Southern Arkansas University Baccalaureate Nursing Program Handbook

Transcription

1 Southern Arkansas University Baccalaureate Nursing Program Handbook

2 Table of Contents Introduction. 4 Accreditation 4 Philosophy and Mission Statement. 6 University Goals, BSN Program Outcomes 8 Articulation Standards. 14 Admission Policy. 14 Curriculum Prerequisites.. 16 Advisement and Registration Information.. 19 Check-off Policy for Returning Students. 23 Application for Readmission 24 Alternate Progression Plan 26 Standardized Assessment Policy.. 27 Testing (Exam) Policy/Procedure Transfer Students with Nursing Credit Policy. 32 Calculation of Nursing Course Grades Math Policy Program/Course Policies and Regulations Organization of Learning Experiences Classroom Responsibilities Requirements for Assignments Academic Integrity Policy 39 Attendance Policy Required Supplies and Equipment 42 Blackboard Course Management System

3 Complaints Confidentiality (HIPPAA) 44 Emergency Preparedness System.. 46 Clinical Policies and Regulations. 48 Student Accident Form. 53 Clinical Deficiency Form 56 Post Remediation Clinical Observation Follow up Form. 57 Uniform Policy Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen Information 62 Arkansas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act.. 64 Criminal Behavior While a SAU Nursing Student...67 Graduation Application Process NCLEX-PN, Exam, Application NCLEX-RN Exam, Application NCLEX-RN Verification of Degree Policy.. 68 BSN Nursing Fees and Expenses. 68 Other Nursing Information.. 70 Nursing Organizations. 70 Useful Websites.. 71 Professional Websites.. 72 University Services Information.. 73 Academic Advising and Assistance Center.. 73 Bookstore. 73 Computer Services.. 73 Information Technology Services.. 73 Magale Library 74 Office of Counseling and Testing 74 Parking Regulations and Parking Permits. 74 2

4 SAU Home Page.. 74 Scholarships and Financial Aid to Students. 74 Security. 74 Student Employment Office 75 Student Housing 75 University Calendar 75 University Health Services.. 75 Writing Center 75 Professional Boundaries.. 76 Public Disclosure of Information. 76 Technology Use Policy. 77 Sexual Harassment. 78 Social Media Policy.. 79 Student Participation in Program Evaluation and Research 81 Student Responsibility for Lost Equipment. 82 Student Service on University and Department Committees.. 82 Substance Abuse Policy 82 Confidentiality. 83 Random Screening Procedure & Penalty.. 83 Prescription Medication Effects Handbook Agreement Signature Pages

5 INTRODUCTION Welcome to Southern Arkansas University s (SAU) Nursing Program. We, the faculty, feel you have selected the most challenging, rewarding, and versatile career available today. We believe that a Nurse is one who possesses considerable knowledge of the basic physical, biological, behavioral, and medical sciences, plus the ability and skill to apply this knowledge in caring for patients with common nursing problems. This requires decision-making ability and sound judgment. We dedicate our time and effort to offer you those experiences that will assist you in reaching this goal. SAU s academic nursing programs are rigorous, yet achievable to those willing to commit themselves to it. The learning experiences will be available; it is your responsibility to take advantage of them. SAU provides equal educational opportunities for all, and this policy is fully implemented in all programs according to University guidelines. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing The Arkansas State Board of Nursing approves the Department of Nursing at Southern Arkansas University. The Department of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree in nursing. The BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The BSN is a traditional 4-year program for pre-license nursing students degree. The RN-BSN degree is a completion program for persons who are Associate of Science (ADN), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), or diploma Registered Nurses (RN), and wish to obtain this advanced degree. All interested parties (students, graduates, and other parties associated with the program) may contact the ACEN to express any statement or concern at the following: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326, Telephone: Arkansas State Board of Nursing The Department of Nursing is conditionally approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. All interested parties (students, graduates, and other parties associated with the SAU Nursing Program) may contact the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to express any statement or concern related to BSN program at the following: 4

6 Arkansas State Board of Nursing University Tower Bldg South University Suite 800 Little Rock, AR Phone: Fax: Texas Board of Higher Education The BSN student may complete clinical experiences in Texas. All interested parties (students, graduates, and other parties associated with the SAU Nursing Program) may contact the Texas Board of Higher Education to express any statement or concern related to clinical experiences at the following: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 1200 E Anderson Ln, Austin, TX Telephone: (512) Or: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board s Student Complaints webpage (with forms and a description of the complaint procedure): 03D4 9CCE 40FA9F46F2CD3C9D Curriculum BSN Curriculum is accredited until RN-BSN Completion Curriculum is accredited until

