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UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 2
PREFACETheundergraduateprograminnursingattheUniversityofMobile(UM)isaschoolundertheCollegeofHealthProfessions.ThehandbookwasdevelopedforundergraduatestudentsandfacultytodefinethephilosophyandmissionoftheundergraduateprogramandtoprovideacomprehensivedocumentabouttheBachelorofScienceprogramsinnursing.Informationonrequirementsandcoursework,advising,financialaid,professionalorganizations,andpoliciesandproceduresareincludedintheHandbook.ItisessentialthatstudentsunderstandtheinformationpresentedinthishandbooktofacilitatetheirprogressionthroughtheSchoolofNursing.AllstudentsintheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingareresponsiblefortheinformationcontainedinthishandbookwhichdetailspractices,procedures,andprovisionsoftheschoolpertainingtoacademicprogress,professionalexpectations,andrelatedmatters.TheSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbookisreviewedannuallyandasneeded.TheundergraduatefacultyintheSchoolofNursingreservetherighttorevisetherequirementsandpolicies,asdeemednecessaryatanytime,topreparestudentsfornewandemergingrolesinnursing.Disseminationofrevisionswillbemadeviaclassandonlineannouncements,and/ornotices,orpostedonthedesignatedSchoolofNursingwebsite.TheSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbookwillbeincorporatedintotheUniversityofMobile’sOnlineUndergraduateandGraduateCatalogandStudentHandbook.StudentswillbenotifiedofanychangesmadetotheSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook.TheSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbookisnotall-inclusive;ratheritincludesbasicinformationregardingthemission,goals,andexpectedoutcomesoftheSchoolofNursing,aswellastheschoolpoliciesandproceduresthatreflectnationalstandardsandguidelinesfortheeducationofundergraduatestudentsinthenursingprofession.EachstudentenrolledinthenursingmustsignaUndergraduateStudentHandbookAcknowledgementForm(SeeAppendixA)indicatingthestudenthasreadandisresponsiblefortheinformationcontainedintheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook.TheUniversityofMobileendorsestheintentofallfederalandstatelawscreatedtoprohibitdiscrimination.TheUniversityofMobiledoesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,gender,sexualorientation,religion,age,veteranstatusinadmissionsortheprovisionofservices.StudentsareheldaccountableforinformationandpoliciespublishedinofficialUniversityofMobiledocuments,includingUM’sOnlineUndergraduateandGraduateCatalogandStudentHandbook.
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WelcomefromtheInterimDean,UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingDearBSNStudents:ThankyouforchoosingtheBachelorofScienceinNursingprogramatUniversityofMobile.OnbehalfofthefacultyandstaffweareexcitedthatGodhasledyoutobecomeastudentintheBSNProgramandwearegratefulfortheopportunitytopartnerwithyouinfulfillingthisGod-ordainedprofessionalcalling.TheUndergraduateStudentHandbookprovidesinformationonimportantpolicies,procedureandguidelinepertinenttoundergraduatenursingeducationattheUniversityofMobile.OurexpectationisthatyouwillusethishandbookasyourfirstpointofreferencewhenyouhavequestionsconcerningyourprogramofstudyoracademicpolicieswithintheSchoolofNursing.WehopethatyouwillfindtheUndergraduateStudentHandbookavaluableresourceinaddressingyourquestionsasaUniversityofMobileundergraduatestudent.Congratulationsonceagainonreachingthismilestoneinyourlifeandwelookforwardtomentoringyouinthiseducationalendeavor.Blessings,
KathySheppard,PhD,MA,MSN,RNInterimDeanSchoolofNursingUniversityofMobile
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
PREFACE.....................................................................................................................................2
SECTIONI:INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................8HistoryoftheUniversityofMobile...............................................................................................................8HistoryoftheSchoolofNursing....................................................................................................................8AdministrativeStructureoftheCollegeofHealthProfessions........................................................9SchoolofNursingMissionStatement..........................................................................................................9SchoolofNursingPhilosophy.........................................................................................................................9SchoolofNursingGoals..................................................................................................................................11UniversityCoreValues....................................................................................................................................11UniversityBiblicalWorldview.....................................................................................................................12
SECTIONII:PROGRAMDESCRIPTIONS.........................................................................13AccreditationsandApprovals......................................................................................................................13UndergraduateProgramOptions...............................................................................................................13UndergraduateProgramDescriptions.....................................................................................................13SchoolofNursingExpectedOutcomes.....................................................................................................14BachelorofScienceinNursing(BSN)ExpectedOutcomes.............................................................14CurriculumPlansforBachelorinScienceNursingPrograms........................................................16StandardsandDocumentsRelevanttotheBachelorofSciencePrograms.............................18
SECTIONIII:ADMINISTRATIVEPOLICIESANDPROCEDURES..............................19Address/NameChanges.................................................................................................................................19AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct/StudentDisabilityServices........................................................19CastleBranch........................................................................................................................................................20Commencement.................................................................................................................................................20CommunicatingwithFaculty........................................................................................................................21Confidentiality....................................................................................................................................................21CorePerformanceStandards.......................................................................................................................22CPR-AED/BLSCertification...........................................................................................................................23CriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedure............................................................................23DisclosureofLegal/CriminalConvictionsandArrests.....................................................................25DressCodeforCampus...................................................................................................................................25DrugScreenPolicyandProcedure............................................................................................................26ElectronicDevicesPolicy...............................................................................................................................27EligibilityforNCLEX-RNExamination.....................................................................................................28E-MailPolicy........................................................................................................................................................29EmploymentofStudents................................................................................................................................29FamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct(FERPA).........................................................................30GraduationRequirements.............................................................................................................................30HealthHistory.....................................................................................................................................................30Immunizations....................................................................................................................................................30LicensureforRN-BSNStudents...................................................................................................................32LiteraryFormat(APA)....................................................................................................................................32LostandFound...................................................................................................................................................32NetEtiquette........................................................................................................................................................32PinningCeremonyforABSNandTBSNStudents................................................................................33ProctorFree..........................................................................................................................................................33ProfessionalConduct.......................................................................................................................................34
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PurposeofaSyllabus.......................................................................................................................................34SchoolofNursingLocationandHoursofOperation..........................................................................35SocialMedia/NetworkingPolicy................................................................................................................35StandardPrecautions......................................................................................................................................37StudentIDBadges.............................................................................................................................................38StudentLeaveofAbsence..............................................................................................................................38TechnologyandComputerRequirements..............................................................................................38TobaccoUseandSmokingPolicy...............................................................................................................40TransportationRequirements.....................................................................................................................40UnicheckPlagiarismDetection....................................................................................................................41UniformRegulations........................................................................................................................................41Weather.................................................................................................................................................................47Withdrawals........................................................................................................................................................48
SECTIONIV:ACADEMICPOLICIESANDPROCEDURES.............................................49AcademicIntegrityPolicy..............................................................................................................................49AcademicMisconduct......................................................................................................................................51AcademicProbation.........................................................................................................................................51Adding,Dropping,orWithdrawingfromClasses................................................................................51AdmissionPaths.................................................................................................................................................51AdmissionStandardsandRequirements................................................................................................52AdmissiontoClinicalNursing......................................................................................................................54AdvisingResponsibilities...............................................................................................................................56ClassAttendance................................................................................................................................................57ClassPolicies........................................................................................................................................................58CourseandProgramEvaluations...............................................................................................................58CreditHours.........................................................................................................................................................59DismissalfromtheUndergraduateProgram........................................................................................59ExitExamination................................................................................................................................................60Grading...................................................................................................................................................................60GradingScale.......................................................................................................................................................61GrievancePolicyandProcess.......................................................................................................................61IncompleteGradePolicy.................................................................................................................................62LimitationinCompletionofRequirements............................................................................................62Make-UpExaminations...................................................................................................................................63NationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing(NCLEX-RN)...............................................................63Progression..........................................................................................................................................................64ReadmissionAfterVoluntaryWithdrawalorTransfer.....................................................................65ReadmissionPolicy...........................................................................................................................................66RegisteringforClasses....................................................................................................................................66RepetitionofNursingCourses.....................................................................................................................67Retention...............................................................................................................................................................67StandardizedTesting.......................................................................................................................................68StandardsforWrittenWork.........................................................................................................................68StudentAppealProcess..................................................................................................................................68Test/ExaminationReviews...........................................................................................................................69UnsatisfactoryClinical/LaboratoryPerformance...............................................................................69
SECTIONV:CLINICALPOLICIESANDPROCEDURES.................................................70AdministrativeDropPolicyforFailuretoSubmitClinicalPracticeRequirements..............70ClinicalAgencyAgreements..........................................................................................................................70
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ClinicalAttendanceandAbsencePolicy..................................................................................................71ClinicalCourseExpectations........................................................................................................................72ClinicalHourRequirementsforBSNCourses.......................................................................................72ClinicalPolicies...................................................................................................................................................73ClinicalPracticeExpectationsforRN-BSNStudents..........................................................................74ClinicalPracticeExperiences........................................................................................................................76ClinicalSiteSelectionGuidelinesandProcessforRN-BSNStudents..........................................76ClinicalUnsatisfactoryDays(CUD’s)........................................................................................................77DosageCalculationTestingPolicy..............................................................................................................78IllnessorInjuryatClinical.............................................................................................................................81PreceptorSelectionCriteriaforRN-BSNStudents.............................................................................81ProfessionalBehaviorintheClinicalSetting.........................................................................................83ProfessionalDressintheClinicalSetting................................................................................................83Simulation.............................................................................................................................................................83SkillsChecklist....................................................................................................................................................85TabletUsage.........................................................................................................................................................85
SECTIONVI:STUDENTINVOLVEMENT/PROFESSIONALOPPORTUNITIES......86CampusMinistries.............................................................................................................................................86FocusFridays......................................................................................................................................................86ProfessionalOrganizations...........................................................................................................................86Pre-ProfessionalOrganizations...................................................................................................................86SchoolofNursingCommittees.....................................................................................................................87SigmaThetaTau,OmicronChapter...........................................................................................................88UniversityofMobileAmbassadors............................................................................................................88UniversityofMobileAssociationofNursingStudents(UMANS).................................................89
SECTIONVII:STUDENTRESOURCESANDSERVICES................................................90Bookstore..............................................................................................................................................................90CampusSecurity................................................................................................................................................90CenterforExcellenceinHealthcarePractice........................................................................................90Library....................................................................................................................................................................91ParkingandTrafficRegulations..................................................................................................................91PostalServices....................................................................................................................................................91Registrar’sOffice................................................................................................................................................91StudentHealthServices..................................................................................................................................92StudentSuccessCenter...................................................................................................................................92
SECTIONVIII:STUDENTRESPONSIBILITIES................................................................93EthicalPractice...................................................................................................................................................93LiabilityInsurance............................................................................................................................................93Licensure...............................................................................................................................................................94SafeClinicalPractice........................................................................................................................................94StudentConduct.................................................................................................................................................95
SECTIONIX:APPENDICES...................................................................................................97AppendixA-UndergraduateStudentHandbookAcknowledgement..........................................97AppendixB-EssentialCorePerformanceStandards..........................................................................98AppendixC-CriminalBackgroundAcknowledgmentandConsent...........................................101AppendixD-DrugScreenAcknowledgmentConsent......................................................................102
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UndergraduateStudentHandbookUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursing
2017-2018
PublishedbytheSchoolofNursingUniversityofMobile5735CollegeParkwayEightMile,AL36613
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SECTIONI:INTRODUCTIONHistoryoftheUniversityofMobile
TheUniversityisachurch-relatedinstitutionofliberalartsandsciencescharteredin1961asMobileCollegeandaffiliatedwiththeAlabamaBaptistStateconvention.TheUniversityisthecreationapeoplewithaChristianVision.StudentsareencouragedtobecomeconfidentChristianmenandwomenwhohavemasteredthebodyofknowledgerequiredbythedegreetheyhold;whoknowhowtothink;whoknowwhattheybelieveandwhytheybelieveit;whopossesthecouragetoliveandworkaccordingtothosebeliefs;andwhopossessthewillingnessandskilltousetheirinfluenceinappropriateandeffectivewaystochangetheworld.TheintentoftheUniversityisreflectedinthepreamblestatement,“changinglivestochangetheworld.”Asstatedinthemissionstatement,theUniversitystrivestoestablishandmaintainatraditionofexcellenceinundergraduateprograms.
HistoryoftheSchoolofNursing
TheSchoolofNursingattheUniversityofMobilehasarich,50-yearhistoryofpreparingthefinestprofessionalnursesforourcommunityandbeyond.TheBaccalaureateofSciencedegreeinNursingattheUniversityofMobilehasitsrootsintherelationshipbetweentheUniversityandMobileInfirmarySchoolofNursing,whichbeganin1967.StudentsenrolledinthediplomaprogramattheMobileInfirmarySchoolofNursingweretakingsciencecoursesattheUniversityofMobile.In1973,MobileInfirmaryphasedoutthediplomaprogramandsupportedthedevelopmentofanAssociateDegreeProgramatMobileCollege(MobileCollegeunderwentanamechangein1993andbecametheUniversityofMobile).In1978,MobileCollegeestablishedaBaccalaureatenursingprogramwhilecontinuingtooperatetheAssociateDegreeProgram.TheSchoolofNursingcelebratesthirty-fouryearsofpreparingnurses,supportingthepreamblestatement,“ChangingLivestoChangetheWorld.”
In1987,theSchoolofNursingbeganaMaster’sinNursingProgram(MSN)offeringtracksinAdultHealthNursingandNursingAdministration.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinghasofferedaMasterofScienceinNursingDegreesince1987.TheSchoolofNursingestablishedaFamilyNursePractitionerDegreefrom1995untilitwasvoluntarilysuspendedin2008duetodecreasinginterestanddecliningjobprospectsforthegraduates.Sincethattime,thehealthcareenvironmenthaschangeddramaticallyandtheneedforadditionaladvancedpracticenurseshassoared,againspikinginterestinthecommunity,aswellasnationwide.TheFamilyNursePractitionerProgramhasbeengrantedSACS-COCapprovalandwillreopeninAugust2017.
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AdministrativeStructureoftheCollegeofHealthProfessions
TheCollegeofHealthProfessionsiscurrentlycomposedofthreeschoolsincorporatingtheSchoolofNursing,theSchoolofHealthandSportsScience,andtheSchoolofAlliedHealth.
IntheSchoolofNursing,therearefivenursingprograms,threeresultinginanundergraduatedegreeandtworesultinginagraduatedegree.TheundergraduatedegreeoptionsincludetheAcceleratedBachelorofScienceinNursing(ABSN),theTraditionalBachelorofScienceinNursing(TBSN),andtheRNtoBachelorofScienceinNursing(RN-BSN).ThegraduatedegreeoptionsincludetheMasterofScienceinEducation/Administration(BSN-MSNTrack)andMasterofScienceinFamilyNursePractitioner(BSN-MSNTrack)programs.TheSchoolofNursinghasaProgramChairforboththeundergraduateandgraduateprogramswhoreportdirectlytotheDean.TheUndergraduateProgramChairdirectstheABSN,TBSN,andtheRN-BSNBachelorinScienceinNursingPrograms.TheGraduateProgramChairdirectsboththeMasterofScienceinNursingEducation/AdministrationProgramandtheMasterofScienceinNursingFamilyNursePractitionerProgram.TheUndergraduateProgramChair,theBSNFacultyCommittee,andtheDeanparticipateinthedecisionsregardingthegovernanceoftheBSNprograms,ensuringthatrelevantprofessionalstandardsandguidelinesareincorporated.TheGraduateProgramChair,theMSNFacultyCommittee,andtheDeanparticipateinthedecisionsregardingthegovernanceoftheMSNprograms,ensuringthatrelevantprofessionalstandardsandguidelinesareincorporated.
SchoolofNursingMissionStatement
ThemissionoftheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingistoprovidequalityeducationinaChristianenvironmentinordertopreparecompetent,caringpractitionersinnursing.Theschoolaspirestothehigheststandardsofeducationalexcellence,blendingaprofessionalperspectivewithaliberalartsandsciencefoundation.Theschooliscommittedtothedevelopmentofitsstudentsintoknowledgeable,caring,responsibleandself-directedindividualsabletomeetthehealthcareneedsofadiverseandcomplexsociety.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingemphasizesqualityteachingwhileencouragingandvaluingscholarlyactivityandresearchtosupportthatteaching.
SchoolofNursingPhilosophyTheSchoolofNursing,anintegralpartoftheUniversityofMobile,isdedicatedtotheadvancementofhighereducationbaseduponChristianvalues.ThenursingprogramsoftheUniversityofMobileseektopreparenurseswithChristianidealstomeetthenursingneedsofhumanity.
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Thehumanisperceivedasaholisticbeing;apsychosocial,spiritual,cultural,ethnic,andracialbeingcapableoffeelings,emotions,thoughts,andactions.Thehumaniscapableofhigherlevelsoffunctioninginthecognitive,affectiveandpsychomotordomains.Thehumanisinadynamicinteractionwiththeenvironment,whichresultsinchangeinindividualsocialsystemsandinhealthcareneeds.Toservehumanity,onemustattempttomeetneedsintotalitysincethehumanbeingisperceivedasaunitandnotasummationofparts.Today’ssocietyiscomplexanddynamic.Itincorporatessocialcontrolstopreserveitsidentity,toenableittofunctionsystematically,andtoberelativelyenduring.Individualsassumeroleswithinsociety,whicharestipulatedbytheinteractionbetweenindividualsandsociety.Healthisthephysiological,psychological,andspiritualwell-beingofanindividual,family,orgroupwhichallowsorenablestheindividual,family,orgrouptofunctionconsistentlyatmaximumpotential.Healthisanever-changingstateonacontinuumfrompeakwellnesstoextremestatesofillhealthdependentuponindividualorgroupadaptationtostressors.Rapidchangesinscience,technology,knowledge,andhealthproblems,alongwithstrikingdifferencesinfamilystructures,emphasisonthelegalrightsoftheindividual,andculturalandenvironmentalfactorsinfluencehealthneeds.Nursingisacollaborativeprocessinwhichnursesassisttheclientandtheclient’ssignificantothersinperformingthoseactivitieswhichcontributetotheachievementofmaximumhealthpotentialthroughaholisticcareapproach.Nursingseekstoinfluenceman’sbalanceonthewellness-illnesscontinuuminapositivemanner.Aperceptionof,andconcernfortheneedsofindividuals,families,andgroupsareessentialtonursing,aswellaseffectivecommunicationwithindividualsandtheentirehealthcareteam.Thenursingprocessisasystematicproblem-solvingapproachutilizingcriticalthinkingforvalidatingtheperceivedneedsandproblemsofclients.Thisproblem-solvingprocessappliedtonursingpracticeinvolvesassessing,analyzing,planning,implementing,andevaluating.Afteridentifyingtheneedsandproblemsofindividuals,families,andgroups,thenurseformulatesanursingdiagnosis.Incollaborationwithotherhealthteammembers,thenurseplans,implements,andevaluatesnursingcare.Useofthenursingprocesspromotesresponsibilityfornursingactions.Educationistheprocessinvolvingteachingandlearningbywhichoneacquiresknowledge,skills,values,attitudes,andtheabilitytothinkcritically.Learningisviewedasachangeinbehaviorbasedonthelearner’sperceptionofthatwhichistobelearned.Eachlearnerandteacherisanindividualwithauniquebackgroundofexperiences.Thestudentanalyzes,synthesizes,andintegratesrelationshipsamongnewandpreviouslearning’s.Intheteaching/learningprocess,ateacherfacilitates
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thestudent’slearning.Relevanceinlearningdependsuponhowcloselythestudentindividuallyperceivesthelearningexperience.Nursingeducationassiststhestudenttoacquiretheknowledge,whichisessentialtotheprofession.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,developingaknowledgebasefornursing,developingproficiencyinselectedpsychomotorskills,andamodelfornursingpractice.Baseduponthis,qualifiednursingfacultymembersrecognizetheuniquenessoftheindividuallearnerandseektoguideeachstudentinlearningexperiences.Nursingeducationismorethoroughandperceptionisbroadenedwhenstudentsareassistedinmaintaininghighinputintotheirownlearningandareguidedbymeasurablegoalsandobjectives.Aprofessionalnurseisaccountablefornursingactions.Theprofessionalnursepossessestheabilitytocontinueprofessionalandpersonalgrowthbypursuinglifelonglearningasevidencedbycompletionofeducationalcoursesand/orgraduatestudy,activeparticipationinprofessionalandrelatedorganizations,andbeingacontributingmemberofsociety.
SchoolofNursingGoalsThegoalsoftheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingreflecttheoverallmissionoftheuniversitytoenhancethehealthandqualityoflifeforall.TheSchoolofNursingstrivesto:1.Developacademicprogramsthatmeettheneedsofsocietyandincorporatebestpracticesinnursingeducation.2.Provideasupportive,collegialenvironmentthatencouragesexcellenceinteaching-learning,professionaldevelopment,andfaculty/studentscholarship.3.Developleaderscapableofimprovingclinicalpracticeoutcomes,healthpolicy,andcaredeliverymethods.4.Preparegraduatesabletoprovidesafe,evidence-based,culturallycompetent,patient-centeredcarethatreflectsethicalclinicaljudgmentandinterprofessionalcollaboration.5.Cultivateinstudentsanintellectualdesireforadvancedstudyandinquiry.
UniversityCoreValuesTheUniversityofMobileisaChrist-centeredacademiccommunityprovidingprofessionalprogramstorenewmindsthroughintellectualandspiritualdevelopmentforthefulfillingofone’sprofessionalcalling.ThecorevaluesoftheUniversityaresupportedbythenursingfacultyandreflectedinhowweworkandinteractwithothers.Thecorevaluesare:
• Christ-centered• Academically-focused• Student-devoted
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• Distinctively-driven
UniversityBiblicalWorldviewTheSchoolofNursingfacultymembersembracetheconceptofteachingabiblicalworldviewtoourstudents.ThebiblicalworldviewservesasapathwaybywhichstudentsarepreparedtofulfilltheGreatCommissionasnotedinGod’sWordthrough:“ThefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom…”|DescribesourcallingtoHim.(Proverbs9:10)“ThenGodsaid,LetUsmakemaninOurimage,accordingtoOurlikeness;…”|DescribeswhoweareinHim.(Genesis1:26)“Anddonotbeconformedtothisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind,thatyoumayprovidewhatisthatgoodandacceptableandperfect”|DescribesourtransformationinHim.(Romans12:2)
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SECTIONII:PROGRAMDESCRIPTIONSAccreditationsandApprovals
TheUniversityofMobileBachelorofScienceinNursing(BSN)degreeprogramisaccreditedthroughtheCommissiononCollegiateNursingEducation(CCNE),OneDupontCircleNWSuite530,Washington,DC20036andtheSouthernAssociationofCollegesandSchoolsCommissiononColleges(SACS-COC),1866SouthernLane,Decatur,GA30033.TheUniversityofMobileBachelorofScienceinNursing(BSN)degreeprogramisapprovedbytheAlabamaBoardofNursing,RSAPlaza,Suite250,770WashingtonAvenue,Montgomery,AL36104.
UndergraduateProgramOptionsTheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingoffersaBachelorofScienceinNursing(BSN)Degree.TheBSNprogrampreparesgraduatesforgeneralistpracticetoprovidedirectandindirectcaretoindividuals,families,groups,communities,orpopulations(AACN,2017).TheBachelorofScienceinNursing(BSN)Degreemaybecompletedthroughoneofthefollowingthreetracks:
• AcceleratedBachelorofScienceinNursingProgram(ABSN)• TraditionalBachelorofScienceinNursingProgram(TBSN)• RN-BSNProgram
UndergraduateProgramDescriptionsStudentsmayachieveaBachelorofScienceinNursing(BSN)Degreefromoneofthefollowingthreetrackoptions:1.TheAccelerated(ABSN)optionisdesignedfortheadultlearnerwithanundergraduatedegreeorgraduatedegreeinanotherfieldofstudyorforthestudentwhohasearnedaminimumof60hoursinanon-nursingfieldwhowishestopursueacareerinprofessionalnursing.StudentsmusthaveacumulativeGPAof3.0orhigherandnolicensureinnursing.Thisrapid-paced,rigorous,andhighqualityprogramisdeliveredoverfoursemestersandbeginsinthespringeachyear.Instructionisintensewithcoursesofferedfull-time.2.Thetraditional(TBSN)optionisdesignedforthetraditionalstudentwithnopreviouscollegedegreeandnolicensureasaregisterednurse.Thisprogramtrackisdesignedforfreshmanentry-levelcandidates;however,transferstudentsmayalsoapply.Thefirsttwoyears(freshmenandsophomore)aredesignatedaspre-nursingandthesecondtwoyears(juniorandsenior)aredesignatedasclinicalnursing.Approximately60semesterhoursofgeneraleducationandprerequisite
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courseworkarerequiredbeforethestudentmaybeadmittedtotheclinicalcomponent.3.TheRNtoBSNoptionisdesignedforstudentswhohavegraduatedwithanassociatedegreeinnursingoradiplomainnursingdegreeandwhoarecurrentlylicensedasRegisteredNursesintheUnitedStates.Nursesholdinganunencumberednursinglicenseareeligibletoapply.Thelengthoftheprogramvaries,dependingonequivalentprerequisitecoursescompleted,andthechoicetopursuepart-timeorfull-timeenrollment.Thistrackpreparesgraduatestoenterprofessionalpositionsinavarietyofcaresettingsandforadvancementtoagraduatedegreeprograminnursing.
SchoolofNursingExpectedOutcomes1.Topreparegraduateswithanadequatebackgroundtoassuretheachievementofappropriatecredentials.2.Topreparegraduateswhowillpracticetheprofessioninacompetent,caringmanner,utilizingidealsandstandardsconsistentwiththeChristianfaith.3.Toprovidestudentswithaneducationbroadenoughtoassureacareerinnursing,basednotonlyuponnursingknowledge,butalsouponabackgroundofliberalartsandsciences.4.Topreparegraduateswhoareabletothinkcritically,andtoexpressthemselvesclearly,correctly,andsuccinctlybothorallyandinwriting.5.Toprovideopportunitiesforstudentstodevelopfullyinavarietyofareasincludingphysical,social,spiritual,andprofessional,asbothaleaderandafollower.6.Toprovideopportunitiesforstudentstodevelopnursingskillsinavarietyofbackgroundswithinthepracticesetting.7.ToprovideanenvironmentinwhichthestudentrecognizestheimportanceofcommunityserviceasapartoftheprofessionalandChristiancommitment.8.Toprovideabackgroundforcontinuinglearningforthegraduateinboththeformalandcontinuingeducationarenas.
BachelorofScienceinNursing(BSN)ExpectedOutcomesUponcompletionoftheBachelorofScienceinNursingprogram,thegraduatewill:1.Demonstrateknowledgefromabroadartsandsciencefoundationwhenmakingnursingdecisions.2.Deliverprofessionalnursingcarethatassistsindividuals,families,andcommunitieswithchangingneedsacrossthelifespaninhealthpromotionandmaintenance,illnesscare,andrehabilitation.3.Perceivetheuniquenessofeachindividualanduseatheoreticalandconceptualevidencebasedbackgroundtocollaboratefortheimprovementofhealthcare.4.ReflectChristianideasinthepracticeofnursing.5.Integrateprinciplesofleadership,management,andtheteaching/learningprocessinprovidingprofessionalnursingcaretoindividuals,families,and
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communitiesinavarietyofsettings.6.Demonstratetheabilitytothinkcriticallywhileprovidingnursingcareinvariedsettings.7.Understandthevalueofresearchasevidencedbytheutilizationofresearchfindingsinnursingcare.8.Developindividuallybybeingacontributingmemberofsociety;acceptresponsibilityandbeaccountableforactionsasaprofessionalnursing;participateinprofessionalandrelatedorganizations;andformulatealifeplaninharmonywithabilities,interests,andbeliefs.
