A group of students who could not make a 75 percent grade on FAMU's internal comprehensive nursing exam are complaining to the high heavens that the required exam is unfair. Students get two chances to pass the exam, which is supposed to predict success on the national licensure test, before being kicked out of the FAMU nursing program.Nursing school Dean Mary Graham said the exam and the school's curriculum prepare students for the profession.
Nursing faculty contend that such a test is necessary because "you are dealing with peoples lives and its important that students learn all the material."
Continue reading: Small group complains about nursing exam
We might catch some flack for this, but here's what the failing nursing students should do: video here. This advice comes courtesy of my good friend The AngryBlack Man and my other favorite blog Three brothers and a sister
ORBITZ Last Minute Summer Sale: Book by Aug. 12 & SAVE up to 30%!
.
42 passed (75% or above) according to the graduation program. Some are saying around 6 didn't. 42/48 =89% to the good.
ReplyDeleteNow for the few who don't pass, maybe it would require a remediation course before they get the second try at the exam. Just my take.
A good friend of mine has a daughter who received a full scholarship for nursing at Tuskeegee. There were 200 students in the freshman class; the classes were set up so that all students took the same classes at the same time. There were 17 students left in her graduating class - and she was one of them. FAMU retains more students but you get the idea -- there is no guarantee, in a profession as important to human lives as nursing is involved, that everyone who starts will graduate. When my friends daughter took the Florida exam (on-line) she needed less than an hour to get enough correct answers to pass, and the computer told her to stop taking the exam. The computer told one of her friends who also went to Tuskeegee to take a break and come back, and that girl needed all the time allowed to pass -- but both of them passed. My friends daughter just graduated from the U. of Conn. as a registered nurse practicioner, RNP. Keep the test as it is - FAMU may be the hardest in the state, but it is also the best. Whenever me or my family is in the hospital, I love to see the FAMU nursing pin. I know that the person wearing that pin has been through fire, and come out alive!! (Also, don't cheapen the degree for students who have already graduated. FAMU owes it to them to maintain the highest of standards. Sure it's hard - it's supposed to be - but FAMU students are up to the challenge.)
ReplyDeleteThat video was priceless! ROTFL
ReplyDeleteWhatever, I know several of my girls who passed the nursing tests and our RNs around the U.S. Those students who say it is unfair might want to change the direction of their career or study harder. We definitely do not need an easier exam to bring forth mediocre nurses.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, the dean has not a clue. She should be gone with her rude, hands off, ghetto self! The faculty that taught us left the university because of the dean. The instuctor who taught OB/GYN and Pedirics are no longer with the university, so the content that they taught was not what was on the test. The passing rate for us throughout the program is 70% then at the end the comprehensive exam is 75%. Now either all exams need to be 75% or all need to be 70%. There is no consistency. What the dean failed to mention is that there are several versions of the exam administered at the same sitting with totally different questions, no how fair is that?
ReplyDeleteAs a student in a Ph.D. program, I myself had to sit though comprehensive examinations that covered everything that I had learned from the beginning of the program to the end of course work. I also was handed an additional 100 books to read for preparations for the exam. Surly, if someone who is only to serve as an educator has to go through comps, individuals within the medical field would have to go through that and more. At least I would hope so. My mistake or memory loss will not kill anyone, theirs will. Just my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is there should be nothing on that examn that they shouldn't know. Sometimes you have to go beyond what your taught in the classrooms. But I do agree anything they test you on should be taught as well. But that still no excuse. If what on that examn has everything to do with nursing I as a potential patient what expect you to know. People lives will be in their hands there is no room for mistakes in that field
ReplyDeleteI am a proud FAM nursing graduate and disappointed that some students are saying that the nursing exam is unfair. I knew about the test when I entered the program and did what I needed to do to pass the exam. What is unfair is students wanting a degree that they have not earned. The test has been a part of nursing program for over 20 years. FAM nurses are the best and are known for that everywhere. If the students really studied they could pass the exam. The faculty are awsome. They did so many things to help us get prepared. Passing boards after graduation was not a problem because I studied every day. I earned my nursing pin and wear it with pride because I am a proud BSN RN from FAM SON.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/NEWS0104/70701009
ReplyDeleteComments:
FAMU SON 5th out of 10 on State NCLEX Exam
