This is a petition for the students enrolled in Pace University’s 11-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing program. Students enrolled are currently starting their last semester of the ABSN program.

The goal of this petition is to have the Pace University ABSN administrators assure that nursing students will graduate on time, by August 2020.

Currently, there is uncertainty as to whether or not students will be able to graduate in August 2020. Administrators are planning for students to graduate in December 2020 if students are unable to return to clinical sites by July 13th, 2020.

Due to COVID-19, there is an immense demand for nurses. Many other nursing programs within NY State have updated their guidelines so that virtual simulation will suffice as clinical hour requirements in lieu of clinical site rotations. Virtual simulation has been proven to be an effective method for students to gain proper clinical knowledge and reasoning, while also promoting patient safety.

In addition, with the possibility of graduation pushed to December 2020, students will not be able to sit for licensure (NCLEX exam) until January/February 2021. Students will be less prepared to sit for the NCLEX as they will have been out of the classroom for 5-6 months and the material will no longer be fresh in their minds. Evidence shows that students who take their NCLEX within 3 months of graduating are at increased likelihood of passing upon their first attempt of examination.

Students will also need additional funds in order to be able to renew housing leases, meals, groceries, and transportation. Students will drive themselves further into debt as well as have their current loans accrue interest that cannot be paid. Other students have jobs waiting for them upon graduation that they may lose if they are unable to start working until February/March of 2021.

Students understand the importance of having in-person clinical and to compensate, new graduate and fellowship programs are prepared to train new nursing students coming into the field.

These students are eager to become nurses in order to be part of a workforce that is focused on compassionate care. They want to help serve our communities, nurses, doctors, and all front-line workers. In order to do this, these students need to graduate in August 2020.