Failing nursing

[Cats345]

Has anyone ever failed a nursing degree on here?
Just wondering what my options may be if I don't pass?

[Teacakesontheside]

25 years ago one failed on my course - went onto be a physio assistant as failed the academic side. Was great with patients but unfortunately wasn't academic enough (I'd say that was a university failing).
When I was qualified I failed a final year students final placement however it wasn't the end for her, I got the university involved as soon as I realised there were issues, we wrote a report so student knew what was wrong and what changes needed to happen she was then moved to a new placement to give her a fresh start and put back 6 months she did qualify in the end.
Can you give details ? Why do you think you will fail? Have you spoken to the university? There's often solutions.

[Wowzel]

What are you failing on?
Is there something specific you need help with?

[tchotchke]

Is it the academic or practical side you’re struggling with? What help have you had/asked for from uni and placement?

[Cats345]

@Teacakesontheside

25 years ago one failed on my course - went onto be a physio assistant as failed the academic side. Was great with patients but unfortunately wasn't academic enough (I'd say that was a university failing).
When I was qualified I failed a final year students final placement however it wasn't the end for her, I got the university involved as soon as I realised there were issues, we wrote a report so student knew what was wrong and what changes needed to happen she was then moved to a new placement to give her a fresh start and put back 6 months she did qualify in the end.
Can you give details ? Why do you think you will fail? Have you spoken to the university? There's often solutions.

Thanks for your reply, it's the academic side, I have pushed two assessments back due to personal reasons and I have a systematic review due, if I fail that I'm in a repeat situation, but won't get the funding due to it being my extra repeat year.

[Cats345]

@tchotchke

Is it the academic or practical side you’re struggling with? What help have you had/asked for from uni and placement?

Academic side xx

[LittleSparklyStar]

It would be a shame to fail just on assignments. Have you started them? Could you get a personal tutor to help?

[foodtoorder]

Are you doing the degree?
Have you considered a step down to do nursing associate level.
Speak to your academic tutors for help and support, they should be also wanting to speak to you if you are failing.

[Cats345]

@foodtoorder

Are you doing the degree?
Have you considered a step down to do nursing associate level.
Speak to your academic tutors for help and support, they should be also wanting to speak to you if you are failing.

I haven't failed anything just yet, just want to consider my options if I don't pass in June. I'm not sure I would get funding for the NA course xxx

[poetryandwine]

OP,

Do you have mitigating circumstances? If these are recognised as continuing to affect you, your School should be continuing to work with you

[Cats345]

@Wowzel

What are you failing on?
Is there something specific you need help with?

Haven't failed anything just yet, but if I don't pass my systematic review then I'm in a repeat situation xxx

[Savvysavermum]

If you are a uk full time student then you will still get further funding to complete the course (nursing is exempt). You may not get the learning support fund though. There is also compelling personal reasons with student finance. Please speak with your personal tutor to see what can be put in place to support you academically. Do you have course mates that can help you with the academic side - like peer reviewing an assessment plan or seeing if they think you are using enough critical analysis with your examples?

Worst case scenario is there a mentor or ward manager at a previous placement you’ve had to see if there is a full time hca option to lead to an apprenticeship? There would still be some academic work though.

[Becsahm]

qualified nurse here, remember the uni days of assignments well! what academic stuff have you deferred, I may be able to offer some advice xx

[Wowzel]

Book a library skills session- i remember having someone really help with my systematic review and check it was on track etc

[Citrusandginger]

I know 2. One went on to be Head of Nursing at a multi site acute trust and the other is a Consultant Nurse.

Both are fabulous nurses. They just mucked up their finals in the days when it came down to two exam papers.

[Citrusandginger]

Practically, I hope you don't mind me asking, this, but are your struggles with the academic side related to executive function and essay planning? I work with a lot of people diagnosed with ADHD as adults who did well in primary school and then struggled in secondary / uni / workplaces due to the additional organisation and planning needed. These are bright, skilled, caring, capable people as I'm sure you are OP. Does this make any sense and would your uni support you?

