PLEASE HELP Before they kick me out!

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Amnesty

168 Posts

Oh wow. I think it's really interesting to see what constitutes failure for attendance policies across the board here.

Personally, my school has a clinical policy that states you can miss one and only one clinical per semester and it HAS to be for a well-documented and validated legitimate reason, usually extenuating circumstances completely beyond the student's control.

For lectures and skills labs, it's all left up to the professor. My fundamentals prof strictly takes attendance and follows the college's general plan, which states you can miss the equivalent of 2 weeks of classes before failing (so 6 classes if it's MWF courses, 4 if it's 2x weekly classes). My assessment professor outright blatantly stated that he did not give a **** the first day of class (in those exact words!) and that if we didn't care to come listen to the education we were paying out the wazoo for, that was our prerogative.

I can't imagine attendance policies as strict as what a lot of you agree to o_o.

Good luck, OP! Definitely grab that handbook and look it up to see. What you missed wouldn't be anything like grounds to kick you out of the program where I'm at, but I guess in a lot places, it would be.

Bortaz, MSN, RN

2,628 Posts

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

There is a sign posted around some of the units of my hospital: "Getting to work as scheduled is part of your commitment to your patients and your peers."

I agree wholeheartedly, though far too many don't. You know, the ones that think they're excused/exempt based on the fact that they bred.

grad2012RN

63 Posts

Typical drama queen reaction by some mothers/nursing students. I foolishly fell for some of their whining and was burned. Yes, you'd think I would have learned the first time. I gave up a choice clinical spot, shared lecture notes, informed them of quizzes so they would be present at the next class, e-mailed handouts or homework assignments that they were unaware of, etc... Only to have them not show up repeatedly to scheduled health assessment checkoff practice, not share a test bank that many of our professors used or share upperclassmen's Powerpoint projects, notes or term papers that they used as guides, hide study group meet-ups, etc....

Puhleeeez, you won't get kicked out of the program. What excuse are you going to tell your future employer? Too many excuses-filled hires like you could make a manager wary of the next person....... and that's unfair to the many moms/dads who can balance their lives.

nurse3131, RN

30 Posts

Specializes in OBGYN.

"I don't know what to do. I have put so much time, energy, and money into this program and I am not ready to give up"

hello, my advise is DO NOT approach them by the saying they did not advise you or warn about the school policy. The syllabus is there to be read and follow. If I was you I would tell them the reasons why you have missed the classes without sounding too whinny and tell them to please not to drop you that you really cared about the program and becoming a nurse. If you have good grades bring that up as a form of a prove that you really care. Good luck!

Kipahni, RN

70 Posts

Specializes in Oncology, Ortho/trauma,.

The reality is when you join nursing school it is your life. I know you have a commitment to family but to sit for NCLEX you have to have so many clinical hours accomplished. The reason Schools are hard on this is because most hospitals have become flooded with nursing school clinical groups and with the increase in nursing students the schools are very tight in their schedules on the various hospital floors (most floors here only allow for less than 10 students total per shift) it has gotten so full recently that some schools are now doing night shift rotations so that all there students can meet the allotted hours. Anyway I say all of this because sometimes some places it is harder to coordinate a make up clinical because of the amount of Nursing Students.

I am a nursing instructor and a floor nurse. Nothing irks me more than a late nursing student- the working environment has gotten competitive around here and managers are cracking down on tardiness (also your co-workers will not like it either) 10 tardy in 1 year and you get fired. Nursing schools need to hold their students to a standard so that when they graduate real world won't shock you.

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I hate inconsistency. I'm like a toddler - I need clear expectations!

I agree with all the yadda yadda about responsibility and policies and all that. But I still think it sucks when people who didn't previously seem to care suddenly start doling out punishments without warning.

If people last semester broke the attendance policy and weren't kicked out, you have a pretty good case for an appeal.

In the mean time, find a back up for your back up for you back up with your kids. Things come up, but in nursing school, most of the time other people have to handle it.

