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Failed Nursing Program

I failed the Nursing Program. 5 years of so much effort and sacrifice and I have nothing to show for it now. I'm in my 40s and this was a career change for me. I gave up a good job to persue my passion that was Nursing. Dean says I won't be readmitted because I already was readmitted once. I only failed one class by 4%. A and Bs in the rest. Where does all the energy that I invested into this go?
At this point I feel so tired of it that trying something else sounds good.
These have been 5 miserable years of imense stress and giving up time with my family... For nothing?
I am just really really sad and feel very empty inside.


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195 Responses to “Failed Nursing Program”

  1. SRE Says:

    All I can say is that maybe this wasn’t meant for you….Also, how come you spent five years in school, was it for a BSN, I’m about to finish the ADN program and it only took me two years, plus a year of pre-reqs…..regardless, Nursing school is very tough especially if you are going back to school. I’m in my 30’s and also gave up a different career and time w/ friends and family. However, I am about to start a wonderful new career and would not change a thing. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

  2. nursek Says:

    Don’t give up. If that school won’t take you, try a different one. Many great nurses I know didn’t make it the first time. But they didn’t quit. Believe in yourself, especially when no one else will! Go work as a CNA in the meantime.

  3. Anne – nursing prof w/a heart Says:

    It is unusual for a nursing school to dismiss a student for failing one class by 4%. And you say you were “readmitted once” – which suggests that your 5 years weren’t continuous? Did something happen before this one time? Perhaps yu can use ths as a good learning experience where you can look to yourself (once you get past this disappointment) for your responibility in this.

    I agree with nursek-work as a CNA, bevcome an LPN, then you can go to a ADN completion program to become a RN. If this was meant to be and you have what it takes to overcome this rough spot, you can do this.

  4. joannafastje Says:

    My opion is that like the others, go back. I live in a city with 7 other nursing schools. Each one is very different and I would see what transfers, and how much longer you must endure school. My school is not very friendly to non-traditional students and I wished I stayed where I did my prereqs. Also we have teachers that tell some of our most hard-working and caring students that this is not for them and that is farther from the truth! My point is you may find a better fit. Part of nursing is research and that is what I recommend for you. Don’t get down. Best wishes!

    To SRE: I have been going to school for my BSN for seven years now. There are these folks called “non traditional students” and we go part-time or transfer into a program. If everyone suggested to me to quit when my husband was sick, or when my son had problems in school, I would not be graduating this December.
    By the way, you come across a bit rude because bragging is not very nice.

  5. Annie Says:

    I’m in the exact spot you are in. I also failed the nursing program because of a poor preceptorship evaluation coupled with a previous course failure. Two failures and a student is immediately removed no matter what. I was expected to finish in June. I had always gotten good grades with A’s and B’s in exams but had horrible preceptors. They had high expectations but gave little guidance or teaching. I made the mistake of choosing to go to a labor & delivery unit thinking it would be a wonderful learning experience. I should have stayed in med-surg as everyone later told me it’s so much easier than a specialty unit.

    Like you, I’m also sick to death of being in school, killing myself studying and still have nothing to show for it. I plan to take some time off and go back to work in a medical office. Anything beats the stress of nursing school right now. If you want to stay in school, an LPN program may be the way to go? Take heart, you have plenty of company.

  6. andrea Says:

    I understand you anxiety. I went through a nursing program at 50 and it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life,including birthing my children!!! My car died in the middle of the program and I had to borrow money just to keep going. However, I’m 70 y.o now and I’m still working and I love it! It was what I was meant to do and all the stumbling blocks made me value my license even more.

    I would think another program would let you challenge your better courses and then you can proceed.

    If this is what you want, really want~~you can do it and it will be worth everything you’ve sacrificed.

    You’ve gotten good input from this site (and some to just ignore) so keep the faith and keep going and you’ll be thankful you did later on.

  7. nyprofessor of nursing Says:

    why were you readmmited? a previous failure?

    not everyone can be a nurse…. Nursing school is brutaln hardest thing I have ever done…

    I do not want to sound cruel but you would not accept aRN who
    ed errors 4% of the time would you?

    ts time to move on

  8. Mr Ian Says:

    nyprofessor of nursing Says:
    May 28th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    why were you readmmited? a previous failure?

    not everyone can be a nurse…. Nursing school is brutaln hardest thing I have ever done…

    I do not want to sound cruel but you would not accept aRN who
    ed errors 4% of the time would you?

    ts time to move on

    I don’t want to sound pedantic but I will.

    How the heck did you get to earn title of Professor? Just as well you didn’t choose to do English Language.

    To the OP: I’d suggest you give up nursing and apply to be a professor. The standard is clearly much lower.

  9. vic Says:

    nyprofessor.
    You are damn lucky I was not one of your students. I swear, if i ever get the chance to, your ego will be shot so far underground, i cant even tell you.
    I know nursing is not for everyone. That is because, professors like you teach SUBSERVIENCE, and a bunch of students have trouble separating that from responsibility.
    Which is exactly the reason why i finished my nursing course, already had a bachelors, and now enrolled in Med school. And im just waiting for the day to get a chance to be cruel regarding you with your nurse manager.
    Well, on a separate note, im pretty sure that you completed your master’s level program with honors at a shoddy university run out of a shack in …let me guess…..timbuktu?

  10. Anne – nursing prof w/a heart Says:

    Vic-you have real psychiatric issues and need to get some help. If you see the post of NY Professor as an ego issue, you have some real issues yourself. Good luck in Med School-you are about to be taught SUBSERVIENCE like you have never seen. And your nastiness will get you in much hot water. Get a grip and grow up…and along the way, maybe you will have what it takes to be a true professional.

  11. suki Says:

    If you want to go to Med School to get a chance to be cruel to an Instructor? I think you are in it for all the wrong reasons. What has our world come to?????

  12. Michelle Says:

    I failed a semester by two tenths of a point. How riduculous is that? I couldn’t transfer to another college, because they are all done differently. I had to start over! But I did it! Just took my boards today and now I’m in a totally different level of stress! It cut off at 75 and I don’t know if that’s good or bad!

  13. rico Says:

    I am sorry to hear of your failure. I am a displaced auto worker in my 50’s and had to reinvent myself. I attended LPN school and graduated top of my class in 2007. I went back to earn my RN and just failed the program. It is difficult to understand the reasons why things happen as they do. We have to look at the positive side of things. Because of my education in RN school I will be one of the best LPN that exist. I have decided to not go back to school. I have been an LPN for a short period of time before going back to school so I want to use the skills I have to make a difference in the lives of many. I wish you well with your decision for your future. Please, do not feel like a failure. you made it a long way through school.Be proud of yourself and move forward with the knowledge you obtained and make a positive difference in the lives that surround you.

  14. Kristy Says:

    I know exactly how you feel. I was just kicked out of my LPN program with 3 weeks to go till graduation. I made a few mistakes, went to the skills tutor and got help with those skills, still they said you made 3 mistakes/ clinical warnings, and they terminated me from the PN program. I’m going to fight this, probably will take legal action. I didn’t deserve this. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Newsflash, students make mistakes! How else do you learn?

  15. sjs Says:

    I just got a C on OB lecture test. Now my average is a 85 and you get dropped if you go below 80. I am worried about the final. For some reason, I am having difficulty choosing the right answer to test questions. I am getting burned out and not sure what to do. My biggest problem is being tired, unable to focus do to husband quitting his job to start of business and all I do is think about finances. Now I think I am better off finding a full time job. I have been a dental hygienist for 20 years and wanted to change careers. I can’t find full time hygiene either. Many times I think I do not want the responsibilities of an RN after reading forums. Coding scares me and I think emotionally I would be a wreck if I lost a patient. I am confused and worried. The paperwork is making me ill and hard to find time to study for tests too.

  16. maryRN Says:

    DO NOT and I mean DO NOT listen to anyone who says that you should move on and GIVE UP your dream of being a nurse…..giving up is the easy way out, and not doing well in school is by no means any indication of how good of a nurse you will and can be….school is hard, demanding and sooo very stressful…but step back, take a few months off, gather your thoughts and get the ball back on track and have a 2nd go at it….many times in school I thought my god what did I get myself into, and I went to a part time program at a local college, and I think it was harder then the full time. I made it through with 3 kids all under 10 yrs of age…if I can do this you can, add more study time here and there, practice taking nclex questions for your exams so not only will you be helping build your test taking skills for nclex but you will also be studying and learning how to answer questions…they are tricky…but again you CAN do this!!!!

  17. Denise Says:

    I failed the RN program by a fraction of a point. Don’t even get me started on the hx of that! I’m still angry! Around here, you get 2 chances at an RN program. With 4 young kids, I didn’t want to attempt it again. I’m now in an LPN program and breezing through because of my past schooling. My husband and I decided that I’ll get my LPN and at least be able to do something I love while I finish up my RN with one of those LPN to RN bridge programs.

    There is a ALWAYS a way to achieve your goal regardless of how many obstacles are thrown your way. Chin up!

  18. MchelleRNBSN Says:

    Hi Kristy! can you send me your email, my sister is in the exact same position.

  19. Allen Says:

    @Michelle,

    I failed a semester by two tenths of a point. How riduculous is that? I couldn’t transfer to another college, because they are all done differently. I had to start over! But I did it! Just took my boards today and now I’m in a totally different level of stress! It cut off at 75 and I don’t know if that’s good or bad!

    CAN I GET UR EMAIL ID PLZ .

  20. Dan educator Says:

    I am very sympathetic to the cause of the student who failed and ended up out of school. In retrospect 23 years ago I was out of work, looking for a career change and my wonderful wife directed me to an ADN program. As an older student and exJrCollege Dean I was able to excell, but several of my classmates did not enjoy the same success. Despite a mostly supportive faculty and class mates, these folks really didn’t have what it took to become nurses. Happily for all but one they found success in other fields of endeavor. Don’t give up hope, there truly is great something for you out there, look to medical sales, medicines, devices, services, resource development for hospitals, and lots of other oppotunities abound in the healthcare field, even in this lousy economy.

    As to a couple of my classmates who succeded, their lives have not been wonderful either. We have 2 revoked licenses and a couple of other disciplinary actions against licenses on our classes resume over the 20 years since graduation. So your current experience may be saving you from a future larger disappointment.

    Take heart, take stock in your self and interests, maybe a CNA or LPN program may be a good fit, or maybe you need to look elsewhere.
    Regardless, please know you have the best wishes of a tired old nurse educator for future happiness. Good Luck.

  21. Carol Foster Says:

    Iam 55 years old and have had two unsucessful attempts in the RN program.My clinical skills were good,but my theory testing was the problem,I think part of the reason was that my husband who is very supportive and wants me to continue to pursue nursing;Was diagnose at the beginging of my 1st semester in the program with a chronic illnes. He now doing well and I have been given the chance to take a few classes at another collge and possibilty enter the LPN/RN program in 11/2010. My qestion is am I to old for another round of nusring school at 55 yo? Are ther any sucessful stories out there with simliar issue.I know I would be the best nurse one could be. Please respond.

    Scared and confused

  22. Susie Says:

    Well I’m in the same boat as some of the people who have posted messages..but Im in a worse situation& don’t know what to do. I got a college degree in 2000& wasn’t happy..medical field is what I really wanted to be in. I got an opportunity to wrk in a medical office as an assistant to a Dr& I gained “hands on experience”.I was doing what the nurses were doing& I loved it& decided to go to nursing school to get a BSN. I started &did very well& then “life” happened, I got injured (got bitten by a dog& was injured..I’m ok now)& I wasn’t able to complete a semester, but I was so consumed by my injury that I didn’t go& withdraw from my courses& I “failed” them. I was able to go back& I had to retake those courses& then my life fell a part& same thing happened& I guess I just gave up. So now I’m working in the medical field again, but if I truly want to fulfill my dream, I have to start over. I’m now in the right place in my life, I’m 31 & know that this time I’m ready to go all the way, but I just don’t know where to start. I can’t go back to the program I was in…I hated it there anyway& the program wasn’t very “student friendly”..classes were never available. Anyone gotten themselves into a pickle like I did? I kick myself daily wishing if I had only gone& withdrawn from the semesters, instead of just forgetting about it..I wouldn’t be in this situation. Some might say I’m not cut out for this, but im smart& am capable of doing the work…I just had a few mishaps along the way& it took me way off course. I just need a school to give me a chance.

  23. DIXIE Says:

    WOW SOME OF YOU GUESS ARE QUITE BITTER, ESP VIC WHOA DUDE EVIDENTLY SOME ANGER ISSUES. WE HAVE DRUGS AND GROUP, AS WELL AS ONE ON ONE COUNSELING FOR YOU. THE REST OF YOU BREATHE JUST BREATHE! THEN FOCUS. THOSE WITH ONE YEAR IN TO A RN CAN CHALLENGE THE LPN/LVN TEST. WORK A WHILE THEN GO BACK OR DO CHANCELOR’S OR EXCELISOR’S. AND DON’T SWEAT SMALL STUFF. ONE STEP AT A TIME

  24. Barb Says:

    I’m on a break from school. I just took NUR200 RN and failed out because I got sick (don’t know why) and missed clinicals. They told me to skip the summer, think things over and if I want, come back in the fall. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ver done. I’m 60 and have a BS in Management and 3 AA’s. They thought it might be anxiety. Nursing is the hardest thing I’ve done.

  25. nimbus Says:

    Just failed nursing program too. Was on the Deans’ List with a GPA of almost 3.9. Pt’s loved me.

    One thing nobody warned me about is how utterly SUBJECTIVE clinicals can be. If an instructor doesn’t like you, for whatever reason, and wants to fail you, she can make it happen. Don’t believe it can happen? Oh, it can.

  26. Mary Says:

    Does anyone know where I can take a summer class Adult I (that I just failed by 1 point)so I can stay in my class in the fall? Please help!! All A’s in everything else.

  27. Jess Says:

    I know the pain! It makes you feel worthless. I just failed level 3 of 4 in the RN nursing program. My average was a 79.89% when I needed an 80% or higher to pass and they dont round. That was just one question too many that I missed on the final. So here goes another 5 months in level 3, another clinical rotation on the oncology unit (which SUCKS!!)So The rest of my class, that I’ve been with since level 1 is moving forward, graduating next semester, and I have to start over with a new group of people, thats if they except my re-admit for the fall. BooHoo me, been crying for days! BUT I’m going to move forward, finish, then get my BA and then become a CRNA. No light at the end of that tunnle yet…lol:D

  28. perl Says:

    The nursing program is HARD. Being a nurse is hard. Like harsh teachers in school you will encounter harsh managers and charge nurses and doctors that belittle you and make you feel like crap. Learn to roll with the punches in school cuz you need it in your career. Nurses are tough, they have to be for their patients. Nursing school challenges you in so many way which is good, because out there in the field you will be challenged emotionally, mentally, and so on in so many ways by so many people. Failing out is fustrating. But we all fall sometimes and I believe what you do afterwards is what matters. I just went through the same thing. I had great teachers that helped me when i SEEKED the aid and those that where harsh. Use the aid of those that will help and let the nah sayers motivate you to prove to yourself that they are wrong. I think if you take some time off to think about what you really want and if nursing is what you really want then you dont need anyone to tell you what to do. GO BACK!!! and if you decide that nursing is not for you then use the experience and knowlege that you gain to grow as a person and be happy. Good luck

  29. lesliejas Says:

    I feel your pain! Best of luck to you finding a new program to try. I know it’s hard, but if you stick with it eventually you’ll join the rest of us in the ranks of being a nurse. Don’t ever give up!

  30. nimbus Says:

    I also was failed by my clinical teachers. I was too “slow”, too “deliberate”. My pts loved me and I was able to turn them around like nobody else. Didn’t matter. I was failed the day I made the Dean’s List.

    My analysis: clinicals are unlike any other academic environment. They are highly SUBJECTIVE, not objective. Clinical instructors must resist the temptation to become fascists, wielding unlimited power over another human being’s life at a crucial juncture. Some do not resist this temptation. Oh the power! If you do not like another woman bcs of:

    -her looks.
    -her opinions
    -her religion or politics
    -something she said that you didn’t like

    Well, you can FAIL her. Such a clinical instructor has to be careful, she can’t be doing this all the time of course, but when that woman comes along whom she just doesn’t like, well, she can just let the inner sadist out. It is a well known phenomenon how some instructors like to pick on that ONE poor student, for no good reason.

    We all know that “nurses eat their young”, well, it doesn’t stop just bcs they are a clinical instructor.

    Thank God I didn’t quit my other job, which btw is a GREAT job that I still love, and that actually pays more than nursing. You see, I really truly WAS doing it NOT for the money.

    I will NEVER let my daughter or son go through what I went through. They will be a dr or a scientist, but I will never let them go through nursing clinicals.

    I discourage everyone from going into nursing.

  31. vhusa99 Says:

    I just think nursing school does not have to be so impossible, especially the RN school. Who are we saying that one was not meant to be a nurse? Since when nurse act like “God” and tell others that he or she was not meant to be a nurse? In my opinion, nursing school is for every one and the real “meant to be a nurse” is being put to the test at work, because there are many nurses that graduated top 1% on his or her class had either their licenses revoked and/or found guilty of committed all type of crimes that one should go back and ask if that person should have passed nursing school, let alone top 1% on the class!