7 Philosophy and Mission Statement Mission Statement The Department of Nursing at Southern Arkansas University supports the mission statement, goals, and objectives of the University. The Department of Nursing is committed to demonstrating our core values by providing students with opportunities for intellectual growth through cultivating compassion, communication, and skill development for career preparation in a global environment. We strive to meet regional health care needs by preparing graduates who demonstrate basic competency as health care providers. Core Values: Quality, Professionalism, Innovation, Caring Philosophy of the Department of Nursing Baccalaureate nursing education prepares the graduate for entry into professional practice as a generalist who provides evidence-based care for persons as individuals, members of family/groups, and as communities in both structured and unstructured health care settings. The complexity of decision-making and accountability increases in proportion to the complexity of the patient health care setting, and the preparation of the practitioner. The different levels of nursing education imply education increases in complexity to correspond with the expected competencies of each graduate. PERSON Each person is a physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual being, and is therefore, unique and irreplaceable. The person is continually interacting and affected by the internal and external environment. Each person is dynamic and distinct, because they have unique and common basic human needs across the life span. The person within the context of individual, family/group, or community is the recipient of nursing care. ENVIRONMENT The environment consists of internal and external elements, which are in constant interaction with the person. The internal environment is composed of physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual factors, which influence the person from within. The external environment includes the physical and social elements that are external to and interactive with the person. The internal and external environments interact to produce needs unique to each person. The process the person chooses to meet those needs changes the health of the person. HEALTH Health is a dynamic state influenced by personal choices occurring in and across all environments. The health of the person is dependent upon resources available within the internal and external environment. Through collaborative efforts, health is promoted, maintained, and/or restored until the end of life. 6

8 NURSING Nursing is a scientific discipline that provides holistic care for culturally diverse persons across the life span. Nursing acknowledges the dignity, worth and the right of all persons to have their health care needs provided in and across all environments through the use of nursing/research process. The practice of nursing is based on knowledge, which incorporates critical thinking, communication, therapeutic nursing interventions, professionalism, roles, and service. NURSING EDUCATION Nursing education requires a foundation in liberal education, which provides an effective base of knowledge and cognitive skills upon which to build professional and personal growth. Nursing education within the university setting offers the opportunity to interact with students from diverse educational disciplines, which provides the individual an experience to build a broader foundation, thus shaping their practice of nursing. Nursing education is a life-long process that assists individuals in developing the potential to function productively within an ever changing health care system. The use of technological resources and innovative creative teaching strategies provides optimal learning experiences. Learning occurs when the student perceives it as relevant and the information received has concurrent application. Faculty facilitate, create, and guide learning opportunities, thus enabling individuals to seek and develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prepare them for practice within the nursing profession. Revised July

9 SAU Goals 1. Effective Communication: Our graduates can communicate effectively. Effective communication embraces oral, visual, and language arts, including the ability to listen, speak, read, and write. It includes the effective use of various resources and technology for personal and professional communication. Our students can write effectively. Our students can effectively deliver an oral presentation. UNIVERSITY GOALS, DEPARTMENT of NURSING BSN PROGRAMS OUTCOMES BSN Graduate Outcomes 1. Communicate and collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals, individuals, families/groups, and communities to provide cost effective, quality nursing care. Level Outcomes Junior First Semester: Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration techniques with healthcare professionals, individuals, and families to provide cost effective, quality nursing care. Junior Second Semester: Apply effective communication and collaboration techniques with healthcare professionals, individuals, and families to provide cost effective, quality nursing care. AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education Essential VI: Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes Senior First Semester: Select effective communication and collaboration techniques with healthcare professionals, individuals, families/groups, and communities to provide cost 8

10 effective, quality nursing care. Senior Second Semester: Assess effective communication and collaboration techniques with healthcare professionals, individuals, families/groups, and communities to provide cost effective, quality nursing care. 2. Personal and Social Responsibility: Our graduates are prepared to be personally and socially responsible citizens, having the ability to apply knowledge and skills that encourage responsible civic engagement for the advancement of society. This includes an understanding of their own and other cultures and societies and the ability to make informed and ethical decisions. Our students demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of their own and other societies and cultures. Our students demonstrate an understanding of the process of making informed and ethical decisions. 2. a. Apply appropriate knowledge and skills synthesized from the humanities, social, physical, and behavioral sciences in meeting the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and sociocultural needs of individuals, families/groups, and communities across the life span. b. Facilitate a culturally competent environment for the delivery of nursing care to individuals, families/groups, and communities. Junior First Semester: Demonstrate the nursing process to meet the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and sociocultural needs and safety for individuals and families. Junior Second Semester: Apply the nursing process to meet the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and sociocultural needs of patients to promote, maintain, and restore health and safety for individuals and families. Essential II: Basic Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety Essential VII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Essential VIII: Professionalism and Professional Values 9

