Help! Stuck in Remediation policy… cannot graduate!

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I have passed all my Nursing classes at my community College on December 2019, but I was denied receiving my Nursing associate diploma because I did not pass my Exit HESI exam. The Exit HESI passing score was 850, my score was 784.

At first, I was told I need to go through the Remediation program working with my teacher at school which I did from January 2020 until now; we met online every other week. Then, on May 2020 I was told school has new policy; remediation test passing score is now 90% straight and Exit HESI new passing score is 900 instead of 850. Also, I need to pass the remediation test before I be able to take the Exit HESI exam again.

Per my remediation teacher suggestion, I had a meeting with the Dean of Nursing school last month. I was told they will bring my concern in their next faculty meeting for policy change consideration. Although this policy is not on school website.

I believe remediation questions are even more difficult than Exit HESI questions. I have spent last 6 months doing remediation. I know there is no way I would be able to pass remediation test with 90% score. I was told I am eligible to take the Exit HESI exam three more times before December 2020, but school is not letting me to take my Exit HESI exams!

All my classmates graduated 6 months ago, and I am still waiting. I owe $40,000 student loan that I need to start paying back. I need my school allow me to take my Exit HESI test as soon as possible. Can someone suggest what options I have?

Thank you!

For grievance policy we were directed to have a meeting with the Dean. Even if we continue to have meeting with the bosses, they will support each other and we will waste few more months.

Is there a free or inexpensive lawyer community group we could reach out to?

Yes the goal is “taking the HESI Exit Exam and achieving the 850 score”. I believe Dallas County Community College is a public school.

A month ago I called Texas Higher Education Board and I was told to Email [email protected]. I did not pursue that because I thought that would backslash from school and it will also take few months.

I just want to make the right decision. I feel it is not right for the school not to let me take my three EXIT HESI exams.

Specializes in oncology.
2 hours ago, Nursing2094 said:

For grievance policy we were directed to have a meeting with the Dean.

I reviewed the grievance policy and yes, policy complaints are handled by administration.(I am not sure what the grievance policy covers as it does not look at student grade appeals or things like sexual discrimination.)

Were you attending MVC or ECC? I reviewed the course descriptions and cannot see what the HESI EXAM was tied to. Your syllabus for the last course may state it. How did you learn there where consequences tied to the HESI score of less than 850?

I wonder if you were attending ECC as the passrates on that school's program were pretty low - low enough for the state board of nursing to require some program change to remedy the knowledge base upon graduation.There usually is a reason for additions like the HESI test to a curriculum. The ECC school pass rates have gone from 70% (2017), 84% (2018) to 92% (2019). You should expect to pass your exam on first writing upon completion of your program. Do you have a student handbook? There could be some policy on remediation in there. Something had to be developed so that students were each given the same expectations.There usually is a reason for additions like the HESI test to a curriculum. There are probably only 4 versions of the Exit exam. That is why you are given that number of attempts.

Texas seems to have some graduation "guarantee" that the graduates of occupational programs will be competent in their first employment. It could stem from this.

The good news is your school is ACEN accredited so somewhere the policy/procedure should be stated. (I do NOT want to get into any discussion on the good or bad of accreditation -- I have debated it more than enough with a previous poster).

I am not a lawyer and the AN site does not want any legal advice given. I am however, a retired nursing educator who has written department and school policies, written many ACEN reports, crafted several program review schedules and reports following the requirements of many accrediting agencies. I know of what I speak (or write).

Please do consider that you passed all your courses satisfactorily, you have done the prescribed remediation and you are ready to take what is required of you to achieve your goal, which you have formulated. You have been through an extremely stressful time. Regain your confidence and speak from your confident position! You have studied hard and well!

All the student nurses in my group (about 100 students) that we spent 1.5 years together we always text each other regarding exams, HESI, clinical, and other things. Everyone had to take HESI. My teacher and the nursing dean told me about the remediation rules and three more HESI exams (they emailed me). These information are not in student book.

