What do you do after you get booted and want into another program?

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I have a cum laude Bachelor's in Science, ample work experience, and went into an ADN program. I was booted my first semester for failing a skill in the classroom. Despite A's and B's on all of my other check-offs, I was given a clinical grade of a D and kicked out of the program. When I questioned this, I was told that "failing this skill shows that I can't be sterile and that I am a threat to patient safety." I disputed this and I was pretty much told that the teacher was right (according to a shoddily made video from several feet away) and that I was no longer welcome.

I sacrificed a lot to get into nursing school, including not being given any time off for my parent's death that occurred during the program. (Other students were given time off for less trivial matters, funny enough.) This is an incredible slap in the face to me. I've always been an extremely compliant, hard-working individual and I was pretty much told "have a nice life."

I am trying to find a BSN program to get into, where I probably belonged to begin with, considering I already have a BS in the sciences. However, every program I'm looking at says that students with D's or F's from a prior nursing program are not welcome.

I don't understand what my options are anymore. I already have a 4 year degree, I already have all the pre-requisites to drop myself into another program, and I have the glowing HESI A2 grades and recommendations. Is there some way around this? I'm devastated and at a loss as to what to do with my life, if I can't do this. I quit a good job with good benefits and I am now living hand-to-mouth with very little purpose or opportunity available where I currently reside.

Any advice? Any similar situations?

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I have a cum laude Bachelor's in Science, ample work experience, and went into an ADN program. I was booted my first semester for failing a skill in the classroom. Despite A's and B's on all of my other check-offs, I was given a clinical grade of a D and kicked out of the program. When I questioned this, I was told that "failing this skill shows that I can't be sterile and that I am a threat to patient safety." I disputed this and I was pretty much told that the teacher was right (according to a shoddily made video from several feet away) and that I was no longer welcome.

I sacrificed a lot to get into nursing school, including not being given any time off for my parent's death that occurred during the program. (Other students were given time off for less trivial matters, funny enough.) This is an incredible slap in the face to me. I've always been an extremely compliant, hard-working individual and I was pretty much told "have a nice life."

I am trying to find a BSN program to get into, where I probably belonged to begin with, considering I already have a BS in the sciences. However, every program I'm looking at says that students with D's or F's from a prior nursing program are not welcome.

I don't understand what my options are anymore. I already have a 4 year degree, I already have all the pre-requisites to drop myself into another program, and I have the glowing HESI A2 grades and recommendations. Is there some way around this? I'm devastated and at a loss as to what to do with my life, if I can't do this. I quit a good job with good benefits and I am now living hand-to-mouth with very little purpose or opportunity available where I currently reside.

Any advice? Any similar situations?

Well if you've got a BS, then apply to 4 yr schools that have an accelerated program? Don't waste time with an ADN. I'm not sure about the grades tho. Ive never heard of that. :( And if nursing is really what u want, try case management? That would be a BSW. You'd be able to work in hospitals, in a nurse like field. But it wouldn't be hands on nursing of course. I'm sorry tho

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Well if you've got a BS, then apply to 4 yr schools that have an accelerated program? Don't waste time with an ADN. I'm not sure about the grades tho. Ive never heard of that. :( And if nursing is really what u want, try case management? That would be a BSW. You'd be able to work in hospitals, in a nurse like field. But it wouldn't be hands on nursing of course. I'm sorry tho

Thank you for your response and your empathy. This is the terrifying thing -- I'm seeing this statement written on the accelerated BSN sites, too. "D's and F's from prior nursing schools need not apply." I tried contacting a couple and they're telling me the nursing program would have to sign off on me being in "good standing" to go into another school. What hurts the most is I know I'd be a great nurse... I have the compassion, patience, and drive for it.

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I don't really have any advice, as I am currently finishing up pre-reqs and working my way into a nursing program, but I did want to say that I am incredibly sorry this happened to you. It sounds as though you are a very determined, intelligent, and well-rounded individual, and I hope that you can find a program that will overlook that one bad grade and and instead look at all of the other accomplishments you have achieved. Good luck to you!

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Have you tried the for profit schools like Chamberlain? Three of my classmates were kicked out of my school for cheating and transferred there. Their only admission standard seems to be your willingness/ability to pay their inflated tuition. I seriously doubt they would turn you down.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Have you tried the for profit schools like Chamberlain? Three of my classmates were kicked out of my school for cheating and transferred there. Their only admission standard seems to be your willingness/ability to pay their inflated tuition. I seriously doubt they would turn you down.

