NYU Nursing College students who contract COVID-19 and are unable to attend in-person clinicals face an unjust fee of $150 for each day they must make up. This policy punishes students who follow public health advice and stay home to stop the spread of a highly contagious illness that could leave them with lifelong disabilities.

The burden of this policy is particularly challenging for nursing students, who are on the front lines of healthcare and may be at higher risk of exposure to the virus. The demands of their rigorous program and the ongoing pandemic already create immense pressure and stress. Imposing a fee for staying home due to illness adds an unnecessary financial burden that can only exacerbate the situation.

Furthermore, this policy also puts financially disadvantaged students in an even more precarious position. Students must either quarantine for the mandatory 5 days or choose to attend clinical, potentially spreading the virus to others. Furthermore, some students may refuse to be properly tested because a positive result would result in mandatory quarantine and additional financial hardship. Some students may also conceal positive results, which could lead to a public health crisis.

It is unjust to charge students this fee to pay clinical instructors (who are paid $150 per hour). NYU should prioritize the health and well-being of its students, especially during a pandemic. If NYU can afford to pay for religious absences, then NYU should be able to support students who have contracted COVID-19.

The goal of the petition is to get rid of this policy and make sure that NYU Nursing College students get fair treatment and help during the pandemic. We urge NYU to recognize the impact of this fee on their students and prioritize their health and well-being above all else.