I finished all requirements for my program, was pinned, and "graduated" this May. However, on June 1st I received an email from the Records Dept saying my record was "deficient", Nursing Dept clarified that was not the case and filled out the forms to fix my problem. About a month later only my lecture grade had been changed from an incomplete to my appropriate letter grade but my clinical grade was still a unsatisfactory. The Nursing Dept filled out ANOTHER form to fix the issue.
By July 6th my grades were fixed and I submitted my application to the Nursing Dept (that's what we do at my school). A week later, it turns out my transcripts were still not released to the Nursing Dept for them to send to the BON. When the Nursing Dept contacted the Records Dept the said they would not be releasing them until AUGUST 15th. A FULL MONTH LATER! Why so long? I don't know! Anyway, the Nursing Dept assured me they would request that their release be expedited. I contacted various individuals in the Records Dept multiple times via telephone and email to ask about the status of the release of my transcripts and I got ZERO response from anyone! I contacted the President of the University and no response.
On August 11th my transcripts were FINALLY released to the Nursing Dept and personally walked over to the BON. However, the transcripts list my degree date as AUGUST 8, 2015. OH. HELL. NO. I graduated in May. I have already had my NCLEX delayed for 3 months. And the Records Dept still will not contact me.
I will guess I will reach out to the President's Office one more time, not sure if I should mention if I once again receive no response that I will be contacting the BON, the Tennessee Board of Regents, hiring a lawyer, and contacting local news stations.
Instead of getting your knickers in a twist over something that has been rectified, look at this as a big opportunity. When interviewing and faced with the "Tell me about a time you faced a difficult situation" statement, you can use this example--if you were playing it smart during this time. e.g."Due to an error with administration, my grades were incorrectly posted and my graduation date was delayed. During this time, I showed tenacity by staying in contact with the administration to get the situation corrected. I also used the time to study, make a game plan, forge contacts and associations to better position myself in my role as a member of the healthcare profession." lemons/lemonade... Yes it was infuriating, yes it was a hassle and yes it sucks you were in limbo almost 3 months, but you are going to run into adversity throughout your time on Earth. Learn and mature from it. Best wishes.
I can understand your frustration, but not the rage and the desire to exact revenge. Getting a lawyer involved will net you nothing and cost you much. I would be very shocked if a news station found this worthy of attention.
Your graduation date being delayed by two months on paper is irrelevant in the big picture. Employers simply want to verify competence and licensure.
The most disturbing aspect of this entire situation (imo) is your reaction to a bureaucratic snafu; annoying and frustrating, sure, but you have made it out to be an injustice of epic proportions. You have created this catastrophe in your mind of its relevance, both to your future and with regard to how others should view it. You're not going to have any luck getting "damages," you're not going to outrage the audience of your local news station (who would likely yawn their way through your story); you have absolutely nothing to gain by continuing to stew over this.
Really, let it go...you've got far bigger fish to fry.
OP, while your frustration at having a clerical error occur is obvious, what is NOT so obvious is the giant big-ass deal you really are making out of so very little.
REALLY. You are squabbling over whether your degree says "August" or "May"?? I'll let you in a little-known (ok, WIDELY known) secret: NO ONE CARES. "Did you graduate?" "Yes". Ok, done. The month couldn't possibly be less relevant.
You talk about "having your life put on hold for three months". How so? Firstly....it was just a little over TWO months that the issue took place during, not three. And WHAT got "put on hold", exactly? You studied, right? Good. Getting the date scheduled for your exam may well have been "on hold", but we're talking a matter of weeks at best. It takes time for the BoN to process ANYONE'S transcripts and issue an ATT. So.... you didn't "put your life on hold" in the least.
What is not obvious to those of us scratching our heads over your anger is why YOU think this is such a big deal. You DID graduate. You DO have a job. You ARE taking the NCLEX. Did you want a public flagellation of the offending clerk? Seriously?
You are overreacting, and in a big way. If your classmates and co-workers aren't agreeing, I have to think that they are placating you, lest you throw some anger their way.....
OP, good luck to you, and I mean that. But for your own mental health (and probably physical health, in the long run).....drop this.
I took my finals a week early in May and moved out of state when my husband's job transferred him. When I didn't get my diploma in the mail by July, I called to find out where it was. They said they were holding it because I owed $12.60 in library fees. I thank the goddess that protects nursing students that JUST THAT ONCE I had paid my late fees with a CHECK, and sent them a copy. I think if you went to them now they'll tell you my graduation date was July. I'm not gonna go back and tell them it was mid-May (when I finished my finals) or late May (when University graduation rites were). In the infinite scheme of things it doesn't matter a damn bit.
Besides, although I am not an atty and don't play one on AN, I doubt you'd have a case any atty would take. You need to show damages caused by a breach of actual duty owed you, and being PO'd is not damages. Chalk it up to bureaucracy, laugh about it in a few years (or now, even), and forget it.
