I was denied a maternity leave.

[StephMatousek]

I'm a vocational nursing student at a trade school and was denied a leave of absence due to pregnancy. I won't even be put on a waiting list! Failed students have priority over me to re-enter the program! I ended the term with an 88%, my financial obligations are taken care of, and my obgyn even had written a letter to the school requesting I be able to take off the next term. The school said that I would be terminated! Does anyone have an experience similar to this, or possibly information that would help me appeal the school's decision to terminate me because of pregnancy? Also, does anyone in their opinion believe this is considered an act of discrimination? PLEASE reply. I really don't want to have to start all over again in another program.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I don't know.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I've never been in that situation either. It sounds terrible, and I'm sorry they're treating you like this. :icon_hug:

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

That's a bummer. That's ridiculous that failed students have priority over you. Are you having medical issues that require you to take this leave?

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

Who told you this information? It sounds to me like they are engaging in discriminatory practices. Have you begun going up the chain of command? If anyone needed to take a leave of absence at our school, it clearly states in our policies and procedures manual that the student will have to sit out for a year (our school begins new nursing cohorts yearly which is why a student has to wait so long). IF the student takes a leave on good terms (i.e. at the time of the leave request the student’s grades were satisfactory, then the student simply informs the nursing department that they will be returning. The student is then placed into the class). For those who failed and are trying to get back in have to reapply, get the permission of the DON and interview with the DON.

I don’t know how you feel about what I am going to say, but it is food for thought. If after exhausting the chain of command, I would consult with an attorney. I’m sure with whoever you consult with will be interested in helping you. Normally, they will send a letter stating which federal/state law the school is in violation of, especially if they are a state school.

Good luck to you.

[RutterMama]

I agree with Parker. If you get no where with the school, I would consult an attorney if you have the means...

[Atheos]

Schools are not legally required to give maternity leave. So it's not discrimination.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

That's true Stanley, but it does sound like this student is being treated unfairly. It's not as though she failed or was caught high on drugs. It sounds as if her pregnancy became a medical problem for her and she needed a leave of absence.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Wow, I hope your requested leave is not due to your health. In my program there have been a few pregnancies, most planned to deliver during break, e.g. xmas, thanksgiving, summer! But, I have not heard of anyone taking "leave". They just continue in sequence, but really have to have all at home in order to do that! Not to mention the luck of no C/S, or other mother/baby complications! I don't believe my program gives anyone medical leave either, you must drop, and hope to petition in again if there is room to redo the semester you lost. I'd check your student manual and see if there are any loopholes you can squeeze through.

I am a new member, Hi to all.

[Atheos]

True. The school could probably cut her some slack. Then, of course, if they don't do it for others they WILL be liable for discriminatory behavior and will have to let others take leaves as well.

Plus, you could extend the argument. My smoking could become a medical problem for me. Should my school then be responsible?

Should I even ASK them to?

[Jules A, MSN]

Both my LPN and RN schools warned us against getting pregnant and were especially unforgiving to the few that dared. Only one girl managed to graduate with us and she didn't get pregnant until our last semester. The others had to reapply right along with everyone else the following year. I also hope you don't have to leave due to problems with your pregnance and would find out whatever I could do to increase my chances of getting back in the next time you are eligible. Good luck.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

What does smoking have to do with this, Stanley? A better comparison would be, what if you got prostate cancer and needed to take a semester off for radiation and chemo? Would it be fair if the school said you were out of luck like they are doing to the OP?