Kicked out of LPN Program

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

Published

I've been in my LPN program for a couple of months. In my program, I was the senior citizen at 49 years of age. As our program is very rigorous and moves at a fast pace, I was able to excell in the program due to my maturity. In fact, I kept my average around 96% on all of the tests and turned in my assignments in a timely manner.

Last Friday morning, on my way to my first clinical orientation, I was involved in a very serious automobile accident. A person rear ended me on the interstate. I was going 65MPH, and the guy was going 100MPH. I spun through 3 lanes of traffic and ended up in the median. My car was folded up like an accordian. Luckily, I am alive, have suffered only whiplash, 2 broken ribs, and lower back pain. I was checked out of the hospital with sufficient meds, and a wrap for my ribs.

Returning to clinicals, I was out of place, having received no orientation, I felt like a duck out of water. I did my best for 2 days, but was unable to move patients etc. The instructor, who I respected, pulled me aside on the third day, and suspended me. She told me that she wasn't kicking me out of the program, but that I could take the next CNA program, then start all over in the next LPN program in Feb. As I have made a midlife career change, my finances only allowed me to budget expenses for a year, and this would take 50% longer, and continuing in this program would not be economically feasable.

Yesterday, I spoke with the head of the Nursing Department to discuss the matter. My instructor had made out an incident report to cover her ass containing many inaccuracies and downright lies. In it, she accused me of basically throwing a tantrum, not reporting my prescriptions....which I did, and generally being an ass. I asked the head of the nursing program for a copy of this incident report, and she refused to give me a copy, citing confidentiality. I thought I was entitled to see all of my records.

I did, however, get her to agree to refund all monies that I had paid for tuition, and write a letter that said I was withdrawn from the program on September 21. We shall see if any of this occurs.

As for me, I'm 49 years old, have no job, am injured, and my mental state is a total mess. The future for me is not bright. My auto insurance company is the same company of the guy who hit me. The insurance company is trying to cut corners, and not pay me what is a proper amount, and now I'm going to have to hire a lawyer.

None of this is my fault, not one bit. I left home a week ago, all excited for my first day of clinicals. Instead, my life is ruined.

Jeff

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I just wonder if the other male in the program, who is a minority, and has flunked 4 tests and had to re-take them, should be caring for patients.

This has absoulutely no bearing or similarity with your issues.

Specializes in Critical Care.
I just wonder if the other male in the program, who is a minority, and has flunked 4 tests and had to re-take them, should be caring for patients.

I understand that you're frustrated, and angry. But. No need to take pot shots.

It's been my experience that everything negative that has happened in my life has ultimately yielded a positive result. But maybe some of that has to do with my fairly positive outlook on life.

So, make something better of this. Check into an RN program. See if you can't keep a Feb restart option open and pursue lining up resources for it.

Getting angry and threatening lawsuits isn't going to help. You're right - it's not your fault you are in this situation. But. It's not the school's fault that you were injured, either.

(And directly replying to your quote above - there is always more than one side to every story and this isn't even your story - it's hear say, from your perspective. Besides, it's completely irrelevant to your situation. I personally wouldn't recommend continuing to use this lash out against this program - it makes you look petty and bad, not the program)

Good luck to you.

~faith,

Timothy.

Specializes in ER, OB/GYN, Womens Health.
I'm through with my career as a prospective nurse. I gave it my best shot, and through actions beyond my control, was kicked out.

What really upsets me is that I gave up a $75,000 a year job to pursue nursing. I must have had holes in my head.

OK, now.....why, would you give up a 75,000 a year job to become an LPN?

OK, now.....why, would you give up a 75,000 a year job to become an LPN?

Exactly what I was thinking...

Natasha

Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.
I'm through with my career as a prospective nurse. I gave it my best shot, and through actions beyond my control, was kicked out.

What really upsets me is that I gave up a $75,000 a year job to pursue nursing. I must have had holes in my head.

