Dismissed from ADN program need advice please

pookyp, LPN · Aug 22, 2012

I made it all the way to Nursing III and Iwas to complete Nursing IV but found it very difficult to pay my tuition withloans (could not get enough money) and financial aid. I had only about half ofthe money that I needed and made the wrong decision to continue as a student without being paid in full. I was dropped and I attended classes knowing the truth but did not say anything for fear that I would be told to forgo that semester.
I was so hopeful that I could get the rest of the money to be able to paybefore anyone in the nursing department noticed anything. I was so desperate to finish my last semester as well as hopeful that I would get the money and pay before the school of nursing would notice anything. Eventually they did notice and needless to say they did not take the situation lightly. After deliberation they decided to dismiss me from the program because of my dishonesty for attending classes while not being
registered and I cannot appeal.
I take full responsibility for the choice that I had made. I have nobody to blame but myself for making a stupid decision but I did go into a depression for a period of time. Now I just want to pick upthe broken pieces of my academic and professional goals but do not want to go through another ADN program. Do I have other options at this point?

Maybe get your LPN? And bridge over at another school? So sorry.

Wrench Party · Aug 22, 2012

I'm not sure what your recourse, if at all, could be academically. My department and university both have carefully outlined policies on dishonesty ( the usual academic stuff), but also related to personal issues and professionalism. Your program may have seen it as an example of professional dishonesty (i.e. you are considered a professional as a nursing student and your decisions did not reflect that). You also probably signed an agreement to these policies and knowingly violated them.

You also, legally and ethically, posed a liability to everyone involved, especially in clinicals, because of the nature of being an unregistered student, if an incident occurred. Your presence may have been considered that of a layperson. Besides the school's Liability Insurance not covering them or you in a situation, other consequences could have played out. The clinical instructor's license, the ability of the school to get future clinical placements, and the trust between your school's nursing staff and hospital staff may have all been called into question.

So yeah, they kind of treated it as a big deal.

As for being able to afford another program, I would save up the money right off the bat before applying to an affordable state school BSN or community college ADN program. Apply for scholarships, get grants, whatever you have to do to make it happen.

LeeLeeTheGPN · Aug 22, 2012

Will the school release your transcripts for the courses you have completed so far? The only feasible option I see is looking into possibly transferring to another school to finish. Good luck with your future endeavors.

Stephalump · Aug 22, 2012

Well it seems like you gave avoiding reality a shot and it didn't work out too well, so the only thing left to do is face it and push on through. Desperation doesn't do anything for us but convince us to make really bad choices.

So, obviously you're have trouble affording school.m, which I totally can relate to. Maybe a cheaper option would be good for you? Are you working? I'd consider doing something like CNA or MA or phlebotomist or SOMETHING that pays and saving up money to pay for an LPN program. Then you can save up more money for a bridge program. It wouldn't be easy or direct, but we cent avoid the reality of our lives in pursuit of our dreams.

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 22, 2012

Since you nearly finished the RN program would you be able to challenge the LPN boards?

IAmNotForgotten · Aug 22, 2012

Get your LPN license so you can work until you find another program.

chocolatekisses · Aug 22, 2012

Thanks everyone,

I did consider going to LPN school but was discouraged by a lot of people because they said no one wants LPNs anymore. I am working

as a CNA at the moment and have started to apply to other schools for BSN. Even though the nursing programs are in the fall only so it

would be next year for me. I will reconsider LPN school if it is my only option. I also forgot to mention that I felt like a failure

because I spent so much time in school and had no degree to show for it. So I found out that I could get a Liberal studies degree if I

took some more classes. I did them in one semester and have an associates in science but dont know how that helps me for now. I just

wanted something tangible to show for the years that I had put into school. I know that I am going to reach my goal of becoming a

nurse it will just take a different and longer path.

rubato, ASN, RN · Aug 22, 2012

I don't believe you would need to go to LPN school. Check it out and see if you are already qualified to sit for the test. You finished all but one semester of RN school. I could be completely wrong about this though, so maybe someone can come on and let us know.

Also, while LPN may not be where you want to be right now, they make a lot more money than a CNA, and if all you have to do is pass the state test, it would completely be worth it.

chocolatekisses · Aug 22, 2012

Also, while LPN may not be where you want to be right now

I have no problem being an LPN in fact it was one of the first things that came to mind because I knew it would be easier than trying to get into a BSN or ADN program. Like i said I was discouraged by people who told me that LPNs are not being hired anymore. I did not know I could challenge the LPN exam so I will check to see if it is possible. The only thing I would worry about is how I can have a refresher on my clinical skills afer being out of school for a little while.