Dismissed from associates program and Really Need support and advice

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Ok here my story --- I was in a bachelors degree program from 2003-2005 and ended up not making it. So, decided wasn't going to give up and went to an associates degree in nursing. Well, in my second semester with 3 wks left and get told dismissed for academic dishonesty. I have never cheated in my life and study so hard. this is what happened Need advise Please ~ Ok had a really bad morning and ended up was rushing around and grabbed my notes and some practice question cause I thought I would make it to some part of the class and be able to review a lil. Unfortunately, never made it to class and with rushing forgot to take my med for ADHD/Anxiety. Ended up going right to the teachers building cause that is where i take my exams due to accomadation for disability. Knocked on my professors do and no one answered so wait for about 10 -15min. and then took walk upstairs saw 2 other students taking the exam asked them where professor was one answered downstairs so went back down knocked on door and still no answer. Went back up to the 2 students and asked again the other student said oh its not our regular professor giving it is this person. So, rushed to the 3rd floor of the building to her office. Professor was like here for exam I said yes, dropped my bag off and rushed back down stairs to get exam and start. Now realize haven't taken meds and have 3 panic attacks. I am trying to answer exam questions and reach into my poccket and pull out a tissue and some papers put the papers on the table face down and blew my nose and cont. on Well, to finish up the story ended up professor came and and said I was dishonest but honestly I wasn't I totally don't function when I don't take my meds and wasn't looking at the paper at all totally just wasn't functioning and didn't even realize it was practice questions. So, ended up getting dismissed my program. I talked to director of program and advisor and both say can appeal but won't get back in. I so want to be a nurse and this professor never actually saw me using those papers so its speculation and I wansn't using them. What are my chances of getting back in? Was considering getting lawyer for appeal cause Im getting no where and maybe the schoo would react different to a lawyer what do u think please give advise I so need it. Been so down about this. Oh and to make matters worse had a 96 average in the class. But the school could care less at least thats the impression im getting. Help?????

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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

yikes. i think first you try to calm down and take your meds so you can be under control when you speak to whoever it is that you need to speak to.

can you start with the professor who knows you and hopefully knows your disability? that professor has much more knowledge of you and your previous testing experiences, as well as the regular classroom stuff. (tests, preparedness, participation, etc)

it does sound like you were caught "red handed", so to speak, so this may be a difficult road to haul, but if you keep an even head, and try to resolve this without benefit of an attorney, you just might be able to overcome it. you might even offer to take the make up exam for this test in front of your professor..

either way, things are always worse than they appear. this will not be the end of your life, please don't think if you aren't able to become a nurse that you won't be successful in life. i hate the adage "things happen for a reason", but i have to say this might just apply here.

:hug: for you! and good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

Is there a camera in the room where you were taking the test?

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Do you have a good family doc who could write a statement on your behalf and address your condition specifically?? It may or may not help, but worth a shot. Perhaps a couple of letters from your profs/doctor/pastors?? Anything that can help you, and perhaps a nice letter from you, explaining the entire situation in writing will also go a long way? I would at least document it and send it to them all and keep copies of any letters you get from docs/pastors/teachers etc...

I just think if its in writing, then they would respond to you in writing and you have a paper trail to perhaps help you with a lawyer if it comes to that later on.

Sounds like you might be out of luck, but from my past experiences, they should at least have a board of judges so to speak to let you have "your day in court".

Prayer is always a good answer too, God would never give you more than you can handle and just see what you are to learn from this situation, and move on, always move forward.

Praying for a good outcome!!

God Bless,

Deborah

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Thanks everyone for your support. To answer ur questions: Calming down is good unfortunatley was just one of those days, we all have them from time to time. After taking meds, next day went to speak with both my advisor and director of nursing again but got no where. My advisor had just given her notice and director of nursing doesn't even want to listen. No, there is no camera in the room its just an empty teacher office with a desk and chair.

In our student handbook it says disciplinary action can be from withdrawal without credit from the class all the way to dismissal. I recieved a letter from the director saying she was withdrawing me with out credit for the class. Thought I had a glimmer of hope due to this letter sounded to me and my family as if I could repeat class, but when I spoke with my advisor thats when I was informed dismissed and that director can only withdraw me from class and that I would be receiving another letter from Dean of Health Science saying ive been dismissed. Well, still have not received this letter. Also, my advisor informed of me of appeal process but stated that the director told her that I wont get back in becasue the next person for me to speak with is dean of health science and this person would ask director what her recommendation is - - answer is NO.

Per director of nursing she has informed all my professors and clinical instructors not to speak with me. So this has made it difficult to try to even see if someone would write a recommendation on my performance.

This has been such a dream of mine. Trying not to give up but really down in the dumbs. I was doing so well and its like they don't care, all my clinical evals have said exceeds expectations and got all As on my exams but still know the fact of the matter was paper - but just wish they would take a step back and look at the whole picture.

Do any of you know of any online programs for students who are not already and RN/ Distance Learning or any programs that I could look into to achieve my goal. I would like to start asap if possible, but know might have to wait a bit. Thanks for your help.

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got a question my advisor mentioned Excelsior college to me -- does anyone know about this college, what they have to offer, and how it works is it totally online, what do u do about clinical work? I looked online at there site but couldn't find any info on what is done for clincal exp. If any of you have gone there or know about can you please respond thanks a bunch.

