Nursing School Lawsuit

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Specializes in Telemetry.

A recent thread regarding a supposed settlement involving a nursing program had me searching the internet looking for possible details. I found this article from February and found it interesting.

NURSING STUDENTS SUING DEL MAR PROTEST, AIR THEIR CLAIMS AT COLLEGE

By Rhiannon Meyers

Updated Thursday, February 14, 2013

CORPUS CHRISTI — Nursing students suing Del Mar College protested at the college Wednesday morning to raise awareness about their claims that school unfairly blocked them from graduating.

About 20 people participated in the protest at the college’s West Campus, carrying signs that said “Del Mar Crushes Dreams” and “Justice for Nursing Students.”

Nine students filed a lawsuit in late January against the college, claiming they passed their required coursework and all requirements necessary to graduate and get certified to take the national licensing exams, but Del Mar College told them one day before Fall 2011 graduation that they would not be allowed to graduate.

Corpus Christi News, Sports, Weather, Business | Corpus Christi Caller-Times

There have been threads related to this type of thing. I thought it was now common practice to require one to pass an exam prior to releasing them to sit for NCLEX. Not sure if there is more going on in this case. Thoughts?

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I do think most schools require students to pass. Perhaps the students were not made aware of this beforehand? Otherwise I think they are SOL.

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"College officials declined to comment on the matter but released a statement during the protest saying the students’ suit lacks merit. The students failed a final comprehensive exam required to complete the nursing program and that’s why they didn’t graduate, according to the college’s statement."

Says it all. Either they passed it or they didn't, and either it was a graduation requirement or it wasn't.

Read the fine print, folks.

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Specializes in Urology, ENT.

Huh. Wonder if it was HESI or ATI. I don't think highly of either of the tests, and I know in Texas we require some sort of graduation exam, but in the end, it's really frustrating. I had issues with the way HESI worded questions, and how ridiculous some of their rationales were. I'm happy I passed the first time (holy crap, was that really a year ago?). Ultimately, I think the Texas BON should review that policy for nursing school, but I know that's asking for trouble.

I hope something works out for them. They might have to go to another nursing school, and start from the bottom. How disheartening. It goes back to a point one of my teachers brought up my second to last semester of nursing school: "Don't apply for a job until you've gotten your license."

To each his own though.

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Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.
Huh. Wonder if it was HESI or ATI. I don't think highly of either of the tests, and I know in Texas we require some sort of graduation exam, but in the end, it's really frustrating. I had issues with the way HESI worded questions, and how ridiculous some of their rationales were. I'm happy I passed the first time (holy crap, was that really a year ago?). Ultimately, I think the Texas BON should review that policy for nursing school, but I know that's asking for trouble.

I hope something works out for them. They might have to go to another nursing school, and start from the bottom. How disheartening. It goes back to a point one of my teachers brought up my second to last semester of nursing school: "Don't apply for a job until you've gotten your license."

To each his own though.

Probably failed ATI. That was a difficult exam for me, I think I scored like 70% (level II).

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Specializes in Urology, ENT.

Hahaha, I don't think I got above a level II.

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Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.
Hahaha, I don't think I got above a level II.

I knew a few people who did. But I also knew a few who failed it, too.

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Specializes in Urology, ENT.
I do think most schools require students to pass. Perhaps the students were not made aware of this beforehand? Otherwise I think they are SOL.

It's a requirement in Texas. Eh, I wonder how prepared they were though. That, I think, would be the bigger issue.

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

If it was Hesi or ati, I wonder how many chances they had to pass. We took Hesi and in my opinion it was hard. We were allowed 2 times to take it before graduation. If you did not pass it, you were still allowed to walk at graduation but did not get your diploma. Those people had to go back to school the next semester and enroll in a remedial test taking class and had 2 more chances to pass it. After that you were out of the program if you couldn't pass.

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

We had a similar problem with my graduating class. About 6-10 students were unable to pass HESI after 3 tries. Ultimately, they sued the school & won. They were given a remediation class & 3 additional attempts. I think all but one passed. Our school now has a remediation process with a class that the student must pay for, enroll in & pass to earn their additional attempts. Which must also be paid for.

Sent from my HTC One X using allnurses.com

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I live close to that school & there have been problems with Del Mar's nursing program since 2009/2010. They even pulled it for a little while. I don't remember what happened but I refuse to go there now.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I think mostly I grow weary of people who sue because things did not go the way they wanted. I understand that there can be extenuating circumstances but...not really my thing.

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