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phoenix – Phoenix Program at Aspen University Staying Under the Microscope of State Boards of Nursing A private for-profit school has been on probation for several months.

A former student is now suing.

FOX 10 Investigates detailed a major educational concern about online learning programs still falling short of state standards.

Sources close to the case say they have never seen a situation like this, and a U.S. Department of Education spokesperson said the oversight measures taken by the Arizona Board of Nursing related to Aspen University and its It says it is monitoring anything that could affect federal students. aid qualification.

Related: Aspen University Survey: For-profit Nursing School Placed on Probation by Arizona Board of Nursing

“…a lot of emotions”

Kristen Stewart worked as a veterinary nurse for 20 years, but when the COVID-19 pandemic began, she decided to move to human medicine and applied for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Aspen University. did.

“The advantage of Aspen is that they have evening and weekend programs. I am a single mother and work full time. The advantage was cost,” she said.

Stewart had completed the prerequisites and was scheduled to begin core nursing classes on February 15 of this year, but that didn’t happen for freshmen at both campuses in Phoenix.

“There was a lot of emotion, obviously upset, some anger,” Stewart said.

The Arizona Board of Nursing had already launched an Aspen University investigation by this time.

Investigators believe Aspen has failed to adequately train new faculty and lacks in-person clinical time for students preparing to become Arizona’s next generation of nurses. In addition, it reported that it relied on “extremely poor testing practices.”

First-time pass rate below Arizona law

Aspen University’s apparent 2021 first-time pass rate of 58% on the NCLEX, the national exam required to become a nurse, was well below the 80% mark required by Arizona law.

Enrollment in the nursing program was terminated because the board issued a notice of denunciation.

“I was so disappointed to find out…about a week before class was supposed to start, we weren’t moving forward,” Stewart said.

In April, Stewart filed a class action complaint against the Aspen Group, accusing him of violating Arizona’s consumer fraud law and unjust enrichment.

The lawsuit alleges that Aspen made false promises and misrepresentations of its programs and hid flaws from students like Stewart.

Prior to the three-year probationary period, approximately 700 students had completed, were still taking, or had just enrolled in the pre-record course.

Stewart eventually enrolled in another school, but says not all of her Aspen credits passed on to her.

“So I had to retake some courses and spent extra time redoing what I knew. I already passed,” Stewart said.

During that time, she spent about $15,000 in loans on her tuition at Aspen, which has exhausted her federal financial aid.

“Basically, by my senior year, I’m running out of funds,” she explained.

Stewart is suing Aspen on behalf of other Arizonans in a similar situation, those who enrolled in and paid for the pre-nursing program.

The exact size of the class has not yet been determined.

Aspen’s agreement with the Board of Nursing states that the program should achieve an average of 80% in NCLEX in 2022, which it has not achieved so far.

Dr. David Hrabe, education program manager for the Arizona Board of Nursing, said at the July meeting: 29 Board of Directors.

He’s researching Aspen University and describes the grim state of the program.

“In order for Aspen to achieve 80% consistent with consent by the end of 2022, students will need to test at 88% from now on in terms of first pass rate. The adjusted figure is now 89%.” Flave said.

Aspen’s first pass rate has dropped to 67% since the first quarter of this year, according to August’s updated figures.

uncertain future

If the program fails to meet its goals, enrollment may be suspended indefinitely and the Board may begin the process of fulfilling Aspen’s obligations to existing students within up to two years.

Hrabe also raised new allegations that Aspen accepts applications from out-of-state students.

“…contracts as seen from a student in Georgia. There is some information that we are pursuing regarding that particular situation,” Hrabe said.

Aspen University attorney Jeffrey Starr said, “Aspen has cooperated and will continue to cooperate and provide information in response to the RQ received. The facts are highly contested. We have received a full investigative report.” increase.”

Stewart says she hasn’t given up on her dream of becoming a nurse.

When asked if he felt betrayed by the university, he replied, “Yeah…if I had done better, I wouldn’t have been in this situation.”

Aspen is accredited by the Distance Learning Accreditation Commission (DEAC). The board said it was also aware of the program’s problems and was working with the Arizona Board of Nursing and the Private Postsecondary School Board to monitor the situation.

In a statement, the commission said, “DEAC is aware of the issues with BSN’s preschool nursing program and is working with private higher education institutions in Arizona and the Arizona Board of Nursing to monitor the situation and ensure benefits are assured.” The number of students remains a priority.”

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