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CurriculumPlansforBachelorinScienceNursingPrograms
1.ACCLERATEDBACHELOROFSCIENCEINNURSING(ABSN)COURSENUMBER
COURSENAME CREDITHOURS
Semester1Spring(16weeks) 1st8weeks: NU309A IntroductiontoClinicalNursing 5NU310A ClientAssessment 3 2nd8weeks: NU316A Psychiatric-MentalHealthNursing 5NU320A PharmacologicalAspectsofNursing 3 TotalHours 16 Semester2Summer(12weeks) 1st6weeks: NU314A NursingtheChildbearingFamily 5NU430A PrinciplesofNursingResearch 3 2nd6weeks: NU404A ChildHealthNursing 5NU405A Leadership 3 TotalHours 16 Semester3Fall(16weeks) 1st8weeks: NU313A AdultHealthNursingI 5NU412A CommunityHealthNursing 5 2nd8weeks: NU414A AdultHealthNursingII 5NU435A IssuesinProfessionalNursing 2 TotalHours 17 Semester4Spring(14weeks) Entiresemester: NU434A SeniorSeminar 3 1st8weeks: NU415A AdultHealthNursingIII 5 2nd6weeks: NU416A NursingPracticum 3 TotalHours 11
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2.TRADITIONALBACHELOROFSCIENCEINNURSING(TBSN)COURSENUMBER
COURSENAME CREDITHOURS
Semester1Fall(16weeks) Entiresemester: NU310 ClientAssessment 3 Elective 2 1st8weeks: NU309 IntroductiontoClinicalNursing 5 2nd8weeks: NU313 AdultHealthNursingI 5 TotalHours 15 Semester2Spring(16weeks) Entiresemester: NU320 PharmacologicalAspectsofNursingCare 3NU430 PrinciplesofNursingResearch 3 1st8weeks: NU314 NursingtheChildbearingFamily 5 2nd8weeks: NU316 PsychiatricMentalHealthNursing 5 TotalHours 16 Semester3Fall(16weeks) EntireSemester: NU405 Leadership 3NU410 Pathophysiology 3 1st8weeks: NU404 ChildHealthNursing 5 2nd8weeks: NU412 CommunityHealthNursing 5 TotalHours 16 Semester4Spring(16weeks) EntireSemester: NU434 SeniorSeminar 3 1st5weeks: NU414 AdultHealthNursingII 5 2nd5weeks: NU415 AdultHealthNursingIII 5 3rd5weeks NU416 NursingPracticum 3 TotalHours 16
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3.RN-BSNINNURSINGPROGRAM(RN-BSN)COURSENUMBER
COURSENAME CREDITHOURS
NU400 ConceptsofProfessionalNursing 2NU410 Pathophysiology 3NU417 TheCommunityasaClient 5NU418 EthicalConsiderationsinNursing 3NU419 HealthCareFinancing/DeliverySystems 3NU420 ProfessionalNursingPracticeI 3NU422 AssessmentSkillsforPracticingNurse 2NU430 PrinciplesinNursingResearch 3NU440 ProfessionalNursingPracticeII 4 NursingValidationCredit 34 TotalHours 62
StandardsandDocumentsRelevanttotheBachelorofScienceProgramsCurriculafortheundergraduateprogramsusethefollowingstandardsofeducationandpractice:TheAmericanNurses’AssociationCodeofEthicsforNurseswithInterpretiveStatements(ANA,2016)andtheNursing:ScopeandStandardsofPractice,(ANA,2015)aswellastheAlabamaBoardofNursingPracticeActandAdministrativeCode(2016).Specificstandardsofpracticeforeachprograminclude:TheEssentialsofBaccalaureateEducationforProfessionalNursingPractice(2008)andCCNEStandardsofBaccalaureateandGraduateNursingPrograms.TheBachelorofSciencedegreeprogramisalsoguidedbythefollowingstandardsanddocuments:AmericanAssociationofCollegesofNursing(AACN;2008).TheEssentialsofBaccalaureateEducationforProfessionalNursingPractice.AmericanNursesAssociation.3rdedition(ANA;2015).Nursing:StandardsandScopeofPractice.Washing,D.C.,(http://www.nursingworld.org)CommissiononCollegiateNursingEducation(CCNE;2016Revision).StandardsofBaccalaureateandGraduateNursingProgramsNationalLeagueforNursing(NLN;2013Revision).ScopeofPracticeforAcademicEducators.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 19
SECTIONIII:ADMINISTRATIVEPOLICIESANDPROCEDURESAddress/NameChangesItisimportantforUniversityofficialstobeabletolocateandtosendofficialcorrespondencetostudents.StudentsarerequiredtonotifytheSchoolofNursingforaddressandnamechangesthroughtheSchoolofNursingAdministrativeAssistant.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytokeepaddressandotherdirectoryinformationcurrent.EnrolledstudentsmayreportaddressandnamechangesandemergencycontactinformationtotheSchoolofNursingAdministrativeAssistant.
AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct/StudentDisabilityServicesTheUniversityofMobileprovidesaccommodationstoenablestudentswithdisabilitiestoaccesstheUniversitycommunity,incompliancewithSection504oftheRehabilitationActof1973[29U.S.C.794(a)]andtheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990(ADA)[42U.S.C.12101,etseq.].Reasonableaccommodationsaredeterminedbasedoncurrentdocumentationandaremadeonacase-by-casebasis.Adherencetoacademicstandardsthatareessentialtoacourseofstudyisgenerallyconsiderednon-discriminatory.StudentswithdisabilitiesarerequiredtomaintainthesamelevelofresponsibilityfortheireducationasotherstudentsattendingtheUniversityofMobile.Theseresponsibilitiesincludemaintaininglevelsofacademicperformanceexpectedofallstudents,meetingclassrequirements,maintainingappropriatebehavior,andfollowingtheUniversity’spoliciesandprocedures.StudentsrequestingaccommodationsfromtheUniversityofMobilemustself-identifybycontactingtheCenterforStudentSuccess.Theuniversityencouragesstudentstorequestaccommodationsbeforethesemesterbegins.Ifthestudentchoosestodelayprovidingdocumentationand/ormakingarequestforaccommodations,theUniversityofMobilewillnotprovideaccommodationsinaretroactivemanner,butwilluponthestudent’srequestbegintheprocedureforapprovingandimplementingfutureaccommodations.Areasonableamountoftimewillbenecessaryandexpectedinorderfortheuniversitytoimplementtheseaccommodations.Submittinganapplicationforaccommodationsdoesnotensurethatthestudentqualifiestoreceiveaccommodations.TheCenterforStudentSuccessdeterminesthestudent’seligibilityforaccommodationsand,foreligiblestudents,determinesappropriateaccommodation.TheUniversityofMobilewillprovidereasonableaccommodationaslongasitdoesnotfundamentallyalterthenatureoftheprogram.Intheeventthatastudentisunabletofulfilladmissionandprogressionstandards,withorwithoutreasonableaccommodation,thestudentwillnotbeadmittedinto,orbeallowedtoprogressintheSchoolofNursing.
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ThenursingprogramattheUniversityofMobileisarigorousmentalandphysicalprogramandplacesspecificrequirementsonthestudentsenrolledintheprogram.AllnursingstudentsmustbeabletomeettheCorePerformanceStandards(SeeAppendixB).Inaddition,studentsareexpectedtocompletealltheacademicandclinicalrequirementsoftheundergraduateprograminnursingbeforetheyareeligibletograduate.Theconfidentiallyofalldocumentswillbemaintainedinaccordancewiththeapplicablelaw.Documentationmaybesharedwithfacultyorstaffonaneedtoknowbasis.
CastleBranchTheUniversityofMobilehascontractedwithCastleBranchtogatherandmaintainrecordsandotherrequireddocumentationfornursingstudents.AllstudentsmustpresentdocumentationofallofSchoolofNursingrequirementstoCastleBranch,thedesignatednon-affiliatedvendorfortheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursing.Eachstudentwillbeemailedapackagecodetoallowforsubmissionofdocuments(Immunizations,HealthHistory,etc.)andforcompliancetracking.StudentswillbeprovidedaninformationsheetregardinghowtologonandactivateanaccountwithCastleBranch.Fromwithinthestudent’sCastleBranchaccount,theywillbeabletomanagetherequirementsoftheundergraduateprogram,completetasksasdirectedtomeetdeadlines,uploadandstoreimportantdocumentsandrecords.IfstudentsneedassistancewiththeirCastleBranchaccount,theyshouldvisittheCastleBranchServiceDeskat888.850.4314or888.723.4263,extension7196.
CommencementDegree-seekingundergraduatestudentsareexpectedtocompleteallrequirementsforgraduationinordertoparticipateincommencement.BachelorofScience(BSN)degreesareawardedtonursingstudentswhohavecompletedallrequiredcoursesintheirrespectivecurriculaandarestudentsingoodstandingattheUniversity.StudentsmustsubmitanapplicationforgraduationtotheRegistrar’sOfficeduringthesemesterbeforetheyintendtograduate.Thedeadlineforthisapplicationispublishedeachsemesterontheuniversitywebsite.InformationcanbeobtainedthroughtheRegistrar’sOffice.TheUniversityofMobileholdstwograduationceremonieseachcalendaryear,oneinMayandoneDecember.StudentsgraduatinginMayshouldparticipateinMaygraduationexercises.StudentscompletingdegreerequirementsinDecembershouldparticipateinthecommencementceremonythatmonth.
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CommunicatingwithFacultyStudentsareencouragedtostayconnectedtotheiracademicadvisorandcoursefaculty.Facultymembersareavailabletoprovideassistancewithconcernsrelatedtocoursecontent,examinations,andwritingassignments.Anumberofdifferentsourcesareavailableforstudentstocommunicatewithfaculty.MostfacultyandstaffareontheUniversityofMobileVoiceMailSystem.Iftheindividualthestudentisattemptingtocontactdoesnotanswerthetelephone,thevoicemailsystemisactivatedandstudentsmayleaveasuccinctmessageregardingthepurposeoftheircall.Inaddition,thestudentshouldleavetheirfullname(nonicknames),telephonenumber,andatimethatmaybeconvenienttoreturnthecall.Itwillbeimportantthatthestudentspeakslowanddistinctlywhenleavingamessage.AlistingofthesenumbersisprovidedinthefacultydirectoryontheSchoolofNursingwebsite.AllfacultyandstaffmaintainaUniversityofMobileemailaccount.Facultymemberswillchecktheiremailinboxesduringworkdaysintermittentlytomaintaincontactwithcolleaguesandstudents.StudentsmayemailfacultyandtheseaddressesarepublishedinthefacultydirectoryontheSchoolofNursingwebsite.Eachfull-timefacultymemberwillhaveatleastten(10)officehourspostedeachweek.Part-timefacultymemberswillpostatleastfive(5)hourseachweekforstudentmeetings.Thereareopportunitiestoseefacultymemberswithoutscheduledappointments;however,studentsareencouragedtomakeappointmentstoensurethattheyhavesufficienttimetodiscussconcerns/issueswiththeirnursingfaculty.Studentsmaycallnursingfacultyathomeorontheirpersonalcellphonesonlyforemergencies.Allothercallsaretobemadeduringthefacultymember’sofficehours.Studentsshouldexhibitrestraintinemailandtelephonecorrespondenceontheweekendstothenursingfaculty.ItisimportantthatstudentsreservethetimeframeofMondaythroughThursdaytocommunicatewithfacultyregardingcourseassistance,questionsaboutcoursecontent,etc.
ConfidentialityThefacultyandstaffoftheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingrecognizestheimportanceofprotectingtheprivateandconfidentialinformationofpatients/clients,theirfamilies,employees,staffandpeersaswellastheoperation(s)ofagencieswithinwhichthefacultyandstudentspractice.ItisthelegalandethicalresponsibilityofeverystudenttoabidebythelawsrelativetoprivacyincludingtheHealthInsurancePortabilityandAccountabilityActof1996(HIPPA)guidelines.HIPAAregulationsrequireproviderstoprotectpatient
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confidentialityinallforms–oral,written,andelectronic.Allinformationpertainingtopatients/clientsisconsideredconfidential.StudentsmustagreetoabidebytheregulationspromulgatedbytheAmericanRecoveryandInvestmentActof2009(HITECHorHealthInformationTechnologyforEconomicandClinicalHealthAct)asapplicabletoeachclinicalagencyusedforclinicallaboratoryexperience.HIPPAregulationsprovideseriouscivilandcriminalpenaltiesforviolation.Civilpenaltiescanbeashighas$25,000perviolation.Evenunintentionaldisclosurecaninvolveseriouspenalties.Allnursingfacultyandnursingstudentsagreeto:
• AdheretoHIPAAandHITECHguidelines.• Read,understand,andcomplywithconfidentialityandprivacypoliciesin
eachclinicalexperience.• Access,useorshareconfidentialinformationonlyasitisessentialand
allowedbylaw.Allprintouts,photocopies,writtenandelectronicinformationproducedforuseduringaclinicalshiftmustbesecuredatalltimesanddestroyedpriortotheendofthatclinicalshift.Notesandworkproducts,necessaryforacademicrequirements,musthaveallidentifiersremoved.
• Neverreleaseprotectedhealthinformationtoanyunidentifiedsource.• Avoiddiscussionordisclosureofpatientinformationoutsideoftheacademic
setting.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,areasofpublicandsocialgatherings,on-linesocialnetworking,socialmedia,blogs,andanyareasspecifiedbythepolicyoftheclinicalsetting.Studentsshouldnevertalkaboutpatients/clientsinpublic,avoidingconversationsinelevators,diningfacilities,andinsituationswhereothersmayoverhear.
• Avoidleavingpatient/clientrecordsorinformationwhereunauthorizedpersonsmightseethem.Nopartofthemedicalrecord,orduplicationthereof,mayberemovedfromtheclinicalsetting.Atalltimes,themedicalrecordmustbesecuredaccordingtotheclinicalsetting’spolicy.
• Avoidtheuseofpatient/clientsnamesusinginitialsonly.• Immediatelyreporttotheclinicalandcoursefacultyanyincidentor
suspectedincidentsofunauthorizedaccessand/ordisclosureofprotectedhealthinformation.
CorePerformanceStandardsAuniquecombinationofessentialcognitive,emotional,psychomotor,physicalandprofessionalskillsisrequiredfordegreecompletionwithintheSchoolofNursing.Allstudentsareexpectedtobeabletodemonstratetheessentialskillsandabilitiesonaregularbasis,withorwithoutreasonableaccommodationsinordertodemonstratetheabilitytoprovidequalitynursingcareinboththeclinicalandclassroomsetting.Acandidateforanursingdegreemustpossessabilitiesandskills,whichincludetheCorePerformanceStandards(SeeAppendixB).
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 23
TheCorePerformanceStandardsarethecognitive,psychomotor,andaffectivelearningskillsneededbythestudenttomeetprogramobjectivesandrequirements.Theuseofatrainedintermediaryisnotacceptableinthatacandidate’sjudgmentmustbemediatedbysomeoneelse’spowerofobservation,selection,andassessment.Thispolicyappliestoapplicantsandcurrentstudents.Ifastudenthasadisabilityandrequiresreasonableaccommodationtofulfillprogramrequirements,thestudentmustfollowtheprocesstorequestsuchaccommodationsthroughtheStudentSuccessCenter.Theprocesstorequestaccommodationsshouldoccuruponadmissiontotheprogramofstudyorassoonasaneedisidentified.TheSchoolofNursingwillendeavortomakereasonablemodificationsandaccommodationsforstudentswithdisabilities,withoutcompromisingpatientsafety,performancestandardsorposingundueadministrativeorfinancialburden.TheUndergraduateProgramChair,incollaborationwiththefaculty,willreviewanyrequestforaccommodation.Evaluatingandfacilitatingaccommodationrequestsisacollaborativeprocessamongthecandidate,theSchoolofNursing,andtheStudentSuccessCenter.
CPR-AED/BLSCertificationCurrentinfant,adult,andchildCPRcertificationmustbemaintainedduringenrollmentandsubmittedaftereachrenewalprocess.ThecoursemustbetheAmericanHeartAssociationHealthcareProvider.TheproofofCPRcertificationmustbeuploadedtoandapprovedbyCastleBranchinorderforthestudenttoparticipateinundergraduateclinicallearningexperiences.TheSchoolofNursingwilloffercertificationandrecertificationclasseseachyear.ItisrequiredthatallABSNandTBSNstudentstaketheirCPRcertificationattheUniversityofMobile.AllBSNstudentsmusthaveanactiveCPRcertificationinordertoparticipateinanyclinicalexperiences.
CriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedure
TheSchoolofNursingrecognizesitsroleinmaintainingasafeenvironmentforstudentsandpatients/clients.Healthcareagenciesrequireemployeesandstudentstomeetlocalandstateregulations.Therefore,abackgroundcheckisrequiredforallnursingstudentsenrolledintheSchoolofNursing.Certainarrestsorconvictions,whichcouldjeopardizethehealthandsafetyofpatients,mayrenderstudentsineligibleforplacementinaclinicalagency.Ineligibilityforplacementinaclinicalagencytoperformnursingcareforcompletionofclinicalobjectiveswillresultincoursefailureanddismissalfromundergraduatenursingprograms.AsaresultofJointCommissionguidelinesmandatingcriminalbackgroundchecksonallemployees,volunteersandstudents,healthcareagenciesarerequiringbackgroundchecksanddrugtestingfornursingstudentsworkinginclinical
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 24
settings.Therefore,allundergraduatenursingstudentsenteringtheUMSchoolofNursingwillconsenttoandcompleteaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheck(SeeAppendixC).FailuretosubmitaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheckwillsuspendthematriculationprocessand/orenrollmentinanyundergraduatecourse.
• Newstudents:Asaprecursortoparticipatinginclinicallearningactivities,studentsseekingadmissiontotheUndergraduateNursingprogramsarerequiredtohaveaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheck.Studentsmayalsoberequiredtohaveadditionalchecksonceenrolledintheprogram.TheSchoolofNursingmustcertifytoclinicalagencies,wherestudentsparticipateinclinicalactivities,thateachstudenthashadanegativebackgroundcheckwithnoadversefinding.
• Matriculatedstudents:Supplementaloradditionalbackgroundchecksmayberequiredtomeettherequirementsofaclinicalagency.Onceenrolledintheundergraduatenursingprogram,studentsarecompelledtodiscloseanylegalorcriminalconvictionsorarrestswithinathree(3)daytimeperiod.
TheCriminalBackgroundCheckwillincludealocalandnationalreviewofrelevantrecordsincludingcountyofresidencecriminalrecords,residencehistoryforthelastsevenyears,SocialSecurityverification,nationwidesexualoffenderregistry,andnationwidehealthcarefraudandabusescan.StudentDisqualificationGuidelinesAstudentwillbedeniedclinicalplacementbyahealthcarefacilityandwillbedismissedfromthenursingprograminwhichtheyareenrolledifthestudentadmitsto,orifaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheckrevealschargesforoneormoreofthefollowingcrimes:murder,manslaughter,carjacking,useofaweaponinthecommissionofacrime,robberyortheft(including,butnotlimitedto,theftbyfalsificationoffinancialrecordsorembezzlement),passingworthlesschecks,creditcardfraud/fraudulentuseofacreditcard,forgery,identitytheft,burglary,arson,kidnapping,falseimprisonment,homeinvasion,assault,battery,resistingarrestwithviolence,domesticviolence,anystalkingoffense,rape,sexualbattery,trespassforsexualpurposes(peeping),lewdandlasciviousbehavior(anactuponachildand/orinthepresenceofachild),childabuse,childabandonment,childneglect,anycrimeinvolvingphysicalviolenceagainstachild,possessionofchildpornography,exploitation/neglect/abuseofadisabledadultorelderlyperson,sale/delivery/traffickinginnarcotics,felonypossessionofacontrolledsubstance,anyotherfelonyleveloffenseinvolvingviolationofadrugabusepreventionandcontrollaw(includingbutnotlimitedtofelonylevelpossession/sale/purchase/manufacture/useofcontrolledsubstanceinviolationofapplicablelaw),felonydrivingwhileintoxicatedorundertheinfluenceofdrugsoralcohol,falsificationofprescriptionrecords,hatecrimes,terrorism,and/orescapeorattemptedescapefromincarceration.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 25
ConsequencesforaCriminalHistory• Ifacriminalbackgroundreportindicatesanypositivecriminalhistory,the
UndergraduateProgramChairandtheDeanfortheSchoolofNursingwillsendalettertothestudentrequestingawrittenexplanationoftheindicatedincident(s).
• Ifthestudentchallengestheinformationinthereportaserroneous,theDeanfortheSchoolofNursingwillaskCastleBranchtoinvestigatefurthertovalidatetheinformationasaccurate.
• Ifthestudentrespondsthatthepositivecriminalhistoryreportisaccurate,theUndergraduateProgramChairandtheSchoolofNursingDeanwillnotifythestudentinwritingthattheywillbeunabletoattendtheUMSchoolofNursingandwithdrawalfromtheundergraduatenursingprogramismandated.
• Students,whohavebeenconvictedofafelonyorhaveplednolocontenderetoafelonyoracrimeinvolvingmoralturpitude,areineligibleforclinicalplacementandaredeemedunabletocompleteprogramrequirements.
Astudentwhoengagesinillegaland/orimmoralactivitiesand/orwhoexhibitsunprofessionalconductwhichdirectlyorindirectlyendangersthehealthorwellbeingofanotherwillbesubjecttodismissalfromtheprogram.Thecriminalbackgroundreportwillbeheldinthestrictestconfidence;onlythoseindividualswhohaveaneedtoknowrelatedtothestudent’senrollmentandacademicprogress(e.g.clinicalagencyplacement)willhaveaccesstothisinformation.
DisclosureofLegal/CriminalConvictionsandArrestsStudentsenrolledintheUndergraduateNursingProgrammustreportanyarrestsorlegal/criminalconvictionsincluding,butnotlimitedto,misdemeanors,felonies,sexualoffenderconvictionsorgovernmentsanctions.Ifastudentisconvictedofanycriminaloffense(s)otherthanminortrafficviolationssubsequenttothecriminalbackgroundcheck(s)obtainedunderthispolicy,thestudentisrequiredwithinthree(3)daysaftersuchconvictiontoreporttotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingthedateandnatureoftheconviction.FailuretoreportanyarrestsorlegalconvictionswillresultinautomaticandimmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.Thestudentwillbeineligibletobere-admittedtotheundergraduatenursingprogram.
DressCodeforCampusStudentsmustweartheirfullclassroomuniformtoallUniversityofMobilesanctionedactivities(unlessotherwiseinstructedtowearprofessionaldressand/orclinicaluniform)andforclassesoncampus.Theclassuniformconsistsofcrimsonredtop,crimsonredpants,whiteorblackleathershoes,andappropriatecoloredsocks.Studentsmustweartheapprovedjacket,ifneeded.
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DrugScreenPolicyandProcedureTheSchoolofNursingrecognizesthatalcoholabuseanddrugusearesocietalproblemsthatcanaffectnursingstudents.Theseproblemscanadverselyinfluencethelearningenvironment,andindividualswithimpairedjudgmentanddecision-makingcapabilitiesarenotsafeinprovidingcareinanyhealthcaresetting.TheSchoolofNursinghasavitalinterestinmaintainingasafeandhealthyenvironmentforitsstudentsaswellasthepatient’s/client’sitserves.Anystudentundertheinfluenceofadrugoralcoholduringclinicalmayposeserioussafetyandhealthrisks,notonlytothemselves,buttothepatients/clientstheyareprovidingcareto.AsaresultoftheJointCommissionguidelines,healthcareagenciesarerequiringdrugtestingfornursingstudentsworkinginclinicalsettings.Therefore,allundergraduatenursingstudentsenteringtheUMSchoolofNursingwillconsenttoandcompletearandomdrugtesting(SeeAppendixD).Failuretosubmitadrugscreeningcheckwillsuspendthematriculationprocessand/orenrollmentinanyundergraduatenursingcourse.Admittedstudentswillnotbeallowedtoprogressincourseworkwithoutcompletionofanegativedrugscreen.Anegativedrugscreenisdefinedasabsenceofanyillegaldrug(i.e.cannabinoids,cocaine,phencyclidine,etc.)ormedicationwithoutaprescriptionfromalicensedprescriber(i.e.amphetamines,opiates,etc.)inthestudent’surine.
• Newstudents:Matriculationwillbeconditionaloncompletionofaurinedrugscreen.Asaprecursortoparticipatinginclinicallearningactivities,studentsseekingadmissiontotheUndergraduateNursingProgramsarerequiredtohaveannualdrugscreens.Studentsmayalsoberequiredtohaveadditionalchecksonceenrolledintheprogram.TheSchoolofNursingmustcertifytoclinicalagencies,wherestudentsparticipateinclinicalactivities,thateachstudenthashadanegativedrugscreen.
• Matriculatedstudents:Supplementaloradditionalurinedrugscreensmayberequiredtomeettherequirementsofaclinicalagency.
Ifthestudent’sdrugscreenispositive,theMedicalDirectoroftheLaboratorywillcontactthestudenttoprovidewrittenproofofaprescription.StudentswhoareunabletoproduceaprescriptiontosubstantiatelegalusageofthemedicationwillbedismissedfromtheSchoolofNursing.StudentsFoundtobeUndertheInfluenceofIllicitDrugsand/orAlcoholEachstudentisexpectedtoupholdanddemonstrateprofessionalandpersonalmoralstandards.Thefacultysubscribestotheintentoftheuniversitypolicyprohibitingtheillegalpossession,useordistributionofdrugsand/oralcoholbystudentsonuniversitypropertyorasapartofanyuniversityactivity(onoroffcampus).Underagedrinkingisillegal.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 27
Studentsmanifestingbehaviorsinclinicalsettingsincludingbutnotlimitedto,alcoholonbreath,pupillarychanges,slurredspeech,motorincapacities,orothersignsand/orphysicalsymptomssuggestingimpairment,willbequestionedbynursingfacultyorpreceptor.If,inthefacultymember’sorpreceptor’sjudgment,itisreasonabletobelievethatanimpairmentexists,thenthestudentwillbeaskedtoleavetheclinicalsettingimmediately.Thestudentwillberequiredtoparticipateinadrugscreenimmediatelyinordertocontinueinthenursingprogram.Afamilymemberorfriendwillbecontactedtoprovidesafetransportationforthestudentawayfromtheclinicalsite.StudentsintheSchoolofNursingmustcomplywiththelegal,moralandlegislativestandardsinaccordancewiththeAlabamaBoardofNursingAdministrativeCode.Astudentwhoengagesinillegaland/orimmoralactivitiesand/orwhoexhibitsunprofessionalconductwhichdirectlyorindirectlyendangersthehealthorwellbeingofanotherwillbesubjecttodismissalfromtheprogram.ReasonableSuspensionofDrug/AlcoholUseInadditiontothepre-clinicalscreeningprocessforsubstanceabuse,fortheprotectionofpatients,faculty,staff,andstudents,theSchoolofNursinghastherighttorequireastudenttosubmittotestingforsubstanceabuseatthestudent’sexpensewhenafacultymemberorpreceptorhasreasonablecausetobelievethestudentisundertheinfluenceofalcoholorotherdrugsincluding: 1.Abnormalconductorerraticbehavior,absenteeism,tardinessordeteriorationinperformance. 2.Evidenceoftamperingwithadrugtest. 3.Informationthatthestudenthascausedorcontributedtoharmofself,visitors,staff,orapatient/clientwhileundertheinfluenceofdrugs. 4.Evidenceofinvolvementintheuse,possession,sale,orsolicitationofdrugs.ConfidentialityThestatusofthedrugscreenwillbeheldinthestrictestconfidence;onlythoseindividualswhohaveaneedtoknowrelatedtothestudent’senrollmentandacademicprogress(e.g.clinicalagencyplacement)wouldhaveaccesstothisinformation.
ElectronicDevicesPolicyElectronicdevicesarethoseusedintheacademicsensefordatamanagementandacademicwork.Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtomobiledevices,smartphones,laptopcomputers,notebooks,andtablets.Thepolicyrequirementshereinareapplicabletoanyacademicsetting(classroom,clinicalsetting,and/orlaboratoryexperiences)whereanelectronicdeviceisrequiredforacademicpurposes.Failuretocomplywiththepolicyviolates
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 28
professionalstandardsandmayresultinclinicalfailureand/orotherdisciplinaryaction.
• Electronicdevicesareintendedonlyforclinicalreferencing,datacollection,communicationwithaproviderorfacultyandaccesstopointofcareevidencebasedclinicalinformation.
• Electronicdevicesmaynotbeusedfornon-academicpurposeswhileintheacademicsetting.
• Theuseofelectronicdevicesmustfollowtheclinicalsetting’spolicyconcerningelectronicdevices,includingwirelessconnectivity.
• Coursefacultymayfurtherdefinespecificguidelinesinthecoursesyllabifortheuseofelectronicdevicesintheacademicsetting.
• Useofanyelectronicdevicetotapeorrecordfacultyand/orlecturepresentationsisnotpermittedandisinviolationofSchoolofNursingpolicy.
