Dear Dr. Montague,

Please reconsider allowing the students who passed all of the nursing classes, but were unsuccessful with the exit examination, to participate in the graduation ceremony. Students who are in this program worked hard for 4 to 5 years to attain their dreams. Failing of the exit exam and not being able to attend the graduation seems to disqualify all of the hard work they put in for all of these years, especially during the nursing program.

Some schools let the students participate in the graduation even when they have not completed all the requirements for the graduation. For example, John Hopkins University permits the students to participate in the graduation if they have 6 credits or less to complete all of their major requirements. They are required to complete those courses/credits in the summer of the following semester. The diploma will be mailed to their house once they have completely everything. Morgan State University can do the same for those who did not pass the exit the second time. They can take the HESI Exit Exam, for a third time, after the graduation.

In addition, please think about the emotional stress this scenario created to the student; they will be traumatized. Those students who thought they were going to participate in the graduation also paid for the gown, graduation fee, and pictures—having everything planned out. Some of them even have relatives coming from out of town or out of the country. The hotel and plane tickets are booked. But now, the students have to break the news that they cannot be at the graduation. Think about the disappointment that the family will be in and the monetary and time losses from this. This is unfair to the students and their family.

Again, please reconsider letting the students who passed all of the classes, but failed the exit exam, to participate in the graduation.

Thank you