    Oh, 1 more pathetic story that was told by the PROMINENT 50 years EXPERIENCED nurse practitioner professor on my last day of my last semester of nursing school was: “Hahaha I had a student who got perfect scores on all of her tests, but I found out that she was on drugs every time she came in to do her tests!” WOW THAT WAS VERY FUNNY! While others who are trying to avoid using drugs and study hard and follow all instructions ever exist, cannot pass the nursing school for not being able to pass the exams and/or not having THOU PRECEPTOR that will reveal what is going to be on the exams to 1% of the class.

  32. SteveD Says:

    My father was a hospital administrator and president of a Hospital that offered a Diploma Program that became a 2year Associates Program and now has a BSN option tied to it. He constantly talked at the dinner table about the difficulties with older nursing instructors and young students. In one instance I recall him tearfully (privately) speaking to my mother about a nursing instructor who failed a large number of students prior to graduation without any discussion with the Dean. He was incensed at the ridiculous standard that was imposed on students who had demonstrated the capability to succeed. I remember him coming home the next evening and telling my mother that he stepped up and fired the instructor. He told my mother, I have warned her about this behavior. This was the 70’s when terminations were infrequent in the hospital and healthcare industry (lifetime employment was the norm).
    Now today, I have watched my wonderful, gentle late forties (years old) wife go back to school and enter nursing school only to encounter one instructor in a community college (i.e. tenured, union, government organization employee) determined to find a reason to fail my wife. I have had to coach my wife to remain aloof to the younger nursing students (so the instructor will pass her next time around) – avoiding the jealousy issues that likely motivated the petty failure. It got so bad that I had my wife place a tape recorder in her pocket while in clinicals but in our state it is illegal to tape record without permission. I know that my wife is not making up the horror stories. In fact, in one instance the instructor actually grabbed my wife’s wrists when away from a patient (nothing unsafe was happening). When my wife said please let go of me the next day she was deemed a clinical failure.
    And guess what? I am a hospital administrator. The program dean is new and cannot handle the political power of the twenty plus year instructor and this abusive behavior of students is allowed to continue. One patient observed it and actually happened to be a retired nursing instructor – she has befriended and supported my wife as a result.
    Nursing School Instructors have the same ability to be abusive, arbitrary and dishonest as any other profession. Too many Deans have no power except to write grant applications, give graduation introductions and fill out meaningless evaluations.
    In my hospitals, I will never sign a contractual agreement with a nursing school without giving my Chief Nurse Executive and her designated supervisors, department heads and charge nurses absolute authority and clear written instruction, backed up by policy that allows them to identify inappropriate instructor behavior (public embarrassment, raised voices, answering questions with questions in the clinical setting etc.). Our charge nurses and department directors are held responsible to review instructor evaluations of students clinical performance and they also complete evaluations of nursing instructors with written copies to our hospital personnel department as well as the nursing school Dean. We reserve the right as a hospital to remove instructors who fail to demonstrate professional levels of instruction and supervision. We will not permit abusive behaviors with our management staff, we will not permit abusive behaviors with teaching staff from nursing schools. This is a Joint Commission Requirement for medical personnel in every hospital.
    I guess I can change what I am responsible for. My wife will graduate her program late as a result of inappropriate instructor behavior and clinical standards that fail to recognize the human imperfections in instructor behaviors. Its amazing how the failure rate in nursing clincials has dropped in my hospital in the past two years since the instructors lost the absolute power they once had to rule as they saw fit. Its amazing how the reports of my own nursing education staff state that the new grads are far better prepared than in the past. Sorry for the fast typing and lack of effort in grammatical correctness – but maybe just maybe this response will find its way to the desk of some hospital nurse chief executives, some hospital CEO’s and some nursing program deans.
    I can only hope.

  33. Al..B Says:

    I have a serious issue. I am in an LPN program where the instructor caught students cheating, allowed them to come back and finish the test, then gave them a “0”, later taking the “0” grade back and giving them the grade they “cheated” to make. This is all after we (the class) signed docs stating that we would be given a zero and removed from the program if cheating occured. For more recent details plase contact me directly via email. Should this be reported?

  34. Sharon Says:

    SteveD

    where ARE you? I want to work for you and attend YOUR school. Nothing will change, as long as failure (by instructers) goes unrewarded.

    Standing Ovation, Sir!

  35. Carol Foster Says:

    I am 56 years old and have had two unsucessful attempts in the RN program.My clinical skills were good,but my theory testing was the problem,I think part of the reason was that my husband who isvery supportive and wants me to continue in nursing school,was diagnose at the beginging of my 1st semester with a chronic illnes. He now doing well and I have been given the chance to take a few classes at another collge and possibilty enter the LPN/RN program in 9/2011. My qestion is am I to old for another round of nusring school at 56 yo? Are there any sucessful stories out there with simliar issue? I know that I would be the best nurse one could possibly be. Please respond.

    Scared and confuse

  36. shirley Says:

    I recently failed nursing school after two attempts at ob class. My grade was in the 90%, but they failed me on some paperwork called an antedotal. It’s funny, my two teachers that failed me are good friends on facebook. Im sure teacher two was asking teacher one should she fail me too. I finally got the paperwork correct close to the end of the semester, but they refused to pass me. Five years wasted (prereqs, waiting lists, redoing this class). They pass who they want, if they don’t like you you’re screwed.

  37. bonnie Says:

    The first time I went to LPN school I had to withdraw due to some health issues I was having. It took me about a yr to get well and reinroll. I went back with peace and was doing well up until the inst. decided that I was done and she was going to get me out anyway she could. At midterm she told me that I was doing well and then 2 weeks later she couldnt seem to find enough to complain about. I was getting good grades in class and lab and satisfactories in clinical. Instructors DO FIND THAT ONE STUDENT TO PICK ON! I am 48 and I believe she does not like older students. We had 3 older students in my clincial group and she was abusive to all of us. Out of 8 only 3 made it thru to second quarter. I will NOT give up! I didnt find nursing school to be as hard as some ppl have found it to be. But my life is probably alot different than some, because my kids are grown, I dont work and I have all kindsa time on my hands. I have transfered to a much kinder school that actually wants to see their students succeed… The instructors at my new school teach and are there for their students when they have questions, at my old school the instructors would NOT answer questions and made fun of their students when they asked questions. Perhaps the instructors didnt know the answers..

  38. may Says:

    entire class failed nsging school. Now DON claims tests were graded wrong. Its been a week and still the school does not know how much to charge for that one class. The next class starts in one week. What a mess with the school, teachers, and now financial aid. the one class is not covered. UFF!

  39. Klarity Says:

    I’m23 years old and also in a similar situation. I failed my med-surg first semester RN class with a 74% on my final, and 75% was the required passing rate. I had to re-take the entire semester and brezed through it. In my second semester i was doing excellent, great grades, amazing evaluations, etc. However due to an unexpected illness i missed a test, and was allowed to re-take it. Towards the end of the semester i had car troubles and missed a second test. After explaining this to the dean, instructors, counselors, etc, i still was no allowed to take a 0% on the test which wouldnt have affected my grade too badly. Instead i was given an automatic F and dismissed from the program completely. So that gives me to failed classes and i cant get in to another school despite excellent recommendations from PHD’s, MD’s and MSN’s. Its so aggravating to have a circumstance beyond your control end your career before it starts. The only local LVN program around here is $35,000 out of pocket. I dont think that should be my only option. Im 23 and dont want that much debt on top of the other school debt i have accrued. HELP!

  40. Sarah Says:

    I too feel the pain. I just failed out of the nursing program. i didnt pass OB and Phrmacology. Now they are saying that i have to write a petition letter to try to get re-admitted. I am hoping to God they let me back in, but i thought that once you do not pass two courses then you are automatically dissmissed. I have been a CNA for four years, but now I don’t know what to do and no other schools accept nursing students that failed. I feel so lost and sad like my world is crashing down on me. Anyone have any suggestions? Or tell me what I should do?

  41. justiceforallstudents Says:

    i m so sorry for you all. i m in no better situation. nursing school is a real nightmare. we need justice. i think we should all organize and plead with the board of education or even take it to washington. let it be known how badly nursing students are treated. with no doubt this is psychological obuse disrespect and constitutes a crime. why is this allowed?????????????????

  42. ajb Says:

    I feel your pain. The same thing just happened to me- failed the ADN (ICU clinical) with 5 weeks left until graduation. The whole experience was horrible, a nightmare and heartbreaking. My instructor, for whatever reason, picked me as that one student she didn’t like. She instilled so much fear and anxiety in me that even the skills I had previously been confident in and performed correctly, I had botched in some way. How is this ethical that they do this? I realize that they ARENT teachers, they are nurses who instruct, but why don’t they have to obtain teaching degrees as well? Maybe this would solve the problem b/c this system is clearly not working– (ex.)- (the nursing shortage) –and yes, it is their own fault.- And fyi- I did feel psychologically abused by this instructor as well as emotionally abused. She told me- “I don’t know why you can only learn by making a mistake first.” Well, yes! I agree, and my first mistake was paying part of your salary. Belittling students is an easy way of “instructing.” We need to get new standards for nursing instructors saying that in order to teach nursing, you must have both a teaching and a nursing degree- makes perfect sense to me.

  43. Anonymous Says:

    My husband was just failed on a clinical 3 weeks before graduation from an RN program. He was targeted, as were 6 other men in the program. they will only graduate 4 out of 12 men admitted. He was told, off the record bu the secretary, find another program because they will take you back but they will find a reason to prove they were right in the first place. They see who will fail on their own and by the last semester, they weed out who they don’t like by the “clinicals”. He was an hour late giving a non-critical med, caught it himself, and never made another mistake. 5 weeks later he was failed. Our family has sacrificed much for him to return to school in mid life, he work unbelievably hard at school and passed all his classes. Now he has to find another program and hope he can finish in a year-should have just gone for a bachelors degree at the university, rather than a hospital program where one instructor has all the power. No one else knew she was kicking him out, no review board, no other instructors-all very hush-hush. Too much power in one hand.

  44. Krystina Says:

    I was “dismissed” the last week at school during the NCLEX-PN Review week and the LAST week of the program. I was accused of having a “bad attitude” at a clinical site and I was told by an instructor that the site did not want me back. I was shocked and confused because I felt my time at that site was great! I got along great with the clinical supervisor(so I thought) and learned a lot. I asked my teacher if they were confusing me with someone else and she stated “no, she knew it was you.” HOW?! they do not want us to wear our name tags or school scrubs because the children we treat are apprehensive about students. I was told I couldn’t go back to the site thus resulting in being 5 HOURS SHORT TO GRADUATE and if I didn’t find a place to complete these hours in two days, I’d have to repeat 4th term!!! I panicked, called places and my school shut the ideas down. I was scheduled to be at the clinical site (that “didn’t want me back”) so I took it upon myself to question the clinical supervisor myself. I approached her calmly and asked If we could talk, she agreed… LONG story short, she said I didn’t have a bad attitude I just “looked like I didn’t want to be there”. She said she NEVER told my school she didn’t want me back and agreed to let me finish my 5 hours and signed off on them. This happened on a Friday and I was kicked out Monday afternoon for defying the school and going to clinical. I now have a lawyer but I was wondering if anyone else had any similar experiences? I was a great student with a lot of friends and excelled during all the semesters. My evaluations, both at clinical and theory were always positive and complimented my positive attitude and bedside manner. Any help or experiences would be appreciated! Sorry for the long post…

  45. cb Says:

    Krystina, I had a similar experience that just happened to me. I would prefer not to say on line. Please e-mail me and I will be happy to talk with you 860 210 1396

  46. Peace Says:

    I just failed nursing school I was in my last semsester. I did not think it was humonly possible to fail clinicals. My instructor pick me out and stressed me out so bad I could not think. It is not the end of the world, I still have my health and my strength. I plan to go back to LPN school asap! GOD has a plan for all of us don’t give up. I thank GOD that I still have a job in the medical field that I enjoy. I have a daughter that is interested in nursing. I encourage her to pursue her dreams. My learning experience will allow me to help her with her education. Remember something good always comes out of any situation that you are in. Stay strong and and be encouraged.

  47. Mary Cummings Says:

    I too am a recently “failed” RN student. I was on the Dean’s List and enjoyed the patient contact in all my clinicals. I had two nursing instructors that were “lifers” in the job, older, bitter, ugly, worn out women that had an axe to grind and a point to prove. They were allowed to fail people at will. No rhyme or reason about it. The graduation rate at the college for LPN is only 26% and the graduation rate for RN is 23%!!!! I kept asking for these numbers when I started the prog. No one would tell me. After two years on a wait list, 18K in savings and more stress than should be humanly possible, I was given no alternative but to withdraw and they still gave me an “F” for the class. Its all about who they want to pass and who they want to punish with their petty bs. As I told them in my exit meeting, they have forgotten or just never really knew why they were there to begin with…..To Teach Nursing….Remember?!?
    Good Luck to all who enter there!

  48. Margie Says:

    OK everyone, this is our fault (somewhat), it is time for all of us to make a stand. Many of the things that were said, has happened to me. I am taking a copy of SteveD-hospital administered letter and maybe a few others posted here to the vice president of my school. I will attach a letter of my own experiences and what I have seen and heard in my classes. Something has to change, this is inhumane, I treat my ex (that’s a good one ha!) better than what those so-called instructors treat us. I too am an older student and just failed out of the program. Before I found this site I was ready to give up, I cried for the past week, I just didn’t what to do. I felt like I was the only one. Well, to find out I’m not, so I’m back and ready to fight, whatever it takes. I can’t give up, “we can’t give up”, we have to let them know that we are not going to take there abuse anymore. We need to report all misconduct no matter what. What do have to lose, another failed class, oh well, it will probably be a failed grade anyway. One of the good instructors told me to do this and I didn’t thinking it was (maybe) just me (eventhough everyone seen it). I am going back and I am going to hound that school until someone with a backbone stands up to these animals. Ha everyone guess what, “WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE NURSES!!”.

  49. deucemom2011 Says:

    Anyone from school in mississippi?

  50. farley Says:

    I feel the pain and injustice of all your experiences. It happened to me and there is no recourse. By the time you could gather an official protest and go through the process, precious weeks have passed and we all know the amount of work that represents. It’s an unfair system for sure.

  51. Nicole Says:

    I completed an entire ADN program and got to my last class Community Health. The instructor was very critical of me. She failed me for everything in clinical. Gave me a U for a poster and continued to find fault. I had two weeks before graduation and could not graduate. I have been in nursing school before and always get stuck with a bitch that doesnt like me that fails me for dumb reasons. The last one failed me because she said I had poka dotted underwear. lol

  52. Tina Says:

    I was getting all A’s and B’s in my first semester of the LPN program. I had an 85% course grade for the Nursing Practice course. Before we could sit for the final that was worth 19% of our grade we had to pass a sterile check off that was only worth 4% of our grade. I had to demonstrate how to insert a catheter. The instructor failed me because she said that the side of my hand touched the bed sheet and therefore I contaminated the cath. She wouldn’t let me take my final due to policy. I now have to wait a year to come back and retake the course. I am sad and depressed. I do not recommend nursing school to anyone and I now know why there is a shortage of nurses. It is true that they pass who they want and fail who they want. The girls that I had to help everyday in lab because they didn’t know how to do it are still in the program. My guess would be that they will pass them because they are in their 20’s and I am in my 40’s. They only want the young ones. The same thing happened to my Mom, but she fought her way through and has been a nurse for 30 years but I don’t have that kind of fight in me. I am done.

  53. Nat83 Says:

    I read all these posts and I have the upmost empathy for everyone who has failed. I failed my recent RN program by 3 points and I’m besides myself. All my friends are on their way to their final semester and I’m stuck waiting another 8 months to repeat that horrid semester! I can’t even bare to think about going through that hell again. I’ve always been an A student and feel very discouraged in this program especially now after failing. It makes me feel like maybe it is not for me. I am 28 yrs old soon to be 29 and was hoping that before 30 I would start my career. Now I’m held back and stuck for 8 months. I have 2 children and a wonderful husband and home.. All I’m missing is my career.. After 4 stressful months of dedication and hard work.. I still fell short. I feel very discouraged. Any advice will help (; Thank you!

  54. GP73 Says:

    I am beside myself. I just failed out of my RN program by 2.5 points in theory, passed clinicals, previous grades in program were Bs. Normally I would of been able to return this coming semester except this was my second time in 3rd semester. The first time in 3rd I WITHDREW not failed but withdrew because I had lost my dad. I was informed the first time I left is now seen as a failure because my grades were low (which wouldn’t of been if I finished). I guess I wasn’t super human as I should of been. Because I was in the course they had to give me a grade not a W by the way the grade was a D not an F if that even matters. I just want to vent, cry, scream even give up! But I can’t, im not sure what to do but giving up is not an option. I met an array of people on this journey both good and bad from students to instructors and I have learned a lot. Ugh i am so frustrated and disappointed in myself. I dont know what my options are. Any advice??? Thank you

  55. NYRNtobe Says:

    @GP73
    I just completed my BSN program. I was enrolled in a 15 month program and dealt with a lot of problems as well. Can you request an appeal? I had ended up in the hospital during my first semester for life and death medical issues. Luckily I survived. I dropped some of my classes, but not all. I wish I dropped all in retrospect. One of the classes I got a C, which is considered a failure at the time. At this time we were not allowed to fail more than one class during our nursing curriculum. I took the class again and got an A and continued to bet A’s and B’s in the rest of my classes. My second to last semester, I had got a C. They decided to proceed with automatic dismissal. We had an opportunity to appeal the dismissal, which I did and requested that my first failure be excused due to the extreme circumstances. They more or less said no and I took it a step further. I appealed to the president of the school and expressed that ignoring extreme circumstances and its relation to my ability to maintain GPA was not ethical or fair. I know other students had issues as well, but I like to think that my letter definitely opened some eyes. Shortly afterward, they made a change to the school grading policy. I was readmitted and allowed to finish my last semester. My advice is see if there are an appeal policies that you can use to your advantage. If not start looking into other schools. Some schools(very few) do accept other nursing courses. I considered actually looking out of state for schools as well as starting over in some nearby schools, by not telling them about my previous nursing school experience. There is hope at the end of the rainstorm. Look into other schools ask if they transfer credits, after you look into an appeal process. Good Luck!

