How to deal with program politics?

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I am trying to figure out how to approach a situation in my program in which a nursing assistant course from last year (Fall of 2012) is being retroactively added to my BSN gpa. To keep things short and sweet (and not provide too much identifying information), the course was considered a prerequisite to the program. Our grade would not be added to our GPA for the BSN program, we just needed to pass the course. Now, almost a year later, we have discovered (by accident as no notice was given) the school has retroactively added that course (worth 2 nursing courses in credits) to our BSN gpa. I have already emailed my advisor to ask about it, but I am wondering if its something that I should follow up with the Dean. Thoughts?

*Edit: I am concerned about this because it has dropped my GPA significantly*

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Specializes in Public Health.

What do you mean by significantly?

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From a 3.7 to a 3.4, which may not be significant to some, but it is for me.

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Well, they may need to include it for legal reasons, especially if the CNA course counts as your intro to nursing class. I would be very careful about inciting politics, you do not want a target on your back. Be wise in your actions and always polite with admin/Dean. Make sure that whatever you do, you follow that chain of command. It does sound somewhat like they changed their policies on you without notification, but nursing schools reserve themselves many powers. LOL. Good Luck.

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Specializes in Public Health.
From a 3.7 to a 3.4 which may not be significant to some, but it is for me.[/quote']

IMHO this process may be more trouble than its worth. My question is how do you think this will affect your future?

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Thank you StudentOfHealing. I know exactly what you mean by getting involved in program politics. This will be my junior year and I have tried very hard up to this point to keep my head down and a target off my back. I am going to approach the situation as calmly and nicely as possible. I am just confused as to how something from 9 months ago could be changed and we received no notice. And I really want to be in the programs Honor Society, so I would definitely prefer the higher GPA. LOL :)

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SlinkyHeadCNA, I understand what you mean. If it comes down to be a big issue, Im going to leave well enough alone, but to me its the principle of the thing. We are supposed to be professionals and I feel like if you tell me one thing, I expect that thing, not something else. We have ran into previous issues this year already where there has been one thing said and another done, and petitions have been filed and the rules have changed. Its just frustrating I guess.

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Specializes in Public Health.

Idk if you mind, but, what type of school do you go to?

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Technically I guess its a private college, its owned by a large network of hospitals in the area. It is nationally accredited.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

The only reason to pursue this would be if there was some kind of written contract between the students and the school that stated expressly that the CNA course would not be included in GPA calculations. A verbal contract would be more difficult to prove. Just figure that every course you take at that institution is likely to be included in GPA calculations and act/plan accordingly. It should be perfectly OK to inquire about why that course suddenly was included in the GPA calculations, but I wouldn't press the matter further unless something really earth-shattering popped up. In the grand scheme of things, 2 units isn't likely to cause too much of a dent in your overall GPA, if the other courses you take all have good/very good grades. If you're very borderline between one status and another, then it might make a difference at that point.

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Thank you for the input Akulahawk. I will look at this as a learning opportunity for the world of professionalism :) And when I get in the programs Honor Society, I will have even more reason to proud of myself ;)

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Specializes in Pedi.
SlinkyHeadCNA, I understand what you mean. If it comes down to be a big issue, Im going to leave well enough alone, but to me its the principle of the thing. We are supposed to be professionals and I feel like if you tell me one thing, I expect that thing, not something else. We have ran into previous issues this year already where there has been one thing said and another done, and petitions have been filed and the rules have changed. Its just frustrating I guess.

First, technically you're students not professionals until you graduate and obtain licensure/a job.

Second, just wait until you are working as a nurse and you will see how many employers talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Hospitals say one thing and reverse that/do something else all the time.

Last, I don't see it as worth your effort to pursue this.

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