Nursing School Situation, Does this Sound Right?

Nurses General Nursing

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HI, I'm a pre-nursing student. Recently a friend (also pre-nursing), told me that one of the fellow nursing students she knows was just accepted into clinicals, after a year and a half of waiting. The accepted girl was, no doubt, excited about being accepted, until she went to her doctor for the required physical. The doctor determined that this soon to be nursing student has some type of back problem, which, in his opinion, prevents her from lifting more that 50 pounds. When the nursing school found out about this, they told the girl that they could no longer accept her into clinicals. What I'm asking is I realize that they'd have to make some allowances for her in the clinical setting, but surely she can still be a nurse in neonatal, management, or any other type of position where she would not have lifting as one of her responsibilities. Does the school's actions sound ligit to ya'll?

P.S., this is especially of interest to me as I know my father has some sort of back problem which he was born with. I would hate to find out I had the same problem and be barred from clinicals. :uhoh3:

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

It's my understanding that this is how was in this situation--the student had no idea she had a back problem.

what if you have no idea you have some underlying issue and it comes up in the physical like diabetes or HTN or are anemic etc... will the schools take away your spot for that?
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
That sounds like discrimination to me. I think this woman should contact an attorney. Anyone with a disability is protected under the Americans with Disability Act.

Stephanie RN

I wondered if it might be some type of discrimination, but I do realize the school could claim by letting her into clinicals they were putting patients at risk, etc.

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
In reply to the military wife with transient depression -

I have been in nursing school 3.5 years along with my buddy bipolar disorder and I have a 3.5 gpa. Many people do not seem to realize that people with mental disabilities can and do control their emotions and exacerbations of illness. We are exceptional human beings who are talented in moving in and out of moods and what not. We do not respond to criticism and know our opinions matter more than most. We have very large egos because we have to deal with the rest of society who continues to berate us and superiorize over us claiming that we really don't know what we are doing. Well guess what? We know more about our patients than most because we have suffered with the best of them and can identify stages of illness because we were once there ourselves. Our courage is irreplaceable and we bring a new dimension to nursing. We know what we are capable of and do not let our illnesses limit our vision of dedication and responsibility. We are leaders in our field because we know persistence and perserverance. We've seen dark days but know how to find the sunlight. By no means are we crazy, incompetent or violent. We understand fear because we have squashed it and risen above it. We are integrative, advanced and emotionally intelligent. We know our weaknesses contain seeds of strength and understand the hysterics of others who have runaway emotions when they think of working with the mentally ill. Our disabilities do not define us rather we make our own definitions and succeed where others dare not to go. Never be ashamed to bring light into the darkness - HB

HB, Wow. Congratulations on following your dream despite being bipolar. My mother was an LPN for 10 years with bipolar. :)

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I wondered if it might be some type of discrimination, but I do realize the school could claim by letting her into clinicals they were putting patients at risk, etc.
the school could claim that but if she got a good attorney with medical knowledge he/she could eat them for lunch!

:rotfl:

the problem would be if she went through all the BS just to get in, how would they treat her once she was in the program?

Better off getting a second opinion and trying to take it back to the school, or going to a new school alltogether

Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

Sounds like the nursing school is just looking for good PR. If they allow handicapped students their graduation rate drops as does their placement after graduation. Go find a better school.

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Sounds like the nursing school is just looking for good PR. If they allow handicapped students their graduation rate drops as does their placement after graduation. Go find a better school.

Actually, I love the school. I've found many of the instructors to be top notch. Nevertheless, if possible, I will be transferring to another school due to moving. :)

Specializes in CVICU.

I am not starting clinicals unitl Jan., so I don't know how they will be. I can say that I have worked in a nursing home as an aide for 5 years and now work in a hospital. You can be a nurse and do minimal lifting. Most facilities do not want their employees to get hurt and may require that some pt's. only are transfered using lifts. There are total lifts or sit to stand lifts. If a person is to heavy or requires maximal assistance you can always use a lift. It protects the pt. and the nurse. I have seen nurses who do not have back problems that can not lift a pt., they get along fine. There is usually always someone around willing to help.

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
I have seen nurses who do not have back problems that can not lift a pt., they get along fine. There is usually always someone around willing to help.

Thank you for this! So true. I weigh about 100lbs soaking wet and most of my patients have been nearly twice my size! I always ask for help, call for an attendent, or use a mechanical lift. So in theory, if they are turning her down for a back prob based on rationale that she cannot move/lift/transfer pts then I should have never been able to go to nursing school either.

next thing you know, they'll have us going through a physical fitness test before we can get in.

"we're sorry-you are not accepted. you did not finish the three mile run in under 2:47"

i really hope it works out for her! my school asked someone not to come because they were pregnant & you are only allowed to be pregnant in my school if the baby is due after graduation.

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

Wow! I never EVER have viewed my school as being leinient (sp?...i really need a dictionary lol). But reading some of these posts...we have 3-4 students with various learning disabilities and 4 preg students right now and we have two semesters left. They don't give an inch in anything else, but they certainly give everyone an equal opportunity to show their commitment and dedication! :p

The problem might be that she has to compelete the entire program before she can become any type of nurse- neonatal, manager, anything. Employers do have to make some accomodations under some circumstances- but they do not necessarily have to hire someone who cannot do the entire job and will not ever be able to. Even neonatal nurses and managers have to push heavy equipment around and do CPR- she might get out of school and have a very tough time finding a job. (Assuming this is a permanent condition that she can't have corrected.)

Would you think it was fair if you were in her clinical group and she didn't have to do the same things you did? She would have to pass her Med/Surg clinicals- lots of lifting there. Should she get the same grade as people who had to do more?

I can imagine the school's point here, too- she can't do the required work so would the accredidation organizations allow them to give her a diploma from their school? And since students are covered under the school's insurance, maybe they are concerned she will try to do too much and injure herself more severely.

There is no good answer here- what a shame.

That sounds like discrimination to me. I think this woman should contact an attorney. Anyone with a disability is protected under the Americans with Disability Act.

Stephanie RN

I agree with Stephanie RN

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