Lateral Violence and Bullying at UNBC's Nursing School

I experienced discrimination, abuse and persecution while studying toward my degree at UNBC's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program because I am an English Second Language student and a single mother.  This mistreatment culminated in early 2012 when the chair of UNBC's nursing program, Martha MacLeod, instructed Khaldoun Aldiabat (a new faculty member lacking job security and with very little Canadian registered nursing experience behind him) to fail me in the last course that I needed to graduate -- even though I was one of the best nursing students in this program.

UNBC consistently supports the chair of UNBC’s School of Nursing, Martha MacLeod, no matter what she and some of her faculty members do to nursing students.  UNBC officials turn a deaf ear to the student's complaints unless the student's lawyer is involved.  Since 2011 UNBC has forbidden students from employing lawyers during the appeal process.  Yet hiring a lawyer at one’s own expense was the only means by which students could try to defend their rights at UNBC.

Here is an example from my experience in UNBC's nursing program.

Sandra Barnes is a registered nurse newly graduated from UNBC and previously my classmate in this program. I encountered her when I took my last course needed to graduate, NURS 440 (community health nursing - practicum), and went to observe for a few hours in a community health nursing clinic in Prince George. Sandra Barnes was working there, and conducted herself quite unprofessionally toward me.  Several times Sandra Barnes showed me her middle finger to express her personal hostility towards me and her dislike of a new policy intended to improve nursing students' clinical/practicum experiences.  Ms. Barnes also expressed very strong negative, aggressive feelings aimed at me personally and at student nurses and doctors in general.  This happened in the reception area of the clinic, in the presence of another staff member, and where, at any time, clients or the general public could walk in.

In addition,  this registered nurse started to spread gossip about me all over health unit where my main practicum placement was located.  Sandra Barnes's gossip came to the attention of my nursing team manager.  She contacted me and also the instructor for NURS 440, Khaldoun  Aldiabat.  Normally, it is the instructor’s responsibility to resolve any problems between UNBC's nursing students and staff at their practicum placements and represent UNBC's nursing students’ interest.  Instead, Khaldoun  Aldiabat told me to deal with this situation myself.  He also told my preceptor to deal with her co-worker and defend me,  and to help me write for him a detailed report on the situation. Worse, Khaldoun  Aldiabat  refused to take any action to defend me, or even to attend a meeting which the manager of my nursing team had organised to resolve the problem.  Khaldoun Aldiabat told me he was too busy attending various conferences and did not have the time or desire to deal with my problems.  I wrote the requested report and submitted it to both Khaldoun Aldiabat and the nursing team manager.  Later Khaldoun Aldiabat was forced by my preceptor and that nursing team manager to attend another meeting regarding my situation.

Despite my request, Sandra Barnes never did provide me with an apology for her unprofessional, offensive and humiliating conduct towards me.  It is clear to me that nurses really do eat their young.

Here is an example of  how UNBC's instructor Khaldoun Aldiabat communicated with me in NURS 440 (community health nursing - practicum) about my experience with Sandra Barnes mentioned above.

  

             
                                      
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