Woman claims nursing school improperly threw her out

WINFIELD -– A Poca woman is suing a university because she was discharged from a master's degree-level nursing program there.

Kimberly D. Watts filed a lawsuit Feb. 27 in Putnam Circuit Court against Mountain State University, which is based in Beckley.

Watts claims she enrolled in the nursing anesthesia program at the university in late spring 2005.

The complaint says Watts relied on certain representations made by the university before enrolling that included:

* That the program would be "fully frontloaded;"

* That Watts would complete the program no matter how long it took her;

* That certain nurses would be taught during specific semesters and under specific conditions;

* That Watts would not be dismissed from the program as a result of her performance of cardiac clinical; and

* That certain courses would provide specific content including a prescribed number of skills labs;

The complaint says that none of these representations was true and constitutes fraud and negligence.

Watts' transcript from the university allegedly shows that she had all A's and B's in her classes during her time there, but she says she was discharged from the program in March 2007 after paying her tuition.

Watts is seeking the $40,000 she paid in tuition and other damages, plus legal fees and interest.

Thomas H. Peyton is representing Watts. The case is before Putnam Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 09-C-69