Pregnancy and dismissal from nursing school

caliotter3 · Jan 20, 2012

I would take a medical leave of absence.

mazy · Jan 20, 2012

The curriculum at my school was set up to pack as much information possible into the curriculum in as short a time possible. The students needed to be present in order to get that base and move on to the next level. If the student missed out on that classwork they would eventually fall irreparably behind and fail.

There is a limit to the amount of time a facility will allow a school to have clinicals in that facility and the pace is intense. Students have to earn those clinical points in the time allotted, and a student who can't keep up the pace is going to require extra attention and extra time that really is not available. That is unfair to the other students who need as much attention and preparation as they can get to satisfy their clinical requirements.

There simply is no leeway, and the attendance policy really does have to be consistent for all students across the board, otherwise these courses would drag on forever. And students want to get in, do the material, and get out and start working.

I agree with the others. Better to take a leave from the program (rather than fail for absences), enjoy your pregnancy and your new baby, and take care of yourself.

nursecat64 · Jan 20, 2012

Is there any way you can make up some of those clinical days now when you're doing ok so you won't be hanging on the edge? :idea: I had a situation when I was a student- I had a son who became ill (we could only miss 2 clinical days days) He was in the PICU and my instructor allowed him to become my "patient" Even though I wasn't at clinical, I wrote a care plan on him as if he had been my assigned clinical patient. Perhaps you could do a care plan on yourself, research high risk pregnancy from the nursing point of view, that sort of thing. It's all about learning, and the concern with missing clinical is that you won't have gained enough knowledge to safely practice nursing. If they know you are learning, maybe they will work with you. Another thing you might do (I did this too) find a nurse who would be willing to let you shadow her (him) for a day and write care plans on his/her patients. You can do this in a hospital or clinic or even a school. Taking the initiative will show your instructors that you have indeed gained the required knowledge, and how serious you are about finishing . :nurse:

BundokSaint · Jan 20, 2012

Hmm let me think, got pregnant in the second week of nursing school, had the baby in the summer, and still went back to summer school and finished on track with my cohorts. What part of this is "taking up a spot"? Unless there is a medical issue that prevents you from completing school, a pregnant student is fully capable of doing everything a non-pregnant nursing student can do. If you are active and stay active throughout pregnancy - you can do patient care!

I was specifically talking about the military where the government is providing your training, room and board, health and dental, and paying you to boot to go to school and learn a skill to meet their specific manpower needs. Any wrench thrown into that machinery leads to far ranging repercussions.

My post, on the whole, did not concern nursing schools or the OP's situation specifically, but was in response to her assertion that she had never heard of any schools, employers, or organizations discouraging females from getting pregnant, and I was providing her an example of one. Namely, the US Government.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2012

dear, woof
it seems to me like you are one those classmates that can't have any children and take it out on the world.

you know, i was going to say, maybe it would be better to take the break and return to school later.you would have the bonus of being there for your child if they are sick in the early months. you are lucky that they would take you back even so. based purely on an absence policy- nothing more. whether cause by pg or whatever.

but then i read the above quote. thats pretty freaking rude to say to someone you dont even know. and yes, i have a son, but suffered secondary infertility, and have a lot of aquaintances with primary infertility, and you with 4 kids have the balls to say that to someone you dont know???

take it out on the world. humphhh.

Bronxtale · Jan 20, 2012

Dear, WoofIt seems to me like you are one those classmates that can't have any children and take it out on the world. Missing eight days of clinicals has nothing to do with the care I can provide to my patient. I know that I will be a great nurse and that I work my butt off like every other student in the program. In fact, I do more than others. Some students that haven't missed a day are the ones that treat the patients the worse so don't judge a person you don't know.

