Anybody have experience with taking a Leave of Absence during nursing school?

[heatherhammy]

I know this may vary by school, but I wanted to see if anybody had dealt with this. Can you take a semester off for medical/family reasons?

I tried asking the school I'm about to start at and I couldn't get a clear answer and I don't want to push it until I know for sure if I need one... Thanks!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I took a year long LOA during my first sophomore year of college without any issues. Basically, I had major surgery the summer following my freshman year of college and a long/difficult recovery, pushed myself too hard to return to school and a full class schedule and crashed a few weeks into the year. I withdrew the entire semester following Columbus Day weekend with the intentions of returning in January but ending up not returning until the following fall. I returned without any issue... just had my Nurse Practitioner sign some form saying I was cleared to return and the Director of Health Services had to sign off on it and recommend to the Dean that I be readmitted.

[RLtinker, LPN]

I think only your nursing chair can answer this question. I believe at my school if you leave for any reason you loose your spot and have to reapply and start from square 1.

[NightOwlGirl]

I found out I was pregnant just before I was due to start an accelerated BSN program in 2010 & debated trying to get a LOA for my second semester (baby due in May 2011), but ended up just turning down my spot. The school wasn't supportive of the idea & wanted me to work up until I gave birth, then come right back. I ended up with some severe complications after my delivery (Code Blue & ICU time from a severe postpartum hemorrhage), so a quick return wouldn't have been feasible anyway.Definitely check both the school & departmental policies on LOA (should be in the student handbook), because they can sometimes differ. Then find out how students who have taken time are "unofficially" treated, since sometimes it isn't well. In my (non-nursing) master's program going on leave for any reason was practically academic suicide. Even though two semesters LOA were allowed, taking any time away marked you as damaged goods, unable to handle the workload. That rep stuck & advisors were awful to returning students.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

When I needed a medical leave of absence, I could not get one (do not remember the precise reason, I assume the School of Nursing refused to acknowledge my request). So, on the advice of another administrative office at the school, I withdrew from the university, lock, stock, and barrel. When I returned to school, I was told straightforward, in the most hateful conversation you could imagine, by the Dean of the School of Nursing, that I wouldn't be pulling that one again. She stated I was playing games with the school process, trying to get around the rules, blah, blah, blah. I only met two other hateful people like her in the School of Nursing. Needless to say, my memories of nursing school are not fond, and the Dean succeeded in her quest to see me fail to graduate. When another situation came up, just as compelling, I never returned to the school. I am certain that made her happy.

WOW. What a witch. I had the exact opposite experience you had. When I needed to leave, I told the Dean I was going to withdraw, period. She leaned over, took my hands in hers, and said "No. We are not losing you from this program. Take a semester off, heal, rest, and come back ready to work hard and finish." Thank God for that school...it was a BSN program whose mission was to make getting into nursing school as hard as possible, but once in they did everything in their power to help you succeed. I know not everyone has been so lucky.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Some schools will let you resume without any trouble if you dropped/didn't enroll. If you have loans, just keep in mind that you only get one grace period. That means if you're not enrolled for one semester (approximately 6 months) you are using your grace period during your leave. When you graduate, you'll be expected to start paying on the loans immediately.

[catebsn25]

I left school in October 2010 because of family drama and a bad case of depression. At the time I had given up so I just stopped going... Didn't notify anyone or respond to any emails. Last November 2011 I decided to email the chairwoman of the nursing dept at my school. She took a few weeks then emailed me back asking me to meet with her the next Monday. I explained what had happened and she allowed me to return to the program this past January! We sat down and wrote out a contract about what she expected from me, and both of us signed it. She saved my life that day an she doesn't even know it.

Talk to the Dean/Chairperson about it. I believe it is their decision. Good luck!

[Ayala]

Oh, I relate to the bad experiences! I had a serious head injury and had to take a LOA. Fortunately I managed to outlast the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and return to the program.

My sister is a corporate attorney (and a darned good one) and she told me how to handle things. I managed to avoid making enemies, but still win my case.