General
Policy
The Trinity
Health System School of Nursing reserves the right to revise the
curriculum, educational policies, tuition and fees as considered
necessary.
Attendance
Policy
Classroom
activities are essential to learning and to the application of knowledge.
The student is responsible for knowing and meeting all course requirements,
including tests, assignments, and class participation, as indicated
by the course instructor.
Students will be expected to attend all scheduled classes including
clinical conferences. If a student is absent from class, the
student will
be held responsible for all work missed due to this absence. Absence
from class or the clinical area must be reported to the residence
assistants' desk by 7:30am..
Students are not to schedule doctor appointments, dentist appointments,
interviews, etc., during times scheduled for class and/or clinical
experiences. Any request for time off from class for vital situations
should be presented in writing to the director.
Students
must complete and submit all assignments on time. If an
assignment will be late, it is the student's responsibility to
notify the instructor. For each weekday that an assignment is
turned in late, five percent (5%) will be deducted from the final
grade of the assignment. No assignment will be accepted more
than five (5) week days past the due date and a grade of
"0" will be assigned. Emergency situations will be
considered on a case-by-case basis.
The
instructor has no obligation to give make-up examinations or to
review other class work missed by a student as a result of absence.
However, if the instructor chooses to administer makeup exams/classwork/clinical
assignments, the format of the make-up work will be determined by
the instructor. If an exam/quiz is missed, the student must take
the exam/quiz within 5 - week days, or a grade of "0" will
be assigned. Students are responsible for making arrangements
with the instructor Emergency situations will be considered
on a case-by-case basis.
Clinical
Attendance:
Absence
from a clinical experience must be reported directly to the nursing
unit where the experience is scheduled and the Residence Assistant's
desk by 6:45am.
In
all nursing courses, two (2) clinical absences will result in the
issuance of a Clinical Warning, three (3) clinical absences will
result in the issuance of Clinical Probation; and four (4) or more
clinical absences may result in the issuance of a Clinical
Failure. Emergency situations will be considered on a
case-by-case basis.
Clinical
Make-up time is planned when clinical objectives cannot be met
because of absences, and will be arranged at the convenience of the
Level Instructors Students missing clinical because of
unpreparedness will also be required to make-up the clinical
days. Unpreparedness includes, but is not limited to, failure
to produce evidence of CPR certification or mandatory health work before the first
clinical experience of each semester/session, or failure to produce
knowledge or skill level safe for practice. A fee of $25 will
be charged for each clinical make-up day. A fee of $10 will be
charged for each clinical make-up scheduled Skills Lab. Fees
must be paid to the Administrative Secretary prior to the make-up
time and evidence of payment must be presented to the instructor.
Required
clinical experiences that cannot be rescheduled and, therefore,
prevent the student from meeting the course objectives, will result
in the student receiving an unsatisfactory clinical grade which will
result in clinical/academic failure.
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Transportation
Policy
Students
are responsible for their own transportation for all experiences
as required by the curriculum. Trinity Health System and the School
of Nursing are not responsible for liability incurred in travel.
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Probation Policy
According to the School's Progression Policy, students must
satisfactorily complete each semester/session of the program before
progressing to the succeeding semester/session. Grades for each
course are calculated at midterm. Any student whose midterm grade is
below the required "2.0" or 77% will be placed on Academic
Probation. Students are notified in writing when placed on Academic
Probation. The Course Lead Instructor meets with each student on
Academic Probation and completes the Student Probation/Progression
Report. The student will document a Plan for Improvement on the
report and sign the report at that meeting. The probationary status
must be corrected by the completion of the course or the student
automatically becomes ineligible for progression into the subsequent
semester/session.
The School's Progression Policy also addresses that a satisfactory
clinical evaluation is required in each Nursing course in order for
a student to be eligible for progression into the subsequent
semester/session. Students who are not meeting the established
Course Objectives as outlined on the Student's Appraisal of Clinical
Competence Form will be placed on Clinical Probation by their
Clinical Instructor. Clinical Probation can be established any time
that a student is not achieving the clinical objectives. The
Clinical Instructor will complete the Student Probation/Progression
Report and secure the student's signature and Plan for Improvement
at the time the student is placed on Clinical Probation. The
probationary status must be corrected by the completion of the
course or the student automatically becomes ineligible for
progression into the subsequent semester/session.
