A female nursing student at Misericordia University in Pennsylvania has brought a Federal lawsuit against her now probably not Alma-mater, after failing the same required course twice.
WNEP Reports:
Jennifer Burbella of Stroudsburg said school officials failed to abide by federal law.
Burbella was enrolled at Misericordia University in Luzerne County, but her attorney said because of disabilities including anxiety, depression, and stress, she needed help.
“She has some disabilities and under section 504 of The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1973, you can make certain accommodations, not only in educational setting, but in the workplace, et cetera,” [her attorney] said.
According to the federal lawsuit, Burbella asked for help including extended time to complete exams, and communication with a professor during a test.
At one point, according to the lawsuit, Burbella tried to call her professor during the examination. When that professor did not answer, a witness saw Burbella “…on several occasions during the exam…breaking down and crying.”
And you want to know what the kicker is, people? She’s seeking $75,000 in damages in the suit filed against Misericordia’s president, head of the nursing program, AND her professor. But her attorney, Harry McGrath, who “specializes” in education law, representing students, families, teachers, and administrators, claims all that Brubella wants is to be granted another chance to pass the required exam.
Ummmmm NEWSFLASH: if you want to fall into the good graces of your professors and fellow prospective alumni, the worst thing you can probably do is to file a frivolous lawsuit in Federal court, against the institution you hope to endorse your nursing degree, as some form of a whiny, “I DIDN’T get my wayyyy!” childish ultimatum.
Listen up, Jennifer. I’m not sure if anybody’s ever told you this, but life is hard, and things don’t always go as planned. For example, you were hoping to be a nurse, but that’s obviously not working out for you right now. You failed an exam that was critical to your future not once, but twice, when it was re-administered.
Instead, you succumbed to the pressure, breaking down IN TEARS not once, but twice, all over a stupid list of questions staring – but not screaming, or God-forbid bleeding profusely – you right in the face.
What did you need to call your professor over for? To ask them what the answer to No. 19 was? Please.
I’m sure you had ample time to study just like every other nursing student in your class, Jessica…because nobody else is suing your university with regards to the toughness level of the class you failed twice.
Maybe I’m the first to break it to you, but it’s as simple as this, Jess – maybe you’re just not cut out to be a nurse.
How could you possibly handle people’s lives potentially hanging in the balance (or even seeing after their simple well-being), if you can’t even see to your own well-being to pass a simple, curriculum-wide test given TWO ATTEMPTS!
In real-life healthcare, those failed tests can very-well equate to two cadavers on your hands. That’s when the anxiety, breakdowns, and tears are actually warranted.
College stress pic via Shutterstock
[H/T UPROXX]