When my mother was hospitalized a few years ago, several of the shift nurses were FAMU graduates. If their pins were somehow obscured by a sweater or something, I asked where they had gone to nursing school. Many of them answered that they had finished FAMU's nursing program. When I watched the young women doing their nursing thing during my mother's recuperation, I was so proud of them. They were efficient and professional and knowledgeable. They were effectively handling their business in every aspect, from conversing with the patient to performing outstandingly. I commented to every one of them how "good" they were and how I could tell that they were knowledgeable of their chosen field. There were other nurses who came and went during shifts who were not FAMU graduates, and I could tell the difference. I would ask each one of them where they'd earned their degrees, because when I sat and watched them in the room doing a myriad of things, they appeared to be middle school science students who didn't have a clue. They stood around and looked hopelessly and helplessly until a FAMU nursing graduate would appear and simply take over. The FAMU nurses moved about the room with proficiency, secure in their knowledge of what had to and needed to be done in the room when it came to the health care of my mother. I was not impressed, however, because this was not something new to the FAMU School of Nursing. This was simply a small example of the caliber of highly qualified and extremely well-trained professionals that the School graduates each year. They don't just let anyone out the door. They have to earn their exit. And when they earned their exit, you can be assured that you are in the absolutel best of hands with the women who leave that program. While I don't know the specifics of all of the students' complaints, if and when I (or a member of my family) have to be hospitalized, I would not hesitate to ask if a FAMU nursing graduate is available during my stay in the hospital. I am a proud FAMU graduate, as is my daughter. The university has always had a reputation for graduating nursing students who go on to professional careers in the health field. The students who are complaining need to find another academic avenue to help them toward completing the program. Complaining about it to the BOT might seem to them to be the way to reach their goal (toward eliminating the comp exam), but it serves no discernible purpose to deny the fact that perhaps there are other issues that might be the culprit in their failure to pass a required exam in their field.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that we have these rigorous standards.
ReplyDeleteKeep them. Tell the students to go to another nursing program and complain about their exams. Just another group of whining students who think that they can not be challenged and must be given everything.
Follow Henry Lewis' example, and stick to your standards.
Stay the course and keep us proud of FAMU nurses. Please do not lower the rigor and standards for a few noisemakers that refuse to come up to the bar.
ReplyDeleteSomething must be fair with the graduates passing the state board exam above the state and national pass rates. FAMU pass rate was 94.1% for 2006 and UF pass rate was the highest at 96.3%. Waivers for passing this test are not given for honor students.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a nursing student but I worked at a hospitcal in TLH when I was a student at FAMU. I remember on several occasions overhearing nurses say they prefer FAMU students over students from the other school down the hill and those nurses were white.
ReplyDeleteI think the program at FAMU is superb. I had a few friends who actually got into the program, graduated and are not RNs. They found the program to be an outstanding one.
Those complaintants need to study harder. I hope they don't drop their standards for these obviously lazy few.
Congrats to the graduates and to those who passed the exam !!!!
"Those complaintants need to study harder. I hope they don't drop their standards for these obviously lazy few."
ReplyDeleteYou guys are not getting the point. What makes you think that these students are "lazy" because they can't pass a test? One test! What makes you think that these students WILL NOT be superb nurses because they could not pass a FAMU test? One test!
How about all of the FAMU students who could not pass the CLAST exam? We all have heard enough complaints about that state test. How many students have received waivers from that state test, when that was all they needed to graduate. Before the last administration, there were hundreds every year that requested waivers, and received them.
Is it fair that this test is required for Education majors, but all other students at the University can exempt it with a GPA of 2.5 in two math courses and two English courses? NO! It's not fair to Education majors!!!
How is what the Nursing students complaining about any different from the CLAST exam?
Some education majors also complain because they can't do student teaching if they haven't passed the state teachers' exam. Should the College of Education keep students from doing their student teaching because of this, when they could pass the test later? (Education people - don't jump on me - the state may require passing before you graduate, but do they require it before you do student teaching? NOPE - just trying to make a point.)
And let's not forget those folks who have students taking the FCAT every year? How many of you with children have complained to the governor that your child will be retained in 3rd grade, because "this test wasn't fair... my child does not test well... he was sick that day." Or do you choose to explore the way to opt out of the 3rd grade retention policy because there is a way to get a waiver for your child. If your child or grandchild was affected, you would complain also.
SUMMARY: How dare you dismiss these nursing students' right to complain about a test, when they have performed well in their classes! And really think about it... why shouldn't you be allowed to graduate, and then take your REAL TEST? How many of you care what students made on a FAMU comprehensive exam anyway, if you were lying in a hospital bed receiving the BEST CARE IN THE WORLD from a nurse who was competent, but freaked out and could not make that 75% on that one test. DARN THAT NURSE....
FAMU students do not want to earn anything. They want a handout like Commissioner Proctor.
