I need some advice and help. I'm a 30 year old single male starting my transition to MTF transsexual. I was accepted to a BSN program and start my clinicals in Fall '09. And might have a problem when it comes time for me to start living full time as a female. The problem with my school is that it is a private Christian school. I chose this particular school because it has one of the best nursing programs in the city. And I am transitioning while still in school because i've been informed that universities and colleges will not change names on students records AFTER you have finished a program regardless of a legal name change. It must be changed while you are in college or before graduation.
I'm not sure of how the school will deal with me transitioning. I've been told by nurses I work with who are former students of the same college that I won't be put out explicitly or overtly for being transgender, but they will do their best to ride me out of the program.
What should I do? I can't put off my transition because there are set times and accomplishments you are supposed to keep in order to transition properly. My job is not a problem, they will allow me to transition on the job.
Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).
If you feel you need to change your name before you graduate, why don't you pick a name that suits both males and females? I has become quite popular in recent years for girls to have boys name. And vice versa but I think it is more common for girls to have boy names. My sister just had a baby girl about 3 weeks ago and they named her Taylor.
The reason I am suggesting it is because you are going to a Christian school. I am not 100% positive on the rules but I do know that religious schools can get away with certain "rules" that non-religious schools can't. I think you should definitely find out if the have some sort of a morals clause that could hurt you. I think (and I could be wrong) that if they deem your transition to be against their morals, they can legally suspend you from school. And that would be a shame considering the time and effort you put in to get there in the first place.
Also, I am not a lawyer but I think it is incorrect that if you change your name it invalidates your degree. But as others have already said, I would get a copy of your schools by-laws and take it to a consult with a lawyer. Make sure you have every base covered.
I hope everything goes well for you! Keep us updated!
I need some advice and help. I'm a 30 year old single male starting my transition to MTF transsexual. I was accepted to a BSN program and start my clinicals in Fall '09. And might have a problem when it comes time for me to start living full time as a female. The problem with my school is that it is a private Christian school. I chose this particular school because it has one of the best nursing programs in the city. And I am transitioning while still in school because i've been informed that universities and colleges will not change names on students records AFTER you have finished a program regardless of a legal name change. It must be changed while you are in college or before graduation.
I'm not sure of how the school will deal with me transitioning. I've been told by nurses I work with who are former students of the same college that I won't be put out explicitly or overtly for being transgender, but they will do their best to ride me out of the program.
What should I do? I can't put off my transition because there are set times and accomplishments you are supposed to keep in order to transition properly. My job is not a problem, they will allow me to transition on the job.
School is another matter.
that's a good question. You'd think they'd let you be the individual that you are, but knowing it's a Christian school... well... many hypocrites abound - as my experience with religion goes (Lutheran school upbrining, Lutheran church classes daily.... ended that part of my life at age 12). I'd go talk to the dean and let them know your concerns and lay it on the line. I'm sure there will be many with differences and they will show tolerance - or if not, you can be on them like flies on poo poo and claim discrimination. Best of luck to you.
i believe someone gave you the wrong information regarding the "legal name change" and that a degree would not "matter". women have name changes all the time and their degrees still "matter".
the only question i have for you is, why not wait until after nursing school. i really think you will have a rough time going through those changes and all the drama that comes with it while in nursing school. not to mention... a private christian school????? sounds like you are trying to make life difficult for yourself?
i can understand and agree with what you are writing, though it's a bit unfair that he should have to wait to transition until after school... all for the sake of "christianity" and other people's feelings on his life. who the hell cares what others think? though that can make life harder, but it's his life and he should be able to do what he wants without opposition or conflict in pursuing higher education. you'd think a nursing school would be all over practicing what they preach.
