Why did I fail?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I was half finished with my LPN program and came across a obstacle. My clinical instructor my second semester wanted me to go back to the lab and practice a head to toe assessment. So, she went up to the school and got me out of my lab in front of the whole class. Then, she started handing out what she wanted me to improve on to every lab assistant around. I was so emberassed. The next week at clinical, she told me to retest out on physical assessments. I told her that we do not test out on them. So, she told me "They need to do something"

I needed to retest out on Trach care this one Saturday after clinicals. I stayed with my clinical instructor 30 min over. I had to be at test out at 1:05. I didnt get there until 1:15. The guy that was retesting me was testing out someone else. After he was finished I said Would you please test me out? He said"no". I am not suppose to take anyone that is over 10 min late. He was not doing anything. So, I had to retest out the 3rd time and the lab lady failed me. So, I failed LPN school. Also, I also failed the RN program for similiar reasons. What do you think I should do? Should I go back again?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

going by what you described i think you need set your alarm earlier than you do and make sure you get where going earlier rather than later. i'd try for rn again. at least when you pass classes they are yours to keep for the next go round. good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry.
I was half finished with my LPN program and came across a obstacle. My clinical instructor my second semester wanted me to go back to the lab and practice a head to toe assessment. So, she went up to the school and got me out of my lab in front of the whole class. Then, she started handing out what she wanted me to improve on to every lab assistant around. I was so emberassed. The next week at clinical, she told me to retest out on physical assessments. I told her that we do not test out on them. So, she told me "They need to do something"

I needed to retest out on Trach care this one Saturday after clinicals. I stayed with my clinical instructor 30 min over. I had to be at test out at 1:05. I didnt get there until 1:15. The guy that was retesting me was testing out someone else. After he was finished I said Would you please test me out? He said"no". I am not suppose to take anyone that is over 10 min late. He was not doing anything. So, I had to retest out the 3rd time and the lab lady failed me. So, I failed LPN school. Also, I also failed the RN program for similiar reasons. What do you think I should do? Should I go back again?

Try again. If you want this bad enough you will continue to work hard to achieve your goal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank You for your info. I feel like I have tried so many times and continue to fail. What is wrong with me?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are really determined to be a nurse then definitely apply to other schools.

A few questions though, why were you late when you knew that so much was riding on the re-test?

I know that NS is tough and I know that there are mean instructors out there but you can't place 100% of the blame on them. You need to examine the reasons you have failed out of not one but two nursing programs. What could you have done differently? What will you do differently in the future to prevent failing out of a third program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care.

:icon_hug:and good luck! I agree with the previous poster that you should look back at reasons that you failed so that you can improve next time. Again, good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

You know why you failed and it happened twice. You are not learning from your mistakes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
You know why you failed and it happened twice. You are not learning from your mistakes.

I agree with Daytonite and its not like you are one of the younger students. I would really do some soul searching to understand exactly why you keep doing the same negative things. Wishing you well with whatever you decide. Jules

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

It sounds as if you aren't really taking it seriously. You were 10 minutes late to a very important lab test, you've had to retest multiple times on multiple skills, and you made excuses to your instructor about skills/knowledge she felt you were deficient on.

Take some time, decide how much it means to you, and try again. But really try, take it seriously, learn the skills, and I bet you'll do a lot better next time around.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

are you just very nervous about your check offs? i know they can be very intimidating, especially if you have to do one more than once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you want to be a nurse, try again.

But it seems first you need to figure out why you failed on these tasks. Were you given feedback on what you did wrong the first time and given help/ideas to improve (it sounds like you were on the assessment but not sure on the others).

From your post, it sounds like you don't know what you did wrong (maybe you do and didn't post it) but that sounds like you need to start there.

Is it something in the task that is hard for you, is it motor skills or a do you have trouble with a certain item (i.e. BP) or are you having performance anxiety that is impacting you - can you do the task in front of a friend or alone correctly but not in checkoffs?

The more you can find out about why you failed will help you in the future.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree with Daytonite and its not like you are one of the younger students. I would really do some soul searching to understand exactly why you keep doing the same negative things. Wishing you well with whatever you decide. Jules

Now Jules, you make it seem like the OP is old. If she is old, I must be a dinosaur. :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment