turned away after clinical started??

[anangelsmommy, ADN, BSN, RN]

p.msonormal {margin-left:7.5pt;} i was called into my administrators office today because my doctor wrote down some physical limitations on my paperwork for clinical. i met with the head of the program at my school over a year ago and discussed the fact that i had a disability and would that affect clinical for me? she said that they work with people with disabilities all the time. in preparation for this i have taken an online course, tested out of two but had to pay for it, and clepped out of a few. so all told, i have paid for a year of school pre-reqs leading up to this year - based on that conversation! so today she told me that i would not be able to do clinical and that she would make sure that my tuition was refunded???? what? (and i have bought 3 uniforms, shoes, socks (yes we are required to have white knee socks), penlight, and books). i reminded her of our conversation - she said that she assumed it was a learning disability since they have a lot of students with that? what?? and that unless my doctor signs off no limitations, i couldn't do clinical??

she said "how do you expect to do this, how do you expect to be a nurse? i said " i don't plan on working with adults, i plan on working with children, and if they weigh more than i can lift, i will use a lift. or working in infection control - i have a degree in microbiology, or get my lactation consultant or one of the many other nursing jobs that don't require lifting!! i have experience using a lift and i know the agency that i used to have caring for my son mandates use of a lift in patients over 40lbs. i am so mad i could spit. i have two discs that are degenerated and i had a spinal infection that spread down my leg and i have pain when i lift or stand for long periods of time. but i can do normal patient care and i have a straight a average, i got the highest score on the entrance exam they ever got. i think this is ridiculous that they would be able to tell me that i must have no restrictions for this, isn't this discrimination? i have a friend that was turned away- he has to use a scooter and has major disability - in that case, i can sort of understand, but i have a lot of experience- i took care of my own son for 14 years- g tube, ng tube, j tube fed, on oxygen, bipap, apnea, bradycardia, seizures, baclofen pump, i did all his care every time he was in the hospital and cared for him most of his 14 years. i even changed his wound pump dressings. i also was in the air force and worked as a medical lab tech and then a medic and was in desert storm. i have no doubt that i can be a very good nurse. not being able to lift heavy should not be a requirement for this in my opinion.

has anyone else heard of this? does anyone else have a disability or know of a classmate that does?

jp

[mondkmondk]

Call the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Association) and tell them what happened...they may refer you to someone else, but you possibly could have a case against them.

Here is the ADA toll free number: 1-800-514-0301.

I've got a possible case against my previous employer right now based on possible disability discrimination...long story, PM me if you want to know more...

Blessings, Michelle

[moonrose2u]

i would contact the ada also. this just doesn't sound right. you are an accomplished individual and have alot to offer nursing. is your administrator a jerk or what?

yep, i would fight it. but i would also go back to the doc and see if he can 're word' your disability in a way that is more agreeable too.

good luck!:heartbeat

[anangelsmommy, ADN, BSN, RN]

just wanted to say that i was able to get my doctor to write a note stating i had NO limitations....after we discussed how i would avoid getting myself in a situation where i might be injured further and since it is just 4 hrs two days a week, she had no problem. And my current medication regimen is actually working great and i think that being more active is actually increasing my pain threshold!

JP