I was in a 5 semester BSN nursing program. This program has very similar rules compared to any other nursing program. If a student fails 2 or more nursing courses they will be dismissed from the program. Also, their grading scale is different. You must get a 77% or better cumulatively in each course.

I had taken six semesters of BSN courses. I was in my last semester and getting ready to graduate. I had taken my grad pictures, sent out my invitations to my family, I had purchased my cap and gown, I bought my RN pin, and I even had my reader card for when I walk across the stage. I was passing ALL of my courses when I went in to take my finals, which were two days away from our graduation and pin ceremony. I went into my finals with a lot of joy, relief, confidence, and excitement. I was so close to completing a long journey. Well, I failed my final by 0.5 points. I needed a total of 385 to pass my psych/community course and for some reason I only got 384.5, which gave me 76.98% in this course. I get the results back from my critical care course and I missed my final by 0.06 of a point. I needed 77% to pass and I ended up with 76.94%. I was/am completely devastated. So, not only did I fail; I also am dismissed from my program. Earlier in my 3rd semester I had to retake labor and delivery. So, that left me with only one class that I would be able to retake. Since, I failed 2 of my finals this means that I would be dismissed. I did a formal grievance to the dean of our program. She looked over every test and how it was graded and told me that she did not see any error. I had a nursing teacher that same semester give all of her senior BSN student 6 points at the end just so she could pass ALL of her students. So, I was asking the dean if she could do the same for me in one of these classes so I could have the chance to retake the other one. I was not given this grace. I was told by the dean that she could not give points. It was up to the professors to decide on my final grade.

This program has left me a complete nervous wreck. I get nothing. I have nothing to show for all the long nights and stress I went through trying to get my nursing degree. I had to go up against the director of this BSN program because she told a lie on me and actually dismissed me. This happened in my 3rd semester. I had to go to my clinical site and get proof from the hospital of what I actually did and prove her wrong to the dean. Well, the dean saw that she was at fault and readmitted me within 3 days. So, now I know that the director of this program does not like me. I had to make her out to be a liar to the dean and for some reason I am the only one out of 33 students who does not get to graduate. This same class of students had 2 nursing students who got caught plagiarizing their clinical documents on our psych rotation. These 2 students were not dismissed. They were allowed to just retake the course and had to write a paper. REALLY! So, in my grievance to the dean I also asked if I could be given the option of retaking both courses. I was told I could not.

So, after six semesters of nursing I get nothing. I made it all the way to the end. I passed all my clinical paper work and all of my clinical rotations. I had no issues other than the one I had with the director, which is a big one. I was a great student but here I am today without a degree. I have nothing. I don't even get to try and get my LPN. 6 semesters.

I wish that every nursing program would have a consideration for their seniors. If a student has made it thus far in the program, knowing that your grading scale is higher, there must be something written up that can allow seniors the chance to remediate their senior courses, if needed. I did not " make a D" in these courses. I barely missed them. I know that the standards are set higher for nursing students because they are taking care of people and their lives are in our hands. I understand this. This is why our clinical rotations and grades are very important. However, a theory class could be given more consideration for remediation when it comes to senior nursing students. ADN nursing students don't even take a lot of theory courses.

Overcoming this failure in my life has been so hard and challenging. I officially have anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Thank you nursing school. I had so much hope and excitement wrapped up in completing my BSN degree. I ultimately wanted to become a CRNA. Well, thank God there is another way for me to be one without a BSN. I can get a bachelors degree in a field of science and my 2 year RN license, and work in critical care , ED/ER, or trauma unit for 1-2 years. Then I can apply to certain CRNA programs. I found out that I am 17 credit hours from a BA in biology and where I live there are several ADN programs. So, this is the route I am taking now to achieve my goals and dreams. It will take me an extra 2 years.

This failure deeply hurts but God will NOT give me more than I can bare.