Letter to Dean??

[MikeyJ]

I need some input/advice from other students or nursing instructors/professors. I am entering the School of Nursing in a few short weeks (May 14 to be exact), and at this point I am finishing up a pre-nursing class. My instructor is a master prepared lecturer (I attend a University), and I have become fairly close with this instructor. I had her for a class last semester and this semester, and she is the sweetest lady I have ever met. She is a new lecturer with the school of nursing (she has been teaching for a few short years) but she has 20+ years experience as a nurse. I truly see her as a mentor, and she has went as far as giving me her personal cell phone number, and has helped me through quite a bit.

Today in class I was speaking to her privately and she told me that she was fired and would be done with the School of Nursing after this semester. I was shocked and asked her why and she stated they fired her and another lecturer because they are both very opinionated and open about speaking their mind when it comes to the School of Nursing. She was physically upset and I too am very upset that she is being let go. She is by far the most awesome instructor I have ever experienced, and strongly believe this is an injustice.

My question is: would it be an o.k. thing to write the Dean of nursing (the one directly responsible for her dismissal) and express my gratitude regarding this instructor. I wouldn't mention her telling me of her dismissal, but rather just a letter of appreciation and express all of the wonderful things this instructor has done for me and other students.

Any thoughts on this?

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the others. It's a very sad situation, but if they've fired TWO instructors, the person whom was in charge of the firings obviously carries a lot of weight for whatever reason.

Stay out of it for now and get yourself through school. If the instructor needs a reference for a future teaching assignment, you can offer to write that for her, but otherwise, I'd just bow out.

Upon graduation, if you still see injustices that have occurred, and this person is still in charge, I wouldn't hesitate to bring it to someone's attention. Sometimes it sounds like there are nursing schools that are still in the dark ages of being run like a boot camp.

[HisHands, ASN, RN]

I just meant "girlfriend" as a female friend.

I know you want to find some way to let this person know she's been influential in your nsg journey. Why not tell her? I bet she would love that sort of encouragement right now. Maybe you and your classmates can send her flowers (or a cookie bouquet:clown: ) to just remind her that while she may not be in the professor capacity any longer, her influence will always be remembered by you.

I don't think people realize how important appreciation is... many people would have heard that she was leaving and brushed it off because it doesn't directly involve them. I think it's great that you are willing to be honest with her about her impact on you.

Blessings,

Crystal

[cherokeesummer]

I would probably stay out of it. Even though you wouldn't be mentioning the dismissal, the Dean would probably put 2 and 2 together and get to 4 - that its too much of a coincidence of the letter comign right after the teacher had been dismissed.

It stinks that you can't be able to be open in some professions and hopefully she will find a great career as a teacher somewhere that will appreciate her. I say sure stay close to her b/c she will surely be a really great source of inspiration and help but don't insert yourself in the situation if you can help it.