ReplyDeleteI wish RN would find the IP address of the person who has nothing better to do than waste time on FAMU's blog with their juvenile comments.
ReplyDeleteI say keep the test the way it is. But on the real, a paper exam (or computer) doesn't prepare you for the real world. Our nursing program is one of the best in the state. If we lower our standards we'll be just like the rest of the schools. Instead of complaining ya'll need to be studying. Those students have a right to their opinion concerning the test but why would you want something lowered so you can just get by. I'm not a good test taker but I'd do what I needed to do to pass.
ReplyDeleteLike the rest of the schools? FSU and UF have a higher graduation rate than you. UCF is only one point behind.
ReplyDeleteTo 12:34 AM
ReplyDeleteTo compare the comp for the SON to the CLAST is a cop out. I am a FAMU student who is exempt from the CLAST exam because I have met the criteria to be exempt. The CLAST is a general state exam that just verifies that you have the basic knowledge necessary to have a degree. It can not compare to an exam that judges you ability to properly perform medical procedures on a living person. As a current student, I get so tired of hearing other students fault the school for their shortcomings. Nearly every major/graduate program has an exit exam associated with it. You knew about it when you joined the program and should have properly prepared for it. It is okay to fail a test; it is an indicator that we are not fully competent in the subject yet and need to study more. If there was a change made to the test prior to you taking it and you failed, you would complain that since the test was changed you failed. Take the passing rate as a sign to study harder....Try again, pass, and start accepting responsibility for your successes and failures!!!!
Actually, we can identify ip addresses and block folks who become annoying.
ReplyDeleteLike the rest of the schools? FSU and UF have a higher graduation rate than you. UCF is only one point behind.
ReplyDelete7/18/2007 9:18 AM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And you're on Rattlernation because??? You sound just as ridiculus as all the other fools that post stupid comments about FAMU.
Why not give waivers to Med students, Pharmacy students, Law students, Architecture students, Engineering students. Forget competency testing for pilots, commercial vehicle operators. Heck, let's do away with Driver's License Exams [the way some drive it is of no value because many DO NOT know the RULES OF THE ROAD].
ReplyDeleteI HOPE THAT THIS DIATRIBE SOUNDS REDICULOUS [as lowering standards FOR ENTRANCEINTO PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE]
Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete"Those complaintants need to study harder. I hope they don't drop their standards for these obviously lazy few."
You guys are not getting the point. What makes you think that these students are "lazy" because they can't pass a test? One test! What makes you think that these students WILL NOT be superb nurses because they could not pass a FAMU test? One test!
How about all of the FAMU students who could not pass the CLAST exam?
Yeah, I called their ass lazy. Are you one of them? I passed the CLAST exam. Yes, I had to take it twice because the first time I didn't prepare well. Obviously you and your cohorts aren't preparing well also. Passing this test is a desire but it doesn't seem to be a priority because you would seek every resource to ensure that you pass. Stop complaining and get to studying.
TO: 7/18/2007 9:32 AM "Try again, pass, and start accepting responsibility for your successes and failures!!!!"
ReplyDeleteDoes it mean that you have failed as a potential great, successful nurse because you were NOT able to pass FAMU's comp exam?
NO!
It doesn't even mean that you have failed the state boards (or whatever test they must pass).
It means that you FAILED ONE TEST AT FAMU!
And you know what? People complain all the time about things that affect them. Why do the people here feel that nursing students don't have the right to complain? They have as much rights as all of the other thousands and thousands of people who have contributed to this blog.
I think you (and I) should leave the nursing students alone, and let them work it out with the administration.
Next week...YOU may have something that you would like to complain about. And by the way, some students don't feel it's fair that other students can be exempt from the CLAST (i.e. Education majors). Some of them have 4.0 GPAs and still have to take the test.
So, I think if we are not nursing students, it's not our fight... If they want to fight for what they feel is not right, why don't we respect that?
HOPE THAT THIS DIATRIBE SOUNDS REDICULOUS [as lowering standards FOR ENTRANCEINTO PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE]
ReplyDelete7/18/2007 11:25 AM
You've missed the point. The FAMU test is not the same as the professional tests or licensure standards.
LISTEN!!!! It's a FAMU test!
7/18/2007 6:39 PM
ReplyDelete"And you know what? People complain all the time about things that affect them. Why do the people here feel that nursing students don't have the right to complain? They have as much rights as all of the other thousands and thousands of people who have contributed to this blog.
I think you (and I) should leave the nursing students alone, and let them work it out with the administration."
To your initial reply, I am not saying that these people will not be successful as great nurses....that is not the issue; we are discussing them griping about taking a test that can allow/prevent them from becoming great nurses.
