Unfairly kicked out of program?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

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I was dismissed from my nursing school in my 3rd semester of the program. I am an older student and my clinical instructor pretty much CB always told me to give meds w nurse, she wasn't worried about me. I texted her multiple times to give a push med and no reply, the patient was really hurting so a nurse and I gave the med.

I told my instructor and later that day I went into a room to give an IV med and there was a machine I'd never worked with before. I asked if she would help me, she took me out of the room and yelled at me that I was incompetent six times in the bullpen. She then betrayed me after clinical end of day meet up. Then the next day of clinical I was told to not touch a patient without her present. I was so shocked that I was walking around in a daze, at the end of the day she told me that I was being kicked out of my program. 

I went into front of the board and even though another clinical instructor said that she'd love to have me in her group, they dismissed me. I appealed and was allowed back in, but had to repeat that semester. At our first lab check off I was helping all of the other students who were struggling or didn't pass, then went in to perform the task, I could do it in my sleep, I'd done it so many times. The next day I was told that I failed the task and was given no explanation as to what I did wrong. It all felt incredibly weird, I was an honor student, things just felt weird. 

Two weeks later I was giving 8 meds, 3 different ways and my instructor came in and told me that we were cancelling clinical as a big storm was coming in. I said okay and worked to finish giving all of my meds. She kept telling me to hurry, the rest of my group was waiting, over and over again. I was working as fast as I could safely... she then got very mad at me that we had to leave so I gathered my stuff and left. Moral to the story, I didn't press the "save" button. I was dismissed from the school.

Recently I found out that the instructor that screamed at me had been fired due to abuse of power and found out that there had been several students removed because of her, I know one personally. 

I want to go back and do an accelerated program, but most require a letter of good standing, which I'm sure my school won't give. It's been 5 years. I could hire an attorney, but I just don't have that kind of money. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if anyone knows of online ABSN programs that would consider me, I would be forever grateful. I have a 4.0 on all of my pre-reqs, I am a good student who works incredibly hard, but was never allowed to I've out my dream to be a nurse. 

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

I appreciate your efforts, but this doesn't make sense. I'm struggling to follow along, as it seems there's a gap in the information.

Let me give you my thoughts, and then I will answer your question.

Re-cap

You gave a med with a supervising nurse present. Are you saying you got in trouble for that? If not, how is it relevant to the story? Or is it a strict rule to not give meds without your clinical instructor present, and you did?

You adhered to safety procedures by seeking assistance with an unfamiliar device. Are you suggesting that your instructor then had an unrelated breakdown, lost control, criticized you for being inept, and expelled you from the program?

Next, you were allowed to repeat the third semester, and a different clinical instructor lied and falsely accused you of failing a simple lab checkoff that you performed excellently.

You made an error during medication pass, which you attribute to your angry instructor pushing you unsafely. As a result, you were once again removed from the program.

My Thoughts

You seemed to be treading on thin ice, for some reason, and your instructors were eager to find a reason to dismiss you.

You portray yourself as an exceptional honor student who selflessly shares your knowledge and who was unfairly targeted and victimized without cause.

I believe that taking a bit of accountability or even providing more details could help us readers grasp the situation better. Ultimately, this would benefit you, too, as you move forward!

Here are some things you could consider:

Address the Letter of Good Standing Issue

Since many Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs require a letter of good standing, and you're aware that your previous nursing school may not provide this, there are a few strategies you can consider.

  • Contact the nursing school directly. Contact the nursing school where you were dismissed and explain your situation. You have nothing to lose. It's been five years, and sometimes schools are willing to provide a neutral letter (explaining that you are no longer enrolled but not necessarily detailing the specifics of the dismissal). Even if they don't provide a "letter of good standing,” they may provide documentation confirming that you were enrolled, your academic performance, and the circumstances surrounding your dismissal. 
  • Personal appeal. If the school is unwilling to provide a positive letter, consider appealing to the department head or dean of the nursing program, explaining what you've learned from the experience, your academic performance, and your commitment to pursuing nursing again. If you have any other references or letters from clinical instructors, mentors, or supervisors who can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and character, that could help your case.
  • Work with the school's ombudsman. Some schools have an ombudsman or a student advocate who can help mediate situations like these and might assist in getting you the documentation you need to move forward. The ombudsman could advocate for you if you feel you were treated unfairly.

Exploring Legal Options

While hiring an attorney could be costly, there are some alternatives you could explore:

  • Legal aid. Some legal aid organizations or clinics provide free or low-cost services for individuals in situations like yours. If you feel that the instructor's actions were abusive or discriminatory, you might be able to consult with a lawyer who offers free consultations or works on a sliding scale.

State Nursing Board

Depending on where you are, you can also reach out to your state's Board of Nursing. Sometimes, they have resources for individuals looking to return to nursing after a dismissal or other issues. In rare cases, they may be able to help mediate or provide guidance if you are facing barriers to entering a new nursing program.

Look for Programs That Don't Require a Letter of Good Standing

Some accelerated nursing programs (ABSN) may have more lenient entry requirements or may allow for applicants with unresolved academic history if they can demonstrate academic success in other areas (e.g., your 4.0 in pre-requisites). You may want to research ABSN programs known for being more flexible or open to applicants who have faced challenges in the past.

Consider Online or Hybrid ABSN programs
Many online or hybrid programs might not require as much documentation regarding previous schools, especially if they have a flexible admissions process. Some may be more focused on evaluating your current readiness and performance rather than your past. 

Tip: When researching programs, look for schools that have a more holistic admissions process. Some programs may consider your current academic standing and work history more than your past challenges in nursing school.

Alternative Pathways into Nursing

In addition to the ABSN route, there are other options for returning to nursing school that you may want to explore:

  • If you haven't already, you could work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to gain more direct clinical experience. Some LPN-to-RN programs might be an option and may have different entry requirements or offer more flexibility if you're working while completing the program.

Mental and Emotional Health

It sounds like this experience has been incredibly challenging, and it's understandable if it has impacted your mental health. Focusing on your emotional well-being as you navigate your path forward is essential. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Consider speaking with a counselor or life coach specializing in helping individuals bounce back from academic setbacks. This could also help you prepare mentally for the application process and future interviews. It could help you process your experience.
  • Reflect on your journey. You've demonstrated resilience by continuing to pursue your dream despite these challenges. Be proud of your perseverance and the skills you've gained from your academic and personal experiences.

Final Words of Encouragement

You've shown perseverance and strength by continuing to pursue nursing despite setbacks, and that's a trait that many programs will value. You have a strong academic background and a desire to succeed, both of which will serve you well in the future.

Stay proactive, be teachable, accept constructive feedback, be open to different pathways, and explore various programs. Your dream of becoming a nurse is still within reach, and with the right approach, you'll find a program that recognizes your potential and allows you to move forward.

Good luck! 

Nurse Beth

 

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