Like someone told you on another thread....with a BS in Chemistry, you can probably go into an accelerated BSN program. I don't blame you for being bitter, but a quick decision to just toss it away when you wanted it just before the accident only hurts you! Sounds like you were tired of your other job, so what's there to lose by taking a different road to the RN? Could be the best way in the long run. Plus, LPN's don't make anything near 75G, RN's make at least something closer to that.

first of, I am so sorry for your accident and getting kicked out of school. I understand all about being in a class with rules that are enforced per instructor's wishes. I agree that you have a right to feel disappointed and even majorly pissed off, but only for a short time!! You have to take this opportunity to really look at what you want to do. Obviously you don't want your $75k/yr job otherwise you wouldn't have quit. If you truly want to be a nurse, I agree with the poster who told you to aim higher and go for your RN or BSN. And yes, if you are in a college you will probably qualify for grants or student loans. Forget about those people still in the program that you don't think should still be there, forget about your (former) teacher. Don't let your bad feelings about the situation drive your next steps causing you to make a decision you'll regret. Use this time to do those things that you couldn't do while in a full time job. and like someone said, GET BACK ON THAT HORSE!! {{{HUG}}} take care of yourself and your family first. Use this experience to build up your patience and determination for those days from you know where once you are a nurse on the floor. Good Luck

I've been in my LPN program for a couple of months. In my program, I was the senior citizen at 49 years of age. As our program is very rigorous and moves at a fast pace, I was able to excell in the program due to my maturity. In fact, I kept my average around 96% on all of the tests and turned in my assignments in a timely manner.

Last Friday morning, on my way to my first clinical orientation, I was involved in a very serious automobile accident. A person rear ended me on the interstate. I was going 65MPH, and the guy was going 100MPH. I spun through 3 lanes of traffic and ended up in the median. My car was folded up like an accordian. Luckily, I am alive, have suffered only whiplash, 2 broken ribs, and lower back pain. I was checked out of the hospital with sufficient meds, and a wrap for my ribs.

Returning to clinicals, I was out of place, having received no orientation, I felt like a duck out of water. I did my best for 2 days, but was unable to move patients etc. The instructor, who I respected, pulled me aside on the third day, and suspended me. She told me that she wasn't kicking me out of the program, but that I could take the next CNA program, then start all over in the next LPN program in Feb. As I have made a midlife career change, my finances only allowed me to budget expenses for a year, and this would take 50% longer, and continuing in this program would not be economically feasable.

Yesterday, I spoke with the head of the Nursing Department to discuss the matter. My instructor had made out an incident report to cover her ass containing many inaccuracies and downright lies. In it, she accused me of basically throwing a tantrum, not reporting my prescriptions....which I did, and generally being an ass. I asked the head of the nursing program for a copy of this incident report, and she refused to give me a copy, citing confidentiality. I thought I was entitled to see all of my records.

I did, however, get her to agree to refund all monies that I had paid for tuition, and write a letter that said I was withdrawn from the program on September 21. We shall see if any of this occurs.

As for me, I'm 49 years old, have no job, am injured, and my mental state is a total mess. The future for me is not bright. My auto insurance company is the same company of the guy who hit me. The insurance company is trying to cut corners, and not pay me what is a proper amount, and now I'm going to have to hire a lawyer.

None of this is my fault, not one bit. I left home a week ago, all excited for my first day of clinicals. Instead, my life is ruined.

Jeff

SOME GIRLS IN THE LPN PROGRAM I GRADUATED FROM GOT SERIOUSLY ILL AROUND THE BEGINNING OF CLINICALS. AND ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS TOLD TO GO HOME AND THE OTHER SAID NO WE WILL WORK WITH YOU. ANYWAY THEY WENT TO THE PERSON THAT IS OVER TECH. VOCATIONAL SKILLS OF THE SCHOOL IN ADMINSTRATION. AND WE ALL GRADUATED IN JULY 2005 , AND THEY HAD MISSED A GOOD WEEK .. I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO GO OVER THE INSTRUCTOR HEAD AND HER BOSS, B/C THIS IS UNFAIR AND YOU SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZE FOR THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO YOU THAT ARE OUT OF YOUR CONTROL. YOU ARE A SMART PERSON, AND IF ALL ELSE FELLS RIGHT A LETTER TO YOUR LOCAL PAPER ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND LET IT GET SOME LOCAL ATTENTION...

OMG I cannot believe you were kicked out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I to was in a car accident juts before the last 6 weeks of my comprehensive practicum. A car turned left in front of us and we hit it going 100km/hr. i have soft tissue damage to my neck, TMJ and at the time had severe pain up my side. I was not able to lift or transfer patients the first 2 weeks. My instructor said she totally understood, but if i could not transfer by the 3rd week I would have to take time off and catch up clinical time after grad, which she said wouldn't be too big of a problem. But with some extensive physio for 3 weeks, I was able to lift and transfer and still in the program. If i were you I would fight this to the end. Good luck and glad to hear you are alive

OK, now.....why, would you give up a 75,000 a year job to become an LPN?

