termination from nursing school

[cwgirl7]

i'm in a very difficult situation and would like some advice from other nurses or anyone who has experienced a similar situation. to make a long story short, i was terminated last week from an accelerated second degree bsn program, and we only had four more months until graduation. i had been having a conflict with the clinical instructor for quite some time, and she had told at least two other students that she didn't like me. she would follow me around in clinicals and look for things that she could "write me up" on, and would document everything i did, and send it to nursing admin. i have a quiet personality and she made it known that she had a problem with this, but i would like to note that my grades were very good throughout the whole program. also i feel that we were given inadequate instruction throughout the program on several skills, but an example of one skill is administration of iv medications. our skills lab for this skill consisted of the instructor having us draw up 1 ml of saline into a syringe, and inject it into a port that she had hooked up to a bottle, and that was the extent of her physical demonstration of giving iv push medications. she did not show us how to dilute iv medications or what port to inject into, etc..., but i was tested on these skills. at the hospital, when i was required to give morphine iv push, i told her that i was not comfortable with it, and needed further instruction, and i also explained this to the rn that i was assigned to. the rn that i was assigned to offered to go over this skill with me, and show me, but the instructor refused to allow her to, and said that no she had to be the one to be there. in summary, the instructor was there with me when i administered the morphine, but after i had given it, the instructor said that i had made an error, and then wrote me up, and sent me home from the hospital. i was later terminated from the program that afternoon. so my question is, do i have any recourse, and has anyone experienced anything similar? what is anyone else's experience with iv medications instruction and were you taught things like how to dilute iv medications and what port to inject into by the instructor? any feedback would be appreciated.

[RNDIVA85]

cwgirl7.

I don't think I have seen and heard it all. But some Nursing schools are hiring the worst to work with students. It is such a shame.

1.Once you have not failed any classes you should be fine and if not they are supposed to give you a warning which goes into your student file.

2.You need written statements from these people ASAP. Have these statements notarized. Students/ friends tend to back down when something like this hits the air waves. Don't be surprised if you even stop hearing from them. They could be scared if they speak against the instructor they too might become suspended or terminated.

3.You need the Nursing Dean, School Dean and a lawyer in a meeting ASAP.

4.Don't be surprised the the Dean cannot be reached.

Do not have any meetings with them alone. Have a lawyer present. TRUST, when backed into a corner these people who we are supposed to trust do unethical things . I hope you get the drift.

5. Gather all your data, test, test scores to show what a great student you are.

6.Try to relax.....Breathe, you need to remain COOL,CALM AND COLLECTIVE.

7. If you are close to or have built a Professional relationship with other instructors they should be able to speak on your behalf.

8. For instance, how come this is the only instructor complaining about your character and for two or three semesters no other instructor reported you?

9.This instructor can create colorful stories about you and your character to cover there tushes. Come prepared to hear the worst.

Finally, from the facts you presented, I do not see warrant for termination. However, I have seen and continue to see unethical and unfair behaviors by administrators and officials.

I wish you the best of luck and I pray for you.

[cokeforbreakfast]

I personally know of one student in a similar situation for whom the mere threat of a lawsuit was enough to pursuade the school to graduate the student.

I am an RN married to an attorney, and I can definitely see the benefit of seeking legal advice in this matter. The attorney could go through every detail of the Student Handbook, help you gather and organize your data, then compile it into a cohesive, pursuasive package. Having him/her at the meeting would show that you mean business, and the attorney could provide you with the support you will require to ask the right questions, provide accurate responses, and to keep you on message in the event you become clouded by emotion (I know I would).

I think the cost would be more reasonable than you might expect. Many charge a flat fee (a package cost for all his/her work, as opposed to an hourly rate). Most will give you a free 15 minutes and an estimate. Go see a few, and find a smart, level-headed lawyer at your price point that has an open calendar on the day in question. If you find one that you like, but he/she can't be ready in time for the meeting, have him/her help you to arrange for the meeting to be rescheduled for next week. Considering what you've likely already spent, and what is at stake, it's a good investment.

Getting an attorney does not necessarily imply you plan to sue them. The patient has an advocate, why shouldn't you?

[Florence NightinFAIL, BSN, RN]

There is nothing that I wouldn't do to fight to not only get an apology but get back to class. Nursing school is expensive and you have to have a good, valid reason to kick me out.

I made 3 medication mistakes in 4 years and I was never even told I might not graduate. We're students - if we knew everything we wouldn't be required to go to school.

