Can they do this?

Furthermore, I have so much on my mind as it is with school, job and 4 kids that I didn't even realize that I had failed three classes.

This may be the dumbest thing I've read all day. How do you not realize you failed three classes? I thought I was failing a class and was DEVASTATED! Not sure how you can fail three times and it not effect you at all.

This may be the dumbest thing I've read all day. How do you not realize you failed three classes? I thought I was failing a class and was DEVASTATED! Not sure how you can fail three times and it not effect you at all.

I have to agree. I check my grades DAILY, and when I get close to 90% I start to freak out, and make sure that I'm studying even harder so I can get back to the upper 90s. There's no way I would ever not know I was close to failing three classes, much less one.

OP: This is a good lesson really, to make sure that regardless of how much you have going on in your life that if becoming a nurse is really that important to you, you will make EVERY effort to stay on top of your grades.

I'm surprised you got three. There's no way you didn't realize that. You were hoping they would never notice. Let's be honest here. You went through crossing your fingers every day that it wouldn't catch up with you and unfortunately, it did.

You have no recourse of being dismissed from the program. The only recourse I can see is with financial aid as if you kept taking nursing classes that you could not ever get credit for. Were you not on probation with financial aid? Failing 3 classes in such a short period should have put you on probation. And I'm going to say only the credits for these 8 weeks would you have a small dispute with if they try to charge you for the full amount and then pulled you out. That's the only recourse you "may" have.

I disagree with the other posters. They should have dismissed you, but they did not dismiss you. They allowed you to enroll. They allowed you to pass the classes, and they can't take the passing grades away from you. I do think you have a case, and if I were you I would not give up at this point.

I would discuss this problem with at least a few deans, depending on how big/small your school is. I would consult with a lawyer. I would also look into transferring.

Good luck.

I disagree with the other posters. They should have dismissed you, but they did not dismiss you. They allowed you to enroll. They allowed you to pass the classes, and they can't take the passing grades away from you. I do think you have a case, and if I were you I would not give up at this point.

I would discuss this problem with at least a few deans, depending on how big/small your school is. I would consult with a lawyer. I would also look into transferring.

Good luck.

How do you figure? The OP hoped she'd go unnoticed and knew the policy. How will she carry this over into the nursing field? Would you want a nurse who would hope that no one catches her doing something wrong then if they didn't for 6 months, she'd say "well you should have done it sooner so it's not MY fault."

Maybe I shouldn't think she'd carry that behavior over into her nursing career, I hope not anyway.

they can't take the passing grades away from you.

They also can't take the failing grades away.

Appeal on a national level? That escalated quickly!!

How do you figure? The OP hoped she'd go unnoticed and knew the policy. How will she carry this over into the nursing field? Would you want a nurse who would hope that no one catches her doing something wrong then if they didn't for 6 months, she'd say "well you should have done it sooner so it's not MY fault."

Maybe I shouldn't think she'd carry that behavior over into her nursing career, I hope not anyway.

As far as whether I would want a nurse who would hope that no one caught her "doing something wrong..."

I disagree that OP did anything morally wrong by continuing her education and enrolling in her classes. Without having been formally dismissed, I think it would not be appropriate for her to just go away and not finish her degree.

as far as "Well you should have done it sooner so it's not my fault."

"Fault" is not an appropriate word here, "responsibility" is better. OP is responsible for failing her classes the first time and passing them the second time. OP is paying the University for an education to get a degree to get a license. Once the University decides they will no longer issue that degree for OP, they have an ethical responsibility not to waste OP's time and money, by formally dismissing her, prohibiting her from enrolling in more classes or both.

I think that ethically, the University failed to act responsibly in this matter. That doesn't mean it's their fault that she failed the classes the first time.

They also can't take the failing grades away.

When you fail a class once, and then pass it later, the net effect is that you passed the class.

I would appeal on the next level in hopes that the fact that they did not catch it for 6 months helps you. I wouldn't count on it though.

I understand your frustration and the hopes you could just fly under the radar - and you did - but only for a short time. I don't believe that you didn't know you failed 3 classes, and it that is true, you aren't taking school seriously enough. I think anyone who REALLY is passionate about school keeps up with their grades/GPA/credits every semester if not more often. Shoot I check my grades often to make sure there are no discrepancies between when the professor enters and what I earned.

Believe me when I say I understand forgetting things, or letting things slide when you are busy. We all do it once and awhile, but it cannot get out of control. I wish you luck and hope this serves as an example for others. At some time the bill comes due.