Hello. I am so glad I found this place. I will copy what I wrote to a woman to make a long story short or so I don't have to repeat myself:
I live in OH and go to school across the river in Wheeling, WV. I attend West Virginia Northern Community College. I did all the requirements to enter school. I had a physical done. My doctor , at that time and currently, put a weight lifting restriction on me to only lift up to 30lbs. The program wants people who can lift 50lbs. I can lift 50 lbs. Both my children ages 5 and 9 weigh at least that much. But due to chronic back pain, my doctor felt that 50 lbs shouldn't be a guideline at all. I did go to my gynecologist office and get a note from the Nurse Practitioner , that as far as she was concerned, I could lift 50lbs. I handed in my physical on July 2, 2007. I told the secretary for the division that covers the nursing program that there is a problem with the weight issue. She said it looked fine to her. I started classes on the 20th of August. I did have an orientation on July 26, 2007. During this meeting, all students were to sign a competency type form that says we can physically do this and that. One of them was to push, pull, lift, or carry 50lbs. It was to be marked yes or no. Also at the bottom of this form, we were to sign that we could do these things with or without accommodations. That if there was a disability, then they would go according to ADA guidelines. I signed the paper and started school a month later. 10wks into the program, the nursing director pulls me aside and says that if my doctor doesn't lift the 30lbs to 50lbs. then I would be out of the program. I had already done 3 clinicals at the hospital locally. I was even given permission to go to another clinical, because my original doctor's appt wasn't until after the next clinical. A very long story short. I was told that I am not permitted to continue in the program. I have seen nothing from the hospital that says a student cannot attend clinicals if they are not allowed to lift 50 lbs. I don't know what else to do. I did finish the first semester, but with two incompletes because I cannot finish my clinicals this semester. If I am able to get this weight thing lifted I can return to clinicals and make them up in the spring of 2008. Or if it will be longer than that, I can keep my status, with no extra fees, and as long as my doctor lifts that limit before spring of 2009, I can make those three clinicals up then and continue into my 2nd semester. Having said all of that. I am appalled that this director did not do her job before school started. I could have gone a different career direction, but now I have to wait an entire year to start another 2 yr program. I asked this director why these physicals were not reviewed before classes started. She said that was neither here nor there. It does matter though. I told her that she took a year off my life. Nothing starts new in the spring. All programs are starting their second semester now. I have to wait now. And what if I do get this doctor to raise it. Does that mean that the next two semesters are paid for by the public by means of pell grants because of a mistake she made? I am on disability now, but not for physical but for psychological(depression). I have fought to stay in school this long, because I am afraid that if I stop, I will become stagnant again.

Okay..that was the letter. I am hoping that with everyone's help, I will get guidance and continue on this nursing path to be what someone else couldn't be and that is ME as a NURSE. Sometimes I think GOD wants me to fight this to show how much I want to be a nurse. As far as I know, the director of the nursing program has not been written up or anything for her failure to do her job. I have written everything down and know that the press would eat up this story. I don't want the press. I just want what should be mine. This nursing program isn't called the RN program for our local hospitals...so it shouldn't matter about the weight thing. If anyone I know needed me to lift that 50 lbs, GOD knows I would. How many people have been know to do incredible things when they had to. I am all out for some advocacy. Thanks so much for reading all of this. And believe me when I say that this was the shortened version of the entire mess.
Sincerely...

Paula
Future Nurse

Just a suggestion......
Request in writing, by certified mail, a meeting with the president of the school. Take a friend with you. NEVER go to a meeting like this alone.
Discuss the issues in a civil tone of voice, don't make threats and have a prepared outline to follow.
I seriously doubt the President wants any negative press or litigation.

You might also contact your local Board of Nursing. I doubt the school wants the Board of Nursing asking questions.

an afterthought......
Is this a private school? It's my understanding a private school CAN discriminate whereas a public school that receives federal funds cannot discriminate.

you should notify the ADA, americans with disabilities, to support your decision to be a nursing student..you arent planning on pro wrestling now are you? you can always get lift assistance..

Paula,
I read your letter and my advise is that if you really want this, than do not give up and keep fighting!!!!
Have you addressed this issue to the very highest person at your school??? what was done to you was wrong and for some reason the man upstairs is challenging you and wants to see just how badly you want this!!
I am 43 and am currently in school to be a medical assistant!! i have always dreamed of being a nurse but, i really am not a good student and test taker!! i get very nervous!! i am currently doing ok in school averaging a B but, it has been tuff for me!!! You have a lot of courage and don't give up on your dream.
Nancy