Bring a lawyer and try to see if anyone of the students would vouch for you. And make sure to bring a BINDER filled with a copy of your transcript, marked essays/papers, tests, evaluations, and any recommmendation letters you recieved from professors/preceptors. Make sure to mention that she never gave you a write up or warning - because if she did she & you would have to had you sign it as acknowledgement and if she can't produce the evidence she's in hot water. Also refer to your nursing school policy handbook frequently to let them know that you're aware of the requirements etc.

Don't let them get away with it. It's a waste of your time and money which you will never get back or benefit from.

Besides - how can it get worse? What can they do if they terminated you? At least then you'd know you tried everything and wouldn't have to wonder or have regret.

And finally, don't waste time thinking or obessing over the tissue - get your ducks in a row PRONTO and deal with the situation immediately.

[Myocardium]

Sad to say that there are some Clinical instructors who are not professional enough to handle things. A CI is someone whom we can rely to when there are things that seem to be vague, someone who's there to assist and help us fill those blanks in our mind.

Sometimes we need to be assertive when there are doubts in our minds, we have to make sure that what we're doing is right. But I can't blame you because you're CI's there and you trusted her. Next time know the 10 R's of medication administration first before administering any meds, your CI should have been the one who told you that.

Now just like everyone said, you have to document the whole thing and let your Dean be informed about it. It would be better if you seek help from a lawyer to better discuss things in a legal way because this is not a simple matter. Everything has to be corrected now before something like this happens again in your school.

God bless in your endeavors.

[PeteyPie]

Your story is eerily familiar. The exact thing happened to me, the only difference is the clinical instructor was also the director of nursing for the program. She said multiple times in lecture and at clinicals that "men don't belong in nursing'. She took every opportunity to fail men out of her program. We started with 4, at the end of the program I was the only one left. Two months before graduation, she tried to work her magic on me. I showed up to the hearing with the dean, documentation in hand, and escorted by my legal counsel. She denied saying it. Fortunately, I had tapes of lecture, with her comments. The look on her face was priceless when the tapes were played. She was fired that very day, and I was back in the program. I also got an apology letter from the dean.

I was lucky though. A friend of mine was an attorney and showed up with me, and the instructor was stupid enough to say her comments during lecture. It could have easily gone the other way. I really wish you well, in whatever you decide to do.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

your story is eerily familiar. the exact thing happened to me, the only difference is the clinical instructor was also the director of nursing for the program. she said multiple times in lecture and at clinicals that "men don't belong in nursing'. she took every opportunity to fail men out of her program. we started with 4, at the end of the program i was the only one left. two months before graduation, she tried to work her magic on me. i showed up to the hearing with the dean, documentation in hand, and escorted by my legal counsel. she denied saying it. fortunately, i had tapes of lecture, with her comments. the look on her face was priceless when the tapes were played. she was fired that very day, and i was back in the program. i also got an apology letter from the dean. i also got an apology letter from the dean.

i was lucky though. a friend of mine was an attorney and showed up with me, and the instructor was stupid enough to say her comments during lecture. it could have easily gone the other way. i really wish you well, in whatever you decide to do.

i just love stories like those, when you actually get to witness karma at work vs. just having faith that ultimately it will.

[steelcityrn, RN]

CWGirl7.....Any updates on your situation yet?

[vraienurse]

I am so sorry that you have to go through that. i know the feeling. fight back smartly. and most of all make sure nursing is what you really want to do. Nursing is self learning in a way. Don't rely on teachers to teach you every thing. Be alert. come to clinical ready. plan ahead. review the most common medications used in whatever rotation you in. you will look smarter than you are. be confident in you ability because a non-confident nurse is a scary nurse no one want to be cared by.

[NvRGvUp]

I had a very similar situation happen to me a week before you. I know and believe that I was harassed by clinical instructor as well. This semester has been complete chaos and HELL for me and my family. I have to meet with the VP of the college in the next few weeks, but in the mean time I have hired an attorney. You should hire an attorney that deals with education law, you should write out a time line line on specific details. And you should have witnesses. Some people or "friends" will not help because they are afraid. This has been a NIGHTMARE for me and has taken an emotional tole on me! I have my ups and downs! You need to do as much work that you can to save money with a lawyer. Please don't let this go! Please let us know what your next steps are....this will help me out as well!...one lawyer told me to NEVER GIVE UP..IT IS AN UP HILL BBATTLE...BUT I FEEL THAT EVERYTHING IS UP HILL....All I can do is try to fight this....and you should to....don't give up!

[sntornsoon]

Do you have more information on why this student was originally terminated? I am in a similar situation. I'm getting an attorney.