Policy of Student Evaluation
Student are evaluated both didactically and clinically in the
nursing course they are enrolled. Didactic components of the course
include exams, quizzes and student projects. Clinical components of
the course include clinical labs and clinical assignments, which may
include providing direct patient care or observing patient care.
Each nursing course follows the Academic Policies of the School
found in the Student Handbook and the School catalog and website.
Didactic evaluation is completed through exams, quizzes, and student
projects. Students are informed of didactic evaluation via the
nursing course syllabus and course schedule. Grades are calculated
at midterm and students are informed of their progress. If the
course grade average is less than 77% the student is placed on
probation (See Probation Policy). Final grades are computed after
the completion of all course requirements. Students may receive
their final grades from the Lead Instructor. The Lead Instructor
submits the grade sheet to the Secretary to Director who completes
the Course Grade Reports and updates the Student Transcripts. Grade
reports are mailed to each student.
Clinical evaluation is completed daily. The Student Appraisal of
Clinical Competence is completed no less than 4 times a
semester/session inclusive of midterm and final evaluations. Weekly
written anecdotal records are maintained and discussed with each
student. Instructors document pertinent information about a
student's progression or lack of progression. Individual, informal
conferences are held as necessary. The clinical experience is graded
as "S" (Satisfactory), "U" (Unsatisfactory), or "NO" (No opportunity
to observe).
Satisfactory performance is defined as:
A. Integration into student performance of each Nursing Course
Objective. The expected clinical performance is demonstrated through
satisfactory accomplishment of each course objective.
B. Demonstration of consistent progression in the clinical
performance of the identified course's nursing practice.
Unsatisfactory performance is defined as:
A. No integration into student performance of any one Nursing
Course Objective.
B. No demonstration of consistent progression in the clinical
performance of the identified course's nursing practice.
In the event that the student did not have the opportunity to
complete a component of the clinical objective, the instructor
documents NO.
Students may be placed on clinical probation anytime during the
semester (See Probation Policy).
Progression
Policy
Students must
satisfactorily complete each semester/session of the program before
progressing to the succeeding semester/session.
Levels of learning and specific behavioral changes are identified
throughout the program. The student is evaluated according to
these objectives prior to progression to the subsequent level.
The faculty recommends students for progression.
Students receive official grade reports at the end of each semester/session.
Students are notified in writing when placed on probation. The
probationary status must be corrected by the completion of the
course or the student automatically becomes ineligible for progression
into the subsequent semester/session.
A student
whose achievement is low or failing is counseled by the
instructor. It is the student's responsibility to request
needed assistance.
Every
student must demonstrate satisfactory progress according to the
School's Progression Policy in order to receive any financial aid
awarded through the School.
A minimum grade of “C” (2.0 G.P.A.) and a satisfactory
clinical evaluation are required in each nursing course for a
student to be eligible for progression into the subsequent semester/session
and/or prerequisite course. (See Comprehensive Final Examination).
|
GRADING
POLICY
|
 |
|
GRADING
SCALE Grade
|
Quality
Point Value
Per Credit Hour |
Trinity
Health System
Percentage Range |
|
| A (Excellent) |
4.0 |
93%-100% |
| B+ |
3.5 |
90%-92% |
| B (Above
Average) |
3.0 |
85%-89% |
| C+ |
2.5 |
82%-84% |
| C (Average) |
2.0 |
77%-81% |
|
| D+
Failure |
1.5 |
74%-76% |
| D Failure |
1.0 |
69%-73% |
| F Failure |
0.0 |
68%
and below |
| WP Withdrew
passing |
0.0 |
|
| WF Withdrew
failing |
0.0 |
|
| I
Incomplete |
This
grade indicates that the work has not been completed because
of factors that in the opinion of the instructor were outside
the control of the student. Permission for this grade must
be obtained from the Director of the School. The student will
then have until the beginning of the succeeding quarter to
remove the incomplete letter grade. If it is not removed within
that period, the grade automatically becomes "F"
and the student then becomes ineligible for promotion. |
|
*There
will be no rounding of grades |
|
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Academic Policy
Comprehensive Final Examination
Students must pass the comprehensive final examination in each
nursing course with a grade of “C” or above before progressing
to the succeeding semester/session or program completion. Students
who fail to achieve a passing grade of “C” on the comprehensive
final examination, may take a second comprehensive examination
within two (2) school days, ONLY if the student has achieved a
passing grade of “C” in the course prior to taking the
comprehensive final examination. Students who are permitted to
take a second comprehensive examination and who are successful
in passing it with a grade of “C” or above will receive
a grade of 77% (“C”) for the comprehensive examination
score. Students who are unsuccessful in passing a second comprehensive
final examination will receive a failing grade in the course.