EligibilityforNCLEX-RNExaminationAllnursingstudentsmustcomplywithlegal,moral,andlegislativestandards,whichdetermineacceptablebehaviorofthenurseandshallavoidthosebehaviorsthatmaybecausefordenialoflicensuretopracticeasaregisterednurse,inaccordancewiththeNursePracticeActandAdministrativeCodefortheAlabamaBoardofNursing.ItisimportantfornursingstudentstobefamiliarwiththeAlabamaBoardofNursingregulationsforeligibilityforinitialandcontinuinglicensure.Regulatoryquestionstoprospectivecandidatesincludeinformationabouttheircriminalhistory,substanceusehistory,physical/mentalhealthhistory,etc.Specificquestionsinclude:“Haveyoueverbeenarrestorconvictedofacriminaloffenseotherthanaminortrafficviolation?”;“Haveyouwithinthelastfiveyearsabuseddrugs/alcoholORhavebeentreatedfordependencytoalcoholORillegalchemicalsubstances?”;and“HaveyouwithinthelastfiveyearsreceivedinpatientORoutpatienttreatmentORbeenrecommendedtoseektreatmentformentalillness?”ThesequestionsrepresentonlyasamplingofquestionsregardingaprospectivestudentshistoryregardingactivitiesthatmustbecarefullyexaminedbytheAlabamaBoardofNursingbeforeactiontowardlicensurecanproceedforward.Successfulcompletionofthenursingprograminnowayguaranteessuccessfulpassageofthelicensingexamination(NCLEX-RN).Inaddition,theBoardofNursingmayrefuseanapplicantpermissiontowritetheexam(RefertotheAlabamaBoardofNursing).TheSchoolofNursingholdsnoresponsibilityiftheBoardofNursinginthestatethestudentisseekinglicensurerefusestoallowthestudenttotaketheNCLEX-RN.Ifastudentisconcernedabouteligibility,theymaycontacttheAlabamaBoardofNursingatP.O.Box303900,Montgomery,AL36130-3900.Thewebsiteishttps://www.abn.alabama.gov/
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 29
E-MailPolicyAllUniversityofMobileofficialcommunicationswiththestudentwillbeprovidedthroughtheUME-Mailaddressthatisassignedtothestudentuponofficialadmissionandenrollment.Allofficialinformationincludingbutnotlimitedto,studentbilling,faculty-studentcommunications,courseregistration,financialaidinformation,studenthandbookchanges,etc.willbesenttothestudent’semailaddressrepresentingofficialnotification.TheUniversityacceptsnoresponsibility,foranyforwardingofemailthatthestudentmaychoosefromtheirofficialUMemailaccount.TheUniversityisonlyresponsibleforensuringthatemailgetstothestudent’semailaccountthatismaintainedbytheUniversity.AllstudentsareresponsibleformonitoringtheirUMemailaccountfrequently(atleasttwicedaily).OnlyofficialUniversityofMobileemailaddresseswillbeusedforcommunicationfromtheSchoolofNursing.
EmploymentofStudentsSincetheabilitytohandlecombinedresponsibilitiesofcollegeandemploymentissohighlyindividualistic,thereisnopolicylimitingthenumberofhoursaTBSNstudentenrolledfull-timeintheSchoolofNursingmaybeemployedoutsidetheUniversity.StudentsenrolledintheABSNprogramareencouragednottoworkgiventherigorandintensityassociatedwithcompletingdegreerequirements.StudentswhofailtomeettheacademicstandardsintheSchoolofNursingduetoemploymentwillreceivenospecialconsiderationregardlessoffinancialneed.StudentsemployedbyclinicalagenciesshouldbeawarethatneithertheUniversityofMobilenortheSchoolofNursingassumesanyresponsibilitiesforyouractivitiesasemployeesofanagency.Followingcompletionofthefirstsemester,part-timeorPRNemploymentisfrequentlyavailablefornursingstudentsatareahospitalsduringthejuniorandsenioryears.Inthesepositions,studentsassumeresponsibilitiesthatarecommensuratewiththeirlevelofeducation.UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingnametagsanduniformsshouldnotbewornwhenstudentsareemployedbyhospitalsoragencies.
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FamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct(FERPA)FERPAisafederallawthatprotectstheprivacyofstudenteducationrecordsandinformation.ThelawappliestoallschoolsthatreceivefundsunderanapplicableprogramoftheU.S.DepartmentofEducation.FERPAgivesparentscertainrightswithrespecttotheirchildren’seducationrecords.Theserightstransfertothestudentwhenthestudentreachestheageof18orentersapostsecondaryinstitutionatanyage(www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html).Facultymembersmustsecurewrittenpermissionfromastudentbeforetheycanspeaktoaparentregardingtheirchild’seducationrecordoracademicprogress.
GraduationRequirementsDegreesofBaccalaureateinScience(BSN)areawardedtonursingstudentswhohavecompletedallrequiredcoursesintheirrespectivecurricula(ABSN,TBSN,orRN-BSN)andarestudentsingoodstandingattheUniversity.Studentsmustsubmitan“IntenttoGraduate”formtotheRegistrar’sOfficeduringthesemesterbeforetheygraduate.Thedeadlineforthisapplicationispublishedeachsemesterontheuniversitywebsiteand/orisavailableintheRegistrar’sOffice.Studentswithquestionsregardingtheireligibilityforgraduationshouldseekassistancefromtheirassignedadvisorand/ortheRegistrar’sOffice(LocatedinWeaverHallBuilding).
HealthHistoryEachstudentmustcompleteaHealthHistoryformanduploadittoCastleBranchannually.StudentswithoutacompleteHealthHistoryformwillnotbepermittedtobegintheirclinicalrotations,resultingincoursewithdrawalorfailure.
ImmunizationsHealthcareworkers,includingstudentsparticipatinginclinicalexperiences,areatriskforcontractingavarietyofcommunicablediseases.TheCenterforDiseaseControl(CDC)hasspecificrecommendationsforhealthcareworkers,inadditiontotheusualadultimmunizationrequirements,tobetterprotecthealthcareworkersandthepopulationstheyserve.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingrequiresitsstudentstoprovidevalidationofcertainimmunizationsand/orimmunitiespriortothestartoftheclinicalcomponentandpriortoclinicalplacements.Allclinicalsitesrequireproofofimmunizationsand/orimmunitiesrequiredbytheprogrampriortoclinicalplacement.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 31
Studentswhofailtoprovideproofofimmunizationsand/orproofofimmunityrequiredbyclinicalsiteswillnotbepermittedtoparticipateinclinicalexperiencesthatarenecessaryforprogramcompletion.ItisalsopossiblethatsomeclinicalagenciesmayrequireimmunizationsinadditiontothoserequiredbytheUMSchoolofNursing.
REQUIREDIMMUNIZATIONS
Measles,Mumps,&Rubella(MMR)
Oneofthefollowingisrequired:two(2)vaccinationsorpositiveantibodytiterforall3componentsordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Ifthetiterisnegativeorequivocal,vaccinationsarerequired.
Tetanus,Diphtheria,andPertussis(Tdap)
DocumentationofTdapwithinthelastten(10)yearsordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Thenextactiondatewillbesetforten(10)yearsfromtheadministereddateofthevaccine.
HepatitisBseries
Oneofthefollowingisrequired:three(3)vaccinationsorpositiveantibodytiterordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Iftheseriesisinprocess,thenextactiondatewillbesetaccordingly.Ifthetiterisnegativeorequivocal,additionalvaccinationsarerequired.
Varicella
Oneofthefollowingisrequired:two(2)vaccinationsorpositiveantibodytiterordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Ifthetiterisnegativeorequivocal,additionalvaccinationsarerequired.
Tuberculosis APPD-Mantouxtest(onestep)isrequiredannually.IfPPDispositive,orstudenthasprevioushistoryofapositivetuberculinskintest,anormalchestx-rayisrequiredwithin12months,unlesshistoryofINHtherapyisdocumented.Repeatchestx-raysarenotneededunlessstudentdisplayssymptomsorsignsofTBorahealthcarepractitionerrecommendsarepeatchestx-ray.ThehealthcareproviderperformingtheannualphysicalshouldscreenforsignsandsymptomsofTB.AstudentmaychoosetodoabloodtestinsteadofaPPD.IfthebloodtestispositiveforTB,thestudentmustprovidewrittendocumentationfromahealthcareproviderdefiningtreatmentandreleasetoworkinaclinicalsetting.Thisisanannualrequirementforallstudentnurses.
Annualinfluenza(Flu)vaccine
Submissionofdocumentationofaflushotadministeredforthecurrentfluseasonordocumentationbyamedicalproviderofanallergicreaction.Thenextactiondatewillbesetforone(1)year.
WaiverofReceiptofRequiredImmunizationsIfastudentisunabletoreceivetherequiredimmunizationsduetoamedicalcontraindication,theymustprovidedocumentationbyalicensedhealthcare
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 32
providerthattheyareunabletofulfilltherequirement.Familymembersorcloserelativesmaynotcompleteawaiver.UploadingRelevantInformationtoTrackerServiceStudentsaresuppliedwithdetailedinstructionsonhowtosubmitthecompleteddocumentstotheonlineserviceknownasCastleBranchwherestudentinformationandhealthrecordsareconfidentiallymaintained.Submittedmaterialsarereviewedtoverifythatthestudentiseligibleforparticipationintheclinicalcourses.Nostudentwillbepermittedinaclinicalagencywithoutsubmissionofawaiverorcompletelyfulfillingtheimmunizationrequirements.
LicensureforRN-BSNStudentsRegisteredNursesintheRN-BSNprogrammustholdanactiveandunencumberedlicensetopracticeasaregisterednurse.TheSchoolofNursingwillverifyalllicenseseachsemester.Ifastudent’slicensehasbeensuspendedortheBoardofNursinghasplacedthestudentonprobation,thestudentwillbeunabletocontinueinthenursingprogramuntiltheencumbranceshavebeenrectified.IftheBoardofNursinghasrevokedastudent’slicenseasaregisterednurse,thestudentwillbedismissedandwillbeineligibleforre-admittancetotheSchoolofNursing.
LiteraryFormat(APA)Inordertoprovideconsistency,uniformity,clarityandstandardizationforwrittendocumentsintheSchoolofNursing,thepublicationmanualoftheAmericanPsychologicalAssociation(APA)istheadoptedstyleforallwrittendocuments.Allstudents,inwritingpapersaspartofcourserequirements,shouldusetheAPAformat.
LostandFoundAnyarticlesfoundinthenursingbuildingshouldbegiventotheSchoolofNursingAdministrativeAssistant.Ifastudenthaslostanyitem,aninquiryshouldbemadetoLynnelleKahalleyat251.442.2253ormailto:lkahalley@umobile.edu
NetEtiquetteNetEtiquettedescribesprofessionalcommunicationandbehaviorsforonlinecommunicationandinteraction(email,discussionboardpostings,chats,blogs,etc.)toensureaforumfordynamicandengagedlearning.TheexpectationsforNetEtiquettearethatallstudentsarerespectfulandcourteousinallcommunications.Teachingandlearningprocessesworkbestwithfreeandopenexchangeofideas,yetinanelectronicsetting,withoutthebenefitoffacialexpressions,bodylanguageortonalcues,miscommunicationandmisunderstandingmayoccur.Studentsshould
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 33
demonstraterespectandcourtesybywelcomingdissentingopinions,respectingpersonalprivacy,and/orcreatingormaintainingacultureofcivility.Conductintheonlinesettingisasimportantasface-to-faceinteraction.Appropriatecommunicationcontributestotheperceptionofprofessionalism.Studentsshould:
• Havehonestandkindcommunication.• Useclear,concise,andappropriatelanguage.• Usepropertitlestoaddressothers(forexample,Dr.SmithorProfessor
Jones).• Bethoughtful,judicious,andprofessionalabouttheuseofemotions,
sarcasm,jokes,orhumor.• Re-read,proof,andeditcommunicationsanddiscussionboardpostings
beforeuploadingandsending.• Composewrittencommunication,discussionboardposts,orotheronline
assignmentsofflinebeforeposting.
PinningCeremonyforABSNandTBSNStudentsGraduatingseniorsarehonoredwithaPinningCeremonyattheconclusionoftheircourseofstudy.InordertoparticipateinthePinningCeremony,studentsmusthavesatisfactorilycompletedallrequirementsfortheBachelorofScienceinNursingdegree(ABSNandTBSNPrograms)orintendtocompletethesemesterfollowinggraduation.Thereisnofeeforparticipationinthepinningceremony.AreceptionforgraduatingstudentsandtheirfamiliesandfriendsisprovidedbytheSchoolofNursingfollowingtheceremony.ThenursingpinsymbolizessuccessfulcompletionoftherequirementsfortheBachelorofSciencedegreeinnursingandiswornonthenurse’suniformfollowinggraduation.AllgraduatingseniorswillreceiveasagiftfromtheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursinganursingpin.ThepinwillbeplacedonacrimsonredribbonandwillbepresentedduringthePinningCeremony.TheSchoolofNursingPinwasre-designedbyfacultyandstudentsin2017.TheTorchandFlameontheNursingPinrepresenttruthandknowledge.ThesepowerfulsymbolsalsoindicatethatJesusChrististheLightoftheWorld,GodastheSourceofDivineWisdom,andarenewedspiritandtransformedmindthatistheaimofaUniversityofMobileeducation.
ProctorFreeStudentsenrolledinonlinecourseswithexaminationsmaybeaskedtotakeproctoredexamswithaservicecalledProctorFree.TheUniversityofMobilehasselectedthiscompanyforallonlinetesting.Facultymembersreservetherighttorequestthatstudentstakeexamsoncampus.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 34
ProctorFreeisaneasyandeffectivewaytomaintainacademicintegrityintheclassroom.Thesoftwareprovidesascalable,online,on-demandexamproctoringservicethatcanbeaccessedbytesttakersatanytime.ProctorFreeauthenticatesthestudentusingfacialrecognitionandmaintainscontinuousidentifyverificationthroughouttheexam.Anotherfeatureisthatthesoftwaremonitorsforavarietyofevents,behaviors,andpatternstypicallyassociatedwithcheating,referredtoasanomalies(http://www.proctorfree.com).Afterstudentscompletetheirexamination,adetailedandoptimizedreportoftheproctorsessionisemailedtothefacultymemberortestadministratorforreview.Highlightedinthereportaretheminuteandsecondwherecheating-likebehaviorsoccurredandallowthefacultymembertodetermineifthestudentwasinvolvedinacheatingbehavior(http://www.proctorfree.com).Fortesting,studentswillneedacomputerwithstandardInternetconnection,astandardmicrophone,andastandardWebcam.AdditionalinformationregardingtheprocessofusingProctorFreewillbedelineatedineachcoursesyllabithatmayutilizeonlinetesting.
ProfessionalConductNursingprofessionalismiscomprisedofbehaviors,practices,andcommunicationstylesthatdemonstratecorevaluesofnursesworkingtoachieveoptimalhealthoutcomesinpatients,families,andcommunities.Thisincludesconductthatappliestheprinciplesofexcellence,caring,ethics,respect,communication,andaccountability.Studentslearntheseprinciplesthroughself-assessment,responsiblelearning,effectivecommunication,andcontinuousprofessionalengagement.Astudentwhoengagesinillegaland/orimmoralactivitiesand/orwhoexhibitunprofessionalconductwhichdirectlyorindirectlyendangersthehealthorwellbeingofanotherwillbesubjecttodismissalfromtheundergraduatenursingprogram.
PurposeofaSyllabusThecoursesyllabusisdesignedbytheinstructorasastudyguideandlearningaidforthestudent.Thesyllabusisnotintendedtobeconstruedasacontract,eitherexpressedorimplied.Theinstructorreservestherighttoalterthesyllabusasindicated.Studentswillbenotifiedbyemailofanychangesormodificationstothecoursecalendarorcourserequirementsasspecifiedinthesyllabus.Syllabiarerequiredforallnursingcourses.ThesyllabimaybeobtainedfromthecoursesiteonMyUM.Studentsareresponsibleforreadingthesyllabusandunderstandingthecourseexpectationsandrequirements.
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SchoolofNursingLocationandHoursofOperationTheSchoolofNursingislocatedonthesecondfloor(OfficeSuites207and209)intheWeaverHallBuilding.TheSchoolofNursingisopenfrom7:30AMuntil5:30PM,MondaythroughThursday.
SocialMedia/NetworkingPolicyThedefinitionof“socialmedia”isbroadandconstantlyevolving.ThetermgenerallyreferstoInternet-basedtoolsthatallowindividualstocommunicate;toshareinformation,ideas,personalmessages,images,andothercontent,andinsomecases,tocollaboratewithotherusersinrealtime.Socialmediaisalsoreferredtoassocialnetworking.Socialmediaandnetworkingincludesbutisnotlimitedto:
• Blogs,andmicro-blogssuchasTwitter.• Socialnetworks,suchasFacebook.• Professionalnetworks,suchasLinkedin.• Videosharing,suchasYouTube,SecondLife,andvlogs(videologs).• Audiosharing,suchaspodcasts.• Photosharing,suchasFlickr,Instagram,andPhotobucket.• Socialbookmarking,suchasDiggandRedditt.• Publiccommentsectionsonwebpages(suchasthoseforonlinenewssites),
RSSfeeds,(http://www.Allnurses.com).• UsercreatedwebpagessuchasWikisandWikipedia.• Anyotherinternet-basedSocialMedia/SocialNetworkingapplicationsimilar
inpurposeorfunctiontothoseapplicationsdescribedabove.
AllUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingstudents(clinical,didactic,research,teaching)mustadheretoregulationsprovidedbyHIPPA,HITECH,andassignedclinicalagenciespoliciesregardinganyusageofelectronicdevicesinoroutoftheclinicalorclassroomsetting.
• Permissionmaybegrantedbynursingfacultyorassignedpreceptorstouseelectronicdevicesforenhancinglearningintheclassroomorpatientcareenvironment.
Someelectroniccommunication,networkingand/orpostingsaresubjecttopublicview;therefore,studentsareresponsibleforallcontentandaresubjecttodisciplinaryactioniftheyengageinmisuseorabuse.Misuseofelectronicdevicesincludesbutmaynotbeallinclusive:
• Patientinformation• Communicationorpostingsofillegal,obscene,defamatoryand/or
slanderousstatements• Postingsofobscenephotosorvideos• Discreditingofanyperson(s)orgroup(s)
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 36
StudentsenrolledintheSchoolofNursingUndergraduateProgramareexpectedtobecompliantwiththeSocialMedia/NetworkingPolicy.Appropriateandprofessionalbehaviorsinclude:
• Maintainethicallyprescribedprofessionalboundariessurroundingthenurse-patientrelationshipintheonlineenvironmentinadditiontotheclassroom.
• FollowHIPAAguidelinesatalltimes.Identifiableinformationconcerningpatients/clinicalrotationsmustnotbepostedinanyonlineforumorwebpage.
• Reportpromptlyanyidentifiedbreachofconfidentialityofprivacytofacultyorotherappropriateauthority.
• Avoidtransmittingorplacingonlineindividuallyidentifiablepatientinformation.
• Practicerestraintwhendisclosingpersonalinformationonsocialnetworkingsites.EvenseeminglyinnocuouspicturesandcommentscanimpacttherespectandtrustpatientsandothershaveforUniversityofMobilenursingstudents.
• Whenpostingyourpointofview,neitherclaimnorimplythatyouarespeakingontheUniversityofMobile’sbehalf,unlessyouareauthorizedtodosoinwriting.
• Understandthatpatients/clients,colleagues,peers,institutions,andemployersmayviewpostings.
InaccordancewiththeANACodeofEthics,itwouldbeinappropriateandunprofessionalforaundergraduatestudentto:
• Engageincommunicationwithpatients/clientsandtheirfamilymembersonsocialnetworkingsites.
• PostonbehalfoftheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingorasanofficialrepresentativeoftheSchoolofNursingwithoutwrittenapproval.
• Takeanypicturesinanyclinical,laboratory,orpracticesitewithoutwrittenapproval.
• Share,post,ortransmitanypersonalinformation,healthinformation,orimagesbywayofelectronicmedia.Sharingthisinformationisaviolationofpatient’srightstoconfidentialityandprivacy.
Considerations
• Studentsarelegallyliableforwhatispostedontheirownsiteandonthesitesofothers.Ifindoubt,practiceprofessionalrestraintanddon’tpost.
• PrivacydoesnotexistintheworldofSocialMedia/SocialNetworking.ConsidertheconsequencesifapostbecomeswidelyknownandhowitmayreflectonyoupersonallyaswellastheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursing.
• Considertheprofessionalimageyouwanttopresentandmakesurethatanycontentyoupostisconsistentwithyourprofessionalgoals.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 37
SocialMedia/NetworkingPolicyMisuseDisciplinaryActionsStudentswhoshareconfidentialinformationareatriskofdisciplinaryactionincludingcoursefailureand/ordismissalfromtheprogram.Theremaybelegalramificationsforstudentswhobreachinstitutionalconfidentialityagreements.DisciplinaryActions1.Firstpolicyviolation:
• NotificationoftheincidenttotheUndergraduateProgramChairandtheDean.
• One-on-onemeetingwiththecoursefacultyandtheUndergraduateProgramChair.
• ReviewoftheUMSchoolofNursingSocialMedia/NetworkingPolicy.• ActionsmayresultinimmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.
2.Secondpolicyviolation:
• One-on-onemeetingwiththeUndergraduateProgramChairandtheDean.• ReviewofsaidinfractionandstatusintheSchoolofNursing.• ActionsmayresultinimmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.
3.Thirdpolicyviolation:
• ImmediatedismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.
StandardPrecautionsDuetothenatureofthepracticeofnursing,studentsmaycomeincontactwithpatientsorspecimenscapableofcausingdisease.Itisimperativethatappropriateinfectioncontroltechniquesandprecautionsbefollowed.Appropriatestandardprecautionsandneedleandsharpprecautions,asdefinedbytheCentersforDiseaseControlareadheredtobytheUMSchoolofNursing.Inordertolimittransmissionofbloodbornediseases,studentsarenotpermittedtoperforminvasiveproceduresonthemselvesorotherstudentsintheNursingSkillsLab.Invasiveproceduresinclude,butnotlimitedto,anyformofinjectionorvenipuncture.Additionally,studentsmaynotpracticeinvasiveproceduresonthemselves,othersstudents,faculty,familymembers,oragencystaffintheclinicalsetting.Studentsarepermittedtoperforminvasiveproceduresinclinicalcaresettingsonpatientswithdirectsupervisionoflicensedpersonnel.Despitecarefulandconscientiouspracticeofstandardprecautions,itcannotbeguaranteedthatstudentswillnotbeexposedtobloodorbodyfluids.AllstudentsshouldreadandadheretotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)BasicInfectionPreventionandControlandWorkerGuidelinesatwww.cdc.gove/infectioncontrol/guidelines/index.html.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 38
GeneralProcedureFollowingExposure,Illness,orInjuryIfanexposure/illness/injuryoccursduringstudentexperiences,thestudentisresponsibleforimmediatelyreportingtheincidenttotheclinicalfacultyandtotheagencywheretheincidentoccurred.Theinitialcarefollowinganyinjury,illness,orexposuretobloodorbodyfluidshouldbethesameprocedureusedforemployeesoftheagency.Regardlessoftheplaceforinitialcare(agencyorprivatemedicalprovider),thestudentorthestudent’sinsurancecarrierwillberesponsibleforanyandallchargesincurred.Thepost-exposureorfollow-upcareshouldbeconductedbythestudent’schoiceofprivatemedicalprovider.Allstudentsareencouragedtomaintainhealthinsurance.
StudentIDBadgesAllstudentsarerequiredtohaveanofficialUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingphotoI.D.badgeasameansofidentification.ThephotoIDbadgeshouldbewornandbevisibleonthestudent’suniformatallclinicalsites.
StudentLeaveofAbsenceThefacultyrecognizesthatthenatureandpaceofthenursingprogramsarerigorousanddemanding.Theremaybetimeswhenthestudent’spersonal,family,financial,medical,orworksituationmayrequireaninterruptionintheplannedcourseofstudy.Thestudentrequestingaleaveofabsencemust1)submitawrittenrequestforaleaveofabsence,2)conferwiththecoursefacultyandtheUndergraduateProgramChair,and3)followreadmissionapplicationpolicyfortheBSNprogram.
TechnologyandComputerRequirementsSomecoursesintheABSN,TBSN,andRN-BSNProgramsmaybeofferedonlinethroughalearningmanagementsystem(LMS).AsofAugust2017,theUniversityofMobileismigratingfromE-LearningtoInstructureCanvas.Itispossiblethatasthistransitiontakesplace,thestudentmaytakeclassesinbothplatforms.Participationinonlinecoursesrequiresthestudenttohaveaccesstoacomputerandbeingabletosendandreceiveemail.TheUniversityofMobileprovidesanemailaccountforeverystudent.Yourprofessorsmustbeabletocorrespondwithyouthroughemailandmayrequireyoutocommunicatewithyourclassmatesthroughemail.CoursefacultyandclinicalpreceptorswilluseyourUMstudentemailaccountforallemailcommunicationunlessotherwisespecified.Byenrollinginanonlinecourse,thestudentisgrantingthefacultypermissiontoposttheirnameandemailaddressonthecoursewebsiteandotherwisedistributethatinformationtootherstudentsintheclass.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 39
UniversityofMobile’snetworkenablesaccesstoexternalfacilities,systems,andothernetworksoverwhichUniversityofMobilehasnocontrol,includingcapabilities,whichareincidentaltoprovidingsuchaccess.SomeoftheseresourcesmaynotsupporttheUniversityofMobile’sgoalsandobjectives.AlthoughtheUniversityofMobiledoesnotexerciseeditorialorcensorshipcontrolofsuchexternalresources,theUniversityofMobileexpectsthattechnologywillnotbeusedforpurposes,whichareimmoral,illegal,orinconsistentwiththemission.TheUniversityofMobileInformationTechnologyDepartmentmonitorsfacultyandstudentsemailforSpam.Inappropriateusesoftechnologyinclude,butarenotlimitedtothosespecificallyprohibitedbylocal,state,orfederallaw.Withoutlimitation,examplesofinappropriateusesoftechnologyinclude:
• Sendingofharassing,threatening,orobscenematerialtominorsand/ornon-consentingadultsoranyattemptstoconfuseorfrustrateanotheruserinachievingtheirobjectives.
• Randomorunauthorizedbulksendingormailingofmessages.• Inappropriateuseofaccess.• UnauthorizedreleaseofinformationandviewingofUniversityofMobile’s
dataoutsideofinstitutionalobjectives.• Anydisregardforthesecuritymechanismsthatareinplaceorother
attemptstogainunauthorizedaccesstotechnicalresources.Thisincludespossessionof,orattemptstoacquireanotheruser’spasswordorallowingothersaccesstotechnologyresourcesthatarenotallocatedfortheiruse;
• Useoftechnologyresourcestoachieveacademiccreditbydishonestordeceitfulmeans.
• Malicioustransmissionofacomputervirus.Studentsareexpectedto:
• UtilizetheUMemailsystemastheprimarymeansofcommunicationforuniversityissuesbetweenthestudent,faculty,andstaff.Toensureaqualitylearningexperiencestudentsareexpectedtochecktheiremailatleasttwicedailyandrespondtofacultywith48hoursofaninitialemail.
• PracticegoodNetEtiquettethroughouteachcoursebydemonstratingrespect.
• Assurethatcomputerhardwareandrequiredsoftwareisinstalled.• Assumeaself-motivated,independent,andengagedlearningrole.• Meetcoursedeadlines.• Maintainconfidentialityregardinginformationcommunicatedrelatedto
patients,employers,andotherstudents.• Obtaincourseworkmissedduetointerruptionininternetserviceor
technologyfailure.Extensionofassignmentdeadlineswillbeconsideredatthediscretionofthefaculty.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 40
Giventhenatureofonlinelearning,andinconsiderationofthesoftwareprogramsrequiredforstudentsintheundergraduateprogram,thefollowingisalistofminimumcomputerspecifications.Pleaseensurethatyourcomputermeetsorexceedstheserequirements,andthatyouhaveaccesstoallrequiredsoftwareandhardwarecomponents.COMPONENT MINIMUMREQUIREMENTPCUserOS Windows10orhigherMacUserOSX Intelprocessor,OSXversion10.11.6Internet BroadbandconnectionstronglyrecommendedRAM 4GBRAMCompatibleWebBrowser GoogleChromeHardware Speaker,WebcamDesktopSoftware(forPCorMacHardware)
MicrosoftOffice2010orhigher,Word,PowerPoint,Excel,AdobeReader
TheUniversityofMobileemphasizestheabilitytoutilizecomputerskillsalonewithvarioussoftwarepackagesintheeducationalsetting.Computerskillsneededtosucceedinthenursingprogramincludewordprocessingalongwiththeuseofinternetandemail.MicrosoftWordandGoogleChromearerecommended.