11 Our students demonstrate an understanding of facts within historical and cultural contexts Senior First Semester: Prioritize physiological, psychological, spiritual, and sociocultural needs of patients while using the nursing process to promote, maintain, and restore health and safety for individuals, families/groups, and communities. Senior Second Semester: Integrate knowledge of the nursing process, health policy, community resources, and health services to manage and meet the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and sociocultural needs of individuals, families/groups, and communities across the lifespan. 3. Critical Thinking: Our graduates can think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and ideas from multiple perspectives. 3. Engage in critical thinking, independent judgment, and decision making while using the nursing/research process to design and evaluate the effectiveness of culturally competent care to individuals, families/groups, and Junior First Semester: Recognize key elements of critical thinking, evidence-based nursing practice, and safe, quality patient care Junior Second Semester: Utilize critical thinking to identify the Essential III: Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice 10

12 communities across the life span. relationships between evidence-based nursing practice and safe, quality patient care. Senior First Semester: Integrate critical thinking, decision-making, and independent judgment in meeting the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and sociocultural needs individuals, families/groups, and communities across the lifespan. Senior Second Semester: Model critical thinking decision-making, and independent judgment in meeting the physiological, psychological, spiritual, and sociocultural needs individuals, families/groups, and communities across the lifespan. 4. Information Literacy: Our graduates can use technology effectively in their fields. Information literacy is the ability to determine the nature of required information, to access it effectively and efficiently, and to evaluate 4. Integrate technology to critique and apply research findings to improve nursing care in a variety of health care settings. Junior First Semester: Identify knowledge and skills for information management and patient-care technology to deliver safe, quality patient Essential IV: Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology 11

13 it critically. It includes the responsible, legal, and ethical use of information. care to individuals and families. Junior Second Semester: Connect knowledge and skills for information management, research, and patientcare technology to support evidencebased practice for quality, safe patient care decisions. Senior First Semester: Apply knowledge and skills for information management, research, and patientcare technology to support evidencebased practice for quality, safe patient care decisions. Senior Second Semester: Integrate knowledge and skills for information management, research, and patientcare technology to promote independent judgment and decision-making to support evidencebased practice for quality, safe patient care. 5. Content Knowledge: Our graduates have content knowledge in their 5. a. Utilize professional values, standards, statues, Junior First Semester: Identify Essential I: Liberal Education for 12

14 chosen fields and the necessary skills to be successful. Content knowledge is discipline and degree specific. and regulations governing the practice of nursing to enhance the delivery of health care to individuals, families/groups, and communities. b. Exhibit accountability, responsibility, and values for own nursing practice and lifelong learning. c. Using leadership and management skills and knowledge of health policy and health services, improve interventions used to promote and maintain health lifestyles of individuals, families/groups, and communities across the life span. knowledge and values synthesized from general education and nursing sciences as a foundation for providing safe, quality patient care. Junior Second Semester: Apply the principles of accountability, responsibility, and professionalism for evidence-based nursing practice and life-long learning. Senior First Semester: Integrate professional values, statutes, and regulations governing the practice of nursing to enhance evidence-based practice for individuals, families/groups, and communities. Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice Essential V: Health Care Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments Essential IX: Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice Senior Second Semester: Combine leadership and management skills, professional values, and utilization of the nursing process to provide safe, quality, evidence-based practice for individuals, families/groups, and communities. Revised 8/16/

15 Articulation Standards Based on the Arkansas Nursing Articulation Model, diploma or associate degree RNs who meet the criteria are eligible to receive credit for core nursing courses by validation (without testing). The credit is held in "escrow" until after the student has successfully completed all SAU BSN degree requirements. Potential students eligible for any of the two tracts should contact the department for more information. Refer to Chapter 6 of Arkansas State Board of Nursing rules and regulations 1.3 and the Arkansas Nursing Articulation Model at Admission Policy Application Requirements for Admission to BSN Program: To be considered for admission into the Bachelor of Science in nursing degree program the student must: 1. Be admitted to SAU with regular or conditional admission status and maintain a University GPA (Grade Point Average) of 2.00 at SAU. 2. Transfer students currently enrolled in other universities at the time of application will be considered for admission into the nursing program if the following documents are on file in the SAU Office of Admissions: completed SAU application form; valid ACT or SAT scores (if available); completed high school transcript or GED scores; college transcripts through the previous semester; and required immunization records. International students must contact the International Student Services Office. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to the Department of Nursing. 3. Recognize that priority ranking will be given to students who have successfully completed all non-nursing support courses for the degree. 4. Recognize that SAU students will be given priority ranking for consideration into the nursing program. 5. Have a minimum 2.60 GPA in Nursing Curriculum Support Courses (NCSCs). 6. The GPA for admission to the department will be calculated based on NCSCs completed at the time of application. 7. Complete NCSCs with a C or better. Students with Ds or Fs in these courses will not be admitted. 8. GPA will be calculated on ALL science courses ever taken. 9. No admittance to program after third unsuccessful science course grade. 10. Complete a standardized preadmission examination administered through the Office of Counseling and Testing. This exam is for diagnostic purposes. ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) pre-admission examination scores must be 60% or greater. 11. Have proof of Hepatitis B vaccination

