These policies and regulations apply to all students enrolled in the
B.S.N. program and to students completing the B.S.N. component of the
B.S.N./M.S.N. Program for Registered Nurses.
Grading and Progression Policies
- A student in the School of Nursing must maintain a minimum
cumulative grade point average, GPA, of 2.0 in order to be in good
academic standing
- Students must pass required pre- or co-requisites to progress to the next level (i.e., 200- 300- 400- level courses).
- A
2.0 cumulative GPA is required in the following basic natural science
courses before entering sophomore nursing courses: chemistry, anatomy
and physiology, and microbiology.
- Required science courses and courses in the nursing major may be repeated only once, including withdrawal and audit.
- A student may repeat a total of two nursing courses in which a D or F was earned and must pass them.
- A student may repeat only one nursing "clinical/performance"
course in which a D or F was earned and must pass it. A satisfactory
clinical/performance evaluation is necessary to pass
clinical/performance courses.
- A minimum grade of C is required in all nursing courses.
- A
student in the accelerated program must be successful in the first
attempt of all nursing courses in order to meet the specified time
sequence.
Essential Criteria for Progression in the Baccalaureate Nursing Program
Baccalaureate nursing students are expected to demonstrate beginning
level cognitive and psychomotor skills in early courses and increasing
competence as they progress through the program. The clinical
evaluation tool spells out these performance expectations. Students
must attain a grade of C or better in all nursing courses.
Policies Concerning Probation and Dismissal from the School of Nursing
A 2.0 minimum GPA must be achieved each academic semester and a 2.0
cumulative GPA must be maintained. Any student who fails to achieve at
least a 2.0 GPA at the end of any academic semester or whose cumulative
GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. A student on
academic probation is allowed to register for no more than 14 hours per
semester and may not progress in nursing performance courses.
Participation in any extracurricular activities, such as student
government or intercollegiate athletics, will be reviewed and may be
restricted.
A student on probation may not graduate from the School of Nursing until she/he has achieved a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Students placed on probation may be required to attend study skills
and test-taking skills workshops prior to being removed from probation.
The following are the grounds for academic dismissal from the School of Nursing:
- Failure to gain a 2.0 cumulative GPA after two consecutive semesters on probationary status.
- Failure in three courses in any given semester.
- A cumulative GPA of less than 1.5 at the end of any academic year.
- Unsuccessful completion (D or F) of a nursing or required science course being repeated
- Unsuccessful
completion in three nursing(D or F) or required
science courses (F) throughout the course of study.
- Unsuccessful completion (D or F) in two nursing performance courses.
The School of Nursing maintains the Committee on Admissions,
Progression, and Retention to monitor student progress and to make
decisions concerning probation, academic dismissal, and subsequent
appeals.
A student may request readmission or relief from the restrictions
imposed by probation by appealing in writing to the Committee on
Admissions, Progression, and Retention c/o Associate Dean,
Undergraduate Programs.
Students dismissed from the School of Nursing may request and be
considered for retention at the university if they satisfy minimum
university requirements and if they are accepted by another School for
internal transfer. Students dismissed from the School of Nursing who
meet such requirements must transfer to another school or program.
Clinical Policies
Eligibility Requirements For Placement In Clinical Settings
Pre-registration: To be guaranteed a slot and to determine the number of sections required for clinical courses, pre-registration is required for clinical courses. Students who do not pre-register by
the last day of class in the semester previous to the planned clinical
will be placed on a wait list and are not guaranteed admission to the
course.
Assignment of Clinical Placements: In
the event that an agency declines to accept a student for clinical
placement, the SON will make reasonable good faith attempts to place
the student in a different setting. If the SON is unable obtain
clinical placements for the student after two attempts within a given
semester or three attempts over two semester because of specific student behaviors which violate agency policy, the student may be administratively withdrawn from the SON.
Criminal Behavior And Background Check Policy
Criminal background checks are mandatory for all undergraduate students prior to
the start of their clinical coursework. They may be required of
graduate students if required by the clinical agency. The SON and
clinical agencies reserve the right to review the results of the
criminal background check and to deny placement in a clinical setting
on the basis of these results.
Evidence of past or present criminal behavior identified through the background
check or through other documented evidence of criminal behavior may
lead to administrative sanctions up to, and including dismissal from
the School of Nursing. The procedures for conducting criminal
background checks are provided to students through the Office of the
Dean.
Health And Basic Life Support Requirements
Students must report, immediately in writing, any changes in health status which
impact their safety, the safety of patients or those whom the student
encounters, or which significantly affect their progression in the
program to the pertinent Associate Dean.
Students are expected to comply with all agency requirements for placement in the clinical setting. These include documentation
of health and immunization requirements and current cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) certification and may include drug/toxicology
screening.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in withdrawal from
clinical courses with resultant effect upon the progression in the
program.
Licensure:Registered Nurses in any clinical nursing program may be required to
obtain licensure as Registered Nurses in the jurisdiction of their
clinical placement.