I know the only way to get my rights is to find a lawyer who can represent me who does not charge a fortune!

Specializes in oncology.
58 minutes ago, Nursing2094 said:

My teacher and the nursing dean told me about the remediation rules and three more HESI exams (they emailed me). These information are not in student book.

Make hard copies of all emails you have received on this remediation, and change in pass scores for remediation and HESI tests.Make hard copies of any communication from faculty or administration for the whole 2 years. When is the faculty going to meet to consider your request? Who is the administrator above your nursing dean - Academic Dean ?

The one big question that I have had from the start is where did the 6 month time frame come from? Was it that you had to remediate until someone made the decision you could take remediation test and then HESI EXIT? Was it up to you to voice your were ready?

Write down everything you remember about your meeting with the nursing dean and faculty member.

Have you signed anything? Before 6 months had passed, had you made any request to take the remediation test?

Have you read the students handbook cover to cover? Do you have the syllabus from the course where you took the HESI. Was anything in the HESI tied to your grade?

I know I am asking a lot of questions but your time period of 6 months remediation is odd. Usually a school wants to get you to take the NCLEX as soon as possible so you don't forget recent knowledge.

Specializes in Occupational Health.
On 6/27/2020 at 12:39 PM, Nursing2094 said:

For grievance policy we were directed to have a meeting with the Dean. Even if we continue to have meeting with the bosses, they will support each other and we will waste few more months.

Is there a free or inexpensive lawyer community group we could reach out to?

This original post made it sound as if you were the only one not to pass the HESI....this above post now sounds as if there are multiple students???

Is it only you that didn't pass the HESI or are there multiple students that had to remediate as well?

There were several students did not pass the first attempt but pass the second attempt. I did not pass the 2nd attempt and doing remediation. I believe I am the only one doing remediation, but I am not 100% sure.

Specializes in oncology.
On 6/29/2020 at 2:04 PM, Nursing2094 said:

There were several students did not pass the first attempt but pass the second attempt. I did not pass the 2nd attempt and doing remediation. I believe I am the only one doing remediation, but I am not 100% sure.

Okay, still continue gathering the information I outlined. If somehow this does go to a grievance, the procedure is time sensitive. It says

Quote

A grievance filed, either informally or formally, will not be considered unless it is filed not later than 120 days after the event or occurrence giving rise to the grievance or knowledge of the event or occurrence. From the school catalog of Dallas County Community College.

Was your second attempt after the May change in policy? Can you give a specific timeline of all the events? I can understand if you don't want to talk about it here but I suspect I am not receiving all the info since you haven't answered any questions and new information keeps coming out with each post. Even if you obtain legal advice I believe the attorney will need the documents/emails/syllabus that I have asked you to look up. But I am not an attorney and not giving legal advice.

I am having eye surgery tomorrow and am not sure to what my degree of reading ability will be temporarily. I will check back when I can see better.

Best wishes and a speedy resolution to this nightmare! Ask the school questions and get answers!

1st attempt Exit HESI for all students:

12/03/2019

2nd attempt Exit HESI for all student who did not pass the 1st attempt:

12/09/2019

No more attempt is allowed until going through remediation:

Good luck on your eye exam! I will need more time to dig in for more info.

Thank you!

On 6/28/2020 at 2:17 PM, londonflo said:

Make hard copies of all emails ...

^^^ this. The first they a university will do if they sniff trouble is wipe out your email account.

Specializes in Occupational Health; Adult ICU.
On 6/28/2020 at 2:06 PM, Nursing2094 said:

I know the only way to get my rights is to find a lawyer who can represent me who does not charge a fortune! 

I know a great lawyer who doesn't charge a fortune. I'll give you the name as soon as I finish getting the deed paperwork on a big golden bridge just south of San Francisco that the lawyer is selling me.

Specializes in oncology.

Nursing2094,

Any news? Did you get the documents together or talk to Dean or Lawyer?

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