The Nipissing University Student Union is raising some serious concerns relating to students in the Collaborative Nursing Program.
NUSU says 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.
"These students have been left wondering what this means for the completion of their courses and progression, as the semester has finished and no other work or assignments have been scheduled for completion," NUSU says in its statement.
NUSU believes the reason is, students were unable to attend clinical hours at the hospital because of the pandemic and Canadore's stance that virtual simulation and alternate deliveries were insufficient.
Nursing students as well have spoken out about the concern.
"This past year has been grueling for all of us, working countless hours to meet all the requirements that were set out for us," stated student Emily Gignac on social media.
"However, as we found out Monday, a decision was made to fail close to 200 nursing students due to us not attending clinical practice, a decision that was made for us by the program and out of our control. This decision was made without our knowledge and without any consideration for how we are supposed to receive a passing grade."
Gignac adds that there is a nurses shortage right now in Ontario and yet the decision was made to hold back 200 students.
"This is incredibly unprofessional and reckless," she said.
NUSU is standing up for the students.
"NUSU takes the stance that Canadore College allowing students to pay for, and spend a full academic year in courses that there was no clear plan for successfully progress in, is unethical and irresponsible, especially when the inability to progress is not related to the performance of the students," the long statement from NUSU continued.
Canadore College issued a statement defending itself on Tuesday night, authored by Dr. Ahmed Obaide, Canadore College Vice-President Academic.
It reads, "Canadore College remains committed to the success of all our students including those enrolled in the Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program,"
"Our program team, in coordination with our partner Nipissing University, has been working diligently to support student success and progression while ensuring compliance to the relevant standards of professional practice and accepted norms as well as the relevant policies and procedures. Canadore’s concerned faculty are responding directly to student inquiries in this matter.
In its lengthy statement, NUSU is asking the grades to be changed and it encourages students to reach out to their clinical leads.
"We call on Canadore College to immediately apologize to impacted students for the stress, and unprofessional behaviour demonstrated by the Canadore Clinical Instructors, and Administration."
To see the entire NUSU statement you can visit their Facebook page HERE.