16 12. To comply with mandates from clinical agencies utilized by the SAU Department of Nursing, students enrolled in all nursing programs are required at the time of conditional acceptance or acceptance into the program and yearly thereafter to have a criminal background checks, driving history record check, child maltreatment check, long term care check, and urine drug screening in order to remain enrolled in any nursing course. All screenings are conducted at the expense of the individual student. More information and pricing are available on the nursing website at Dependent upon clinical site availability to the nursing program, understand travel will be required to clinical sites in Southwest Arkansas, Central Arkansas, or East Texas. 14. Realize if an injury occurs in the clinical setting, the student is responsible for all applicable costs related to the injury. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance. Information concerning health insurance available for SAU students may be accessed at the following website: Submit a completed Department of Nursing Application according to the deadlines posted on the nursing web at Applications to the nursing program can be obtained, completed, and submitted application on the Department of Nursing At submission of on-line application, attach unofficial college transcripts, copy of immunization record, TEAS scores, Hepatitis B series, and/or any other pertinent information that may be needed for consideration into the SAU nursing program. RN to BSN (online) The RN-to-BSN track is for Registered Nurses (RNs) who are graduates of accredited associate degree or hospital diploma programs and seek a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Qualified RNs receive 41 hours of BSN nursing credit based on their prior educational program.* The BSN degree is awarded when the baccalaureate degree requirements are met. The track is designed for the working RN with all nursing courses offered online. The length of time to complete the BSN degree varies on the curriculum plan. Applications for the RN-to-BSN track are accepted twice a year: Fall enrollment-- applications only accepted between February 15 and April 1; Spring enrollment-- applications only accepted between June 15 and August 1. Exceptions to these deadlines are at the discretion of the Program Director. *Pre-requisite courses can be taken at SAU or transferred from another institution. Students are encouraged to review the Transfer Credit Guidelines information located on the Registrar's website and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education's Course Transfer System (ACTS) to check on what course credits will transfer. *RN-to-BSN curricular plan for BSN completion students (online) 15

17 Curriculum Prerequisites/Co-requisites Courses in the nursing major are sequentially planned. Many of them are prerequisite or co-requisite nursing courses. Prerequisites refer to those curriculum requirements (nursing and/or non-nursing) that must be satisfactorily completed before enrolling in a course. Co-requisites refer to those curriculum requirements (nursing and/or nonnursing) that can be taken either before or at the same time as another course. Listed below are those nursing courses with prerequisites and/or co-requisites that must be satisfied for a student to enroll in the particular course. NURS Introduction to Professional Nursing. Spring Semester NURS Orientation for Online RN-BSN Completion Program. Fall, spring semester. NURS Health Assessment. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS Fall semester. NURS Issues and Trends in Nursing. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS Spring semester. NURS Community Health Nursing. Prerequisite: NURS Corequisites: NURS 3001, NURS Fall semester. NURS Introduction to Nursing Research. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS Fall semester. NURS The Business of Health Care. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS Fall semester. NURS Foundations of Mental Health Nursing. Prerequisites: NURS 3093 NURS 3103, NURS 3203, NURS Corequisites: NURS 3303, NURS 3306, NURS Fall semester. NURS Techniques of Health Assessment. Prerequisites: Junior standing and admission into the program. Corequisites: NURS 3103, NURS 3203, NURS Fall semester. NURS Gerontological Nursing. Prerequisites: Junior standing and admission into the program. Corequisites: NURS 3093, NURS 3203 and NURS 3206: Spring semester. 16

18 Curriculum Prerequisites/Co-requisites (cont) NURS Pharmacology. Prerequisites: Junior standing and admission into the program. Corequisites: NURS 3093, NURS 3103 and NURS Fall semester. NURS Nursing Care I Foundations. Prerequisites: Junior standing and admission into the program. Corequisites: NURS 3093, NURS 3103, NURS Fall semester. NURS Pathophysiology for Nurses. Prerequisites: NURS 3093, NURS 3203, NURS 3206, NURS Corequisites: NURS 3306, NURS 3403, NURS Spring semester. NURS Nursing Care II Acute Care. Prerequisites: NURS 3093, NURS 3203, NURS 3206, NURS Corequisites: NURS 3083, NURS 3303, NURS Spring semester. NURS Nursing Research for Evidence Based Practice. Prerequisites: NURS 3093, NURS 3103, NURS 3203, and NURS Corequisites: NURS 3083, NURS 3303, and NURS Spring semester. NURS Informatics in Nursing. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS Spring semester. NURS Synthesis of Nursing Concepts. Prerequisites: Prerequisites: NURS 4207, NURS 4073 and NURS Corequisites: NURS 4306, NURS 4302, and NURS Spring semester. NURS Leadership and Management. Prerequisites: NURS 3003, NURS Spring semester. NURS Contemporary Issues and Ethics in Nursing. Prerequisites: NURS 3083, NURS 3306, NURS 3403, NURS Corequisites: NURS 4207, NURS Fall semester. NURS Advanced Topics in Nursing I. Prerequisites: Associate degree or Diploma in Nursing and consent of Department Chair. Summer and as needed NURS Foundations of Community Health Nursing. Prerequisites: NURS 3083, NURS 3303, NURS 3306, NURS 3403; Corequisites: NURS 4207, NURS Fall semester. 17