[NoEffingWay]

I failed 20 years ago for academic reasons. Was heartbroken at the time but it's worked out for the best. I ended up working as a band 4 in therapy, then moved over to admin and clerical. I get all of the NHS benefits without flogging myself doing long days on busy wards-something I couldn't imagine doing into my late 60's!

[Ritasueandbobtoo9]

You need to buckle down and do the work. Get the marking scheme, work to that, seek help, put the effort in and pass. As a health professional with 30 years experience, now manager, I am seeing students try to get degrees without doing the work, with poor organisation and endless “personal reasons”. The universities should be tougher. I’ve made the mistake of falling for the sob story with new recruits and all it has done is ended up affecting patients when inevitably they are incompetent and when challenged go off sick.

Sorry if that is not what you want to hear but it does need saying and universities need to be saying it too.

[damekindness]

Nursing academic here - there's nothing wrong with a plan B but you should make sure that you have exhausted all the possibilities in plan A. Do you have any extenuating circumstances going on that you could use in mitigation and would allow you a further attempt if you fail? Have you been to student support services to get their help? Your student union should also be able to offer advice and support. Most universities are flexible and want to give you every opportunity to retrieve a fail so you can continue on - do they offer the option of a repeat year?

Nursing programmes are a hard slog combining clinical practice and study over a 45 week year challenges everyone !

[Cats345]

@damekindness

Nursing academic here - there's nothing wrong with a plan B but you should make sure that you have exhausted all the possibilities in plan A. Do you have any extenuating circumstances going on that you could use in mitigation and would allow you a further attempt if you fail? Have you been to student support services to get their help? Your student union should also be able to offer advice and support. Most universities are flexible and want to give you every opportunity to retrieve a fail so you can continue on - do they offer the option of a repeat year?

Nursing programmes are a hard slog combining clinical practice and study over a 45 week year challenges everyone !

Thanks for getting in contact, I do have mitigating circumstances. However, this is the second time this has happened, Im not sure I would get a second repeat year again x

[tchotchke]

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

You need to buckle down and do the work. Get the marking scheme, work to that, seek help, put the effort in and pass. As a health professional with 30 years experience, now manager, I am seeing students try to get degrees without doing the work, with poor organisation and endless “personal reasons”. The universities should be tougher. I’ve made the mistake of falling for the sob story with new recruits and all it has done is ended up affecting patients when inevitably they are incompetent and when challenged go off sick.

Sorry if that is not what you want to hear but it does need saying and universities need to be saying it too.

Wow, aren’t you delightful.

[Ritasueandbobtoo9]

@tchotchke Nursing is a vocation. Taking a place on a course, working with professionals during placement, doing the academic work needed to pass leads to being able to care for people safely. I’m just being honest. Who do you want caring for your critically ill relative?

[Toddlerteaplease]

My ward manager did. She nearly didn't come back. Glad she did though, she's fab!

[Toddlerteaplease]

I think to become an NA you have to be already employed by the trust as a HCA fit a certain length of time first

[winniethepooped]

Nurse here who struggled with exams and assignments but excelled practically and on all placements during my time in uni. Now happily working as a theatre manager.

I also work alongside a band 7 nurse who got a diploma in nursing due to struggling in exams.

The course is tough. You will get through it. Seek additional support, meet fellow students and study together. Ask for further support from link lecturer/tutor.

Ignore absolute ridiculous comments from the likes of @Ritasueandbobtoo9

[winniethepooped]

@Ritasueandbobtoo9

@tchotchke Nursing is a vocation. Taking a place on a course, working with professionals during placement, doing the academic work needed to pass leads to being able to care for people safely. I’m just being honest. Who do you want caring for your critically ill relative?

I'd like someone caring and compassionate and thoughtful and diligent and respectful.

The stuff I was expected to spew out on paper in an exam hall never prepared me or taught me the skills of nursing at its core.