One wonders why for-profit schools have a bad reputation in nursing.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

What skill did you fail that they not only did in classroom but videotaped as well?

In both my undergrad and grad programs we had full physical assessments that had to be passé with a 98 or better to continue on and they were non-negotiable.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

1). You can try accelerated program in a high-level, reputable university. If your previous experience is somewhat relevant to what you eventually like to do (and you can afford it) you can even go to direct-entry MSN. This type of places more often have to deal with mature second-careers and probably will understand your situation better.

2) Or you can try to start it all from the very beginning. CNA - LVN/ADN - BSN bridge. Good thing about this way is that you probably won't have to mention what happened in that ADN program, ever, and will be able to earn a bit of money down the road. The bad thing is that it will take years off your life (and money from your earning potential).

3). If you'd ever thought about becoming APN, try PA pathway. The PA programs are not free from nonsense of their own kind but at least they won't care about your ADN misfortune.

In any case, do not base your search on what is written on the program's online page and do not stop at a visit in admission office. You have to speak in person with someone who has a hand in Nursing admission and let them know who you really are.

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1). You can try accelerated program in a high-level, reputable university. If your previous experience is somewhat relevant to what you eventually like to do (and you can afford it) you can even go to direct-entry MSN. This type of places more often have to deal with mature second-careers and probably will understand your situation better.

2) Or you can try to start it all from the very beginning. CNA - LVN/ADN - BSN bridge. Good thing about this way is that you probably won't have to mention what happened in that ADN program, ever, and will be able to earn a bit of money down the road. The bad thing is that it will take years off your life (and money from your earning potential).

3). If you'd ever thought about becoming APN, try PA pathway. The PA programs are not free from nonsense of their own kind but at least they won't care about your ADN misfortune.

In any case, do not base your search on what is written on the program's online page and do not stop at a visit in admission office. You have to speak in person with someone who has a hand in Nursing admission and let them know who you really are.

Most every college application specifically requests that you submit transcripts from every college you've ever attended. If people leave out information about a previous school, schools often can and do find out about the previous experience anyway. If a school finds out that information they asked for has been omitted, they consider that academic dishonesty sufficient to toss your application (or kick you out of school if you've already been admitted when they find out). And nursing is a surprisingly small "club." Dishonesty is not a good idea.

OP, I'm not trying to be a downer, but the reality is that you're going to have a v. hard time finding a legitimate nursing program that will accept you if you've recently been dropped from another program. I agree that speaking directly to individuals at schools you're interested in can't hurt, as well as considering the PA option -- they may feel differently about people who ran into difficulty in nursing school. I hope you're able to find a positive outcome to this situation -- best wishes for your journey!

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Nah, I'd go ahead and apply to a real (not for-profit) BSN program and be completely honest with the interviewer about what happened at the other school. It may be that the other school isn't so well thought of and they might very well give you a chance. You have exactly nothing to lose by trying. You're well-spoken and literate, so that puts you ahead of most applicants right there. :)

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
Most every college application specifically requests that you submit transcripts from every college you've ever attended. If people leave out information about a previous school, schools often can and do find out about the previous experience anyway. If a school finds out that information they asked for has been omitted, they consider that academic dishonesty sufficient to toss your application (or kick you out of school if you've already been admitted when they find out). And nursing is a surprisingly small "club." Dishonesty is not a good idea.

OP, I'm not trying to be a downer, but the reality is that you're going to have a v. hard time finding a legitimate nursing program that will accept you if you've recently been dropped from another program. I agree that speaking directly to individuals at schools you're interested in can't hurt, as well as considering the PA option -- they may feel differently about people who ran into difficulty in nursing school. I hope you're able to find a positive outcome to this situation -- best wishes for your journey!

Sorry, I didn't mean to commit anything like dishonesty. Just that after some time and in another place the story might be mentioned a bit differently. Thanks for correction.

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I just want to thank the people who responded for not being judgmental or mean towards me. It makes me feel so much better and calmer. :)

I looked into PA and I'm surprised to find that I can very easily transition into a Master's program! I don't know why I didn't look into it before! I also looked into some other Master's programs that are therapy and people-based. Deadlines are 8-10 months away to apply, so I can definitely get ready. I live right near a big community college so I can easily knock out prerequisites online in 2-3 months time. All the pre-req's I DO have are 4.0's so that should help a bunch.

I actually feel optimistic again. Thank you!

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