TobaccoUseandSmokingPolicyTheSchoolofNursinghasavitalinterestinmaintainingasafeandhealthyenvironmentforitsstudentsaswellasmaintainingsafeandhealthfulconditionsforitspatients/clients.Nursingstudentsarenotpermittedtousetobaccoproducts(includingelectroniccigarettes,asthevaporscontainthetoxinnicotine)whenactingasarepresentativeoftheSchoolofNursing.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedtoanyclinicalfunctionoranytimethestudentiswearingtheirclinicalorclassSchoolofNursinguniform.StudentsarenotpermittedtosmokeorusetobaccoatclinicalsitesorwhenattendingaprofessionalfunctionrequiredbytheSchoolofNursing.
TransportationRequirementsStudentsareresponsibleforarrangingtheirowntransportationtoallrequiredclinicalpracticesitesandforreleasingtheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursingand/oraffiliatedinstitutionsfromliabilityforanyaccidentsinwhichtheymaybeinvolvedwhiletravelingtoandfromtheselearningexperiences.StudentsalsomustreleasetheUniversityfromliabilityforanyaccidentsen-routebetweentheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursingandotherinstitutionsandlocalitiestoparticipateinlearningexperiences.Studentsareremindedthatiftheytransportotherclassmates,toandfromclassorclinicalsites,theyareassumingpersonalliabilityintheevidentofanaccident.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 41
UnicheckPlagiarismDetectionTheUniversityofMobile’sSchoolofNursinghighlyvaluesacademicintegrityandiscommittedtothefundamentalvalueandobligationofpreservingacademichonestyamongourstudents.TheUniversityofMobileusesUnichecksoftwareasaformativeprocesstohelpstudentsdevelopandimprovescholarlywritingskills,whilepromotingacademichonesty.Thisproductisusedtoidentifyplagiarismandtohelpstudentswriteacademicpapersmoreskillfully(http://www.unicheck.com).Inadditiontodeterminingthepercentageof“originality”and“similarity”inthesubmittedpaper,thesoftwarealsohasotherimportantfeaturessuchasspellchecker,grammarchecker,onlineediting,andautomatictipsforpropercitation(http://www.unicheck.com).AppropriatereferencesfortheuseofUnicheckPlagiarismDetectionwillappearinthecoursesyllabus.
UniformRegulations
TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingbelievesthatprofessionalismbeginswithappearanceandattire.Thepublic’sperceptionofnursesandnursingmayinfluencetheeffectivenessofnursingpracticeandshouldbeconsideredasthenurseprovidescare.TheSchoolofNursingUniformPolicyisformulatedtoensurehighstandardsofdressandappearancethatrepresentouruniversityprofessionallytoareahospitalsandcommunitysettings.Inaddition,thefacultybelievesthatprofessionalappearanceshouldbeconsistentwithinfectioncontrol,safety,andpatientcomfortguidelines.
Studentsmustbeincompleteuniformwhentheyareintheirassignedareaforclinicalexperience,includingthedaystheyareatthehospitalforpatientselectionanddataretrieval.StudentsshouldalsobeincompleteuniformwhenrequestedbytheDeanoftheSchoolofNursing,theUndergraduateProgramChair,and/orthefaculty,torepresenttheSchoolofNursing.CompleteUMSchoolofNursingUniformincludestheregulationclinicaluniform,namebadge,whiteleathershoes,bandagescissors,penlight,stethoscope,blackpen,pencil,notepadandwatchwithasecondhand.TheclinicaluniformmustbepurchasedfromDoveProfessionalApparelCompany.TheUMSchoolofNursingclassroom(non-clinical)uniformconsistsofcrimsonredscrubsandapprovedjacket.TheclassroomuniformmustalsobepurchasedfromDoveProfessionalApparelCompany.Shoesforthenon-clinicaluniformonlymaybewhiteorblack,withappropriatecoloredsocks.StudentswillreceiveaClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay(CUD)forfailuretocomplywithuniformregulationsforclinicalpractice.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 42
1.StandardsforWearingClinicalUniformforABSNandTBSN(FemaleStudents):StudentsshouldwearappropriateSchoolofNursinguniformwiththeUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinglogoembroideredonthefrontandphotoIDnamebadge.ThestudentmustbecompliantwithallSchoolofNursinguniformguidelines.
§ Uniform.Shouldbecleanandwellpressedeverytimeitisworn.Whiteorfleshcoloredunderwearisappropriate.Noturtleneckorlongsleevetopsare
permittedundertheuniform.Thestudentnamebadgeshouldbevisibleatall times.
§ Shoes.Uniformshoesmustbeallwhiteleather,non-permeablewithoutmeshinserts,comfortable,anddurable.Shoesshouldbekeptcleanedandpolished,withcleanwhiteshoeslaces.Theentirefootmustbecovered.Noclogs,sandals,oropentoedshoesarepermitted.Novisibledesignsontheshoesareallowed.
§ Socks.WhitesocksmaybewornwiththeUMnursinguniformpants.Should
bewhite,noholesvisible,andlaundered.
• Hairshouldbewornofftheuniformcollarandbeneatatalltimes.Ponytailsorbraidsthatexceedshoulderlengthshouldbeplacedinabunortwist.Hairshouldnotsweepacrossthefaceoreyes.Haircolormustbenatural(noextremesofcolorsuchaspink,red,green,etc.).Noglitterspray,sequins,orotherartificialadornmentsarepermissible.Devicesusedtorestrainhairaretobeunobtrusive.Trendssuchasmultiplecolors,shavedeyebrows,extremesinbleaching,dyeingortinting,dreadlocks,Mohawks,andlongspikedhair(coloredornatural)arenotappropriate.
• Fingernailsmustbeclean,neatlytrimmed,andwellgroomed(nomorethan
¼inchlong).Artificialorpaintednails,gelnails,andacrylicnailsarenotallowed.
§ Make-up.Shouldbeconservativeandmustreflectaprofessionalimage.§ Earrings.Piercingsmustbelimitedtoonlyonesmallearringinthelowerear
lobe.Forsafetyreasons,studentmustrefrainfromwearinghoopsordanglingpearlstuds.Earringsizeshouldnotexceed8mm.
§ Visiblejewelryinbodypiercings,includingbutnotlimitedtonose,facial,ortonguestuds,ormultipleearpiercings(includingthoseintheupperearandeargauges)arenotpermitted.Nooraljewelryisallowed.Piercingsintheface,noseoranyothervisiblebodylocationmustberemovedandarenotpermittedwhileintheSchoolofNursinguniform.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 43
§ Tattoosorbodyartmustbecompletelycoveredandappropriately
concealed.
§ Jewelry.Studentsmaywearonlyawatch,weddingband,and/orengagementring.Nonecklaces,chocker’s,orbraceletsareallowed.
§ Perfumes,scentedlotions,aftershaves,bodyspraysandotherscented
productsshouldnotbeworn.
§ Personalcleanlinessisaprerequisiteforpatient/clientcare.Regularbathing,hairwashinganduseofdeodorantarepartofpersonalcleanliness.
§ Mosthealthcarefacilitiesaresmoke-freeandtobaccofree.Smoking
(includingtheuseofelectroniccigarettes)isnotpermittedwhilethestudentisinuniform/professionaldressbeforeorduringanyclinicalorlaboratoryactivity.Studentsarenotpermittedtoparticipateinpatientcareorinclinicallaboratoryiftheysmellofcigarettes.SmokingisalsoprohibitedontheUniversityofMobilecampus.
§ NameBadge.Thestudentmustusetheirfirstandlastname(nonicknames).
Thestudentmustpurchasetwonamebadges.
§ LabCoats.Whitelabcoatsarerequiredtobewornwhenthestudentisattheclinicalsiteotherthanonscheduledclinicaldaystoselectapatientortoreviewpatientinformation.Labcoatsmustbeatleastmid-thighinlengthandhaveacollar.
§ Jacket.Noembellishmentsarepermittedonthejacket.Thejacketmaybe
worntoandfromtheclinicalagencyandintheclassroom.Studentsmaywearthejackettotheclinicalagencyasoutwearbutarenotpermittedtowearthejacketduringtheiractualclinicalexperiences.
§ No“fannypacks”maybewornastheymayinterferewiththeperformanceof
clinicaldutiesandscarves/necktiesarepermittedforstudentsafety.
§ Nopartoftheuniformmaybewornincombinationwith“streetclothes”(Forexample,theuniformtopmaynotbewornwithbluejeans).Studentsshouldnotweartheirclassorclinicaluniforminsettingsoutsideofclass,clinicalorlab(Forexample,theuniformshouldnotbeworneatingoutwithfriends,shoppingatthemall,etc.).
2.StandardsforWearingClinicalUniformforABSNandTBSN(MaleStudents)
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 44
StudentsshouldwearappropriateSchoolofNursinguniformwiththeUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinglogoembroideredonthefrontandphotoIDnamebadge.ThestudentmustbecompliantwithallSchoolofNursinguniformguidelines.
§ Uniform.Shouldbecleanandwellpressedeverytimeitisworn.Noturtleneckorlongsleevetopsarepermittedundertheuniform.Thestudentnamebadgeshouldbevisibleatalltimes.
§ Shoes.Uniformshoesmustbeallwhiteleather,non-permeablewithoutmeshinserts,comfortable,anddurable.Shoesshouldbekeptcleanedandpolished,withcleanwhiteshoeslaces.Theentirefootmustbecovered.Noclogs,sandals,oropentoedshoesarepermitted.Novisibledesignsontheshoesareallowed.
§ Socks.WhitesocksmaybewornwiththeUMnursinguniformpants.Should
bewhite,noholesvisible,andlaundered.
• Hairshouldbeoffthecollarandneatatalltimes.Haircolormustbenatural(noextremesofcolorsuchaspink,purple,green,etc.).Noglitterspray,sequins,orotherartificialadornmentsarepermissible.Devicesusedtorestrainhairaretobeunobtrusive.Longhairshouldbepulledbackorneatlyrestrainedsoitwillnotinterferewithnursingactivities.Beards,moustaches,andsideburnsmustbeshortandneatlytrimmed.Studentswithoutbeardsshouldbeclean-shaven.Trendssuchasmultiplecolors,shavedeyebrows,extremesinbleaching,dyeingortinting,dreadlocks,Mohawks,andlongspikedhair(coloredornatural)arenotappropriate.
• Fingernailsmustbeclean,neatlytrimmed,andwellgroomed(nomorethan¼inchlong).Artificialorpaintednails,gelnails,acrylicnailsarenotallowed.
§ Visiblejewelryinbodypiercings,includingbutnotlimitedtonose,facial,or
tonguestuds,ormultipleearpiercings(includingthoseintheupperearandeargauges)arenotpermitted.Nooraljewelryisallowed.Piercingsintheface,noseoranyothervisiblebodylocationmustberemovedandarenotpermittedwhileintheSchoolofNursingUniform.
§ Tattoosorbodyartmustbecompletelycoveredandappropriately
concealed.
§ Jewelry.Studentsmaywearonlyawatch,weddingband,and/orengagementring.Nonecklaces,chockers,orbraceletsareallowed.
§ Perfumes,scentedlotions,aftershaves,bodyspraysandotherscented
productsshouldnotbeworn.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 45
§ Personalcleanlinessisaprerequisiteforpatient/clientcare.Regularbathing,
hairwashinganduseofdeodorantarepartofpersonalcleanliness.
§ Mosthealthcarefacilitiesaresmoke-freeandtobaccofree.Smoking(includingtheuseofelectroniccigarettes)isnotpermittedwhilethestudentisinuniform/professionaldressbeforeorduringanyclinicalorlaboratoryactivity.Studentsarenotpermittedtoparticipateinpatientcareorclinicallaboratoryiftheysmellofcigarettes.SmokingisalsoprohibitedontheUniversityofMobilecampus.
§ NameBadge.Thestudentmustusetheirfirstandlastname(nonicknames).
Thestudentmustpurchasetwonamebadges.
§ LabCoats.Whitelabcoatsarerequiredtobewornwhenthestudentisattheclinicalsiteotherthanonscheduledclinicaldaystoselectapatientortoreviewpatientinformation.Labcoatsmustbeatleastmid-thighinlengthandhaveacollar.
§ Jacket.Noembellishmentsarepermittedonthejacket.Thejacketmaybe
worntoandfromtheclinicalagencyandintheclassroom.Studentsmaywearthejackettotheclinicalagencyasoutwearbutarenotpermittedtowearthejacketduringtheiractualclinicalexperiences.
§ No“fannypacks”maybewornastheymayinterferewiththeperformanceof
clinicaldutiesandscarves/necktiesarepermittedforstudentsafety.
§ Nopartoftheuniformmaybewornincombinationwith“streetclothes”(Forexample,theuniformtopmaynotbewornwithbluejeans).Studentsshouldnotweartheirclassorclinicaluniforminsettingsoutsideofclass,clinicalorlab(Forexample,theuniformshouldnotbeworneatingoutwithfriends,shoppingatthemall,etc.)
3.StandardsforWearingClinicalUniformforRN-BSNStudentsStudentsarerequiredtoweareithertheSchoolofNursingclinicaluniformwiththeUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinglogoembroideredonthefrontortheymaychoosetowearasolidwhiteuniformwithaphotoIDnamebadge.TheSchoolofNursingclinicaluniformmustbeorderedonlinefromDoveProfessionalApparelCompany.ThestudentmustbecompliantwithallSchoolofNursinguniformguidelines.
§ Uniform.Shouldbecleanandwellpressedeverytimeitisworn.Whiteorfleshcoloredunderwearisappropriate.Noturtleneckorlongsleevetopsare
permittedundertheuniform.Thestudentnamebadgeshouldbevisibleatall times.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 46
§ Shoes.Uniformshoesmustbeallwhiteleather,non-permeablewithout
meshinserts,comfortable,anddurable.Shoesshouldbekeptcleanedandpolished,withcleanwhiteshoeslaces.Theentirefootmustbecovered.Noclogs,sandals,oropentoedshoesarepermitted.Novisibledesignsontheshoesareallowed.
§ Socks.WhitesocksmaybewornwiththeUMnursinguniformpants.Should
bewhite,noholesvisible,andlaundered.
• Hairshouldbewornofftheuniformcollarandbeneatatalltimes.Ponytailsorbraidsthatexceedshoulderlengthshouldbeplacedinabunortwist.Hairshouldnotsweepacrossthefaceoreyes.Haircolormustbenatural(noextremesofcolorsuchaspink,purple,green,etc.).Noglitterspray,sequins,orotherartificialadornmentsarepermissible.Devicesusedtorestrainhairaretobeunobtrusive.Beards,moustaches,andsideburnsmustbeshortandneatlytrimmed.Studentswithoutbeardsshouldbeclean-shaven.Trendssuchasmultiplecolors,shavedeyebrows,extremesinbleaching,dyeingortinting,dreadlocks,Mohawks,andlongspikedhair(coloredornatural)arenotappropriate.
• Fingernailsmustbeclean,neatlytrimmed,andwellgroomed(nomorethan¼inchlong).Artificialorpaintednails,gelnails,acrylicnailsarenotallowed.
§ Make-up.Shouldbeconservativeandmustreflectaprofessionalimage.
§ Earrings.Piercingsmustbelimitedtoonlyonesmallearringinthelowerear
lobe.Forsafetyreasons,studentmustrefrainfromwearinghoopsordanglingpearlstuds.Earringsizeshouldnotexceed8mm.
§ Visiblejewelryinbodypiercings,includingbutnotlimitedtonose,facial,ortonguestuds,ormultipleearpiercings(includingthoseintheupperearandeargauges)arenotpermitted.Nooraljewelryisallowed.Piercingsintheface,noseoranyothervisiblebodylocationmustberemovedandarenotpermittedforclinicalexperiences.
§ Tattoosorbodyartmustbecompletelycoveredandappropriately
concealed.
§ Jewelry.Studentsmaywearonlyawatch,weddingband,and/orengagementring.Nonecklaces,chocker’s,orbraceletsareallowed.
§ Perfumes,scentedlotions,aftershaves,bodyspraysandotherscented
productsshouldnotbeworn.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 47
§ Personalcleanlinessisaprerequisiteforpatient/clientcare.Regularbathing,
hairwashinganduseofdeodorantarepartofpersonalcleanliness.
§ Mosthealthcarefacilitiesaresmoke-freeandtobaccofree.Smoking(includingtheuseofelectroniccigarettes)isnotpermittedwhilethestudentisinuniform/professionaldressbeforeorduringanyclinicalorlaboratoryactivity.Studentsarenotpermittedtoparticipateinpatientcareorinclinicallaboratoryiftheysmellofcigarettes.SmokingisalsoprohibitedontheUniversityofMobilecampus.
§ NameBadge.Thestudentmustusetheirfirstandlastname(nonicknames).
Thestudentmustpurchasetwonamebadges.
§ LabCoats.Whitelabcoatsarerequiredtobewornwhenthestudentisattheclinicalsiteotherthanonscheduledclinicaldaystoselectapatientortoreviewpatientinformation.Labcoatsmustbeatleastmid-thighinlengthandhaveacollar.
§ Jacket.Noembellishmentsarepermittedonthejacket.Thejacketmaybe
worntoandfromtheclinicalagencyandintheclassroom.Studentsmaywearthejackettotheclinicalagencyasoutwearbutarenotpermittedtowearthejacketduringtheiractualclinicalexperiences.
§ No“fannypacks”maybewornastheymayinterferewiththeperformanceof
clinicaldutiesandscarves/necktiesarepermittedforstudentsafety.
§ Nopartoftheuniformmaybewornincombinationwith“streetclothes”(Forexample,theuniformtopmaynotbewornwithbluejeans).Studentsshouldnotweartheirclassorclinicaluniforminsettingsoutsideofclass,clinicalorlab(Forexample,theuniformshouldnotbeworneatingoutwithfriends,shoppingatthemall,etc.)
Studentswhofailtocomplywiththeprofessionaldressrequirementwillnotbeallowedtoparticipateinclinicalpractice.Facultymembersorapprovedpreceptorswillhavetherighttoremoveastudentfromaclinicalareaif,intheirjudgment,thestudentpresentsanunprofessionalappearanceorinanywayisathreattopatientsafetyorcomfort.TheUniversityofMobileshallhavenoobligationtorefundtuition,accommodatethestudent,ormakeanyotherspecialarrangementsintheeventthestudentisunabletomeetthedresscoderequirementsoftheclinicalagency.
WeatherInformationregardingschoolclosureduringinclementweatherwillbeprovidedtostudentsinseveraldifferentmodalitiesbyRAMalert:email,textmessage,andby
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 48
telephonenotification.Inaddition,theUMwebsitewillpostmessagesregardingclassoruniversityclosure.Studentsarealsoencouragedtolistentolocalradioortelevisionstations.Studentswhoareataclinicalagencywhenaschoolclosureoccursmayberequiredtocompletetheassignedtimetoavoidinterruptionofpatientcare.
WithdrawalsBeginningthefirstdayofasemester,studentswhodecidetodropalloftheirclassesmustofficiallywithdrawfromtheUniversity.StudentsmustscheduleanexitexaminterviewwiththeDeaninordertoofficiallywithdrawfromtheUniversity.Itisalsothestudent’sresponsibilitytonotifytheBusinessOfficeoftheirdecisiontowithdrawfromtheUniversity.Anyotherprocedurewillleadtofailureinallcoursesforwhichthestudentisregistered.UndernocircumstancesdoesnotificationtocoursefacultyorotherSchoolofNursingadministrativepersonnelofastudent’sintentto“drop”or“withdrawal”fromclassesconstitutesanofficialUniversityWithdrawal.TheeffectiveUniversityWithdrawaldateisestablishedbytheRegistrar’sOffice.StudentsshouldrefertotheAcademicCalendarforrespectivedatesandaddressallconcernsandquestionstotheRegistrar’sOffice.Uponconfirmationbyastudent’sinstructorsofpersistentnon-attendance,theUniversityreservestherighttowithdrawthestudentfortheacademictermwithaneffectivedatematchingthelastknowndatethatthestudentattendedclass.StudentsreceivingscholarshipsorotherfinancialaidshouldcontactafinancialaidcounselortodiscussthefinancialimplicationsofaUniversityWithdrawal.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 49
SECTIONIV:ACADEMICPOLICIESANDPROCEDURESAcademicIntegrityPolicyTheUniversityofMobilehasestablishedapolicyforstudentsregardingacademicintegrity.TheSchoolofNursingadherestothispolicyasitrelatestoacademicdishonestybynursingstudents.StudentsattendingtheUniversityofMobileareexpectedtoreflectahighstandardofacademicintegrityandconductinaccordwithbasicChristianprinciplesandthemissionoftheUniversity.Anystudentfoundtobedisruptiveinclass,orcopying,plagiarizing(withorwithoutanintenttodeceive),cheating,engaginginunauthorizeduseofatest,forgingorfalsifyingrecords(selforpatient,university,orclinicalagency),orlyingtoafacultymemberinordertocompleteacourseassignmentwillbesubjecttodisciplinaryaction.ThefollowingareviolationsofAcademicIntegrityPolicy1.Cheating:
• Unauthorizeduseofanymaterials,notes,sourcesofinformation,studyaidsortoolsduringanacademicexercise.Nocomputerwatches,cellphones,calculators,palmcomputersorhatsareallowedduringexams.
• Unauthorizedassistanceofaperson,otherthanthecoursefacultyduringanacademicexercise.
• Unauthorizedviewingofanotherperson’sworkduringanacademicexercise.
• Unauthorizedsecuringofalloranypartofassignmentsorexaminationsinadvanceofthesubmissionbythefaculty.
2.Fabrication/Falsification:Theunauthorizedinventionoralterationofanyinformation,citation,dataormeansofverificationinanacademicexercise,officialcorrespondenceofauniversityrecord,clientrecord,orotherprofessionaldocumentation.
• Failuretoreporterrorsintheclinicalarea.• Falsifyingpatient/clientrecordsbychartingincorrectdataorremovingdata.• Releasingconfidentialinformationaboutpatients/clientstopersonswhodo
nothavetherighttosuchinformation.• Rude,abusive,orunprofessionallanguagetopatients/clients,agency
personnel,faculty.• Jeopardizingapatient’s/client’ssafety.
3.Plagiarism:Submittingasone’sownworkorcreatinganymaterialoranideawhollyorinpartcreatedbyanother.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
• Oral,writtenandgraphicalmaterial.• Bothpublishedandunpublishedwork.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 50
• Anymaterial(s)downloadedfromtheinternet.4.Complicity:Helpingorattemptingtoassistsomeonetocommitanactofacademicdishonesty.
• Conveyingtestinformationtootherstudents.• Reproducinginformationinduplicateforcourseassignments.
5.Unprofessionalbehavior(verbalorwritten,virtualorlive):
• Disrespectfultofaculty,staff,orpeers.• Useofinappropriatelanguage.• Lackofaccountabilityorresponsibilityforactions.• Disregardingthewell-beingandneedsofpatients:actsofcommissionor
omissionthatcouldadverselyaffectthepatient,e.g.,medicationerrors,failuretoprovidesafeandappropriatecare,failuretofollowpreceptor/facultyinstructionsorbreachofclientconfidentiality.
• Discriminatoryorculturallyinsensitivebehavior.6.AcademicPerformance:Anyreasonthatmayplacethestudentatriskfordismissalsuchas:
• Insufficientorlackofacademicskillstosupportsuccessfulcompletionofgraduateprogramofstudy.
• Inconsistentorminimalparticipationincoursework.• Poorwritingorverbalcommunicationskills.• Frequentrequestsforexceptionsorspecialaccommodationsnotrelatedtoa
documenteddisability.Eachfacultymemberhastheresponsibilityofdefiningacademicexpectationsatthebeginningofeachsession.Ifafacultymemberdiscoversastudentviolatingtheacademicintegritycode,theymusteither1)assignagradeof“0”forthetestorassignmentiftheinfractionrelatestoanacademicassignment;and/or2)refertheincidenttotheBSNFacultyCommittee.Aftercommitteememberscompletetheinvestigation,theincident,alongwithsupportingevidence,istobereportedtheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingwhothenforwardsthedocumentationtotheVice-PresidentforAcademicAffairswithacopymailedtothestudent.TheofficeoftheVice-PresidentforAcademicAffairsdetermineswhethertheincidentisthestudent’ssecondoffenseand,ifso,refersthemattertotheAcademicAffairsCommitteefordisciplinaryaction.Astudentfoundguiltyofasecondoffensemaybesubjecttoacademicsuspensionforuptooneacademicyear.Athirdoffensewillresultinacademicdismissal.Thestudentisentitledtoappealanycaseinvolvingallegationsofacademicdishonestyormisconduct,inkeepingwiththeappealprocessasoutlinedbytheUniversity.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 51
Falsificationofmedicalrecordsmayhaveacademicaswellaslegalconsequencesforwhichthestudentmaybeheldaccountable.
AcademicMisconductAcademicintegrityisaresponsibilityofeachstudentattendingtheUniversityofMobile.Plagiarism,cheating,falsifyingrecords(selforpatient,university,orclinicalagency),lyingandanyotherofacademicdishonestyareintolerable.TheBSNFacultyCommitteewilldisciplineanystudent,participatinginanyformofacademicdishonesty,afterathoroughreview.
AcademicProbationAllundergraduatestudentsmustmaintainaGPAofatleast2.0tobeconsideredingoodstandingandtobeeligibleforgraduation.Astudentwho’sGPAfallsbelow2.0afterattemptingtwelveormoresemesterhoursofcourseworkwillbeplacedonacademicprobationforthenextsemester.Whileonacademicprobation,thestudentisresponsibleforschedulingregularmeetingswiththeiradvisor.ThestudentwillremainonacademicprobationuntiltheoverallGPAisgreaterthan2.0.Studentswhofailtoattainthe2.0GPAduringtheprobationaryperiodaresubjecttodismissalfromtheirprogram.Studentswhoearntwogradesthatareconsideredfailing(“D”or“F”grades)innursingcourseswillbedismissedfromtheirprogramandineligibletobereadmittedtoanyprogramintheSchoolofNursing.TheSchoolofNursingreservestherighttorequirewithdrawalfromnursingofanyundergraduatestudentwhosehealth,academicrecord,clinicalperformance,orbehaviorisjudgedunsatisfactoryorpotentiallyunsafe.
Adding,Dropping,orWithdrawingfromClassesDuringspecifiedperiodseachsemester,studentsmayadd,droporwithdrawfromacourse(seetheAcademicCalendarfromtheRegistrar’sOffice).Studentsmustconsultwiththeiracademicadvisorpriortoadding,dropping,orwithdrawingfromacourse.Ifastudentchosestodropacourseafterthelastofficialdaytodropacourse,agradeof“F”willberecordedonthestudent’stranscriptandwillbetreatedassuchforprogressionintheprogram.
AdmissionPaths
• RegularAdmissionAdmissionisgrantedtostudentswhohavecompletedallrequirementsoftheapplicationprocessandwhohavedemonstratedanacceptablelevelof
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 52
academicachievementintheirundergraduateprerequisitecourses,includingmeetingminimumGPArequirements.
AdmissionStandardsandRequirementsApplicationsforadmissiontotheBachelorofSciencedegreeprogramoptionsmustmeetallUniversityrequirementsandbeacceptedforadmissiontoundergraduatestudybytheSchoolofNursing.AdmissiontotheSchoolofNursingiscompetitiveandwillbebasedonevaluationoftheapplicant’soverallacademicqualifications.TheUniversityofMobileandtheSchoolofNursingacceptsstudentsonthebasisofacademicqualifications,character,andevidenceofthepotentialtobenefitfromtheuniversityexperience.TheUniversityacceptsqualifiedapplicantswithoutregardtorace,color,nationalorigin,gender,sexualorientation,religion,age,andveteranstatus.AdmissionRequirementsfortheAcceleratedBachelor’sofScienceinNursing(ABSN)Program:
• Submissionofapplication(https://www.umobile.edu/apply/).• Submissionofofficialtranscriptsofallcollegecourseworkfromall
institutionsattended.• InternationalStudents
o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideanevaluationfromCommissiononGraduatesofForeignNursingSchools(http://www.cgfns.org)forpreviousnursingcoursework.
o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideevaluationfromWorldEducationServices(http://www.wes.org)forpreviousnon-nursingcoursework.
o InternationalstudentsmustshowproofofEnglishproficiency.ApplicantsshouldrequestthatofficialTOEFLtestscoresbesentdirectlytoEnrollmentServices.
