What should I do? help!

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so i just finished the first 7.5 week of nursing school and passed all 3 classes with B's. The only thing I had left to do to was pass the dosage calculations math test before i can proceed to clinicals. Unfortunately my school used to require students to get 90% on the test with 3 tries. They now require us to get 100% with only 2 tries. I got a 95% both tries so was told that I cannot proceed to clinicals.

Of course I cried for 3 days straight and just as I was coming to terms with it and the fact that I would have to do math remediation and be held back a semester I find out from my fellow classmates on the first day of clinicals that there were at least 4 people who had also gotten a 95% on their math tests and were allowed to slide through to clinicals. I was outraged at the nursing office at making exceptions for certain students and not allowing others who were on the same boat to not proceed to clinicals.

For 2 days I tried to speak to someone in the nursing office but my calls and emails were ignored so I decided to go up there with 3 other students who had also gotten 95's and were upset that they hadn't made it to clinicals yet exceptions were made for certain students. Nobody would come out and speak to us but we caught the Dean walking down a hallway and spoke to her. She completely denied everything and said she didn't know what we were talking about. I have the names of 4 students who i know for a fact were able to slide through after crying and complaining to certain faculty members.

What should i do? Should I just let it go? I am so upset as the nursing faculty is always preachign honesty and integrity to us yet they can't practice it themselves. I am also upset because when I get to start clinicals after re-taking the math test in the fall and hopefully passing I get to choose from whatever clinical sites are left over after the new fall class has chosen theres. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CCU, Alzheimers, Med-Surg.

I would go to a different school, haha.

Seriously though, that is messed up. It is very common for schools to require 100% after 2-3 tries with NO exceptions. The fact that 4 people were allowed to slide by is concerning. Next time you speak to the Dean, mention investigations on accreditation and you will get their attention real quick.

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Would anybody who can proceed to clinicals and got 95 be willing to go with you to talk to the dean? I would try to talk with them again and if they don't respond - then get the evidence you need and report them.

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Thanks Acna and Humulus for your advice. The 4 people that I know got a 95% also and were able to proceed are just relieved that they were able to make it to clinicals and don't want to get involved. Does anyone know who I can report this to? It is so unethical.

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first, are you sure of your data? are you sure that they really did score

second, the 100% is not uncommon. it is in the public's best interest to have nurses who are right on their med calculations every time, not just 9 out of ten or four out of five (or, god help us, less often than that).

third, if you are truly correct, then put it in writing with all the data you have (i.e., name names and give grades), make three copies, have the others sign them with you, and deliver it by hand to the head of the department and the dean. this may not get you what you want (which is apparently either to get into clinical on a

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Specializes in School Nursing.

How do you know for sure others that didn't get the 95% got through? Did they tell you first hand or is this a grapevine kind of thing?

If it's true, I'd be livid too and consider an attorney. It is BS that they would spout about integrity and then turn around and lie about letting people slide through.

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Yes, I am truly 100% sure that these four people got into clinicals with a 95% as they were holding their tests in their hands with me after we got them back and we were all crying because we got 95%'s and weren't going to be able to make it to clinicals. I also have proof in the form of an email from the teacher that administered the test. He basically beat around the bush. One of the girls that was let through to clinicals got a syringe problem on the board and he mentioned that in the email. She cried that she couldn't read the syringe because it wasn't clear and he let her through. I don't care if it was just a syring problem. A problem wrong is a problem wrong. I also know which problem each one of the four had gotten wrong because we were all discussing our tests afterwards. Here is a copy of the email that I got back from the one teacher that replied after many attempts to reach someone:

I can sense your frustration but there was no preferential treatment given on the math competency. There was confusion about the insulin syringe drawn on the board and a secondary issue. I addressed those issues with the students that were affected. Student grades are a confidential process and I cannot go into detail with you about the scoring of other students exams. I am sorry you did not pass, we will be completing the math remediation shortly and the details are being worked out. Please refer to the email I sent out about the timing of the remediation and when we will notify you.

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If I'm 100% sure and have proof do you think it would be wise to get an attorney? i've considered it but Im afraid if I do I will be given a hard time for the remainder of the time that I'm in the program and would be basically hated on by faculty.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I think it most wise to follow your school's policies and protocols on this. The only thing pursuing this with a big huffy attitude is going to get you is a giant political target on your back.

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not.done.yet, I think you're right. Although what they did was totally unfair there isn't much I can do about it and if I try I'm going to end up getting burned. I guess I'll have to just suck it up.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Just get through it....a short time of school for the rest of your career. It does suck sometimes. Hang in there.

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mnurse2345, what school do you go to?

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