There are more problems for seniors in UAPB’s school of nursing. The state nursing board already found
inconsistencies in program requirements and poor student achievement.
This month the
state nursing board suspended UAPB from accepting new nursing students after
no senior nursing students were eligible to graduate after failing a test the school requires they pass.
Last week, many of the students re-took the test, most passed. Now the school says it won't count.
Friday, UAPB school officials will meet before the Department of Higher Education regarding challenges in its nursing program.
"We have not had adequate instruction to even prepare to take the test," student Brittany Davis said.
This May senior students found out days before graduation they wouldn't graduate because they failed a test the school requires they pass.
"We don't recommend even using an exit exam. That's something they've chosen to do on their own," said Sue Tedford with the nursing board.
Not all state nursing schools have this requirement. FOX16 found out ten students re-took the test last week and were told this week, it won't count.
Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Davis says because of poor communication the students were inappropriately given the same version of a previous test and now they must pass a different version.
"For validity purposes they have different versions of the exam, so you're not seeing the same test. I was kind of shocked that this happened again because this isn't the first time they've given a version a second time but they're trying to make it right,” Tedford said.
It will make the fourth time the students will have to re-take the exam.
"It's sad that in 2010 we as students are still fighting for an education, especially an education we've paid for," said student Veronica McDaniel.
The school is required to hire a new nursing chair after the
previous one resigned. The state nursing board says it would like to approve that new hire before he or she begins.
UAPB told 17 senior nursing students they couldn't graduate this year. Ten will be eligible once they take and pass the right version of the test. The other seven must re-do coursework next year.
Current students enrolled in the program can finish but the school cannot accept any new nursing students.
