| Updated: 5/05/2010 2:59 pm |
Published: 5/04/2010 8:25 pm |
There’s controversy at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. This weekend, First Lady Michelle Obama is set to speak at the school's graduation, but students in one program won't receive degrees. The students blame the school.
At hospitals across the state there's a shortage of nurses. It's why UAPB nursing students say they were anxious to get to work until they found out, five days before graduation, they're not done with the program. Senior nursing students at UAPB are angry over the news.
"We found out yesterday that no one is graduating," said Brittany Davis.
All of the students in the class of 2010's nursing program failed critical exams the school requires they pass.
"We have not had adequate instruction to even prepare to take the test. So when the time comes and no one passes it, now they want to fail everyone," Davis said.
She believes it's a reflection of the school, claiming last year's nursing class had a similar problem.
“No one passed the exam but one student and they ended up graduating all of them," she said.
We took her allegation to the school’s nursing chair.
"I will not speak to the May 09 [class]. I think the concern here is this particular class," Chair Sheila Garland said.
She says it surprises her too that the whole class failed, but adds, "It's not unusual for students not to meet program requirements."
We went to the state board of nursing and found out over the past two years UAPB has the lowest passing rate of the state's universities on the national nursing licensure exam. We also found out that the state does not require students pass the same tests UAPB requires its students pass to complete a nursing program.
"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.
School administrators will allow the students to walk with their class this weekend.
"That's not fair just walking. I need my degree," Micquel Taylor said.
The students will get another opportunity to take the tests, though school officials haven't set a date yet on how soon they will be administered. The state nursing board says after receiving complaints from UAPB students, it is investigating the school's program to see if teachers are doing something wrong.
