It appears that students in the Collaborative Nursing Program will not get a failing grade after all.
Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU) indicated on Tuesday that nearly 200 students from the Nipissing/Canadore program may not be able to pass on to the next year as students were given a mark of either "unsatisfactory" or "in progress" for their clinical courses.
It appears this issue came about due to students unable to attend clinical hours at the hospital and course administrators deemed the virtual simulation and alternative deliveries as insufficient which led to multiple "fail" or "in progress" marks which put into question many of those students moving on to the next year of the program.
However, today Canadore college sent an email to students enrolled in BScN program NURS 1027, 2026 and 3217 from Dr. Ahmed Obaide, Vice-President Academic, Canadore College and Dr. Arja Vainio-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research, Nipissing University:
"Canadore College and Nipissing University have agreed to a progression plan for students enrolled in NURS 1027, NURS 2026 and NURS 3217, establishing that students registered in the 2020-2021 academic year have satisfied requirements to progress to the next level of study based on a completion plan that includes adjustments to future clinical courses and some voluntary lab sessions for skill development," the email stated.
"In keeping with this pathway forward, Dr. Ahmed Obaide, Vice-President Academic, Canadore College and Dr. Arja Vainio-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research, Nipissing University have jointly overturned the INP grades that were assigned to students in NURS 1027, NURS 2026 and NURS 3217. Students will now see this change reflected in WebAdvisor.
"Canadore College and Nipissing University appreciate the advocacy efforts of both the Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU) and the Nipissing University Nursing Society (NUNS) on behalf of students. Rest assured that both institutions are aligned in identifying a way forward that will ensure all students have the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and competencies for the successful completion of their program. This way forward will include adjustments to future clinical courses to make up for any incomplete learning outcomes, which our program team has already begun preparing.
"We also acknowledge the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) as an important partner in nursing education, and appreciate the support and flexibility they have exhibited throughout the pandemic to ensure the safety of our students, and their commitment to excellence in education. We recognize the additional stress this situation has caused on top of an already difficult academic year and appreciate your patience while we collaboratively addressed these complex pedagogical decisions. Both Canadore College and Nipissing University remain committed to the success of its students," the email concluded.
NUSU responded to the letter.
"We are pleased to see that Nipissing University and Canadore College have acted in the spirit of the Collaborative Program, and that both institutions have made this decision collegially," said NUSU in a message forwarded by Sarah McGowan, NUSU Director of Communications.
"However, this only addresses one of the five calls to action NUSU and NUNS have outlined for Canadore College."
NUSU still calls on Canadore College to immediately apologize to impacted students for the stress, and unprofessional behaviour demonstrated by Canadore Clinical Instructors, and Administration.
"We call on Canadore College to implement sensitivity and professionalism training for all of their Clinical Instructors and Administrators," NUSU continued.
NUSU noted that the advocacy work is not done.
"While Canadore College may have taken corrective action against their unethical and unprofessional behaviour, no communicated accountability has been taken. It is critical to see what flags these actions of Clinical Instructors and Administrators mean for the future of this program, and why the above demands are necessary," NUSU concluded.
