Why You Will Fail Out of Nursing School (If You Fail Out)

Let me start by saying: I’m rooting for all of you! I don’t want anyone to fail out of nursing school. But let's get real for a second—according to the National League for Nursing Study, the rate of students who either fail or drop out of nursing school is 20%. That’s 1 out of every 5 students.

So, if you’re at orientation and you look around, remember that at least one of you won’t be there at graduation. That’s a pretty sobering statistic, but it’s important to keep in mind. If it motivates you to work harder, then good. I want you all to succeed, but the reality is, some of you will flunk out. Some of you will drop out. I don’t want that to happen, but I think it’s important to be aware of the reasons why it does.

Let’s break it down so you can avoid the pitfalls and make sure you’re one of the students who doesn’t fail out of nursing school.

1. Not Having a Strong Study System in Place

One of the biggest reasons nursing students fail is because they don’t have a solid study system by the time nursing school starts. Now, I get it—everyone has their own way of studying. What works for one person doesn’t always work for someone else, and that’s okay. But if you don’t take the time to figure it out before nursing school, you’re already behind the 8-ball.

Remember your pre-requisites? Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition? Those college-level classes are the perfect opportunity to perfect your study system. Try out different methods and see what works for you. You’ll need a fine-tuned system by the time nursing school begins, or you’ll be scrambling.

But be warned—nursing school isn’t like your pre-requisite classes. It’s going to feel different. You’re going to have to adjust. I remember after my first nursing exam, I thought, "What just happened?!" I got straight A’s in my pre-requisites, but this exam? I barely scraped by with a low B. It's a wake-up call.

Nursing school is different because you’re now surrounded by other students who were straight A students too. The competition is tough. The good news is, if you have a solid study system, you’ll be prepared to work a little harder to maintain those grades.

2. Not Setting Aside Enough Time for Studying

So, you think you can wing it with a little last-minute cramming? Wrong. One of the biggest mistakes nursing students make is underestimating how much time they need to study. Nursing school isn’t just about memorizing facts. It’s about understanding information on a much deeper level—so deep that you can apply it to real-life situations that may not be exactly like what you learned in class.

And guess what? This is where it gets tricky: you have to be a little selfish with your time. I know—it sounds harsh, but trust me. Nursing school demands your attention, and your family, friends, and yes, even your Netflix binge are going to have to take a backseat. It's okay to say no to things because you have to focus on what matters right now: your future.

You’ve paid for this, you’ve committed to this, and your family has supported you. So, it’s time to put in the work. Set boundaries, say “no” when you need to, and prioritize your education.

3. Letting Stressful Life Circumstances Get in the Way

Life is unpredictable. You might face some challenging, stressful situations during nursing school—whether it’s an unexpected pregnancy, a death in the family, or some other major life event. And yes, those things are hard. It’s easy to want to throw in the towel and say, “I just can’t do this right now.” But before you do that, consider your options.

Nursing school professors have seen it all. They've been there and have worked with students in tough situations. So instead of dropping out immediately, go talk to your professors. Be honest, tell them what's going on, and ask about options. Sometimes, all it takes is one teacher’s encouragement to keep going.

They might even have worked with students in similar situations before. You can still succeed despite life's curveballs, but you need to communicate and make sure you’re not making a rash decision.

4. Relying on Cramming Instead of Consistent Study

I get it—sometimes life gets crazy, and cramming just seems like the only option. But here's the deal: cramming is a one-way ticket to Stressville, and you don’t want to be there. Trust me, I’ve been there.

When you try to cram the night before an exam, the information may look familiar, but that’s a dangerous place to be. Teachers design tests in such a way that some wrong answers will look familiar. You don’t want to fall for that trick!

Instead of cramming, commit to studying a little bit each day. Even if you can only do flashcards for 20 minutes a day, that’s better than cramming all night long. Your brain will thank you when you’re walking into that exam well-rested and prepared.

5. Missing Deadlines and Assignments

Do you use a planner? If not, you should. Missing assignments is one of the easiest ways to slip up in nursing school. It’s that one zero that could completely tank your grade. And once you miss one deadline, it becomes so much harder to catch up.

Use whatever system works for you: paper planner, Google Calendar, or some fancy app that I’ve never heard of. But please, get it out of your brain and onto paper (or your phone, whatever works). Set reminders—lots of them! Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

And don't forget to help out your classmates. If you’ve got a study group, send out a friendly reminder text: "Hey, did you get that assignment in?" Look out for each other. But do not rely on others to remind you—that’s your job.