  56. Heather Schilpp Says:

    Reading these stories makes my stomach turn. I too was failed by over inflated instructors. My grades were all passing, never missed a day of clinical, class or lab and my clinical instructor gave me great reviews. During the lab practical my trach tube grazed the manicin’s gown and they expelled me from the program. I got an F in the class, was not allowed to take the final and now on a waiting list to re-enter the program???? My mouth is soured to this. Come on, is this fair? Is there a fair school out there? I am skilled, smart and very capable, but I am also a learning student. My friends in Medical school do not seem to have the obstacles that the nursing schools have. Insane!!!

  57. Ashley Says:

    I feel the pain of everyone’s situation. I also failed the LPN program which is the college level of Nursing. Let me give you a brief information about myself. I graduated from high school back in 2006 and got accepted to the Nursing program with a descent mark. I didn’t know what I wanted to be after graduating from high school but my mother encouraged me to take Nursing. During the first semester of the Nursing program, I did well in all my classes. Until I got into the second semester, which everything went down the drain. I got pregnant and I had trouble focusing in school and going to classes. People advised me to take a semester off and reapply to the program after giving birth. I chose to stay in the program so that I wouldn’t disappointment my mother. So I ended up failing in 3 classes by a mark or two. I was so discouraged and disappointed at myself, thinking that probably if only I took a semester off then I wouldn’t have failed in those 3 classes. I went back to school, 2 weeks after my son was born. Retook the 3 classes that I failed on and ended up with A’s in all my classes. Everything went on track until I got into 3rd semester. I did well in all my classes but I failed in clinical. I got depressed knowing the hard work and effort I did and how far I was in the program. I was only a semester away from graduating the program. The clinical teacher told me I needed more practice on my medications then I will be fine. Since because I have already failed from previous experience, I got kicked out of the program. How discouraging is that? Regardless of my past experience that i had in the Nursing program, I still want to be a Nurse. I am now taking the prerequisite courses to get into the Nursing degree program. I really want people’s honest opinion, do you think I should retake the college level of Nursing from a different school or just pursue the bscn program ??? I do not have any learning disabilities. I am very knowledgeable when it comes to learning.

  58. Former BSN Student Says:

    My case is similar. I attended a then new BSN program after having appealed to be accepted from a previous failure in an ASN program. As a non-traditional student (30’s male) I faced some unique challenges being a part of the culture in some respects. For example; my OB/Child and Family clinical rotation was an absolute joke. I had little to no interaction with clients on the labor and delivery unit. This was not due to any reservations from expectant mother, but instead due to my female instructor having an issue with male nursing students getting the same exposure to obstetrics. As a result, my clinical evaluation suffered because there was less to evaluate. I got the feeling that male nursing students were somehow perceived as being non-essential and therefore had no place in labor and delivery. never mind the fact that it was two semesters worth of required didactic and clinical experience. My desire was to work in cardiac/critical care, but my OB instructor did not see male nursing students having ANY right to the same level of clinical experience as our female peers. I failed OB clinical and as a result was not able to continue in the BSN program due to the fact that I had appealed in the first place. I had spent 5 years working as a tech in a step-down cardiac unit for post PTCI. After the ugly experience at Tennessee Wesleyan College/Fort Sanders School of Nursing, I decided to leave health care altogether. Life is too short to continuously have to appeal and prove you belong when you are not desired. I have always felt like I needed to get in where I fit in and I finally did by entering an electrician’s apprenticeship program. It’s all based on objectivity/performance and not subjectivity and perceptions. I make more now than I ever would have as an RN and I do not have to worry about discrimination borne from being a male in a female-dominated profession.

  59. JLO Says:

    I w/drew so as not to get an F in Fundamentals and Clinicals, but will take Pharm in a couple of weeks. We had all the assignments on our syllabus, but now the teachers have removed them (because we do not want the w/drawals to be able to get a head start on the others that didn’t with draw). Give me a break, now they want to make it harder to re take the classes in re admi………almost feels personal. Are they not happy at home?

  60. JEH Says:

    WOW! I don’t know whether to feel better or worse knowing there are so many stories similar to mine. I was at the “top of my class” according to the DON one week and then dismissed the next. I am an older student who received rave reviews from the staff and patients at the nursing home but got more than 3 potential errors (mainly clerical- no med admin. errors) on a medical cart administration evaluation at the nursing home that we were given no instruction or practice on. I had no med admin errors while in the hospital administering medications. I was in the 3rd level of an ADN program. Someone mentioned being able to challenge/test off on the LPN certificate if making it through to the 2nd level of the RN program. Has anyone else heard about this and where would I go to find out more info on this? Steve D., you sound like a wise man and I commend you on the changes you’ve initiated at your hospital. Where is this wonderful place located? I would love to work there too!

  61. GID Says:

    Well, if nothing else, it’s good to know I’m not alone.

    I just failed a final exam 10 weeks short of finishing in my next term. I’m on spring break now and have cried daily since it happened. I did really well in clinicals and both my instructors and patients gave me compliments all the time. It sucks to be so close to the end and find one’s self in this predicament. I do feel like my future has been destroyed. I plan to appeal, long story and would never post it publicly. If I am one of the one in a million that get the appeal approved, I will repost. Somehow I feel it’s hopeless. And for those people that say, “I wouldn’t want a nurse that fails 4%…” kind of ridiculous because all the other students missed questions too – plenty ! So we all make mistakes, but this is not patient care, it’s theory on an exam. Also, in the hospital, nurse make mistakes all the time as well – I witnessed many by experienced nurses. We are all human. Anyway, the ones saying, I wouldn’t want a nurse than didn’t answer 100% of all exam questions correctly is probably the one making mistakes at work and not admitting to them. To admit that you have weaknesses is far wiser. Everyone makes mistakes. Pure and simple.

  62. GID Says:

    Also JEH— you go straight to the state board of nursing in your state to ask about challenging an LPN exam. They all have websites and you can call or e-mail. I wouldn’t go by rumors or what people say on a website. They will give you a straight answer. I just wrote to mine to ask the same question. I am, however, highly doubtful this is possible being that an RN’s training is different than an LPN.

  63. GID Says:

    And doing an LPN program is a JOKE. the one here is $28000 cash and two years. Crazy, as my ADN program is only 2 years and was half that much (not including prereq’s of two years of course). Writing an appeal only takes an an hour – why would anyone ditch 3-5 years of schooling because they don’t want to take the time to at least try.

  64. XLPNstudent Says:

    I was finishing the end of my second trimester in my votech LPN program and started to have some trouble at first sign of trouble I went to my instructors and asked for advice if any on how I could better study. Not giving me answers just advice on how I could improve. I am after all a single mom on limited income and a ton of bills from college already and got told to find a study group and or I could always withdraw and come back next year. I couldnt come back my school has a 10000 limit on student loans so my chance was here and now. Now I am an X lpn student. Was ejected yesterday March27th 2 days after my 37th birthday. I am heart broken. Made me sit through entire day, taking notes for trimester 3 and go through talk about graduation, measurements for graduation cap and gowns and then I was told time to go. What I would like to know is why do they (VO Tech) programs since they are geared towards adults who are dealing with alot to come back to school help them. I am not asking for them to powder my bottom and give me the answers but help me so I can help myself. I obviously didnt go to school to create more bills formyself but that is basically all I did. I am heart broken and sad. As for me studying, my house is a mess I dont talk to anyone but my classmates my life was school and I did work my heardest. I am devstated and now I cannot go back or I would have to start over but since I complained I dont even think they would let me come back. Help!!

  65. GID Says:

    If this happens to anyone in the future, remain calm, do not get angry and file an appeal (if you feel you have good reason to do so). Take a week to cry, and then form the best plan you can and be ready to follow it. Alternative plans can work too like becoming and LPN or a CNA and working your way back up.

    I went through with my appeal and it was approved and I’m going to be allowed to return and finish at the school that I love for the glorious RN. I was in a dark hopeless vacuum throughout this process, but somehow kept going through the motions and investigated every avenue I could find, including contacting other programs for transfer- surprisingly I got two replies (three in addition to my current program).

    You have to jump through some hoops but there are programs that can take you and they aren’t private expensive places. Just leave no stone unturned, and NEVER EVER give up. Be nice to your instructors that you feel liked you. Use the support of your friends and family. Just never give up.

  66. Laura Says:

    Well, I made it almost through an entire ADN program at a community college (A’s & B’s) until I got to my very last clinical & ended up with a bully instructor who attacked all of us. (one girl had a mental breakdown). She turned me into a nervous, bumbling mess of a victim & then she claimed I was unsafe in my practise. I told the school she was a bully, plus other students had notified the school also & then they put into another clinical with an instructor who was friendly & nice to the other students but indifferent to me. Of course, she found every little thing to zing me with in order to prove that I was the one at fault so they could say that the bully instructor was not a bully in order to keep her. The old girls club made sure as soon as I said bully they were going to get rid of me so they could keep the bully because it is hard to find instructors. Of course, the school will be responsible if a student goes over the edge & hurts themselves because of the bullying.

  67. RDH&RN Says:

    This is my respond to sjs Says: I too am a dental hygienist and love it, yet like you I could not find a full time job so I went to school to be a RN nurse. I finished and now I am a RDH/RN 😀

  68. rmiller12 Says:

    GID,
    Would you still write an appeal if the handbook clearly states you are dismissed if failing two classes? I failed three classes, one class by four points, one by 10. I know I needed to get tested for a “learning disability/test anxiety” and tried but the schools dr called out sick. Then I found out if would cost me $300.00 for them to test me. I didn’t have the cash so I figured I could do it. My hr would get up to 115 before exams. I have called several schools and no one will except my application with D’s in nursing courses. I have to meet with the director of my program Thursday. I thought about asking her if I could appeal it to the committee and possibly have a letter ready just to hand it to her. The meeting is a requirement, probably just for dismissal. I am from the town my school is in and my mother is a new widow and even if I could get accepted into another program I worry about leaving her. I’m 27 and time is not on my side. There is only one Lpn program in my town and they let 20 ppl in once a year and I’ve missed deadline. Help

  69. CVT Says:

    I can feel everyone’s pain. I was a mid career changer and will tell you that becoming a RN at 40 was the hardest thing I ever did. I was a secondary school teacher of chemistry, physics and anatomy/physiology for almost 20 years. Going to be an RN was a completely different world. I was not treated well by all my instructors and my dean was not sympathetic. After I graduated from my BSN I began my first job assignment and I found out about Lateral Violence. This is alive and well in nursing today. It is nurse on nurse bullying, demeaning, gossiping and down right sabatage. It also happens in nurse school. As a new dean of nursing in a LPN program I have been working to stop my instructors from this. No student needs to be singled out based on some preconceived ideas of the instructor. I also had to deal with those students who did not make it through the classes this spring semester. It is hard for everyone but several can return back into the program. I also have said to a few students that not everyone can be a nurse.

  70. nonbullynurse Says:

    All of this is so ridiculous…there HAS TO BE A CUTOFF OF MINIMAL GRADE…IF THEY JUST KEEP GIVING ALL OF YOU PASSING GRADES JUST BECAUSE U ALL FAILED BY ‘1point” we would have a bunch of dummies as nuses who passed with a 60%…grow up and stop blaming everyone else for ur failures…remember NURSING SCHOOL IS NOT ABOUT U AND WHAT U THINK IS FAIR…ITS ABOUT HAVING WHAT IT TAKES TO NO KILL SOMEONE

  71. dft Says:

    The irony in the post above about there being a cut-off is in the high number of spelling and grammatical errors. No nursing program passes anyone with a 60. Further, every major in college usually allows you to falter once or twice and if you are willing to work hard and prove yourself, and get the passing grade, you are allowed to continue. Also have to realize the person failing by one point might just have an overall higher GPA than others that do get one more point on one test. Further, good exam takers DO NOT automatically make good nurses. Human patients are not scantrons. Practice is what matters most.

  72. Gina Says:

    GID:

    Please email me @ [email protected] if you have a minute. I, too, failed my final semester of my community college’s ADN program 5 days before graduation.

    I am interested on how and to whom you filed your appeal with. I have appealed at the school level with no success.

    Need any ideas you can offer.

    Thanks & best of luck to you!

  73. denise Says:

    i failed my 5th quarter of nursing school back in 2006 at a community college. I started blaming my clinical instructor for not being more hands-on with me when I made an med error. Instead I have become a pharmacy technician and hopefully learned the value of being more safe. They are there to guide and mostly protect those patients. I would like to return to nursing, only to ropen those wounds of failing, but I am going to try again, but attempting to go slower and try lpn school first and later attempt rn. I prayed so much to be a nurse, that I failed to take responsibility for my actions.

  74. realmaninuniform Says:

    I don’t mean to be condescending, but clearly, nursing is not for you. As a nurse (which I am), the margin for error is extremely small. 4% is a lot when the pass/fail margin is 73%. Even more so when people’s lives are on the line.

    Nursing school is hard. Hard as hell. I went through business school and it was a joke. Got a degree, and it wasn’t even 1/10th as hard as nursing school.

    With the economy as bad as it is, everyone walking in off the streets thinks that they should/can be a nurse. This is quite simply NOT the case. Nursing is a lot of hard, and to be quite literal, shit work.

    It never ceases to amaze me when I hear people in the health care profession say shit like “it’s not my job to wipe ass, or I became such and such so I don’t have to do that”.

    As a former CNA/STNA and current licensed and practicing nurse, I just want to punch these people in the face. Your patient, and the care they recieve is primary concern. PERIOD. It doesn’t matter if you are a BS PT/OT/ST – A. I don’t care what initials you have before or after your name. If your patient is sitting in their own feces and urine, YOU need to deal with it, and not pass the buck and walk away.

    If you feel otherwise, do the world a huge favor and get the FUCK out of our industry.

  75. Laura T. Says:

    I made it through the entire lecture part of the ADN program with a B+ average. I passed all my clinicals until I got to the last one. I had a bully instructor who would cuss at our group, embarass us in front of pts, made students cry and was trying to find out information about me that she had no right to. Since I did not divulge what other instructors had said about me (none of the bullies business), she then put me on a workplan (first time ever in the program)because she said that she needed to know so she could help me. This is a typical bully trick. Bullies find out information about you & use it against you, no matter how innoculous it is. When I & another student reported her, we were separately placed into another clinical where the instructors retaliated against by failing us both two weeks before graduation. The other student had a 3.90 GPA. I am now demading a refund from the college and contacting my congresswoman to work on getting an anti-bullying statute in colleges and universities. Bullying does not end in 12th grade–they just go to be bully instructors.

  76. Connie S Says:

    I failed the ADN program by one point myself. Almost 40 thousand dollars in debt and four long hard years of studying. They claim the RN program is not equivelant to the LPN program and will not allow me to sit for the NCLEX-Pn exam. I think that these schools should have some accountability. First they don’t inform you going in that you will be screwed if you fail. They don’t tell you it is wiser to go into the LPN program first then bridge to RN. I think the college should HAVE to inform students of this so students can make informed decisions going into college. And you are right dft, good test takers are not necessarily good nurses. I cannot believe that a school full of educators can stoop so low as to give up their principles (if they had any to begin with) and be soooo unethical to say after a student has done so much, Sorry your out, can’t help you, no, you cant take the class again. And, what is going to become of our healthcare system if the colleges continue to pass only good testtakers. I mean, seriously!

  77. newnursingprof Says:

    All of these stories are the main reason I returned to school to get my MSN to teach nursing…I did not fail but ran across my share of horrid bully instructors. I have been teaching clinical for 3 years and will start a full time faculty job this fall. While my inexperience does show at times I am committed to teaching students while honoring them with respect and patience! My system is working as I get wonderful feedback from my students. I am interested in any group that may form out of this discussion related to bullying in nursing schools. There are many wonderful instructors who probably in turn are bullied by their peers…it needs to stop.

  78. Ellen Says:

    I can certainly understand all of this having the same type of situation. In fact, at an older age, in my 50;s I finished well in pre-med though not well enough to get into medical school in the US or Canada. Then I heard about overseas programs that qualify one to practice in the USA. I was accepted into several but had to leave twice for medical/health problems. The last leav of absence occured in 2007, height of the recession and all our funding was withdrawn. They allowed the current students to “owe” until they found more financial resources for them but being on leave, I was not allowed to cvome back. I tried for a year to get financial help and couldn’t get. Getting on in years and weary of being away from my family, I decided to go for an RN program, thinking I would breezed through it after completing 1 year of medical school.
    Well, academics are no problem for me but the lab was horrors with lots of yelling and screaming by psychotic instructors…and put me into ad extremly anxious state. However, I was always passed in lab. In clinicals I received 2 in row bully instructors that seemed to enjoy tearing me to pieces …I was dismissed once from the program adn then re-entered and now am bneing failed again in clinical portion due to an extreme bullying instructor. Being i am 65 now, and have had a successful social work career, I am considering continuing with graduate school in that or a related area. I am though currently attempting to enroll in other nearby nursing schools but wondering if I really want to put up with all this psychosis?
    Patients need to know also how these schools operate as they have much to dread from overbullied nurses who have not received proper training in compassionate care of patient since the ego of the bullies, their power trip adn subsequent tortuing of students is the primary schooling that is done for patient care.
    Would love to hear what others may recommended for me.

