Upper Iowa University RN TO BSN STUDENT HANDBOOK. 1 P a g e

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1 Upper Iowa University RN TO BSN STUDENT HANDBOOK P a g e

2 Table of Contents Updated July 2014 A Message from the Director of Nursing Education and the Dean of Student Development 3 For Your Information for all RN-BSN Students 4 UIU Mission and Vision Statements 4 Nursing Program Mission Statement, Goals and Outcomes 4 Program Admission, Progression and Graduation 5 Program Health and Welfare 7 Financial Aid Application Process 7 Tuition Payment 8 Education Tax Credits 8 UIU Services 8 General Expectations and Tips for Student Learners 10 Academic Calendar 11 Cedar Rapids Center Nursing Students 12 Des Moines Center and Mary Greeley Nursing Students 12 Mesa Center Nursing Students 13 Online Center Nursing Students 13 Fayette Campus Nursing Students 14 Fayette Campus Services 14 Know the Code 18 Code of Student Responsibility 18 Respect for the University Environment 18 University Community Standards and Regulations 18 Amnesty Protocol 21 Disciplinary Matters 21 Safety 24 It s Our Policy 25 Affirmative Action/Section 504/Title IX Hearing Committee 25 and Grievance Procedure AIDS Guidelines 25 Campus Security and Safety Report 26 Discrimination and Harassment Policy 35 Nondiscrimination Policy 37 Policy on Acceptable Use of Technology 37 Policy for Students Called to Active Military Duty or Alerted for Deployment 40 Sexual Abuse Policy and Procedures 41 Student Records and Release of Student Information Policy 43 Substance Abuse Policy and Guidelines 45 Tobacco Free 47 Weapons Policy 47 Young Visitors on Campus 48 Appendix Progression Sheets for FT/PT A 2 P a g e

3 A Message from the Chair, Department of Nursing and the Dean of Student Development Welcome to the Upper Iowa University RN-BSN program! The decision to return to college and advance your nursing education is life changing. Not only will you advance your career and develop a greater understanding of nursing knowledge, you will gain the respect of family, friends and co-workers. Finally, I hope you leave with a great sense of personal pride. I am so pleased that you have selected this program to further your nursing education. Learning in our program is cooperative and it will be exciting to see what we learn together! This handbook provides you with information about the policies here at Upper Iowa University. Please feel free to ask questions to clarify anything you read in the handbook. Make the most of your time here and enjoy your educational experience. Once a peacock; always a peacock! Sincerely, Virginia Ginny Wangerin, MSN, PhDc, RN, CNE Director of Nursing Education / Department Chair Des Moines Center, 5000 Westown Parkway, Suite 200, West Des Moines, Iowa Telephone: (515) wangerinv@uiu.edu The Office of Student Development welcomes you as a RN to BSN student to the University. We realize that your time is limited so we want to provide information that is important for you to know. We have included the specific services that are available to you, in addition to the University policies and procedures. This handbook is divided into Services (All Nursing Students, Cedar Rapids Center Nursing Students, Des Moines Center Nursing Students, Mary Greeley Nursing Students, Mesa Center Nursing Students, Online Nursing Students & Fayette Campus Nursing Students), Knowing Our Code and University Policies. As it relates to the Office of Student Development, here are a few people you need to be aware of during tenure at Upper Iowa University. The following individuals are located in the Student Center and can assist you with information presented in this handbook: Administrative Assistant to the Office of Student Development Kari Solheim Office Assistants to the Office of Student Development Jenn Biederman and Lea VanHorn Associate Dean of Student Development Jean Merkle Interim Director of Career Development Hope Trainor We hope you enjoy your at Upper Iowa University and we look forward to meeting you. Sincerely, Louise K. Stivers-Scott Dean of Student Development Fayette Campus, 605 Washington Street, Fayette, IA Telephone: scottl@uiu.edu Notice: This Upper Iowa University Student Handbook contains information regarding resources, services and related policies and procedures. Every effort has been made to make the student handbook accurate as of the date of publication. However, Upper Iowa University reserves the right to change policies or revise the information contained in this handbook. All such changes will be effective at the time deemed appropriate by the proper institutional authorities and may apply to enrolled as well as prospective students. To view the most current version of this handbook, the reader is directed to our website: In the event of discrepancies related to the information contained in the printed copy and electronic version of this handbook, the information contained in the printed copy will be superseded by the electronic version of this handbook. 3 P a g e