And you are right...people do complain everyday, some have valid points and some don't. I have complained about many things at FAMU....but before I complain, I make sure that there was nothing else in my power that I could have done to rectify the situation. If I complained about failing a test that 94% of my school passed, I would be reevaluating myself....not complaining about the test. The passing rate would tell me that I am not complaining a valid point. Furthermore...even if I thought it was a valid point, I would not present it at the high profile BOT meeting where I know the news is eagerly waiting to find out more dirty laundry about our school!!!! There are other (less public) methods to work out problems with administration.
Again it is ok to complain, but do not be the cause of more negative press to OUR university for personal and selfish reasons. If the fail rate was 94% then we can talk, otherwise please stop griping and begin studying!
NO!!! You listen. Study harder and pass that dang test....
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a simple solution to me, but maybe its a snap judgment. FAMU obviously may be too hard of a program for some students and personally, im glad it is. We need to teach our students to challenge themselves. And in a field such as the medical profession, we need people that are superior. Be sure to read that again.....The medical profession doesn't just need people.....it needs people that are superior. I sure don't want a nurse that can't pass a college test (whether it's for a license or not) that has to deal with the nursing profession. It's not like you're failing an architecture test. I mean the test is on the nursing profession.....right??? You can go to school for 20 years if you want but if you can't answer questions regarding your field, then you should NOT get certified, let alone a degree!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the students that can't pass the FAMU test (that they can take more than once) should try to get into a less demanding program at a lesser school. At FAMU, we like to excel!!!!!
NEWSFLASH to NURSING STUDENTS: Quit complaining. Go study your lessons. Or change career paths. END OF NEWSFLASH
ReplyDeleteThe FAMU nursing school has an outstanding reputation for turning out highly qualified, skilled, and CARING nurses. They're the best, and the nicest, nurses at our local hospitals. I came to this blogspot after being referred by a friend who is a FAMU SON grad. I'm not; in fact I'm white, and didn't know about the FAMU nursing school until I'd already graduated from another school. I'm proud to call the FAMU nurses my friends and role models, and I hope the school doesn't change the exam -- I want more FAMU nurses just like the one's you're graduating now. FAMU SON rocks!
ReplyDeleteWhat's up Rattlers... I find this situation the nursing school students are going through far too familiar, as I am going through the same exact thing in Louisiana at Southern University SON (GO JAGS!!)I do agree 100% wit the comment that if you are not a Nursing School student YOU don't know our struggle and your comments should cease! My graduating class had 44 people including myself who attempted to pass comps in Feb,,,which included 5 people who graduated the semester before us...only 4 yes 4 passed in Feb...there was a second attempt in April allowing only 7 more to pass,,,the catch to all of this is that the two exams, at this point, were not the same, in fact they were two totally different nationalized test in which the Interim Chair made us sign contracts agreeing to a 78% as the passing score. Long story short 11 people of 49 received their degrees on May 11, 2007! Now it is July and we have taken comps 5 times... 2 of the last 3 times NO ONE passed comps! I am not really sure the circumstances surrounding comps at FAM but at SU it is a simple matter of those in position trying to keep there positions and make legacies of themselves by systematically manipulating the numbers (our grades) and breeching their end of the contract. Mind you I said before that 78% is the passing score,,,well on the last Hesi test scores were dropped ,for whatever reason, to a 75%...what did I make, a 81.8% according to HESI, but when the administation handed me my score it said I made a 70%! I was not able to view the video but I assumed it was your dean saying something about the comprehensive exam in the nursing school...I am sure she had nothing on our Dean who has called a meeting with the remaing students taking comps and basically told us that we were stupid and all came from disadvantaged educational backgrounds(EXCUSE ME!!)which is why we have not been able to pass Comps(HA!) She has this pre-conceived notion that there weren't other nursing schools in the state who would have excepted us and that we should consider ourselves lucky that we were able to attend such a fine institution (Imagine that!!!) mind you she and her Interim Chair attended the University and received ALL of their credentials there, yes Dr.Hill and Dr. Rami!! So are they stupid too???(My people!) Anyways, in reguards to the changing of the passing grade, you may have a case of capriscious and arbitrary grading and in most states it is ILLEGAL! All I can suggest is that to the remaining few who are still taking this test is to keep your heads up and remember that you are not alone...you have atleast 25 more should-be nurses in Louisiana going through the same thing! If you really feel that you have been treated unfairly stick together and make sure your voices are heard BUT don't let it consume you...remember your #1 goal is to get out on the floor and provide holistic care to the people! I'll Holla!
ReplyDelete~~~illbnrn~~~