Have you restarted a nursing program?

Cupcake2018 · Mar 30, 2019

It's very concerning to me that your program would write you up for an excused absence (provider note and all) after telling students that they are not to attend clinical when ill. Makes little sense. Even worse that they decided to dismiss you. You should attempt to utilize the formal appeal process outlined by your school/program before trying to get into another program. If the reasons for your write-ups and dismissal are as you state they are, then you might have a plausible reason to take legal action. Good luck.

Stephab07 · Mar 31, 2019

1 hour ago, Cupcake2018 said:
It's very concerning to me that your program would write you up for an excused absence (provider note and all) after telling students that they are not to attend clinical when ill. Makes little sense. Even worse that they decided to dismiss you. You should attempt to utilize the formal appeal process outlined by your school/program before trying to get into another program. If the reasons for your write-ups and dismissal are as you state they are, then you might have a plausible reason to take legal action. Good luck.

They are very strict on their 2 absence policy. They told us there is no excused absence in clinical but that we are to use our 2 absences for emergencies. We have to sign an absence policy every clinical. When I went to the meeting there were only two board members and they had already made up their mind before I came in the room. I pulled out my doctor notes and she said “I won’t be needing those.. we’ve made a decision and you cannot move forward. Every student knows our absence policy is taken seriously” she had my signed clinical absence form out for me to review. At first they wrote me an email telling me they were dismissing me! I didn’t get a phone call or offered a meeting! I thought that was entirely unprofessional! I was also told from someone else that I could seek legal action but this happened in 2017 so I’m not sure if it’s a time sensitive matter? I would have to look into it.

Matthew RN, MSN · Apr 2, 2019

There are tons of great nurses who have had to restart nursing programs. I have worked with an awesome nursing instructor that was dismissed and had to go back through. Life happens even while in nursing school. This situation is not a reflection of you as a person, as a mother, as a student or as a nurse. Good luck in your endeavors.

On a side note most programs have pretty strict clinical attendance policies, but unless there is a clear path back into the program it is often worth going through the appeals process when you get dismissed. Appeals are very time sensitive, ours allows for 60 days. Our program is the same in that you can only miss up to two in a semester, however if you miss more than two because of medical reasons we do allow a medical withdrawal. The medical withdrawal makes it easier to return the next semester. For our students it's just a bump in the road.

Forest2 · Apr 2, 2019

It is a little late to be addressing this now. At this point you have to start over I would say. Sorry you didn't take up arms at the beginning, I think you would have fought and won. Oh well, live and learn.

Sounds like these people are a lot like hospital administrations, don't come in sick, now you are in trouble for not coming in sick. Such hypocrisy.

Stephab07 · Apr 2, 2019

3 hours ago, Matthew RN said:
This situation is not a reflection of you as a person, as a mother, as a student or as a nurse.

I needed to hear this, thank you ? as of yesterday I have signed up for a different programs entrance exam. I’m not giving up on my dreams because life happened. I know I’ll be a great nurse and I can’t wait until I can make a difference in many patients lives.

I wish my previous program was two per semester like yours instead of two the entire program. They never told me I could appeal it but that’s my fault for not checking with the handbook. I’ll take the loss and focus on the new program. Thank you for your kind words ?

Stephab07 · Apr 2, 2019

2 hours ago, Forest2 said:
It is a little late to be addressing this now. At this point you have to start over I would say. Sorry you didn't take up arms at the beginning, I think you would have fought and won. Oh well, live and learn.
Sounds like these people are a lot like hospital administrations, don't come in sick, now you are in trouble for not coming in sick. Such hypocrisy.

I think I would have won too if I was more aware of the process. It’s my fault for not checking the handbook. But like you said live and learn!

It is so hypocritical! Most likely we contracted the illness from our work environment. I wouldn’t want a ill nurse taking care of me if I were a patient... They still wrote me up for an absence even when my instructor sent me home. My instructor was actually angry with me that I showed up and wasted “her” time when she had put together patient assignments right before we got there. But I would have rather shown up and made the effort then not go at all. It’s okay though. I accepted the situation and I’m ready to move on. I want to show my children to never give up on their dreams no matter how tough it is or how many roadblocks that pop up. It’s just another chapter to my story. Thanks for replying ?

