info about Polk Community College RN program, Winter Haven Florida

You are absolutely correct! This is one example of their unethical practices, they absolutely will do as they see fit, regardless of written policy (PSC or State of FL). I have not heard of this policy (as a transfer) in any other program. You are correct that a student who fails in Program A must wait a certain number of years to re-admit to Program A, depending on school policy. I have never heard of a student being required to wait any amount of time to be accepted into a different school.

All I can say to you is that when I went through their program, I never once met a student that was a transfer from another program. Perhaps what you are going through is what others have experienced as well, who knows, maybe they just don't want someone who didn't make PSC their first choice.

I'm actually wondering why you are being told this. Did you have a decent GPA in all prerequisites decent enough to be accepted? Did you fail all nursing courses at the other school or were you looking to transfer in at least one nursing course? It sounds to me as though all was in order & that you are a could be accepted with the exception of this 3yr rule. If this 'rule' is the only issue for acceptance I would go up the chain of command and keep fighting, but I warn you, if you are remembered by others in the program, there will probably be some retaliation for your efforts.

One suggestion... you can get over to Ridge or Traviss and get your LPN by next summer, then go to PSC for their LPN-RN transition. I hope something works out for you, keep us all posted. Don't give up! In the meantime, go to the college Ombudsman and ask him/her to get you a copy of the school policy for admittance to the nursing program. The nursing program (or any other) cannot have policy that has not been approved by PSC. I have never seen this 3yr rule for any NON re-admitting PSC nursing student. Good luck!

I met all their program requirements and more because I was enrolled in a nursing program before. If I got in, I would be a little ahead of the game. I was willing to start from the beginning at their program. Obviously I'm not in good standing that's why I'm no longer there. Ever since then, we have gone back and forth in emails and she has been giving me little parts of the policy which she copies and pastes and it doesn't make sense... because everything she sends me has to do with a PSC student applying for readmission after failing there and I am a new student who has never attended PSC. Nothing so far that I have seen has anything to do with a student coming from another school. I requested a copy of the policy rather than the bits and pieces she is sending me that is irrelevant. She has been a trip. Finally this morning I wrote a letter to the Dean of Academics (since I noticed that there is not a Dean of Health Science as far as I know) and when I get a response I'm sending all the emails over to her and if this isn't clarified by the dean, my next step is taking it to the provost. I no longer want to go to their nursing program because of all the hassle I've been going through so far.. but I don't plan on walking away without letting someone higher up know that I know that this was not right and not handled appropriately.

Thank you for your understanding. Were you a graduate of their program? I have never heard or Ridge or Travis, are they nursing schools? *name removed by moderator* just emailed me back saying that the nursing admittance policy is lengthy and if I want to see it I would have to come to her office. She again stated that I cannot apply to their program because it is their practice to apply the same policy to someone applying for the program as they would for someone in their program. She also said per this practice, being ineligible to continue in one program makes an individual ineligible to apply to their program. I want a copy of that policy. What do you think is the best way to get it? I think I just may ask her if this "practice" is written anywhere in policy.

Why is it unreasonable to be asked for a letter of good standing? PSC isnt the only school in the area that would ask you for that. If you're not in good standing at the school you are coming from, it's going to be difficult to transfer to any school, not just PSC. The policy used to be posted on the Nursing department website, but since the change from PCC to PSC, many items are still unavailable to view. In order to transfer into another nursing program, you have to be in good standing with the school you are leaving. This applies to other transfers as well, not just nursing. Other schools in the area have the same policy. PSC's admissions policies are in the college catalog. As far as the nursing department, the policy manual for admittance and continuance in the program is about 75 pages.

Maybe it's reasonable if I was transferring into their nursing program. I am not transferring into their program ;]

I so feel for you, I understand the frustration. Firstly, I would go up there and see the written policy for myself, and I would be certain to get a copy of it. Program policies are supposed to be available to potential and current students.

I will tell you that I had a weird situation with being labeled a transfer student because I had a prior Associates Degree with some pre-req's from another state. I couldn't understand how I could be a transfer student when my last degree was already completed and I was not going from one (nursing) program to another (nursing) program (ie, transferring). But the fact that I was transferring credits in from another institution, regardless of whether I completed a degree or not, made me a transfer student. At least I think that's what it was.

So, you're considered a transfer student regardless, but you're also a transfer student in the nursing program because you have nursing core credits elsewhere or previous enrollment in an accredited nursing program (I'm guessing). As for the letter of good standing, I know that PSC and HCC nursing program administrators are 'buddies' (and yes they will talk). Obviously, you're not in good standing if you failed out of another program. I would definitely request a written definition of what "good standing" means to PSC (I'm guessing it means that you're eligible to return to the last program if you so chose) and why it is required. Be prepared, you may be asking for things that are NOT written policy and technically not required of you, but you will need to fight to get this resolved. That's why I suggested getting over to the Ombudsman, but now that I think about it, the person with the real authority with policy will be the President (Eileen Holden), and likely the Board of Directors (who I think had to approve Holden for the position).

