Can a school withhold your transcripts if...?

[Celine.L.P.]

Hello to all, so I'm a part of a program and we have been using the exit HESI exam as a form of practice and an indicator as to whether or not we would likely pass boards. I just graduated and in the middle of my last semester received an email from the Dean that because of our low passing scores from the previous semester nursing students. That it would now be necessary to receive a certain score, if not met, our transcripts would be withheld even after graduation. I checked our nursing handbook and it does not state that this is part of our program. Not to mention that this change was made IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR LAST SENIOR SEMESTER. My question is, that is it legally allowable to withhold our transcripts being sent to the state, if we do not receive the score that they state that they want us to meet?

[TitaniumPlates]

Celine, it sounds unfair and definitely could be challenged, IF this is the case, that they "never" told you guys prior to the middle of senior year.

What I can say, is that my classmates literally ignored our program director when he mentioned this in the first day of last term. He described the exam, he had asked (and other instructors did as well) that over Christmas break, we all study for HESI as it was IMPORTANT in more ways than just "10% and a redo" of our grade.

Wanna know how many people were saying that "they never heard him say that"? Most of my class.

Wanna know how many people listened at the end of 3rd term when they asked us to study for HESI during break? Almost none.

Several classmates and I did take it seriously, and did HESI study every day over break. We came in, blew the exam out of the water---and watched in disbelief as A-B students bombed miserably. I got a 970 first time, and my two study mates got early 900's. Everyone else in the class.....400-600.

That is when he reminded everyone that he not only asked us third term to study and take it seriously...but that he did say he could and WOULD hold us if we didn't prove competency.

Nobody listened. I studied for NCLEX as well as HESI, along with my classwork, all term. IT IS HARD. I get it. You're not telling anybody here anything that they don't know.

I got a 1217 on HESI exit and my two study mates did high 900's. The rest of the class? About 50% marked over 800, but less than 900. The remainder....argued that "they were never told" that ATT could be withheld if competency on the predictor wasn't achieved.

It may not be in the student handbook, but are you absolutely positive that this was NEVER mentioned...that the director reserves the right to hold you until remediation?

And I do think that's what this is.....it's not...."I'm never going to be able to take the NCLEX!!"

It's...."You need to remediate, with the director or at least go through a HESI or ATI or KAPLAN review course and show competency by repeating the HESI".

In this case, and I know you're not going to like hearing this....he/she DOES have that right (again, check your state by laws at the BON).

The other thing is....IMHO, I agree with them. HESI may be harder in some ways than the NCLEX and easier in others...but it's still the same thing...a predictor of your ability to 1. be a minimally safe nurse and 2. pass the NCLEX successfully the FIRST TIME (which is all that is important to the school officials, btw. second tries don't effect their pass rate, only first time takers effect it)

I would start with your BON. And make an appointment with your program director. If there is ambiguity, then you may have something to challenge. If they told you and you were simply not listening or you thought that this was no big deal, they can't do that...yeah, they can.

Good luck.

[nursmimi, BSN, RN]

The purpose of these exit exams are to help predict first time NCLEX pass rates. If you cannot make a certain required score, you are more than likely not going to pass NCLEX. I know it may seem harsh and unfair to throw this at you at the last minute, but it really is for your own good. They do not want to send anyone to take that test that may not be prepared for it. It is all about pass rates, staying accredited and hopefully sending out qualified nurses. Good luck and study!