Student caught stealing....

Published

Would you press criminal charges if one of your students took money from your wallet? The student has been expelled from the program but has not returned the money If I press charges theres a chance I could get my money back and hopefully she would be prevented from applying to another nursing school... Just looking for opinions. Thanks!

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
so the housekeeper has grounds to sue for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

I don't know the answer to that. I would guess so, but I don't know enough detail about the laws regarding intentional infliction of emotional distress to surmise. I think of all the people involved in this incident, I feel the worst for the housekeeper. I hope she is ok and that she is not going to suffer suspicion from her co-workers, her family or her friends.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Apparently this student WAS granted a second chance since she failed out of her previous nursing program. This fact gives weight to the argument that the student should NOT get a third shot at nursing school. She should have been doing everything in her power to take that second chance and succeed. She consciously and purposefully put herself in a bad position. She made her own bed.

And don't forget about the fact that she originally stole $20 and wasn't happy with that....She figured she didn't get caught the first time, why not go for a 2nd try, right?? For bigger money...........

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i really can't say that i'm repulsed by the student's actions (disheartened, dismayed, unnerved: yes) . in all honesty i don't like all the high and mighty attitudes i'm reading about making someone suffer, branding them with a scarlet letter, teaching them a lesson. it's all so preachy and biblical. for me, i try not to let myself think i can be the last word on someone's character; that i can be the ultimate decider in someone's fate, because of a wrongdoing done to me; that's far too hefty a task. my job is to find forgiveness so that i can sleep better at night.

let me flip the story, if i may. awhile back a patient went into a doctor's purse (left out in the open at the nurses station) and took her credit cards and cell phone, hiding them where the sun don't shine. here our vulnerable and precious patient (the one that everyone is concerned with protecting) is the culprit. press charges?

absolutely press charges. if it turns out she took the doctor's things because she has cognitive issues let the grand jury decline to indict.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
and what makes you think i don't have compassion or sympathy for the housekeeper? the op is asking what to do about the student, not the housekeeper. stay on topic!

if you had a modicum of sympathy and compassion for the wrongly accused party, you wouldn't be arguing so strenuously about "compassion" and sympathy for the thief. clearly it wasn't the first time she'd been caught stealing.

years of reading this board has convinced me that "compassion", the way it's used here, is a dirty work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
look, you're talking about making someone "suffer" and i'm now repulsed by the conversation. i was originally suggesting the op take a different approach towards this yucky situation, and maybe have a healing and forgiving attitude instead of staying focused on negativity, getting even, making the student pay (figuratively not literally). we're not disputing the severity of the act, just the response to it.

there's a difference between "making someone suffer" and allowing them to suffer the consequences of their actions. a big difference. the first is wrong; the second is, sometimes, the best thing you can do for someone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
is the student getting off scott-free though? she has publicly embarrassed herself, is subject to discharge from her nursing program (which will probably be the case) and has to live with herself and her poor behavior. sounds horrible to me.

would that public embarrassment and living with oneself were an adequate punishment. it is not. stealing is illegal. there are legal consequences to taking money out of someone else's purse. it's not up to you and me to judge wither or not the student deserves to suffer the legal consequences of her actions; there are courts for that. it's not up to us to obstruct the legal system.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/Sub-Acute.
i really can't say that i'm repulsed by the student's actions (disheartened, dismayed, unnerved: yes) . in all honesty i don't like all the high and mighty attitudes i'm reading about making someone suffer, branding them with a scarlet letter, teaching them a lesson. it's all so preachy and biblical. for me, i try not to let myself think i can be the last word on someone's character; that i can be the ultimate decider in someone's fate, because of a wrongdoing done to me; that's far too hefty a task. my job is to find forgiveness so that i can sleep better at night.

let me flip the story, if i may. awhile back a patient went into a doctor's purse (left out in the open at the nurses station) and took her credit cards and cell phone, hiding them where the sun don't shine. here our vulnerable and precious patient (the one that everyone is concerned with protecting) is the culprit. press charges?

HELL YES!! Patients aren't exempt from the law either! (unless the pt. is a dementia pt.)

Let the flaming begin. . . :devil:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
this is ridiculous. the accused person already has paid the consequence, by way of expulsion. now you want her to pay criminally? just let it go, and you'll never see her again.

expusion from the program is a consequence for her demonstrated lack of integrity, inappropriate workplace behavior and lying. criminal charges would be the consequence of stealing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

i've read all 12 pages of responses, and what i haven't seen anyone comment about is the sheer invasion of having someone go into your purse, finger through your things and end up taking something. purses are private. even my husband doesn't go into mine -- his choice. whether the thief took $20 or $100 or just the lucky silver dollar the op's late grandmother gave her, it's an invasion on so many levels. i think the op is being very gracious not to be more vindictive on that account all alone.

if i could find the person who broke into my house, killed my dog and stole my grandmother's jewelry, i'd probably be far less kind. an eye for an eye? maybe not. but i'd sure like to give my martial artist husband a few minutes alone with the person!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What's that old saying? A fool and his money are soon parted?

Missed the mark. Understand idioms any?Research and review.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, EKG interpretation, ICU/CCU.
if you had a modicum of sympathy and compassion for the wrongly accused party, you wouldn't be arguing so strenuously about "compassion" and sympathy for the thief. clearly it wasn't the first time she'd been caught stealing.

years of reading this board has convinced me that "compassion", the way it's used here, is a dirty work.

please don't make assumptions about my modicums

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Manager.

Well, I don't think you should press charges. Her being kicked out of the program is enough. Even if you do press charges, she WON'T pay you back. If she had to steal the money in the first place, then you could easily imply that she was going through some financial hardship. And I highly doubt that the student somehow became financially secure in a few days.

Pressing charges would cause more trouble than resolution. I can see if she stole from a patient or stole a very large amount of money or medicine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion