Lawsuit over grade changes?

[Jackson12]

I am currently enrolled in my third semester of an ADN program. It was announced at the beginning of this semester that when we start our next semester the grade requirements will change from a 10 point grading scale to a 7 point grading scale. I generally try to keep a positive attitude but there are about 100 students in the program and many have chosen this particular school so they can maintain a higher GPA compared to other schools that have higher requirements. The school of course requires you to sign updates to the handbook or you may not attend class. There is talk of students filing a suit against the school stating they are breaking their initial contract with us by changing the grades. I have heard of schools doing this but cannot locate any documentation of it (I am assuming they have settled out of court).

Generally I am not one to complain but this use to be a well named school with a positive reputation in the community. In the past 3 years they have had a large turnover in staff that is still continuing now. They have lost there national accreditation but still have their regional. (I have heard that the national accreditation is based on how many instructors have a Master's degree).

Can anyone offer information or suggestions on this?

Thank you.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

You should probably sue NCSBN as well, they raised the NCLEX standards as well! In fact they do it periodically. Just because you have the ability to do something doesn't mean you should. If your employer decides to require a new certification or a higher level of education, will they also get sued? I suggest more study, less litigiousness. Stop distracting yourself with drama and decide to succeed.

To bad I can not like this even more.

[Ecstatic2014]

@Jackson12,

Usually, the judiciary court system has no say, whatsoever, with the grading system of a school. Once you get a letter grade for a course from your instructor, it is only up to the university's grievance committee to hear your case and listen to you and your classmates' side of the story to change the grade. Otherwise, getting an attorney is just a waste of your time and money. Study hard, keep your head up high! Good luck!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If they have a high NCLEX pass rate, how did they lose their accreditation in the first place?

The school that I once attended lost its NLNAC (now ACEN) accreditation in 2005 because the nursing program did not have enough faculty educated at the MSN degree level. Out of 13 faculty members, only six were educated at the MSN degree level.

At the time of the loss of accreditation, the school's first-time NCLEX pass rates were high.

[danceyrun]

Why don't you just use the time and effort you would put towards a law suit toward studying and making higher grades/learning more? Seems cheaper and easier to me. Believe me as someone who just graduated from a program who uses the 7 point scale, it will make you a better nurse.

[invisiblewounds]

Wait...is nursing school supposed to be easy?!

Physical or mental...one way or another...future "wound" nurse.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

our school ended up going the opposite way. we started with a six point scale. I had a class that I ended up with an 86.4% average for the semester and that was a C. We told the administration that if they wanted us to go on and get a higher degree, they were killing our chances. They modified it for our last 2 semesters. Still needed an 80 to pass, but the intervals between grades were different (80-84 C; 85-92 B; 93-100 A). It was very difficult. Those of us that made it, all passed and almost all got jobs (one decided to go to medical school)

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

Why are people so quick to use when they don't get their way?? I had an instructor last semester who cancelled class more than we had it and an instructor this semester, who told us the second week of class that he had taken another job and was no longer our instructor. Back to self study for my class. And NO INE is talking about suing. I guarantee you that somewhere in your nursing handbook it says that info may change without notice. I think some of your classmates need to grow up.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

My school lost their accreditation due to the lack of msn prepared staff. However there is a warning process first

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

You can bet that somewhere in the student handbook or course catalog there's something that says they can change grading scales or other conditions of good standing. They are asking you to sign the new standards so there will be no misunderstanding about it later.

Suck it up and deal the hand you're dealt. You don't have to like it, but you do have to do it, and while I am not an atty and don't play one on AN, I'd be very doubtful that you have any sort of legal case here. Forget that, get over it, move on.

You can bet your bottom dollar that you will run into labor conflicts later; look at this as good practice. Not in the original syllabus, perhaps, but an opportunity to grow in strength and good character is always a good learning experience, all the more for being unexpected.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I love how everyone wants to sue once something doesn't go their way. Things change in life. It is not always going to go the way you want it to. My prereqs are on the 10 point scale but nursing school is on a 7. No one at my school cries about it. You don't sign a contract giving you certain rights when you enter school. You get a handbook that explains their rules. This is the entitlement that people think they have that drives me absolutely nuts. Suck it up and get the grades you need to succeed and stop whining. I personally wouldn't stay at a school that was nationally accredited anyway. They were on probation for a while before losing it, did you not know that? Always research a school before applying. Regional accreditation is just for transferring credits, many hospitals won't hire someone that is not nationally accredited.

[caliotter3]

There were changes in my program. An attorney became involved, representing a class ahead of me; that group prevailed. However, they were the only ones who won concessions from the school. I would just concentrate on getting through the program and move on.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

What contract did you sign with the school that said "90% will, forever and always, be an A. Amen." I'm guessing none. You have no case. Deal with it and move on or refuse to sign and find another school.