  79. Ellen Says:

    To add to what I said above: My main reason for entering RN training was to learn about medical care from the ground up…I have some experience as an Aide already. My ultimate goal is the creation of a Holistic/Integrated Medical Clinic with an emphasis on compassionate care of patients. I can’t imagine that bullying student nurses will provide any kind of compassionate care. Nor do I imagine that it will produce competent clinical skills. Patients must know about this as they are the guiny pigs here. What is the result of student nurses who do graduate after years of bullying and humiliating tortue by their instructors? Many of them will be too nervous or angry to provide adequate care, much less than compassionate, skillful care. I would imagine many lives of patients have been lost.
    I would love to discuss this with others. Also, should not the news media be made aware of this problem? Patients have a right to know this.

  80. new_nurse11 Says:

    Don’t give up!!! Whatever you do, seek help: form study groups with your classmates, buy study aids that break down concepts better than instructors and help prepare for clinical, and most importantly find that one mentor who will study with you. I attended a BSN program that was split between the parent campus and the medical center. 18 students were allowed to finish the program aht the parent campus through distance learning. It was tough, but most of our instructors were caring and supportive. Our school provided tutoring from students that were one year ahead. The new RNs tutored seniors and seniors mentored juniors. I thought I learned best alone. Nursing school quickly changed that. Also our clinical instructors used a rubric scale. No way to fail unless intentional harm was done to the patient.

  81. 4cstat Says:

    Most nurses are codependent and why on earth would anyone want to be a nurse, people just see dollar signs , you can help people in lots of areas, nursing is greuling, hard and you are treated like a nurse waitress. This is 2012-2013 there are other things to do. PT OT most RNs I know are getting out to pursue other backbreaking medical careers.

  82. Karl Says:

    I went to an LPN school. Started with 52 students. How many graduated? Twenty six. It was contracted with the U.S. Army, so 12 of us were soldiers- try as they like, those instructors failed to get any of US kicked out. (One told me flat-out she would not allow me to pass, because I told her I didn’t appreciate her making a student cry. I told her if she threatened me again, I was reporting her to my commanding officer. She then tried to get me kicked out for walking away from a baby on the edge of the bili light table (she told me to go get the chart, so I did, while she was standing next to the baby)- but as an R.N., it was her liabilty if that baby had fallen (she tried to set me up). I graduated with straight A’s, but with a warning on my card about ‘patient safety compromised’, but I decided to forget it and get the hell out of that place. But the civilians were kicked out one by one- not having shoelaces tied, being late one time too many, simple things like that- and none were refunded a dime of their tuition. Saddest of all, most of the civilian students were single mothers who also had to work full time. That is near impossible while in nursing school. Then you get out, become a nurse? And nurses themselves lie in wait to “fuc” you over, cause to to make medication errors so they can report you, scheme against you if you shrug them off when they want you to date them, etc. As sar as instructors, naturally they are 1. Incompetent to work the floor 2. Jilted by a husband or lover, etc. 3. Slovenly 4. Miserable and wretched and tormnented souls. True story!

  83. paperdoll523 Says:

    I just recently failed out of fundamentals, i am not sure where i went wrong, but a month into class my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and the docs said she had 2 years to live. I am her only child and this devastated me. I am also a mother of three, 18, 13 and 3. My husband is out of work and I work full time in surgery center. I could have taken a leave of absence, but I didn’t believe that my surroundings took a drastic effect on me. I guess it did. I could not focus properly or study properly but tried to “think” as a nurse would. “Push forward, life shows Up”. I am going to see my professor tonight to see if there is a possibility of me moving forward. The best nurses didn’t have a 4.0. The patient doesn’t care that you graduated at the top of your class. They want care. Yes you have to pass your tests, yes they prove that you understand the material, but life is it best teacher. School is for those that have a need to learn and want to be taught. Some are better students than they are teachers and vice versa.

  84. oneandonly Says:

    Don’t be discouraged. I knew a girl they told her at this one community college that she wasn’t nurse material, and dismissed her from the lpn program. She went through one of the programs that a hospital offered, and is now an RN. Keep your head up.

  85. oneandonly Says:

    Tere are Plenty of lpn and rns that I know who made straight As, but yet they know they have no business being a nurse.

  86. Samantha Says:

    There’s no nursing shortage. It’s a result of the field being unwelcoming, inhospitable, and full of bullies who are all overworked and burn out.

    Biggest favor I ever had was failing clinical, and leaving the program. The dean laid down a gossip that I was suicidal and crazy, which was false. But, hey politics, and not wanting to look like she had incompetent teachers out there was her point.

    My instructor and the “golden student” nearly accidentally pumped a patient’s stomach, right after the teacher had told me I failed. I was the one who saved the patient by correcting the two of them to reverse the flow to actually feed the lady instead of pumping her stomach. Incompetent idiots. Made me realize, looking back on it years later, that she probably needed to fail me because her ass was on the line for being that incompetent. That same day I had observed a nurse anesthetist screw up so that a patient’s body undergoing a simple surgery was bucking and the doctor had to stop working three times, until he finally called for the anesthesiologist.

    Years later, I worked in the marketing field and was reading the professional nursing journal for a client. They all had articles about getting along in abusive workplaces, and how to deal with bullies. It was PATHETIC AND SAD.

    All those stories together showed a horrible depiction of nurses and the misery of the profession. If workplaces could be improved, attitudes polished, and integrity in tact, then I would have pushed to return. It is up to the individual but consider becoming anything but a nurse.

  87. HOPE2ALLw/HEARTS Says:

    If you work hard with a purpose, you can leave miserable people in the dust! I definitely agree that nursing school is hard work! I had to work full time until my third semester and definetily did not appreciate being spoken to like I was a child, especially since I had already earned a BSN in Biology/French! Does anyone else find it funny that most of the posts on this site that are gramatically inaccurate and grossly misspelled are written by professors of nursing? Shame on you, nursing prof w/a heart and nyprofessor of nursing! For those of you who are still enrolled, do not let miserable people bring you down!!! My first clinical experience was aweful. It was taught by Grandmother Time, who could not even work and IV pump! Needless to say, I graduated from an accelerate BSN program. I was the first student to have a job in my class (before I graduated on and on an ICU unit) and went on to become Rookie of the Year in my hospital. I also became a charge nurse within 7 months of hire! Good luck to all of you trying to reach your goal! Dont let a bad semester bring you down! 🙂

  88. CindyIrv Says:

    I never failed a nursing class but got a D in a management class that I did not have to take at the time. This is the only reason I was dismissed from their nursing program! I only had a few months before getting my BSN. I never went back. The former dean of the nursing program told me if she had been there this would have never happened.

  89. FNP-BC Says:

    I found this forum while researching the educational system in the USA. I have a few comments to make. I was an ICU nurse for 13 years and I will never forget how brutal nursing school was and my first few years of ICU nursing. It was worth it and I would not expect less of new nurses now. It dismays me to see people on this forum only discuss how they couldn’t pass skills lab, or only “made a few mistakes” or who failed certain courses. Let me remind those who whine about how they couldn’t pass: THESE ARE PEOPLE”S LIVES ON THE LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t want a “D” student nurse who failed skills lab taking care of me and I’m sure no one else does either. The nursing profession and medical professions in general are inherently stressful and difficult because of the moral and ethical obligation to do no harm and know what you are doing. I have also taught nursing students and am appalled at the lack of skills- I would concur with some who echo that the education has declined, however I would tell those same people to seek out learning opportunities in order to build needed skills. I would agree that nursing education has declined- many students I saw never knew how to place an IV or recognize emergent conditions. But yet again, I say it is partly the student’s responsibility to learn and know what they are doing before entering this profession. I worked through nursing school as a CNA, telemetry tech, and phlebotomist in order to be the best. Now I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and there is even more pressure to be safe and take care of my patients. So my recommendation is if you are dedicated push to know more and realize that this time spent will save a patient’s life.

  90. Samantha Says:

    FNP-BC,

    Many here were NOT FAILED because of mistakes, which yes, you are right, can kill people. They were failed because of bullying professors who were trying to scapegoat the students for their own failings. Sounds like the issue is with “PROFESSIONAL” nurses fearing they will lose their licenses, which they should in some of these cases.

    Please read with more care, especially if you are taking this research of education role seriously.

  91. MissyB Says:

    It is amazing how people are casting judgement about why some people failed Nursing School, could it be that lecturers are only in for a salary? While in nursing school I met a lecturer that had poor teaching skills poor command of the English language, when students asked how they can be successful she told them to study harder, when asked to explain something and she does not have the answer she gets defensive. After more than half her class failed her subject 2 consecutive semesters she was relieved of her job. The subject taught by this lecturer was Pathophysiology and even though many students needed help all that was available to them was a 15 minute tutoring. Additionally some students had an issue with Pharmacology when they sought help they were told there was no one on one tutoring. Instead they offered a review 2 days before the exam with a senior talking a mile a minute about what she thought was on the exam. I remember after our first exam a half of the class passed and the other have failed, the students were very concerned about this as most had a 1st degree and a 3.75 or higher GPA so naturally they were devastated. They went to the subject. I strongly believe that this specific nursing school is a rip off and partially exists to make money and make excuse about turning out less than half of their cohort each year. What school takes pride in being unable to graduate over 80% of their cohort.

  92. DLB Says:

    My story is a little different. I got screwed on a lab excercise. She came up with all kinds of questions and the reality of it is I performed decent wound care in the clinicals before this lab excercise occured. This instructor didn’t even bother showing the proper way to do it while I practiced and then states that I’m a safety hazard and flunked me out. I was only in the RN program for over a month of course I’m going to make mistakes. AS for all the instructors on here and ones that may pop up, Keep your opinions to yourself. You don’t know me.

  93. agreene6090 Says:

    Dont give up on your dream. Is there a possibility you can apply at another college near by? Is there a tutor who can help you find what are your weak areas?

  94. Heather Says:

    If you have at least 50% of your nursing program completed, you can transfer to Excelsior College and everything *should* transfer. First you will have to finish their ASN program, including a 3 day hands on final exam, then get your license. Then you can enroll in the BSN and just take whatever is missing (possibly nothing- they take almost any college credit with no minimum credits you have to take thru them. Just be aware that California and Maryland do not recognize Excelsior’s nursing program and a few others have additional requirements before licensure.

  95. Tammy Says:

    Some of the comments posted on this forum are not very nursing oriented. If nursing is indeed your passion, your should be encouraging others not discouraging. The problem that exists in healthcare today is that of horizontal violence among peers. We need to be supportive and kind to each other.

    I am sorry to hear that some of you have faced some challenges with navigating your education. We need to remember, some of the best nurses were not the best students (Note this is not due lack of intelligence), and some of the best student can make lousy nurses. Test anxiety and challenges with knowing how to study and take notes are usually the culprit. Keep trying. Our profession needs passionate caring individuals.

  96. Signs Signs Says:

    The crap you are all talking about is rampant in the real professional world of nursing. Heed it as a warning for the crappy profession that awaits you. It’s fine to live for a dream, but it is best to know just when the universe is doing you a favor and preventing you from ending up in a hellacious field. Let’s consider the source of the negative comments against those who’ve failed: many nurses are prescription drug addicts, alcoholics, over eat, smoke, etc. In other words, they have plenty of issues and would much rather cast judgment on you than to look at themselves. God forbid they appear “crazy” or “mentally ill”,which is forbidden in the medical field, but which their poor health habits certainly point to. Good luck all!

  97. ash Says:

    I feel you!!! Im in a LPN program, best student in class, doing OK at one of my clinicals but being failed by the other clinical instructor. The bitch hates me, its sooooooooooo frustrating. Other students can pretty much do whatever they want,( and I have seen them do some shit!). When it comes to me, she makes the point of calling others to my room and completely tear me to pieces. The other students, of course, love it! It doesnt help that the instructor and most of class is from Jamaica and apparently they think they own Nursing….

  98. Kim Says:

    Years ago in my associate degree program, I failed a class by half a point. This set me back 6 months. I did complete the program and later continued with my nursing education receiving my BSN, MSN, and currently in the end of my second year of my doctoral program.
    I know there are instructors out there that have no business teaching nursing students. I teach nursing clinical’s as well as in the classroom. I know that students learn in different ways and I believe that students should be given study tools based on their learning styles.
    For those of you who failed a class or clinical, what do you think the instructor or yourselves, could have done differently or better to help in your success?

  99. LaLa Says:

    Let’s just say you are not the first and definitely won’t be the last. I am a RN who was recently (December 7) in a NP program (for the last 3 years of my life) until I failed the comprehensive final by 5 points (very bad test anxiety). I am so disappointed, frustrated , embarrassed and empty inside. I can’t start the class back up again until Fall 2013. In the meantime I will take 4 classes between Spring and Summer 2013 to get a Master’s in Nursing Administration then start back in Fall to complete my degree for advance practice. What I am trying to say here is don’t give up, follow your heart and dreams. You will make a great nurse one day.

  100. Victor Says:

    I am 45 and haven’t gone to school for the past 15 yrs. I want to be a Nurse and have the passion for it. But this is a new field and i have no knowledge of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology or science. Is it possible if i work hard or must i drop this idea???

  101. Lisa Says:

    Keep your chin up! I just have to say this, I am the worst when it comes to exams, of any sort.. When it comes to knowledge of the background I am studying (Dental hygiene) I am probably one of the brightest students around. I get an “A” on all of my clinical exams, I know the field like no other. I have been working in the dental field for 12 yrs. and the fear of test taking held me back from what I wanted to do most. I started the program 4yrs. ago left after the 1st semester then had to fight for 4yrs. to get back in. I am back in the same boat, I can not take a written test, my mind just goes blank. Even though I know the material, study for hours on end, my test anxiety gets the best of me. I will say this, it is not always the person with the highest grades in class that will succeed in their career choice, for I have seen some of the most intelligent people in lecture not be able to hold their own in lab. I would rather have someone who knows what they are doing in lab, the hands on part, what the medical field is about work on me and know they are good at what they do, for the theory part of any medical field comes with experience, it comes with what you see and do, it comes with an instructor who is patient and understanding enough to see that a student has a talent but struggles in test taking to spend that extra few minutes to explain something maybe in a different, now so complicated way.
    I wish you the best of luck… Keep shooting for your dreams, you will do it,sometimes our dreams take a little longer than we anticipated, but everything happens for a reason!Just have faith in yourself and keep shooting for the stars…

  102. 2old2gray Says:

    Victor–Be afraid, VERY afraid. Take a CNA class,(get telemetry tech certification), take a phlebotomy class, and, if you can fit it in, take an EMT class. Work with nurses and watch their culture; do you really want to be part of it?

  103. Shanna Says:

    Victor,
    You do not need to drop this idea. Taking a nursing course is very different from taking other courses. Pre- req courses are generally knowledge based where nursing courses are analytically application based. What that means for most students is that nursing programs are very challenging and students should not work.

  104. Tracy Says:

    I just went through semester 3 of a 4 semester course for RN. I passed all of my test with at least a B and when I took the final exam I circled my answers on the written test but when transposed to the scantron became a line off causing me to FAIL. Now I have to begin the whole program again; back to semester 1. They refuse to grade the test that I circled my answers on. I have begged, cried and even appealed, with no luck! So, I guess I will have to fork out a bunch more money to get to the end of the finish line. This really sucks!!! AND NO I did not go back and look at the end of the test, because I would be tempted to change answers. However, based on answers I circled, I would have passed and been able to move on. I’m so broken hearted and angry

  105. CNA-LPN-ASN-BSN-and up Says:

    I feel for all of you. As someone who has “worked” my way up through the ranks, I have had my share of difficulties. I, too, almost got kicked out of the ASN program because one instructor “felt” that I should focus on my life priorities instead of school. This was because I was going through a divorce, raising two kids-one of whom ended up hospitalized resulting in missed but excused clinical absences, commuting 3 hours each way to school. She, in her own words “felt” I should focus on family and go to school part-time as she did. Regardless, she tried to fail me and I followed the correct protocols in place. I spoke with my advisor who went with me to the Program Head (Not the Dean). We did a round table discussion with the instructor and I agreed to “write a paper” to pass… about (I kid you not) “The Effects of Stress on the Student Nurse”. I was respectful of the instructor, her decision, and her degrees. I didn’t whine, or yell, and showed humility as a student. In essence, an 8-paged/15 reference APA paper was added to my plate to pass the class. But, know what? I did it. I jumped through the hoops and graduated. You can actually gain some respect and learn professionalism by following the proper channels to stay in a program. It never hurts to admit you may have been in error or part of the problem. Communication skills are drilled into you in nursing, use them in a real life setting.

    Yes, nursing instructors can make arbitrary and subjective decisions. But, the reality is, in the workforce, this happens all the time as well. I have had instructors from hell and bosses from hell, great instructors and great bosses. That is life. The key is to figure out their expectations and play the game. Is it bullying? Yes and no. Seriously, I have mentored nursing students and it is MY license, reputation, and credentials on the line. There were comments above about “tricks” instructor’s play, such as leaving a baby on a table. Seriously? Nursing prepares you to take precautions, be ethical, think safety, and to critically think. That WAS a test. You placed a baby at risk. Full Stop. Safety is paramount in nursing. If students make errors in clinical care and it could cause an injury or fatality it IS the instructor’s responsibility to protect the patients. If you get defensive or fail to have the “oh shit” look, attitude about an error, I would fail you, too. You are not flipping burgers, and yes, dismissing a student for clinical incidents that can cause injury, harm, or death to a patients is a professional and ethical obligation, especially if a student does not demonstrate or recognize the severity of the issue.

