Dismissal from nursing school without failing any course

[Beebee18]

I am supposed to enter my senior year in a BSN program by August, i already completed 3 semesters in the program. I just found out my nursing program sent my a dismissal letter for what they tagged "unprofessional" behavior. These behavior includes calling my teacher less than one hour to a lab class to get permission to be absent due to sick health, waking up late due to a sickness and could not attend a 6:30am clinical which i already made up, not being able to review my nursing exam afterwards because i wad having serious anxiety attack, etc. The point is that look for every opportunity yo write me up because I'm one if their best and the only black.

They already told me at the last disciplinary meeting that i have one chance before being kicked out and i have not used that last chance and they sent me a letter of dismissal when I'm already away for break.

My questions:

1) Can i appeal this successfully?

2) Can another school accept me if i choose to transfer?

3) Is it advisable to make this a court case and will it have any effect on finding a job here afterwards?

Note: I am an international student on an F1 visa for now.

[pckillmonger]

Unless she can prove racism, that particular part of her appeal will likely be unsuccessful. As we all know, racism/sexism/sexual harassment is often very difficult to prove, even when it is actually happening.

One of my white colleagues told a black joke in front of nursing staff, and myself, you think anything happened to her? Nope. She touched my hair without asking, as usual, think I could complain without me coming off as angry and sensitive? Nope. Point is, you can have all the evidence but of course everyone puts their spin on it and now we look bad.

[emmjayy, BSN, RN]

To address your questions - you can appeal this, but I doubt you will have much success. That said, if you feel driven to appeal and truly wish to continue in this program if your appeal is successful, there is no harm in trying. You can absolutely apply to another school, however you must be aware that your nursing credits will probably not transfer and you will have to start from scratch (yep... it's kind of ridiculous).

Finally, in regards to your question about court - what exactly would you be seeking in a court case? For a judge to force the school to re-admit you? For the school to reimburse your lost tuition? You need to consider your legal grounds for pursuing a case, what you would want to gain as a result of such a case, and then explore the feasibility of attaining your goals with an experienced attorney. Bear in mind that if you are seeking any sort of monetary award from the school that you will likely end up sinking many thousands of dollars into filing fees/legal fees/etc. Cases of students vs. schools overwhelmingly end poorly for the student because schools tailor their student handbooks towards mitigating their risk of losses in court - and then require students to sign a document saying that they have read and agree to abide by said handbooks.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

One of my white colleagues told a black joke in front of nursing staff, and myself, you think anything happened to her? Nope. She touched my hair without asking, as usual, think I could complain without me coming off as angry and sensitive? Nope. Point is, you can have all the evidence but of course everyone puts their spin on it and now we look bad.

Inexcusable!

[Miss Brahms]

As a person of color, I am insulted that you would pull the race card to make an excuse for YOUR lack of professionalism and insight! They absolutely did the right thing by kicking you out of the program. What makes you think you are the most special person in the world? Grow up and you'll get a different outcome.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

As a person of color, I am insulted that you would pull the race card to make an excuse for YOUR lack of professionalism and insight! They absolutely did the right thing by kicking you out of the program. What makes you think you are the most special person in the world? Grow up and you'll get a different outcome.

Can I just give you a shout out for username and avatar? Love me some AYBS!!!!!

[Miss Brahms]

Don't listen to the ones that say "don't play the race card." The fact that we have to try 230293942x harder than everyone else who isn't black says enough. I know the feeling, being the only black woman in my cohort and not having the support needed as well as dealing with the ignorant class who don't realize their comments come off as insensitive. You have every right to feel the way you do, I had a peds instructor who would not get off my case bc I was more casual with my patients than she would have liked/critisized my every movement even when the nurse I worked with told me I was doing a great job. I came late to a clinical once by 20 minutes but the main instructor didn't think too much of it, bc she knew I was not intentional.