19 NURS Evidence Based Nursing. Prerequisites: NURS 3043 and NURS Corequisite: NURS Spring semester. Curriculum Prerequisites/Co-requisites (cont.) NURS Advanced Topics in Nursing II. Prerequisites: Associate degree or Diploma in Nursing and consent of Department Chair. Summer and as needed NURS Leadership and Management in Nursing Practice. Prerequisites: NURS 4093, NURS 4207, NURS Corequisites: NURS 4012, NURS 4302, NURS Spring semester. NURS Nursing Care III Childbearing and Pediatrics. Prerequisites: NURS 3083, NURS 3303, NURS 3306, NURS Corequisites: NURS 3093, NURS Fall semester. NURS Nursing Informatics. Prerequisite: NURS 4093, NURS 4105, NURS Corequisites: NURS 4012, NURS 4205, NURS Spring semester. NURS Nursing Care IV Complex Care. Prerequisites: NURS 4093, NURS 4105, NURS Corequisites: NURS 4111, NURS 4205, NURS Spring semester. Honors The faculty and administration at Southern Arkansas University fully understand that the students who enter the University possess diverse capabilities and come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. In order to give recognition to students for superior achievement, as indicated by scores on entrance examinations and grades of courses completed, SAU has an honors program consisting of advanced placement, President s List, Dean s List, graduation with honors, Honors Classes, and membership in Alpha Chi, a national honor scholastic society. To earn the distinction as an Honors College graduate, students must complete a total of twentyfour hours of Honors College credit. Classes offered include seminars, general education courses, and upper-level courses in the student s major field, colloquiums, and independent studies. The following nursing courses have honors sections that meet the honors requirements: NURS3083, NURS3203, NURS3103, NURS3403, and NURS4073. Advanced Placement Advanced standing in one or more semesters of course offering may be attained on the basis of high academic high school records (high school credit) and proficiency examinations in many departments. Interested students should consult their department advisors. 18

20 Degree Completion The SAU Prelicensure BSN Curriculum assumes a high school college preparatory track, including chemistry and unconditional admission to SAU. Although designed to be completed in 4 years, many take as much as 5 years to complete the program. The BSN must be completed with 5 years of entering the major. This is to ensure that a graduate's knowledge, skills, and competencies are equivalent to those required for licensure and practice as an entry level BSN RN. Exceptions may be considered by the Department of Nursing Chair. Created: October 2009; December 2013 Revised: May 2010, May 2012, December 2013, July 2015; February 2016, August 2016 ADVISEMENT AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION Academic Advisors It is ultimately the student s responsibility to know the academic policies of the University and of the Department of Nursing. Students should be familiar with the degree requirements as stated in the SAU Undergraduate Catalog and the critical deadlines and general information published in each schedule of courses. Students are expected to meet regularly with their advisor to develop their plans of study. The academic advisor is responsible for approving a student's plan of study. This is required before the student can register. Students must meet with their academic advisor or the Undergraduate Program Director prior to withdrawing from a nursing course, the program, or the university. Advance Registration/Late Registration SAU schedules advance registration periods in the fall for spring semester and in the spring for summer and fall semesters. It is your responsibility to make an appointment with your appointed advisor prior to this advanced registration period. 19

21 Progression Policies Good Standing. Once admitted, a student's progress in the baccalaureate program is reviewed routinely. To remain in good standing the student must: 1. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of Earn a minimum grade of "C" in all courses required for the major (nursing and nonnursing). 3. Observe the fundamental rules of ethical conduct as described in the American Nurses' Association Code for Nurses (2015) 4. Demonstrate the "Abilities and Skills for Admission to and the Progression within the Undergraduate Nursing Major". 5. Must make a C or better in ALL nursing and nursing support courses each semester to progress to the next semester in nursing. Any student with a D in a course applying toward the nursing degree will not be allowed to proceed until that specific course has been repeated and passed with a C or better. 6. Must perform satisfactorily in all clinical labs to progress to the next semester. 7. Is limited to ONE re-enrollment into the program. A student who does not successfully complete the course for any of the following reasons and then chooses to return to the nursing program has utilized their ONE re-enrollment opportunity. Receives a grade of D or F in the nursing course and then chooses to return to the nursing program. OR Withdraws/drops from a nursing course prior to completion of the semester and receives a W for any reason (See Returning Student Policy and Appeal Policy). If a student has withdrawn from a nursing course/nursing program because of a call to active military duty, this student may return to the program when active duty is completed by sending a letter requesting readmission to the Department of Nursing (See Returning Student Policy). If at any time one of these students withdraws or fails and then returns to the program, this is considered the student s one re-enrollment as outlined in the paragraph above. 8. Is assured procedural due process as established by the Department of Nursing and the University. 9. Standardized exams will be administered in courses throughout the curriculum with weight to be determined by course faculty. Due to the nature of professional training in the field of nursing, successful completion of academic courses provides only a partial indication of student competency. See the individual course ATI/standardized testing policies on the following pages. 20