    That being said, your attitude or how you graciously handle or chose not to handle a situation is 50% of the equation. My biggest issue in school was having prior experience. Instructors do not like a know-it-all. Instructors do not like students who are cocky or exhibit signs of self-entitlement or pull the gender, race, ethnicity, and etc. card. If you fail a class, even by 1 point, you go talk to the instructor. You don’t have a hissy fit or go straight to the dean. You ask if there are opportunities for extra-credit or when you can retake the course. You show your commitment and respect the professor’s decision and try to make it work. How you handle the situation is more then half of how they will view the decision on whether or not to let you proceed through the program. If you can’t do this now, how can you do it in the field? Communication skills.

    If you are failing or failed out of a program take a good hard look at yourself, how you came across, your attitude, and your actions. Yes, nurses “eat their young” but you also have to take responsibility for how you present yourself as well. If you minimize your actions or lack of actions, perhaps, it is showing you don’t take the laws related to nursing seriously. If you don’t test well, get help from student services. If you screwed up a semester, use the Universities forgiveness policy-especially if it was due to documented medical issues. If you need 1 point to pass, beg for extra credit. If you want it bad enough, quit complaining online and do something about it. Part of being a nurse is humility, self-reflection, professionalism, drive, and communication skills. I have been where you are and a little humility, communication, and ass-kissing never hurt anyone. In fact, in any job, those skills will be required and useful.

  106. Mary Says:

    I didn’t fail out of the program at my school… After 4.5 years, I dropped out. I only had three semesters left, and after so much hard work, I dropped and switched to a new major that I’m not even so sure I want to do. I want to be a nurse, STILL want to be a nurse… But I was terrified of having to go through the experience that I went through last semester all over again.
    I failed my OB course (the theory portion) by one point. However, the theory portion of the class wasn’t what swayed me to drop from the program; If I were to retake it, I know for a fact that I could pass it the second time around. The clinical experience is what killed me. I had a patient who needed his IV tubing changed, and although I had learned how to change an IV tubing set the semester before, I hadn’t done one on a patient before. I was nervous, and asked my instructor to assist me, and instead she just stood there, COMPLETELY silent. I ended up losing some of the medication, because I forgot to clamp the line, and was given a clinical failure. She then proceeded to tall me throughout the rest of our rotation that I was a weak student, and that several faculty members at our school had told her that she should fail me out of the program (which I don’t believe is true, because I’ve had great clinical evaluations and grades in my nursing theory classes otherwise). I felt so beat down and stupid, and dreaded going to both clinical and school, because I couldn’t help but wonder which faculty members she was talking about. I felt like I was the laughing stock of the entire nursing department, and that all of the effort I’d put into nursing school had gotten me nowhere.
    Now that I’m in a new major, I’ve been miserable. I can’t see myself doing anything other than nursing, and I feel like I just threw away my future career. I am going to speak with the head of the nursing department within the next week to see if I can continue the program next semester; but even still, I don’t know if I can bear the thought of going through that clinical rotation again. I’ve never felt this depressed and low in my entire life – and at the same time, I feel like I should keep pushing myself to go forward and try and be readmitted into the program. What should I do?

  107. dany Says:

    hi

    i just got removed from my first clinical in psych nursing. my instructor said i was doing well, got along with the patients and other students well. I also have a 3.9 average in nursing. Degrees in psych/crim

    i wanted to make a complaint about the lack of opportunities that i was getting. I had no idea that the nurses and stuff wouldn’t give me extra duties or communicate with me.

    tried to make a complaint with the instructor, then the head of department. Finally with the president.

    Got removed for being unprofessional. I posted on fb for like 15 mins and deleted the message 🙂 and contacting the president

    I told them i dont want to go back to that environment so they said i would have to withdraw from the clinical course.

    Subsequently, the department has sent me to counselling. I asked the counselor if i can do a RCA while i wait to get re-admission. He said there is no point since i would be reinstated in sept.

    the department heads are looking into volunteer and work opps for me

    what the hell is going on? Are they trying to help me or are they screwing with me?

    Iam suppose to re-admit in april.

    So im wondering if i did something so bad why the song and dance ? and is their any chance of getting re-admittance? i haven’t been kicked out of the program. Iam still finishing the classes for this term

    how long does re-admittance take ?

    im totally lost?

  108. Terri Says:

    Been a nurse for a very long time. I wish I had failed. I would have gotten over failing, but being a nurse has been a nightmare every day of my life.

  109. Terri Says:

    P.S. I make a lot of mistakes.

  110. Angela Jackson Says:

    I have read most of these entries. I am in the same boat, as most of you. I was in my last class for my ADN, I started clinical on Oct. 26, my teacher failed me at day and said nothing. I express my concerns to the clinical coordinator for the school. Only to be told I would be “OK”. I continue clinical for the entire 5 weeks. I did well, the rest of the weeks till the last week. The clinical teacher to make sure I failed, she gave me “U” for a three word sentence, I wrote in nurse note, that was incorrect. I found my mistake and fixed it, the correct way. What I wrote did not put the patient in any type of harm. I wrote, “Foley is patent”. She then give me another “ED” for my data tool, which I used approved nursing diagnose. I was told on Dec 5, a week from graduation, I would not graduate. I was allowed to take my final exam, which I passed. I passed the class but failed clinical. No one at the school would listen to me or look at my documentation on how policies was not followed, and look at the proof I have that what I did was in guidelines that I was taught. That everything this Clinical teacher said I did was incorrect. Again, I have proof. I filed my grievance within the college, only to have it not looked but denied. I have being trying to hire an attorney to sue the school. I can not find an attorney, who specialized in that area of law. I was wondering if there is so much of this going on, has anybody else sued or what actions have been taken on your part? I do not know about you all but $25,000 in student loan is not cheap, that does not cover gas and lost time from work and to spend another $25,000 plus to redo everything does not sit well with me. How can hiring an attorney not be cheaper. Sue the school to get your attorney fees back. When do we stand together to fight this injustice?

  111. Angela Jackson Says:

    Dany, welcome to the world of Nursing School. I would not hold my breath in getting back in, if you do…good luck and keep your mouth closed and your head down. Till nursing students come together and fight the injustice, nothing will ever change. The school will keep looking the other way and letting the nursing dept do what they want. Why, becasue the health care programs are the colleges bread and butter. I wonder if this is why online nursing programs is on the rise. No face time with teachers. The subjective part is almost done away with.

  112. nursing student Says:

    for students that are really stuck and just being treated unfairly I would suggest going up the chain of command and eventually talk to the board of education about your issue. ESPECIALLY if it is effecting a lot of people.

    If you are only shown how to insert an IV for 5 seconds there is something wrong.

    The school really needs to be investigated

  113. k Says:

    I understand. I just failed adn twice & i am 50. I’ve lost over 100000 dollars just in trying to obtain a dream over the last 4 years. I have nothing to show for it. You can always try again.

  114. k Says:

    My instructor elaborated and used untruthful words to make an incident sound worse. I sware she is psychotic. Other fellow students have mentioned her acts of gruff unprofessionalism on them in front of other patients. Are established nurses really so evil that that they will crush & treat another human being so distastefully which may result in a ruined life; another human being that had nothing but positive goals & very good intentions. No matter how competent they are, I wouldn’t want these callus bullies to be my nurse. More than once instructors have stated certain things they don’t know. One instructor admitted that she does not follow current evidenced based practice while inserting an IV. Yet, as a learning student with all the demands put upon us we are suppose to already know it all or somehow research it on the spot when in an impossible moment.

  115. dj Says:

    need feedback about Excelsior from someone who went through the program successfully. Thanks

  116. Hopeless Says:

    I’ve been down in the dumps for two months now. I read most of the comments…..I didn’t know there were so many people in the same situation as myself. I thought I was the only one so miserable in nursing school & had horrible encounters with nursing instructors. I left a wonderful job as a pharmacy tech in 2009 to obtain a BSN. I failed one final exam the 1st semester in the nursing program, had to wait a year to retake one class & the lab to be allowed to continue the program. Then I made it though the 3rd semester out of 5 semesters but failed another final exam by 2%!!! All my instructors told me nursing school wasn’t for me constantly and a clinical instructor threatened to fail me based solely on my quiet personality. None of my nursing credits will transfer to another nursing program. Now I have no degree & about $40k in student loans because I attended a private university. I’m debating if I should attend a LPN program or change careers all together.

    I also do feel that nursing instructors abuse their power and ruin people’s lives without any regard or consequences.

  117. sickofstupidnurses Says:

    I’m sorry, but seeing the RN’s who get through nursing school these days, I can’t imagine who would actually fail. I mean, how do you get through nursing school without knowing basic chemistry, or how to calculate a drip, or how to start an IV?

    Nursing is just one of those things you either get, or you don’t. If you don’t get it, just move on.

    If you’re bound and determined to work in the hospital, take some time off from school and become a CNA. Learn the ropes and get some education that way. I think that ought to be a requirement for any wannabe RN.

  118. Konrad Says:

    I became a teacher in elementary and special ed, Im male by the way, yes it makes a difference in teaching, I had instructors say males aren’t emotional enough for the job, others when I went into special ed said I was perfect, male discipline figure… when I sign up for nursing the instructor asked why… so what other people say CAN’T be what determines your choices… you will not know your ability, strengths and weakness, without trying… take it easy and enjoy what you can… but above all know your not alone, people who care, we all struggle, but overcome. I don’t ignore my instructors comments, I evaluate if I feel or agree with what they say, they could be right, after all I’m not teaching, I wanted while I was young enough, to try out another field and interest, and knowledge and college credits, can be used for different areas, like nursing, if I decided no now, I would get a science endorsement and try another subject to teach.

  119. kk says Says:

    Ditto. I failed two times and feel the same way. I have a BS Degree in Healthcare Leadership and Management and I will finished the Associate in Science Degree after I finish the Algebra 110 Class in December. All these nursing and science classes and nothing to show but blood sweat and tears and a lot of bruised feelings. I failed Nursing 101 because I could not make a 90 on a drug calculation test which is required in this college’s nursing 101 class. How damn ridiculous is that. Then in Med Surg II class I made an 80 on the final cumulative but had made low chapter grade on one test and missed passing the class by two stinking points. Nursing instructors DONT CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  120. helen Says:

    Feel the same regarding those instructors who do not know how to communicate or support their students, instead of encouraging, they take an easier way to just give comments, or fail their students with no sufficient evidence. These would not help nursing improvement or get the new grads with passion. I had an instructor who enjoy telling students “go for your research!” whenever the students asked her questions or gave comments such like “you should not be in nursing”! She got slapped from a student at a clinical setting and cried out, guess what, no any students went up to her and showed any empathy. How can we kick out those miserable people from nursing field?

  121. B.N Says:

    I enrolled into a BSN program in Fall 2011. I failed in one subject and in spring 2012 I enrolled into a new curriculum with additional subjects to study. Unfortunately I failed in the 5th semester for Advanced topics clinical and theory ( for 2%) . I am out of the nursing program as my appeal was rejected by the school due to lack of my understanding of basic nursing concepts -even though this is my first D in the new curriculum. My advisor presented my case to the the V.P for academic affairs but I did not hear from him yet. The fact is Clinical Instructor did not even tell me she is going to fail me / nor I received any paper document showing my deficiencies the entire 12 weeks of clinicals!I know I was slow and nervous sometimes as this is my first experience at ICU. After the completion of the clinicals, I saw a very hostile attitude ( 4 more weeks for graduation) from the theory Instructor that I am taking too much time than other students in completing the test.

    Does anyone think I have a chance of admitting into another nursing school and complete this failed subject and graduate? please do not tell me switch to another profession, you are not good, or go for LPN course.

  122. RA Says:

    I must say that reading this has made me feel better! I have three semesters to go after this one and I am not sure if I am going to make it through this semester. I have experienced the bully instructors. Nursing school is where you want to make the mistakes so you won’t make those mistakes when it counts! We are human, no one can be expected to do something perfect their first time. I had my clinical instructor telling me to do things one way and the nursing staff telling me another. I researched the action in question and the nursing staff was correct! Of course I couldn’t say anything because she had obviously already singled me out to pick on. I have no idea why or how someone in the profession of nursing, that is supposed to be so compassionate, could be so degrading to someone that is trying so hard. Yes, maybe I am too sensitive and I know that is something I will have to learn to overcome and when I know that I know to correct way to do something, I will stand my ground, but in nursing school they have so much power over you. I almost feel like a POW. With 4 years and $50,000 in student loans, in addition to being 50 years old, I feel like my only choice is to try my best to just grin and bear it. And even then I don’t know what they will do. I really feel that they want me out of the program. Seven weeks to go of this semester but I have been having tachycardia and chest pains. I have never had any problems like this before. I will be so embarrassed if I get kicked out. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, including having children! But I want to finish and I know that I will be an excellent nurse. One of my professors told me that new grad nurses really don’t know anything, that is why it is so hard for them to get a job right out of school. The cost to train them is just too much. Hospitals only want experienced RNs. Anyway, I was wondering what I would do and by reading this I have decided that I WILL NOT GIVE UP!

  123. stnurs26 Says:

    I have the same situation. I was out of school for 3 years before ADN program. I got perfect scores in clinicals but failed fundamentals (1st quarter) by 2%. I quit my job mid way of the quarter because I was so stresssed out. Now, I have to wait for 9 months to repeat the class jobless. It’s hard to start all over again. Applying for a new job just to survive and save up again. I have never felt so depressed and down my whole life. I feel like all my effort was wasted. But I have one more chance to make things right. I was not prepared enough to enter the program and my time management was very poor. I hope that next year I would be able to make it.

  124. lostNURGstudent Says:

    I am in a similar situation, 2 weeks before my wedding I got a letter from SVC stating my termination from the program because of two failed nursing classes NUR101 and Med/Sug. Falling 101 was hard only because I had to take a leave of absence for 2 weeks to say my last goodbye to my dying grandfather, the day I got back my professor emailed me to have me come in and take a test which I failed. After failing 101, professors and head of nur department targeted me and treated me as if I was a criminal, calling me out and picking on me by email and during clinical. Med/surg started out great but my clinical instructor had it out for me, on one occasion I had a patient whom I was very concerned about eating solid food because he was barely conscious so I spoke to the doctor about it but she assured me that the pt passed the swallowing test, okay so there I was slowly feeding him and he seemed to be swallowing but it ended up pocketing it and started to choke so I raised the bed up the highest it could go and rushed to call for help yelling and pressing the call bell but NOTHING saw my instructor in the hall way and called her over explained to her what happened and the pts vital signs she told me she was going to lunch and left me, the RN told me she was clocked out and would not suctioned the pt, I couldn’t because I was not yet taught that or signed off on it, so she had the PCT do it. Inside I was freaking out and felt horrible for the pt, my instructor could care less and this was a serious situation the pt could have inhaled some. I sat with my pt for the rest of my time there, told the md about it. I later failed the class and I was devastated because I love nursing and I care so much about my pts, I have caught so many mistakes from the RNs and fixed them, but I don’t know what will happen now. I’m stuck because no school wants me and my credits won’t transfer. I even saw a therapist for a while due to depression from failing those classes. I felt like I had no support from the school and when I wrote the head of department asking for guidance on what to do next she told me that I would be best at becoming a medical assistant. I know I can be an awesome nurse but I don’t know if I can deal with all this corruption inside nursing schools.

  125. B.N Says:

    Finally , I received a letter from the V.P that my appeal is denied. I need to wait for a calender year to re-apply to the nursing program. During this 1 year i have to do 12 credit hours. In the mean time , I tried to apply in other nursing schools but no schools will accept me as I am out of the nursing program. I do not want to do LPN-RN… Hence I am planning to do 12 credit hours of Psychology, get a good GPA and re-apply to the nursing school. Hope they will accept me. In summer I am planning to go to a good tutor and review everything…

  126. cindy beggs Says:

    Is there ANY advocates for nursing school student?

    I also have spent many years and thousands of dollars in student loans due tomorrow since I was “dismissed” from the nursing program today!
    And the reason…a clinical instructor that I was assigned to back in September for 5 days, decided I have Alzheimer’s (I’m 57..think it’s discrimination?)
    or
    he said mental illness-es a whole team of doctors can’t fix..
    and THAT’S IT..
    unqualified to medically diagnose..HE DID and I’m OUT!

  127. Peg Says:

    Dear Nursing Students,
    Reading your posts makes me so very sad about some individuals in the profession you are aspiring to. I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1977 with the exact opposite experience each of you has written of. My professors were compassionate, caring, encouraging and motivating. Students who were failing were provided with additional help, not berated and dismissed from the program. Those who were not suited to continue, for whatever reason were ‘counseled out’–with sensitivity and support for possible next steps in their career and studies, not left alone to struggle as many of you have noted. My hope is that, despite your painful experiences, you won’t indite the entire profession (which would be completely understandable given what I have read here), Trust your motivation to pursue a helping profession and if it is still there, continue to pursue. The characteristics of an effective nurse include compassion, empathy and love–this seems to have been lost on your instructors. On behalf of my profession, I apologize. I wish you well in your continued journey.