• 23yearsofageatthetimeofenteringprogramforstudentswithoutanearnedBachelor’sdegreeormaster’sdegree.
• Completionofabachelor’sdegreeormaster’sdegreeinanycourseofstudyfromaregionallyaccreditededucationalinstitution.
• MinimumcumulativeGPAof3.0onthelast60hoursofacademiccoursework.
• Submissionofaclearbackgroundcheck.• Submissionofacleardrugscreenwhenrequested.• SubmissionofHealthHistoryandrecordofrequiredimmunizations.• ApersonalinterviewwiththeUndergraduateAdmissionsCommitteeofthe
SchoolofNursingmayberequired,ifrequested.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 53
AdmissionRequirementsfortheTraditionalBachelor’sofScienceinNursing(TBSN)Program:
• Submissionofapplication.• Submissionofofficialtranscriptsofallcollegecourseworkfromall
institutionsattended.• InternationalStudents
o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideanevaluationfromCommissiononGraduatesofForeignNursingSchools(http://www.cgfns.org)forpreviousnursingcoursework.
o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideevaluationfromWorldEducationServices(http://www.wes.org)forpreviousnon-nursingcoursework.
o InternationalstudentsmustshowproofofEnglishproficiency.ApplicantsshouldrequestthatofficialTOEFLtestscoresbesentdirectlytoEnrollmentServices.
• MinimumcumulativeGPA2.75onallacademiccoursework.• Completionofaminimumof55semesterhoursofspecifiedcourses
includingsuccessfulcompletion(“C”orbetter)ofBIO201,AnatomyandPhysiology;BIO202,AnatomyandPhysiologyII;BIO301,Microbiology;MA107or110;IntermediateAlgebra;MA211,Statistics;NU252,ProfessionalSocialization;andPSY301,HumanGrowthandDevelopment.
• Minimumcompositescoreof20ontheACTisrequired.Studentswhoare23yearsofageorwhohaveearnedabachelor’sormaster’sdegreefromaregionallyaccreditededucationalinstitutionareexemptfromtheACTrequirement.
• Submissionofaclearbackgroundcheck.• SubmissionofHealthHistoryandrecordofrequiredimmunizations.• ApersonalinterviewwiththeUndergraduateAdmissionsCommitteeofthe
SchoolofNursingmayberequired,ifrequested.AdmissionRequirementsfortheRN-BSNProgram:
• Submissionofofficialtranscriptsofallcollegecourseworkfromall
institutionsattended.• InternationalStudents
o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideanevaluationfromCommissiononGraduatesofForeignNursingSchools(http://www.cgfns.org)forpreviousnursingcoursework.
o StudentswithinternationaltranscriptsmustprovideevaluationfromWorldEducationServices(http://www.wes.org)forpreviousnon-nursingcoursework.
o InternationalstudentsmustshowproofofEnglishproficiency.ApplicantsshouldrequestthatofficialTOEFLtestscoresbesentdirectlytoEnrollmentServices.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 54
• MinimumcumulativeGPA2.75onallacademiccoursework.• Completionofaminimumof60semesterhoursofspecifiedcourses
includingsuccessfulcompletion(“C”orbetter)ofHumanitiesandFineArts,includingtwocoursesinEnglishComposition(15Hours);ChristianMinistries(6Hours);NaturalScienceandAppliedSciencewithonecourseinbasicstatistics(18Hours);SocialSciencesandBehavioralSciences(18Hours);andElectives(4Hours).
• Haveanunencumberedlicensetopracticeasaregisterednurse.• Submissionofaclearbackgroundcheck.• SubmissionofHealthHistoryandrecordofrequiredimmunizations.• SubmissionofrecordofAmericanHeartAssociationBLSHealthcareProvider
Certification(CPR-AED/BLSCertification).• ApersonalinterviewwiththeUndergraduateAdmissionsCommitteeofthe
SchoolofNursingmayberequired,ifrequested.
AdmissiontoClinicalNursingABSNProgram
Studentsmayapplyforadmissiontotheclinicalnursingcomponentaftercompletingaminimumof60collegehoursfromaregionallyaccreditededucationalinstitution,withacumulativeGPAof3.0orafterearningabachelorormaster’sdegreeinanothercourseofstudy.Applicantsforclinicalnursingareconsideredonacompetitiveandspaceavailablebasisforeachadmissionperiod.ClinicalAdmissionCriteriaincludescompletionofthefollowingprerequisites:BIO201,AnatomyandPhysiologyIwithLab(4Hours);BIO202,HumanAnatomyandPhysiologyIIwithLab(4Hours);BIO301,MicrobiologywithLab(4Hours);andNU410,Pathophysiology(3Hours).Studentsmustcompleteprerequisiteswithinfive(5)yearsofbeginningtheprogramandhaveachievedagradeof“C”orhigherforallcourses.Prerequisitecoursesmayberepeatedonlyonce.Studentswithoutanearnedbachelorormaster’sdegreemustalsocompletethefollowingprerequisites:EnglishComposition(6Hours);EnglishLiterature(3Hours);History(3Hours);Mathematics(3Hours);PublicSpeakingorIntroductiontoPhilosophy(3Hours),GeneralPsychology(3Hours);Statistics(3Hours);ChristianStudies(6Hours);PSY301,HumanGrowthandDevelopment(3Hours);BIO201,AnatomyandPhysiologyIwithLab(4Hours);BIO202,HumanAnatomyandPhysiologyIIwithLab(4Hours);BIO301,MicrobiologywithLab(4Hours);andNU410,Pathophysiology(3Hours);andElectives(15Hours).Studentsmustachieveagradeof“C”orhigherforallcourses.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 55
Studentsmustbe23yearsofageatthetimeofenteringtheprogramiftheydonothaveanearnedbachelor’sormaster’sdegreeinanothercourseofstudyfromaregionallyaccreditededucationalinstitution.Studentsmustbeabletoupholdthepracticestandards,functionalabilities(CoreCompetencies),andethicalcodesofthenursingprofession.
TBSNProgram
Studentsapplyforadmissiontotheclinicalnursingcomponentaftercompletingtheirfirstyearofcollege(completionof30credithours).StudentsmusthaveaminimumcumulativeGPAof2.75forconsiderationintotheprogram.Applicantsforclinicalnursingareconsideredonacompetitiveandspaceavailablebasisforeachadmissionperiod.
ClinicalAdmissionCriteriaincludecompletionofthefollowingprerequisites:NU252,ProfessionalSocialization;PSY301,HumanGrowthandDevelopment(3Hours);MA107orMA110(3Hours);MA211,(3Hours);BIO201,AnatomyandPhysiologyIwithLab(4Hours);BIO201,HumanAnatomyandPhysiologyIIwithLab(4Hours);andBIO301,MicrobiologywithLab(4Hours).Studentsmustcompleteprerequisiteswithinfive(5)yearsofbeginningtheprogramandhaveachievedagradeof“C”orhigherforallcourses.Prerequisitecoursesmayberepeatedonlyonce.Studentsmustalsocompletedthefollowingprerequisites:EnglishComposition(6Hours);EnglishLiterature(3Hours);History(3Hours);Mathematics(3Hours);PublicSpeakingorIntroductiontoPhilosophy(3Hours);GeneralPsychology(3Hours);ChristianStudies(6Hours);andElectives(15Hours).Studentsmustachieveagradeof“C”orhigherforallcourses.
Studentsmusthaveaminimumcompositescoreof20ontheACT(required).Studentswhoare23yearsofageorwhohaveearnedeitherabachelor’sormaster’sdegreeinanothercourseofstudyfromaregionallyaccreditededucationalinstitutionareexemptfromtheACTrequirement.Studentsshouldbeabletoupholdthepracticestandards,functionalabilities(CoreCompetencies),andethicalcodesofthenursingprofession.
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 56
RN-BSNProgramStudentsmayapplyforadmissiontotheRN-BSNProgramaftercompletinganassociate’sdegreeordiplomadegreefromaregionallyaccreditededucationalinstitution,withacumulativeGPAof2.75.Applicantsforclinicalnursingareconsideredonacompetitiveandspaceavailablebasisforeachadmissionperiod.
Studentsmustcompletethefollowingrequiredprerequisites:HumanitiesandFineArtswithtwocoursesinEnglishComposition(15Hours);ChristianMinistries(6Hours);NaturalScienceandAppliedSciencewithonecourseinbasicstatistics(18Hours);SocialSciencesandBehavioralStudies(18Hours);andElective(s)(4Hours).StudentsmustholdandmaintainanunencumberedlicensetopracticeasaRegisteredNurse.
Studentsshouldbeabletoupholdthepracticestandards,functionalabilities(CoreCompetencies),andethicalcodesofthenursingprofession.
AdvisingResponsibilitiesAdvisingisanintegralpartofthestudentexperienceattheUniversityofMobile.Itisacollaborativeprocessinwhichstudentsareexpectedtoassumeprimaryresponsibilityfortheiracademicplanningwhileadvisorsprovideexpertiseandsupportintheprocess.Astudentacceptedintooneoftheundergraduatenursingprogramswillbeassignedanadvisor.Uponenrollment,eachstudentisassignedanadvisortoassistthestudentwithacademicconcerns,planningtheprogramofstudy,andassuringthatgraduationrequirementsaremet.Priortothefirstsemesterofundergraduatestudy,thestudentwillmakeaplanofstudywiththeiradvisor.Educationisultimatelytheresponsibilityofthelearner,buttheadvisor’sinputtothestudent’splanofstudyandsemesterscheduleenhancesstudentawarenessofhoweachcoursecontributestooverallprogresstowardsgraduation.ResponsibilitiesoftheAdvisorinclude:
• Developanindividualizedplanofstudywiththestudenttomeetthestudent’sacademicprofessionalgoalsbasedoncurrentcurricularguidelines.
• Communicatewiththestudenttofacilitateregistration(e.g.,overallprogram,approvecourseselections).
• Keepinformedofstudentprogressthrough:a.Communicatingwiththestudent.b.Communicatinganddiscussingprogresswithotherfacultymembers.c.Monitoringgradesandacademicstandingeachsemester.d.Referringthestudenttotheappropriatecampusresourcesifrequested.
e.CommunicatingwiththeDeanand/ortheAcademicVice-President
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 57
forcoursewaivers,transfercredits,andcoursesubstitutions.ResponsibilitiesoftheStudentAdvisee:
• Clarifywiththeadvisortheirpreferredmethodofcontact(emailortelephone),officehours,andwhentoexpectaresponsetoemailorvoicemail.
• Communicatewiththeadvisoranyconcernsregardingcourseregistration.• Contacttheadvisoriftheywishtochangethesequenceoftheirplanofstudy.• Communicatewiththeadvisorincaseofacademicdifficulty,interruptionin
program,orpotentialchangeinacademicstatus.• ContacttheadvisoriftheircumulativeGPAforthesemesterislessthan2.0.• Contacttheadvisorforquestionsaboutcampusresourcestoassistthem
withtheiracademicwork.• Maintainregularcontactwiththeadvisorviaemail,telephone,orface-to-
facemeetings.• Scheduleanadvisingappointmenteachsemestertoselectclassesforthe
upcomingsemester.
ClassAttendanceClassroomactivitiesanddiscussionareavitalpartoftheoveralllearningprocessinthedisciplineofnursing.Itisnearlyimpossibletomakeupthelearningthatoccursinaclass;therefore,studentsareexpectedtoattendeachclassday.Anattendancerecordwillbemaintained.TheSchoolofNursingexpectsthatitsstudentswillrecognizethattheyhaveenteredaprofessioninwhichacommitmenttofullparticipationinthelearningenvironmentisanessentialcomponentofwhatwillbeastyleoflifelonglearning.Attendanceisexpectedinalleducationalactivitiesandisrequiredforclass,laboratorysessions,andclinical.Studentsshouldplantheirpersonalschedulesandobligationsaroundclasstime.Studentsshouldnotexpecttobeexcusedfromrequiredclassattendancetoparticipateineventsattheirchildren’sschool,toattendroutinedoctorappointmentsorpersonalfamilyeventslikereunions,vacations,weddings,etc.Studentsareexcusedfromclassattendanceonlyformitigatingcircumstances,whicharedefinedasjuryduty,militaryduty,funeralsofimmediatefamilymembers,orotherseriousconditionsthatpreventattendance.Thestudentwillberequiredtosubmitdocumentationthatcanbeverifiedforanapprovedclassabsence.Studentsshouldbeontimeandseatedfiveminutespriortothebeginningofthescheduledclass.Timelinessisconsideredaprofessionalattributewhereastardinessisconsidereddisrespectfulbehaviorasisdisruptsthelearningenvironment.Studentswhoarehabituallylatewillnotbepermittedintotheclassroomuntilthe
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 58
firstbreak.Studentsareexpectedtoreturntoclasspromptlyafterbreaksandnotaskpermissiontoleavetheclassearly.
ClassPoliciesTheenvironmentintheclassroomisextremelyimportanttothelearningprocess.Moststudentslearnbestinacalm,controlled,andquietenvironment.Noiseandexcessiveactivityisdistractingtobothstudentsandthefaculty.Studentsshouldbeseatedbeforetheclassbegins.
• Cellphonesmustbeturnedoffandplacedinthestudent’sbookbag.• Electronicdevicesareallowedintheclassroomonlybypermissionofthe
instructor.• CalculatorswillbeprovidedbytheSchoolofNursing.• Studentsshouldattendtopersonalneedspriortoclassand/ortesttime.• Studentsarenotallowedtowearhats,caps,oranyobstructiveheadgear.• Theinstructorreservestherighttoassignseats.• Nosunglassesordarkprescriptionglassesmaybewornunlessthereis
medicaldocumentationtothenecessity.• Alateentrancedistractseveryone.Whenclassisinsession,thereshouldbe
notalkingexcepttoparticipateinclassdiscussions.Studentsshouldnothaveprivatediscussions/conversationswiththeirclassmates.Breaksaregivenhourly.
• Studentsareexpectedtoconductthemselvesprofessionallyandattendallclassesandclinicalexperiences.Therearefewexceptionstobeingabsentfromclass(deathofparent,sibling,spouse,child)orillnessesthatnecessitatehospitalization.
• Studentsmaynotbringchildrenorothervisitorstoclass.Thecontentdiscussedinclassmaybetoosensitiveorconsideredinappropriateforyoungchildren.
CourseandProgramEvaluationsThefacultybelievesthatasystematicongoingevaluationisessentialtothedevelopmentofstrongacademicprogram.Methodicalevaluationpromotesthesearchforeffective,efficient,andinnovativeapproachestolearningandresultsinthecontinuingimprovementoftheeducationalprogram.Itprovidesabasisformakingdecisionsregardingprogrammodificationsandchanges,resultinginthecontinuingimprovementoftheeducationprogram.Thepurposesofprogramevaluationareto: 1.Determinetowhatextentstudentsarepreparedtomeettheobjectivesoftheprofessionalprogram. 2.Promotecontinuousimprovementintheoverallprogram. 3.Encouragepersonal/professionalgrowthandresponsibilityoffacultyandstudentsthroughparticipationintheevaluationoftheeducational program.
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Studentsparticipateintheevaluationprocessbyprovidingwrittenevaluationsofallnursingcourses.Eachevaluationisaseriesofstandardquestionswithspaceforwrittencommentsattheend.Feedbackoncoursesisvaluedandisusedtocontinuallyimprovetheclassesandofferings.Theevaluationsareconfidential.Honest,accuratefeedbackisappreciatedtoallowforcorrectionsoramplificationofcoursecontent.StudentsalsohaveopportunitiestoshareinformationthroughstudentrepresentativesontheFacultyOrganizationalCommitteeandBSNFacultyCommitteeand/orthroughotherinformalchannelsofcommunication.Studentsarealsoaskedtocompleteanend-of-programevaluationatthetimeofgraduation.
CreditHoursOnecredithourisequivalenttofifteen(15)hoursoffacultyinstructionandaminimumofthirty(30)hoursofstudentreadingandworkonotherassignments,excludingclasstime.Onlineclassesinvolveequivalentamountsoftimeforinstructionandcoursework.
DismissalfromtheUndergraduateProgramWhenastudentisrecommendfordismissalfromthenursingprogram,theUndergraduateProgramChairwillprovideawrittennotificationofdismissal.Studentswillberecommendedforpermanentdismissalfromtheundergraduatenursingprogramunderanyofthefollowingconditions:1.Ifthestudentfails(earnsagradeof“D”or“F”)intwo(2)nursingcourses.Ifastudentfailsone(1)nursingcoursetwice,thisisconsideredtwo(2)nursingfailures.SeniorSeminar(NU434orNU434A)istheonlyexceptiontothepolicy.2.StudentswhowithdrawaftertheUniversitydesignated“dropdate”withafailinggradeinanursingcoursewillbeconsideredashavingone(1)nursingfailure.Asecondwithdrawalinthesamecourseorasinglewithdrawalfromacoursepreviouslyfailedwillbetreatedasafailureinthecourseconcerned.3.Studentswhowithdrawfromtwo(2)nursingcourseswillbedismissedfromthenursingprogramandineligibleforreadmissioninanynursingprogramatUM.4.AstudentmusthavebotharesidentialandacumulativeGPAof2.0orbettertoprogressinthenursingprogram.5.Demonstrationofunsafeorotherwiseunacceptablenursingpracticethatactuallyorpotentiallyresultsindangerorinjurytothepatientasdeterminedbythenursingfaculty.Inaddition,thestudentwillreceivean“F”inthecourse.
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6.Breachofpatient/familyconfidentiality.7.Atotaloffour(4)ClinicalUnsatisfactoryDays(CUD’s).8.Exhibitingconductthatisunprofessional,incompetent,unethical,orillegalintheclassroomorclinicalsettingsasoutlinedbytheAmericanNurses’AssociationCodeforNursesand/orSchoolofNursingpolicies.9.Cheatingoncourseexaminations,plagiarismorimproperdocumentationorfalsificationofclinicalrecordsoractivities.
ExitExaminationStudentsmustpassacomprehensiveexitexamination,whichisadministeredinNU434orNU434A,SeniorSeminar,inordertoberecommendedforgraduation.Ifastudentisunsuccessfulinachievingthebenchmarkscorefortheexitexamination,thestudentwillbegiventwo(2)weekstoremediateinpreparationfortheirnexttestingattempt.Failuretosuccessfullycompletethecomprehensiveexaminationonthethirdattempt,willresultinafailinggradeinNU434orNU434A,SeniorSeminar.ThestudentwillbegivenanopportunityinthenextacademicsemestertorepeatNU434orNU434A,SeniorSeminar.Ifthestudentisunsuccessfulafteranadditionalthreeattemptstopassthecomprehensivetestand/ortocompletethecourserequirementssuccessfully,thestudentwillbepermanentlydismissedfromtheSchoolofNursing.StudentswhoaredismissedareineligibletotakeanynursingcoursesattheUniversityofMobile,toreapplyforreadmission,orberecommendedforgraduation.
Grading
• Gradesareearnedthroughcompletionofcourserequirements.Pointsareawardedbasedonthelevelofachievementofexpectedoutcomes.Earnedpointsforeachlearningactivity(examination,writtenassignment,presentation,etc.)arepostedontheMyUMand/orCanvasGradebookthroughoutthecourse.Studentsareresponsiblefortrackingtheirownprogress.Questionsorconcernsregardinggradesearnedshouldbeaddressedtothecoursefacultywithinoneweekofthegradeposting.
• Gradesinallclinicalnursingcourseswillbedeterminedsolelyby
examinationsadministeredintheclassroomsetting.Outofclassprojects,forexample,willbegradedas“Satisfactory”or“Unsatisfactory,”willnotbeusedindeterminingthefinalcoursegrade.Studentswhodonotcompleteassignmentsorreceive“Unsatisfactory”gradeswillfailthecourse.
• Therewillbenobonusquestionsgivenonanynursingexamination.
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• Thereisnoroundingoftest/examgradesinthenursingprogram.Allgradeswillberecordedthroughtheonehundredth(e.g.81.27,68.50,80.10).Attheendofthecoursethegradeswillbeaveragedasspecifiedinthecoursesyllabuswiththefinalgradedeterminedtothenearestonehundredth(79.98isa“D”andwouldnotbeconsideredapassinggrade).
• Finalgradeswillnotberoundedupordown,i.e.,89.99%willbeassigneda
gradeofa“B”.ExtracreditopportunitiesarenotpermittedintheBSNprogram.
• Theinstructormakesthefinaldecisiononatest/examgrade.Ifthestudent
believesatest/examgradeisunfair,thismaybediscussedwiththeinstructor,theUndergraduateProgramChair,andtheDean.ThestudentappealprocessshouldbefollowedintheappropriatesequenceandisoutlinedintheSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook.
GradingScaleAgradeof“C”(80%)orbetterisrequiredtopassundergraduatelevelnursingcoursesintheSchoolofNursingattheUniversityofMobile.Finalgradesarecomputedaccordingtothefollowingstandardbasedonatotalof100%.A 90-100B 85-89C 80-84D 75-79F <74
TheGradePointAverage(GPA)iscalculatedbytheregistrar’soffice:A 4PointsB 3PointsC 2PointsD 1PointF 0Points
GrievancePolicyandProcessTheSchoolofNursingfollowsaGrievanceProcedurefortheresolutionofformalstudentcomplaintsorconcerns.FormalcomplaintsmustbemadeinwritingtotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingandtheUndergraduateProgramChair.Theformalcomplaintmustincludespecificinformation,includingthenatureofthecomplaintandevidencesupportingofthecomplaint.Aninvestigationisinitiatedwithinthree
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(3)daysofreceipt.Incasesofallegedarbitrary,inconsistent,ordiscriminatorygrading,thefollowingreviewprocesswillbefollowedintheSchoolofNursing:1.Inon-campuscourses,thestudentwillrequestameetingwiththecoursefacultytoreviewthebasisforthegrade.Inonlinecourses,thestudentwillrequestanonlineortelephoneconferencewiththefacultytoreviewthebasisforthegrade.2.Ifthestudentisnotsatisfiedwiththemeetingorconferencewiththecoursefaculty,themayappealtotheUndergraduateProgramChair.TheUndergraduateProgramChairwillseektomediatetheissuebetweenthestudentandthecoursefaculty.3.IfthestudentisunsatisfiedwiththefindingsandrecommendationsbytheUndergraduateProgramChair,thestudentmayappealtotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursing.TheDeanwillmeetwiththestudent,conferwiththecoursefacultymember,andthenmakethefinaldecision.Thestudentshouldbenotifiedofthedecisionwithinfive(5)daysofsubmissionoftheirformalcomplaint.4.Thestudentmaycontinuetheappealprocessintheappropriatechainofcommand.
IncompleteGradePolicyAwrittenrequestforagradeofincomplete(“I”)isinitiatedbyastudentwhenstudentsareunabletocompletetheworkforacourseduetoreasonsbeyondtheircontrol(hospitalization,seriousphysicalandmentalhealthissues,deathofspouse/child/parents),etc.).Thegradeof“I”isonlygivenincaseswheretheincompleteisunavoidableandlegitimate.Studentsmayberequiredtoprovideformaldocumentationtosupportanincompletegraderequest.Studentsmaynotrequestanincompleteduetofailingcoursegradesorpoorcourseperformance.An“IncompleteGradeForm”thatincludesthereasonfortheincomplete,theworkthatmustbecompletedtoearnafinalcoursegradeandtherequiredcompletiondateisgeneratedwhenan“I”issubmittedasacoursegrade.Thecompletiondatemustbenolaterthanthelastdayofthenextscheduledacademicterm.The“I”isatemporarygradeandwillbeautomaticallyconvertedtoan“F”ifthecoursehasnotbeencompletedbytheendofthenextscheduledacademicterm.Extensionsbeyondonescheduledtermarenotallowedforundergraduatecourses.Studentswhoseekanincompletegradewillnotbepermittedtocontinueintheircurriculumsequenceuntiltheincompletegradeisconvertedtoanumericalgrade.
LimitationinCompletionofRequirementsStudentsintheAcceleratedBachelorofScienceDegree,TraditionalBachelorofScienceinNursingDegree,andtheRN-BSNDegreemustcompletealldegreerequirementswithinfive(5)yearsofstartingtheirfirstclinicalnursingcourse.Therewillbenoexceptionsgrantedtothefive-yearlimitationrequirement,regardlessoftheexcuse.Timelimitsshallbecomputedfromandincludethefirstsemesterofcreditappliedtothenursingdegreeprogram.Studentswhodonot
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enrollfortwo(2)consecutivesemestersaresubjecttoallprogramrequirements,policies,andguidelinesinplaceatthetimeofre-enrollment.Re-admissionisnotguaranteedandstudentsmustmeetthecurrentSchoolofNursingandUniversityofMobileCatalogrequirements.
Make-UpExaminationsIfastudentisunabletotakeanexaminationasscheduled,thestudentwillbeadministeredamake-upexamination.Make-upexaminationsareonlypermittedforextenuatingcircumstancesthatcanbedocumented,suchasaccidents,hospitalizations,ordeathofimmediatefamilymembers.Thealternatemake-upexaminationwillbegiveninadifferentformatfromtheoriginalexaminationatthediscretionofthefacultymember.Studentsarenotpermittedtomakeupmorethanoneexaminationduringanynursingcourse.Studentsshouldcontactthecoursefacultywhoseexaminationismissed,priortothetimewhentheexaminationisscheduledtobegiven,fornotificationofabsenceandtheschedulingofamake-upexam.Theexamshouldbemadeupwithinone(1)weekfromtheoriginallyscheduledtestdate.Theexaminationmustbetakenatatimeagreeduponbythestudentandthefaculty.Iftheexaminationisnotmadeupwithinoneweek,agradeof“O”willbegiven.
NationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing(NCLEX-RN)TheNationalCouncilLicensureExaminationforRegisteredNurses(NCLEX-RN)isthelicensingexaminationforABSNandTBSNgraduates.Priortograduation,allstudentsplanningtotaketheregisterednurse(RN)licensingexaminationinAlabamaaregiveninformationonhowtoapplyonline.TheNCLEX-RNapplicationisavailableonlineandmustbecompletedbyeachstudent,accompaniedbypaymentoftherequiredfee.TheSchoolofNursingmailstotheBoardofNursingeachstudent’stranscript.StudentsplanningtotakethelicensingexaminationoutsideofAlabamaareresponsibleforcontactingtheStateBoardofNursingoftheparticularstateinwhichtheyplantobecomelicensedforappropriateapplicationinformation.StudentsmustprovidetheirSocialSecuritynumberpursuanttostateandfederallaw.Ifstudentsfailorrefusetoprovidetheirsocialsecuritynumber,theAlabamaBoardofNursingwillconsidertheapplicationincomplete.Continuedfailureorrefusaltoprovidethesocialsecuritynumberisgroundsfordenialoftheapplicationandcouldresultintheimpositionoflatefeesordisciplinaryactionagainstthelicense.Studentsmustalsoshowevidenceofcitizenship(submissionofoneofthefollowingdocuments:AlabamaDriver’sLicense,BirthCertificateindicatingUSbirth,ValidUSPassport,MilitaryIdentificationshowingUSasplaceofbirth,
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Naturalizationdocuments,Finaladoptiondecree,etc.).AcompletelistcanbefoundontheAlabamaBoardofNursingwebsite(https://www.abn.alabama.gov/Successfulcompletionofthenursingprograminnowayguaranteessuccessfulpassageofthelicensingexamination(NCLEX-RN).Inaddition,theBoardofNursingmayrefuseanapplicantpermissiontowritetheexam(RefertotheAlabamaBoardofNursing).
