Expelled once at previous institution...chances for nursing school?

[neareast]

I'm in the process of applying to nursing programs, which I've wanted to do for so long.

I'm a male, 3.7 GPA in relevant courses (took them as a non-degree student at a community college), CPR-AED certified, absolutely no criminal background, and have 5 years experience as a Nursing Assistant in a hospital. The problem is that about two years ago I was expelled from college (unrelated liberal arts major) and it was noted on my transcript. Now the time has come to apply to nursing programs and I'm worried that this will come back and haunt me.

How should I approach this problem? Is it a good idea to include a letter explaining the situation in my application? Should I speak with a Dean or Admissions Officer about this first before applying? Or, are things like this handled in a summary fashion - that is, expulsion from previous college = denial of admission?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[devons1972]

Hi there!

I would probably meet with the dean of the nursing program before you apply. You certainly don't want to throw away application money if it seems your previous expulsion will keep you from being accepted. I would think that a reasonable person would be open to giving you another chance given your current GPA, but that probably depends on the reason you were expelled. At any rate, I think a face to face meeting is better than a letter, because it will allow the dean to ask you questions and you can give any information requested. Good luck

[neareast]

Thanks for your reply. I was expelled because I gave a paper to a student who taking the same class, although it was a year later, and the student wrote it off as his own...the school interpreted it as abetting plagiarism; I was initially suspended but later expelled...the school had a "zero tolerance" policy for these things. Anyways, I learned my lesson and I still think the final punishment was absurd; I hope it won't stand in the way of what I want to do in nursing.

[THE DANOSAUR]

Just work hard and pester the administration, and you have a chance anywhere!!!

[steele41]

Hello,

I am in the same type of situation, expelled from a program (had three classes to complete my degree), mine was due to going to a medical publishing company and signing on as an instructor to obtain a text, but NEVER purchased the book. I am applying to other programs and have been denied entry due to my transcripts stating, "Dismissed due to academic misconduct", I have explained in length, to other program administators, that it wasn't because of plagerizing a paper or cheating on an exam, so I do feel your frustration. Good luck to you in your quest.