I call shenanigans

[cdmccarthy]

I have my bachelor's of science in Biology, so I have taken most of the pre-reqs that my target nursing program (ASN) requires. They are as follows:

ENC 1101 - got AP credit in high school, took ENC 1102 and got an A

MCB 2010C - took MCB 3020C, got a B

BSC 1093C - have not taken

BSC 1094C - have not taken

HUN 1201 - have not taken

DEP 2004 - A

STA 2023 - A

PSY 2012 - B+

Humanities - A

Upon first glance at their requirements and my college transcripts, I'm thinkin "great, all I have to take is A&P and nutrition because *surely* they'll accept the higher level micro class and I'll ask about about the english comp credit". Overall, it's looking like I'm in great shape right?

So I email the nursing department at the nursing school I wish to attend asking about how the ENC and MCB credits will work considering my circumstances. They admit based on a point system, she tells me, and they score in 3 categories: how many of the pre-reqs have you completed (they require completing only 2 for admission and the rest by the time you graduate), GPA in pre-reqs, and HESI entrance exam score. So she tells me that my ENC credit will count toward number of pre-reqs taken but not toward GPA. They will not consider using my ENC 1102 grade, which I initially assumed they would do. And she said to get them to accept my MCB class I would have to go through a "credit review" and essentially prove the classes are equal, but that they probably will not accept the credits. So now I have to take some BS, lower-level micro class because bureaucracy. *sigh*

So I'm calling shenanigans. Any of you had something similar happen with pre-reqs?

[Jules A, MSN]

It doesn't sound like they refused your Micro credit yet right? Its a business and they of course want the most money they can get however some of this might be negotiable. Consider asking about CLEP if push comes to shove rather than retaking courses.

I went to several different schools and they are all different but in my experience they are all reluctant to not get a few extra dollars out of you. Jumping through these hoops that make little sense will serve you well to increase your shenanigans threshold upon entering the nursing program where shenanigans run rampant, imo.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I had over 33 hours of American History from my state flagship university (had a BS degree in another subject) when I applied to another university in my state for my BSN. They tried to tell me I needed to take a freshman level American History class in order to graduate (this little problem didn't make itself known until late junior year). I had taken an honors history course which had a different name than the usual "freshman history 101," so the lady in charge of this just couldn't understand it. In fact, that class counted for 6 semester hours of history, but this lady just couldn't seem to handle the deviation from the typical course.

This was a major hassle, but I finally got it worked out. I was NOT going to let them tell me that someone with a history degree didn't know enough about American History to be a nurse!

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

"because bureaucracy"

?

Credit reviews are common. If you do not like the answer that does not meant it is incorrect or "because bureauracy"

"she tells me" Who is "she"? If you feel they made a mistake take your transcripts to the registrar and set up time to meet with them.

Sounds like "she" gave you a straight forward answer. When you do not agree with the nursing department it is not automatically "shenanigans". If a school requires intro to basket weaving then it REQUIRES intro to basket weaving. Even if you took Basket weaving in the Congo 401. Attention to detail is what nursing school is all about.

[cdmccarthy]

Windsurfer, I never said that I thought the answer I was given was incorrect. I say "because bureaucracy" because the intention of requiring micro 2010 is presumably to ensure students in the nursing program have a basic grasp of microbiology. Outside the realm of paperwork and yes, bureaucracy, I would say that taking an upper level microbiology course (and actually having been employed as a microbiologist for that matter) demonstrates that I do indeed have a basic grasp of microbiology. Requiring something "because we require something" is sort of the definition of bureaucracy.

I understand that a school cannot individually review every single person's transcript and work history with a fine-toothed comb, however when an exception to the rule is presented I would like to think that common sense and reason would prevail. Nursing school is about attention to detail, but my guess is that it's also about common sense.

PS - I truly enjoyed your mockery of my vague pronoun use of "she", followed by your very own use of "they". Thanks for the chuckle.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

It seems incredibly ridiculous for you to have to take a lower level micro class when you have so many advanced hours. I'd keep taking it up the chain of command to get them to accept your class for credit (my transfer grades did not apply to my GPA either).

Be very careful to not seem arrogant, superior, or have any attitude whatsoever or you will only bring grief upon yourself.

Good luck.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

The issue is likely that the Micro class you took isn't considered a direct equivalent to their own course. If you have the course syllabus or anything like that available for them, that may help. Once upon a time I took a course that had public speaking as a component, but I had to retake a specific public speaking course just because the course that I'd taken didn't cover *all* of the material that they wanted. Quite literally everything that is covered in the micro prerequisite course will have to be shown to be covered in your micro class in order for your micro class to substitute. It's their house, their game, their rules. Gotta follow their rules if you want to play.

[sailornurse]

You did not clarify who "she" is. She may be the secretary? Most universities have someone (?registrar) that evaluates courses for example when you transfer to a different university. Be persistent but polite. Write to the people who make the decisions, (director of the program).

I was faculty and went to inquire about doing PsychNP (I'm FNP). Well, Lo & behold, the administrative assistant pulls out the list of courses and tells me that I would have to take advanced assessment again since it had been more then 7 years since I graduated. The problem was I was currently teaching the advanced assessment course which I pointed out to her, to which she replied I would have to apply to the graduate committee for a waiver! So-inquire again but make sure you are asking the correct person.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Credit review is easy. Advocate for yourself.

[aeris99]

I did a credit appeal (same thing?) when my school turned down transferring my nutrition credits.

It was one piece of paper and I supplied a copy of the course syllabus proving my case. Approved the next day.

*edited d/t autocorrect

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I did a credit appeal (same thing?) when my school turned down transferring my nutrition credits.

It was one piece of paper and I supplied a copy of the course syllabus proving my case. Approved the next day.

*edited d/t autocorrect

Exactly how it worked is my program. Didn't even need syllabus just course description

[HTCC]

I've been there! My top choice program did a transcript review and ended up telling me I had to take 4 or 5 courses I hadn't already taken but that I'd also have to retake 9 other courses because they wouldn't transfer! How a graduate level statistics class for my sports medicine Master's degree doesn't count is beyond me. I ended up choosing a different school. It's more expensive per credit hour but since it accepts most of my previous coursework I will end up saving money.