Because money isn't everything.

I wanted to help people.

Cheers,

Jeff

Watsurf,

You are frustrated over this. Man, a guy in our LPN program had an accident and got amnesia, yes amnesia, and in the second semester! The instructors worked with him on make-up's, re-learning about everything. He recovered gradually, graduated, and now he's in the advanced program. Some of the other students missed out on a few things, didn't graduate, but will finish a semester or two later. It's all about flexibility. You'd think nurses would be more understanding and accomodating (sp?). Well, btw, I'm 53 now, and finished in August. Yes, being older adults, we have to study harder, but we have the life experience and wisdom that enable us to help others at a deeper level, if ya know what I mean. Get well soon and get back out there.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
.. AND IF ALL ELSE FELLS RIGHT A LETTER TO YOUR LOCAL PAPER ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND LET IT GET SOME LOCAL ATTENTION...

A little over the top....IMHO

I've been in my LPN program for a couple of months. In my program, I was the senior citizen at 49 years of age. As our program is very rigorous and moves at a fast pace, I was able to excell in the program due to my maturity. In fact, I kept my average around 96% on all of the tests and turned in my assignments in a timely manner.

Last Friday morning, on my way to my first clinical orientation, I was involved in a very serious automobile accident. A person rear ended me on the interstate. I was going 65MPH, and the guy was going 100MPH. I spun through 3 lanes of traffic and ended up in the median. My car was folded up like an accordian. Luckily, I am alive, have suffered only whiplash, 2 broken ribs, and lower back pain. I was checked out of the hospital with sufficient meds, and a wrap for my ribs.

Returning to clinicals, I was out of place, having received no orientation, I felt like a duck out of water. I did my best for 2 days, but was unable to move patients etc. The instructor, who I respected, pulled me aside on the third day, and suspended me. She told me that she wasn't kicking me out of the program, but that I could take the next CNA program, then start all over in the next LPN program in Feb. As I have made a midlife career change, my finances only allowed me to budget expenses for a year, and this would take 50% longer, and continuing in this program would not be economically feasable.

Yesterday, I spoke with the head of the Nursing Department to discuss the matter. My instructor had made out an incident report to cover her ass containing many inaccuracies and downright lies. In it, she accused me of basically throwing a tantrum, not reporting my prescriptions....which I did, and generally being an ass. I asked the head of the nursing program for a copy of this incident report, and she refused to give me a copy, citing confidentiality. I thought I was entitled to see all of my records.

I did, however, get her to agree to refund all monies that I had paid for tuition, and write a letter that said I was withdrawn from the program on September 21. We shall see if any of this occurs.

As for me, I'm 49 years old, have no job, am injured, and my mental state is a total mess. The future for me is not bright. My auto insurance company is the same company of the guy who hit me. The insurance company is trying to cut corners, and not pay me what is a proper amount, and now I'm going to have to hire a lawyer.

None of this is my fault, not one bit. I left home a week ago, all excited for my first day of clinicals. Instead, my life is ruined.

Jeff

DO NOT let your auto insurance company cut corners with you. This happened to me several years ago when a driver came across the center line and hit me head on. Obviously her fault but we both had same insurance company. They tried to get out of paying as much citing my car as a 'second car'. It was NOT a 'second car', it was the car I used daily to get to and from work. DO NOT - I REPEAT - DO NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THAT! Fight them if you must. :angryfire Don't sign ANYthing that you do not agree with. They will attempt to pressure you - they did with me. Don't fall for it. I know the money they offer will look tempting in light of no job. If you can at all, hold out for them to do the right thing. You may need to go to court to make them do the right thing.

Regarding your LPN school/clinicals experience I'm so sorry this happened to you. Did your school have some sort of procedure to follow to assure you could physically finish your clinicals? Did they follow their own procedures?

I hope you do, indeed, get your money back and that your record shows "withdrawn" vs "dismissed with cause". Seems like you got a verbal contract that this would be the case - written would have been better but then hindsight is always 20-20.

Good luck to you.. I know this is a down time for you. Hopefully things will be looking up very soon.

+ Add a Comment