22 Course Scheduling for Prelicensure Students. Courses in the nursing major are sequentially planned. This means that, unless otherwise specified, nursing courses must be successfully completed in the order and semester listed on the curriculum pattern. If a student is unsuccessful in one or two courses in one semester, the student will be allowed to continue in the nursing program by enrolling in the same course(s) the following semester (as space available). However, the unsuccessful attempt at the course or courses will result in graduation delay of at least one semester. Course Scheduling for RN-BSN Completion Students. NURS3001, NURS3003, NURS3403 must be completed or taken concurrently with clinical courses. The student is responsible for meeting via phone or with the RN to BSN advisor for course scheduling. Course Failures. Students with a failing grade of "D", "F", or "WF" in any required nursing course will not be permitted to enroll in those nursing courses that require the failed course as a prerequisite. The student must meet with their Advisor to complete the Alternate Progression Plan and submit the form to the Department of Nursing Admissions and Progression Committee (See Alternate Progression Form). Grade of "D", "F" or "WF" for any nursing course/required nursing course received during any two (2) nursing courses semesters mean the student will be dismissed from the nursing program and will not be eligible for readmission. Course or University Withdrawals. Students must meet with their academic advisor, course faculty, and/or the Undergraduate Program Director prior to withdrawing from either a nursing course or the Undergraduate Program. Any student who withdraws from any nursing course or the program for any reason (academic or nonacademic), must apply for readmission to the nursing program and submit an Alternate Progression plan to the Department of Nursing Admissions and Progression Committee Advisor(See Alternate Progression). Refer to the SAU Undergraduate catalogue handbook for university information regarding withdrawal. Students who withdraw must do so within the university's time frame to withdraw from a course (See University Handbook). Clinical Failure: A student, who has been notified by the faculty member that he/she has failed the course due to clinical performance, will receive grade of a D or F. 21

23 Readmission: To be considered for readmission, a student must submit a complete application for readmission to the Department of Nursing Admissions and Progression Committee. That application is due by March 1 for fall courses and by October 1 for spring courses. Readmission is neither automatic nor guaranteed and will be contingent on both program and individual factors. Alternate Progression Plan: To progress in the nursing major the student must continue to meet the criteria for good standing as stated previously. Students that meet the following criteria and receive approval from the Admissions and Progression Committee for an Alternate Progression Plan will be considered in good standing and are not required to apply for readmission. Criteria for submission of an Alternate Progression Plan include: 1. A student that receives a "D", "F", "W" or "WF" for one nursing course. 2. A student that deviates from a full time nursing pattern for any reason (academic or nonacademic). 3. A student that has not been dismissed from the program and is eligible for readmission. Submission of an Alternate Progression Plan includes: 1. Complete the information required on the form (Appendix) and review it with your academic advisor.(see Alternate Progression Form) 2. Submit the completed written request to the Admissions and Progression Committee within two weeks from the time the student becomes aware of a change in status. 3. The Admissions and Progression Committee will evaluate the proposed Alternate Progression Plan, and will provide the student with a written recommendation in a timely manner. Failure to adhere to an approved Alternate Progression Plan: If for any reason a student fails to adhere to the approved alternate progression plan, a revised progression plan following the same process as above must be submitted. Delayed Return: Any student who has been out of the nursing program longer than 12 months will be required to do additional coursework or repeat courses as deemed necessary by Department of Nursing Chair. 22