  128. Matt Says:

    I can empathize, as I write this response, I am awaiting a decision from my program about my future. My wife is pregnant, I gave up a good job for this intense one year program. Passing in my school is 80, I had good grades on all exams but life got in the way, my wife is very sick, which meant i had some setbacks during this finals week. That ended up in me bombing this final, I dont know how to come to terms with this possibly being it for me after such a sacrifice. We already lost 10 students this year, they did not even budge when they fought to make it. I understand nursing is tough but when these teachers don’t even care that makes it scary. I learn from mistakes that’s what life is about, nurses on the job still make mistakes, but once corrected you learn and become better. I feel that its all about funding, NCLEX pass %. It hurts and i cant shake this feeling of failure. I was doing so well, to come up short with 2 more days left in the semester is just so much to bare right now. There are some teachers that will help, but it honestly feels that our professors don’t want us to be nurses.

  129. Dan Says:

    I’m not a nurse or in a nursing program but I know at least three groups of friends who are or have been in nursing school. The common theme from mature people (30-40s) is that the nursing instructors retaliate against anyone that questions their assertions. After listening to my friends (all male) I think that there is a possibility that sexism is involved.

    I know that the course is very exhausting, but some instructors make the situation worse because of their attitudes.

  130. janice palanca Says:

    We have to get attention to this problem. We have good people who will make good nurses and foreigners are being brought in instead.

  131. Jackie Says:

    I was recently dismissed from my first year in the nursing program. My clinical experience was a nightmare from the moment I met the clinical instructor assigned to the group I was in. It was her first year and seemed to have extremely unrealistic expectations of us. Everyone in our group were unhappy with her, and she seemed to single me out with her intimidating comments. She did not provide clinical feedback weekly, and anytime I would ask for help, I would be treated like I was stupid. I went to the head instructors at school about it, and I even found out another student in my group reported what she had witnessed of my treatment from the clinical instructor, to the head instructor. .What is worse, is that when I did receive 5 weeks worth of clinical feedbacks, it showed I was meeting everything required to pass clinicals. Apparently what she reported to the head instructor was very different. Her notes ultimately caused my dismissal. I was never given a chance to plead my side. I was doing just fine in the courses and in lab, too! It shocked the other nursing students when they found out I was dismissed.

    I feel like they railroaded me out. Weeks before, I requested a meeting to go over my clinical issues and wanted to make things right somehow. But a meeting never happened.

    While being out is a relief due to the end of tremendous amount of humiliation and stress (which resulted in me getting Shingle) , I also know that I should have made it had it not been for this clinical instructor. This has left me feeling angry, defeated and severely depressed now. It is awful! So much financial aid went into this, the hours of studying, the ignoring of my family, and the crush of my dreams and plans. It is so difficult to bear.

    Currently, I am filing a complaint and might possibly involve an attorney. But still, it is so terrible feeling cheated out like I think I have.

  132. Hunter Says:

    I know the exact feeling that everyone is going through on here. I’m a male, young, and 6’1 tall, so I stick out. My grades have always been good to great, my clinicals have all gone well, but on the last week of second semester in my ADN program, my clinical instructor failed me. I was completely shocked, all of my classmates were shocked, and my other professor was even shocked. I’m not some slacker who ‘had it coming’, I’m an extremely dedicated, hard-working student.

    From day one I was targeted and overly scrutinized compared to the other students who were in the same rotation, and if you would ask any of the students in my clinical group they would agree 100%. I was constantly fed spoonfuls of fear and anxiety from my instructor. She yelled at us all the time, verbally abused us, called us the worst clinical group she’s ever had, told me I would never become a nurse, and even called a girl retarded.

    Everyday I would show up to clinical scared for my life knowing that I might fail today depending on the mood of my instructor. She was waiting for me to make a mistake, no matter how small or simple, in order to have the opportunity to fail me. Before passing meds one day, she quizzed me on a med. I answered her wrong. Without any warning of being warned or punished, I was immediately put on probation. I’m just a student, I make mistakes…Besides, isn’t that why we’re going over them before we pass them? I was never ‘worked’ with afterwards. I was told to take a remediation exam early the next week. I went to take it, and out of probably 30 questions, I got one wrong, and it was a tricky one…most people would have gotten it wrong had they taken it. I asked what the pass/fail criteria was, and the faculty member told me, “It’s up to your professor.” I thought, “Oh great…”

    The next week I arrived at class, was pulled into her office, and was being notified of my failure. THE LAST WEEK OF CLASS. There was no, “good luck, I know if you work hard you can come back from this” kind of talk, no encouragement, just, “You’ve failed, you cannot attend lecture, and you cannot attend clinical tomorrow. Give me your badge. Goodbye.” It was so cold and calculated…that’s what I hate the most…

    Needless to say, I’ve been confused, angry, depressed, and very unproductive for about 3-4 weeks now, and I truly have no idea what to do with my life. Nursing was it, that’s all I was focused on for about 2 years before and one year during the program, but after this experience, even thinking about nursing makes me sick…I don’t know what to do really…I feel lost.

  133. Angie Says:

    The way the program works – you need to pass every test with a 77 %, or get kicked out immediately, restart the whole thing sounds to me like wickedness, torture and punishment for no good reason. If you fail a test, I think they should at least give you a few retakes, rather than kick you out a week before graduation. Learning comes by repetition. They thrust dozens of chapters on you in one week and you’re supposed to pass the test in the first attempt,( apart from doing clinicals and other activities.) I think this thing has evil running it from the top. I’ve never seen such inconsideration in any other department. People sacrifice so much time and money, and get kicked out with no means of appeal. We really need to go to the higher authority to stop the abuse.

  134. Angie Says:

    The way they set up the questions convinces me they don’t even know how to write at all, leading students to get confused, and choose the wrong answers. If you’re writing test questions, for god’s sake hire someone who can write properly, to make the questions comprehensible. Students have invested so much, just to be mislead, tricked to choose wrong answers, then get removed. No respect for others, and barbarian action.

  135. LadyLynn Says:

    If I’m correct this post has been here since 2009, any updates? If I had read this then I would say to you to think about why you want to be a nurse and based your decision on that, if your desire outweights this situation, you know the answer on what to do next. I hope all has gone well for you

  136. Margaret Says:

    I attended the only technical school in my area to offer a CNA program….was in the 97% of my class. Made it through 6 of the 8 clinicals at a nursing home utilized by this program. Told to leave by my instructor due to “infection control issues”. Then was allowed to assist a resident in her bath. Teacher was great in class but lost it during clinicals at a site that didn’t have enough linens, trained staff or practiced good housekeeping and infection control. So she seemed to take it out on us…I was censured on something others were not censured on. Just want to be allowed to take my final and take the state exam. Any ideas? She also made a comment to me that “CNA’s need to move FAST,” inferring that I was NOT. I am 55 and was moving in a practicum as fast as anyone else. So how do I appeal this? Any ideas?

  137. Daisy Says:

    Margaret, is the CNA program you’re in a prereq to the nursing program? The reason I ask is that I begin my CNA program in Sept. and it’s a prereq for me. Also, what part of the country are you in? I’m also 55. Good luck to you.

  138. Vforvictory Says:

    I have read most of the comments on here, and actually very shocked. I’m enrolling in LPN school right now, and im 27. It really scares me what most of you have to say, and how miserable it was. Is it really that bad being a nurse out there right now?

  139. Karin Says:

    Hi, I’m a new RN with only 10 months experience in a hospital. Anyway, I am more depressed and withdrawn than I’ve ever been in my life. I am happy I finished and passed boards, but I feel terribly inadequate. I work nights with an LPN and a CNA. Usually we have 10-12 patients . So, that’s 3 people taking care of 12 patients. My coworkers are great, but I am still scared of awful things happening every night. As for the people who say their clinical instructors were unfair, I totally agree. Sometimes I don’t know how I got through it because I certainly was not a favorite. I guess I was a bit of a wimp and I always tried to sign up with an instructor that I thought I could sort of change my personality to suit her needs ( I know that sucks). For instance, we had this instructor in her mid fifties with long bleach blond hair and very heavy makeup. Guess who she treated like crap???? Young and pretty twenty something’s. I’m in my early 40s, so I figured she wouldn’t hate me too much. Anyway, I know this is a crappy way of trying to get an education, but I just did my best to get through it and never butted heads with these people because they have so much power over us. I’m not saying other people didn’t try hard enough, I’m just saying maybe I got lucky by being a wimp and kissing butt just to get through it. Maybe that’s part of why I’m so depressed and still have so much anger towards my school.

  140. julia Says:

    To SRE: Don’t every tell someone whose dream it has been to been a nurse all their life “maybe this wasn’t meant for you” — that is very disheartening and discouraging. It WAS meant for her if it was her dream all her life. Have a heart! I too am most likely failing after failing my second class – Health alterations. I plan to do everything in my power to continue. I am in my 50’s and don’t want to wait a year!!! I am not dumb! and I too just missed passing by a half point! — keep going and don’t stop til you’re a nurse!

  141. stressed Says:

    Hello. I’ve recently been dismissed from my nursing program also. I’m a Certified pharmacy technician, and I didn’t pass the dosage calculation exam. How is that? What I don’t understand is, how this test is so important, but all they gave us was a two page practice sheet that we all completed and brought to class. We each got up and worked the problems out on the board, and they would ask if anybody had a problem with it. I did that and some problems from a packet that another school provided to their students. You could only miss 2, and on the first test I missed 4. Two of the mistakes were minor errors like… I worked the problem out right, but it asked how much the person would be receiving in all over total of 3 days another was the amount for 7 days. They gave us a second test, and I truly panicked. I don’t know my score on it, but I know I’m out. To add salt to my wound, I got a loan to pay for books and supplies and now the school is asking for the money back. I don’t have $2000. The books alone were like $800.

  142. Looking for a better way Says:

    Might be time to look for a lateral career change. You might look into becoming an EEG Technician, proprofs has an inexpensive online course that you won’t need to take out student loans for.

    You would be surprised at what you find if you google “Tired of Being a Nurse” or ” Tired of Being a CNA “.

    The problems with most training programs in the healthcare field are:

    1) Expensive

    2) They pad the bill with requirements that are not that relevant to your job.

    3) They forget to tell you that they are pumping out more graduates then there are jobs for.

    Finding a niche job that doesn’t cost an arm and leg to get the necessary training for is the way to go.

  143. Looking for light Says:

    I’m in nursing school and it truely sucks. I’m an older student and I dislike just about everything at my school. Nursing school is not about teaching the students, but about looking good and making MONEY. My school doesn’t care if you fail, let’s the instructors have too much power. Make their own test and confuse students to fail, then boast about being the #1 in retention rates. Only an idiot would not know that the retention rate is high because nursing courses don’t transfer so no one leaves! It’s a shame. I’m close to failing out and having to reapply, but I’m not going to let these crooks keep my money and not have anything to show for it! There should be a rule that they can’t do that!

  144. Looking for a better way Says:

    CNA’s really get all the cr@p jobs in the healthcare facilities that they work in. Understaffed, underpaid, unappreciated this really is what means to be a CNA, PCT, PCA, Home Health Care Worker, Nurse Assistant, Health Aide or whatever else they want to call the job.
    Here’s a place that not only tells it like it is but has a forum where you can vent and see that you are not alone ( tiredofbeingacna ), it’s not at all what they tell you it’s going to be, it’s a lot worse.

  145. Struggling Says:

    I got kicked out of nursing school ILLEGALLY. I won’t go into too much detail, but the school I went to did not follow their own policies. I was accused of things that I didn’t do. I talked with the legal adviser who agreed that what happened shouldn’t have happened and said she’ll make sure I get back in. After spending months emailing here and there if I can get a update, I have not gotten response from the legal adviser despite trying to call her/email her. I have a feeling they are trying to create a scandal to make it look like I’m the bad one. Not only that, but I can safely say now, if you are a nursing student..watch your back because you may be a target, and better yet, just don’t work as a nurse after getting your license because the actual nursing field is a disaster. Don’t get fooled by the schools who say that it’s a “great” career and there are so many opportunities. Back then it was, but now it’s a career that will drive you into depression and overwork you with no time off, no breaks..etc, which can hinder your health. I had one nurse say that you’ll def regret being a nurse eventually. If you still really want it, I suggest do not marry or have children because you will have barely any time with them now with how things are going, and you will have to commit your life to your patients only. The field is saturated and no there is NO nursing shortage (myth!). So why the hell people are saying go into nursing because there are plenty jobs? There isn’t! What happened to this profession? Honestly I actually enjoyed nursing and did ok until this incident happened. Now I see what REAL nursing is about. I felt I had no where to go or what steps to take. It hurts too because I was supposed to be graduating in 12 days and that’s never going to happen. I’m instead figuring out what to do with my life. Thinking of public health now even if I get back in. I can’t help but feel pity for those who graduate and progress and are blinded what they will be facing. I don’t think many of them will last either with the way this profession is going and will change again to another career path.

  146. verysad Says:

    I am currently in the nursing RN program and have two more quarters to finish my program. My OB/gyn instructor(white) refused me on going for clinical because my grades are not stronger enough to pass the class and replaced my space for the clinical for another student(white) who needs a make up because she feels the student can pass that class. Aside that, my medsurg clinical instructor(white woman) failed me in clinical while I had already passed the lectures because she said she feels I cant do it when I get to advanced clinical medsurg, she failed me mostly because I always ask her before I pass meds or perform treatment on a patient and she was expecting me just to do it and not to ask her, secondly she stated that she thinks this course is not meant for me because of my personality and not confident, also she stated she feels the lpn will manipulate me when I go to work one day as an RN nurse. I was the only one(african) she failed in this whole clinical medsurge. Sometimes this instructor lets some some students to come in late just because they are coming from work, and let some students leave the floor and go home because they came to the clinical site early. When i got late for clinical it was a huge problem in the sense that shes ready to get me kicked out from the course, and when i got to the clinical site early and done with my assignment she kick me to the hallway to answer call lights, but allow some students leave and go home. With this OB/gyn & medsurg this term I had gotten 2Fs based on these two clinical and ready to be kicked out. So unfair and very racist!! Is this all about nursing and their clinical instructors? This is very sad and still grieving

  147. Stacy Says:

    What schools are we discussing here? I am seeing so many similar stories to what I am going through but no mention of school names.

  148. OB-RN Says:

    I am an RN specializing in OB,and I find it so unnecessary the way nursing students get treated,dont’get me wrong it is important to get good grades in school, because that pretty much shows your understanding of the subject,but the mental abuse that professor use is totally uncalled for. They can care for their patients but can be totally nasty and uncaring to students. To the students who failed out,keep trying other programs. Use your credits to apply to a bachelor of science in biology or a science major then enter any 15mths accelerated nursing program and finish with a BSN. BIG BIG SECRET IN NURSING, hope it helps someone.Dont let these condescending,dream killing, nonteaching professors destroy your dream of being a nurse. Nursing comes from the heart, and it is evident on the units in the hospital that some people like these uncaring professors should not be apart of this very caring and rewarding profession. Goodluck to you all.

  149. Will Says:

    Does anyone know of a nursing student had have been readmitted after two failed attempts or for a medical withdrawal?

  150. Will Says:

    I was in my last term in nursing school but both of my parents had health problems and I got diagnosed with inflammatory joint issues. Long and short of it I made mistakes in clinical 5 weeks into the term because I was anxious and tired. My question is has anyone been readmitted to their nursing program after 2 official clinical failures?

  151. anna Says:

    So made it till the final exam. Heres my story, Life happened and ended up having to do some unexpected traveling because being a support system for during a family crisis is more important than studying. Failed test 5, and was sitting with a 75 average before final. Studied my tail off for a week for the final amd praying for a 85. Ended up making a 69 on nuraing 101 lpn final exam. Instructor doesnt responf to emails and acts like it doesn’t matter when they highly stress how they enjoy teaching us. Right now i am planning on a readmit, and taking a bio course, math course, religion course, and an abnormal course or a health and wellness course to prepare myself for round 2 in 2016. Feel so depressed right now but god knows best. Im thankful i finished with a 73.5 and was able to take in notes for second time around.

  152. Debra Says:

    I feel the pain of everyone here. I have been through it in a painful way, but I have put everything behind me. Now, let me state SPECIFICALLY and EMPHATICALLY that life is not all about being a NURSE. I made the biggest mistake of my life by pushing aside my excellent career in the name of career change to NURSING. Because I already had my BS & MS and have accomplished a lot already, it appears most of the lecture and clinical instructors were jealous of me and were always looking for ways to fail me. Eventually, they planned together and found a very clever way to push and kick me out of the nursing program. But I never gave up. I went back to my original career in full swing but still pursuing my nursing program, but at a very, very slower pace without any pressure and hassles. My advice to everyone “DON’T GIVE UP!”, “NEVER RELENT!”, “DON’T SURRENDER!” Everything always happened for a reason.

    Here is my advice to everyone. Never, never throw your career away simply because you are changing career to “NURSING.” Is it really worth it? Don’t be in a hurry. Keep your current career intact why pursuing your nursing dream. Keep your job or career full-time and space out yourself in doing the nursing program. Shot for four years for a two years program and have fun doing it. Like I said, it is not worth it throwing everything away because you want to be a nurse. I know of many students in my cohorts then who still haven’t found a job or pass their NCLEX. So, what’s the rush? I repeat, don’t throw your current career away because of nursing. But no matter what, “DON’T GIVE UP!”, “NEVER RELENT!”, “DON’T SURRENDER!” Everything always happened for a reason.