Good luck to you!

jennifer219

15 Posts

I agree with [COLOR=#003366]Stephalump -- it stinks when something that hasn't been a priority all of a sudden becomes one. I'm sorry, but some of these posts are ridiculously rough. We don't know the full story on why the days were missed but, I would have to say that anyone that has worked as hard as you have to be in nursing school cares about school. I also find it next to impossible to believe everyone has read every line of every syllabus and school policy handed to them. For those that are single parents that have a good support system (which you must have if you're working full time and going to school full time), have a little empathy for those that don't have that kind of support system. A parent obviously cannot leave a sick child alone to throw up in a bucket all day. Learning to have empathy also helps reduce/eliminate lateral violence situations (which is exactly what some of these responses sound like). I'm not suggesting that some people should be allowed to skate through the program because their family responsibilities get in the way of school but, at least they are trying. If they find they can't commit to the program requirements, they can put school on the back burner for a while. I can only imagine what a horrible feeling it must be to come to the realization you have to put school on the back burner - we don't need to make them feel any worse then I'm sure they already do. Lastly, I still agree with [COLOR=#003366]Stephalump that the school needs to be consistent if they want their students to succeed.

Specializes in Maternal Child.
I agree with [COLOR=#003366]Stephalump -- it stinks when something that hasn't been a priority all of a sudden becomes one. I'm sorry, but some of these posts are ridiculously rough. We don't know the full story on why the days were missed but, I would have to say that anyone that has worked as hard as you have to be in nursing school cares about school. I also find it next to impossible to believe everyone has read every line of every syllabus and school policy handed to them. For those that are single parents that have a good support system (which you must have if you're working full time and going to school full time), have a little empathy for those that don't have that kind of support system. A parent obviously cannot leave a sick child alone to throw up in a bucket all day. Learning to have empathy also helps reduce/eliminate lateral violence situations (which is exactly what some of these responses sound like). I'm not suggesting that some people should be allowed to skate through the program because their family responsibilities get in the way of school but, at least they are trying. If they find they can't commit to the program requirements, they can put school on the back burner for a while. I can only imagine what a horrible feeling it must be to come to the realization you have to put school on the back burner - we don't need to make them feel any worse then I'm sure they already do. Lastly, I still agree with [COLOR=#003366]Stephalump that the school needs to be consistent if they want their students to succeed.

I could not agree more. I am also a mother, and have only missed a class because of the recent floodings in Colorado where we had roads washed out. Of course I cleared this with my professor, and luckily it was a lecture day, not a clinical. Quite honestly I really don't feel like it is any of my business why another student misses class, if he or she misses a class, it doesn't affect my experience or learning. I don't understand why someone would feel so slighted by this. OP good luck with the situation, I'm sure you have learned from this experience.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I hate inconsistency. I'm like a toddler - I need clear expectations!

I agree with all the yadda yadda about responsibility and policies and all that. But I still think it sucks when people who didn't previously seem to care suddenly start doling out punishments without warning.

If people last semester broke the attendance policy and weren't kicked out, you have a pretty good case for an appeal.

In the mean time, find a back up for your back up for you back up with your kids. Things come up, but in nursing school, most of the time other people have to handle it.

Good luck to you!

I agree with you...however....the OP is ONLY in her SECOND semester and has missed 2 days....If those days were the 1 day a week clinical she is missing 16 hours of clinical time. If she continues on this path......depending on the program she will be missing a minimum of 32 clinical hours of clinical time.

While some schools have a built in "cushion" some do not...when my children cry...Well so and so did it..I remind them that they are not so and so...it was against the rules...they got caught...now man up for the consequences. I teach them to own up for their mistakes and ignorance is not excuse for the law. Period. It is not up for negotiation. They are responsible for their actions. If you do the crime you do the time.

In the working world....let's say the semesters are 8 weeks...she missed 2 in 2 semesters that is 2 times in 4 months...in hospitals where I have worked that is disciplinary action for the usual allowance is 3 incidences in 6 months..no we don't fire people for this but this is a troublesome pattern that needs to be addressed. It doesn't matter whether or not you have had a "good excuse"....the good excuse is affecting your productivity.

That is the reality.

State boards are very specific about the amount of clinical time that is required...by law...to sit for boards. If you do not have the required hours...you can't sit for boards....regardless of whether or not the school was "fair" or that she "was never told" about it or..... whether or not they didn't warn her.

It does depend on the policy...if in the policy, which you are responsible for, states there will be warnings before disciplinary actions will be taken. Clearly the OP knew there would/could be consequences for she stated that they have been lax in enforcement in prior semesters. There goes the theory that she didn't know...yes you can file a grievance or appeal...but the facts remain....the rules were broken.

