Failed School Practical

Hello, I am a CNA student, soon to be Nursing student from Rhode Island. I have been taking CNA courses with a private school, which name I cannot legally give out unfortunately. The good news is, I passed my school's written exam, the bad news is, I failed the practical portion. I feel I was wrongly failed on my CNA practical skills since I even managed to fail hand washing, but that's besides the point. This particular school is telling me that because I failed every section of the practical, I'm not allowed to re-test this portion. Keep in mind this is not the state test I am speaking of, it's just the school. Is this particular school in legal right, not allowing me to retake the practical exam? Because of them telling me that I can't retake their practical, this means I can't even move on to state. Now I'm out over $1600 I spent on this school.

For legal questions, you need a lawyer. This is not a nursing issue.

I would suggest that you read all fine print in the future, though ....and research any school thoroughly before you decide to attend.

Good luck to you.

Along with the previous comment about consulting a lawyer I would also suggest that you spend a little time reviewing your attitude. I'm not sure if you are aware of this but all levels of nursing licensing CNA, LPN and RN require practical skills tests. They always include skill such as hand washing and work up to more advanced skills. In order to pass you must demonstarte them EXACTLY as they are being taught. Failing hand washing isn't "beside the point" it is exactly them point. Like it or not you can't just apply and sit the states written exam, you must pass the written and the practical component of your schools program first.

Perhaps if you go back to your school with an attitude that implies that you value what is being taught and are open to their feedback on your skills and deficits and they may be willing to work with you on retaking the the failed courses if not better luck at your next school.

Allow me to explain myself before further assumptions are made, as I created this thread while in a panic. I feel I was not fairly tested by the school. The proctor wanted me to demonstrate two skills I had never learned and were not required by my state, they were changing a Foley bag and emptying a Foley bag. While I understand Foley care can be a part of patient care, it is not a testing requirement and we never went over it in a classroom setting. I don't believe she was watching my do my skills because she was on her phone the entire time. Which is why I brought up how incredulous it was that I even failed hand washing, since I follow it step by step whenever I wash my hands now. Unfortunately this particular school claims that the state will not allow me to retake their program, as failing the practical means you fail the entire program. I conducted a private meeting with the President and Owner of this facility on my concerns with my final results, unfortunately they don't give anyone second chances. Throughout the program I never had any personal complaint on my attitude or behaviors, nor did I during clinical setting, so I do not believe that this is a attack on me as a person, as I remained as diligent of a student as possible.

The school can set any standard they want, as lony as they don't violate law. Similar parallel: I had zero questions about critical care, organ transplant, school nursing, etc. on the NCLEX. Apparently that knowledge was not required by the state. However in school we were tested on it; if we failed school, we were not eligible to take the NCLEX.