Need advice for my issue

[sara2011]

Hello everyone,

I feel very sad these days for my bad experience with a RN-BSN program. I really need advice from your guys.

I enrolled into a 9-month RN-BSN program (from 2010 fall semester to 2011 spring semester) at a private school because it is a easy and convenient program for me, a full time RN with family. I asked them to take one class in summer due to the heavy workloads and was very happy that I got permission. I paid tuition without any doubts. Just a couple days ago, I checked my new class schedule and found I paid for more credits than I took. Then, I found that the school uses the block tuition system. That means that I have to pay more than 2500 dollars than other students in the progam. When I talked to the nursing advisor and asked them to allow me to take one class in summer before I enrolled into the program, nobody told me that it is block tuition. If somebody had told me at that time, I would have tried my best to take all the courses within two semesters. I asked them if there is a good solution to my case because some schools with the block tuition system cover the summer courses. They told me that it is my responsibility, not theirs, for the issue.

Certainly, I should take responsibility for my part that I didn't ask myself why I paid more tuition for the credits than I took immediatly at the beginning of last semester. I choose the school because I think it is a good school for me. I trust the school so I paid my tuition without any the second thought.

However, I think that the school should also take responsibilty for its part that the nursing specialist should explain clealy about the block tuition when I chose to take one course in summer, and that is why we need advisors to help us with admission. Nobody doesn't care about money. More than 2500 dollars are not a little thing. Block tuition covers summer classes in some schools, and different schools have different policies. Students pay expensive tuition to private schools, and they should take responsibility to care for their students.

I feel sad because the trust could make you go wrong.

What do your guys think? Do you think that I should take full responsibility for the case or I can fill the chain of command if your guys think that the school should take responsibility for its part.

Many thanks.

[elkpark]

When you say "private" school, do you mean one of the private-for-profit businesses masquerading as a "school"?

I'm sure the school has the block-tuition-thing spelled out in the fine print somewhere, and they are going to say that it was your responsibility to be aware of that when you made the request.

However, I would run-not-walk from any school that treated me like that. There are a kazillion BSN completion programs "out there," many of which will not screw you over on a technicality about tuition.

[sara2011]

Hello elkpark,

It is a private university. And, the print which they gave me has no the words of block tuition or anything like that at all. When I talked the issue to the nursing department, they said that there is no the words " block tuition" but it is the same thing. The print just lists the money I should pay. When I found that there is something wrong with my tuition payment, I went to the university website and saw the block tuition under the tuition and fees tab.

We are all taught by the nursing department that as nurses, we should be the advocates of our clients. However, look at how they treat their students.

Thank you for the reply.

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

I'm pretty sure I know, but your best, only, remedy, is to post the name of the school. Schools are a business, institutionally they could care less about the students or the quality of the education.

Warn others, make it a FAQ.

Edit: I think the school should be more accountable, but I'm sure they are legally as "responsible" as they are going to be. As I say, you could "threaten" to publicly discuss the issue, but, if its the school I'm thinking of, it will sink you. Very secret-handshake, all-together-now, solidarity. Either play the game, talk with a lawyer, or see about a different school.

Lawyer consults are frequently free, but is your particular pick an alumni, father/mother/brother/sister of one...?

[sara2011]

:) Hi Mr.Rob72,

You really make me feel much better right now. Your humor makes me laugh.

I can tell from your writing you are a man. Am I right?

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

Yes, indeedy. I'll go ahead and pitch it out there- if its Oklahoma City U, I'm maybe half kidding. If you can afford it, you will receive better instruction than many/most other local schools, but you definitely have to weigh the cost, relative to the job market.

Good luck!

If you need another/supplementary job to pay off this fine education(cough, cough), we may be hiring PT, after the first of the year...you can't beat research.

[Ambitiouz]

It's OCU isn't it? I'd go out on a limb and expose them and make others aware of the unethical business practice they are using to pull in extra tuition dollars! I agree with the previous poster and would not continue at this school. Have you tried contacting the president of the university?