Students who have NOT passed the comprehensive final examination
with a grade of “C” or above and who were failing the
nursing course prior to the final examination will NOT be permitted
to take a second comprehensive final exam.
In addition, students are only permitted to take the second
comprehensive final exam a total of two times. If a
subsequent final exam failure should occur, the student will be
ineligible to take a second comprehensive final, will receive a
failing grade, and thus be dismissed from the program.
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Recognition
of Academic Achievement
Students who
earn a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above shall be placed on the School’s Academic Honors
List. This list will appear in a variety of publications.
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Graduation
Policy
A student
will be awarded a Diploma in Nursing and School of Nursing Pin
if the following requirements are met:
-
Satisfactory completion of the program with a grade of “C”
or above in all courses.
-
Recommendation
by the Faculty.
-
Return
of all school property and freedom from monetary unsecured
indebtedness to Trinity Health System or any of its affiliate
or extension agencies.
The
student is expected to be present at graduation exercises
unless excused by the Director of the School.
A
student who has not met the requirements may not participate in
the public graduation ceremony. The diploma and pin will be awarded
when all requirements have been met.
Application for Licensure Policy
Fingerprinting and background checks must be completed and
submitted to the appropriate Board of Nursing 6-9 months prior
to NCLEX testing. At the completion of the program, the graduate
must file a written application with a State Board of nursing to
take the Examination for licensure. It is the responsibility of
the student to obtain and complete the application form, and
send it with the necessary fee(s) to the State Board office and
NCLEX-RN testing center. If a pattern of performance on
standardized test is below the benchmark, the student is
required to submit proof of enrollment in a Faculty-approved
NCLEX-RN review course. The cost of review course will be
incurred by the student. Upon meeting the requirements set
forth in the School's Graduation Policy, including proof of
enrollment in a review course if applicable, the Director of the
School will send a Program Completion form to the appropriate
Board of Nursing to meet the eligibility requirements to take
the NCLEX-RN examination Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN
examination, the graduate will be licensed to practice as a
professional Registered Nurse using the legal title RN.
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Graduation
Awards
Traditionally,
awards are given at graduation exercises for outstanding academic achievement or clinical
excellence. The top three academic awards are presented at the graduation
ceremony by the Board of Trustees, Medical Staff, and Trinity Health
System Auxiliary.
Additional awards include: The Nancy H. Bright, M.D. Excellence
in Pediatric Nursing Award, The Shirley Barnett Excellence in Mental
Health Nursing Award, and The Carmel A. Esposito, EdD Award for
Community Leadership. The Patrick Macedonia M.D. Excellence in
Maternal Newborn Nursing Award.
Periodically, additional honors are awarded by philanthropic and
service organizations or individuals.
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Withdrawal
A student
who desires to withdraw from the school must submit a letter of
resignation to the Director of the School. Prior to withdrawing,
the student is encouraged to consult with his/her faculty advisor
and the Coordinator, Student Affairs.
Failure to attend scheduled classes does not constitute an official
withdrawal. The official withdrawal date shall be:
-
The date of the student’s resignation letter submitted
to the Director of the School, or
-
For
the student who does not officially withdraw from the program,
the withdrawal date will be the date the School became aware
the student ceased attendance.
The School
reserves the option of using the student’s last date of documented
attendance at an academically/clinically oriented activity as
the student’s official withdrawal date.
Students considering withdrawal prior to completing
60% of a semester/session, are urged to review the Return of
Title IV Funds Policy in the financial aid section of this website.
Withdrawing students are required to return student
identification badges and parking hang tags. Official School transcripts will not be
released until I.D. badges and hang tags have been returned.
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Dismissal
Each student
has a personal responsibility to the School of Nursing in the observance
of all academic policies and codes of conduct. The faculty is committed
to help the student in every way possible; however, the faculty
of the School is obliged to determine whether the student is progressing
satisfactorily. If the student fails in theory or clinical
experience, fails to abide by regulations, or if their health or behavior
is not suited for nursing, the faculty has the right and authority
to dismiss the student. A student may be dismissed without
having been put on probation.
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