Can my school change prerequisite requirements?

[km1427]

Hi! I'll try to explain this as best I can. I enrolled in nursing school in June of 2015 with a lot of transfer credits. This semester I took more general ed requirements so all I have left is A&P 2, Micro, a religion class, and four nursing classes. My plan was

Spring '16 A&P 2, Nursing 1

Summer '16 Micro, Nursing 2

Fall '16 Religion, Nursing 3

Spring '17 Nursing 4

And then I would have my associates and be able to take the NCLEX.

Unfortunately, I failed A&P with a 72.7 (needed a 73), and so I was bummed out, but decided I would just push each of my general eds back a semester, so I could still take those four nursing classes in the time planned. I signed up for Nursing and Anatomy 1 and it even said on the registration website they could be taken simultaneously.

Then I got a call from my school. They changed their prerequisite for Nursing 1 in mid September, saying that now students need to take anatomy 1 PRIOR to nursing. They didn't change it on the registration website accidentally. This will cause a delay in earning my degree. It will also cause me to lose financial aid next semester, because the religion class is full this late in the game, and micro can't be taken simultaneously at this school.

I did my research and the commission that accredits my school had a list of standards for accreditation, one of which is

"When programs are eliminated or program requirements are changed, the institutionmakes appropriate arrangements for enrolled students so that they may complete theireducation with a minimum of disruption."

This causes a huge disruption with both my financial aid and my graduation date. I have a meeting with the VP of my school and the nursing director tomorrow. My argument is that the catalogue and handbook said I could take Nursing 1 and Anatomy 1 simultaneously when I enrolled in the school, so they can't change that. Do you think I have a chance?

[caliotter3]

My school changed curriculum and rolled over each semester as their level of progress phased out. There were plenty of meetings and admonitions that if you weren't progressing the way you should that you would meet with a brick wall. Very few people met the brick wall. In your case, you should be grandfathered in or an exception should be made. Plead your case in a calm, professional manner. Good luck.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I don't think you have a case, accreditation wise, and here's why. You are an 'enrolled student' of the university- NOT of the nursing program (yet). So that doesn't apply to you. And it's so vaguely worded that you really are barking up the wrong tree.

[elkpark]

It can't hurt to ask.

[Jrhemming]

I ran into the same situation got mad and just dropped out of school. Now 5 years later I'm finally graduated taking nclex soon. You will probably just have to jump through their hoops. Just do it and move on because it's so worth it in the end.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You might get lucky: so I would ask. But don't be surprised if it doesn't go your way. The main reason for your disruption is because you failed a class -- not because of their curriculum change. If you hadn't failed the class, you would have been OK. They have an obligation to "not disrupt" students who are passing ... but they can't be expected to make exceptions for students who are not.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

It's not going to hurt to ask, but I wouldn't expect anything. Try to remain calm and professional at this meeting. Remember in the end your goal is to complete your education, even if it is delayed.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

A prereq is a prerequisite. Meaning it is required before entering the program. Your program does not have you take certain classes before nursing classes? It's actually a good thing to take anatomy before any nursing classes. A&P are the foundation of nursing. You can't understand what is wrong with the body if you don't understand how it works when it is right. I think your school is doing you a favor. My school changes it's requirements all of the time and if you are not enrolled in the program, then they have the right to change it at any time.

[mrsboots87]

You are prenursing. The school has the right to make any pre req changes up until the point of you entering the core nursing program. At which point they can still change curriculum and such, as long as you will still graduate in the same amount of time, assuming passing all courses. My school changed the length of time it could be since you completed a pre req and it set be back a semester for applying to the program because of it. Its just too bad. It couldnt hurt to ask at your meeting, and even plead you case, but I really wouldnt expect to actually get grandfathered in over this. The school did not make you fail the BIO class that set you back. The school is looking for whatever will help its students perform better in the nursing program. A&P is the foundation to the nursing education. It is kind of absurd that it was ever aloud to be taken at the same time as the core classes.

[km1427]

Thanks for all the responses! My frustration was that they said A&P 1 was VITAL for nursing, but it never has been for my school before. Just bad luck that I decided to earn my bad grade the year they changed things over. And I'm definitely not going to fight the grade, it sucks that he doesn't round but I could have earned a ninety so it's my fault. One thing I wouldn't mind happening at the meeting is maybe instead of allowing me to take nursing one they'll waive the A&P 2 pre-req for micro, so I can at least have financial aid for next semester and get micro out of the way.

[TC3200]

Religion class doesn't sound like a huge workload on the prof. Talk to the prof and see if he or she will allow an extra student in the class. You have to figure there's always one who drops out or drops at the last minute when they can't pay.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I'm so confused. Are you a nursing student or a pre nursing student? How can you take nursing without AP?