Anxiety is high; potential nursing program in turmoil

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hey guys. I am not sure what to think of this. I applied to a very reputable program, which has a 100% NCLEX pass rate. However, beginning in April, following a controversial resignation of the provost/dept chair, the program has been in turmoil. Currently, acceptance letters are being held due to the fact that there is no one in a position to sign them. On top of that, in response to the controversial resignation over 1/3 of the nursing faculty has resigned. This puts the program in jeopardy as they are no longer compliant with the state board. The college claims that they are not in danger of losing the program or accreditation; however this whole situation is making me uneasy. I can't imagine it will be feasible to replace 1/3 of the instructors with qualified replacements by fall and I am not sure I believe them when they say they are not in danger of losing the program ... I mean, don't nursing boards have a close to zero tolerance policy for noncompliance?

So, I'm torn... If they get their **** together and I do get an acceptance letter and they somehow retain faculty should I accept? Or should I work on my plan B, which is to apply to a different program for spring. The other program will require a different entrance exam (HESI as opposed to TEAS) as well as 2 additional pre-reqs. Not to mention the costs associated with applying (I have three previous degrees and cross enrolled at multiple colleges so I have several transcripts).

Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Interesting article. Thank you for posting.

Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

I called. I'm in! Still uncertain about everything but I'm in. It just seems like bad karma to turn down one acceptance without another in hand. So I think I am going to start in the fall, but also keep rolling with my application to the other program. Can't hurt anything right?!

Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Well...I would disagree about bad karma. You are just doing the best you can to make the right decision. After reading that article I would have no faith that they will be ready to go..and good luck getting your tuition back...let alone the time you would waste there. Life is short. I did an ABSN and really just wanted the damn thing done so I could get on with life.

Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Follow up... I ended up telling this program "Thanks, but no thanks". I struggled with the decision but I think I made the correct choice. I have since sent in applications for a traditional BSN at a state school and a local ADN program.

Question for anybody who might happen to know the answer:

Could the OP call her state's BON to find out if the school in question is in trouble? Would they be willing to supply that information?

Specializes in ER/Emergency Behavioral Health....

Sort of been there. I applied to a reputable state school as well as a local community college. I got a letter from the state school saying they were under review by the BON due to their NCLEX pass rates. I went with my plan B, the community college which was also accredited, but in good standing. Had I not gotten in there, I also had a plan C, a hospital based diploma program.

If I have learned anything, it was to make sure you have options, because your original plan may not always work.

Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
Question for anybody who might happen to know the answer:

Could the OP call her state's BON to find out if the school in question is in trouble? Would they be willing to supply that information?

The program is back up and running and in no trouble from the BON standpoint at this time. There was a lot of other things going on that gave me an uneasy feeling about the program. Plus, for a second degree it was rather expensive. Also, after talking to previous students I feel I made the right choice.

Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Follow up:

Applied and was accepted to both Traditional BSN and ADN program. I ended up choosing the ADN program. Super excited to start in January. One of the main reasons I chose the ADN program is because I will be able to pay for it, outright. It's a gratifying feeling (yay, being a grown up!) LOL. Also, the cost of the ADN + RN-BSN is still less expensive than the trad BSN program. Go me being all responsible and what not :) Take that student loans.

I just read through all your previous posts. I think you made a great choice not picking option A. If they messed up something as simple as sending you an acceptance letter, then their department really is a huge mess. I would be very apprehensive of attending a school that made such a stupid mistake.

WOW ! That sounds serious. Its good to have a plan B and I think you should keep working toward the spring semester and wait it you to get an acceptance letter. Even if you do accept and the program falls to pieces that's when I would personally go to plan B. The costs sucks for transcripts, testing and they are also a pain in the butt! Your education is worth it though. Looking back you wont be thinking about the fifty bucks you had to pay to send transcripts even if you didn't attend that college. How did you entry exam go? Did you do well and would it be a big deal to take another? I did not take the TEAS, What was it like?

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