Yes, many of my classmates took their exam in July, passed, and have jobs as RNs! I'm going into September with no authorization to test...so I'm looking at being 3 months behind. The idea to hire a lawyer CAME from my COWORKERS (all nurses) as was going to the press. However, 2 other individuals that work in administration at said school ALSO suggested I go the the press! Not my ideas, not even what I want to do, all I want is for the records department to correct their error. They held up my progress for 2 months, the least they can do is give me the correct date. Don't really see why people thinks it's outrageous for me to expect it, either. I wonder why I see so many individuals on this forum miserable about their work places and nursing as a career. Apparently, we are supposed to just lie down and take whatever comes our way, deserved or not!
Rereading the post I do think the poster may have a legal claim against the school with damages in the amount of lost potential salary.
The real question for the OP to consider is whether or not it is worth pursuing those damages. I don't see how the media or anyone besides an attorney would be helpful.
The best course of action may be to contact your local bar association for a referral to an attorney to discuss your options with. They may tell you it is worth pursuing or they may tell you it isn't worth dealing with. Based on your posts you seem angry enough that you probably need resolution so that you are able to move forward. A conversation with an attorney would probably be the best way to get resolution from an outside source.
Sometimes you can't fight city hall- but sometimes you actually can.
You take this to the media, you may get your 'righteous' 15 minutes of fame but it'll likely cost you years of issues.
Do you think a employer is going to look at your going public over an administrative burp as heroic?
I would bet they would likely move on over your application because if you are public ballyhooing over something like this, what prevents you from doing it from some minor work mishap?
There are many hills to plant your banner on or to do battle.
Is this really it?
Do you really want this to be your big hoo-haw moment and have it attached to you for the rest of your life?
NO, I don't! It was suggested to me by other people. I was wondering if that was a realistic option. Obviously, if I were to go to the media, I would NEVER find a job. I really don't want to hire a lawyer or go to the press. Why are people so stuck on this? I just want the school to fix my darn transcripts. Since I have tried the diplomatic approach already and gotten almost nowhere, I was wondering what other avenues of recourse I had. So unless some one has experienced an issue similar to this and has some constructive advice or suggestions, quit reiterating what EVERY OTHER poster has said...
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
NO, I don't! It was suggested to me by other people. I was wondering if that was a realistic option. Obviously, if I were to go to the media, I would NEVER find a job. I really don't want to hire a lawyer or go to the press. Why are people so stuck on this? I just want the school to fix my darn transcripts. Since I have tried the diplomatic approach already and gotten almost nowhere, I was wondering what other avenues of recourse I had. So unless some one has experienced an issue similar to this and has some constructive advice or suggestions, quit reiterating what EVERY OTHER poster has said...
You posted on a public forum so people can post as they please.
I would move on. If you have your diploma & ATT study for your NCLEX & pass it instead of putting all of your time & energy into trying to change a date on your diploma.
OP, did you have an offer for a job lined up prior to graduation? That is one of the only scenarios in which I could see a claim for lost wages being made. If you had an offer contingent upon getting your temporary license from the BON, that is a more solid way of estimating any damages you may have incurred. If there was no offer in writing, you may not have any proof of lost wages. Reputable lawyers might be reluctant to proceed without something tangible. If you have no firm job offer in hand any legal remedy is iffy. I get righteous indignation, I really do; but without proof of actual damage, going to a lawyer or news outlet is not likely to get you any redress.
Step away from the ledge, OP. Seriously. I'm quite certain that your problem was not the only one that your school was dealing with during your timeline. Turns out, there are other people who need help, you are not number one in anyone's life but your own.
Your solutions seem wildly disproportionate to the "atrocities" that happened to you. Channel your negative energy into something far more productive, like studying for the NCLEX. Best wishes
The only thing that I would be upset over is if your student loan payments are due 6 months from may or 6 months from august.
I don't know if you have any loans, but you have 6 months from graduating or dropping out to start making payments. If they started the 6 month clock in May but I couldn't even register for my NCLEX until mid August, leaving me only 3 months to get licensed and find a job, I would be beyond ticked off. Other than that, I don't see the real issue here.
n.igmatic1
130 Posts
Instead of getting your knickers in a twist over something that has been rectified, look at this as a big opportunity. When interviewing and faced with the "Tell me about a time you faced a difficult situation" statement, you can use this example--if you were playing it smart during this time. e.g."Due to an error with administration, my grades were incorrectly posted and my graduation date was delayed. During this time, I showed tenacity by staying in contact with the administration to get the situation corrected. I also used the time to study, make a game plan, forge contacts and associations to better position myself in my role as a member of the healthcare profession." lemons/lemonade... Yes it was infuriating, yes it was a hassle and yes it sucks you were in limbo almost 3 months, but you are going to run into adversity throughout your time on Earth. Learn and mature from it. Best wishes.