Initiating Organization of a Summer Med-Surg 2 Course Alternative>>> PLEASE Help!

[DebsKo19]

Hi Everyone,

This may seem like an ignorant question, being that I am unaware whether or not it is even plausible, but I need some advice. I attend a Northern IL community college nursing school (AAS program), and recently there was an issue in registering for our 4th & final semester of nursing courses due to various reasons (I am now considered an "off track" student, falling out of the prescribed sequence of the curriculum, being that I re-took a course; therefore, placement in future courses for the remainder of the program is not guaranteed unless availability permits). Our school's answer to the lack of available clinical space/instructors was putting together a "lottery" system, in which a select group of these "off-track" students would be allowed to move on in the program, while others are forced to wait a semester to complete their degree. Regardless, the issue still remains in that we need placement for this handful of students that will be delayed. I felt their lottery "solution" was a terrible answer to the problem we're facing.... and it would just prolong problem into future semester students.

To the point- Does anyone know how I would go about setting up a summer Med-Surg 2 course (which is a 16-week course in our curriculum for 3rd semester students) and obtain consent/who I would contact in order to accomplish this task? I don't know where to even begin; I realize it is less likely due to the short notice and amount of effort that would need to be put into accomplishing this goal (Finding clinical site, instructor, approval from the college to allow this as an alternative to taking the prescribed spring&fall versions of the course, funding, etc etc). HOWEVER, to my understanding, there are ways around some of these issues.... possible transferrable online versions of this course (Adult Health Concepts II/Med-Surg II), simulation hospital hours at the college as opposed to a clinical site (in the event that we cannot find an available clinical site willing to support our request); among other things.

If anyone has ANY advice on the subject, whether or not you have personally experienced this issue; PLEASE give me any advice/supporting info/resources/alternatives on how I would go about potentially allowing for this summer course option to come together for the students affected or gaining consent from the college to explore some other logical options. We have a group of around 10-15 students willing to sign up for this course, in the event that it becomes an option. I am potentially moving in January 2012, so it is absolutely imperative that I find some sort of resolution to get back on track to graduate with my class. It was suggested to me that I could possibly contact the nursing educator at the hospital in which I work, with a possibility to take the course through the hospital- However, I have not yet done research on this suggestion.

Kind of an odd and complicated request, thank you SO much for your time & input, it would help me out a TON!! I am slightly panicking at the moment r/t the recent news of my possible relocation and my inability to "take a semester off" as a solution, so I may have left several details out..... please contact me for any additional info.... I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH !!!!!!:redbeathe

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Way out of your league. Has to be approved by the Nursing college and probably various administration people. Would need an instructor (salary), space, time and guarantee of specific number of students to justify expense. I recommend you go to the Dean of the Nursing School or to the President of the school and ask for another solution. Have a recommendation to suggest. Be calm and state your rationales. Listen to what they have to say as well.

[DebsKo19]

Thanks for your reply. I had no idea where to even begin! I will do my best to arrange for a meeting to present the issue to the Dean; perhaps they will consider an alternative that will benefit both the students and program dept.