Nursing Instructor lied about my background clearance

[spudbunny]

Hello,

I just finished my second week of nursing school. The first week I was told by the instructor that I was "cleared" to go to clinicals. This sunday we did our orientation to clinicals - on saturday I was informed that I was "not cleared" to go to clinicals because my background check had not come back. The instructor refused to answer any questions about what would happen if the background check was not completed in time for next week's clinicals and kept repeating "We expect the background check to be done in time". I called the Dean of Nursing's office this morning - I explained the problem to her assistant and an hour later I received a call from the person who processes the background checks claiming that my name is nowhere in their system and that it would take a week for a new background check to be submitted. Fortunately, I have a copy of the background check permission sheet so they cannot get away with telling me I never turned one in - however, clinicals start in less that a week and obviously this instructor never bothered to check with the processing office - and simply told me she thought it would be completed in a week. How can it be completed in less than a week if they have no paperwork from me! I turned this form in at orientation on May 21st as requested and now I am not able to go to clinical. I have no arrests, misdemeanors or felonies so they can't use that excuse either. I am furious with this nursing instructor! I would like to hear what other nursing instructors would do in this situation. I will be calling the dean again tomorrow - they cannot get away with this.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Hello,

I just finished my second week of nursing school. The first week I was told by the instructor that I was "cleared" to go to clinicals. This sunday we did our orientation to clinicals - on saturday I was informed that I was "not cleared" to go to clinicals because my background check had not come back. The instructor refused to answer any questions about what would happen if the background check was not completed in time for next week's clinicals and kept repeating "We expect the background check to be done in time". I called the Dean of Nursing's office this morning - I explained the problem to her assistant and an hour later I received a call from the person who processes the background checks claiming that my name is nowhere in their system and that it would take a week for a new background check to be submitted. Fortunately, I have a copy of the background check permission sheet so they cannot get away with telling me I never turned one in - however, clinicals start in less that a week and obviously this instructor never bothered to check with the processing office - and simply told me she thought it would be completed in a week. How can it be completed in less than a week if they have no paperwork from me! I turned this form in at orientation on May 21st as requested and now I am not able to go to clinical. I have no arrests, misdemeanors or felonies so they can't use that excuse either. I am furious with this nursing instructor! I would like to hear what other nursing instructors would do in this situation. I will be calling the dean again tomorrow - they cannot get away with this.

If there is anything odd/unusual about your name, make sure they are spelling it correctly....if you had to pay for this did you cut a separate check? if so fax that to the office, along with a copy of the sheet that you have.....and take a deep breath

[llg, PhD, RN]

First of all ... You will have a better chance of succeeding if you stop calling the instructor a "liar." That just puts the school on the defensive, making them less likely to want to help you -- and you don't know for a fact that the instructor lied. Mistakes happen and she may have thought she was telling you the truth when she talked with you about the paperwork. She may have been wrong, but that doesn't mean she told you something that she knew was untrue.

Talk with Dean calmly. Show her your evidence. Ask for her help in resolving your problem. Remain professional or you will only hurt your chances.

[AOx1]

I agree with what llg stated. Assuming someone is lying without knowing their motives is not your best means of success. At many schools, the data regarding student background checks and immunizations is compiled by an administrative assistant or secretary, not the instructor. There are typically 8-10 pieces of information for each student, often with 100+ students. Although I am certain they are very careful with this information, people are human and make errors. Some schools handle all health information through the student health services, and background checks through security. Your instructor probably hasn't even seen these documents.

The instructor may have been trying to reassure you that they were expecting the background check in time for you to start clinicals, vs "refusing" to answer your questions. I would sit down CALMLY with the director of the program, provide your receipt, professionally express your concerns, and follow up as needed. For example- "Having turned in my background check permission in ample time for it to be completed, I don't feel my grade should be penalized since it hasn't been completed. Is there an alternate assignment I could do to ensure that I keep up with my classmates while this clerical issue is being resolved?" I can certainly understand why you would be scared and frustrated, but assigning labels and motives to someone you hardly know will only escalate the situation.

Most instructors have a back-up plan for students who miss clinical due to family emergency or personal illness. Even if you do miss a day or two, the school should provide you with options. If not, I would again meet with the director, and if it is not resolved, follow the chain of command for your school's appeals process.