Keep your head up, and good luck to you! We have to stay strong and sadly, prove our worth.

Oh please, that's just a crutch for bad behavior! Racism is alive and well, but anybody with common sense would know that in this case the racism card is a way to justify unprofessionalism and entitlement.

[Miss Brahms]

Can I just give you a shout out for username and avatar? Love me some AYBS!!!!!

Thank You!!! It is my favorite!

[FutureRNNU2019]

I would like to apologize for the lack understanding regarding your situation from fellow nurses. Being a person of color I think that this is the wrong platform to ask for advice regarding your issue, because quite frankly the people who are commenting have NO IDEA what it is like being the only minority in a nursing program. Now if I was you I would do my research on other schools and try to find a school where you can explain your situation to and see if they are willing to accept you into their nursing program with your circumstances. Don't give up! And when you do find a school be prepared and do not slack!!! Remember WE have to work 10x harder in everything we do always!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I would like to apologize for the lack understanding regarding your situation from fellow nurses. Being a person of color I think that this is the wrong platform to ask for advice regarding your issue, because quite frankly the people who are commenting have NO IDEA what it is like being the only minority in a nursing program. Now if I was you I would do my research on other schools and try to find a school where you can explain your situation to and see if they are willing to accept you into their nursing program with your circumstances. Don't give up! And when you do find a school be prepared and do not slack!!! Remember WE have to work 10x harder in everything we do always!

Of course racism is still a problem. But it's not always the explanation (I assume that racial minorities also fail in their endeavors from time to time, as does everyone). In this particular case, she has given no details as to why she believes racism is at play here. None of us have enough info to say categorically that this is or is not the result of racism.

The fact that she believes she was intentionally targeted because "she is one of the best" is what gives me pause. In my experience, instructors go out of their way to support "the best" because success of their students makes the program look good. Her comment reminds me of some of the complaints we see from new nurses who are certain that their difficulties have nothing to do with inexperience but are completely based on the fact that experienced nurses are simply "jealous" of their "youth and beauty."

[NotBeyonce]

As a person of color, I am insulted that you would pull the race card to make an excuse for YOUR lack of professionalism and insight! They absolutely did the right thing by kicking you out of the program. What makes you think you are the most special person in the world? Grow up and you'll get a different outcome.

Just because you're a "POC" doesn't mean you can say anything about discrimination against BLACK people. Stay in your lane.

[NotBeyonce]

Of course racism is still a problem. But it's not always the explanation (I assume that racial minorities also fail in their endeavors from time to time, as does everyone). In this particular case, she has given no details as to why she believes racism is at play here. None of us have enough info to say categorically that this is or is not the result of racism.

The fact that she believes she was intentionally targeted because "she is one of the best" is what gives me pause. In my experience, instructors go out of their way to support "the best" because success of their students makes the program look good. Her comment reminds me of some of the complaints we see from new nurses who are certain that their difficulties have nothing to do with inexperience but are completely based on the fact that experienced nurses are simply "jealous" of their "youth and beauty."

So in summary, you have none of the details needed to prove or disprove her claims, yet you chose the latter; you have no experience as a Black person dealing with possible discrimination; you are equating suspected racism with new grad nurses thinking everyone is 'jealous' of them...

OP never stated that every Black person who is dismissed from a program should claim racism, so for 90% of you all to jump to that is gaslighting. There are plenty of instances where Black students are dismissed based on their performance, and plenty where racists instructors have a hand in it. It is not up to the Allnurses board members to be the judge. You all should have kept your comments to yourself.

[Miss Brahms]

Just because you're a "POC" doesn't mean you can say anything about discrimination against BLACK people. Stay in your lane.

Before you insult, get it right, I am black!!!!

Thank you for further showing me how ridiculous you are!

There are sooo many terrible things happening in regards to race these days, and it is awful that someone who claims to be a fighter against discrimination would lump this instance of lack of accountability in there with

those issues. Grow up!