Former students of a now-shuttered for-profit nursing school in Connecticut have taken legal action, filing a federal lawsuit against the state’s Office of Higher Education (OHE) and Department of Public Health (DPH). These nine individuals claim that the state agencies not only invalidated their academic credits but also withheld their licenses, resulting in damage to their professional reputations. The closure of Stone Academy earlier this year sparked ongoing state investigations, creating an environment of uncertainty and disappointment for these former students.
State agencies published an “unauthorized” audit on the former students’ records five months after the school’s closure in February. This audit, according to the lawsuit, rendered a staggering 76% of the plaintiffs’ over 100,000 credit hours invalid. The consequences of this invalidation have been severe, as it has forever tainted their professional standing in the nursing field. The reasons for invalidation range from missing information on clinical attendance sheets to exceeding student-to-instructor ratios. The final report also noted instances where museum visits and writing assignments replaced crucial clinical hours. These students, who worked diligently to earn their credits, were completely blindsided by this audit, which offered no opportunity for appeal.
Educational Concerns and the “Refresher Course” Controversy
To compound matters, the Department of Public Health expressed concerns about the quality of education provided by Stone Academy’s practical nursing program. Through a document published in April, the agency deemed the education received by recent graduates insufficient to practice successfully as licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Consequently, the agency decided to offer a “free training refresher course” to all LPN license applicants from Stone Academy. However, this document indicated that applicants must sign a “stipulated agreement,” acknowledging that they won’t use their license until the refresher course is completed. One could argue that such requirements were beyond the agency’s jurisdiction. These documents were coercively presented to the students “under the threat of investigation,” a clear overstep by the state.
Around 200 students, who had either already taken or were planning to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), were affected by the closure of Stone Academy. Shockingly, the state initiated 50 investigations against those who refused to sign the stipulated agreement. In a sense, these students were penalized for standing their ground and refusing to compromise their rights. Those who did sign the agreement faced extensive delays in finding employment due to the availability of the “refresher course.” The only available course was scheduled for October, leaving these nursing graduates in a state of limbo for months.
These former students, in their pursuit of justice, had already taken legal action against Stone Academy’s parent company, Career Training Specialists, and the school’s owners. This initial lawsuit, filed in May, aimed to hold them accountable for their “predatory and unconscionable conduct.” The students received a $5 million prejudgment trial remedy as a result. Now, in pursuing the second lawsuit against state officials, the former students hope to hold accountable those in positions of trust who failed to fulfill their responsibilities. With approximately 1,200 students impacted by the audit and stipulated agreement, it is evident that the consequences of this negligence are far-reaching and demand immediate attention.
The unfolding story of these former students battling a for-profit nursing school and state agencies showcases the deep-rooted challenges within the education system. It raises concerns about the accountability of educational institutions and the actions of state agencies. The impact on these individuals’ lives and their pursuit of career advancement in the nursing field cannot be understated. It is crucial to examine and rectify the failures that led to this situation, ensuring that the rights of students and professionals within the healthcare industry are upheld.