24 CHECK-OFF POLICY FOR RETURNING STUDENTS Students re-entering a BSN nursing clinical course must pass a comprehensive check-off prior to being allowed to proceed to the clinical area as stated in the Readmission Policy. A skills packet with review materials will be provided to each student by the Admissions and Progression Committee. There is a two (2) hour time limit for successful completion of both components of the check-off. The check-off contains two (2) components: 1. A written exam* o Incorporates common medication information, medication dosage calculations, medication administration skills, and general nursing skills. The written exam is given first. Upon successful completion of the exam with a 75% or better, the student may advance to the skills check-off component. 2. Skills check-off* o Performance of any or all basic nursing skills included in the Skills Review Packet. The BSN Director determines the skills to be performed; therefore, the student will be prepared to perform all skills. A student advances to this component ONLY AFTER successful completion of the written exam. The skills must be adequately performed to the satisfaction of the BSN Program Director/Course Coordinator, who determines whether the student has successfully passed or failed the check-off. *The student is only allowed one (1) failure of either of the two components. If two failures occur, the student is considered unprepared for re-entry and will be administratively dropped from the nursing program. Examples: (a) If the student fails the written exam on the first attempt, then both the second written exam attempt PLUS the first skills check-off must be successful for the student to remain in the program. In this situation, the one fail allowance occurs with the written component. (b) If the student passes the written exam on the first attempt, but fails the first attempt of the check-off, the student must then pass the second skills check-off attempt to remain in the program. In this situation, the one fail allowance occurs with the skills checkoff component. *Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Department of Nursing Chair Created: October 2009 Revised: December 2010, July 2015, August

25 Southern Arkansas University Department of Nursing *APPLICATION FOR READMISSION TO NURSING MAJOR PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE ANSWER EVERY QUESTION 1. NAME Last First Middle (Maiden) 2. Permanent Address 3. School Address Street City Street City 4. Telephone: Permanent School 5. SAU Student ID Number 6. Indicate semester last enrolled in SAU Nursing Program 7. Indicate semester you with to return Month Year 8. List nursing courses (by name) you wish to enter: 9. Reason for leaving nursing program: A. Did not pass nursing courses NURS (Give number & title of course) B. Other: Please explain 10. Are you currently enrolled in a college or university? Yes No 11. List all SAU nursing courses successfully completed: 24

26 *APPLICATION FOR READMISSION TO NURSING MAJOR (cont) 12. Attach proposed curriculum pattern to application. Return whole application to: Admission and Progressions Committee Department of Nursing Southern Arkansas University 100 E. University MSC 9406 Magnolia, AR Signature Date Note: It is required to petition the Department of Nursing Chair prior to any deviation of the above proposed curriculum plan. 25

27 Southern Arkansas University Department of Nursing Alternate Progression Plan Name Date Address City, State, Zip Address Identification Number Phone Explain your reason for requesting an Alternate Progression Plan: Use to indicate your proposed curriculum plan. List the courses you will take by semester. Signature: Date: Note: It is required to petition the Department of Nursing Chair for readmission. 26

28 Standardized Assessment Policy NURS3206 Foundations, NURS3203 Pharmacology, NURS3083 Mental Health NURS3306 Acute Care, NURS4207 OB, and NURS4207 PEDS The student will take two (2) proctored standardized assessments as part of the course requirements to verify mastery of course concepts. Each proctored standardized assessment will be weighted as 5% of the course grade (total of 10%). The expectation is that a student will score the benchmark of Level II. This achievement demonstrates mastery in course content area required to support academic readiness for subsequent curricular content. If a level II or higher is not achieved after the student s first attempt, a required remediation will be implemented (see Remediation Process below) o If the student has not achieved a Level II or higher after the second exam and completes the course with a letter grade of C or higher, the student will automatically be enrolled in a mandatory remediation course. Students will be required to complete a non-proctored practice assessment and submit documentation to verify completion prior to each proctored standardized assessment. The nonproctored practice assessments will be taken in the following order. Version A prior to the 1 st proctored standardized assessment. Version B prior to the 2 nd proctored standardized assessment. Students must achieve a score of greater than or equal to 90% on the practice assessment. o Students may take the practice assessment as many times as needed to achieve the minimum 90% score; however, the 90% must be achieved 24 hours prior to the scheduled proctored standardized assessment. Students will have a 4 hour lock-out between practice assessments. Failure to achieve a 90% on the non-proctored practice assessment 24 hours prior to the proctored standardized examination will result in a 10% deduction per day from the proctored assessment grade. See individual course calendars for assessment dates. Remediation Process After the first proctored standardized assessment, students not achieving a level II will be required to complete the following: a. Create a focused review within Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). b. Meet with the course faculty to review learning needs, identify appropriate resources, and develop a remediation plan which may include: 1. Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) remediation templates 2. Focused review assignments 3. NCLEX style questions 27