4 For Your Information UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY S MISSION STATEMENT Upper Iowa University provides student-centered undergraduate and graduate educational programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems in an environment in which diversity is respected, encouraged and nurtured. UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY S VISION STATEMENT Upper Iowa University will be recognized and respected as an exceptional and ascending institution of higher learning, developing global citizens who become lifelong learners prepared for leadership within society. NURSING PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS AND OUTCOMES The purpose of Upper Iowa University s RN-BSN program is to enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the registered nurse practicing in a rapidly changing health care environment. Our specific program goals are listed below. By the end of the RN-BSN program, the graduate will be able to: Goal 1. Integrate theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice in a collaborative healthcare delivery environment. 1. Outcome: Perform a comprehensive health history and assessment in providing evidence-based and patient-centered care. 2. Outcome: Apply the principles of pathology in managing safe and effective patient-centered care. 3. Outcome: Promote optimal health, healing and disease prevention through effective utilization of teaching and learning principles. 4. Outcome: Demonstrate the ability to utilize research to advance nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. 5. Outcome: Collaborate with members of the health care team to improve care processes leading to enhanced patient outcomes. Goal 2. Demonstrate leadership and teamwork to improve outcomes in a variety of settings. 1. Outcome: Utilize an understanding of health care organizations and the environment in which health care is provided to support quality health care delivery. 2. Outcome: Demonstrate the professional skills and personal qualities that characterize effective nurse leaders and managers. 3. Outcome: Investigate the multiple and varied roles of the nurse in issues of health care and nursing. 4. Outcome: Value different styles of communication used by patients, families, and health care providers. 5. Outcome: Recognize the unique and varied contributions of self and others in developing an effective health care team. Goal 3. Manage technology and resources to communicate, support and provide quality care across the health care continuum. 1. Outcome: Appreciate that information and technology skills are essential for safe patient care. 2. Outcome: Utilize technology to access information that supports decision-making. 3. Outcome: Identify the application of technology and information management tools to coordinate and support the quality and safety of patient care. Goal 4. Develop practices of life-long learning through seeking knowledge and assimilating professional standards, ethical principles, and legal accountability in nursing practice. 1. Outcome: Demonstrate ethical principles, legal implications, and professional behaviors that guide nursing practice. 2. Outcome: Incorporate professional standards of practice while assuming personal responsibility for lifelong learning. 3. Outcome: Value the need for continuous improvement in clinical practice based on evolving knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the professional nurse. We facilitate graduate attainment of these goals through active learning opportunities in both online and classroom environments. Students apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes through faculty guided learning experiences in the community. We are committed to the advancement of professional nursing through baccalaureate education. Upper Iowa University has been developing leaders in many fields since 1857 the nursing program continues that tradition. The nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Revised February 17, 2012; 01/14, 07/14 4 P a g e

5 RN-BSN PROGRAM ADMISSION, PROGRESSION AND GRADUATION Admission to the RN-BSN program requires the following: 1. Complete an application form located at 2. Complete a secure, online, CertifiedBackground profile, which includes: a. Evidence of RN licensure in state of attendance, or a compact state if applicable b. Evidence of current CPR certification c. Evidence of meeting current health requirements i. Validation of satisfactory health status signed by health care provider within one year of application to Upper Iowa University. ii. Documentation of immune status to communicable diseases consistent with current national and/or state guidelines for health care workers. iii. Permission granted to release health information to clinical agencies as needed for participation in clinical education experiences d. Completed and approved background check 3. Have an overall college grade point average (GPA) of Successful completion or registered to complete pre-requisites of Computer Applications, Composition ll, and Critical Thinking. Pre-requisites must be complete before beginning the nursing major (NUR) courses. Students accepted to a Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) must meet the admission and progression requirements of Upper Iowa University and the partnering community college as presented in the official CEP program brochure. The process for admission is as follows: 1. An application must be completed and can be submitted in the following ways: a. Submitting your application online at b. By contacting the Upper Iowa University Nursing Program at one of the following locations: 605 Washington Street 1361 South Alma School Road P.O. Box 1857 Mesa, AZ Fayette, Iowa (480) (563) The Director of Nursing Education will make an admission decision upon submission and completion of the following information: a. Completed CertifiedBackground profile including Evidence of unencumbered RN license in state of attendance, or a compact state if applicable Evidence of current CPR certification Evidence of meeting current health requirements - Validation of satisfactory health status signed by health care provider within one year of application to Upper Iowa University. - Documentation of immune status to communicable diseases consistent with current national and/or state guidelines for health care workers. - Permission granted to release health information to clinical agencies as needed for participation in clinical education experiences. Completed and approved background check b. Official transcript(s) from all colleges attended. c. Completed application form. d. Successful completion or enrolled to complete pre-requisites of Computer Applications, Composition ll, and Critical Thinking. Pre-requisites must be complete before beginning the nursing major (NUR) courses. 3. Notification of admission decision will be sent in writing to all applicants. 4. You can begin your studies at the time that works best for you. General education courses may be started any time once you are admitted to the University. After you are admitted to the Nursing Program, full-time or part-time study is possible with an August or March start in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Mesa. An August start date is available at Mary Greeley Medical Center. Online starts are in August, January and May. Approved November, 2006, Council for Residential Studies; Updated 3/12; 1/14; 7/14 5 P a g e

