discrimination instructor bully leagal action need help

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2008

Can you please include a little more in depth info? I don't get how anyone can flunk out without more difficulties than a 3 page paper. If you could explain a little more about your situation that might be helpful.

sunshinegirl68 · Jul 21, 2008

I had entered 4th semester with a clinical instructor who clearly singled me out and had conflict with me and i with her. i spoke to head of dept who changed me to the best friend of the said instructor. i mentioned that i did not feel she would be un biased and was told that was not going to happen. it did, i feel that 'one way or another i was going to be ousted' and was as i mentioned earlier post. i entered clinical on "probation" for poor care plans and so one step would cause my dismissal. no medical,clinical or other misconduct noted so we had 3 papers to do 20 points each. they were simple papers and subjectively graded as most English papers are. my points were not going to add up to enough to graduate so my last 3rd paper was not even allowed to be submitted. i had requested not to have the second instructor as she was a known very close friend of the first instructor and now feel and have been told by consultation with professionals i should have stood up then and there but was submissive and thought I could overcome any bias and finish as I had already passed my final theory and had 5 of 12 clinical days left to do. i feel discriminated and unfairly treated as others around me have done things that can be considered malpractice yet these instances were "overlooked" and those students who hung Dig without instructor present and later instructors knowledge were never put on probation or other actions taken. All I asked is for another chance to complete program but was aready given one chance due to an illness earlier that I repeated 3rd semester. the school says only one redo, i am not sure if i have a leagal hold for me but have prayed and thought on this since April and now am seeking leagal counsel as well as disciplinary action against all said instructors and the school itself for knowledge of students doing things and their misdoings being overlooked but not my paper. my paper did not hurt anyone nor put anyone in danger. The other actions did and those persons were not dismissed from program.

l_wheat · Jul 21, 2008

Hi Sunshine, Sorry to hear about your plight. It seems as though it might have been fortunate that I ended up going to Delta instead of MJC (122 on waitlist @ MJC). Good luck on fighting the system, it seems that some of these schools aren't screening their instructors very well. GL

Natingale, EdD, RN · Jul 21, 2008

To be honest, I wouldnt go through lawyers and all that mess. They said your careplans amd papers was not up to par, so work harder next time and fix it. They tried to accommodate you by switching instructors, and that didnt work. People are going to start looking at you sideways. Discrimination is a strong word to use, just take a deep breath ..and do it again. Work harder, if I felt like someone didnt like me ..it would push me to work harder, hungrier, etc etc. Kill them with kindness babe.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 21, 2008

I am so sorry you were dismissed so late in the program. Truthfullly though I think the school has covered their bases with the different items you mention like unsatisfactory care plans, and a previous repeat due to illness. We never would have been allowed to switch instructors once let alone twice so it sounds as if the school did try to accomodate you. I can understand how frustrating it is when you feel that other students did worse things without reprimand but I'm not sure how you would prove that.

FWIW I haven't ever seen a student be successful in fighting their dismissal so it may be better for your piece of mind to find another program and see what they will accept from your previous classes. Good luck to you.

goodstudentnowRN · Jul 21, 2008

Some of these Instructors are very egocentric and they believe that your happiness depends on them. My friend went through the same problem during her final semester and she suffered a nervous break down. she owed thousands of dollars in student loan and it was a very sad time for her. She enrolled in a different school and now she is a registered nurse. She went on to do a petition for the instructor and the dean and they were both fired. Thank God!! It is so upsetting when these instructors have utter disregard for students dreams in life. For this reason, I do not have petty talk with my instructors, I am always professional. I do what I have to do and keep learning.

AOx1 · Jul 22, 2008

Did you file a grievance with your school, following the steps outlined in your school's policies? Did you schedule meetings with the instructors to ask for any outside help or recommendations on how to improve your care plans? You would want to be able to show evidence that these things occurred in order to have a good case.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2008

i'd take your papers and the instructions for them and find an outside unbiased professor from another college who doesn't know you or have any interest in your grade who would be willing to evaluate them. it would be interesting to get an outside opinion. suggest this to your lawyer.

you can't say for sure that other student's indiscretions were "overlooked" because these things are supposed to be kept confidential by the school instructors. unless the students themselves talk about being disciplined, you wouldn't know. i, personally, out of embarrassment, wouldn't admit to anyone if i had been counseled by an instructor for doing something wrong. it's nobody's business but my own. just because some people like to let the rest of the world know their tales of woe doesn't mean that i do!

DaFreak71 · Jul 22, 2008

:crying2: Wow, that is a hard thing to go through after all the work you've put into it. I'm sorry about what is happening. The first initial of your school doesn't happen to start with a "J" does it? Located in the south? LOL...sounds a bit familiar.

Boy...over the years I have heard about (and experienced) some pretty toxic nursing school environments. I'm happy to say that I've also heard about some really good schools out there.

Daytonite mentioned getting your papers evaluated by an objective party. Are you allowed to keep your papers? At my school we can't keep our paperwork after it's graded because they assume we will give it to other classmates or give it an incoming class.

I hope this will work out for you! One thing that I read about with regard to topics such as harassment and legal action is that it is extremely hard to prove in court. It is essentially a "he said/she said" kind of thing and it gets very tricky very fast. I think maybe your best course of action would be to get an appointment with the academic dean of the college or someone outside of the nursing program who might be able to objectively evaluate the situation. But before doing that, (and I know this is a whole lot easier said than done) do whatever it takes to center yourself and be professional. If you go to them and you are still hurt and angry (not saying you don't have a right to your feelings!) that might skew the way they perceive your situation.

You've come a long way. Before investing money by hiring a lawyer, try to work within the college system. The way I see it, you have two choices...either leave the program and go somewhere else, or appeal it to the dean. Otherwise you are basically out all of that time/energy/money/etc. Essentially--you have nothing to lose by trying, and hopefully something to gain by trying.

I know it's hard. One thing I would steer clear of is the issue of the other students. I'm not saying I doubt you, it's just that it will probably come off as being defensive and the goal is to get you back in with as little conflict as possible. By accusing them of allowing any kind of misconduct in other students, they are going to be upset by that (which can only hurt you) and it really isn't germain to your situation.

I wish you much luck!!!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2008

Daytonite mentioned getting your papers evaluated by an objective party. Are you allowed to keep your papers? At my school we can't keep our paperwork after it's graded because they assume we will give it to other classmates or give it an incoming class.

A lawyer will know how to do this. If a lawsuit has been filed, the court will issue a subpoena for documents at the request of the plaintiff, which these would be, and the defendants must comply with the order. The OP, herself might have a copy of the final draft of the papers.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jul 22, 2008

A lawyer will know how to do this. If a lawsuit has been filed, the court will issue a subpoena for documents at the request of the plaintiff, which these would be, and the defendants must comply with the order. The OP, herself might have a copy of the final draft of the papers.

as i was reading the response before yours, it struck me, that if i were to ever go back to school i would be keeping copies of everything!!!!