look, i know you are eager to get on with a new life, but confession isn't the way to do it. i don't have a real good opinion of most religions and i come from a catholic background and have a bunch of cousins who are nuns and priests. i know the inside hypocrisy. i'm serious. just clam up with regard to the school. go to school as "joe" and say nothing about even getting this surgery because if the religious leaders of the place get wind of it you may very well find yourself thrown out for moral reasons on their part and you don't want that, do you? just work with your counselor and consult a lawyer, dummy up, and after you graduate, "joe" becomes "josephine" and there's nothing the school can do about it then. save all your records and make copies just in case they say they lost your transcripts just to be difficult.
again, as above....
we would like to think that we live in a wonderful world, but you never know where bigotry is lurking, so protect yourself. religion doesn't exempt people from bias or breaking the law. we americans love a good fight, but i have to tell you that those fights are tiring and take a lot out of you. try anonymity first.
this sounds so bleak - he should be able to pursue education being who he wants to be, without conflict or obstruction - but we all know there are all sorts out there who will buck the system and make your life a living hell.... sad to say
Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).
that's a good question. You'd think they'd let you be the individual that you are, but knowing it's a Christian school... well... many hypocrites abound - as my experience with religion goes (Lutheran school upbrining, Lutheran church classes daily.... ended that part of my life at age 12). I'd go talk to the dean and let them know your concerns and lay it on the line. I'm sure there will be many with differences and they will show tolerance - or if not, you can be on them like flies on poo poo and claim discrimination. Best of luck to you.
See that's kind of what I was talking about in my post. You may not be able to claim discrimination because relious schools have different rules they can legally go by. They may be able to dismiss you because it isn't "moral" to them. Whereas, a non-relious school probably can't do that. Now I am not basing that on anything concrete. They may not have some kind of a morals clause. But I would find out for sure before you talk to the dean. I would definitely speak to a lawyer first.
you poor thing. I agree with daytonite on not saying anything to the school. Present yourself as female and use your real name. I have a family that comes into the pediatrician office I work at and the girls all have boy names. "Ryan, Ricky, and Joey." That is their names that appear on all their legal documents. If you are wanted to trans into a full time female why not include it day one of nursing school. Noone is going to see you naked there so own it.
Good luck to you!
Stay level headed and remember you get more of what you pay attention to so dont go looking for people to give you a hard time.
See that's kind of what I was talking about in my post. You may not be able to claim discrimination because relious schools have different rules they can legally go by. They may be able to dismiss you because it isn't "moral" to them. Whereas, a non-relious school probably can't do that. Now I am not basing that on anything concrete. They may not have some kind of a morals clause. But I would find out for sure before you talk to the dean. I would definitely speak to a lawyer first.
Also, I am not a lawyer but I think it is incorrect that if you change your name it invalidates your degree.
No - your degree can't be "invalidated" - your SSN is attached to that... so just as women do when they get married and they have a degree in their maiden name, you get it changed.
See that's kind of what I was talking about in my post. You may not be able to claim discrimination because relious schools have different rules they can legally go by. They may be able to dismiss you because it isn't "moral" to them. Whereas, a non-relious school probably can't do that. Now I am not basing that on anything concrete. They may not have some kind of a morals clause. But I would find out for sure before you talk to the dean. I would definitely speak to a lawyer first.
I would imagine that violating a person's civil rights, be it public or private institution, still applies... but I'm no lawyer! Again, I believe OP was seeking an attorney's advice.... ACLU would also probably be able to shed some light into this topic - there are many private schools out there.... that are big-time schools and you never hear of any ruckus.... so maybe they shake them out or they do a good job or covering up issues.
well umm, we had a guy during nursing school that transitioned, and no one said a word to him... he worked it out with the board , and i have no idea how he did that.... but he works in ER now at a big hospital...
our family is mormon and my personal feelings didn't go into his personal choice., i just went through nursing school minding my own business... but he did what was best for him, who is now a her named shanna... but it worked out..... and i really don't know what else to say ... but that was along long time ago....
A private institution would be smart not to open up a can of worms and lose lots of money by disallowing a person to participate like the rest of their students.
Sandy_dfw
192 Posts
I want to give you my support also.
I do not have anything to add to what has been posted but I do wish you the best.
Sandy