6 Progression in the RN-BSN program requires the following: 1. Meet the progression requirements stated in the Upper Iowa University Catalog for the current year including, but not limited to, GPA requirements. 2. Must achieve a C- or above to progress in any course required for the nursing major. If a grade less than a C- is received, the course must be repeated. A course required for the nursing major may only be repeated once. 3. Maintain current CPR certification records with the nursing program through CertifiedBackground. 4. Maintain documentation of immune status to communicable diseases consistent with current national and/or state guidelines for health care workers through CertifiedBackground. 5. Purchase professional liability insurance through Upper Iowa University when enrolled in a course with clinical experiences. The fee for this insurance will be automatically billed for the applicable courses. 6. Have current, unencumbered RN licensure in the state of attendance or a compact state if applicable. The Administrative Rules (chapter 2) of the Iowa Board of Nursing states that nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person: a. Who has been denied licensure by the board. b. Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any United States jurisdiction. c. Whose license/registration is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action. Approved November 2006 Council for Residential Studies; Updated 3/12, 01/14, 7/14 Graduation from the RN-BSN program requires the student to meet the graduation criteria stated in the Upper Iowa University Catalog for the applicable year. 6 P a g e

7 RN-BSN PROGRAM HEALTH AND WELFARE The health requirements are as follows: 1. Students are required to produce documentation for all health requirements to CertifiedBackground. This includes: a. Validation of satisfactory health status signed by health care provider within one year of application to Upper Iowa University. b. Documentation of immune status to communicable diseases consistent with current national and/or state guidelines for health care workers. c. Permission granted to release health information to clinical agencies as needed for participation in clinical education experiences. 2. Students are required to participate in an educational session on universal precautions that meets OSHA rules. Students may participate in training offered at Upper Iowa University or may document training (initial and/or yearly) through a place of employment. 3. Students are required to participate in an educational session on HIPAA requirements prior to clinical experience or document training obtained through a place of employment. 4. Clinical agencies may require a drug screening test before a student participates in clinical experiences at that agency. The student may be disallowed from participation on the basis of the drug test. 5. Injuries sustained while on the Fayette campus of Upper Iowa University should be handled in the method specified in the Upper Iowa University Student Handbook. 6. Injuries sustained while participating in a clinical education experience should be handled according to the clinical facility protocol. In addition, the student will notify either the Upper Iowa University instructor responsible for the course or the Director of Nursing Education/Department Chair of the injury. Needle pricks and mucous membrane/non intact skin exposure to body fluids constitute an injury. Approved, Director of Nursing Education, September 2006; Updated 8/09, 4/12 FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS Follow the application steps at least ten weeks before the start of your first enrollment. 1. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Our school code is You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) within approximately 4-6 weeks. The SAR summarizes the information you provided on your application. 2. The Department of Education or Upper Iowa's Financial Aid Office may select you for "verification." If selected, you will be sent a verification worksheet, which must be completed and submitted to your center with a copy of your signed previous year's U.S. income tax return and W2s. If married and spouse filed separately, your spouse's return and W2s must also be included. If you filed as a dependent student, a copy of your parent's signed tax return must also be included. PLEASE NOTE: If we have not received your admission application, academic transcripts, and/or high school transcript from all previously attended schools, your financial aid will be delayed. You must be officially accepted for admission to the University to be eligible for financial aid. 3. Once the Financial Aid Office has all required correct information in your file, you will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter (approximately two to four weeks). 4. If you have been awarded a Federal Stafford Loan and wish to borrow these funds, you must complete the loan request form that will be enclosed with your award letter or may be obtained from your center office. As a new borrower, you will also need to file a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN alleviates you from having to complete a new promissory note for loans each year. By completing the MPN, you are authorizing Upper Iowa University to certify Federal Stafford Loans requested by you on the loan request form. 5. You must be a degree-seeking student to be eligible for financial aid. 7 P a g e