Legally, a non-written policy is a policy that does not exist. No different than having a policy that assures no discrimination on the basis of race, but an "understood" internal policy of not accepting blacks, for instance. It is simply not ethical, moral or legal to enforce policies that do not exist on paper. If people starting filing lawsuits for this stuff instead of accepting it, they would not be getting away with any of it. You might even want to try getting the media involved (the ones who do investigative stuff or consumer fraud stuff). I would!

So, that's what I would do... put your boxing gloves on, get over there and get a copy of these policies, and ALL policies that apply to current and incoming students of PSC AND the nursing program. And absolutely get a written definition of what "good standing" means and why it is required. If the "policy" given to you is not in the actual policy manual and/or institution bylaws, I would get to the President's office and just sit and wait AND I would get to the Board of Directors' next meeting and sit and wait until I could speak with them. Or I would get to the Chairman of the Board as soon as possible. I would also get a copy from your last school's registrar showing that you are in "good standing" with the institution itself (no monies owed) AND that you're in "good standing" by being able to return to that institution if you so chose (in any other program or course--failing out of a nursing program wouldn't prevent you from returning to the institution to take a course in say, Math).

So, the question is: If you're in good standing academically and financially with your last institution (the school itself), and willing to start fresh without transferring any nursing credits and you already satisfy all other eligibility requirements (as per written policy) for the PSC nursing program, why would you then be required to have a letter of good standing from the last nursing program in particular? It doesn't make sense, especially when your grades are on your transcript.

I can tell you though that friends of mine that left PSC (PCC back then) and switched over to HCC's nursing program needed a letter of good standing from the nursing department at PCC to be allowed to transfer in. But!! these people were given credit for having already successfully completed Nursing I at PCC. I do not know if they would've gotten in if they had failed it. I'm sure they still would have been considered nursing student transfers and required to be in "good standing". But again, these two schools play "follow the leader" all the time, so expect these kinds of similarities. Realistically, neither one is the best model to look at. Just start the leg work and quickly get to the top of the chain. Do not be afraid to fight for your future and your rights to an education. Hold PSC to an appropriate & ethical standard just as they insist their nursing students measure up to! Keep me posted!

Wow, I agree that if you are still wholeheartedly championing the PCC program, then the wool was pulled over your eyes. It wasnt all it should have been. A lot of us learnt not to stir the pot because this could be the kiss of death. Also doing bad in a course or possibly failing out is also a kiss of death. The nursing community at PCC is very small and everyone knows everyone else so gossip flies and its rampant. Everyone knows a lot of info about you if you put it out there. So dont ever tell anyone something you dont want repeated more than a few times over. Be low key and get the work done and you'll be fine. Thats my advice for the PCC nursing program. Study hard, be polite, have a positive attitude, and never give up. You earned a spot in the program so fight to keep the spot. Its getting harder and harder to get into nusing programs so dont let someone tell you, you cant make it, and if they do, just work that much harder to succeed. Theres a lot at PCC I didnt like and a lot I loved. The small community was also a blessing because I made a lot of friends that I know will be lifetime friends. The rigorous program was a challenge but it can be done. Know when to voice your opinion and when to stand back and listen. I found that you dont usually have a problem unless you make a problem for yourself at PCC.

I do agree that something has to be done about the ethical issues you are experiencing. Nurses are supposed to be held at a higher standard and at no matter what level you achieve you should always uphold that moral and ethical standard. If there is a valid reason to go up the chain of command, then do so. Be respectful and you will be afforded the same otherwise you may be looked upon as a disgruntled individual seeking revenge.

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Thank you.

Destinyx13, or any out there that took LPN-RN at PCC, can you please let me know how to pass the transition program @ PCC. I did not expected to get my usual 92 an plus, but right now I'm in the borderline to pass the class. Do you have any advice that I can use to pass the class, besides reading all powerpoints and memorize all objectives for CPE's.
I have invested a great deal of time and money, and it seems that it is almost imposible. I am not the type of student that gets 80's in my tests, I'm always an 90 plus. I did my LPN in the same school you did(TECO), I got all A's.
Passed my Nclex-pn the first time with only 85 questions. I'm giving you my numbers, not to impress you but for you to understand that right now I'm doing what I always do, but is not working.
Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me.

The Transition Program at PSC is definitely a quick rigorous class! I'm sorry you're having a rough time. There is an academic tutor that you can meet with. . .she is WONDERFUL. She will do test study sessions and anything else you need. I don't have my review material for Transition I any more, but I'll gladly send you all my Transition II and Transition III study material. Also, meet with one of the two instructors and ask them to review the concepts you've missed on the tests, they may have advice for you as well pertaining to the types of questions you're missing. As far as CPEs go, don't get too panicked over them, they are really not as bad as you'd think. Just practice, practice, the skills in the lab and one day a week (It was Thursdays when I was in Trans. I) one of the instructors was in the lab so I went then so they could show me EXACTLY how they wanted the skills performed. I hope this helps a little bit. . . If you need anything else from me feel free to PM me and I'll help you as much as I can!