PHOENIX — Hundreds of students are at a loss as nursing programs may close in days.

It hasn’t happened in Arizona for at least the last 40 years.

Aspen University student Louise Devasque said, “It felt like a slap in the face.

DeBusk is one of about 400 students likely to be affected by a recent vote by the Arizona Board of Nursing, indicating that Aspen University’s nursing program may be closed.

RELATED: Aspen University Voluntarily Suspends Provisional Approval of Nursing Programs

“We feel so wronged,” said Teresa Lasorda, another Aspen University student.

At Thursday’s board meeting, the board expressed concern over issues such as how Aspen University students become safe nurses upon graduation.

Students feel that private for-profit colleges are well prepared and that the out-of-class experiences and programs help prepare them to become safe nurses.

“We all chose to stick it out,” Lasorda said. And we are here now. I never dreamed that the Nursing Board would cancel all this. ”

For more than a year, Aspen University has been under review by its board of directors for issues such as poor school performance and low nursing exam scores.

In September last year, the university voluntarily gave up provisional authorization for nursing courses, citing insufficient improvements.

RELATED: Aspen University Voluntarily Suspends Provisional Approval of Nursing Programs

This initiated a two-year “teaching out” that allowed students to continue their degrees. But it’s that teachout that could end as early as next week.

“We have girls and boys preparing to graduate in 54 days,” said DeBusk. “They’re about to arrive. You’re going to say to them, ‘Sorry, do we have to restart this whole thing?’ We literally put our lives on hold.”

Aspen University told 12News in a pre-board statement on Thursday that their case “fully deserves the continuation of the program and will allow these students to continue their academic and career progress.” rice field.

A group of students, including DeBusk and Losada, formed a student committee among themselves and advocated for the students to continue teaching.

They filed complaints with legislators and lobbyists.

“It’s about maintaining a united front and getting the same message wherever you go and whoever you talk to that you’re not a dangerous practitioner,” Devask said.

The group met with the chairmen of both the State Senate and the State Legislative Committee on Health and Human Services.

Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Surprise), chairman of the House Health and Social Services Committee, told 12News in a letter to the State Nursing Commission about finding solutions for students. He said he asked to meet with

Montenegro said, “I wanted to make sure that the board understood that they had a serious interest on our behalf to ensure that we were doing the right thing for our students.

Rep. Celina Bliss (R-Yavapai County), who is also a member of the House Health and Human Services Committee, said she plans to meet with the board to facilitate negotiations.

“Too much is at stake here to let this happen to the students,” said Bliss.

State Senator TJ Shope (Republican Coolidge), chairman of the state Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee, told 12News.

“If these students are actually working and have reached that level of education, I want to be able to get these people into the communities that need nurses the most.

The state board of nursing told 12News that staff are working on ways to support Aspen students if the program is closed.

12News reached out to major nursing programs across the state to see if they might help students when classes are over. Janina Johnson, executive director of Northern Arizona University’s School of Nursing, said in an emailed statement to 12News that she was taking steps.

“We are working with the University of Aspen to create a mediation agreement for Aspen students pursuing prelicensing and postlicensing bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in nursing programs. With state-funded scholarships, NAU is expanding enrollment in the Accelerated Nursing Program, which will allow affected Aspen students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Nursing Program in Aspen, Arizona to You will be given the opportunity to apply for the NAU Nursing Program, we have emailed you a statement.

There is concern among students that credits will not be transferred to another nursing program if the program is closed.

Spokespeople for both Arizona State University and the University of Arizona told 12News that transfer credit must come from an accredited university.

A spokesperson for the University of Arizona told 12News that there is a process for students to transfer two courses from non-accredited institutions in their area.

DeBusk said he hasn’t looked into other programs yet because he hopes the education will continue.

“I am determined to get through this,” Devasque said.

Another meeting will be announced soon for a final vote on whether Aspen’s teachout will end, according to a statement from the state board of nursing. That meeting could take place as early as next week. .

“We spent too much time, effort and money, but we are all doing well. I just want the opportunity,” Losada said.

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