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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. sWhat is the status for graduate nurses obtaining their license at this time?
    • Licensing centers are now open to take NCLEX-RN. Changes have been made at testing centers to ensure the safety of test takers with expanded test slots to facilitate testing. The Michigan State Board of Nursing is now processing new applications for approval for candidates to take the exam.
    • Depending on the level of COVID-19 transmission in Michigan, changes could take place with new Executive Orders affecting nursing licensure laws.
    • * Temporary suspension of occupational licensing laws including nursing license laws in emergency situations is a common approach states take to help manage short-term crises.
      • Governor Whitmer issued an Executive Order at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that waived licensing test requirements for nursing graduates due to NCLEX-RN testing centers being temporarily closed. Nursing students who had successfully completed the course and program requirements to graduate but had not taken the NCLEX -RN exam while the testing centers were closed were allowed to apply for a Temporary RN License to allow students to practice before sitting for the NCLEX-RN exam. Temporary licenses are good for one year of issuance of date. The Executive Order for temporary licenses was rescinded by Governor Whitmer on July 13, 2020.

  2. Is there a change in tuition rates or course credits with the change in learning format from face-to-face lecture to online learning?
    • Tuition rates are set by the Oakland University Board of Trustees. Classes are charged by the credit hour and the credit hours of the courses have not changed, so the student bill would remain the same.
    • We recognize the importance of providing quality nursing education during these challenging times. Oakland University has many resources to support online instruction and we are committed to meeting academic program requirements. There are many benefits to online learning and we hope that all students embrace the learning format.

  3. Is there a change in tuition rates or course credits with the change in learning format from onsite clinicals to virtual clinical experiences?
    • Tuition rates are set by the Oakland University Board of Trustees. Classes are charged by the credit hour and the credit hours of the courses have not changed, so the student bill would remain the same.
    • The Michigan Board of Nursing (LARA) has issued a temporary allowance for nursing schools to continue to progress students in their undergraduate nursing education during this time when clinical access is restricted by providing clinical through virtual means up to 100% through December 31, 2020.
    • We recognize the importance of providing quality nursing education during these challenging times. Simulation provides students with opportunities to practice their clinical and decision-making skills through exposure to clinical scenarios. Some of our clinical partners are starting to allow students back into the clinical sites and we have opened up our labs to allow students to practice with skills, critical thinking, and problem solving in a controlled setting. We will utilize every measure available to meet academic program requirements.

  4. Are there any resources for students who have a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
    • We recognize that students may be living through difficult circumstances that requires support and care. The following are resources for students who are having financial hardships due to COVID-19:
      • There is a Student Emergency Relief Fund that awards up to $1000 financial support for students who are experiencing a temporary or unexpected hardship. More information is available at the Dean of Students.
      • The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has created the COVID-19 Nursing Student Support Fund to assist students whose education and lives have been directly impacted by the coronavirus.

  5. Are there any resources for students who do not have access to a laptop or internet access for use in an online course?
    • Students in need of internet access:
    • Students in need of a laptop for the semester:
      • There is a link for a Student Laptop Request Form for students who do not have a computer and would like to check out a laptop for the entire semester.
      • Students can also call the Student Technology Center at 248-370-4832 and leave a detailed message or they can email their request at [email protected].

  6. How is it determined how an online class is conducted as far as use of live lectures or pre-recorded lectures?
    • Instructors have the freedom to determine how their content is presented. We encourage you to provide feedback and if you are having difficulty to let your instructor know early on so you can be successful.

  7. Is it possible to take the didactic portion of a course now and then finish the clinical portion at a later date so we don't miss that valuable in person time?
    • Unfortunately, we have limited clinical sites and we compete with several other nursing programs for those sites, so we cannot guarantee that we would be able to place all of our students clinically if we move all clinicals to one semester. Students always have the option of taking a leave and restarting the program at a later semester.

School of Nursing

Human Health Building, Room 3027
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 364-8733


M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. closed daily 12 p.m.-1 p.m.