TriciaCorn

I would advise a voluntary withdrawal BEFORE you actually fail out. Then when it comes up on your transcript you can emphasize that you withdrew from the program because of pregnancy and that you realized that you would not be able to focus adequately on both the nursing program and upcoming birth. This type of behavior will show your future school that you took responsibility and action when you encountered an unplanned situation. Good luck :)

This makes me want to vomit. I'm glad you survived this, but I am sure it is something you now carry with you every day. Nursing sometimes just not seem worth it.

First of all - any RN can, and many have, worked in the CNA role on their floors when staffing needs have called for it. There is no rule in the BON that says you have to work as an RN once you get your license. When I got my RN I was working as a CNA on a heart floor and my orientation as an RN did not begin for 3 more weeks after I passed my boards. So I continued in my CNA role until orientation began. The key here is to stay within the scope of the CNA role while you are working as one. There are other nurses in your department who have been trained and finished their orientations who can perform those duties. Under NO circumstances should you do anything within the RN scope, because while you may have a license you are not a nurse for that particular facility. And I think that is potential legal issue that your facility is grappling with - those who receive their licenses may be tempted to work out side of their assigned roles. Your license is not a pass to perform as nurse everywhere you go. For example - I am now an "office nurse" yes I have a RN license and I work in a clinical setting, but because I no longer provide active care to patients my facility no longer provides me yearly competencies for clinical care. I have been told that I am not allowed to touch patients for any reason, I am not even allowed to get vital signs because I am no longer covered by the facility as a clinical nurse. If I were to step outside of those guidelines, even though I have a license, it would be grounds for dismissal. You should tell your boss so you do not come off looking like a liar, and tell them that you understand that from a legal standpoint in their facility you are a CNA and that you will only perform those duties. And in retrospect perhaps you should have lined up another source of temporary income for this period between jobs. Its a difficult situation, I'm sorry.

I would retest the titer to be sure of the accuracy. In the mean time you need to talk with nursing department staff at your school and find out what their policy is in these situations. It is possible that as long as you are in the process of getting your boosters they will allow you to start the program. Most clinicals do not start for several weeks or months depending on the school in question. My guess is that you will need the boosters and since it is only a month until August 1st you will need to consult with your school.

Nursing school, as I am sure you are aware at this point, is unlike any other discipline in the world. There are no second chances, forgiveness, or even sympathy from anyone in that realm. The criteria, rules and regulations are laid out in the very beginning and for those who think that a gray area exists within those rules are left in much of the same situation you are in. I am sorry this happened to you and you can try for appeal, but do not be surprised if it does not pan out. Being late, missing any classes or clinicals, and anxiety attacks are all very good reasons to dismiss a student. You are being expected to meet higher expectations because that is what our patients deserve. I wish you the best of luck.

I think it is easy to feel like a failure because as nurses we are taught that no matter what, we can never give up. This is a part of our culture, one we should put behind us. In almost every other career on the planet people are actively encouraged to find their passion, do what they love, and above all else.....quit a job that is a bad fit. No where but in nursing do you hear people questioning whether hating your job is a good enough reason to quit!! Go find something you like and chalk this up to a learning experience! Good luck to you.