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 2, 2019

Some of you might not fully understand why the attendance policies are so strict at your schools. State Boards of Nursing have a set minimum number of clinical hours that all students must complete in order for them to be eligible to take the NCLEX. Schools usually build their schedules with a little "extra clinical time" built in so that students still exceed the minimal time required even if they miss a few days.

Some schools have less "padding" in their schedules than other schools and some have more. If students miss enough clinical time to dip below that minimal required number of hours, the school is not allowed to certify them eligible to take the NCLEX. It doesn't matter if the clinical absence was for a good cause or not. Either the student has attended clinical for the required number of hours or she hasn't. The only thing a school can do to help is offer extra clinicals to "make up" for missed days.

Stephab07 · Apr 2, 2019

17 minutes ago, llg said:
Some of you might not fully understand why the attendance policies are so strict at your schools. State Boards of Nursing have a set minimum number of clinical hours that all students must complete in order for them to be eligible to take the NCLEX. Schools usually build their schedules with a little "extra clinical time" built in so that students still exceed the minimal time required even if they miss a few days.
Some schools have less "padding" in their schedules than other schools and some have more. If students miss enough clinical time to dip below that minimal required number of hours, the school is not allowed to certify them eligible to take the NCLEX. It doesn't matter if the clinical absence was for a good cause or not. Either the student has attended clinical for the required number of hours or she hasn't. The only thing a school can do to help is offer extra clinicals to "make up" for missed days.

That makes sense because after talking with friends who have gone to different programs it seems that they have longer clinical hours with more absences allowed or others had opportunities to make up missed clinical time. The program I attended had 5-6 hour clinicals and no make up opportunities so I can see how they have the strict rule at my previous school. I guess it just depends on the program! Thanks for the info!

Golden_RN, MSN · Apr 2, 2019

Why are you forced to apply to a new program, and not given the option of just repeating the semester?

tmjetset · Apr 3, 2019

So sorry to hear that your plans got "rerouted" but seeing that most people replied as being sensitive to your situation, I think in the education of everyone I would like to be objective to educate all as to reasons of decisions. When I was a nurse and union rep I remember representing a nurse who was written up for excessive absences. She had legitimate reasons and doctor's notes. The administration responded "No one doubts her situation or legitimacy, but the bottom line is she's not here, not working when assigned." When I was a nursing faculty, I would go to bat for students with the nursing administrator with their doctor's notes, excuses, whatever. (and there were many from car accidents, to no sitter, to lady partsl bleeding on the way to clinical). Most reasons are to tug at heartstrings. Our director firmly said to us "Everyone has a story...whether true or not, and how can we pick and choose who gets to bend the rules. The two absences are there for these reasons." The third lesson I learned was when teaching college. We didn't have a dept. wide attendance policy. Our college seemed to have more family members in intensive care units, grandma's dying, boyfriends in motorcycle accidents. I finally asked if I could have an attendance policy on my syllabus. I told the students that my classes and fieldwork are highly interactive. If you are not here, you are not participating. I felt 3 absences should be sufficient.(course meets 1x per week) I also warned that Doctor's notes don't "excuse" an absence. Absence is an absence for any reason. Amazingly, no more excuses and attendance improved drastically. I hope this clears up some misunderstandings on the part of students. I hope this student either returns to repeat a semester which seems most logical unless there are other issues not reported, which may be why she is seeking another program after 3 semesters. She doesn't say if they were 3 completed successfully, or if this was her first time around. Most students who have repeated a clinical course, or have previously been dropped only have one opportunity to return. Please all keep in mind for your student and professional careers....If an instructor or supervisor sends you home, it doesn't excuse absence. You are sent home because you are not fit to be there that day to carry out your duties! Don't blame them, although I appreciate your attempt to show you were concerned about your attendance, it also makes you look unprofessional to be ill working with those imuno compromised patients. A better option would have been to report to your school nursing chair or administrator. I hope I have been helpful, even if it is a bit of reality shock for some. It's the reality of how management works in many industries. Good Luck.

MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN · Apr 8, 2019

I understand this is not the same scenario, but, I've 3 nurse friends who all failed a semester. They all were devastated by this. However, all 3 have been nurses for several years now & one is even an advance practice nurse. They had academic struggles, that was not your issue. I'm just basically saying, take heart, while this situation was upsetting, it will be but a bump in your journey. Go get that RN. I can't help but to think just how much more special & meaningful it will be for you now!