Transferring from an accelerated nursing program after the 1st semester

Published

Hello,

I'm just about to finish my first semester of an accelerated nursing program. I'm really contemplating on transferring to another college for the following reasons. I would like to hear everyone's opinions.

1) More than 50% of the last year's cohort have either failed out or left the program (the last cohort started out with about 80 students, and there are currently about 30 students left).

2) The school has recently been put on the probation list by the accreditation body (MSCHE). I'm not sure what the exact reason is, but my guess is that a high student attrition rate is one of the reasons.

3) The school is in a financial distress (the president told us about this two months after our first semester started).

4) The school claims that they have a NCLEX pass rate of 100%. However, there is a rumor that the nursing department has a list of students that they want to keep and also another list for students that they would like to fail.

5) There are no exam reviews. We can not check to see what questions we got wrong. My assumption is that they do this so that the students do not potentially share exam questions to future cohorts. But I also get the feeling that since we never know what we got wrong, the nursing department can easily manipulate the grades (hence, my point from #4 and get rid of students that will most likely negatively affect their NCLEX pass rate). It's also another way for the school to make an extra income, since those failed students (if they decide to come back) will need to retake the failed course.

I also feel that I'm not learning since I will not know which questions I got wrong and learn from them.

6) There is no communication between the students and the nursing department. This means that the students are to do what is told by the department and there is no room for any discussion. For example, students were required to attend several "community meetings" at the school during this semester. There was no explanation to the students what these meetings were for, and it frustrated many students since time is such an essence in an accelerated nursing program.

There were also last minute schedule changes that happened multiple times throughout the semester. These incidents have led many students to believe that the nursing department simply does not care about their students (some students have kids and families to take care of).

Before the semester started, I expected that this program was going to be difficult (any nursing program is difficult) especially because it's an accelerated program. However, the above factors adds an extra dosage of unneeded stress and anxiety. I just do not have the right gut feeling about this school after being in their program for 3 months.

Has anybody transferred from an accelerated nursing program to a traditional BSN / ADN program after their first semester (is this possible)? I'm willing to retake all of the courses that I took this semester.

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

I graduated from an ABSN program, an excellent one. From what you have described, I say get out now. There are plenty of good accelerated and non-accelerated programs out there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

FullGlass,

Thank you. Did your school allow students to review their exams? I just wanted to see if it is normal for nursing schools to NOT allow students to review their exams.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
33 minutes ago, coffeeandchips said:

FullGlass,

Thank you. Did your school allow students to review their exams? I just wanted to see if it is normal for nursing schools to NOT allow students to review their exams.

Yes. In class, the professor would post the answer key after the exam so people could read the test and the right answers. Then, if you wanted to review your own individual exam, you made an appointment and could compare your answers to the test key. Time was also provided in this appointment for you to speak to the professor and ask any questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OK got it, thank you for the response.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I graduated from an accelerated Bsn to Rn program... fabulous experience. What you are describing..... sounds concerning . I would consider switching

Up Vote Up Vote ×
19 hours ago, Rnis said:

I graduated from an accelerated Bsn to Rn program... fabulous experience. What you are describing..... sounds concerning . I would consider switching

Rnis,

Thank you for your input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
6 hours ago, coffeeandchips said:

Rnis,

Thank you for your input.

Hi. Can you tell me the name of your school where you graduated from accelerated nursing. Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion