Does anyone else's school do this?

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My school just changed their stance on excused clinical absences. Now, instead of having a make-up day or paperwork.....you will get an incomplete for clinical until you enroll in a " clinical practicum" one day course that is the same amount of credits as the class you are in. FOR ONE DAY!

Now this really sucks for me...because I have clinicals wed/thurs and the 2nd wed I can't be at clinical- because I got a subpoena to testify in court that day ( my neighbor beat up his wife and I witnessed a part of it). I called the DA's office and told them my clinical circumstance and they told me that i HAVE to be there.

*sigh*. So my class is 5 credits so for missing tat day that I can't help ( by law) I have to pay near $600 to take a ONE DAY class.

I know they must have their reasons...but this REALLY hurts financially! Now I know some schools don't even allow ANY excuses...but by law I can't NOT show at court *sigh*

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Gosh, that does suck! I'm sorry.

Just think, you may help put this man away which in turn may save this woman's life. You're doing the right thing.

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Specializes in OB.

consider yourself lucky. We get one miss. the second one, you are kicked from the program, no make ups, no excuses. And I'm not talking " making up the semester" either. You are done. You have to reapply to the entire program starting again at day one, and you have to go before " THE BOARD" for them to decide if you are worthy or re-entering.

I dont know what they would do in your case, it would be nice to think that they could look at the situation and say ' this isnt your fault, it is court." Life HAPPENS, even if you are a nursing student. i sometimes just don't get how they can think that the worls stops turning while you are in school.

Good luck, hopefully you can appeal the $$$$ part .

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I hope he gets punished severely. It makes me sick what he did to her- and for once I thanked God for my insomnia.

I hope they will give me some leniency- I doubt it, though. They just re-did the WHOLE curriculum and it was just given to us today at dosage testing....nothing like getting a new curriculum 3 days before school starts!

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I would take it all the way up to the Dean. Thats what he is there for. Start with the head of nursing and go up the ladder. This is a special circumstance and by law you need to be there. If you don't show up at court can they with hold your license besides the fine?

Try a free consultation with an attorney also.

Dabuggy

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I think what the school may be doing is illegal since it is court ordered and may fall along the same lines as jury duty does. Try calling the court house and ask them about it.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

Maybe I'm reaching, but can you sue the guy for making you have to miss clinicals and having to testify due to his criminal act?

Just a thought.

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Specializes in ICU.

wow, this whole thing sucks - i would definitely try to appeal it. it's not like you're just hanging out one day cause you need a little free time - dang! i'm also guessing they may not have come up with a situation like this since it's a brand new rule; so there may be a chance they would let it go considering it's a legal issue...i'm hoping so, anyway, considering the brave thing you're about to undertake in being a witness...

hope it turns out well for you:icon_hug:

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How about photocopying the summons for duty & going to the Dean of Nursing AND getting it in writing that it won't be counted against you &/or it can be made up............see things like this I swear they use just to make it harder on students....not fair...........geez don't go...get arrested & then have that on your record so you'd be unable to attend NS anyway..what a vicious cycle!:angryfire ............Maybe you can call the prosecutor & ask what if you refuse to testify? I mean that poor woman definetly but is she the one who pressed charges? Sometimes like where I live the commonwealth presses charges and I think it's due to the person being smacked around being afraid to come forward so the authorities do it........I would even mention asking if you could record or videotape your testimony or write it with the prosecutor present.....you never know under the circumstances.............what if someone gets sick on that day?Do they get in trouble for it? Not fair !! Hope it works out for you!

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I believe that a "job" cannot hold jury duty,etc against a employee. It is against the law...I would get info on the law and go into school armed with some info. That is ridiculous and they need to lighten up a bit for these situations

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I agree with the other posters. For every rule, there is someone who can make an exception. You just have to find that person. Good luck and keep us posted.

A couple years ago, one of our nursing instructors almost got called for jury duty. It was pretty funny how she (and the rest of the staff) were panicking about it.

T

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Specializes in primary care, holistic health, integrated medicine.

My school just changed their stance on excused clinical absences. Now, instead of having a make-up day or paperwork.....you will get an incomplete for clinical until you enroll in a " clinical practicum" one day course that is the same amount of credits as the class you are in. FOR ONE DAY!

Now this really sucks for me...because I have clinicals wed/thurs and the 2nd wed I can't be at clinical- because I got a subpoena to testify in court that day ( my neighbor beat up his wife and I witnessed a part of it). I called the DA's office and told them my clinical circumstance and they told me that i HAVE to be there.

at court *sigh*

You should go to the DA - and even the judge. Ask if an affidavit will work instead... tell them that you can't do it that day, no way, no how. Because, there is a chance that it will be put off, anyway, for some other reason. I have sat in court houses waiting to testify all day, just to have the DA come out and tell me that the case is being put off, or that I will have to come back tomorrow.

If you are THAT important of a witness, then they should be able to change the day or the time for you. What time do your clinicals end? It might even be able to take place after 4 PM, or you could be the last witness... if you are close enough, maybe they can call you when they are ready for you, and you could slip out (of course with permission of your instructor) long enough to go testify and come back.

Although I think it is important for the man to be held accountable, I have a tremendous amount of experience with DV and chances are that your five minutes of testimony will make little difference in the big picture. Sad but true. Okay, I'm cynical. I'm just saying that it isn't worth it for it to cost you like that for something that has probably been going on for years, and, if statistics prove true, will probably happen again - unless the girl is REALLY ready for it to be over. Question: Is she testifying against him? Assertiveness is the key. I'm wondering what would cost you less, not showing up for court, or paying 600. for missing a clinical day. :uhoh3:

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