ProgressionWithintheSchoolofNursing,studentsmustfulfilltherequirementsfortheoretical/didacticandclinicalcoursecomponentsoftheundergraduatecurriculum,demonstrateacademicintegrityandethicalconduct,andmaintainalevelofhealthwhichcontributestotheirmeetingcourseobjectives.Progressionoccurswhenastudentsuccessfullycompletesandpassesallcoursestakenintheacademicsemester.Academicprobationmaybeimposedtomonitorandsupportthestudent’sprogressionthroughtheundergraduateprogramofstudy.StudentsenrolledintheundergraduatenursingprogramattheUniversityofMobilearerequiredtomaintainacumulativegradepointaverage(GPA)of2.0inallcoursestakentowardthedegree.Studentsnotmeetingtheminimumacademicstandardwillbeplacedonacademicprobation.SpecificProgressionRequirements1.StudentsmustpassBIO201,AnatomyandPhysiologyI;BIO202,AnatomyandPhysiologyII;andBIO301,Microbiologywithagradeof“C”orbetter.Eachofthesesciencecoursesmayberepeatedonlyonce.2.Studentsmustearnagradeof“C”orbetterinallnursingcourses.Astudentmaynotprogresstothenextnursingcourseuntilagradeof“C”orbetterisobtained.3.Dismissalfromthenursingprogramwillresultifthestudentfails(earnsagradeof“D”or“F”)intwo(2)nursingcourses.Ifastudentfailsonenursingcoursetwice,thisisconsideredtwo(2)nursingfailures.SeniorSeminar(NU434orNU434A)istheexceptiontothepolicy.4.Studentswhowithdrawafterthedesignated“dropdate”withafailinggradeinanursingcoursewillbeconsideredashavingone(1)failure.Asecondwithdrawalinthesamecourseorasinglewithdrawalfromacoursepreviouslyfailedwillbetreatedasafailureinthecourseconcerned.5.Studentswhowithdrawfromtwo(2)nursingcourseswillbedismissedfromthenursingprogramandineligibleforreadmissioninanynursingprogramatUM.6.AstudentmusthavebotharesidentialandacumulativeGPAof2.0orbettertograduate.7.StudentsmustmaintainAmericanHeartAssociationBLSHealthcareProviderCertificationininfant,child,andadult.8.Allimmunizationsmustremaincurrentinordertoprogressthroughtheprogram.Studentswhodonotuploadverificationofimmunizationsto
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CastleBranchbythedesignatedduedateswillnotbepermittedtoattendclinical.Studentsunabletoattendclinicalareatriskforcoursefailure.9.Studentsarerequiredtopassamedicationdosageexaminationwithnomorethanthree(3)attemptsatthebeginningofeachacademicperiod(semester)inwhichclinicalcourseswillbetaken.Asasecondsemesterjunior,studentsmustearnascoreof80%orbetter,afirstsemesterseniormustsecureascoreof90%orbetter,andasecondsemesterseniormustmakea100%.Ifthestudentisunsuccessfulafterthree(3)attempts,theywillberequiredtowithdrawfromtheclinicalcourseinwhichtheywereregistered.10.Studentsarerequiredtotakeselectedstandardizedexaminationsattheconclusionofeachsemester.IfthestudentfailstoscoreabovethebenchmarkasdesignatedbytheSchoolofNursing,theywillberequiredtocompleteremediationactivities.Remediationmustbecompletedwithinspecifiedtimeframes.11.StudentsmustpassacomprehensiveexitexaminationthatisadministeredinNU434orNU434A,SeniorSeminartoberecommendedforgraduation.Studentsaregiventhree(3)opportunitiestoachievethedesignatedbenchmarkscore.FailuretoobtainapassingscoreonthethirdattemptwillresultinafailinggradeinNU434orNU434A,SeniorSeminar.Studentsareallowedonlyone(1)opportunitytorepeatNU434orNU434A,SeniorSeminar.IfthestudentisunsuccessfulinNU434orNU434A,SeniorSeminarduringtheirsecondattempt,theywillbepermanentlydismissed,renderingthemineligibletoreceiveaBachelorofScienceinNursingDegreefromtheUniversityofMobile.Furthermore,thestudentisineligibleforreadmissionintoanynursingprogramattheUniversityofMobile.12.Ifaclinicalagencyrefusestoallowastudenttoparticipateinclinicalactivities,thestudentwillbeunabletoprogressintheBSNnursingprogram.StudentsunabletoprogressinthenursingprogramwillbeprovidedcareeradvisementandassistancethroughtheStudentSuccessCenter.13.StudentsmustcompleteallcurriculumrequirementspriortotakingNU414orNU414A,AdultHealthII;NU415orNU415A,AdultHealthIII;NU416orNU416A,NursingPracticum;andNU434orNU434A,SeniorSeminar.
ReadmissionAfterVoluntaryWithdrawalorTransferAstudentwholeavestheuniversityand/orSchoolofNursingingoodstandingthroughvoluntarywithdrawalorastudentfromanothernursingprogramwholeftingoodstandinganddesirestotransfertotheUniversityofMobilenursingprogrammaybeevaluatedforreadmissionunderthefollowingcircumstances:1.CompleteanapplicationforadmissionorreadmissiontotheSchoolofNursing.2.Atthetimeofapplicationforadmissionorreadmission,submitastatement,whichaddressesthereasonforthewithdrawalortransfer,outlineswhatwillbedonebythestudenttoensuresuccessintheSchoolofNursing,anddiscusseswhythestudentshouldbegivenconsiderationtobeadmittedorre-admitted.Thestatementmustbewrittenbythestudent.Studentswhohaveearnedtwo(2)
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failinggradesinnursingcoursesorwhohavewithdrawnfromtwo(2)nursingcoursesareineligibletobeconsideredforadmissionorreadmissionintoanyothernursingprogramattheUniversityofMobile.3.ThestudentwillberequiredtohaveapersonalinterviewwiththeUndergraduateAdmission’sCommitteeand/ortheDean.Thestudent’scompleteacademicrecord,includingallclinicalevaluationswillbereviewed.4.Admissionorreadmissionisnotautomaticorguaranteed.Ifeligible,studentswillbeconsideredaspartofthetotalapplicantpoolandacceptancewillbebasedonspaceavailability.5.Allcourseworkmustbecompletedwithinfive(5)yearsofinitialenrollment.6.AstudentrequestingtotransfertoUMfromanotherschoolmustsubmitaletterofgoodstandingfromtheDeanoftheformernursingprogramattendedandhavenotreceivedtwo(2)gradesof“D”or“F”innursingcourses.Studentswhohavenotbeenre-enrolledforatimeperiodlongerthantwo(2)consecutivesemestersmustreapplyforadmission.Studentpetitionsforreactivationwillbeconsideredonlyonetimeduringtheirprogram.StudentsapprovedforreadmissionmaybeplacedonprobationarystatusatthediscretionoftheUndergraduateProgramChairandtheFacultyOrganizationCommittee.
ReadmissionPolicy1.Astudentrequestingtorepeatanursingcoursemustcompletean“ApplicationforReadmission”form.StudentsrequestingconsiderationforreadmissionmustmeetthecurrentSchoolofNursingadmissioncriteriaandwillenterunderthecurrentUniversityofMobileAcademicCatalog.2.Readmissiontonursingcoursesisnotguaranteedandisbasedonspaceavailability.3.Nursingcoursesarevalidforonlythree(3)years.Studentsrequestingtore-enterthenursingprogramafterathree(3)yearabsencemuststartcompletelyoverwithallcoursesintheBSNnursingcurriculum.4.Studentswhoearntwo(2)failinggrades(“D’s”or“F’s”)orwhowithdrawfromtwo(2)nursingcourseswillnotbeconsideredforre-enrollment.Dismissalsduetoacademicmisconductortwo(2)failinggrades(“D’s”or“F’s”)arenoteligibletoappealforreadmission.Studentswithdrawingfrommorethantwo(2)nursingcourses,exhibitingunprofessionalorillegalbehaviorsintheclassroomorclinicalsetting,and/orviolatingacademicintegritypolicieswillnotbeeligibletobeconsideredforre-enrollmentorreadmissionintotheABSN,TBSN,ortheRN-BSNprograms.
RegisteringforClassesNewlyadmittedorre-enrolling(thosewhoarenotcurrentlyenrolled)undergraduatestudentsshouldenrollincoursesduringdesignatedUMregistrationperiods.Studentsareresponsibleforcontactingtheiradvisoreachsemesterto
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registerandenrollincoursesaccordingtotheirprogramofstudy.Thedatesforregistrationarewidelypublicized.
• UponacceptanceintheUMSchoolofNursing,studentsneedtoconsultwiththeadvisortodevelopaprogramplanspecifictotheirdegreeprogramandareaofstudy.
• StudentsmusthaveanapprovedprogramplanonfileintheUMSchoolofNursing.Thestudent’sadvisormustapproveanychangeintheprogramplan.
• Allstudentsmustrequesta“DegreeAudit”withtheRegistrar’sOfficethefirstsemesterofclinicalnursing.
• Anychangeintheprogramplanmadebythestudentmayresultinthecourse(s)beingunavailableandmaydelaygraduation.
• AllundergraduatestudentsmustregisteronlineforclassesthroughMyUM(SeeMyUMforFirst-TimeUsers.)
RepetitionofNursingCoursesUndergraduatestudentswhoearnagradeof“D”or“F”inanursingcoursemaynotproceedintheBSNprogramuntiltheyhavesatisfactorilyrepeatedthecourseearningagradeof“C”orbetter.Astudentwhomustrepeataclinicalcourseisrequiredtocompleteboththedidacticandclinicalportionofthecourse.Studentsmayrepeatanursingcourseonlyonce.Re-enrollmentinthecoursetoberepeatedisnotguaranteedandisbasedonspaceavailability.Agradeof“D”or“F”inarepeatednursingcoursewillresultinautomaticdismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing,renderingthestudentineligibleforreadmissiontoanynursingprogramatUM.
RetentionStudentsmustmeetthealloftherequirementsstatedunderthe“Progression”sectiontoberetainedintheSchoolofNursing.Thefacultymembersstrivetoassiststudentsbyimplementingan“opendoor”policyforcounselingandtutoringasnecessary.StudentsarealsogiveninformationregardingtheservicesprovidedbytheStudentSuccessCenter.StudentswhoarestrugglingwithacademicsarestronglyencouragedtoutilizetheresourcesavailablethroughtheStudentSuccessCenter.
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StandardizedTestingStudentsenrolledintheABSNandtheTBSNnursingprogramsparticipateinastructuredtestingprogrameachsemestertodeterminetheiracquisitionofdidacticcontent.Studentsaretestedattheconclusionofeachsemesterandaftercompletingtheirclinicalcourses.Studentswhoscorebelowthebenchmarkscore,asdeterminedbytheSchoolofNursingfaculty,arerequiredtocompleteprescribedremediationwork.
StandardsforWrittenWork1.Allwrittenworkmustbetypedonstandard-sizedpaper(8½X11)unlessotherwisedirectedbythefacultymember.2.Forpurposesoforderliness,foldersorcoversarerecommended.Papersshouldbestapledifunbound.3.AllwrittenworkshouldfollowtheformatassetforthinthecurrentAmericanPsychologicalAssociation(APA)manual.Theformatmustbeusedconsistentlythroughoutthewrittenassignment.4.Onlyonesideofthepapershouldbeusedinanywrittenwork.Marginsmustbemaintainedonallsideofthepaper.5.Specialemphasisshouldbeplacedonneatnessandprofessionalpresentation.Crumpledpapers,wordsscratchedthrough,tornpaper,etc.aretobeavoided.6.Allreferencesandquotationsshouldbecarefullycheckedforaccuracy.7.Allwrittenworkmustbesubmittedonthedateassigned.8.Studentsshouldreadandcomplywithallinstructionsprovidedbythefacultyforpapersubmission.9.StudentsmaybedirectedbythecoursefacultytouseUMsponsoredplagiarismdetectionsoftwarecalledUnicheck.Specificinstructionswillbedelineatedincoursesyllabi.
StudentAppealProcessIfastudenthasacomplaintoranysignificantcriticismofthenursingprogram,theyshouldfollowtheappropriatechainofcommand.Thestudentwithaconcern,problem,complaint,orissuewithdissatisfactionshouldfirstdiscusstheirissuewiththecourseprofessorand/orthecoursecoordinator.Iftheissueisunresolvedtothesatisfactionofthestudent,heorshemayappealandverbalizetheirissuewiththeUndergraduateProgramChairwiththecoursefacultypresent.Iftheissueremainsunresolved,orthestudentdeemsthedecisionbytheUndergraduateProgramChairunsatisfactory,heorshemayprepareaformalwrittenappealandmeetwiththeDeanoftheSchoolofNursing.Ifthestudentissueremainsunsettled,theDeanwillcallameetingoftheFacultyOrganizationCommitteetodiscussthestudent’swrittencomplaint.IfstudentchoosestoappealthedecisionfromtheFacultyOrganizationCommitteeand/ortheDean,theissueisthentakentothe
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Vice-PresidentofAcademicAffairsand/ortheAcademicAffairsCommittee.ThelastindividualtohearstudentcomplaintsisthePresidentoftheUniversityofMobile.
Test/ExaminationReviewsThefollowingrulesapplytoalltest/examinationreviews:
• Thestudentwillrevieweachexaminationwithinoneweekoftesting.• Therewillbenogrouporclassdiscussion(formalorinformal)of
examinationquestions.• Ifastudenthasaconcernregardinganexaminationquestion,thestudent
shouldmakeanappointmentwiththefacultymemberwithinoneweek.• Examinationsmaynotbereviewedaftertheone-weektimeperiod.• Noexaminationgradeswillberounded.Examinationgradeswillberecorded
tothehundredthplace(example:87.25).• Noelectronicdevices(smartwatches,wirelessearpieces,cellphones,tablets,
cameras,calculators,iPads,etc.)arepermittedduringexaminationreviews.• Iftheinstructormakesacorrectiononthetestkeyduetoquestion
nullificationaftertheoriginalscorehasbeengiventothestudent,nostudent’stestscorewillbelowered.Ifanexaminationquestionhasbeenmiskeyed,theexaminationgradewillbeadjustedaccordingly.
UnsatisfactoryClinical/LaboratoryPerformanceAllclinicalnursingcourses(NU309andNU309A,IntroductiontoClinicalNursing;NU313orNU313A,AdultHealthNursingI;NU314orNU314A,NursingtheChildbearingFamily;NU316orNU316A,Psychiatric-MentalHealthNursing;NU404orNU404A,ChildHealthNursing;NU412orNU412A,CommunityHealthNursingII;NU414orNU414A,AdultHealthNursingII;andNU415orNU415A,AdultHealthNursingIII);NU417,TheCommunityasaClient;andNU440,ProfessionalNursingPracticeII,havebothdidactic/theoryandclinical/laboratorycomponents.Studentswhoreceivea“U”orUnsatisfactorygradeintheclinical/laboratorycomponentwillfailthecourse,regardlessofthegradeearnedinthedidactic/theorycomponent.Studentswhofailthedidactic/theorycomponentofthecoursewillalsofailtheclinical/laboratorycomponent.Successfulcompletionofthesecoursesrequiressatisfactoryachievementinbothareas.Ifthestudentisunsatisfactoryinonecomponentthecoursemustberepeated,thestudentmustcompleteboththedidactic/theoryandtheclinical/laboratoryrequirementsforthecourseregardlessoftheproblemcomponent.Therewillbenoexceptionstothispolicy.
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SECTIONV:CLINICALPOLICIESANDPROCEDURES
AdministrativeDropPolicyforFailuretoSubmitClinicalPracticeRequirementsItisimperativethatallundergraduatestudentsareincompliancewithclinicalpracticerequirementsforCodeofConduct,Immunizations,CPR-AED/BLSCertification,CriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedure,andDrugScreenPolicyandProcedure,etc.Studentsenrolledinacoursethatcontainsaclinicalcomponent(i.e.,hasclinicalhoursrequiredaspartofthecourse)arerequiredtoensureallSchoolofNursingrequirementsaresubmittedandareuptodate.Studentswhofailtosubmitorupdaterequirementswithinthefirstweekofthesemestermaybeadministrativelydroppedfromtheclinicalcourseforwhichtheyareregistered.ThecourseinstructororUndergraduateProgramChairmayinitiatetheadministrativedropprocessifastudentdoesnotuploadallrequiredSchoolofNursingdocumentstoCastleBranchbythedesignatedduedates.Theprocessforadministrativelydroppingastudentforfailuretosubmitevidenceoftheaboverequirementswillbeasfollows:
1.TheAdministrativeAssistantintheSchoolofNursingwillprovideacompliancereporttotheUndergraduateProgramChairtheweekbeforethesemestertermcommences.IfastudenthasfailedtosubmitthedocumentsrequiredbytheSchoolofNursing(completeanduptodate),thecourseinstructorwillcontactthestudentviaUMemail,remindingthestudentofthesubmissionrequirementandnotifyingthestudenttheyareoutofcompliance.Thestudentwillbegiventhree(3)daystosubmittherequireddocumentstoCastleBranch.
2.Ifthestudentfailstorespondtotheemaildirectiveorfailstosubmittherequireddocumentsornotifiesthecourseinstructoroftheirinabilitytobecompliant,thecourseinstructorwillnotifytheUndergraduateProgramChairandtheSchoolofNursingDeanrequestingthatthestudentbeadministrativelydroppedfromthecourseandthattheiraccesstothecourseberemoved.
ClinicalAgencyAgreementsTheUMSchoolofNursinghasalegalresponsibilitytohavewrittenagreementswitheachagencyusedforclinicalpractice.TheClinicalAgencyAgreementsareestablishedandmaintainedthroughtheofficeoftheSchoolofNursingDean.
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TheagreementsdelineatetheUniversity’sresponsibilitywiththeclinicalagencieswhenstudentsandfacultyarepresent.TheUMSchoolofNursingandclinicalagenciesassumesharedresponsibilitiesforthestudents’educationalexperiencesintheclinicalsetting.Selectedportionsoftheclinicalagreementdirectlyrelatedtostudentresponsibilityareasfollows:
• Theuniversitywillinstructallnursingstudentsassignedtotheclinicalagencyregardingconfidentialityofmedicalrecordsandpatient/clientdataimpartedduringtheeducationalexperience.
• Theuniversitywillnotallowstudentstoparticipateinclinicalexperienceswhohavenotdocumentedtheirproofofimmunizationfortetanus,diphtheria,andpolio;HepatitisBseries;TuberculinSkinTest(chestx-rayifappropriate);proofofimmunitytorubella,chickenpoxandMMR.
• Iftheclinicalagencydeemsastudent’sperformancetobeunsatisfactoryanddetrimentaltoitsconstituents,itmaysuspendthestudentfromutilizingtheclinicalagencyforclinicalexperience.Thefacultywillconductaninvestigationanddecideappropriatedisciplinaryaction.
• ThenatureofthiscooperativeagreementissuchthateachpartyundertakesobligationstotheotherwithoutpassageoffundsbetweentheUniversityandtheclinicalagencyorbetweenpersonnelandtheirrespectivestaffs.
ClinicalAttendanceandAbsencePolicyAllstudentsarerequiredtonotifytheirfacultyand/orpreceptor’softheirabsencefromaclinicalexperience.Thestudentwilladheretothefacultyand/orpreceptor’srequestfornotification,contactingthembytelephoneoremail.Facultyand/orpreceptorsshouldbenotifiedofthestudent’sabsenceatleasttwo(2)hourspriortotheirscheduledclinicaltime(i.e.,studentduetocommenceworkat9:00am,thefacultyandpreceptorshouldbenotifiedby7:00am).Studentsmustalsonotifytheclinicalagencytwo(2)hourspriortotheirscheduledtimeofarrival.Studentsintheundergraduatenursingprogramareexpectedtoexemplifyprofessionalbehaviorsandappropriatenotificationoftheirclinicalabsenceisrequired.Studentswhofailtotimelyandappropriatelynotifytheirclinicalfacultyand/orpreceptorwillreceiveawrittenreprimand(ClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay)thatwillbeplacedinthestudent’spermanentrecord.Repeatviolationswillresultindisciplinaryactions,includinggradepenaltyordismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.Allclinicalabsencesmustbemadeupinaformatselectedbytheinstructor.Failuretomakeupaclinicalabsencewillresultinaclinicalfailureandcoursefailure.Ifmorethanoneabsenceoccurs(regardlessofthereason),thecoursefacultyandtheUndergraduateProgramChairwillevaluatetodetermineifthestudentiseligibletocontinueinthecourse.
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ClinicalCourseExpectationsThestudentmustbepreparedforallclinicallearningopportunities.Thestudentmustcomplywithclinicalcourseexpectations:1. Properlyidentifyoneselftoallpatientsandotherhealthcareprovidersasa
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingBSNstudent.2. Arriveontimetoallclinicalrotationexperiences;beingwell-restedandprepared.3. Communicateeffectivelywithpreceptor,faculty,and/orothermembersofthe
healthcareteam.4. AdheretotheSchoolofNursingUniformPolicyandweartheschoolidentification
badge(PhotoIDNameBadge)inclearview.5. ParticipateinclinicalpracticeasaBSNstudentonlyunderthesupervisionand
directionofanapprovedpreceptor,adjunctfacultymember,aUniversityofMobilefacultymember,and/ortheRNassignedtocareforthepatient.
6. Activelyseeklearningexperiencesguidedbytheapprovedpreceptor,adjunctfacultymember,aUniversityofMobilefacultymember,and/ortheRNassignedtocareforthepatient.
7. PerformonlyapprovedproceduresthatarewithinthescopeofpracticeasaBSNstudentandonlyunderthedirectsupervisionofanapprovedpreceptor,adjunctfacultymember,aUniversityofMobilefacultymemberand/ortheRNassignedtocareforthepatient.
8. Documentfindingsinaconcise,organized,andaccuratemannerusingcorrectmedicalterminologyandclinicalagencyand/orinstitutionalguidelines.
9. Alwaysmaintainpatientconfidentiality.10. Providehealthpromotionanddiseasepreventioneducationtopatientsacrossthe
lifespaninanappropriatemanner.11. Collaboratewithotherhealthcareprofessionalsincoordinatingcareasneeded.12. Recognizeemergencysituationsandinitiateeffectiveemergencycarewhen
needed.13. Communicateeffectivelywithapprovedpreceptor,adjunctfaculty,faculty
member,and/orothermembersofthehealthcareteam.14. Notifyyourapprovedpreceptor,adjunctfaculty,and/orfacultymember
immediatelyforanyproblems,issues,orconcernsthatariseintheclinicalarea.15. Demonstratebehaviorthatisbothethicalandprofessionalatalltimes.16. Demonstratesafetyatalltimesinclinicalpractice.
ClinicalHourRequirementsforBSNCoursesTheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingrecognizesthatclinicalpracticerequirementsareessentialtotheeducationofnursesinpracticenursingroles.SpecificcourseswithintheBSNDegreeProgramsrequirestudentstoparticipateinclinicalexperiencesatanacceptedclinicalsitewithanapprovedpreceptororfacultymember.Studentsmustcompleteatotalofninety(90)clinicalhoursper
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eachnursingcourse(NU309orNU309A,IntroductiontoClinicalNursing;NU313orNU313A,AdultHealthNursingI;NU314orNU314A,NursingtheChildbearingFamily;NU316orNU316A,Psychiatric-MentalHealthNursing;NU404orNU404A,ChildHealthNursing;NU412orNU412A,CommunityHealthNursing;NU414orNU414A,AdultHealthNursingII;NU415orNU415A,AdultHealthNursingIII;NU417,TheCommunityasaClient;andNU440,ProfessionalNursingPracticeII.NU416orNU416A,NursingPracticumrequiresatotalof144clinicalhourswithdirectsupervisionofanapprovedpreceptor.Allclinicalhoursaretobecompletedduringthesemesterinwhichthestudentisenrolled.Noclinicalhoursmaybecompletedafterthelastdayofthecourse.
ClinicalPoliciesAstudentmustmeetallinstitutionalrequirementsforpracticeinordertopursueclinicalexperiences.Studentsmustperformsatisfactorilyintheclinicalcomponentinordertosuccessfullypassthecourse.Ifastudentreceivesan“Unsatisfactory”clinicalgrade,thestudentreceivesan“F”inthecourse,eventhoughthedidactic/theorygrademaybepassing.StudentsmustadheretothepoliciesoftheclinicalagenciesandtheSchoolofNursing:
• Studentsmustcomplete90hoursofclinicalexperiencesineachclinicalcourse.Inordertofulfillthisrequirement,studentsshouldnotarrivelatetotheclinicalexperienceorrequesttoleaveearly.Inaddition,studentsshouldneverscheduleanypersonalbusinessduringclinicalhours(toattendaneventatchild’sschool,routinephysicals,lunchdateswithfriends,etc.).Studentsareexpectedtoattendclinicalexperiencesasscheduledbycoursefacultyinordertomaximizealllearningopportunities.
• Affiliatepoliciesintheclinicalagenciesmayrequirestudentstosubmittothesamedrugtestingproceduresthatapplytoemployeesofthefacility.ClinicalagencieswillalsomandateverificationofimmunizationsandCPR-AED/BLSCertification.Studentswhohavenotmettheserequirementsand/ornotsubmittedverificationtoCastleBranchwillnotbeallowedtoattendclinical.Anydaymissedwillbeconsideredanunexcusedclinicalabsence.
• Anystudentwhoisnotabletoreturntoaclinicalagencyduetoafailuretoabidebyclinicalagencypolicieswillbegivenan“Unsatisfactory”clinicalgrade(CUD).Thestudentwillnotbeallowedtotransfertoanotherclinicalsiteandmustwithdrawfromthenursingcourse.
• Studentsmaynotuseanyelectronicdeviceinclinicalunlessapprovalhasbeengrantedbythecoursefaculty.
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• Therewillbenocellphonesallowedinthehospitalorlaboratoryareas.FailuretoadheretothepolicywillresultinthestudentreceivingaClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay(CUD)andbeingsenthome.
• Ifastudenthasaphysiologicalorpsychologicalproblemthatrendershim/herunabletoperformintheclinicalsetting,thestudentmaybeeligibletotakeanincompleteor“I”inthecourse.Thestudentwillnotbepermittedtocontinueinthedidacticportionoftheclinicalcourseandwillberequiredtotakeagradeofincompleteinallothercourses.Thestudentwillnotbeallowedtoprogresssequentiallyinthenursingprogramuntiltherequirementsfortheincompletearefulfilledsatisfactorily.
ClinicalPracticeExpectationsforRN-BSNStudentsThestudentandthecoursefacultymemberareresponsiblefordeterminingtheworktobedonetomeetthecourserequirements.DuringtheclinicalcourseNU417,TheCommunityasaClientandNU440,ProfessionalNursingPracticeII,thestudentisexpectedtomeetthefollowingrequirements:
• Discusscourseobjectivesandclarifygoalsfortheclinicalexperiencewithyourpreceptor.Provideawrittencopyofapprovedgoalsandobjectivestothepreceptorpriortothebeginningclinicalhours.
• Negotiateclinicalscheduleandactivities,asappropriate.Studentsshouldarriveinclinicalareasonthenegotiateddatesandtimes.
• Discussandprovidepreceptorwithacopyofthetoolusedtoassessthestudent’sclinicalperformanceandachievementofgoals/objectives.
• ComplywiththepoliciesofthehealthcareagencyandtheUMSchoolofNursing,includingpre-clinicalcompliancepaperwork,training,professionalattire,andproperidentification.
• Maintainregularcontactwithfacultymemberinformingthecoursefacultymemberpromptlyifanyproblemsand/orissuesrelatedtotheclinicalexperiencearise.
• Keepallscheduledappointmentswithpreceptorandcoursefaculty.• Maintainarecordofclinicalhours.• Maintainnursingskillschecklistandbringallrequiredequipmentthatis
necessaryforprovidingpatientcare(stethoscope,watch,mobiledeviceforreference,etc.).
• AdheretoallHIPPAguidelinesofpatientconfidentiality.• Evaluatetheirpreceptorandclinicalsiteattheendoftheclinical
experience.• Complete90clinicalhoursaccordingtothepoliciesandguidelinesas
stipulatedinthecoursesyllabi.
PreceptorResponsibilities• Agreestoserveasstudentpreceptor;actsasaprofessionalrolemodel,
resourceperson,andmentor.
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• CompletesandelectronicallysubmitsPreceptorApplicationtocoursefacultyone(1)monthpriortothestudentstartingtheclinicalexperience.
• Approvesandagreestojointlysetgoalsandobjectivesforthestudent’sclinicalexperience,asappropriate.ThePreceptorApplicationformwillbepostedonthewebsiteforstudents.
• Informsstudentandfacultyofavailablelearningactivitiesandprojectslikelytofulfillthestudent’slearningobjectives.
• Encouragesinitiative,individuality,self-assessment,andincreasingautonomy,asappropriate,bythestudent.
