Suing College over delayed degree filing and being singled out?

[Kuroshio]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WA
First off, I don’t want to sue over not finding a job, I want to sue because of delayed responses filing required paperwork and being singled out from other class mates.
1. I finished the nursing program this last Spring quarter but was informed 4 weeks into the quarter that I had more classes I needed to take. I showed the college my class requirements (completed and given to me by them) and I had completed all of the classes on it. They said there were changes to the curriculum since it was completed and I had to take the additional three classes. I pointed out the part that said being grandfathered in if there were changes but they refused and insisted I take the full load over summer quarter.

2. At this time I also discovered that they had lost my transcripts, again. 7 times total, all ‘accepted’, but not added to my courses. I sent an email to the dean of students, the head of the nursing department and nursing registration girl during spring quarter asking that the situation be resolved before the end of summer as to not delay my graduation any further. I inquired into the progress later and received an email back that they were working on it. It was never resolved. At the end of the quarter it took over a month longer to get resolved.

3. Then the nursing board failed to sign and submit my required state paperwork to take my state exam for 2 more months. I called several times weekly and visited the college as well. I asked other departments to assist. I had someone from the workfirst program advocating for me, and she also was met with dead ends.

I was informed multiple times throughout one of my courses that they were going to be extra tough on me since I completed my first year nursing 12 years ago and have been a practicing LPN since. I was told, “we’re going to make you a strong nurse” while requiring me to take more patients than the other students and being required to do more clinical days than other students.

If I had not been held back then I would have taken my boards by July, instead it’s January and I’m still waiting. Also, since it’s been 6 months since I’ve been in a nursing course I feel my chances of passing are diminished significantly. I took a mock NCLEX at the end of my course and it gave me a 97-98% chance of passing. I fear my current chances are in the 70’s.

If they have the right to put off signing such papers, then I feel I don’t have a case. But this has definitely hurt me financially. I went into foreclosure over this. As an LPN eligible for RN, nobody will hire me as an LPN so I’ve been unemployed most of this last year.
Thanks Much and sorry it's so lengthy, Tina

 

[Dave1952]

If I understand you correctly you are an LPN who returned to school (full-time?) to get either an RN or a BSN. The College where you enrolled kept losing your "LPN" transcripts and thus insisting that you take courses in which you are already trained and competent. You think that you completed your requirements in the Spring (2010?) but they insisted that you take another quarter of courses. When you completed this Summer quarter you reasonably expected to take your RN exam but a college "nursing board" failed to forward the necessary paperwork in a timely fashion. You can not seek employment as an RN until you pass this exam and get a State nursing license.
Can you afford a lawyer? I'd advise you to speak with one. Find out what the Statutes of Limitations are on this mess. It sounds as if the college has really dropped the ball here and you may have lost quite a bit of money.
Good luck with your exams. Pass them and get a job. Before the Stat. of Limi. runs out decide whether you want to sue.

Good luck

 

[George1776]

Something so important & you are sending EMAILS? Why not visit these people in person & bring your documents that support your claim with you?

 

[Kuroshio]

Thanks Dave. Yes, full time. 20 credits a quarter for nearly two years and then 12 credits a quarter for the last year. No I can't afford an attorney right now, but I was hoping to talk to at least one (or a few if need be) and see what I couldn't work out. The classes that they insisted I take were redo's actually, I took a 'required speech class 123, and then they changed the requirement to speech 125. I had already taken 123 but they insisted that I had to take the updated on. The transcripts were indeed my first year nursing and also several prerequisites. They said that I shouldn't have even been allowed to enter the second year since they couldn't prove that I had take my first..... I gave them my first official transcripts in August 2007, but they apparently lost those as well. I take my boards later this week.

Hi George. I couldn't visit each day and when people aren't in their offices it's hard to make eye contact (August, school closed etc). I visited in person frequently and got quite an elaborate run around (that's so and so's job, and they're on vacation.....out for the day.....at clinicals...blah blah). I did make in person visits. I also sent emails that I kept for documentation since they're easier to prove than face to face visits. Or so that was my thoughts. I also recruited some assistance from the on campus Workfirst office, whom also became very frustrated at the run around and lack of response. I also vented my frustration with a few of my nursing instructors, whom 'sympathized' and said they've seen this happen before, "just hang in there...."

George, I know it probably sounds flakey with the limited info posted, but each time I would hand deliver, or electronically send over my transcripts I would receive an email from them saying they received it and it would take a few weeks to get my degree. A few weeks would pass and I would call back to hear the same run around, "we don't have them". I brought in my unofficial one to show them and they said it was all cleared up and they'd request the official one. A few weeks later ...again... that they didn't have them. Turns out there was some sort of 'code' on the transcript that they were looking for, but this they NEVER told me about, they just kept saying "transcript". Anywho. I wanted to wait until after I took my boards before doing anything since I didn't want any sort of retaliation.

 

[Kuroshio]

I passed my boards

So I called and emailed a statement to a local attorney last week that said he was interested. It turns out he is on the board of trustees at the college though, so he refused (after my statement...btw, there's only one college in this small area). Yesterday I had an apt with the director of my old program to get a few copies of papers in my file and he immediately brought up how I didn't have a chance in court. I mentioned nothing of court, wasn't confrontational what so ever (until this statement), and didn't think that I had given any reason to warrant such a statement.

Does that sound odd? Is he in a position to bring my statement to the college?

The program director did say that I had been throught a lot more than the average student and did apologize for the troubles. He also said he would personally investigate the threats and such (and mentioned that he doesn't doubt they occurred given the person involved). I had a second attorney look at my statement and she accepted. I meet with her for the first time on Monday.

 

[Kuroshio]

Is there some sort of Formulary?

The lawyer that I spoke with today said it would take her about 5 hours to go through the documents that I gave to her and come up with a letter of demand (at around $1000 total). She then said she's need another two grand, and if it goes to court then "It'll get hefty". Ouch. I'm certainly no lawyer, nor do I have any legal education, but this demand letter doesn't seem so difficult to come up with. I think that I can pull it off, but I'm not at all certain as to how much to ask for?? Is there some sort of formulary??


If I need any further assistance after this letter I will likely need a lawyer. The lawyer today did sound optimistic although there are three different and distinct reasons that my degree filing was delayed for essentially three extra quarters. I think she would have preferred a more singular 'conspiracy theory' situation.

 

[stormmcfearson]

this sounds like a tough case.