Help, my school won't allow me to take Nclex.

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hey, so I am a graduate of a Pa. practical nurse program. I completed the program in full, paid off the balance of my tuition and attended the pre-graduation mandatory Nclex preparation course. Unfortunately the day of my graduation I had a family emergency and was unable to attend the actual ceremony; shortly thereafter I ended up putting off nclex and spending the rest of the year caring for a terminally ill family member. Throughout that time I periodically kept in contact with my school and told them about my situation.

Now a year later I am finally ready to take Nclex and my school is refusing to allow me to do so. I called and talked to the head administrator of my program yesterday. She was initially glad to hear from me, I explained my situation again and she mentioned that It had been a year since my graduation and that they hadn't cleared me for Nclex with the SBON yet. But she said that she would and for me to call back today. Today I called and she talked to me for a bit before telling me that the director of the nursing program was worried that since it had been "so long" I had forgotten my skills and that I would fail at my first attempt (effectively dropping their pass rate). The solution that they came up with is that they want me to come in and take a competency test on all areas and pass it with at least a 90% before they approve me for nclex. I feel like that is unfair since I already completed their program and I said as much. After going back and forth for a bit, she said that she and the director would have a conference call with me tomorrow. My questions are can they do this and what options do I have for recourse? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'll be honest with you...I have issues with this story.

First of all, the school doesn't "allow" you to take the NCLEX, the board of nursing does. You register for the exam and they send you documents, some of which the school has to complete. This is what I would do if I were you:

1. Was a diploma/degree ever issued to you? If not, I would call your state senator or the governor's office. If you have paid your fees and passed all your exams, they CANNOT require you to attend the graduation ceremony (they may threaten, but that is a myth). I would not do this before going to the highest level of the college, be it the Dean, President, etc. If you cannot get anywhere, then call your state rep.

2. If you do #1 and they still will not issue you a diploma..I would get an attorney who I guarantee would do it for next to nothing. One letter from them and I bet you'll have it in your mail by the end of the week.

I am so sick and tired of these schools taking money and then trying to act like they hold all the cards...they do, until you complete the program...after that they don't have a legal leg to stand on.

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Specializes in critical care.

I would actually imagine they would maybe use NCLEX practice questions, otherwise it would be pointless to go through this. I a ma bit puzzled about why you needed to contact the school to take the NCLEX but I might be missing something. Honestly, though, I would take this as an opportunity for free practice and use it to your advantage. NCLEX pass rates are important to schools, and this helps both the school and you.

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Is this competency test something that is required to graduate and you never took it? If you graduated a year ago, all of your info should have been sent to the BON at the time. This story isn't adding up for me.

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Specializes in ED, Telemetry,Hospice, ICU, Supervisor.

How much do you need to shell out until they will let you continue?

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Personally I think fearing the exam will be random and irrelevant to nursing is unwarrented, but if you think the conditions the school has imposed are unfair and breach of contract, consult a lawyer.

If you plan to consult a lawyer, do so before your conference call with the school tomorrow.

FYI the student handbook is considered your contract with the school, do you have a copy of the handbook that was used during your school terms? If so, review it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Is this competency test something that is required to graduate and you never took it? If you graduated a year ago all of your info should have been sent to the BON at the time. This story isn't adding up for me.[/quote']

^This.

Did you check the BON to see if your paperwork was sent up prior to contacting the school???

I don't get why you are required to take another test if you completed ALL the requirements. For what it's worth, a refresher course is in order, but I would go through the BON to find out BEFORE going through their competency exam.

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Specializes in Nephrology.

I would set an appointment to speak with them one on one. If that doesn't work go to the dean, then lawyer.

The LPN nclex is cake anyway, if they have pass rate issues they should be closed.

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It sounds like you never took the exit exam, that's what it sounds like they want you to take...but you're freaking out and your school is only trying to help you...If you take the competency test find your weakness...they can help you to so you can pass you nclex....One year of after graduating is a long time and i think your school is only trying to help you....Good Luck hope everything works out for you

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Hey, so I am a graduate of a Pa. practical nurse program. I completed the program in full, paid off the balance of my tuition and attended the pre-graduation mandatory Nclex preparation course.
I think you pretty well covered it. You successfully completed the program. I'd contact the BRN.
Unfortunately the day of my graduation I had a family emergency and was unable to attend the actual ceremony
Irrelevant to your successful completion of the program.

Presuming you really did complete the program, I'd make a stink about it through the BRN.

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Well when I registered for the BON, they gave the option of sending in transcripts so I could get my ATT. My school took more than a month to send in my ATT, so my state BON sent me a letter saying I had the option of sending in official transcripts. I went to my school website, made an official transcript request to the address they sent me and within 10 days I had my ATT. It was a no issue since my BON,florida, had something in place already.

Also, keep in mind when dealing with your school that you do need references to get a job, but it is not legally fair that schools play calvin ball, and do not send in ATT release at their discretion. Attending a graduation ceremony is not a requirement. But, I believe the issue is they do not want to have on their record that a student failed to get a license. They are not telling you, but their ratings will go down, and students will not attend their school.

I would suggest a content review course for you as you will need it. And upon completion of the official content review course, a sample test can be taken and your readiness can be proved. This way you get the help you will need, and the school get's it's proof that you will pass. Suggest this to your school, and see if they are willing to foot the bill. It's a win-win.

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I don't believe the OP was saying that the school won't send authorization to the State due to her not attending the graduation ceremony, but they want her to take a competency exam before they do because it has been a year since she graduated the program.

My question still is...did you originally get an ATT that you never ended up scheduling to take an exam for? If so, I'd say, again, all the info needed has already been sent by the school and a reissue of another ATT would be in the hands of the State BON not the school.

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The way I see it is you seem to have 5 options. 1. Do as they are asking, risking failing their exams and losind your opportunity to take NCLEX.2. Contact your State Board of nursing and discuss this with them to see if this is even allowed.3. File a grievance with your school to force them to assist you4. Ask them to administer an exam that has been shown reliable and valid to predict your NCLEX success(such as ATI or HESI). You might even pay for the exam yourself. ATI is a very well respected program and is known for their willingness to assist students.5. Seek out the advice and assistance from a reputable nurse attorney in your area.The important thing to remember is your goal. As far as I know there is no time limit of a year to take the NCLEX and you may take it as amany times as neeeded. I understand if you were to take it and fail the first time ( which by the way will not be the end of the world!) you can contact the ncbsn and ask them to give you a breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses prior to taking the exam. You are wise to be concerned to base your future on an exam that is homegrown by your school. You are correct tto say not all school exams prepare you for the NCLEX. Questions must be at the application/analysis level to prepare you for what the NCLEX offers. Good luck to you. The effort is worthwhile! Nursing will change your life, everyday!

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