• Sharesexpertisenecessarytofunctionintheclinicalsite.• Providesregularfeedbacktostudentregardingprogress,strengthsand
limitations.• Completesassessmentofstudent’sperformanceatmid-semesterandat
theendofthesemester.Submitsfinalstudentevaluationtocoursefacultymemberwithinthespecifiedcoursetimeline.
• Confersroutinelywithcoursefacultymemberdirectlyregardingstudent’sprogressduringtheclinicalexperience.Immediatelynotifiesthefacultymemberifthestudent’sperformanceisdeemedunsatisfactory.
• Electronicallysubmitsstudentevaluationdirectlytothefacultymember.FacultyResponsibilities• Screens,approves,and/orassignsthepreceptor.• Assuresallclinicalrequirementsarecompletepriortostudentbeginning
clinicalhours.• Providescourseinformationtothepreceptor,toinclude,courseand/or
clinicalobjectives,coursetimeline,andassessmentcriteriaforstudent’sclinicalperformance.
• Monitorsstudentperformanceregularlyandidentifiesprogress,strengths,andlimitationsthatmayimpactstudent’scompletionoftheclinicalrequirements.
• Supervisesallclinicallearningopportunities.Thiscanbeaccomplishedthroughface-to-facemeetingsattheclinicalsiteorbyemployingtheuseoftechnologyforthepurposeof“visiting”thesitetodeterminehowthestudentisprogressing.
• Contactsstudentasneededduringthesemestertodiscusstheirclinicalperformanceandobtainmentofcourseobjectives.
• Contactsthepreceptorregardingthestudent’sperformanceaminimumofthree(3)timesduringthesemesterandasneeded.
• Utilizesavarietyofdata,includingpreceptorinput,toassignafinalcoursegrade.
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ClinicalPracticeExperiencesTheCommissiononCollegiateNursingEducationdefinesclinicalpracticeexperiences“asplannedlearningactivitiesinnursingpracticethatallowstudentstounderstand,perform,andrefineprofessionalcompetenciesattheappropriateprogramlevel.Clinicalpracticeexperiencesmaybeknownasclinicallearningopportunities,clinicalpractice,clinicalstrategies,clinicalactivities,experientiallearningstrategies,orpractice”(CCNEStandardsforAccreditationofBaccalaureateandGraduateNursingPrograms,2016).
ClinicalSiteSelectionGuidelinesandProcessforRN-BSNStudentsClinicalsiteselectioniscriticaltothestudent’ssuccessintheprogram.StudentsintheRN-BSNProgramareresponsibleforsecuringtheirownclinicalplacementswithintheirgeographicalregion.ForstudentsenrolledinNU417,TheCommunityasaClient,theclinicalrequirementwillbecompletedspecificallyincommunitysettings.ForNU440,ProfessionalNursingPracticeII,thestudentmayselectanyclinicalsitetofulfilltheclinicalrequirement,pendingapprovalbythecoursefaculty.Thestudentshouldhavetheclinicalsiteinformationsubmittedtotheappropriatefacultyatleastthirty(30)dayspriortotheendofthesemesterbeforethenextclinicalcourse.ThistimeframemakesitpossiblefornursingfacultytodetermineifaClinicalAgencyAgreementcurrentlyexistsfortherequestedclinicalagencyand/ortimetosecurethecontract.AClinicalAgencyAgreementmustbesignedandonfileattheUniversityofMobilepriortoanyclinicalactivity.Thisagreementmustbeinplaceforeachclinicalsite,wherehands-oncareisprovided,regardlessofthenumberofhoursthatwillbecompletedatthesite.Studentsarenotpermittedtoselectclinicalpracticeexperiencesattheircurrentplaceofemployment.Studentsmaynotworkunderthedirectionoftheirsupervisororasubordinate.Approvedpreceptorsmusthavenodirectpersonalorprofessionalrelationshipwiththestudent.
Ifthestudentisemployedbyalargehealthcaresystem,theclinicalexperiencescanbecompletedataseparateclinicalarea.Forexample,ifastudentisemployedatMobileInfirmaryMedicalCenterontheTelemetryfloortheymayhavetheirclinicalexperienceintheMedicalIntensiveCareUnit(“Theexperiencesmustprovidetheopportunityforstudentstointegratenewknowledgeintopracticeandtheexperiencesmustbeappropriatetotheexpectedstudentlearningandprogramoutcomes”CCNE,KeyElementII).
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Studentsmayutilizecurrentlyapprovedpreceptorsandagenciesintheirlocalarea,orsubmitnewpreceptorsandagenciesforreviewandapproval.Studentsmayfindthereiscompetitionforclinicalpreceptors;therefore,earlyplanningisimperative.Studentswhoresideinruralareasmayhavelimitedoptionsinsecuringclinicalplacementandstudentswholiveinanareathathasnumerousundergraduatenursingprogramsmayhavemorecompetitioninsecuringclinicalplacements.Itisrecommendedthatstudentsstartplanningclinicalexperiencesatleastthesemesterpriortotakingthescheduledcourse.
ClinicalUnsatisfactoryDays(CUD’s)Astudentwhoreceivestwo(2)ClinicalUnsatisfactoryDays(CUD’s)inonecoursewillfailthelaboratorycomponentofthecourseandthus,failthecourse,regardingofthegradeearnedinthedidactic/theorycomponent.Four(4)ClinicalUnsatisfactoryDays(CUD’s)inoneormoreclinicalcourseswillresultindismissalfromthenursingprogram.ClinicalUnsatisfactoryDays(CUD’s)arecumulative.A.CategoryIIssuesThestudentwillreceiveaClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay(CUD)forthefollowinginfractions:1.Noassignmentmadeonthedaypriortotheclinicallaboratoryexperience.Studentswillpreparewrittenorcomputerizedplansofcareforeachpatienteachdayasspecifiedbythecourseinstructor.2.Failuretocontacttheclinicaland/orcoursefacultyandclinicalunitpriortotheassignedtimeofarrivalifunabletobepresentortardy.Clinicalunitsshouldbenotifiedtwo(2)hourspriortoscheduledtime.3.Inadequateknowledgeoftreatmentand/ormedications.4.Inappropriatedressand/ornoncompliancetotheSchoolofNursingdresscode.5.BehaviorthatwouldreflectnegativelyonthenursingprofessionandtheUniversityofMobilesuchasviolationofHIPPA/confidentialityagreements,usingprofanity,beingimpairedbychemicalorillegalsubstances,anyverbalorbehaviorthatisdeemedinappropriatebytheclinicaland/orcoursefaculty,etc.6.Leavinganassignedclinical/communityexperiencepriortothetimeassignedbytheclinicalinstructorand/orcoursefaculty.Consequences:ThestudentwillbegivenaClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay(CUD)foranyCategoryIviolationandwillbesenthome.Thestudentwillberequiredtomakeupthedaypriortotheendofthecourse.B.CategoryIIIssuesThestudentwillreceiveaClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay(CUD)forthefollowinginfractions:1.Anydrugerror2.Anytreatmenterror3.Apotentialerrorwithinacourse,preventedfromoccurringbythefacultyand/or
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nursingstaff.Consequences:ThestudentwillbegivenaClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay(CUD)foranyCategoryIIviolationandwillbesenthome.Thestudentwillberequiredtomakeupthedaypriortotheendofthecourse.C.CategoryIIIIssuesThestudentwillreceiveaClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay(CUD)forthefollowinginfractions:1.Anylifethreateningorpotentiallylifethreateningerrororactionbythestudenttothepatient,staff,faculty,orothersintheenvironment.2.Implementinganyactionthatisindirectviolationofthecourse,school,orinstitutionalpolicyorinstruction.Consequences:ThestudentwillbegivenaClinicalUnsatisfactoryDay(CUD)foraCategoryIIIviolationandwillbesenthome.Thestudentwillfailclinicallaboratoryandfailthecourse.ThestudentwillappearbeforetheBSNFacultyCommitteetodetermineifthestudentwillbepermittedtorepeatthecourse(thisconsiderationcanonlybemadeifthestudenthasnotfailedanyothernursingcourses)andcontinueinthenursingprogram.TheinfractionmayalsoresultindismissalfromtheSchoolofNursingandrenderthestudentineligiblefrombeingconsideredforreadmission.
DosageCalculationTestingPolicyTheDosageCalculationTestingPolicyexiststofacilitatedosagecalculationcompetencenecessaryforsafenursingpractice.Itisimperativethatnursingstudentsassumepersonalresponsibilityformaintenanceofmathskillsthroughoutthenursingcurriculum.Thedosagecalculationtestservesasameansforcontinuedassessmentoftheseimportantskills.TestingPolicy:Studentsaregiventhree(3)opportunitiestoachievethebenchmarkscoreestablishedbytheSchoolofNursingfaculty.FailuretopasstheDosageCalculationTestonthethirdattemptwillresultinwithdrawalfromtheclinicalcourse.Inallcases,readmissiontotheclinicalcoursewillbeprioritizedandonaspace-availablebasis.Thestudentwillberequiredtodemonstrateevidenceofmathremediationforconsiderationtoreturntotheprogram.Multipledosagecalculationfailureswithintheclinicalcourseswillbeconsideredfailuretoprogram.Iffailuretoprogressinhibitsthestudentfromcompletingthenursingprogramwithinfiveyears,thestudentwillbedismissedfromthenursingprogram.TestingProcedure:1.Studentsshouldarrivetothetestingsiteatleast5-10minutesbeforethetestisscheduledtobegin.
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2.Thetestingformatwillbepaperandpencil.Studentsshouldbringtwo(2)pencilswithintacterasers.3.CalculatorswillbeprovidedbytheUMSchoolofNursing.4.Studentswillhave30minutestocompletetheten(10)-questionexamination.5.Studentsmaynotbringanypersonalitemstothetestsiteincludingcellphones,PDA’s,computers,iPhonewatches,oranyotherelectronicdevice(s).TestingGuidelinesandOtherRulesSummary:1.RoundingOffDecimalRules.Thedeterminationofhowmanyspacestocarryyourdivisionwhencalculatingdosagesisbasedontheequipmentused.Somesyringesaremarkedintenthsandsomeinhundredths.Toensureaccuracy,mostcalculationproblemsrequirethatyoucarryyourdivisionatleasttwodecimalplacesandroundofftothenearesttenth.Therearesomeexceptions,typicallyfoundintheadministrationofpediatricorcriticalcaremedications.Itmaybenecessarytocomputedecimalcalculationstothousandthsandroundtohundredths.a.Toexpressananswertothenearesttenth,carrythedivisiontothehundredthsplace(twoplacesafterthedecimal).Ifthenumberinthehundredthsplaceis5orgreater,addonetothetenthsplace.Ifthenumberislessthan5,dropthenumbertotherightofthedesireddecimalplace.Ifthefinalanswerisgreaterthanone,itshouldberoundedtotenths(onespacebeyondthedecimal).Example:Express4.15tothenearesttenth=answer4.2Explanation:Thenumberinthehundredthsplaceis5;thenumberinthetenthsplaceisincreasedbyone.Example:Express1.24tothenearesttenth=answer1.2Explanation:Thenumberinthehundredthsplaceislessthan5;thenumberinthetenthsplacedoesnotchange.The4isdropped.b.Toexpressananswertothenearesthundredth,carrythedivisiontothethousandths(threeplacesafterthedecimal).Ifthenumberinthethousandthsplaceis5orgreater,addonetothehundredthsplace.Ifthenumberislessthan5,dropthenumbertotherightofthedesiredplace.Ifthefinalanswerislessthanone,itshouldberoundedtohundredths.Example:Express0.176tothenearesthundredth=answer0.18Explanation:Thenumberinthethousandthsplaceis6;thenumberinthehundredthsplaceisincreasedbyone.Example:Express0.554tothenearesthundredth=answer0.55Explanation:Thenumberinthethousandthsplaceislessthan5;thenumberinthehundredthsplacedoesnotchange.c.Adecimalisafractionthathasadenominatorthatisamultipleof10.The
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decimalpointindicatesplacevalue.Numbersthatarewrittentotherightofthedecimalrepresentavalueoflessthanone.Numbersthatarewrittentotheleftofthedecimalrepresentavalueofgreaterthanone.2.LeadingZeroRule.Whenthereisnowholenumberbeforeadecimalpoint,itisimportanttoplaceazerototheleftofthedecimalpointtoemphasizethenumberhasavalueoflessthanone.ThisisarequirementbyTheJointCommission,aswellasapatientsafetyissue.Example:answer=.75(incorrect).Theanswer,accordingtotheLeadingZeroRule,is0.75(correct).3.TrailingZeroRule.Whenwritingdecimals,unnecessaryzerosshouldnotbeplacedattheendofthenumbertoavoidmisinterpretationofavalueandcanresultinoverlookingadecimalpoint.ThisisarequirementbyTheJointCommission,aswellasapatientsafetyissue.Example:answer=1tablet(correct).TheansweraccordingtotheTrailingZeroRule,shouldnotbewrittenas1.0tablet(incorrect).4.Allintravenous(IV)problemshavingananswerindropsperminutearetoberoundedtothenearestwholenumber.Example:41.2gttsperminute=41gttsperminute(correct)Example:30.5gttsperminute=31gttsperminute(correct)Explanation:Dropsperminute(gttsperminute)arealwaysexpressedinwholenumbers.5.Allintravenous(IV)problemssolvingformL/hrshouldbecarriedtothetenthsdecimalplace.Example:41.25mL/hr=41.3mL/hr=41mL/hr(correct)Explanation:Exception:Withtechnologicaladvances,therearesomeIVpumpsthatarecapableofdeliveringIVfluidsintenthsofamilliliter.Ifadvancedpumpsarenotavailable,than41mL/hrwouldbeacorrectanswer.6.AllanswersontheDosageCalculationTestmustincludetheproperunitofmeasure.Theanswerisincorrectifitisnotlabeledappropriately.7.Allcalculationsforeachdosagecalculationproblemmustbeshownonthetest.Theanswerisconsideredincorrectandnopartialcreditisgiven,evenifacorrectanswerisprovided.8.Fractional(partial)creditwillnotbegiven.Ifanypartoftheanswerisincorrect,theentireansweriswrong.
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9.Nofractionswillbeacceptedasanswers.Allanswersmustbeexpressedindecimals.10.Answersshouldbeplacedinonlythespaceprovided.Ifnoanswerisinthespaceprovided,thenthequestionisdeterminedtobeunansweredandwillbemarkedincorrect.
IllnessorInjuryatClinicalStudentswhoareinjuredorbecomeillwhilecompletingclinicalhoursmust:1.Notifythepreceptorand/orfacultymemberimmediately.2.Followtheagency’spolicyandprocedureforinjuryorillness,ifappropriate.Studentsshouldrefrainfromreportingtotheclinicalareawhenill,experiencinganelevatedtemperature,experiencingnausea/vomiting,diarrheaoranyothersymptomindicativeofillnessordisease.Studentsshouldnotifythepreceptorandfacultymemberoftheirclinicalabsenceatleasttwo(2)hourspriortotheirassignedclinicaltime.Clinicalagenciesarenotcompelledtoprovidemedicalcarefreeofchargeforstudentswhobecomesillduringtheclinicalexperience.Studentsareresponsibleforanyexpense(s)incurred.Allstudentsareencouragedtomaintainpersonalhealthcarecoverage.
PreceptorSelectionCriteriaforRN-BSNStudentsTheUniversityofMobilereliesonclinicalpreceptorsfordirectsupervisionofthepracticeexperience.Preceptorsshouldberegisterednurseemployedinacommunityhealthcaresetting.ThesepracticingprofessionalsaretheexpertswhoguidethestudentsinNU417,TheCommunityasaClient,andNU440,ProfessionalNursingPracticeII,withday-todayexperientiallearning,rolemodelthemostappropriatewaystoapproachstudentsinaclinicalsetting.Servingasaclinicalpreceptorisanimportant,challenging,andrewardingactivity,whichrequirestime,attention,andconsistentavailabilitytostudents.Becausethecontributionofthepreceptorfacultyissocriticaltothequalityofthestudentnurseeducationoradministrationlearningexperience,itisessentialthatthefaculty-student-preceptorrelationshipbebuiltonmutualrespect,professionalconcurrence,andclearcommunication.Itisthestudent’sreasonabilitytomakecontactwithapotentialclinicalagencytoexplorepreceptorshipopportunities.Thecoursefacultymayassistintheprocess.Studentsshouldstartearlyinsecuringappropriatepreceptors.Whencontactingperspectivepreceptorsorclinicalsitemanagers,studentsshouldpresentthemselvesinaprofessionalmannerinbothdressandspeech.
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SelectionCriteria:1.Thepreceptormusthaveacademicpreparationasnecessaryforthepositionofaregisterednurse.2.Thepreceptormusthaveaminimumofthree(3)yearsofexperienceintheareaofclinicalspecialtyandrole.3.Thepreceptormustagreetoprovideopportunities,whichwillallowstudentstomeetcourseobjectivesandrequirements.4.Thepreceptormuststateaninterestinguidingthestudentthroughthepracticeexperience.5.Thepreceptormustmaintainanunencumberedregisterednurselicenseinthestateofpractice.6.Thepreceptormusthavepermissionfromtheiremployingagencytoserveasapreceptor.7.TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingmusthaveonfileorsecureaClinicalAgencyAgreementforeachclinicalagency/institutionforwhichthepreceptorisemployed.Preceptorsareemployedinclinicalagencieswithsigned,currentclinicalagreementsmadebetweentheadministrationoftheUniversityofMobilecontractingonbehalfoftheUMSchoolofNursingandtheclinicalagency’sboardofdirectorsorexecutiveofficerauthorizedtosignonbehalfoftheagency’sgoverningbody.StudentscannotbeginclinicalexperienceswithahealthcareagencyorinstitutionorpreceptorwithoutfacultyapprovalandasignedcontractthathasbeenapprovedbytheUniversityofMobile.SelectionProcess:1.Thestudent(withtheagreementofprospectivepreceptor)submitsthenameofpreceptorcandidatetothecoursefaculty.2.Theprospectivepreceptorsubmitsanabbreviatedvitaorresumeforreview(includeseducation,workexperience,certifications,andlicensure).3.Thecoursefacultyinterviewstheprospectivepreceptor,ifindicated,andreviewstheirvitaorresumetovalidatecredentialstoserveinthepreceptorrole.4.UponreceiptofthePreceptorApplication,thecoursefacultywillevaluatetheappropriatenessoftheclinicalagencyandthequalificationsoftheclinicalpreceptor.PreceptorResponsibilities:1.ThestudentshouldsendlinkstothePreceptorApplicationandthecoursefacultyregardingthepreceptorselected.ThePreceptorApplicationwillbepostedonthecoursewebsite.2.ThepreceptorwillelectronicallysubmitthePreceptorApplicationformtothecoursefacultymember.
• Ifaclinicalagencycontractisneeded,thepreceptorsubmitstheagencynameandcontactinformationofthepersonresponsiblefor
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securing/updatingaClinicalAgencyAgreementdocumentalongwiththePreceptorApplication.
AdditionalRequirements:
• Studentswithoutapreceptorinplacewithin30dayspriortocommencementofclinicalcoursesNU417,TheCommunityasaClientandNU440,ProfessionalNursingPracticeII,willbeaskedtowithdrawfromthecourse.
• Studentswhofailtoprovidetheappropriateinformationanddocumentationregardingtheirselectionofpreceptorwithinthirty(30)daysandtheirselectionofclinicalsitewithinthirty(30)dayswillbeaskedtowithdrawfromthecourse.
ProfessionalBehaviorintheClinicalSettingStudentspresentthemselvesasambassadorsoftheUniversityofMobile,theSchoolofNursingandtheundergraduateprogram.Studentsareexpectedtoberespectfultopreceptors,faculty,staff,patientsandtheirfamilies.ReportsofunprofessionalbehaviorwillresultinthestudentbeingcounseledandissubjecttoreviewbytheSchoolofNursingDean.Examplesofunprofessionalbehaviorsincludedisorderlyconduct,inappropriateoroffensivelanguage,damageortheftofproperty,disruption,discrimination,behaviororconductadverselyreflectinguponthenursingprofessionortheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursing.EachstudentenrolledinNU416,NursingPracticum;NU416A,NursingPracticum;NU417,TheCommunityasaClient;and/orNU440,ProfessionalNursingPracticeII,isrequiredtosendtheirpreceptor(s)attheconclusionoftheclinicalexperienceaformalthankyouletter.Acopyofthelettermustbesentelectronicallytothecoursefacultymember(priortobeingsenttothepreceptor)andwillbeincludedwiththefinalcourseevaluation.
ProfessionalDressintheClinicalSettingStudentsareexpectedtocomplywithdresscodepoliciesestablishedbytheSchoolofNursing,aswellasthepoliciesofindividualclinicalfacilitieswheretheyareassignedforclinicalpractice.Studentsshouldrefertothesectionentitled,“UniformRegulations”forspecificinformationregardingappropriateuniformselectionanddresscodeforclinicalagencies.
SimulationClinicalsimulationisdesignedtomeettheneedsofcurrentandfuturenurses.TheprimaryobjectiveoftheUniversityofMobileSimulationLearningEnvironment(locatedintheCenterforExcellenceinHealthcarePractice)istopromoteasuperior
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levelofhighfidelitylearning/teachingforstudentsandfacultybyprovidingastate-of-the-artenvironmenttoevaluatebasicandadvancedskills/behaviors.
• Studentrolesfollowthenursingprocessofassessment,diagnosis,planning,intervention,andevaluation.Eachscenariohasapatientintroduction,contactwiththepatient,andthentimetodebriefaboutthecare.Theexperiencemaybevideotapedtoassistthestudent’sreviewandtoenhancelearningfromtheactionstakenduringsimulation.
• Thesimulatedpatientwillbegiventhesameconsiderationasanypatientin
aclinicalsetting.Thisincludestheprinciplesofpatientprivacy,confidentiality,andsafety.Itistheexpectationthatstudentswillengagefullyinthepatientsimulationandexperience.
• Thescenariosarenottobediscussedoutsideofthesimulationand
debriefingsessionsunlesspartofacourseassignment.Thisistoprotectthevalueoftheexperienceforthosewhowilleventuallytakepartintheclinicalscenario(s).
• Studentsshouldapproachthepatientinthesimulationsettingusingthe
samedressandbehaviorstandardrequiredforallclinicalsettings,consistentwiththeUndergraduateStudentHandbook.Thisincludescompliancewithuniformpolicy,communication,andpreparednessforclinicalexperiences.
• UniversalPrecautionsaretobefollowedatalltimesasareallsafety
guidelinesusedintheclinicalsetting.Sharpsandsyringesaretobedisposedofinappropriatecontainers.
• Equipmentmaynotberemovedfromthesimulationlabforpractice,norare
thesimulationlabstobeusedforpracticingclinicalskills,unlesssupervisedbyfaculty.
• Coats,backpacks,andotherpersonalbelongingsarenottobebroughtto
simulationlabandshouldbesecuredbeforeenteringthesimulationarea.
• Food,drink,pens,andmarkersarenotpermittedinthelabs.Onlypencilsmaybeusedinthesimulationlab.
• Studentsarerequiredtoaccesselectronicchartingduringascenario.
ElectronicdeviceswillbeprovidedbytheSimulationLabCoordinator.
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SkillsChecklist
Eachstudentisexpectedtoachieveidentifiedskillsatselectedintervalsthroughoutthenursingcurriculum.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytomaintaintheaccuracyoftheskillschecklistandtosubmititwhenrequestedbynursingfaculty.
TabletUsageItrecommendedthatstudentspurchaseanAppleiPadMinioratabletoftheirchoicetoutilizeintheirclinicalcourses,aslongasitisWi-Ficompatible.
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SECTIONVI:STUDENTINVOLVEMENT/PROFESSIONALOPPORTUNITIES
CampusMinistriesAsaChrist-centered,academicallyfocuseduniversity,wearepreparingstudentstofulfilltheGreatCommissionthroughaBiblicalWorldview.TheUniversityofMobilehasmanyopportunitiesforstudentstoserveotherslocally,nationally,andglobally.StudentsareencouragedtoparticipateinProjectServe,UrbanPlunge,TheBridge,YouthHostelMissions,andFocusFridays.TheUniversityofMobilesponsorsmorethan200eventsperyearforresidentandcommuterstudents.WeeklyopportunitiesmaybeviewedontheUniversityofMobilewebsite(Quicklink,“StudentLife.”)
FocusFridaysTheUniversityofMobileisintentionalaboutcreatingacademicandstudentlifeexperiencesthatbuildcommunityinawaythatnoothercollegedoes,throughFocusFridays.TheUniversityofMobile’suniqueapproachtolearningmeansthestudentattendsclassesMondaythroughThursday,immersingthemselvesinacademicprogramsthatstretchtheirminds.OnFridays,thestudentfocusesonstudentlifeexperiences.FocusFridaysmayincludeinternships,fieldexperiences,andmeetingsforacademicclubsandhonorsocieties.StudentsmayalsoparticipateinvolunteeropportunitiessuchasbuildingaHabitatforHumanityhome.StudentsmayelecttopursuetheirinterestsandhavenewpersonalexperiencessuchaskayakingonMobileBay.FocusFridaysgivestudentsthetimetheneedincollegetoexploretheirprofessionalcalling,volunteerandimpactacommunity,growspirituallyanddeepentheirfaith,developfriendships,andtoshareexperiences.
ProfessionalOrganizationsStudentsareencouragedtoparticipateinUMorganizations,includinghonorsocieties,oncampus.
Pre-ProfessionalOrganizationsAlabamaAssociationofNursingStudentsThepurposeofthisorganization“istofosternursingeducation,facilitateunityamongourfuturecolleagues,andtooptimizethenursingstudent’sexposuretothenumerousspecialtiesandpathwaysintheever-changingfieldofnursing”(http://www.alabamanursingstudents.org)
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NationalStudentNursesAssociationParticipationinthisorganizationis“dedicatedtofosteringtheprofessionaldevelopmentofnursingstudents.Thismissionisaccomplishedbypreparingstudentsforinitiallicensureasregisterednurses,conveyingthestandardsandethicsofthenursingprofession,advocatingforhighquality,evidence-based,affordableandaccessiblehealthcare,anddevelopingnursingstudentswhoarepreparedtoleadtheprofessioninthefuture”(http://www.nsna.org)
SchoolofNursingCommitteesThenursingfacultybelievesstudentinvolvementisimportanttotheworkoftheSchool.StudentsareencouragedtoparticipateinthegovernanceoftheschoolbyservingasmembersofcertainUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingstandingcommittees.AnundergraduatestudentrepresentativefromtheAcceleratedBachelorofScienceProgram(ABSN),theTraditionalBachelorofScienceinNursing(TBSN)ProgramandtheRN-BSNProgramwillbeaskedtoserveasactiveparticipantsontheBSNFacultyCommitteeandtheFacultyOrganizationCommitteeforatermofoneacademicyear.Onealternativewillalsobechosenfromeachprogram.Studentsmayalsobeaskedtoserveonadhocundergraduatecommittees.TheroleofthestudentrepresentativeontheBSNFacultyCommitteeandtheFacultyOrganizationCommitteeisanimportantone.Inessence,thestudentrepresentativeprovidesaformalliaisontofacilitycommunicationbetweenthestudentcohortandtheundergraduatenursingfaculty.Asissuesarepresentedinthemeetings,studentsshouldfeelcomfortabletocontributetheirownideasandpointsofviewand/orreflectthoseofthestudent’sclassmates.StandingcommitteesareestablishedwithintheSchoolofNursingtoaccomplishthepurposesandobjectivesoftheschool.Thecommitteesinclude:
• FacultyOrganizationCommitteeThepurposeistoconductthebusinessoftheSchoolofNursingandcoordinateactivitiesofallprograms.
• BSNFacultyCommitteeThepurposeistoconductthebusinessoftheBaccalaureateDegreePrograms(AcceleratedBachelorofScienceinNursing,TraditionalBachelorofScienceinNursing,andRN-BSNDegreeProgram)andmakerecommendationstotheFacultyOrganizationCommittee.
• MSNFacultyCommitteeThepurposeistoconductthebusinessoftheMasterofScienceDegreePrograms(MSNinEducation/AdministrationandFamilyNursePractitionerProgram)andmakerecommendationstotheFacultyOrganizationCommittee.
