Student Bullying

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · May 13, 2009

Honey, that is not bullying, that is a threat of violence! You must take this seriously and take steps to protect yourself. Perhaps getting a restraining order against this student, which would force the school to take action to make sure the student is not within x feet of you. I cannot believe that the school is taking this so lightly! Have you given them a cc of the police report? If not, do so asap. Keeping your safety and wellbeing in my thoughts and prayers :icon_hug:

rambleandwrite · May 13, 2009

Thank you for your response. Yes, I did provide the school with the police report. They just don't seem to be taking this seriously. Most schools would have expelled the individual. What concerns me now is the perceived threat from the school (I may not finish) if I continue to tell people about my situation. I thought of going to the nursing board but my friends tell me to be quiet, get my degree and then file a grievance. I have waited all these years to complete and it just sickens me the response of the school.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 13, 2009

Call your local news station. I'm not kidding ! Sometimes when the press get involved you'll get results. T

Cilantrophobe · May 13, 2009

I am not very familiar with the college chain of command. Is the dean the highest? Did you work your way up to her or did you go straight to her? There has to be another person at the school that you can talk to, and you should ask the dean who you need to talk to since she isn't taking this seriously. And you don't want the dean to get angry that you went around her. And you need to know this if you do join the military.

Whatever the case, there has to be somebody else at the school that you can talk to. Either that or ask the dean if she can meet with you and the police. I am sure she would like to avoid that kind of situation.

I think it is really disgusting that the victim ends up being the criminal in cases like these. I would say that you may be better off at another school but most of the time it isn't possible to transfer NUR credits. However, you should still check with another college to see if you can transfer without delaying graduation. You don't need this kind of BS, your safety could be in danger, and your school doesn't seem to care.

TinkerNurse · May 13, 2009

I have a question...how to deal with student bullying. I am an older student and have over 20 years as an LPN. I have encountered a problem at the school I am attending to finish my BSN/MSN. One day I made the comment that I didn't feel that one of my fellow students behaviors were professional. Well, low and behold this person turned around and threatened "to kill me". At first I ignored it but then I found out by other students that they were inquiring where I lived and that they bragged about having a concealed weapon. Now that got my blood moving....I went to the Dean and complained about this person's behaviour. To this date the school has done nothing about it. I did go to the local police department to file a complaint...just in case. Well, this person is still saying unethical things about me to my fellow students. I have had no interaction with this person since the first event. I was recently called in by the Dean saying she heard rumors that I was telling people outside the school about my situation. They then said that if I didn't stop I may not be able to finish the program. I am upset by their stance. I was again expressed my frustration with this issue and was once again told it wasn't a big deal. I know in a working environment this type of behavior would not be tolerated. What do I do now? I have one semester left to finish the BSN and then 3 semesters left for the MSN. Any suggestions out there?

Go to the college administration, go around the program dean. IF you have to go to the president, do it. You can BANK on my taking something like that seriously and god help me, if the dean tried to dismiss me from the program because I was taking a DEATH THREAT seriously I would sue. :angryfire

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 13, 2009

I am with nursing student 19. If it were me and nothing was being done and in turn I was threatened by the school after a student threatened to kill me and try to obtain my address, I would march back into the school and tell the Dean that I would be contacting all the new stations and letting them know that in light of the recent college campus killings this past year, that I have had a student threaten to kill me and try to obtain my address and when I tried to get the school to step in, they declined and instead threatned me.

I have NO DOUBT you WILL get results after that. The last thing the college wants is a dead students on their hands that they refused to help. They don't even want the publicity that they refuse to help in these cases.

rambleandwrite · May 13, 2009

Thank you everyone for your responses. I did have a meeting with the president of the university and they basically stated they thought I was over exaggerating the issue. They even offered me mental health assistance if I needed it. How kind of them! I am just very frustrated about all of this. But I know since I have one semester left it is best for me to be quiet and complete.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · May 13, 2009

They offered YOU mental health services?!? :eek: Wow. You think this other student MIGHT be the one who really needs some counseling? Seriously, restraining order. If they do not remove the student to comply with the order, they are in big trouble. I could even see a lawsuit for mental anguish being in order, and I am generally anti-lawsuit. This is just ridiculous!

spenmom · May 13, 2009

Ramble and write---****-- we had a similar incident at our school, with a similar outcome. The interesting thing is that the student who did the threatening was called in to something like professional standards and counseled, although she remained just as unpleasant as ever. Don't know what happened to the person who was threatened, although I think she's okay as I've seen her around.

In my opinion, the reason why nothing serious has been done is because of $$$$$. They don't want to lose the tuition from either student, which isn't right in my opinion. It's education, not a business!!! Anyway, the "person" and I use that term loosely, who did the threatening, is not someone I would ever want to work with based on her complete lack of professionalism. I mean, who in their right mind threatens another student--are we all gangsters here or nursing students? :twocents:

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 13, 2009

Unfortunately being quiet is what will keep allowing these things to happen. Although I can understand your position completely. I am just not the quiet type and I would be damned if I allowed myself to be treated that way.

I am very sorry for what you are experiencing, hopefully this kid isn't in any other of your classes.

The student and I would be having a come to jesus meeting for sure!!!!

CaffeinePRN · May 13, 2009

Wow...the actions of your school just blow my mind.

What school in their right mind would act this way in a post-Columbine world?

Yeah, they tell you not to tell anyone...screw them, your life was threatened!

I wonder what your state's Nursing Board would think about the actions of your school. Not very ethical, don't you think?