Forced to Drop Due to Clinical Placement

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I guess I’m just kind of looking for some guidance. This is a long post. 

I’m attending UAB for their acute care program. This semester was supposed to be my first clinical semester but unfortunately due to multiple delays on both UABs part as well as my clinical site, it will not be happening. I did my part in identifying the site, a preceptor as well as something for next semester as well. I’m frustrated to say the least. I did my part in identifying the sites and they failed on their end to ensure I had a clinical. I was contacting them asking how the contracts were going for MONTHS before the semester only to be told “everything is fine” and then two weeks into the semester I’m told that the contract might not happen. 

Now I’m two months in and I have no choice other then to drop out. I don’t want it this bad. I feel like it’s embarrassing to our profession that we have to beg people to teach us. All I care about at this point is getting a refund and moving on. I even asked about them placing me in Birmingham (next august when the course is offered again) and they said the can make no guarantees on me getting all my hours. This is contrary to what I was told when I was admitted. Now I’m waiting for a call from someone to talk to me about filing an appeal for the W. 

I want to file some sort of complaint even though I don’t think it’ll do anything; but schools need to be held accountable. It’s sad and unfortunate that a school will take a persons money and not provide them with what is necessary to graduate and not face consequences. If you can’t guarantee me placement in Birmingham (where the school operates and has a giant medical center) I can’t expect you to be of any help placing me out of state. I guess I’m looking for any sort of guidance at this point. I’m kind of relieved since it was too stressful trying to learn the material on top of wondering if I’m gonna have a site. 

I want to finish my degree but I have no interest in starting over again at another school unless they take my credits, which is unlikely to happen. Any advice is welcomed and appreciated. 

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

is this an on-line program? 

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3 hours ago, sleepwalker said:

is this an on-line program? 

It’s hybrid. Half online with a campus visit every semester. It’s through university of Alabama at Birmingham. 

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

sorry to hear about the clinical obtainment difficulties. It's an all too familiar issue with out of state clinical sites and trying to meet site certifications/requirements/liability issues/insurance limits/etc. in order to obtain a contract. Couple that with competition from local brick and mortar schools and it's often not a very favorable outcome.

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13 minutes ago, sleepwalker said:

sorry to hear about the clinical obtainment difficulties. It's an all too familiar issue with out of state clinical sites and trying to meet site certifications/requirements/liability issues/insurance limits/etc. in order to obtain a contract. Couple that with competition from local brick and mortar schools and it's often not a very favorable outcome.

My main issue is that they said that in the event they are unable to place or the student is unable to find a clinical site, then they could arrange it in Birmingham. I found three clinical sites for the next few semesters that are now lost. It was a stall on their end. So now I’m sitting here filing for academic appeals and trying to get a refund and wondering if I just wasted all this time for nothing. Unfortunately my area doesn’t have a local ACNP program so this was my only reasonable option. 

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I am so sorry to hear this for you.  NP education is becoming a joke, it is so sad and only our fault as a profession.  If I were to have to do it over again I would direct my effort toward PA school.  Of course, very competitive, high standards at base of consideration for entry, and would not be able to complete the program while working full-time (or likely even part-time), but I would be prepared to practice with solid investment from my school and profession ensuring that I am truly competent at baseline.  

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Specializes in Community health.

I used to live in Alabama, and I know how highly-regarded UAB is.  The fact that even they are pulling this is incredibly disappointing.  NP education needs an overhaul, like, yesterday.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I attend the DNP program in AZ. 
Thus far I haven’t had an issue finding or securing a placement. I know that my unvaccinated counterparts have had difficulties. not sure why they wouldn’t let you attend clinical after securing options. But then again I’m primary care and not acute care. Best wishes as you navigate this challenge.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Very sad - it seems to be an ongoing issue everywhere.  

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Curious what their written policies say about all of this. Something like "all attempts will be made [...] no guarantees..."?

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This happened to me at a reputable state school on the east coast. All these promises and guarantees then boom I lost out on 15K when clinical sites couldn't be obtained. Had to transfer after they conveniently lied about getting state approval for clinical practice when I applied.

You won't get your money back.

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Specializes in Family Nursing & Psychiatry.
On 9/30/2021 at 8:40 AM, aok7 said:

I am so sorry to hear this for you.  NP education is becoming a joke, it is so sad and only our fault as a profession.  If I were to have to do it over again I would direct my effort toward PA school.  Of course, very competitive, high standards at base of consideration for entry, and would not be able to complete the program while working full-time (or likely even part-time), but I would be prepared to practice with solid investment from my school and profession ensuring that I am truly competent at baseline.  

I wouldn’t change my path to PA if I had a choice. Nurses bring so much knowledge and experience to advance practice that PAs dream to emulate. The try to copy nursing’s full practice authority with “optimal team practice.” 
 

Nursing’s strength is that there are so many levels and fits every facet of healthcare. It’s not perfect, but don’t give up on the profession. Do your best to improve it and help move nursing forward. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Keep going, being an NP is worth it. 

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