Five Nurse Anesthesia Students Sue Texas Wesleyan Over Dismissals

Image source: Renelibrary / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 

Five former nurse anesthesia students are suing Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, alleging wrongful dismissal from the Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program and an enrollment strategy that admitted more students than it could accommodate, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The plaintiffs, Aleksandra Castro, Linet Koshy, Alyssa Torrez, Eric Barretto, and Katherine Cox, attended during the 2024-25 academic year. Their lawsuit, filed October 2, 2026, seeks a return to the program and financial compensation. Specifically, the plaintiffs raised the following concerns in court documents:

• Interference
• Discrimination 
• Retaliation in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act
• Violations of Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA)
• Common law fraud
• Negligent misrepresentation
• Breach of contract
• Promissory estoppel
• Unjust enrichment/restitution

Texas Wesleyan disputes the allegations. A university spokesperson told the Star-Telegram that the school strongly disagrees with the lawsuit and will respond through the legal process. The claims by the plaintiffs are only allegations at this time, not proven findings.

For nurses pursuing an advanced practice career, the dispute puts grading transparency and the consequences of an academic dismissal in focus.

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Students Say Grades and Dismissals Came as a Surprise

The lawsuit alleges that each year Texas Wesleyan admits approximately 10% more students than it has contracted second- and third-year clinical site placements for, then dismisses about 7% of each first-year cohort soon after spring semester final exams on grounds that they failed the program’s anatomy and physiology courses. In Spring 2025, the complaint says, eight of 107 students, or roughly 7% of the Class of 2027, were dismissed, including the five plaintiffs. The complaint also alleges that Texas Wesleyan’s overall three-year program attrition rate is about 5%, while comparable Texas CRNA programs run between 0% and 6%, including Texas Christian University (2-6%) and UTHealth Houston (0-2%).

At the center of the dispute are two anatomy and physiology courses. The students allege that the university used those courses to prevent some students from advancing to clinical training. They say their instructor did not post grades promptly or return graded exams, leaving them without a clear picture of their academic standing. The final exam was worth 25% of the overall class grade. 

The students believed they were passing until each received a call from A&P instructor Dr. James Schmidt after the final exam, informing them they had failed and were being dismissed from the program. They also accuse the university of collecting the full first-year program cost before removing them.

The attorneys’ statement adds that the students submitted individualized appeals with supporting exhibits but received brief, generic denials. Those descriptions come from the plaintiffs’ side of the dispute and have not been independently established.

Records Access and CRNA Career Concerns

All five students say they tried to appeal but encountered barriers to accessing their education records. They allege that the university’s handling of those requests violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The U.S. Department of Education explains that FERPA gives eligible students the right to inspect and review education records at covered institutions. Those specific rights transfer to students when they turn 18 or enter postsecondary education. Schools generally must provide access within a reasonable time, no later than 45 days after receiving a request.

The students’ lawyer also describes the potential career impact as severe. Jon Velie of Velie Global Law Firm said, “No equivalent program will accept a student with an academic dismissal on their record.” That is the attorney’s assertion, not a verified admissions policy applying to every nurse anesthesia program.

For its part, the university told the Star-Telegram that it is proud of its DNAP program and that its graduates work across Texas and the nation. The students are asking for reinstatement and financial compensation.

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Becoming a CRNA requires a substantial commitment before graduate classes even begin. The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) lists an unencumbered RN or APRN license and at least one year of full-time critical care nursing experience, or its equivalent, among preparation requirements. Texas Wesleyan advertises its entry-level doctoral program as a 36-month pathway.

The plaintiffs all have substantial nursing experience, according to the court documents.

• Aleksandra Castro, MSN, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, a nurse practitioner with almost two decades of experience
• Linet Koshy, BSN, RN, CCRN, an experienced ICU nurse
• Alyssa Torrez, RN, BSN, CCRN, a pediatric ICU nurse
• Eric Barretto, BSN, RN, CCRN, a veteran and critical care nurse
• Katherine “Kati” Cox, BBA, RN, BSN, CCRN, a medical and neurocritical ICU nurse

For prospective students, this dispute offers a reason to ask detailed questions before enrolling: When are grades released? How are clinical placements assigned? What records are available during an appeal? Consider saving syllabi, grading policies, written feedback, and appeal instructions so you have a clear record if questions arise.

For current students, distinguish your program’s appeal process from your rights to inspect education records. Understanding both can help you ask more specific questions when an academic decision affects your next step.

The case is Castro et al. v. Texas Wesleyan University, No. 4:26-cv-01272, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division.

The plaintiffs are represented by Jon Velie and Kurt Elieson of Velie Global Law Firm, PLLC and Amelia Lafont of Law Office of A. Lafont, PLLC.

🤔 What grading information and appeal protections should every nurse anesthesia student receive before a dismissal? Share your thoughts in the comments.