Hi folks, Im here for a bit of advice, I hope someone can help.
Long story short....
Im a senior nursing student (4 yr program), single mom, working 2 jobs to get through school. The passing grade for as long as Ive been there has been 75 for all nursing courses. Over last summer they changed it to 77 and did not grandfather the senior class in. Unfortunately, I ended up with a final course grade of 75 and they have failed me for the semester. This means no grauation in May, no classes to start in 2 weeks and I would need to retake the entire class all over again in the fall with no financial aid....$6,000.00. If I was 18 still living with my folks to help, it might not be so bad but this isnt the situation. I have a child who depends on me and I need to start working immediately.
I met with the chairperson of the nursing dept and got nowhere. I was told they do not grandfather seniors because if they did, they would have to do the jrs and sophmores as well and new policies would never get implemented. I spoke to a student advocate who basically guides me to the next step (Im trying to follow protocol). She works under the Dean. She brought up the problem to him and he directed it back to the chairperson of the nursing dept...in which I got no where the first time. I was also told by another classmate that the Dean will be resigning after this semster to go right to the president of the college (talk about intimidating !!).
I am emotionally, physically and financially exhauted at this point and I need some direction. I have 2 state reps offering to help me. Should I have them contact the President or should I do it on my own basically waste my time. Or should I make arrnagements to meet with my 2 professors to go over my exams to look for extea points that could be brought into the mix. Can someone please advise? I know there are very well educated and professional nurses on this site and I would apprecaite any advice you can throw my way. Thanks so much!!!! future RN....soooo confused
When I started nursing school, we had to take a college orientation class. The professor in that class told me that the college handbook that you start your program with, is considered a contract. They should have grandfathered all students sophomores, juniors and seniors based on what he said. I would ask your state reps if that is a point you could push. Good Luck.
I agree with this post. I learned in my Ethical/Legal Aspects of Nursing class that the handbook/and or catalog that was in effect when you started the program is considered a contract. Therefore, everyone already in the program before this new grading policy was implemented should have been grandfathered in.
No advice (I'm sure others have it), I just wanted to say that this is so wrong!!!! And yes, they could have certainly grandfathered in all remaining classes, the policy will still be implemented.
I wish you success!
DeLana
BTW, my BSN program had a 70% pass requirement - as late as 1998 (don't know if it has changed). I think that's too low (some of the 70%ers I know are dangerous nurses - others, however, are fine, just not good test-takers).
I deal with a similar problem at my University. Dragonfly is right. If you can get a copy of that, try to and use that to your advantage. Don't stop at the nursing dept. IMO, you worked too hard for this to happen. Don't let them take it away.
It is up to the college themselves to deem whether the policies that are in place when you began will carry throughout your education. If your college has in writing (ie., handbook) stating policy against any changes as such, then yeah, they're in the wrong- do whatever you have to do.
If there's nothing in writing that guaranted you the same policies as you entered the program, or if they told you prior to the semester about the change- then you're out of luck. Take it over.
The classes required to complete the program are different to being told, I assume at the begining of a semester, that you have to have a certian grade in the class and then not making the grade.
Although I think that the OP's situation is a bummer, if she knew from the begining of the semester that the expectation had changed then she should have changed her study habits/actions to ensure that she made the grade expectation. I'm not trying to be harsh. In the "real world" expectations change all the time. If one is given fair notice (ie, told at the begining of the semester) there should be nothing to challange. If this was implemented in the middle of the semester that is a whole different story.
Just my
~Jen
Yes expectations change all the time but not at the expense of wasting 40 grand with no hope of more aid. This is clearly a policy that does not have to be written in stone and can be modified for the seniors only considering their student loans and that is just wrong, and the real world isnt always right especially when the rules sometimes only apply to the less fortunate and less important. FIGHT THAT GIRL EVEN IF YOU cAN GET IT WRITTEN UP IN THE PAPER.
No matter how frustrated or worn out you are, Dont give up, stick to your guns, PRAY alot, if you are sure you have exhausted all the avenues you can and still have not resolved the issue then hire an Attorney( i hate to say it but sometimes there is no other way)what do you have to lose?Good luck to you!
PeachyERNurse, BSN, RN
315 Posts
I agree with this post. I learned in my Ethical/Legal Aspects of Nursing class that the handbook/and or catalog that was in effect when you started the program is considered a contract. Therefore, everyone already in the program before this new grading policy was implemented should have been grandfathered in.