In the real world rules apply...just like the CA BON is now enforcing the concurrent requirement for IEN's....it is fair, it has been on the books for a LONG time, it is their prerogative, it's the law. It is what it is.

it stinks when something that hasn't been a priority all of a sudden becomes one. I'm sorry, but some of these posts are ridiculously rough. We don't know the full story on why the days were missed but, I would have to say that anyone that has worked as hard as you have to be in nursing school cares about school. I also find it next to impossible to believe everyone has read every line of every syllabus and school policy handed to them. For those that are single parents that have a good support system (which you must have if you're working full time and going to school full time), have a little empathy for those that don't have that kind of support system. A parent obviously cannot leave a sick child alone to throw up in a bucket all day. Learning to have empathy also helps reduce/eliminate lateral violence situations
Yes it stinks....however, I grow tired of nursing being accused of lateral violence and eating their young when simple rules and regulations are being enforced for nothing is further from the truth. One of my favourite quotes...."Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted".......Ralph Waldo Emerson

Was I angry at my nieces school when they were so calloused about excusing my niece..who NEVER missed a day in the entire program? YES!!!!!!! Did I ultimately understand that there were certain requirements that she needed to fulfill or she wouldn't graduate..and that would break her daddy's heart

Nursing being a female dominated profession....many of us have kids. We have all had to call out sick for our children..but we all know the consequences if it becomes excessive. I have always thought that you would think a female dominated profession would have more resources for it's work force for the children like day care of sick bays so the workers can continue to be productive yet some how we continue to treat each other poorly. Out of 35 years of nursing I have worked at one...yes one..facility that actually has this as an option.

while many people do not read policies, confidentiality agreements, HIPAA and all those other papers you sign you are still held responsible. Just like your states nurse practice act....I KNOW a large percentage of nurses do not read the whole thing and another percentage don't read it at all....when the feces hits the fan..."I didn't know"and "no one told me" will not absolve you from wrongdoing and being held responsible.

It's not lateral violence...it's just the facts.

jennifer219

15 Posts

I didn't say you should be allowed to break rules and if someone calls you on it, it's lateral violence. I said the response's on here strike me as lateral violence and I still stand behind my opinion. I would like to know how many people on here had similar situations in their own program and were not cut any breaks so, they don't feel the need to be kind to anyone else with a situation. Nursing is a mostly female dominated profession and unfortunately, women are horrible to each other and there is no need for it. If I was one of the first to answer this post, I would have simply empathized with this person's problem and try to come up with a workable solution -- even if the solution was "consider whether you are in a place to study nursing at this time in your life." Not, "well tough," "read the rules," "figure out something for your kids because I have 5 kids, a full time job and go to school full time," (and I still say these people must have some kind of support system if they are never home and not everyone has that kind of support). For example, my mother died a few years ago. Everyone's situation is different and it's unrealistic to compare everyone's life as if we have the same obstacles.

tenjuna, MSN

1 Article; 153 Posts

Specializes in Informatics, Orthopaedics.
I foolishly fell for some of their whining and was burned. Yes, you'd think I would have learned the first time. I gave up a choice clinical spot, shared lecture notes, informed them of quizzes so they would be present at the next class, e-mailed handouts or homework assignments that they were unaware of, etc... Only to have them not show up repeatedly to scheduled health assessment checkoff practice, not share a test bank that many of our professors used or share upperclassmen's Powerpoint projects, notes or term papers that they used as guides, hide study group meet-ups, etc....

Hah! I had the exact same thing happen to me...I thought I would be the nice guy and help out the poor-old 19 year old with 3 kids who was always too busy to keep up. Until I heard about all of the partying and whatnot she was actually doing. I stopped enabling her, and she failed miserably. Not to mention my grades went up since I was concentrating on me again.

Lesson learned.

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
... I stopped enabling her, and she failed miserably. ...

Many nurses "enable" others, supporting them in bad behavior out of a desire to feel helpful and compassionate. It can be difficult to know when to say "No" and be willing to "be the bad guy." That tendency among nurses is responsible for a lot of the problems we have in our profession. I'm glad you have learned this important lesson, tenjuna.

It's difficult to find the right balance. In the OP's case ... having served on a Student Appeals Board before ... I would try to find some compromise. I would not kick her out of school, but would impose a significant penalty and warn her that if it happens again, she definitely would have to repeat the semester.

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