a dumb girl. There are mostly all A's on my transcript from gen prereq's and also B's in my science prereq's. Made the deans list 3 semesters since my 4 years in college. Any advice? Has this happened to anyone else and they got accepted somewhere else? If so which schools? Please help me. Please give me some ounce of hope.

thank you all for the advice however there is no indication that i was dismissed from the program on my transcript it just shows that i have one semester of nursing school, the grades i received in those classes then the following semester i changed my major to psychology and took psych classes. But there is no note saying "academic dismissal" or anything like that thank god they spared me. Because i know some classmates of mine that does state of their official transcript "academic dismissal from the school of nursing" which would make it even harder for them to get accepted somewhere else. So i can say it was my personal choice to switch my major due to blah blah blah (if given the opportunity). also i will look into lpn programs...then consider the bridge. To DGTG i actually applied to NYU's accelerated 15 month program and they informed me that the only class i am missing in nutrition. my school didn't require it as a prereq for nursing. They said as long as i show proof that i took it before the start of the fall program then i would be considered for admission, only problem is where would i take this nutrition course?? im thinking at a community college because my school is way too expensive just to take one nutrition class...thank u all for the advice...keep it comin.

If the above is true, I'd make very sure there will not be any further notations on your transcript, and that your fomer nursing program will back you up (if contacted) that you "changed majors, blah, blah....".

The nurses and others running nursing schools, especially those making decisions on admissions aren't dumb, nor born yesterday. Having processed hundreds of applications they probably have seen and heard it all, so when your application comes up you still are going to have to explain why you didn't complete the prior program. If you say that you left said program because (insert your own reasons here), then why should they let you into their school, and what has changed to make you want to continue with nursing? Furthermore what is preventing you (if anything), from going back to your prior program? One does not have to be formally dismissed from a nursing program, the fact one did not meet academic requirements and thus is "out", pretty much means the same thing as far as many nursing schools are concerned. However again, YMMV with different schools.

Both NYU's undergrad BSN and ABSN programs seem rather flexible in terms of admissions. Again as a private school charging 50K per semester, that may have something to do with it.

There are several threads here in the group on NYU's programs, both BSN and ADSN, they would be an excellent source of further information.

If you have already contacted NYU, and all you need to be considered for admission is the nutrition class, then this seems to pretty much answer your prayers. Again, read the postings here in the group from NYU students regarding this class, if any. You need to make sure that if you take the class anyplace else besides NYU, the course content will transfer over. Personally, if you are anywhere near NYC, I'd take the class at NYU to hedge my bets. As it is already March, Spring 2010 is out of the question, however there is time for Summer, 2010 (how hard can a nutrition class be?), I say this because some programs will consider your application if there is proof you are enrolled and will complete any missing required classes before the next class starts.

I was in a very similar situation and I got some wonderful advice here on the board.

There is one school in NY who will consider you and that's Rockland Community College. It's a SUNY school, about 1 hour away from the city. They are the ONLY school I know that will accept all your prerequisites and also your first semester of nursing. I didn't go there in person but the website states that and there's also a few members here who were accepted there after dismissal.

However, yes there is a waiting list. But I'm assuming you can apply and then while you sit and wait to be called in, you can finish your psychology degree.

Second option...Get your LPN license and then do a bridge. You can also do it through Excelsior (online).

No matter what you choose to do, remember always be honest!!! I would tell the whole story, because if you lie (or omit) something, they can easily pick up the phone and call your former school. Show them that you have brought your GPA back up again and that you have made the necessary changes in your personal life to do well this second time around.

Good luck!!!

Specializes in Pediatrics.
I suggest getting your LPN. You have the knowledge so it will be a less steep learning curve. Then pursue a LPN-RN bridge program. At that point, they'll be looking more at your certification and not your transcript.

I concur with NY teach. And I believe she meant going into an LPN program, not attempting to sit for the PN boards with what she has (BTW, you can't do that at any point in an RN program anymore in NY).

Maybe it is just me, but can't see paying tuition for an LPN program if one really wishes to be an RN.

While LPN may not be her ultimate goal, (and I apologize for putting it so bluntly), beggars should not be choosy. This may be her only option at this point. We all want things, but there are cicumstances in our lives that prevent us from getting those things when we want them.

I concur with NY teach. And I believe she meant going into an LPN program, not attempting to sit for the PN boards with what she has (BTW, you can't do that at any point in an RN program anymore in NY).

That is where you are wrong. SUNY Delhi is an associate degree program and after the first year you can sit for the NCLEX-PN. That is the only program I will speak on with this matter because I have the first hand experience, however, I am sure there are other SUNY programs that allow this.

