Advice needed how to proceed

[NJBray]

I was in an ADN program and had to take a leave due to personal and medical issues. The policy of the school at the time was that if 3 or more semesters elapsed you were to have a meeting to discuss a strategy for success. When I tried to return I was told that I could not because 3 semesters had passed. I was also told that students who have been out of the program are not successful in passing the NCLEX. I had good grades throughout the entire program and the content was not an issue for me. The policy as it was written did not say anything about 3 semesters and not being able to return.I wrote another letter in the Fall requesting to finish and was denied again. I have bought this to the attention of the Dean who oversees the department and he read the policy as I did. He went to the director and once again she said no. I know that the program has had issues with the ACEN in the past. Specifically with a high rate of attrition and students not being able to graduate. Would the next step be to file a complaint with the ACEN?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Filing a complaint with the ACEN will not have an effect on finishing your degree at that school. Your complaint is a policy dispute between you and the school, ACEN will not invest the time to investigate your complaint. Your issue has no effect on their accreditation.

[NJBray]

The program had been cited by the ACEN for the high attrition rate. While it may not serve my specific need it should be bought to their attention.

[apmarquez]

You need to get an attorney and consult with them and get documentation about your medical issues.

[sandygfleischmann, MSN, RN]

Write a letter of appeal, you will need a copy of the nursing student handbook as that is how the "rules" are used for readmission policy. The letter must be factual and calm in nature. Use the chain of command at the school. Chair of the nursing program and any Dean above that rank. If the appeal fails, then go up higher in the college/school chain of command. If all that fails, then write a letter to the Board of Nursing. (BON has to regulate state schools). Do not contact ACEN as this is an issue they will not consider urgent. Good luck.

[NJBray]

Update. When they told me I couldn't return the director said I could challange the board to take the LVN ( having passed 3 semesters of content and clinical ) . I submitted all the documents with the application fee last year. This was as a plan B while I am waiting this appeal process. The director didn't fill out the integrated hours and my application is deficient. A year later they also told me I have to take a separate pharmacology course, initially I was assured that our program satisfied the pharmacology component. The Dean tells me today to take the course in the summer. It makes more sense to pursue appealing this last semester than to go back and forth with the LVN board. Thoughts or advice? Sorry so frustrating. I would be fine with starting over for failing but that wasn't the case.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

13 hours ago, NJBray said:

It makes more sense to pursue appealing this last semester than to go back and forth with the LVN board.

The director told you that you can't continue in nursing school after being gone for 3 semesters. You wrote a letter and was denied. The dean asked the director and was denied. The appeal process will involve the same director, why do you think that appealing makes more sense?

Take the Pharm course, challenge the LVN NCLEX, take a LVN-RN program and move on. The more distance you put between yourself and that school, the better. This has gone on way too long.

[NJBray]

Thank you. I plan on taking the Pharmacology class and challenging the LVN board. I did get a hold of the BRN and will file the complaint. It will give me the peace of mind I did the best to advocate for myself.

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

I can see the reason for not being allowed back in if you've been gone three semesters, as nursing semesters build on the last very heavily. That's a long time to be out of clinical practice too, and to jump back in at level 4 would be very difficult. I can understand not wanting to do three semesters over though. Good luck with however you proceed. I think LVN to RN is going to be your best bet to at least be able to skip one or two semesters and be able to make decent money working too.