8 TUITION PAYMENT (NOT USING FINANCIAL AID) The full tuition amount due for the term is required to be paid by the first day of class. We will accept the following forms of payment: Check Money order MasterCard or Visa (please be sure to include number and expiration date) NO CASH ACCEPTED Upper Iowa University works in cooperation with programs such as: Ch. 31 Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation benefits Military Tuition Assistance Department of Workforce Development Various tuition reimbursement programs through employers. Check with your employer regarding your company s policy. These benefits are very individualized and will require personal consultation with the Manager of Student Accounts. Please note that Financial Aid can also be used in conjunction with these programs. EDUCATIONAL TAX CREDITS Federal income tax credits are available to persons who pay higher education costs. The amount of credit is determined by the amount of qualified tuition and related expenses paid for a student and the amount of the tax filer s adjusted gross income. Education tax credits are subtracted from the tax amount owed. For more information concerning how to qualify for these credits, call the IRS Help Line at or call and ask for the IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education. Details are also available on-line at UIU SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ALL UIU STUDENTS Advancement and Alumni Center The Advancement and Alumni Center exists to help alumni stay connected with their alma mater and to raise money in support of Upper Iowa University. The office helps organize Homecoming, tailgaters, Team Peacock s ride in RAGBRAI and other alumni events around the world. Another responsibility is maintaining alumni records, and alumni are encouraged to contact the center when they have news to share (e.g., marriage, children, a new address, a job change, etc.). In the area of advancement, the office seeks gifts from alumni, friends and foundations/corporations to fund student scholarships, fund programs and remodel or build new buildings. Campus Store Students may purchase their textbooks, UIU apparel, school/residence hall supplies, and materials for class in the University store, The Peacock Connection, located in the lower level of the Student Center or online at: All purchases are cash, check or credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa). The campus store hours are Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Career Development Your career is always a work-in-progress and in perpetual motion. The goal of the Office of Career Development, located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (Room 225), is to help you keep moving in the right direction toward a successful career and future. The Office of Career Development assists students with choosing a major, resume/cover letter reviews, internship leads, interview skills, graduate school information, job search skill development as well as general career counseling and other career related topics. To schedule a time to speak with a staff member, call (563) or careers@uiu.edu. For more information, visit us at Computer and Accounts Your computer and accounts have been set up personally for you with a username and password. You will need your username and password in order to access Upper Iowa University s computers. You will receive your username and password at the beginning of the academic year (or initial term of enrollment). Each student also 8 P a g e