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SigmaThetaTau,OmicronChapterSigmaThetaTauInternationalHonorSocietyofNursingisthe“secondlargestnursingorganizationintheUnitedStatesandamongthefivelargestandmostprestigiousintheworld.SigmaThetaTauInternationalisdedicatedtoimprovingthehealthofpeopleworldwidebyincreasingthescientificbaseofnursingpractice.Membersarenursingscholarscommittedtothepursuitofexcellenceinclinicalpractice,education,researchandleadership.Thesocietyexiststorecognizesuperiorachievementsinnursing,encourageleadershipdevelopment,fosterhighnursingstandards,andtostrengthenthecommitmenttotheidealsoftheprofession.”(http://www.nursingsociety.org)StudentsinundergraduateprogramsshallbeeligibleformembershipiftheyhaveachievedexcellenceaccordingtothestandardsapprovedbytheSociety.Undergraduatestudentsmust:
• Havecompletedhalfofthenursingcurriculum.• AchieveacademicexcellencewithaGPAofatleast3.0.GPAs(ona4.0scale)
shouldbecomputedaccordingtothepoliciesoftheuniversity.• Rankinthetop35%ofthegraduatingclass.• Meettheexpectationofacademicintegrity.
RegisteredNurse(RN-BSN)studentsmust:
• Havecompleted12credithoursattheircurrentschool.• Havecompletehalfofthenursingcurriculum.• AchieveacademicexcellencewithaGPAofatleast3.0.GPAs(ona4.0scale)
shouldbecomputedaccordingtothepoliciesoftheuniversity.• Rankinthetop35%ofthegraduatingclass.• Meettheexpectationofacademicintegrity.
UniversityofMobileAmbassadors
TheUniversityofMobileAmbassadorprogramwasintroducedin2017andconsistsofagroupofstudentswhodemonstrateexcellentinterpersonalcommunicationskills,enthusiasmfortheuniversity,provenleadershipabilities,positivity,soundjudgmentandreliability.AmbassadorsservetheUniversitythroughintentionalBiblicalleadershipaccordingtoMark10:43-45,“Whoeverwantstobecomegreatamongyoumustbeyourservant,andwhoeverwantstobefirstmustbeaslaveofall.ForeventheSonofMandidnotcometobeserved,buttoserve,andtogivehislifeasaransomformany.”(https://www.umobile.edu)
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UniversityofMobileAssociationofNursingStudents(UMANS)TheUniversityofMobileAssociationofNursingStudents(UMANS)isapre-professionalorganizationwhichincludesmembershipinthelocalorganization,andifdesired,inthestate(AlabamaAssociationofNursingStudents)andnationalstudentnursesassociation(NationalStudentNursesAssociation).Eachleveloftheorganizationstrivestopromotethedevelopmentofprofessionalattitudesandinvolvementthroughparticipationinactivitiesthatintroducethestudenttoprofessionalnursing.StateandNationalconventionsareheldannually.Studentattendanceatconventionsisencouraged.Absencefromclassandclinicalobligationsfortheseactivitieswillbeallowedaslongasthestudentisabletomeetthecourseobjectivesandattendancerequirements.TheUniversityofMobileAssociationofNursingStudentsisavibrantorganizationwithintenttopromotethenursingprofessionintheMobilecommunity.Thestudentsparticipateinseveralserviceprojectseachyearandhavethreeluncheonmeetingseachacademicsemester.Pre-professionalandallclinicalnursingstudentsareencouragedtojoinandactivelyparticipateintheorganization.
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SECTIONVII:STUDENTRESOURCESANDSERVICESBookstoreThecampusbookstoreislocatedintheJ.L.BedsoleLibrarybuildingonthefirstfloor.Textbooksandrelatedsuppliessuchasuniversitygearandsnacksmaybepurchasedinthebookstore.MasterCardandVisaareacceptedforpurchases.TheHoursofOperationare8:30AM–6:00PM,MondaythroughThursdayand10:00AM–4:00PMonFriday.Formoreinformation,studentsshouldcall251.679.9293oremailmailto:umobile@bkstr.com
CampusSecurityTheUniversityofMobilemaintainssecurityguardsonduty24hoursperday.Thesecurityguardmaybecontactedat251.510.4273.
CenterforExcellenceinHealthcarePracticeTheUMSchoolofNursingmaintainsaNursingSkillsLaboratory,aHealthAssessmentLaboratory,andSimulationCenterforstudentslocatedonthesecondflooroftheWeaverHallBuilding.TheselearningresourcesfortheSchoolofNursingallowstudentstodevelopknowledge,skills,andattitudesnecessaryforapplyingtheorytonursingpractice.ThislearningenvironmentservesstudentsintheSchoolofNursingbyprovidinganexcellentopportunityforself-directedindependentlearningandthepracticeofbasicandadvancednursingskills.Thenursinglabandsimulationcenterareequippedwithnewborn,infant,child,adultandmaternalhumanpatientsimulators(bothmidandhigh-fidelity)aswellasawideselectionoftasktrainers.Thelabisequippedwithcamerasandrecordingequipment,whichcanbeusedforreal-time,sharedlearningandindebriefingareas.CenterhoursvaryandarepostedontheSchoolofNursingwebsite.TheNursingSkillsLaboratorycontainsseven(7)hospitalbedswithequipmentstorage,five(5)fullbodymid-fidelitymanikinsandnumeroustasktrainers(IVarms,ostomytraining,woundcare,injections,etc.)TheHealthAssessmentLaboratorycontains3examtableswithequipmentstorage.TheSimulationCentercontainstwosimulationroomsandacontrolroom.OneroomhasaLaboranddeliverybirthingsimulator(referredtoasLucina),aninfantsimulator,andapediatricsimulator.Thesecondroomcontainsanadultmedical-surgicalsimulator(referredtoasiStan).Otherlearningtoolskeptinthesimulationroomsinclude:defibrillator,12leadEKG,crashcart,IVandfeedingtubepumps,etc.Bothroomshaveaudio-videorecordingcapabilities.
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LibraryTheJ.L.BedsoleLibraryfullyutilizesonlineandinformationtechnologiesthatfacilitateprovidinginformationresourcesandservicesthatsupporttheUniversity’scurricularandresearchactivities.Residentialandonlinestudentsareabletoaccessover100onlinedatabasesthatprovidebothfulltextandabstractsviatheweb.Inadditiontoonlinedatabases,theUMLibraryprovidesmanyformsofprintedandnot-printedmaterials,media,equipment,andservicesnecessaryforindividualstoachievetheireducationgoals.TheUMlibrarymaintainsadequatehourstosupporttheneedsoftheiron-campususers.HoursofOperation:7:45AM-10:00PM,Monday-Thursday;7:45AM-4:30PMFriday,10:00AM-5:00PMSaturday,andclosedSunday.ThelibrarycanbeaccessedthroughMyUM.
ParkingandTrafficRegulationsAnystudentwhooperatesamotorizedvehicleofanytypeoncampusmustregisterthevehiclewiththeOfficeofCampusOperations.Studentswillreceivea“hangtag”-parkingparkingpermit.Vehiclesareregisteredonlineathttps://www.permitsales.net/UofMobileStudentsarenotpermittedtoparkinspaceswith“green”or“red”designations.Theseparkingspacesarereservedforadministrators,faculty,andstaff.TheUniversityassumesnoresponsibilityorliabilityforanyvehicleoncampus,whetherornotschoolisinsession.Intheeventofdamagetoortheftofavehicleonthecampus,ifthepersonwhocausedthedamageorcommittedthetheftcannotbedetermine,theowner/operatorofthevehicleand/orhisinsurancecompanyshallberesponsibleforanydamagesorloss.
PostalServicesAcontractstationoftheUnitedStatesPostOfficeislocatedonthefirstflooroftheWeaverHallBuildingandoffersallstandardservices.Thepostofficeisopentostudentsfrom7:30AMuntil5:30PMMondaythroughThursday.
Registrar’sOfficeTheRegistrar’sOfficeislocatedintheWeaverHallBuildingonthefirstfloor.Theofficeisresponsibleformaintainingofficialstudentrecordsandverifyingthatstudentsareeligibletositforlicensureexaminations.Officialcopiesoftranscriptsareavailablefromthisoffice.
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StudentHealthServicesItisouraimattheUniversityofMobiletopromoteandhelpmaintainthephysical,emotional,andspiritualwellbeingofourstudents,faculty,andstaff.ServicesprovidedbytheUniversityinclude:
• Nursingassessmentandappropriatecare.• Healtheducation.• ReferraltoUniversityCounselingServiceswhendeemedbeneficialforthe
student.• Referraltoappropriatehealthcarefacilitieswhenmoreintensivecareis
warranted.Thecampusnurseisavailableweekdaysfrom10:00AMto2:00PM.TheofficeislocatedintheWeaverHallBuilding,Suite214E.Thenursemaybereachedat251.442.2253orat251.442.2337.Ifastudent,facultymember,orstaffmemberrequiresemergencycare,911shouldbecalledortheindividualshouldproceedtothenearestemergencyroom.HealthservicesareopenwhenclassesareinsessionandclosedduringallUniversityHolidays.Thecampusnurseisnotoncallandonlyavailableduringschoolhours.
StudentSuccessCenterTheStudentSuccessCenterprovidesacademicconsultingservicestostudentsenrolledattheUniversityofMobile.Academicconsultantsmeetindividuallywithstudentsandprovideassistancewithdevelopingtheskillsandbehaviorsthatareessentialtoacademicsuccessandprofessionaldevelopment.Servicesareavailableatnochargetothelearnerandmayaddressawiderangeofissues.Theseincludetransitiontoprofessionalschool,timemanagement,studyskills,stressmanagement,testingstrategies,interpersonalandcommunicationskills,clarifyingcareergoals,andcopingstrategies.ProfessionalcounselingisalsoavailabletoUMstudentsthroughtheStudentSuccessCenterlocatedintheRosemaryAdamsBuilding.MorespecificcontactinformationislocatedontheUMwebpageunderthequicklink,“StudentLife.”
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SECTIONVIII:STUDENTRESPONSIBILITIESEthicalPracticeTheUniversityofMobilegraduatenursingprogramsupportstheAmericanNurse’sAssociationCodeofEthicsforProfessionalNurses.AllstudentsmustabidebytheANACodeofEthicsduringtheirclinicalperformance.ThephilosophicalbasisforsafepracticebyfacultyandstudentsisdescribedintheANACodeofEthics(2016).Provision1. Thenursepracticeswithcompassionandrespectforinherent
dignity,worth,anduniqueattributesofeveryperson.Provision2. Thenurse’sprimarycommitmentistothepatient,whetheran
individual,familygroup,communityorpopulation.Provision3. Thenursepromotes,advocatesfor,andprotectstherights,health,
andsafetyofthepatient.Provision4. Thenursehasauthority,accountability,andresponsibilityfor
nursingpractice:makesdecisions;andtakesactionconsistentwiththeobligationtopromotehealthandtoprovideoptimalcare.
Provision5. Thenurseowesthesamedutiestoselfastoothers,includingtheresponsibilitytopromotehealthandsafety,preservewholenessofcharacterandintegrity,maintaincompetence,andcontinuepersonalandprofessionalgrowth.
Provision6. Thenurse,throughindividualandcollectiveeffort,established,maintains,andimprovestheethicalenvironmentoftheworksettingsandconditionsofemploymentthatareconducivetosafe,qualityhealthcare.
Provision7. Thenurse,inallrolesandsettings,advancestheprofessionthroughresearchandscholarlyinquiry,professionalstandardsdevelopment,andthegenerationofbothnursingandhealthpolicy.
Provision8. Thenursecollaborateswithotherhealthprofessionalsandthepublictoprotecthumanrights,promotehealthdiplomacy,andreducehealthdisparities.
Provision9. Theprofessionofnursing,collectivelythroughitsprofessionalorganizations,mustarticulatenursingvalues,maintaintheintegrityoftheprofession,andintegrateprinciplesofsocialjusticeintonursingandhealthpolicy.
LiabilityInsuranceAllundergraduatestudentsenrolledinclinicalandpracticumcoursesparticipateintheUniversityofMobileNursingStudentLiabilityInsuranceProgram.Therearenoadditionalfeesrelatedtoliabilitycoverage.
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LicensureTheSchoolofNursingrequiresthatRN-BSNstudentsdemonstratealevelofcompetencecommensuratewiththeeducationalandexperientialprerequisitesforadmissionandprogressionintheprogram.RN-BSNstudentsarerequiredtomaintainlicensureasaRegisteredNurseintheirstateofresidencetopracticenursingasaregisterednursethroughouttheireducationalprogramattheUniversityofMobile.Inaddition,studentsmustholdlicensureasaregisterednurseinanystatewherethepractice/practicumrequirementsarecompleted.Thestudentisrequiredtoprovideverificationoflicensurefromtheappropriatestateboard.
TheUniversityofMobile’sresidentialcampusislocatedinthestateofAlabama;therefore,ourstudentsandfacultymustabidebytheregulationsoftheAlabamaBoardofNursing.NursingcourseswithaclinicalcomponentmaynotbetakenbyanyindividualwhohasbeendeniedlicensurebytheAlabamaBoardofNursing;orwhoselicenseiscurrentlysuspended,surrenderedorrevokedinanyUnitedStatesjurisdiction;orwhoselicenseiscurrentlysuspended,surrendered,orrevokedinanothercountryduetoanydisciplinaryaction.
SafeClinicalPracticeThefacultyandstaffoftheSchoolofNursingsupporttheUniversityofMobilePreamble,MissionStatement,VisionStatement,BiblicalWorldview,andStatementofChristianAffirmation.Thefacultyandadministrationhavetheexpectationthatlearning,faithandleadershipwillbereflectedintheinteractionsandactionsofallindividualsinvolvedwiththeactivitiesoftheSchoolofNursing.TheintentoftheUniversityisreflectedinthephrase,“ChangingLivestoChangetheWorld”andisevidentinthecorevaluesofbeingChrist-centered,Academically-focused,Student-devoted,andDistinctively-driven.Itisexpectedinclinicalpracticethattheseattributesbeevident.Safetyinnursingpracticeandresearchisrequiredofallprofessionalnursesandallstudentsofprofessionalnursing.Inordertoensuresafepracticesstudentsareexpectedto:
• Assumeresponsibilityforownactions.• Demonstrateself-disciplineinmeetingcommitmentsandobligations,
submittingwrittenassignmentsontime,keepingappointments,etc.• Preparinginadvanceforclinicalorpracticumexperiences.• Functionwithintheguidelinesandpoliciesoftheinstitution,inwhichthey
arepracticing,andwithintheirScopeofPracticeandaccordingtoalllegalparameters.
• Communicateappropriately,accurately,truthfully.• Recognizeownlimitationsandtheneedforappropriatesupervision.• Providecompetentcareforallindividualsregardlessofage,sex,race,or
diagnosis.
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• Obtainpreceptorand/orfacultymember’ssignatureonallpatientdocumentation.
• RN-BSNstudentsmustnotifytheUndergraduateProgramChairand/orDeanimmediatelyofanychangeintheirlicensurestatus,i.e.probation,suspension,orrevocation.
Thefollowingsituationsareconsideredunsafeandareabsolutegroundsforcoursefailureandmayresultindismissalfromtheprogram:
• Preceptororhealthcareagency/institutionrefusaltocontinueworkingwiththestudentduetoclinicalsafetyissues.
• Studentisundertheinfluenceofalcohol,recreationaldrugs,ormedicationsthatimpairjudgmentintheclinicaland/orclassroomsetting.
• Positivedrugtestfornon-prescribedorillegaldrugs;orrefusalofdrugtesting.
• Abuseorinappropriatebehavior,includingbutnotlimitedtointimidation,threatsoractsofviolencetopatients,staff,faculty,orotherstudents.
• Fraudulentordishonestbehavior.• Behaviororjudgmentthatcompromisesthesafetyofapatient.• Otherunsafeclinicalpracticeasdeemedbyfaculty.• Violationofrulesofprofessionalconductestablishedbyaccreditingor
licensingbodies.• Anyactorbehavior,whichviolatestheobjectivesand/orpoliciesofthe
SchoolofNursing,ClinicalAgency,theAlabamaBoardofNursingNursePracticeAct,ortheBoardofNursingNursePracticeActinthestatewherethestudentmaintainslicensure.
• Neglectingtogiveappropriateandprofessionalnursingcare.• Failingtouseuniversalprecautions.• Performingaprocedureoutsidethescopeofnursingpractice.• Inabilitytocorrectlycalculatemath/medicationproblems.• Stealingdrugs,supplies,orbelongingsfromtheclinicalagencyand/or
patient.• Removingcopiesofpatientcaredocumentsfromhealthcareagencies.• Failingtoreportanderrorinassessment,treatment,ormedicationorfailure
toreportanunusualoccurrenceoradversereaction.• Providingpatientcareinaharmfulmannerorexhibitingcarelessor
negligentbehaviorintheprocessofprovidingpatientcare.• Performanceand/orattitudenotincompliancewithstatedstudent
expectationsasoutlinedinlectureand/orthecoursesyllabi.
StudentConductAspracticingprofessionals,studentsareresponsibleparticipantsintheireducationalexperiencesattheUniversityofMobile.Studentsareexpectedtodisplayprofessionalism,respect,kindnessinallaspectsoftheirworkandstudy.
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Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,emailconversations,discussionboardposts,phonecallsandface-to-faceencounterswithfellowstudents,faculty,staff,preceptors,clinicalagencies,andpatients.IncidencesofstudentincivilitywillbereportedtotheUndergraduateProgramChairandtheBSNFacultyCommitteeforappropriateaction.Studentswillbegivenawrittenwarningandmayfacedismissalifepisodesofincivilityorinappropriatebehaviorcontinue.
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SECTIONIX:APPENDICESAppendixA-UndergraduateStudentHandbookAcknowledgement
TheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursinghasdistinctexpectationsofstudentsthatareoutlinedintheUMCatalogandtheUMSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook.Thepurposeofthisformistodiscloseanddocument:(1)Ihavebeenmadeawareoftheseofficialuniversitydocuments,(2)IhavereadtheUMSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbookinitsentirety,(3)Ihavefamiliarizedmyselfwiththeexpectationscontainedinthedocumentandallquestionsorconcernshavebeenclarifiedtomysatisfaction,(4)IwillmaintainresponsibilityforallupdatestotheHandbookeachsemesterasastudentintheundergraduatenursingprogramatUM,and(5)IhavereadandunderstandtheUMSchoolofNursingUndergraduateHandbookandagreetoabidebyallpoliciesandproceduresthroughoutmyenrollmentintheUMSchoolofNursing._______________________________________________ _____________________________Student’sFullName(pleaseprint) UMIDNumber_______________________________________________ _____________________________StudentSignature Date
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AppendixB-EssentialCorePerformanceStandards
COREPERFORMANCE:CognitiveSkills
Thestudentmustdemonstratetheabilityto:1.Learn,integrateandanalyzelargevolumesofcomplex,technicallydetailedinformationtoperformclinicalproblemsolving.Synthesizeandapplyconceptsandinformationinformulatingdiagnosticandtherapeuticjudgments.2.Learnandperformcommondiagnosticprocedures(laboratory,cardiographic,radiologic,andtointerprettheresults,recognizingdeviationsfromthenormandidentifyingpathophysiologicprocesses).3.Evaluatepatientstatusandmakeresponsibledecisionsregardingappropriatecoursesofaction/treatmentwithingiventimeconstraints.4.Effectivelysynthesizedatafromthepatient,medicalrecords,verbalreports,medicalhistoryandobservationforthepurposeofrecommendingormaintainingtreatment.5.Differentialmultiplepatientsituationssimultaneously.6.Applycriticalreasoningandindependentdecisionmakingskills.7.Applyquantitativemethodsofmeasurement,includingcalculation,reasoning,analysis,andsynthesis.
COREPERFORMANCE:PsychomotorSkills
Thestudentmustdemonstratetheabilityto:1.Sitting:Maintainuprightposture2.Standing:Maintainuprightposture3.Locomotion:Abilitytophysicallymaneuverinrequiredclinicalsettingsandaccomplishedassignedtasks.4.Manualtasks:a.Maneuverormoveanindividualsbodypartsorclinicalequipmenteffectivelytoperformevaluationandtreatmenttechniques,includingpalpation,percussion,auscultation,andotherdiagnosticmaneuvers.b.Maintainanobjectinaconstantpositionforanextendedperiod.c.Competentlyperformbasiccardiaclifesupport(BCLS)usingguidelinesfromtheAmericanHeartAssociation.d.Pushing/pullingabilitytoexertforceagainstasmallorlargeobjecttomoveitcloserorfurtheraway.e.Coordinationofbothgrossandfinemotormovements,equilibrium,andafunctionuseofspecialsensessufficienttoprovidegeneralcareandemergencytreatmentof
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 99
patients(theopeningofobstructedairways,thesuturingofwounds,andperformingsimpleobstetricalmaneuvers).f.Applyadequatepressuretoarrestbleeding.5.Smallmotor/handskills:a.Legiblyrecord/documenthistoryandphysicalexaminations,consultations,etc.,instandard/electronicchartsinhospital/clinicalsettingsinatimelymannerandconsistentwiththeacceptablenormalofclinicalsettings.b.Applyafirmgrasp.c.Operateapushbuttontelephone.d.Performprecisionmovements(venipuncture,catheterization,IVregulation,dressingchanges,etc.),whichmayfurtherincludeinvasiveproceduresintothecentralcirculationorhighlyspecificbodycavity/spaces.e.Sensethroughpalpationchangesinanindividual’smuscletone,softtissues,skinquality,andtemperatureandsenseresponsestoenvironmentalchangesandtreatment.f.Manipulateabloodpressurecuff,stethoscope,thermometer;insertcatheters,IV’s,NGtubes;performinjectionsandmanipulateequipmentasrequired.g.Carryoutbasiclaboratorytests.h.Carryoutdiagnostictherapeuticprocedures(phlebotomy,venipuncture,placementofcathetersandtubes).6.Visualacuityto:a.Legiblyrecord/documenthistoryandphysicalexaminations,consultations,etc.,instandard/electronicchartsinhospital/clinicalsettingsinatimelymannerandconsistentwiththeacceptablenormalofclinicalsettings.b.Performprecisionmovements.c.Identifytinymarkingsandinscriptions(i.e.,onsyringes,thermometers,IVbags,etc.).d.Identifycolorchangesandcoding.e.ReadECGsandX-rays.7.Hearingorabilitytoreceive:a.Effectivelyrespondtoverbalrequestsfrompatientsandteammembers.b.Interpretthelanguageusedtocommunicatelectures,instructions,concepts,narratives,questions,andanswers.c.Auscultateandpercussforinternalbodysounds,e.g.heartsounds,bowelsounds,lungsounds.8.CommunicationAbility:a.Effectivelyandsensitivelycommunicatetootherstudents,teachers,patients,peers,andothersupportstafftoaskquestions,explainconditionsandprocedures,and
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teachprogramsinatimelymannerandwithintheacceptablenormalofacademicandclinicalsettings.b.Receiveandinterpretwritteninformationinbothacademicandclinicalsettingsinatimelymanner.Communicationinoralandwrittenformwithhealthcareteammustbeeffectiveandefficient.c.Shouldbeabletospeak,tohear,andtoobservepatientsinordertoelicitinformation,perceivenon-verbalcommunication,anddescribechangesinmood,activity,andphysicalpresence.9.SelfCare:Maintaingeneralgoodhealthandself-careinordertonotjeopardizethehealthandsafetyofselfandindividualswithwhomoneinteractsintheacademicandclinicalsettings.
COREPERFORMANCE:AffectiveSkills
1.Functioneffectivelywithgoodjudgmentunderstressfulanddemandingclinicalsituations.2.Adapttochangingandchaoticenvironments.2.Possessandmaintaintheemotionalhealthrequiredforthefullutilizationofhisintellectualabilities,theexerciseofgoodjudgment,thepromptcompletionofallresponsibilitiesattendanttothediagnosisandcareofpatients,andthedevelopmentofmature,sensitiveandeffectiverelationshipswithpatients.3.Toleratephysicallyandintellectuallydemandingworkloads(averaging50-60hours/week).4.Adapttoconstantlychangingenvironments,displayflexibility,andlearntofunctioninthefaceofuncertaintyorambiguity.5.Demonstratethepersonalqualitiesofcompassion,integrity,concernforothers,self-discipline,focus,andself-motivation.6.Exhibitemotionalstabilitythatenablesfullutilizationofabilitiestoengageinsafecaretopatients7.Demonstratescompassion,integrity,concernforothersandeffectiveinterpersonalskills.
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AppendixC-CriminalBackgroundAcknowledgmentandConsent
UNIVERSITYOFMOBILESCHOOLOFNURSINGCRIMINALBACKGROUNDCHECKPOLICYANDPROCEDURE
STUDENT’SACKNOWLEDGMENTANDCONSENT
I,__________________________________________________________,havereadtheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingCriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedure,andunderstandthatasapreconditiontoassignmenttoorplacementwithanyaffiliatingclinicalagency.Bymysignaturebelow,IherebygivemycompleteandvoluntaryconsenttohaveaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheckasrequiredbytheSchoolofNursing.IunderstandthatpursuanttotheSchoolofNursing’spolicy,anunfavorableCertifiedBackgroundCheckorrefusaltosubmittoaCertifiedBackgroundCheckmayresultindismissalfromtheprogramthatIamenrolledin.IunderstandthatImaybesubjecttoadditionalCertifiedBackgroundCheckswhileenrolledintheSchoolofNursing.AnyadversefindingmayresultindismissalfromtheSchoolofNursing.IunderstandthatImustbecompliantwiththeCriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedureandonceenrolled,Imustdiscloseanylegalorcriminalconvictionsand/orarrestswithinathree(3)daytimeperiod.ThisnotarizeddocumentconstitutesmyconsentforaCertifiedCriminalBackgroundCheckbyaSchoolofNursingdesignatedvendor.ItalsoconstitutesconsentforthevendortoreleasetheresultsofmyCertifiedCriminalBackgroundChecktotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingandfortheDeantoreleasemybackgroundinformationasrequiredtoanyclinicalagencywhereIamassigned.InWitnessWhereof,thisinstrumentisexecutedthisthe___dayof__________,20___.WITNESS__________________________________ _____________________________________________Signature Applicant’sSignature
_____________________________________________ Applicant’sPrintedNameSTATEOF______________________COUNTYOF___________________Onthis___dayof_______________,20______,beforemeappeared_____________________________Tobeknowntobethepersondescribedinandwhoexecutedtheforegoinginstrument.Givenundermyhandandsealonthedayandyearabovewritten. SEAL_____________________________________________ NOTARYPUBLIC MyCommissionExpires:________________
UniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingUndergraduateStudentHandbook 102
AppendixD-DrugScreenAcknowledgmentConsent
UNIVERSITYOFMOBILESCHOOLOFNURSINGSTUDENT’SACKNOWLEDGMENTANDCONSENTTOTESTINGANDRELEASE
I,__________________________________________________________,havereadtheUniversityofMobileSchoolofNursingDrugScreenPolicyandProcedure,andunderstandthatasapreconditiontoassignmenttoorplacementwithanyaffiliatingclinicalagency,Iamsubjecttothatparticularagency’ssubstanceabusepoliciesand/ordrug/alcoholtestingpolicies,andIamrequiredtosubmittopre-clinicalplacementdrugtesting,randomdrugtesting,ordrugtestingwhenthereisreasonablesuspiciontobelievethatImaybeimpaired.Bymysignaturebelow,Iherebygivemycompleteandvoluntaryconsenttoanysuchdrugtest(s)atadesignatedlaboratoryasrequiredbytheSchoolofNursing.IunderstandthatpursuanttotheSchoolofNursing’spolicy,apositivedrugtestorrefusaltosubmittotestingwillresultinimmediatedismissalfromtheprogramthatIamenrolledin.Iunderstandthatanegativedrugtestisrequiredformatriculationinthenursingprogram.ThisnotarizeddocumentconstitutesmyconsentfordrugtestingbyaSchoolofNursingdesignatedlaboratory.ItalsoconstitutesconsentforlaboratorytoreleasetheresultsofmydrugtesttotheDeanoftheSchoolofNursingandfortheDeantoreleasenaypositivefindingstotheapporproptiatelicensingboardifindicated.InWitnessWhereof,thisinstrumentisexecutedthisthe___dayof__________,20___.WITNESS__________________________________ _____________________________________________Signature Applicant’sSignature
_____________________________________________ Applicant’sPrintedNameSTATEOF______________________COUNTYOF___________________Onthis___dayof_______________,20______,beforemeappeared_______________________Tobeknowntobethepersondescribedinandwhoexecutedtheforegoinginstrument.Givenundermyhandandsealonthedayandyearabovewritten. SEAL_____________________________________________ NOTARYPUBLIC MyCommissionExpires:_________________
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