Nursing is a sacred profession, a special calling. It's your job to care for the needs of others. Nurses literally hold the lives of patients in their hands. That responsibility comes with respect and honor. But precisely because it is such a serious responsibility, the path to becoming a nurse isn't always an easy one.
Certainly, the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing will hold you to the very highest standards of academic achievement. You'll need to excel in the classroom and in the clinic. Beyond this, though, you'll also be expected to demonstrate the highest standards of personal and professional behavior. Even the smallest lapse in how you treat patients or how you deal with colleagues can be grounds for dismissal from the program.
Of course, we all make mistakes. If you've made one, or if you've been unfairly accused of making one, how do you protect your educational future?
You can call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form to get in touch.
At the Lento Law Firm, we don't believe a mistake or a false accusation should stand in the way of your success. We're dedicated to helping students get the fair treatment they deserve. We know how the Vanderbilt School of Nursing (VUSN) works, and we'll do everything in our power to make sure you get every reasonable opportunity to earn your degree, no matter what your circumstances.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
If someone at Vanderbilt's School of Nursing has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, it's likely for one of two reasons. Either you're struggling to keep up academically, or you've been accused of some type of misconduct.
- Academic Deficiencies: Obviously, your first job at VUSN is to learn. To ensure you're doing that, the school maintains a clear academic standing policy. “Good” standing requires you to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Grades below B- can also result in academic sanctions. The good news is you won't be dismissed the first time you struggle. Instead, you'll be placed on Probation. However, you can receive probation only once. Should you continue to struggle, you are then subject to Dismissal.
- Misconduct: One bad class won't necessarily doom your nursing career. One instance of misconduct could if it's serious enough. And you're subject to a lot of conduct rules. Like all Vanderbilt students, you must follow the school's general Community Standards regarding campus behavior. You're also subject to federal Title IX rules regarding sexual harassment. As a nursing student, you're required to commit to the VUSN Honor Code, which concerns academic misconduct. Finally, you're expected to abide by the American Nurses Association Code for Nurses. That Code describes your professional and ethical obligations to your patients and to the field of nursing generally. Any violation of any of these rules is grounds for dismissal.
Fighting Dismissal
Because you are subject to so many rules, it can be difficult to navigate the judicial system at VUSN. A failed course means dealing with the Student Admissions and Academic Progression Committee (SAAP); Honor Code violations are under the jurisdiction of the VUSN Honor Council. Community Standards are handled by Vanderbilt's Office of Student Accountability and Academic Integrity. This is one reason why it's so important you have a Lento Law Firm on your side: to help you sort out the various procedures of the various offices.
No matter what your situation, though, you have certain due process rights.
- If you've been accused, you're entitled to notice of the charges. This notice should include details of the allegation and a list of all your rights.
- You're entitled to a full investigation. As part of that investigation, you should be allowed to give your side of the story. Investigators also interview any witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
- The investigation is only the beginning of your case. If you're facing dismissal, you're also entitled to defend yourself at a formal hearing. As part of that hearing, you may make opening and closing statements, offer evidence, and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions for any witnesses against you.
- All decisions are based on a legal standard referred to as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, decision-makers must find you Responsible (guilty) if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- You have the right to appeal the hearing outcome, but only under certain conditions, such as a procedural error or the discovery of new evidence.
No matter what type of charges you're facing, a Lento Law Firm can be essential to the success of your defense.
Some types of hearing afford you the right to an advisor and to choose an attorney as your advisor. Others—such as Honor Council hearings, do not. Keep in mind, though, that a Lento Law Firm attorney can do far more for your case than merely accompany you to proceedings. They can help you develop a strategy, work with you to gather evidence, draft documents on your behalf, and even give you practice in making your hearing presentation. Most importantly, a Lento Law Firm attorney can monitor your case from start to finish and make sure your school treats you fairly and that you get the best possible resolution.
Fighting for Your Future
It's essential you understand that if you're facing dismissal, your career is on the line. You've worked hard to get to this point in your education. You've had to show time and time again that you have the aptitude and temperament for this profession. None of that counts for anything, though, if you should find yourself accused of mistreating a patient or if you should fail a course. Not only can you find yourself dismissed from VUSN, but you'll find it difficult, if not impossible, to find another program to accept you.
The bottom line is there's too much at stake to go into a dismissal defense alone. Judicial rules and procedures can be complex, and while your school is normally on your side, in this case, it's your opponent. You need someone in your corner, someone who has your best interests at heart and who is willing to fight for those interests. You need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Our Student Defense Team is highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and has helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve.
If you're facing disciplinary action, don't wait to see what might happen. Find out exactly what the Lento Law Firm can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