6. Poor Time Management Skills

You might think you’ve got plenty of time to get everything done, but the truth is, the busier you are, the better your time management skills need to be. Sounds crazy, right? But let’s break it down.

The students who work full-time jobs or have kids? They often do better because they’re forced to manage their time efficiently. They know that once the kids are in bed, they've got a couple of hours to study, and they’re going to make those hours count.

On the other hand, the student who has all the time in the world may put things off, thinking, "I’ve got all week to do this." And then—surprise!—the night before the assignment is due, they’re scrambling.

Good time management isn’t just about cramming everything in; it’s about knowing when to study and when to take a break. Treat your study time like a full-time job. Schedule it, and stick to it.

Self-Care: Don’t Ignore It

One of the main reasons students drop out of nursing school is due to neglecting self-care. Many feel it’s selfish to take time for themselves, but it’s actually essential. Taking care of yourself means eating healthy, getting regular exercise, and taking breaks to recharge mentally and physically.

Personally, I’m an introvert, and alone time is a must for me. I’ll often tell my kids, “I need a little time to myself,” and retreat to my room for 15 minutes. This short break—whether it’s journaling, meditating, or simply breathing—helps me feel refreshed and better able to care for my family.

Self-care can look different for everyone. Maybe it’s a hot bath, a manicure, or even watching your favorite TV show. If you can share this time with a loved one, that's even better! You can even make self-care part of your routine—after a stressful exam, dedicate the rest of the day to doing something that makes you feel good.

Tip: Write your self-care time into your planner! When it’s scheduled, you’re more likely to do it.

Don’t Miss Out on Outside Resources

While nursing schools provide tons of material, sometimes it’s not enough. I’ve found that using outside resources like Picmonic, Nursing.com, and Anki has saved me time and helped me study smarter, not harder. I also turned to YouTube and nursing podcasts for extra learning.

Picmonic is one of my favorites. It's fun and uses active learning techniques that engage you in a way that textbooks alone can’t. If you’re looking for something to make studying more engaging, give it a try! You can check out more in the show notes.

Study Groups: Use Them Wisely

Study groups can be helpful, but relying solely on them can set you back. Rather than depending on the group to teach you, see it as a chance to teach the material yourself. By teaching, you’ll solidify your understanding.

Also, choose your study group members carefully—make sure the group isn’t too big (3-4 people is ideal) and that everyone contributes. Plan each study session with specific topics and set a time frame (e.g., 2-4 pm).

Remember, your group is there to help reinforce your learning, not replace it.

Nursing School vs. Prerequisites

Nursing school isn’t like your prerequisites—don’t expect it to be. The grading scale is usually higher (often a 78% or higher to pass) and exams are more challenging. You’ll encounter select all that apply questions, which can be tricky because multiple answers might be correct. This format mirrors the NCLEX, and getting used to it will help you prepare.

Tip: Practice these types of questions to feel more comfortable with the format.

Financial Planning: Plan Ahead

Nursing school can be expensive, and it’s best to plan financially before you start. Ideally, you want to avoid working full-time during school. Start saving ahead of time so you can live frugally and focus on your studies. Having 6-12 months of living expenses saved up can ease financial stress and prevent you from needing to drop out due to money issues.

Be Safe During Clinicals

Clinical rotations are a key part of your training. Medication administration is one area where you can’t afford to make mistakes. You’ll likely have to demonstrate competency with administering medications, including PO meds and IV pushes. Know your 5 rights of medication administration (Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Time, Right Route).

Take your time and be precise—it’s better to go slow than rush through a medication pass.

Take Criticism Constructively

You will face criticism during your clinicals, and it’s important to handle it well. Teachers are there to help you succeed, not make you feel bad. If a professor corrects you, don’t get defensive. Accept it, learn from it, and move on. Even though you might feel upset, especially in the moment, remember to stay respectful. Handling criticism well will only help you in the long run.

HIPAA: Protect Patient Privacy

As a nurse, you’ll be entrusted with patient information, and violating HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) could cost you your job—or worse. Never post pictures online that could inadvertently disclose patient details, even if they seem innocent. Be mindful of privacy, as breaking HIPAA can have serious consequences for your career.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be better equipped to succeed in nursing school and avoid some of the common pitfalls that can cause students to drop out. Take care of yourself, use the resources available to you, stay prepared financially, and always prioritize safety and professionalism. These strategies will help you stay on track to graduate and become a great nurse.