29 4. Case studies c. A second practice assessment (Version B) at 90% or higher to re-test, and meet with the course faculty before taking 2 nd proctored standardized assessment to show proof of adequate remediation. Standardized Assessment Policy NURS 4306 Complex Care The student will take two (2) proctored standardized assessments as part of the course requirements to verify mastery of course concepts. Each proctored standardized assessment will be weighted as 5% of the course grade (total of 10%). The expectation is that a student will score the benchmark of Level II or higher. This achievement demonstrates mastery in course content area required to support academic readiness for the NCLEX. If a level II or higher is not achieved after the student s first attempt, a required remediation will be implemented (see Remediation Process below) Students who do not achieve a Level I or higher on at least one proctored standardized assessment and fails to demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge in the course content area required will receive a D grade in the course. Students will be required to complete a non-proctored practice assessment and submit documentation to verify completion, prior to each proctored standardized assessment. The nonproctored practice assessments will be completed in the following order: Version A prior to the 1 st proctored standardized assessment. Version B prior to the 2 nd proctored standardized assessment. Students must achieve a score of greater than or equal to 90% on the non-proctored practice assessment. Students may take the practice assessment as many times as needed to achieve the minimum 90% score; however, the 90% must be achieved 24 hours prior to the scheduled proctored assessment. Students will have a 4 hour lock-out between practice assessments Failure to achieve a 90% on the non-proctored practice assessment 24 hours prior to the proctored standardized assessment will result in 10% deduction per day from the proctored assessment grade. See individual course calendars for testing dates. Remediation Process After the first proctored standardized assessment, students not achieving a level II will be required to complete the following: a. Create a focused review within Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). b. Meet with the course faculty to review learning needs, identify appropriate resources, and develop a remediation plan which may include: 1. Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) remediation templates 2. Focused review assignments 28

30 3. NCLEX style questions 4. Case studies c. A second practice assessment (Version B) at 90% or higher to re-test and meet with the course faculty before taking 2 nd proctored standardized assessment to show proof of adequate remediation. Standardized Assessment Policy NURS 4012 Synthesis The student will take two (2) proctored RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessments as part of the course requirements to verify mastery of course concepts. Each exam will be weighted as 5% of the course grade (total of 10%). The expectation is that a student will score a predicted probability of NCLEX success equal to or greater than 92%. If a predicted probability of NCLEX success of 92% or greater is not achieved after the student s first attempt, a required remediation will be implemented (see Remediation Process below). Students not achieving a predicted probability of NCLEX success equal to or greater than 92% after the second exam will receive a D grade in the course. Students will be required to complete a non-proctored comprehensive online practice assessment and submit documentation to verify completion, prior to each RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessment. The non-proctored comprehensive online practice assessments will be completed in the following order: Version A prior to the 1 st proctored RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessment Version B prior to the 2 nd proctored RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessment Students must achieve a score of greater than or equal to 90% on the non-proctored comprehensive online practice assessments. Students may take the practice assessment as many times as needed to achieve the minimum 90% score; however, the 90% must be achieved 24 hours prior to the scheduled proctored RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessment. Students will have a 4 hour lock-out between practice assessments Failure to achieve a 90% on the non-proctored comprehensive online practice assessment 24 hours prior to the proctored RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessment requires a meeting with the course faculty to determine further stipulations for successful course completion. See course calendar for assessment dates. Remediation Process After the first proctored RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessment, students not achieving a predicted probability of NCLEX success of 92% or greater will be required to complete the following: a. Create a focused review within Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). 29

31 d. Meet with the course faculty to review learning needs, identify appropriate resources, and develop a remediation plan which may include: 1. Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) remediation templates 2. Focused review assignments 3. NCLEX style questions 4. Case studies e. A second non-proctored comprehensive online practice assessment (Version B) at 90% or higher to re-test and meet with the course faculty before taking 2 nd proctored RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessment to show proof of adequate remediation. Students who do not achieve a predicted probability of NCLEX success of 92%, fail to demonstrate mastery of the course concepts and will receive a D grade for the course. Students who are eligible to repeat NURS 4012 Synthesis of Nursing Concepts must successfully repeat the course to graduate from the SAU nursing program. Students failing NURS 4012 during the spring semester may choose to repeat the course during the long summer session or must repeat the course the next time the course is offered during the traditional school year. Students failing NURS 4012 during the fall semester must repeat the course the next time the course is offered during the traditional school year. Students who must repeat NURS 4012 will be responsible for the following expenses: Tuition for the course Course required remediation Students who are not eligible to repeat NURS 4012 due to previous course failures will not meet course requirements for successful completion of the course and will not graduate from the SAU nursing program per the Retention and Progression Policy (insert hyperlink). Exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the Department of Nursing Chair. All students in the nursing program are required to pass the proctored RN Comprehensive Predictor Assessment examinations with a performance score of 92% or higher in order to fulfill NURS 4012 Synthesis course requirements. Students with performance scores less than 92% after the second attempt will receive a D grade in the course and will not graduate. Updated August 2016 Standardized Exams and Remediation Program Standardized examinations are administered during the program for the purpose of student evaluation. These exams are formatted similar to NCLEX-RN, are standardized against national norms, and are valid and reliable. The examinations measure specialty content, comprehensive for the entire BSN program, or comprehensive RN content in preparation for NCLEX-RN. 30