Her name is Wooh and that comment was unkind. If wooh can't have children, it would be heartbreaking to have someone taunt you about it. I am sure you didn't mean to be unkind....right? No one is saying you won't be a great nurse and your desire to continue is proof enough of your work ethic and desire to be a nurse.The laws concerning pregnancy protect employment. You can battle it in court but they are saying the eight day policy and you are out regardless of the cause. "They" have given you your warning. If your school receives government funds and is public you may have a case, but court battles are long and expensive unless you can get a lawyer to fight pro-bono and that is extremely difficult in good economic times. If this is a rule, you agreed to it when you accepted the offer to go to school there....implied consent. Unfortunately,The family leave/pregnancy laws in the US are lame compared to Europe....it sad we place so much strain on families and pregnacy, and they wonder about low birth weights and pre-term labor reasons.....for me it's clear......we don't allow for women to be cared for. If men were the ones carrying the babies the laws would be different I am sure....Here is what I would do, I would negotiate with the director to take the rest of the semester off. Take care of your self and your baby. See if you can monitor lecture and get a head start for when you rejoin the school. Maybe even enough to challenge the course when you return. NUrsing school is stressful, pregnancy is stressful. You are already showing signs that this pregnancy may be one you will need to slow down and smell the roses. Good luck in school and Congratulations on your baby. My prayers for a healthy baby!!!

Sorry for the typo. My comment to Wooh was unkind but her comment to me was out of order as well. I asked for advice not for people to be rude. I thank you for the best wishes you extended for me and my baby. :)

Bronxtale · Jan 20, 2012

r

you know, i was going to say, maybe it would be better to take the break and return to school later.you would have the bonus of being there for your child if they are sick in the early months. you are lucky that they would take you back even so. based purely on an absence policy- nothing more. whether cause by pg or whatever.but then i read the above quote. thats pretty freaking rude to say to someone you dont even know. and yes, i have a son, but suffered secondary infertility, and have a lot of aquaintances with primary infertility, and you with 4 kids have the balls to say that to someone you dont know???take it out on the world. humphhh.[/left][/quote)

did u read her post? she was just as rude. if you took it personal thats upon you. im not asking for pitty i'm asking for advice. some people are not able to provide advice without getting personally involved.

BSNRose · Jan 20, 2012

Also, maybe you can look into transferring to another nursing school that will take you in sooner (like the fall or Spring). I would look into now because I'm sure deadlines are approaching for the spring. You will have some time to spend with your little one and recover. Also, from actual experience, it was dang hard to get through school pregnant (d/t fatigue) but I did it all and passed all of my classes. You will need to gather massive support from friends and family. Obviously it looks like this institution has issues of its own where it needs to banish pregnant students. I look back and realize people were trying to accommodate me in my pregnancy and I tried my best to avoid those situations. I know your pregnancy is not as healthy as you want it to be, but I suggest looking at alternative schools if it is possible just in case you do end up not being able to finish the year. I hope this helps.

Anne36, LPN · Jan 20, 2012

You must be very dissapointed to have come this far and now may have to drop. If I were in your shoes I would make arrangements to take a leave from the program and ask them if you can start from where you left off in 1 year. If you were in my program you would already have been dropped and been given this option. Why are you pushing yourself so hard? I have had classmates that have had to drop for much smaller medical problems and are coming back next year.

Bronxtale · Jan 20, 2012

Thanks BSNRose :) I appreciate your comment. I actually spoke to my Director today and received great news on making up a clinical day sometime in March. We might have another opportunity coming up as well so it gives me at least two extra days. I will continue to take care of myself to prevent any other complications. Thanks again:)

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2012

if you took it personal thats upon you.
i wasnt taking it personally - i was sympathizing with someone who pointed out the other end of not being pg.
i did offer some constructive suggestion. i hope it helped.
the issue isn't about being pregnant, it's about being absent beyond what the rules allow. the school doesnt care why.just what it is.
i guess if it was me i would be more worried about my child's safety. can always finish school later- especially since they were letting you come back. i would make sure they give that to you in writing. you can only enjoy your young child once.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2012

first of all congratulations on your pregnancy~ :yelclap: undoubtedly, this is a difficult scenario, people will give you their suggestions, however, only you have the last say word. wishing you and your unborn baby the very best, as i send you hugs from across the miles, keep us up to date... ciao~