Treatment of Information Regarding Health History and Past Criminal History
As a condition of placement in the clinical setting, the SON reserves the right to require that students sign
a waiver allowing the SON to release pertinent health or background
information to the supervising faculty member, or clinical associates
and to the clinical placement site if any of the following conditions
exist: (a) removal from prior clinical placements due to behavior or health concerns, (b) past
health history suggesting elevated risk for substance abuse, (c) past
or chronic health condition which with acute exacerbation may affect
ability to provide safe care or (d) non-academically based disciplinary action by the SON or University
Clinical Standards for Admission, Academic Progression, and Graduation in Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Programs.
By accepting admission and enrolling in the School of Nursing, the student
certifies that he/she understands, meets at the time of admission, and
continues to meet the essential eligibility requirement for clinical
placement. These requirements pertain to (a) candor, (b) health-related
behavioral standards, and (c) eligibility for placement in clinical
settings.
Candor
Candor is defined as full disclosure of pertinent information as well as
correction of inaccuracies or misperceptions. All students must
complete a health clearance form which requires disclosure of any
health conditions which may affect the student′s ability to enter
clinical settings or the ability of the School of secure clinical
placements.
Students in nursing programs with a clinical component will be required to submit
to a criminal background check and to fully disclose their relevant
health history that may impact their health or safety in a clinical
setting, or the health or safety of those around them. This
may include, but is not limited to, any history of chemical
dependency/substance use (i.e. alcohol, drugs, controlled substances).
Whether or not they represent a current threat to practice, disciplinary action or dismissal from the School of Nursing may result from failing to fully disclose relevant health history, criminal background and falsification or material omission of information.
Health-Related Behavioral Standards.
In accordance with law and University policy, no qualified individual with
a disability shall, on the basis of that disability, be excluded from
participation in The Catholic University of America programs or
activities. The SON in accord with University policy will provide
reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability.
To obtain accommodations, individuals must request them from the Office
of Disability Services
Admission and continuation in the SON programs is contingent on general
abilities, behavioral and social attributes, and the ability to
professionally manage stressful situations. The required behavioral attributes are outlined below:
General Abilities:
The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of
vision, touch, hearing, and smell so that data received by the senses
may be integrated, analyzed, and synthesized in a consistent and
accurate manner. A student must also possess the ability to perceive
pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement
that are important to the student′s ability to gather significant
information needed to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be
able to respond promptly to urgent situations that may occur during
clinical training activities and must not hinder the ability of other
members of the health care team to provide prompt treatment and care to
patients.
Observational Ability:
The student must have sufficient capacity to make accurate visual
observations and interpret them in the context of laboratory studies,
medication administration, and patient care activities. In addition,
the student must be able to document these observations and maintain
accurate records.
Communication Ability: The student must communicate effectively to
elicit information and to translate that information to others. Each
student must have the ability to read, write, comprehend and speak the
English language to facilitate communication with patients, their
family members, and other professionals in health care settings. In
addition, the student must be able to maintain accurate patient
records, present information in a professional, logical manner and
provide patient counseling and instruction to effectively care for
patients and their families. The student must communicate effectively
verbally and in writing with instructors and other students in the
classroom setting as well. This requires
verbal abilities , control of non–verbal behaviors which limit
communication and the ability to respond to non-verbal cues from
patients, fellow students, and instructors.
Motor Ability:
The student must be able to perform gross and fine motor movements with
sufficient coordination needed to perform complete physical
examinations utilizing the techniques of inspection, palpation,
percussion, auscultation, and other diagnostic maneuvers. A student
must develop the psychomotor skills reasonably needed to perform or
assist with procedures, treatments, administration of medication,
management and operation of diagnostic and therapeutic medical
equipment, and such maneuvers to assist with patient care activities
such as lifting, wheel chair guidance, and mobility. The student must
have sufficient levels of neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand
coordination as well as possess the physical and mental stamina to meet
the demands associated with satisfactory and safe performance in the
clinical and classroom settings including performing CPR if necessary.
Intellectual, Conceptual, and Quantitative Abilities:
The student must be able to develop and refine problem-solving skills
that are crucial to practice as a nurse. Problem solving involves the
abilities to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize
objective and subjective data, and to make decisions, often in a time
urgent environment, that reflect consistent and thoughtful deliberation
and sound clinical judgment. Each student must demonstrate mastery of
these skills and possess the ability to formulate sound judgment in
patient assessment, intervention, evaluation, teaching, and setting
short and long term goals.
Behavioral and Social Attributes:
Compassion, integrity, motivation, effective interpersonal skills, and
concern for others are personal attributes required of those in the
nursing programs. Comfort with and acceptance of the role of a nurse
functioning under supervision of a clinical instructor or preceptor is
essential for a nursing student. The student must possess the skills
required for full utilization of the student’s intellectual abilities;
the exercise of good judgment; the prompt completion of all
responsibilities in the classroom and clinical settings; and the
development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with
patients and other members of the health care team. Each student must
be able to exercise stable, sound judgment and to complete assessment
and interventional activities. The ability to establish rapport and
maintain sensitive, interpersonal relationships with individuals,
families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and
intellectual backgrounds is critical for practice as a nurse. The
student must be able to adapt to changing environments; display
flexibility; accept and integrate constructive criticism given in the
classroom and clinical settings; effectively interact in the clinical
setting with other members of the healthcare team; and learn to
function cooperatively and efficiently in the face of uncertainties
inherent in clinical practice.