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Excelsior may be an option for you if you have completed at least 50% of the requirements for a BSN degree, including several clinical courses. Excelsior does not have clinicals throughout the program. Instead, Excelsior has a culminating clinical exam that the student must pass before he or she can graduate. Key in terms like "Excelsior CPNE" in a search engine to find information about the clinical aspect of Excelsior's program. It is a rigorous clinical examination. Excelsior's website has lots of good info. Go to http://www.excelsior.edu and then to the "School of Nursing" link.

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

Well, I certainly don't envy the stress you must be experiencing!

Your college should have a grievance policy in effect where you have the right to appeal this decision. Also, most colleges will have a designated person on staff (not associated with any specific college program) who acts as your advisor kind of like an ombudsman. I would look into that. However, you must remember to not make your appeal on emotions, but facts. Think about how you could factually argue that you were not cheating.

Good luck.

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My advice would be to complete your degree in liberal arts or major in English. What you need to learn in college is how to think- how to write and communicate - and how to make sound judgements and choices. It is much easier to get a second degree, if you have one already. It is much easier to get a different job, or another job within your company, if you are already working there. These things validate that you are smart - can learn and achieve good grades- can hold a job - that you are responsible and reasonable - are a valuable employee- and are worthy of respect and promotion.

You have other choices:

OT and PT aides have 2 year certified programs. You can work with patients through recreational therapy programs. Your ideal position might be in a personal care home. Attendents supervise meds, do blood sugar testing, provide personal care and, many times, are the patient's advocate for those who can no longer communicatte well. They are often the first to recognize the subtle symptoms when a patient's medical condition starts to change or worsen.

In addition all nursing homes, personal care homes, rehab and acute care hospitals need social workers and administrators, admission staff and GOOD PEOPLE - not just nurses.

Did you think ahead to where you want to work and what you want to do? There is a place for all of us in the world and there are many fields besides nursing that are healthcare related.

(I don't mean to be unkind, but I am just thinking what I would do with you - if I were your supervisor - and we had a busy (that is normal) day in ICU, ER or OR if you came in and had a day like that. - The first rule in Medicine is DO NO HARM. It takes more than knowledge and grades of 96 to be a nurse. You certainly harmed yourself with this behavior, and I think your professors are projecting this on to when you may harm yourself AND your patients. )

If your professors - do not in good conscience - feel that they can recommend you for completing a nursing program, then I think you need to change directions and work your way back to this. The more you fight them - right now - the more you are going to get the reputation of a "nut" and the more harm you will do yourself in the long run.

Talk to your advisor about switching majors and about what other health science programs that they would consider you for. There is a place for you, and I will pray for you and think of you often as you search to find it.

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I'm so sorry to read about your getting booted. It's a shame If your instructors based their decision on whether they thought you would do harm if you worked in a busy ER or trauma center. There are so many other areas in nursing where someone with ADD could do much good. There are probably thousands of nurses who steer away from environments where they felt they could not provide safe care on their own. There are probably thousands of nurse who think fast on their feet who do plenty of harm but get away with it because they are also quick to cover their tracks when they make a mistake. And there are probably thousands of people in acedemics who are not qualified to make value judgements who would do well to get over themselves. Good character and genuine concern for your patients goes a long way providing safe care.

If it doesn't work out for you, consider getting a degree in social work or one of the other helping professions. You need to take care of the dishonesty accusations if this makes it hard for you to enter another college. Maybe try to have a exit interview with the school administraters to find out exactly what they were thinking when they let you go. I think they owe you that honesty. Good luck and God bless.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I've read all the posts here so far, and I think for the most part you are receiving excellent advice.

Please don't take this unkindly; it is meant only for your benefit, and certainly for the benefit of your future patients and co-workers: I think you should seriously reconsider becoming a nurse at this time in your life. Your posts read like pressured speech, which indicates to me that you are having trouble organizing your thoughts; it may be that your ADD isn't as well controlled as you would like, and your meds may need some 'fine-tuning' in order to produce the results you need in order to function at your best. Nursing is a highly-stressful occupation that can be hard on even the healthiest people; and if you have poorly controlled physical or emotional problems, it can be disastrous, not only for you but for everyone around you.

Once you get things under control, and perhaps gain a little more maturity and life experience, you could very well be successful in your pursuit of a nursing career. In fact, you may someday be quite an asset to the profession BECAUSE of your difficulties; people who have faced challenges like yours often have much more insight and empathy than those who have lived "normal" lives.

It may be awhile before you are ready to take on nursing school again, but that's OK---some of the best nurses out there are those who wait until they're in their late 20s, 30s, and beyond. PLEASE consider deferring this dream until you are able to gain some control over your condition and your life. Your entire future may depend on it.

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I agree with dmooli. For the near term, consider pursuing another degree. I think that you really need to be steady with your mental status if you are to be working long, stressful hours around vulnerable patients where an error could cost a life. I also think you need to work on your writing and spelling skills. --I think that if I were a professor and had a student that seemed to have done something dishonest, I would be more likely to strongly think that they had done so if they were not able to write well.

It might take you a little longer to become a nurse if you pursue a liberal arts degree, but you might find that it would give you an even stronger foundation once you get back on track.

If you file a grievance in the very near term, I would take your meds and gather your thoughts carefully. Present your case concisely. Get your main points across in the first 60 seconds. --You may have lost some of your professors' ears due to rambling and long-windedness.

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