So I have been a nursing student now since 2016 and currently in my last year. I attend a private institution.
[A little disclosure: I would of graduated May 2018 but I had a setback. I was going through some outside stressors which was beginning to interfere with my education. I wasn't managing my time effectively, therefore causing me to miss not one but two clinical days. From that, I received (2) academic warnings and had to then sit in front of the dean of the school to prove why I want to be in the program. The meeting resulted in me withdrawing to "find myself.” I was granted an oppurtunity to come back in the fall (August 2018) on the condition that I do not receive any further academic warnings this time around or else it would mean grounds for dismissal]
So this brings me here: A week ago, I was under investigation due to an incident that occurred in my clinical rotation. A complaint arose that three individuals had witnessed me vaping around the premises of the hospital where I was having one of my rotations at. The fact of the matter is I wasn't vaping, nor do I have ownership of one. The school that I attend investigated the complaint further by reviewing camera footage but the footage did not find proof of that occurring. But because they had three eyewitnesses, they have decided to dismiss me from the program. I've very passionate about Nursing. I've been doing very well academically/clinically up until this moment. I'm devastated.
My questions:
1) Would I be able to appeal this and win?
2) Would another Nursing program even accept me after this?
3) Is it advisable to make this a court case?
Appreciate any/all advice and/or feedback. Thank you all.
Yes I’m going through the process of appealing now, though I feel my situation is very unique in the sense that the guidelines suited for an appeal don’t quite fit my underlying reason for dismissal.
Also, it wasn’t students who made the complaint. They were individuals who worked for the hospital. And I am absolutely certain who they were because I was approached by a man who was accompanied by two other individuals at the time and was questioned if i was vaping.
And if I were to take a nicotine test, yes I would pass. But they haven’t even given me the oppurtunity to do that. I don’t smoke, let alone vape.
Most grievance procedures center around grades, but nursing program dismissals are different.
Within the school, this can actually be appealed, generally, up to the school's Board of Directors.
I would encourage you to push this matter to the bitter end. This is why:
1) You need this information removed from your school record in case you go to another nursing program.
2) If this went to court, I can tell you now...you WILL win.
3) If you paid tuition for the term, you need that reimbursed.
The only other question I have...how did they know your name? A lawyer would pull the original complaint...because you may find it was a case of mistaken identity.
Most grievance procedures center around grades, but nursing program dismissals are different.
Within the school, this can actually be appealed, generally, up to the school's Board of Directors.
I would encourage you to push this matter to the bitter end. This is why:
1) You need this information removed from your school record in case you go to another nursing program.
2) If this went to court, I can tell you now...you WILL win.
3) If you paid tuition for the term, you need that reimbursed.
The only other question I have...how did they know your name? A lawyer would pull the original complaint...because you may find it was a case of mistaken identity.
I appreciate this feedback. Especially with how I’ve been feeling lately. I am taking the steps though to make this right.
And they knew my name because I was wearing my badge, so when I was stopped and questioned is when my name was identified.
Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM
1,486 Posts
Most grievance procedures center around grades, but nursing program dismissals are different.
Within the school, this can actually be appealed, generally, up to the school's Board of Directors.
I would encourage you to push this matter to the bitter end. This is why:
1) You need this information removed from your school record in case you go to another nursing program.
2) If this went to court, I can tell you now...you WILL win.
3) If you paid tuition for the term, you need that reimbursed.
The only other question I have...how did they know your name? A lawyer would pull the original complaint...because you may find it was a case of mistaken identity.