Hey Everyone!  I really would like some input on this issue.  As some of you know I have been taking a CNA class and have really been enjoying it - I start clinicals this weekend and looking forward to it.  There are 20 people in the CNA class I am taking and like myself - most of them are planning on pursueing a career in nursing.  Before class started the other day, several of us were talking about the ADN program that is offered at the same college we are taking the CNA class.  Over the last few weeks there have been over 40 students "kicked" out of the class because of falling below the required grade average.  Some of these students dropped just half a point below average and were dismissed.  I know several of the students that were dismissed and they are remarkable students that always make good grades.  The ladies I was talking to in the CNA class all made the comment that if Nursing School is that hard they aren't sure if that is what they want to go into or not.  Honestly I was one of the ones who made the comment also.  I understand that Nursing is a very challenging field and students in a Nursing program need to be very disciplined in order to succeed.  I'm wondering if all nursing programs are as strict as the one at this particular community college?  I mean I would understand if a nursing student fell several points below average - but just half a point.  I don't understand.  What does everyone think?

soswalt: 

Thanks for making this post. I'm currently a second year nursing student who will graduate in May 2009....God willing.  Last year (both semesters) I was holding a "B" in the nursing program. I was very proud of that grade too.  My school considers 78% a passing grade. This semester is much harder for me for some reason. Not sure why. My study habits are the same.

It is true that students are dismissed and will do over the semester if they fail. I really hate the word, fail.  I knew someone with a 77.9, and the administration of the school would not allow them to move on to the next semester and they had to retake the semester over. Its a heartbreak I'm sure.  Nursing school is hard and I wouldn't let anyone tell me that it was easy for them because I wouldn't believe them one bit.  I will say that some areas of study are less difficult than others.

My school only gives us 4 tests per semester along with our final. I am TOTALLY against this. I know other schools that test the students each week with less information and I like this way so much better. My friend goes to this school and at least he had many tests that would give him a combined score. If you didn't pass a few at least you knew you had others to catch up on. His passing score was 80%.

I feel nursing schools are very hard on their students, as they should be, but when you are so close, it's sad that you can't move on. I think they are LOSING some good nurses because of this policy. Some students who missed it by a point will become depressed and possibly DROP OUT totally thinking they can't make it.  I have that feeling sometime, but I try to stay positive. No one is taking nursing away from me. This is my passion.

My friends and I often talk about school and grades. To make ourselves feel better we say that when we become RN's, no one is going to know if we got A's or C's or how many times we had to retake a semester to pass.  Pass the NCLEX and become a RN...that's what it's all about. Then go out into the world and make someone HAPPY.

Before nursing school, I went through a lot of classes and training programs. Things like MCSE, 3 different survival schools in the military, various leadership schools, etc.  Nothing really prepared me for nursing school, and it was the first time I ever felt like I could fail. Absolutely the hardest thing I ever did, and I could not have done it all on my own.

In nursing school, we had a study group from Day1. All those in that study group had straight As and passed the boards on the first try. The people who didn't make it? The ones who were late every day to class, late coming back from breaks, forgot to bring their books, had to re-do care plans several times to get it right, barely passed quizzes and tests all year. If you get in to bad habits and fall behind, it is tough to make up ground. Buddy up with somebody to study with and make the commitment.

And when things get tough, you always have support here! We won't taunt you or make mockery TOO much. We've all been there, hated that.

There has to be a cutoff somewhere. Think about it - would you want a nurse that failed nursing school? And sometimes people don't fess up about why they were kicked out. It is strict, but it has to be.

Hey, I'm a senior nursing student, I'll be graduating in May 2009. I did excellent the first year in nursing school I got B's in both of the semmesters. This semmesters is alot tougher!!! A lot of students in my class are failing. The nursing program is very strict because you have to jugle clinical (mostly clinical paperwork) and catch up and study for lectures. Every semmester we have only 4 tests and a Final exam. The key is to keep up with the material and never procrastinate....you have to honestly devote to nursing school: limiting social events. But it's like other people have told u before: as long as you pass, doesn't matter if u pass with a B, or a C+ u'll graduate and once u pass the NCLEX..that's it u'll be officially and RN.....u'll always have a job. No one will ask u ur grades or judge u by ur GPA, with such a  high demand for nurses.....recreuters won't even bother about grades as long as ur an RN. Just think positive: If we've made it so far, u can and u will too be a nurse one day.

soswalt says ...

Hey Everyone!  I really would like some input on this issue.  As some of you know I have been taking a CNA class and have really been enjoying it - I start clinicals this weekend and looking forward to it.  There are 20 people in the CNA class I am taking and like myself - most of them are planning on pursueing a career in nursing.  Before class started the other day, several of us were talking about the ADN program that is offered at the same college we are taking the CNA class.  Over the last few weeks there have been over 40 students "kicked" out of the class because of falling below the required grade average.  Some of these students dropped just half a point below average and were dismissed.  I know several of the students that were dismissed and they are remarkable students that always make good grades.  The ladies I was talking to in the CNA class all made the comment that if Nursing School is that hard they aren't sure if that is what they want to go into or not.  Honestly I was one of the ones who made the comment also.  I understand that Nursing is a very challenging field and students in a Nursing program need to be very disciplined in order to succeed.  I'm wondering if all nursing programs are as strict as the one at this particular community college?  I mean I would understand if a nursing student fell several points below average - but just half a point.  I don't understand.  What does everyone think?

 I went to a nursing school ini which you get your BSN in 12 months, so everyone in my class had a previous bachelors, they were committed to the study of nursing and they knew 'going in' it was 'full throttle' for 12 months. I do recall (this was MANY years ago)  that there was one person who started the program who dropped out, but  that was it. I don't recall our nursing program being strict. The faculty wanted to see as many students succeed; they were CLEAR that no corners were to be cut.

But, if they saw people flailing, they were more inclined to give you help, than give you "the boot." Nursing school is tough, but as long as you keep your 'nose to the grindstone,' you should be ok. Good Luck,     Annie

I hear ya talbrecht123! I know many who didn't pass this semester. It's sad and it was only by less than a point. 78 is passing at my nursing school.  I thought I might have been one of them but I did great on the final, which helped me out a lot. I got an 83 on the final and it counted 35% of my grade.

It's stressful for sure. Maybe that is putting it mildly. My school only gives 4 tests per semester along with the final exam.

Keep your head high and just keep going. Don't let anyone stop you......even if you do have some insturctors who really don't care or can't teach properly.  I have encountered a couple of them but for the most part, I love some of my insturctors.

I do SO MUCH reading on my own too. Lots of things are on our tests that the instuctor never even went over. Go figure.

Quote:

In nursing school, we had a study group from Day1. All those in that study group had straight As and passed the boards on the first try. The people who didn't make it? The ones who were late every day to class, late coming back from breaks, forgot to bring their books, had to re-do care plans several times to get it right, barely passed quizzes and tests all year. If you get in to bad habits and fall behind, it is tough to make up ground. Buddy up with somebody to study with and make the commitment.<End quote

Sorry, But that is a not a fair statement from you. Your inplying the only reason people fail is that they didn't try hard enough. I am passing {first year nursing student} but not by much. I study over 30 hrs a week, we have tests every week sometimes two tests a week, the course is extremely hard, it is possiable for people to do everything right and still fail. I know others working just as hard who probably aren't going to make it this time through, heck I may not.   BUT it sure will not be because I didn't try.  Some people just struggle and don't get it the first time.