9 has his/her own personal network folder for storage of personal files. To report problems, call the IT Team at (563) or send an to Disability Services Upper Iowa University Disability Services (UIUDS) is committed to ensuring equal access to and full participation in educational and co-curricular activities to students with disabilities. The University will make accommodations for only those students who report a disability and provide appropriate documentation. For appropriate accommodations to be made, current documentation must be on file with the Coordinator of Disability Services (CDS). Documentation is required to establish both the presence of a disability and the need for accommodations. Current IEP s or Section 504 Plans may or may not be sufficient. If not sufficient, further documentation from external sources, such as an evaluation by a licensed psychologist or doctor may be required. Documentation must support the requested accommodations. It is the student s responsibility to arrange and pay for all needed disability assessments. Services for students with disabilities are tailored to meet individual needs in order to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of The procedure to receive services through UIUDS is as follows: 1. Student submits a Voluntary Disclosure Request for Services Form to the CDS and provides appropriate documentation of disability (see Disability Services Handbook for explanation of documentation. Handbook can be found online at ). 2. A meeting will be held with the student and the CDS to discuss the disclosed disability and the provided documentation. For Fayette students, this meeting will take place on campus in the Coordinator s office. For AE students, this meeting is conducted over the phone. During the meeting, an interview will be conducted. The purpose of the interview is to provide the student with an opportunity to offer further historical information about their disability, the barriers the disability presents and the student s requested accommodations. Final approval of accommodations for the upcoming term will be made during this meeting. A Request for Accommodations Contract will be completed for each course during this meeting as well. 3. A Fayette student meets with each of his/her professors for the upcoming term to discuss the approved accommodations and obtains the professors signatures for the Request for Accommodations Contract. For an AE student, the accommodations contract is ed to the instructors by the CDS for the student. 4. The student should bring all concerns regarding accommodations to the attention of the CDS. 5. If, at any time, a student cannot reach the CDS or is in disagreement with the CDS, he or she is encouraged to contact the Director of Academic Success. 6. A new Request for Accommodations Contract needs to be completed for each class, each term for requested accommodations to be implemented. The student is responsible for requesting accommodations for each term. For Fayette students this request is made to the CDS. For AE students, all requests for accommodations contracts made after their initial term, are made to their Center Director or Academic Advisor. 7. Services for students with disabilities are tailored to meet individual needs in order to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of The Coordinator of Disability Services is located in the Office of Student Development (2nd floor of the Student Center) and can be reached by dialing (563) ID Cards Nursing students will have their UIU ID card made during orientation. This ID card also serves as your UIU name tag when in clinical facilities as a student. If your ID card is lost, misplaced, or stolen, please report to the Office of Student Development at (563) There is a $15 charge for ID card replacement. Library Services Henderson-Wilder Library, located on the Fayette campus, supports Upper Iowa University s undergraduate and graduate academic programs by providing a full range of information resources and services that encourage learning, study, research, and collaboration. The library provides access to collections, both in print and online, that meet the curricular, research, and collaborative needs of the total university. Access to electronic resources is available 24/7 through the library s website at all subscription based databases may be accessed with the student s authorization credentials (myuiu) at anytime and anywhere thus providing library resources for UIU s global community. The library is open 84 hours per week and provides a positive, pleasant and quiet study environment. As a learning resource center, the library houses two computer labs, a tutor center, and an education curriculum resource library; it serves as an additional federal depository of United States government documents, and is an access point for Iowa 9 P a g e

10 Workforce Development program providing a local access point to the state of Iowa website for those Iowa students, veterans and unemployed who are searching for employment information. The library houses a collection of over 150,000 volumes of processed print and multimedia materials with additional electronic access to e-book collections and thousands of full-text journals, references, newspapers, maps, etc. via the library website Henderson-Wilder Library participates in many interlibrary loan networks and resource-sharing consortiums in Iowa, the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Western United States, enabling the library staff to obtain any published and circulating material that is not owned by Upper Iowa University. The library is able to meet students informational needs through interlibrary loan services which are available to ALL UIU students. Library staff may be contacted by phone or during regular library hours. Contact information is located at the Upper Iowa University website at GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AND TIPS FOR STUDENT LEARNERS If you find yourself becoming lost in the material or you do not understand what is being presented, ask your instructor immediately. Eight weeks goes by quickly, so do not get left in the dust. Ask for assistance when you need it. Figure approximately two hours of homework for each hour of class per week. You may need more or less time depending on the subject. Faculty members are as much facilitators as they are teachers who lecture. UIU promotes peer learning so you will be involved with your peers throughout your college experience. Group work is not unusual for coursework or assignments. Coursework can and will be very interactive to gain the most from an experiential learning environment. Be prepared to do public speaking and/or presentations in some of your classes, especially for senior project. Remember to dress, speak and act the part just as you would in any professional circumstance. Be prepared to take tests and quizzes, as well as write papers and essays. Students are expected to have textbooks the first day of class. Cheating, Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism Because cheating, academic dishonesty and plagiarism are affronts to the University community as a whole and a denial of the offender s own integrity they will not be tolerated. Cheating includes, but is not limited, to: the use of unauthorized books, notes or other sources in the giving or securing of help in an examination or other course assignments the copying of other students work or allowing others to copy your work the submission of work that is not your own or allowing others to submit your work as theirs the submission of the same work for two or more classes without the approval of any instructors involved Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited, to: sharing academic materials knowing they will be used inappropriately having access to another person s work without permission providing false or incomplete information on an academic document changing student records without approval Plagiarism includes, but is not limited, to: the presentation of another s published or unpublished work as one s own taking words or ideas of another and either copying them or paraphrasing them without proper citation of the source using charts, graphs, statistics or tables without proper citation Detected cheating, academic dishonesty, or plagiarism will result in consequences that may, at the instructor s discretion, include course failure. In addition, an offender may be reported to the University Administration for possible disciplinary action, which may include suspension or dismissal from the University. Upper Iowa University may make use of various plagiarism detection services. Individuals, by enrolling in courses offered by the University, consent to submission by the University of course-related assignments to such services and the retention of a copy of such assignments by the service. 10 P a g e