Stephaniee,

By first hand experience, Are you stating that you have personally sat for the nclex-pn after your first year of an asn program? If so, when was it?

Just as a heads up .... You also stated that SUNY Delhi and other SUNY programs may allow it, however this is not governed by individual schools

Well I did say that I was only certain that SUNY Delhi allows this, I've never been in another SUNY program so I wouldn't know about their policies, I simply stated that I figured if Delhi did this that possibly other SUNY schools who have associates programs also offered this option.

I personally did not sit for the PN boards because I had to withdraw and come home for personal reasons, however, yes while I was at Delhi we were being prepared and encouraged to take the PN boards at the end of our first year, and did the ATI-PN materials. I have many friends who were in their second year that had taken the LPN exam over the summer and became licensed so they could work while they were home on break etc.

I didn't post that comment to come under attack, I was just saying that there are in fact programs in NY state that allow you to sit for the NCLEX-PN after successfully completing your first year of an ADN program.

Stephanieee,

First and foremost, I was not attacking you. I did not post anything that was negative, rude or harsh but if you felt like I was attacking you then I apologize.

I responded to your post because the lastest information I had was that NYS is no longer allowing nursing students to sit for the nclex-pn based on http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nurse2EQelim.htm

However that change was close to three years ago. My questioning was based on if a new policy might have been implemented which I did not know about.

Only thing I can think of is that very few SUNY, CUNY or other RN schools or colleges/universities, offer a LPN program, while SUNY Delhi does. The later's LPN program is two semesters long versus the two years for RN, so perhaps they have found a way to cover the required LPN coursework within the first two semesters of the RN program. This would, in theory allow such RN students to meet the requirements to sit for the LPN boards.

Specializes in Pediatrics.
Only thing I can think of is that very few SUNY, CUNY or other RN schools or colleges/universities, offer a LPN program, while SUNY Delhi does. The later's LPN program is two semesters long versus the two years for RN, so perhaps they have found a way to cover the required LPN coursework within the first two semesters of the RN program. This would, in theory allow such RN students to meet the requirements to sit for the LPN boards.

This is exactly what I was thiking. Their curriculum may be designed in such a way that it satisfies the PN requirements within the RN program. While at work yesterday, we had this exact conversation. One of my colleagues (who used to work in a PN program) confirmed this (not for the sake of this thread, but just for clarification amongst us, b/c one of my colleagues was not aware of the change). This was very commonplace back in the day (RN students took the PN boards, as a 'back up'). The conversation came up b/c one of our students failed her last semester of Nursing, and went this route; she should have graduated in '06, but had to stick around until '07, so that may have been the last time it was acceptable (for any program, not a special one, like Delhi).

Hi guiltysins,

I need your advice... 2 yrs ago, I was in private none accredited nursing school(Associate) and I was dismissed. I have failed my finals by 2 points in my junior year. I was really devastated. Friends have told me not to give up. I've continued my remaining other prereq and finished as Liberal Arts Associate so I can get my BSN degree. (I did my research and yes it is hard to go back to different school with the history). Before I applied at LIU, I read the admissions requirement and it does not indicate a student who has hx. I was happy and had hoped that LIU will accept me so, I have applied and passed the nursing entrance exam. I was really happy and excited that I will get another chance and become a great nurse. I have found out recently from a friend that eventually they will find out. I have already enrolled as a part-time student this coming fall. Question is; since I'm in the program, should I speak to the dean of nursing dept. and consider me (clean slate) or should i just withdraw before the class starts? I dont know what else to do. I dont want to be dismissed during my middle of my clinicals and nursing is my passion. PLEASE HELP

Thanks

Mamajuana,

Do not withdraw without at least speaking to somebody! You have worked hard to get accepted again. I do not think they will find out later on. If a "background check" so to speak is done, I would assume they would do it before accepting you into the program.

Being honest is always the way to go, but I think you should research their policy carefully first. If you do find out that they do not accept students who have been dismissed, then I would go straight to the dean. I am sure they will appreciate your honesty. Unlike most people think, there ARE exceptions to the rule in nursing school.

I am a living proof of that. I was dismissed as well and I appealed. I had no hope whatsoever, but here I am 1 year later. They accepted my appeal and I'm now about to start my last semester of nursing school.

Don't give up. You have come a long way. Good luck!! :hug:

Hi PrincessTinkerbell,

Thank you sooo much for your advice. It almost made me cried. Thank you again for giving me hope and encouragement. :)

I would also like to thank who responded and gave me an advise (you know who you are and sorry I couldn't email privately). MUCH APPRECIATED

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