  153. lynn Says:

    I did my 3rd practicum at an LPN program and basically experienced everything written here. I was in shocked just how cold the experienced had been; the lack of compassion for team mates and students. My career ended with a GPA of 3.8.

  154. Kaitlin Says:

    It is like that everyone in the States? I’m Canadian and I do not know how it works in nursing school in the states. I just got admit it in a BScN- that’s how we call it in Canada. But I know in some Canadian nursing school is that you need to pass some classes with a 60% and more. Also, get a passing mark on the clinical. Do not give up on your dreams to become a nurse. Try LPN if it does not work out well has well.

  155. Melissa v Says:

    Wow, I was in tears today as I was told I could not re-enter the nursing program due to illness and instructor not withdrawing me and failing me out 7weeks before graduating… I had dr excuses and even was sent home by clinical instructor as she seen how ill I was with swollen glands… So I decided to withdraw as if u miss clinicals u fail and 3 fails u done… I had my last 3 classes all F’s then after they told me I couldn’t come back the administration says oh but we changed your f’s to w’s …. Who cares as they don’t transfer and I’m out 30,000and 2 yrs of my life…. I’m also close to 50 so starting over makes me cringe… But it’s nice to see I’m not alone…. I’m seeing a lawyer mon as I don’t think it’s fair

  156. HS Says:

    Melissa V
    Have you read the student handbook? Is there an appeal policy? Have you seen the dean of students. I would go that before you involve lawyers . Lawyers will make it messy but if that is the route you have to go . GO for it ! let us know how it goes

  157. Jack Says:

    It is w ell known fact that nurses in academic practice are well below standard in every measurable way. Not all of course but an astonishing number of them. The low pay at all levels including masters and doctoral prepared university instructors attracts a certain cohort of applicants that are very poor performers. Many of them crave their new found power over students and the have a tendency towards abusive anthology. If you really want to be a nurse I would encourage you to keep fighting and to research alternative pathways. For that matter maybe you were meant to do something else. It might be that you would make an excellent doctor! Keep fighting. Never let the creeps get you down.

  158. Meridith Says:

    All the students really need to open up a call or email or some way to contact forum, so they can band together & initiate a Class Action Federal Civil Suit. I suspect only then, will Nursing Schools & those whom accredit it change. The Class action may probably be best targeted at the Federal level agencies whom Licensure & work with various State BON’s. Just my opinion. I did graduate a BSN…BUT only by the grace of my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!

  159. Kabil Says:

    I really though I was the ONLY one. I also failed nursing school for the second time after going through a divorce and loosing a child, not that is an excuse. I had a degree in Business and I HAVE no idea what to do next, I am also 50 and I have been a CNA for a while. I did not want to talk to anyone until I found this side. I was so depressed, stressed and have a terrible anxiety issues. I felt lost, ashamed, sad and most of all, I have no idea what to do next with my life. I put all my eggs in one basket hoping it would work out. Someone mentioned about the way questions are set up, I can relate very well since my first language is not English, I did not expect to have an A, but never expected to fail. I am a B student but have As in anything that has to do with Math.

    I understand Nursing demands studying but TRUST me, I studied very hard, I practiced questions and did everything I was suppose to do; yet it was not enough. Everything I did was not appreciated, one of my instructors told me she does not see me passing and that kills me from the beginning. To whom can you complain? They all work as a team, yet another one told me to find a study group but none of the group wanted to study with me, they never told me in person but they never return my calls when I asked about study group. The first time I sat in their group, I can feel the tense of how they acted/ behaved towards me. Furthermore, being the only black in the class made me feel uncomfortable to keep asking or when they asked me how long I have been in the United States.

    My classmates never returned my texts but right after they heard I was dismissed, everyone was texting me, wanting to know what was going on. I know right their they will get ride of me. Again, I know it is easy to point finger when someone failed, but I know what I know. By the way, I was the only one who failed in the class! Since I run out of all my chances in that school, I am thinking about going with LPN and go from there although LPN was never my choice and I am feeling as if I am setting back down from having a degree in Business to LPN. I enjoy Nursing and feel more closer to people and helping them than dressing up to the office! I hope LPN is the right route. I cannot move to another state either! Any advise is appreciated.

  160. Tina Says:

    Kabil, have you thought about becoming a CPA (Certified Public Accountant)? You are good in Math and already have a business degree. In this field your bosses, co-workers and clients will love and appreciate you.

    Although you love direct patient care, it will soon take a toll on your body, if done “full time.” However if you decided to become a CPA, you could occasionally volunteer at a health care facility and get the satisfaction you yearn for.

    Please don’t be discouraged by people who do not see your worth. I get the feeling that you are well traveled and speak more than one language. Use this to your benefit. You look different, use it to your benefit. Being different means not easily forgotten.

    Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best.

  161. Amy Says:

    Listen don’t get discouraged by failing .I have failed a Bsn program and associates program which is the last class before graduating . I m a licensed practical nurse.i don’t have college degree guess what m good at math ,and I’m going back to accounting to become a cpa.Please get out from nursing if you can because it’s stressful .i have been working here so I know how it’s . I need only few more credits to become accountant and be certified .Do what you are good at .I m happy that I got out of nursjng I can’t imagine how stressful it is .Nursing is not the only field that you have jobs look around other good majors that has jobs like computer engineer,information technology etc.

  162. Standwithme Says:

    I am currently in a nursing program (3rd level) and the mental and emotional stress has been unbearable. This is primarily due to instructor bullying and abuse of power. Listen people, enough is enough! This is not charity education. we are paying these people and they are litterally ripping us off with a totaly disregard to all the sacrafice and time invested. It is true that nursing school is tough all by itself therefore it is not necessary for instructors to impose their interpersonal flaws on students causing, undue stress to the student. This continues to happen because we are not holding instructors accountable for their unprofessional actions toward the student. We learn to keep our heads down and suffer in silence, hoping to make it through. The problem is as long as we are still in the progrem we become totally submissive to the instructor allowing them to do as they will. Its not until we “fail” the program, we decide to speak up. By then no one is listening because we are seen as being disguntled. Oh did I mention, I’m still in the program? We must speak against unprofessional bullying behavior while we are still in the program even if we do it anonymously. No one person can stop this behavior, we must be willing to stand together.

  163. Kels Says:

    I am in a BSN program in Michigan and was on track to graduate in May. My med surge 2 instructor didn’t like me (I have tattoos and piercings, 0 of which are ever seen at clinical), and she did the only thing that she could to fail me… she gave me a “0” on an assignment that I originally got a “76” on. I was mad enough about the low grade of 76 (that I was given back in OCTOBER) that when she changed it to a “0” in DECEMBER just 3 days before my final, I didn’t know what to say or do… I got 90-100% on all of my quizzes and other assignments and passed all of my exams, but of course the assignment that she failed me on put me at a 73.8% (brought my grade down more than 10%) and kept me from the 75% needed to pass the course. I did the appeal process through the University and it was unanimously found (in less than 45 minutes) that I was graded unequally, unfairly, and arbitrarily compared to my classmates and I was reinstated in my program, but by the time that the appeal happened it was too far into the spring semester and I couldn’t graduate with my class. What’s more, they are making me RETAKE the class (even after it was found that my grade was given unfairly and reinstating a 76% would give me an 85% overall and a passing grade) but they are making me retake it with the same professor! Now I am a YEAR behind for graduation for absolutely no reason, going straight into the belly of the beast, and my nursing program is making my life as miserable as possible…

  164. Yoly Says:

    for sure if nursing professors were good to their students, we would it have more compassionate nurses out there

  165. Vicky Says:

    I just failed Block 3 in ADN program. 88% going into Med Surg, more than half of the class failed Med Surg exam. Then we have a 30 points Practicum which I think is poorly graded- I’ve been a LPN for 3 years and I got 70%!!! I just wish they are a little more understanding…I got 100% in all of my Clinical assignment-but of course it doesn’t count unless you pass the Lecture component.

    Final grade is 79%, but my Lecture grade is only 75.8% (passing is 76%)LifeofaNursingStudent…

  166. Cynthia Says:

    I am 59 y/o now but 3 years ago I failed a nursing program in the final class. Passed HESI’s without difficulty. Blew through clinicals and as an LPN worked in ICU and PCU for 17 years . It does not take a degree to be a good nurse. Yes it says you have knowledge to problem solve. Test taking has always been an issue due to anxiety. I was voted nurse of the year in 1999. I have a good cardiac background and have watched 24 monitors determining changes in rhythms saving lives. I failed the last test an instructor created. The instructors also said the job market is flooded . The criteria is high for passing . 4 out of 10 in our clinical group failed the program and I am paying a student loan with the LPN pay. My motivation is gone and cannot afford another 3 years of racing to clinicals after working full time from 6am to 2:30 pm. Those that say” maybe it is not meant to be” are the administrators that cannot get their hands dirty and have tons of compassion for their fellow nurses eating their young on the way to the top.

  167. Janice Says:

    Failed my nursing program 2 months to graduation. It was the saddest day of my life after 3 years of intensive studying and stress..As someone wrote down earlier on, if a clinical instructor doesn’t like for whatsover reason; personality, race, religion, accent, looks etc and wants to fail you, there is no doubt..I passed my med-surgical lectures with a B+, but failed in the clinical because instructor said I’m not confident, I’m a very calm person (personality) and what I have seen here among some instructors and others is that when you don’t talk and make yourself calm, they see you as not confident. I had the worst clinical experience ever! It was very much of bully, pain, disrespect and unfair judgement….May God help nursing students who go through this kind of bully from their clinical instructors….I’m an alien( African descent), and was the only alien amnong the clinical group, I faced the worst in clinical l and was more than an outcast among my clinical mates. Nursing school is tough when you have unfair teachers as your clinical instructors..

  168. jorrd Says:

    It is very discouraging when you have been a 4.0 student the whole time until nursing school. Im in my first semester. my school requires 78% average on exams, I need 83 on the rest two exams to reach that average. Just took the exam 3 today, what i was seeing, 60% of the students failed this exam. Also, more than half of the student fail exam 2. I know the materials, but the way they worded the question is challenging for me. feel no motivation at all.

  169. Leah Says:

    This is why there’s a problem, infections being spread everywhere in healthcare facilities… it isn’t all book smart and most of it is the testing itself. the master degree superiors and educators are only gas god as the common sense in their melon! I have a family that is just risky for becoming septic and my mother died of severe sepsis (I saw throw the nurse who probably got all A’s changed her dressings and her hair was hanging over my mothers wound and all, 2 other family members almost died of sepsis (all in the care of these high grading score smarties)! so master degree /educators have to re-evaluate because it’s not looking too good out there. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out!! i test horribly but I am gifted with common sense, Thank God and you probably are also!!!

  170. Leah Says:

    *are only AS GOOD as the common sense in their melons (not gas god) typos!

  171. Leah Says:

    WELL, this is actually discrimination, singling out individuals based on anything BUT nursing and illegal. What it calls for is a nationwide stand up, petition all the way up to edu at the white house and make these instructors take responsibility, hold them accountable and the college they represent accountable nationwide and make CHANGE.

  172. c Says:

    Passed all my classes with an 82 or above and failed final exam by 1 question the week before graduation (have to meet minimum on final no matter ur average to pass class). Goodbye career. Any advice is welcome.

  173. Linda Creamer Says:

    I gave up my time, and my money, and precious time with my two children…and my beloved horse…all to accomplish nursing school….I devoted myself to the program….all I can say…it was for nothing….the hours upon hours of sending resumes…trying suggestions from every direction…nobody knows it will be two years this coming May I graduated…cannot get a job “anyplace”….not in Maryand or Pa…..I won’t elaborate on my efforts..its almost unbelievable…feeling soooo cheated…and so discouraged…now what to do

  174. Hema Says:

    I am going through a very difficult time now with the college I took nursing in(Sheridan college in Ontario) I finished four semesters of nursing and had one subject left in order to complete my diploma and graduate…whilst trying to re enroll to take this one missing subject I thought I was meeting with an advisor I instead met with a committee including the dean of the department…it was almost as if I was being interrogated. I was told there was no way I could graduate from the nursing program without retaking the fourth semester ( pre grads) which I had already taken and passed….when I asked why I was told “they ” didn’t feel comfortable signing me off as a graduate because I had been away from the school for 2 years.,,,my question is Does con have a time restriction from the date of completion of program to the date of Cprne…meaning is there a maximum time that when this time expires I cannot do my Cprne or I have to take a refresher ??? Please advise.. I would like to seek legal counsel but this is the one piece of information I need before doing so,…help

  175. Diana Says:

    I believe evidence based practice in nursing should begin with how nursing students are cared for as they are being taught. I’ve been in nursing school for two years. The evidence I’ve compiled includes failed marriages, extreme stress levels, devastated students who studied long hours and were confident going into the exam but failed, yet in discussions in the hall afterward, knowledge of the material is right on target. How can so much understanding count for zero because of a question engineered to confuse? Additional evidence collected is what has been mentioned here by others, attitudes and prejudices demonstrated against students by certain instructors who should absolutely NOT be teaching! EBP in nursing is producing excellence in the profession. EBP in the classroom is way past due! I passed my blocks but I hate every evidence of harm to nursing students because of a classroom environment and such demands that are harming SO MANY! I work in a trauma hospital where there is heightened awareness concerning load, acuity and support. The difference between school and work is night and day. What’s wrong with this picture????

  176. Elizabeth Says:

    My daughter was just dismissed from a nursing College in Illinois after she tried to make an appeal. She flunked one class (Med Surg 2) and cannot get back in after stating that she was working a job while back in school to pay her student loan that had come due since she was an out of school student for two months, she needed to pay within a couple months. Therefore, she had failed one course, Med Surg 2. She sat down with the board trying to plead her way back into nursing school, which is her passion and lifelong dream. They denied her return request. She is devistated and her heart is totally broken. Is there a school in Illinois that will take her in to finish her school. She was at a very fast paced 3 yr BSN program and only had 1 year and four months left. Any advise is appreciated as my daughter wants to get back in to finish her BSN. My heart is also breaking so hard for her. She no longer has that job that had gotten in her way.

  177. Carrieanne Says:

    I read a lot of the comments and find most of the them very similar to my own. I was dismissed from
    Nursing school. Some of the clinical instructors are mean, overly critical, disrespectful and rude.
    It is extremely difficult to function in the clinical environment once you know you are under attack. Often you don’t know who you can talk to or trust because sometime its not just the clinical instructor but the students too. Jealousy, older adult , lpn vs cna, power plays. You feel isolated & alienated. There are usually one are more factors. All designed to invoke fear and loss of self esteem. Try not to let them get to you. Roll that sleeve up, and say I am going to be an RN or LPN, your not gonna shake me. Get mad, get angry, don’t hurt them. Kill them with kindness. Work on organizing yourself at home, in your mind and most of all in your spirit. NO lie nursing school is hard, they try to break you, don’t let them. Find a mentor,
    believe in yourself. That’s how you make it to the finish line. I learned it’s okay to be the turtle. I am still going to get there. God bless you & me. Pray for yourself & ask for strength.

  178. Ms Brenda Bee Says:

    My daughter is in an RN program. She has been a cna for 2 years. The RN program is brutal but for her the biggest problem is being in a program where you are taught nothing by them & having a program that is run by nasty, arrogant, miserable women who are the administrators who truly could care less for students. These women obviously should not be caring for patients which is why they aren’t! Their attitudes have caused my daughter to think twice about her career choice. But I assure her that there are many decent & caring nurses in the world who do their job not for the $ but bc they want to help people. And I know my daughter will one day be a great nurse if she decides to stick with the program. Follow your heart.

  179. Bee Says:

    During RN school, I found it best to read the syllabus, learn what was expected and jump through the hoops. Were there instructors who had a reputation as bullies? Yes, and I had some of them. However, I never had an issue because I did the work and was where I was supposed to be when I was supposed to be there. Oh, and I studied, studied, and studied. Would some of my fellow students claim they were bullies? Absolutely. But those same fellow students showed up late to clinicals, didn’t turn in assignments, went to football games instead of reading, didn’t know how to shut up during class, and had an attitude. I purposely sat away from them so their behavior was not projected onto me.

    I find it interesting how many people said they missed passing by just a percentage point, like 4%. 4% is not equal to 4 questions. Usually 1% equates to something like 10 questions. So, that tells me that the person who didn’t pass by 4% actually missed like 40 questions on his/her tests. If you had 5 tests with 50 questions, that would be 210 questions right out of 250 questions. That is an 84% and would have been flunking in my nursing program.

    Recently, I listened to two nursing students on our floor talking about not passing a test. One nursing student said the book was boring and she only watched you tube videos. She said she thought it was stupid to read the book when a nurse can just google what is going on with the patient. I certainly hope she doesn’t pass nursing school. I hope that her nursing instructor flunks her.

    I had a fellow student who stole adderall from other students. I watched fellow students write on their desks before tests. Some came to class hung over. Apparently, some came to catch up on sleep. One whole clinical group copied patient lab and xrays and took them home to do their care plans. What did they all say when they were flunked or were kicked out? The instructors were bullies. One student went on to burn an effigy of one of our instructors and posted it on FB. (Not a brilliant move.)

    Would you want those people taking care of your family? I wouldn’t.

    Nursing is hard work. You have to know what you are doing and you don’t have time to look things up. As a nurse, you are the one who prevents the errors everyone else makes from killing your patient. I estimate I catch about 3 errors every time I work. I work in an ICU and you have to be able to pick up on subtle clues or your patient may not make it. I’m responsible to make sure these people get better and make it out of the hospital.