Ability to Manage Stressful Situations:
The student must be able to adapt to and function effectively to
stressful situations in both the classroom and clinical settings,
including emergency situations. Students will encounter multiple
stressors while in the nursing programs. These stressors may be (but
are not limited to) personal, patient care/family, faculty/peer, and or
program related.
Unsafe Practice
Unsafe practice is defined as behavior which threatens, or has the potential
to threaten, the safety of a client, another student, a faculty member,
or other health care provider in the clinical placement.
Students are not allowed to practice in a clinical setting without the knowledge or supervision of a faculty member.
Students who exhibit potentially unsafe practice during a clinical experience
may be immediately withdrawn from the clinical setting. This decision
may be made by the clinical faculty or at the request of the clinical agency.
Students who are at risk for unsafe practice may also be prevented from attending their clinical practicum or experience, until the unsafe practice concern has been investigated and satisfactorily resolved. Exact procedures for reporting, documenting, investigating and resolving concerns regarding unsafe practice are found in the SON students clinical practice guidelines.
If the concern cannot be , resolved, the student may be subject to additional administrative sanctions and may be subject to administrative dismissal from the program and the SON.
The student has the right to follow the published University procedures in the event of course failure or program dismissal
Clinical/Lab Attendance
1. Clinical/Lab attendance is mandatory.
2. Unexcused absences will not be accepted. The composite course grade
will be lowered by one (1) grade level for each unexcused absence
(i.e., A to A-). Excused absences are defined in the course syllabus and examination policies of the relevant clinical courses.
3. One excused absence, while accepted, will necessitate a make-up assignment at the discretion of the faculty. Failure to complete the assignment will lower the composite course grade by one (1) grade level (i.e., A to A-). Further excused absences
may affect the student grade and possibly progression in the program.
4. The student is expected to notify the appropriate persons, as
identified in specific courses, of an emergency requiring an absence or
tardiness prior to the beginning of the clinical/lab experience. The student is responsible to be aware of the specific requirements for each course and to follow those procedures.
5. Habitual tardiness to clinical/lab, defined as more than one occurrence, will result in lowering of the composite course grade by one level (i.e., A to A-) for each occurrence.
HIPPA Adherence
All students are expected to comply with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as applied to clinical education.
Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in immediate removal from
the clinical settings and additional academic sanctions including course failure and if necessary dismissal.
Specifically, it is expected that all students in SON arrange to complete training on HIPAA prior to participating in clinical practica or rotations; if this training is not provided by the clinical agency as part of the orientation process, the student is expected to complete the CUA HIPAA tutorial http://counsel.cua.edu/employment/publications/
Students are expected to maintain the privacy of individually identifiable health information (IIHI ) by taking the following steps to protect against disclosure of IIHI:
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Students in a clinical setting must ensure that they do not bring IIHI back
acquired during their clinical coursework into the classroom. Students are expected to remove identifying information when discussing their clinical experiences as part of coursework.
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Students should not retain any IIHI after the need to use it has ended.
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IIHI must be used only for research and/or education. Students must not share or discuss information outside the educational setting.
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Students are expected to follow the HIPAA guidelines of the clinical placement setting. Students should read, understand, sign and follow
confidentiality and privacy policy statements, which will vary from site to site. For example, a health care facility or clinical site may have a strict rule prohibiting taking any IIHI from the setting back to the classroom.
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Student Responsibility
Attendance. The faculty and administration in the School of Nursing consider attendance in class necessary to master the
body of knowledge needed for safe clinical practice and adequate preparation for licensure. Therefore, class and clinical/lab attendance
is mandatory. The responsibility for prompt and regular class and clinical/lab attendance rests upon the individual student. Professors
are responsible for establishing and communicating policy regarding documentation and consequences of absenteeism in their individual
classes. This may include requiring authentication of unavoidable absences and the inability for a student to receive a passing grade.
Transportation to Agencies. The student is expected to assume responsibility for transportation in connection with the clinical
practice, community health practice and field trips. Public transportation is often available at these sites.
Insurance. All sophomore, junior and senior students are required to carry malpractice insurance. It is available through the
university. This insurance applies only for clinical practice while enrolled in university courses. It does not cover students involved in personal employment. See Fees and Expenses in the General Information section of these Announcements.
Health Clearance. The student is required to meet School of Nursing health requirements prior to admission and prior to entering clinical coursework.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, CPR. The student is required to meet basic CPR requirements prior to entering clinical coursework.
Drug/Alcohol Screen. A negative drug and alcohol screen may be required.
Security/Background Checks. Beginning with the sophomore year, background checks are required prior to entering clinical coursework.
1 May be taken either semester.
2 At least one of
the 200-level TRS courses must be numbered 200-261; students of
non-Christian background may take TRS 291 to fulfill this requirement.
