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.

[Dreamer05, BSN, RN]

It irks me when I hear people making remarks about "the race card." When there are situations that is solely discriminative because of someone's race. Being that I've never publicly vocalized my encounter that I truly felt was racist, does not mean I have never been discriminated against. Not everyone chooses to be silent about the prejudice actions held against them. Furthermore, unless you're a minority you could never empathize with those who are ridiculed and criticized because of their race. It's like blaming the oppressed for being oppressed. In many situations race pays no factor in discipline actions; however, it is hard not to assume that you're being discriminated against when it happens often and discretely.

On the contrary. I was taught to work ten times harder because of my skin color, with that in mind everything you mention (tardiness...) is enough grounds to dimiss you from anyone's program and/or employment. With that being said, I don't think that fact that you are the only black person in class/school is solid proff that they were being discriminative.

Best of luck!

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

It sounds like you've been late/absent quite a bit. That is unprofessional. I'd get in trouble at work too for that. Did you seek help for your anxiety attack? A doctors note probably would have excused you during that. I only missed clinical twice: my son was in the hospital and I had surgery. Otherwise I was there on time faithfully.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

I think the biggest issue here is "International Student on F1 Visa". I don't know that much about students visas... I have spoken with a couple people about them - one who had to plan a trip back home in 5 days because her husband wasn't allowed to take a summer course and they had to return home (Israel) until August when his semester started again. The OP may not be able to legally come back to get her things since she is no longer a student.

I was just going to say the same thing. Your biggest problem right now is your visa. Without being a current student, your visa which is dependent on your student status, is in jeopardy. Whatever you do, you must NOT overstay your visa because that can end you up in some serious trouble and possibly a deportation. If you get deported you cannot revisit the USA for 10 years. I would concentrate on getting into another school as soon as possible, or trying to get your last school to reconsider your status there.

[nursinglove30]

The OP is already out of the country. The only viable option I see for her now is reapply to a different University and start the program all over again. This will be long and financially draining. Good luck OP.

[blenderbottle]

Not much can be done, but I would reccommend you to start legal action again school, beeing only black in the class should help you case (you can always show phone records in the court) Good luck

[nursinglove30]

Not much can be done, but I would reccommend you to start legal action again school, beeing only black in the class should help you case (you can always show phone records in the court) Good luck

Yeah but whether or not she wins the case, this isn't an environment she should be going back in. Suing for money may be ok but it's a long shot and headache. The OP needs a fresh start.

[halfcourt95k]

Shame on everyone dismissing this because they think she is 'pulling the race card'. Racism is real, and I feel sorry for everyone that has had to go through it. Being half-Mexican and half-white, I see and hear a lot. The privileged will never understand.

[NurseIris]

BeeBee18

I am a black woman and I wish that you would not have even made that statement about being the only black person in your class. It seems that the school policies were already in place when you started your journey to becoming a nurse. Please don't think that I am being mean. I just want you to take responsibility and realize we have to work hard hard and continually keep our ears and eyes open to know what we have to do in order to reach our goals. I think that you should appeal. Just let the appeal committee know that you will work harder the next time and you will take your classes more serious.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Not much can be done, but I would reccommend you to start legal action again school, beeing only black in the class should help you case (you can always show phone records in the court) Good luck

Most attorneys who work on contingency will want strong proof of racial discrimination before taking on a lawsuit of this nature. Being the only black in her class does not in and of itself constitute proof of discrimination, especially given her admitted failures regarding attendance and other matters.

Taking legal action is not as easy as people make it out to be. My DH and I had to sue someone over a business deal. We were totally and completely in the right. We won our case. It was the most stressful year of our lives. We hope to NEVER need to go that route again, ever. It's not worth it for the most part.