    As with my fellow nursing students from years ago, I see a lot of people bellyaching here and not taking responsibility for their lack of studying, work ethic, or life issues.

    To the administrator: I would not want to work for you. You directed your wife to do something illegal. It makes me wonder how many illegal things people do at your direction in your hospital. And look up the Socratic method of teaching. (My wife teaches in the public schools.) My instructors didn’t hand over the answers. They asked questions to make us think. Because nurses have to think fast at the bedside. And did you really take credit for the nursing students who work hard and graduate? Or do you really believe you and your policies enabled them to get where they are? Sounds like you have some issues with either micromanaging,grandiosity, or your another a$$hole administrator. My vote is for the latter. If these people had trouble in nursing school, just wait until they do graduate and have to work under people like you and your bean counters. Not that is bullying.

    I’m glad my nursing instructors upheld the standards of nursing. I’m glad they followed the rules of the nursing program. They ultimately protected the patients from people who should not have been nurses. Although I could not have told you this when I graduated. I realized while at my first job, I learned a hell of a lot from them. I would not be the nurse I am today if it weren’t for my instructors.

  180. Jeanne Says:

    My daughter is finishing up LPN school. She’s done pretty well so far and aced her clinicals. She’s had some trouble with tests and how the questions are worded, but it has improved somewhat. We are hoping she graduates and if she does, it will be by the skin of her teeth. Her instructors test over 3-6 chapters at a time and rarely cover any of the material in class. You are left trying to figure out how you’re going to study, what to study, etc. I think the entire program is ridiculous. We are worried sick about her health and stress levels. They are off the chart!

  181. Me Says:

    Hey Bee, the admin last posted 6 years ago. Since you at least posted this year, I’m going to reply to you. There’s nothing wrong with his sentiment, but it looks like you missed the mark there. Every single person who admitted failure here expressed their desire to work hard, and their passion for nursing. He expressed a desire to make both students and teachers more accountable. I am sure every poster agrees that patient safety is the most important objective. There is no reason to persecute anyone who cares enough to brainstorm and solve chronic problems -even if the person in question will never, ever know you attacked them.

    On a side note, Why would you care about tape recording? He didn’t use it for anything, it’s legal in my state, and perhaps laws need changed -just as school and hospital policies may need updated, as well. Change is the way of the world.

  182. Martet G. Johnson Says:

    Hello. I’ve been an LPN for 28 years. Recently went for bridge RN. Dropped 1st time for PTSD. Was allowed return. Failed 1 test. Went for 3rd time. Final time allowed for that school. Was injured at work. Unable to work or school and clinicals. Failed. Have recuperated and would like to get RN. Prefer online but need LPN to RN program.

  183. Amanda Says:

    What a waste of 5 years of my life for an ADN! I should have realized when I started, but no! This was supposed to be some prestigious school for the nursing boards. BS!

    I took all my pre-recs, AP 1 passed by a C and AP 2 B-. The rest of my courses were Bs and As. Then there was the waiting list… the ultimate waiting list. How long you ask? 2 years! 2 years to wait on a list because this amount of people did better than me. I met those people and let me tell you, they were rude and would have the worse bedside care ever. And guess what and how they did? Well, I had a friend who took it with a load of them and she said how they would talk to people was hysterical, and they would have a heart attack for changing someone.Actually, one girl despised it and said when she’s an RN she is never touching a patient again. (Insert head into drill now).

    So, after 2 years of waiting patiently, it was my turn. Nursing clinical and lab I did beautifully in! I even helped all my classmates who were struggling. Guess what? Lab and clinical have no grades attach to them, you just need to show up. Yeah, of course, apply the knowledge to tests in lecture, but the tests were the only part that counted. There were 4 tests and I got C, C-, D, C, and according to the teacher I failed. I was so upset! So distraught… Guess what the class average was? C+.. Guess what the book smart kid got, (that got all As in the pre-recs), a B. Almost all of us failed.I feel like were all lost and upset.
    In my opinion, I see as this school as nothing but a money hungry institute. There are 1,000 nursing students matriculated in the nursing program. When you step in to sign up, nursing is there number one A game or criminal justice. Where I live, and I just found this out, has no need for nurses. Actually, there is a surplus and a percentage who are new graduates and jobless. I know a college doesn’t need to acquire you a job after but, wouldn’t they tell you this when you sign up? Guess what, yes the passing rate for the boards is an average of a B. But guess what how many starts clinical in one semester, about 60. Now, considering pass rate and it takes 2 years to complete clinical how many actually take the boards? Only 10 people.

    So, now I see why according to my professor I failed. Bedside manner doesn’t count, and yes listen to what little amount of information the teacher tells you, read the textbook and take a test with 3 of the right answers for each question. Let’s not show the students this is how we test and tell them what is more right than the others. Let’s just give vague lectures and have them figure it out. Have a bunch of people who are better at reading a textbook and awful at bedside care pass. Let’s not count the clinical at all. Then the boards will think we know exactly what we are doing. Maybe will get a cut of money( I’m just making that up but, it could be possible).
    I think this school turned me from being a very kind, patient, and loving individual to, a spiteful, paranoid person. Who quit their job, let me not get into personal details. This will end up being even longer. I’m angry, depressed, and now trying to find a job as a CNA or HHA, but now since I quit I can’t be “reliable”, I told them what I was doing and showed them, they said they will call me. Anyways, end of rant.. If you know anyone trying to persue the world of nursing, please make sure they see all avenues.

  184. susan Says:

    Like many of the respondents here, I recently was dismissed from the BSN program in my school as well. I have a history of failing OB clinical due to dumbest reason (for planning on doing 90 degree SQ injection on overweight pt…I didn’t even give the medication). The instructor had tremendous amount of power that all the faculty was on her side and told me I was wrong even though I told them it is what we learned in the textbook. Nonetheless, after I was put on hold for a year, I was able to pass through the other courses. Until this semester, 2 months before graduation, I was dismissed from the program. I was put with the strictest preceptor/instructor that just kept rushing me and gave me the worst attitudes (like rolling her eyes every time I answer something). As a result I blanked out and was failed from the course. With the two failure in clinical courses, I was let go. So I’m trying to find ways to pursue nursing somewhere else. I’m so desperate, please give me any advice!

  185. Phil Says:

    Much of the what others have posted is what I am now experiencing. I failed two of three nursing courses and that resulted in me being dismissed from my nursing program in May 2017. This is upsetting as I had wanted to be a nurse since I was 18 years old. As life happens as it may, I only decided to finally pursue it at 33. This is also upsetting as I left the military, at 33, to go to nursing school. With my two failures and dismissal at 35, I am depressed. I have evaluated what went wrong and concluded I did not have the needed support. I sought guidance from the professors and even a nursing tutor that did not offer sound advice. Near the end of the semester, I began to understand how the exams worked. Unfortunately, it was much too late to recover.

    While still continuing to recovery from this setback, I have discovered things about myself I never really knew. I have also discovered opportunities that may be more beneficial than a career in nursing. Certainly, nursing brings stability in one’s career and income. It is too bad I could not contribute, but this is something I have come to accept. If it is not meant to be, I too have accepted that at the very beginning when the curriculum was made clear.

    My advice is three-fold for anyone reading this or is in a similar situation with academic failures. First, if you think nursing may not be for you move on. No need beating yourself up over something that you tried very hard to succeed and, unfortunately, could not. Sleep well at night knowing you have you done your best. Of course, that is harder than saying it. However, moving on is key to living a healthy life and it is important to be healthy.
    Second, if you truly believe you can overcome one failure then keep at it. But, also know your limits. If a second failure occurs, know where to draw the line. Third, seek reliable assistance with the first two pieces of advice.

    I hope I have offered some helpful insightful. If not, I did my best as we did with our nursing education!

  186. Nia Says:

    I have been in an RN program for almost 2 years. I failed fundamentals and was allowed to retake that. I moved on and did good for everything else until this past quarter, I failed a class by 0.43% and was kicked out. 57,000 in the hole and not much financial aid left, not enough to restart but maybe enough for an LPN program. It sucks because as many, I lost my job while in school made a lot of sacrifices and for what to be told sorry go to another school. This is one of the dumbest rules out there. oh ya and I am also in my 40’s and this was a career change for me,

  187. Simply clear Says:

    It’s hard to read all the heartbreaking stories. I felt as if I had let everyone down. I has so much anxiety during my 5 yrs of nursing and failed 2 courses first semester. Did well un courses and feel like all of u I look for support from instructors and I can say instructions because these individuals who instruct in nursing programs are not able to teach the course. I wasted so much time sitting in lecture just listensing to them read line for line from the slide. I can do that haha. Well after I passed out in my exam it caused me my last strike as they call them. So out I was! Well alot went on and its hard to explain it but over all it was the best thing that happened to me. I would love to be a nurse and yes I was great at want I was doibg. I had done cna and crma for 27 yrs before entering nursing school so I known the information, but want I did not know was how and why these instructor treated there students. Why does nursing have to be so curel and hateful. For individuals who work with patients and oh yes drill empathy into u act as if they are GOD. Well I have said my share and would live to be able to help change the way the nursing programs us s
    etup. We all could make a more friend program were nurses are not curel but want to help students. Not all nurses out there and student nures are book smart some of the best nurses are hands one learns why can’t that happen?
    are empathetic. NOT CUREL!!!

  188. Susan Says:

    WOW….I thought it was just me! I was in my last semester, in nursing education graduate school,and I was forced to withdrawal from the course because the school didn’t have a copy of my license!! In the beginning of the semester I handed in all of my required paperwork; they told me that I was cleared and in compliance. On 10/29/17, I received an e-mail, from the dean of nursing, stating that I violated the nursing code of ethics and had total disregard for the rules and regulations of the school. I had to W/D immediately. The professors (what a joke) shared all of my e-mails, conversations, and private matters with everyone. I had a previous problem, 2 years ago, when my Dad died. I asked for a few days off (on-line school), and she said NO. She said that this class wasn’t the type of course that you could take a few days of from. I had to W/D and wait one year to take it again. They all work together and if your a student who dares to speak up for yourself….it’s over. They are vindictive, nasty, lacking empathy and compassion. They can ki.. my butt. Now they want me to send their secretary an apology note for replying to an e-mail she wrote to me that included capital letters, highlighted paragraphs, and bold writing! If I am given the honor of returning, I have to come to the school, (8 hour round trip), and meet with all those faculty members, bring documentation (that they just received) and a clearance letter from my Dr. I have put in a formal complaint to the department of education, office of human and civil rights, and the licensing department. $140,000 in debt; yes I am an RN, BSN….and 5 weeks short of my MSN. I don’t want to be an educator and for the one educator, who wrote above me. I have one thing to say: stay where you are and leave the rest of the RN’s alone….NOW I KNOW WHY THERE IS SUCH A SHORTAGE OF EDUCATORS.

  189. Sandra Says:

    I am a registered nurse, in graduate school. I have one class left to graduate and the instructors suck at this school. They have done everything they can to make it impossible for me to graduate. Don’t bother being an RN……most of the instructors stink at nursing so they think that by being an educator they can take their lack of emotion, sympathy, empathy, and compassion out on their students. THEY WANT YOU TO FAIL!!

  190. DD Says:

    I was dismissed 9 days before the end of my second semester in an ADN program. I failed the clinical portion of the program with an 85% in lecture. Don’t get on the instructor or dean’s radar. Try to fly as low as possible and really fake it till you make it. I have suffered tremendously. I am an emotional wreck!! I am reapplying to schools and don’t know whether I should put that I have previously attended nursing school and failed. Please give me some much needed advice. Could they really find out If I have indeed failed a nursing program before??

  191. Rose Lee Says:

    I feel so terrible now. I was admitted into an accelerated program and just failed Adult Health I clinical over the summer. The clinical instructor from the first section referred me to the honors program and i had good grades in the didactic portions. I was recommended to be a peer tutor for pharm. the 2nd part of clinical, I had an instructor who really had it out for me because she felt i was behind on some skills. Some of the floor nurses, whom i feel deliberately try to cause problems for student nurses, complained about me for calling them too many times and telling them what was going on w/their patients. Prior instructors always told me you dont get in trouble for what you do report but what you dont. The nurses aso complained that i “ appeared not to know what i was doing for clarifying and reporting critical values to them too much.” For a field that prides itself of evidence based practice they sure make a lot of assumptions. I was also failed for the pathophys part for “going too deep.” I explained the pathophys using molecular biology and was accused of copy and pasting from articles ( i told her ive completed molecular bio graduate courses so ofc im going to explain things that way). Also she told me that i was wrong about things i was right about ( she said calcium channel blockers arent used for afib, amiodorone is the only med for afib; she also said kyphoscoliosis is caused by young girls hunching over and getting permanently stuck.. huh??? I have this disorder and no spinal surgeon has said this). She also said i must’ve misread the notes on a pt who had a whipple procedure in ‘97. “ those patients only live 5 years and he couldnt have gotten diabetes from it because he still has half his pancreas. Well guess what? He did have the procedure and had diabetes as a result. I commented that another pt shouldve been in hospice on a Fentanyl drip. The instructor said,” shes too old for that.” 2 days later , the pt was transferred to hospice and put on a fentanyl drip. I do love helping people but i HATE all the bullying and targeting students in this field. It is miserable! Now i am so paranoid about clinicals im afraid ill fail again. This is very hard on my mentalhealth! The dean was unsupportive too and used my an iety disorder against me. Are nurses perfect people?? I just dont know what to do anymore

  192. Annonymous Says:

    Rose Lee,

    Reading your post was upsetting to me. I cannot believe the feedback you received was that you called the nurses too much to update them about your patients. I would be more concerned if I didn’t hear from a student nurse. I could care less that you tell me too much, id rather know that you are giving your best. I also want to apologize for any nurse that told you that “you didn’t appear to know what you were doing.” Nursing is a difficult profession, not to mention we were all students once and we also didn’t know “what we were doing at times.” No new nurse knows everything, we all must learn at some point. All I can say is don’t get down on yourself because you did what was right not only for your learning but for the patient’s safety.
    I know it may seem difficult at the moment, but I strongly encourage you to take a deep breath, you can do this! I am currently an RN on a Medical Surgical Unit at a well-known hospital. There was a point where I was in a similar, or maybe even more difficult position that you are at this point. I was dismissed from a BSN nursing program because I failed a course with a 79.4 and 80% was considered passing. With that said I put in an appeal for readmission to the program and two weeks later found out I was denied, at that point I lost all hope and was devastated. I tried everything because I knew my calling in this life was to become a nurse. I met with the Nursing Lead of the University, who looked me in the eye and said: “ You know there are other professions in which you can help people, Nursing just isn’t for you.”
    WOW! Not only did that make me feel horrible but made me wonder how in the world someone else had the right to decide what defines me for a career and as a person…..perhaps the input from the instructor that failed me helped with that???? It’s very unfortunate that something as simple as a personality difference can lead to such an outcome.
    After reaching out to the nursing lead, I decided to take it to a higher level and schedule a meeting with the DEAN of nursing. Once again, the answer I received was devastating. The Dean would not meet with me until I addressed the situation with the nursing lead (which I indicated I already had), yet it made no difference. Again I lost all hope. This ended up being one of the most challenging times in my life.
    But guess what? I am proud to say it didn’t hold me back! That summer I applied to an ADN program, got accepted and graduated with GOLD cords!! I had been so far in my original BSN program and only needed 12 credits for my BSN, so I decided to apply to the first university I had attended to finish the credits for RN-BSN, and I was accepted. I couldn’t be more proud of myself because despite my setbacks I PROVED that nursing was calling! And one of the best feelings in the entire world was getting pinned at the ceremony by a professor and a LEAD that both told me nursing wasn’t for me!!!!!

    Although the journey may be difficult, you CAN DO IT, PLEASE DONT GIVE UP!!

  193. Tokes Says:

    Please DO NOT QUIT!!!….The race is not for the swift but to those who endure. In high school, I was told by a counselor, “you will not do well in the medical field.” I listened and became a high school English teacher but eventually went on to become an RN, graduating Summa Cum Laude 27 years ago. Presently, I am completing the Family Nurse Practitioner program. The road is not for the faint of heart. Keep courage…keep going…your goal is attainable !!!

  194. Anonymous Says:

    I am a male in my 20s and did not pass the same clinical experience prior to beginning the mentorship. While I was soul searching, I ended up applying to nursing school with support from my loved ones. On the bright side, I was able to work as a CNA at a hospital right now.

    When I was kicked out of the ADN program for the second time, I considered studying computer science, but my loved ones told me that considering that I should continue on my RN path.

    I am applying to another ADN program, but they require me to send a referral from my previous RN program. I hope others in the journey continue focusing on hope.

  195. Dave Says:

    In my early 20s, I failed my ADN program twice. Good performance in clinicals and skills but I struggled with the testing material and maintaining a grade above the 78% passing benchmark due to exams.

    The knowledge and perspective given to me by nursing towards healthcare, not to mention my experience gained as a CNA after completing my first few semesters of clinicals, has really helped me going forward in my Health Sciences bachelors courses. However, my nursing courses are the only thing pulling my GPA down from a 3.8 to 3.5 in addition to the letter grades looking bad on my transcript compared to all of my other coursework.

    I am afraid about my future difficulties in going forward in my education due to the mark nursing has left on my record. Do I really have to retry an ADN program after completing my bachelors just so that my graduate hopes look a little brighter? Since most accelerated BSN programs ask about your previous nursing history, I assume that my prospects there will not be good despite all of the knowledge I have gained since then.

    Part of me now regrets even going into nursing in the past because I am scared that it will harm my future goals.

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