The Widener University School of Nursing (Widener SOL) is a private nursing school part of the Widener University Complex. It is one of the top nursing schools in Pennsylvania, with a long and prestigious history stretching back to 1966. Widener nursing offers undergraduate, graduate, and adult & continuing studies in the nursing field with options for onsite or remote/hybrid study. With its emphasis on immersive clinical experiences and thorough real-world training, you can benefit from Widener SOL's experienced faculty and research facilities. However, you must also demonstrate that you can deal with the pressure of your future profession, and that starts while you are a student.
Nursing schools like Widener push students beyond their limits to prepare them for the rigors of their jobs and the responsibility they will hold toward others. Although this is perhaps the best time to hone your skills and learn through trial and error, the pressure to succeed may also push you to commit violations or act out uncharacteristically. While some violations are not especially severe, others lead to substantial issues later, like sanctions, placement on probation, and even permanent dismissal. Getting expelled from nursing school significantly impacts your trajectory and your future career. If you learn of allegations against you, don't wait to take action. Send a message to the LLF Law Firm Education Law Team for more information, or call the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 to learn more.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Getting expelled from nursing school comes with short and long-term obstacles that hinder future success. Besides the reputation damage and having the expulsion on your permanent record, you lose money, time, and effort that took years to build. Some of the most common reasons for dismissal from nursing school include violating the code of conduct, acting unprofessionally, engaging in unethical behavior, and failing to keep up with your program requirements. According to the Student Handbook at Widener, students may face dismissal for one or more of the following reasons:
- Failing to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0
- Not completing the clinical requirements of the nursing program
- Violating the Student Code of Conduct
- Failing to keep contractual stipulations imposed by the Academic Program Director or the Dean of the School of Nursing
Sometimes, nursing schools give you a “heads-up” to warn you that you are not progressing correctly, but sometimes, you may get expelled from the first offense. That's why you should never take on the adjudication process alone, even if this is your first offense. With so much that can go wrong, having the LLF Law Firm Education Law Team guiding your steps decreases the likelihood of receiving sanctions that can upend your future.
Adjudication Process at Widener Nursing
The Widener Nursing student handbook contains information on what constitutes violations and the minimum educational milestones needed to progress academically. If a student is facing sanctions due to poor grades, they must first try to discuss the matter with faculty before appealing their grade to the Associate Dean or the Undergraduate/Graduate Program Committee.
The Associate Dean for Student Conduct reviews complaints against nursing students for violating the student code of conduct. Once they receive a complaint, they evaluate its contents to determine whether the allegations hold weight, including the nature and gravity of the alleged offense. If there is reason to believe a violation occurred, the Associate Dean asks the student to attend an informal meeting to discuss the allegations.
The Associate Dean may issue sanctions that the accused student can accept if there is wrongdoing. The matter escalates to a hearing if the student does not accept the allegations. The student can defend against accusations in front of the hearing panel during the hearing. The panel also reviews any evidence and written statements and questions the witnesses during this process. Once the hearing ends, the panel members will meet privately to deliberate and issue a recommendation for sanctions.
Sanctions
Sanctions for violating the code of conduct or failing to progress academically include:
- No further action, where the violation is noted on the student record but no additional steps are taken
- A written official warning
- Removal from Living Unit or eviction
- Assignment to Alternate Housing
- Limited access to university facilities
- Campus service hours
- Disciplinary probation
- Removal from a student organization or athletic team
- Suspension, dismissal, or expulsion
- Fines and restitution
- Revocation of degree or admission
- Withholding degree
- Constructive tasks
- Medical or health center referrals
- Communication restrictions
- Termination of grants and financial aid
Sanctions harm your life and cause multiple problems if you want to enroll in a new nursing school. Don't wait before it's too late to take action – the LLF Law Firm Education Law Team is by your side during every part of the process.
Contacting the LLF Law Firm
It's not the end of the road when you face accusations of violating the code of conduct or failing to progress academically. The LLF Law Firm Education Law Team has years of experience assisting nursing students around the US who are accused of wrongdoing. With their compassion, knowledge, and commitment to excellence, the team helps you navigate the complicated adjudication process and guides you toward the best steps.
No matter what you are accused of, you still deserve due process, impartial hearing members, and the ability to defend yourself against allegations that leave a permanent mark on your future.
Don't mistakenly assume that you can take on the panel yourself. With the experience of the LLF Law Firm Education Law Team, you can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome and take on the matter with confidence.
Nursing school is tough – but getting expelled for a code violation leads to worse issues in the future. Fight back against damaging allegations as soon as you hear word of a complaint. Send the LLF Law Firm Education Law Team a message to learn more, or call 888-535-3686 for more information.
