School on Probationary Status

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So, my classmates and I are due to complete school in November.

Our Florida based BSN program was placed on probation as of June 3rd.

So, now if the school is to come off of probationary status, the pass rate must show improvement. Previously, her pass rates were literally circling the drain.

Her "Academic Advisor" told us during an open house that the pass rate was because some students had not yet taken the NCLEX. Yes, yes, NOW I know that was not the case. But she intentionally misrepresented the 1st time pass as being more like, if there were 10 students and only 6 took the test, then that would be 60%. (These numbers are just an example.)

She also brought in some lady who said Accreditation and Approval can be made retro-active. But, when I read some of the higher education standards for acceptance into a Masters program, it says the school must be accredited at the TIME OF GRADUATION.

So, now we are screwed. Our only option is to get done and test out and MOVE ON as fast as possible. I am certain this will ruin my chances of going furthering my education.

I am devastated. I made the BIGGEST mistake of my life, going here.

I am mad that students BEFORE us show as graduating from an approved school, but they were the ones who tossed the pass rate in the toilet. So, now my classmates and I have to get passing scores which won't help us, but will help the NEXT generation of students in terms of being removed from Probationary status.

What can we do? Are we done? Can we go on in school for Masters level?

Please, we are already broken hearted. We could use honest advice, but not brutality.

Thank you, in advance.

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

It takes more than just one class failing the NCLEX to move the status of a nursing program to probationary.

Did you not research schools before applying? If you would've looked up your current school's NCLEX pass rate, you would've seen a history of failures.

Have you thought about transferring to a different program? Can you?

If you're still working on your degree when your school loses accreditation, your best bet is to transfer out. Other accredited schools are likely to accept your transfer credits, which were earned while your old school still had accreditation. It's inadvisable to continue at a school without legitimate accreditation-for one, you'll likely have to pay out of pocket for tuition, and your future employers may not recognize your degree.

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When we asked (2014) about the previous NCLEX pass rate during Open House, the Academic Advisor said, "We've only had a few of them take the test. I'm not sure why. Some of them got the degree for work, and didn't need to take the test, so that number only shows the people who took it and not the people who didn't need to." So, she was saying of the let's say of 10 people, if only 7 took it, then they would only have a 70%... And that was a lie. There was a lot of smoke and mirrors, and I see that, now.

I called the FL BON and they said I can sit for the NCLEX. My entire class can so long as we graduate because we STARTED with a program that was on the FL State list of APPROVED nursing schools. So, there is some kind of (minimal) "protection" if you will. They must be given a chance to FIX the problem.

Technically, she is still in good standing with the Board of Education in Florida. (For whatever that is worth!)

The FL BON will re-evaluate her status in Jan. She had two bad years and now this current year, she is at 100%. So, the BON says so long as she makes progress, they can either put her back on APPROVED status or possibly extend her probation for a year. (Depends on how she is trending.) If she does not make progress toward the expected improvements, the BON can shut her down.

My class is done in November. We have a few months to go. But then we have a (BS) review that she is going to make us take that lasts 8 weeks. THEN we can have our information released to state for the ATT, then we can take NCLEX. Meanwhile, she will be re-evaluated in Jan. The board will probably vote in June. That means, no matter what, the Probationary Status is there for MY CLASS which was not the one that got them put on probation. So when/if they come off probation, the class behind us will benefit from the status change, not us. (** I am going to call the board to find out how that works- if we are the class to hold the probationary status.)

Regardless, I already have a job waiting for me, so I am in a good position... I mean, I am completely lucky because I will just transition from LPN to RN where I work, now. AND, hopefully, I can SOMEHOW get past this and find a way into a Master's Program... even if I have to go do something insane like go back to school ALL OVER AGAIN for my RN. I'll just have to crank it out but at least I will do so at RN pay at my current job. Sure, it's crappy, but I don't see any way around this unless I hear differently from a Master's Level program.

The BON said, in the even the school IS closed, they are obligated to either: let current students finish the program and then take NCLEX --OR-- they have to help find a school which will accept our transfer credits. Since this is a private school, this seems like an impossible task. BON also said we can test for up to three years under her school code, after that, IF her school is closed down, we would use a closed school code.

I am mostly worries about the Masters Program.

I am suspecting, I would get accepted to a Master's Program, as is, and I will have to to BACK and take another ACCREDITED RN Program, all over.

The only way I think I can get in a Masters program is to find one that takes international students and plead my case...

Anyway - thank you for your well thought out reply. I appreciate that you took the time...

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Specializes in BSN, RN-BC, NREMT, EMT-P, TCRN.

She, her? Your Program Director, I'm assuming. Which school?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

When you mean "private" do you mean "proprietary" programs?

FL is having a very challenging time because there was an explosion of schools that are sub par and were using federal funds to get rich.

If it isn't a state-run, or a community college, or a university that has spanned over 50 years, in FL, you are gambling on A LOT going to a particular school.

Here's more info:

Nursing students in state programs struggle to pass licensing exam | TBO.com

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
We could use honest advice, but not brutality.
I attended a non-accredited nursing (ASN) program that has been on and off probation and warning status for the better part of the past decade. The nursing program was on warning status at the time I graduated.

I was still able to earn a CCNE-accredited BSN degree at a regionally-accredited school. I am now finishing up my third semester in an ACEN/NLNAC-accredited MSN program at a regional state university. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Click on the link below if you wish to peruse through a list of reputable schools that accept graduates of unaccredited nursing programs. Good luck to you.

https://allnurses.com/online-nursing-schools/i-completed-a-912463.html

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

'On probation" is still accredited. If a program actually loses accreditation, they will 'teach out' the remaining students. So sorry to hear that FL is experiencing such difficulties. A great example of a state initiative that seemed like a good idea in the beginning. But, once again, well-meaning legislators didn't fully appreciate all the complexities that they were dealing with.

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