UNDERGRADUATE

2019-20 College of Nursing

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK

Message from the Dean

Howdy! I extend a warm welcome to you as a Texas A&M University College of Nursing student! Congratulations on your admission or your successful progression in the program! In the Bachelor of Science degree program, I know that you will experience the core values of this great University among our faculty and current students. We take pride in our commitment to the Aggie Core Values: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless Service. You are the future of nursing and a BSN from this College of Nursing will accelerate your career because of our outstanding program, our graduates who are highly sought after by employers, and our talented faculty and staff.

The Undergraduate Student Handbook is essential reading for your preparation and continuous enrollment in the College of Nursing. In this document you will learn about the College, the opportunities and responsibilities that you have as a student, and the tremendous resources that are available to you.

I am deeply honored to serve as Dean of the Texas A&M College of Nursing! I am committed to our mission of educational access, outreach, and research. We are leading nursing education and scientific discovery in innovative ways. I know that you will be challenged and rewarded by your studies.

As part of Texas A&M University, we are committed to preparing nurse leaders who will make a difference in the lives of their patients, organizations and communities. Our outstanding faculty and staff are dedicated to providing students with learning experiences that are meaningful and relevant for clinicians, educators and researchers. All professors are licensed registered nurses in the State of Texas, and hold a minimum of a master's degree in nursing, many hold or are actively pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing.

Our curriculum includes coursework to further develop your scientific knowledge, critical-thinking, caring, communication and leadership skills. The clinical learning resource center offers opportunities for safe practice in an environment that simulates the actual healthcare setting.

Students are our priority in the College of Nursing, and we are so proud that you chose to pursue your education at Texas A&M University. It is an exciting time and we look forward to working with you throughout your journey.

Nancy L. Fahrenwald, PhD, RN, PHNA-BC, FAAN Dean and Professor College of Nursing

1

Table of Contents

Message from the Dean........................................................................................................................................1 Disclaimer Note to Student & College/School Offices of Academic and Student Affairs ..................................... 8

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy .................................................................................................................. 8 Publication Accuracy.........................................................................................................................................9 About the College ............................................................................................................................................. 9

Vision .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Mission ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Goals ........................................................................................................................................................... 10 Philosophy................................................................................................................................................... 11 Professional Nursing Practice ..................................................................................................................... 11 Professional Nursing Education .................................................................................................................. 12 Expected Student Outcomes .......................................................................................................................... 12 Provide Care................................................................................................................................................12 Manage Care...............................................................................................................................................12 Participate as a Member of the Profession ................................................................................................ 12 Essential Competency Requirements of the Student Nurse...........................................................................13 Motor Skills ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Sensory/Observation .................................................................................................................................. 13 Communication........................................................................................................................................... 13 Cognitive ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Behavioral/Emotional ................................................................................................................................. 14 Professional Conduct .................................................................................................................................. 14 Accreditation................................................................................................................................................... 15 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) ................................. 15 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) ................................................................................ 15 Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) .................................................................................................................. 15 Chapter 1: General Information.......................................................................................................................... 16 Academic Advising .......................................................................................................................................... 16 Academic Calendar ......................................................................................................................................... 17 Access to Student Records & FERPA ............................................................................................................... 17

2

Attendance, Absences and Makeups..............................................................................................................18 Awareness of and Respect for Diversity ......................................................................................................... 19 Campus Carry..................................................................................................................................................19 Child Care Guidelines ...................................................................................................................................... 19 Clinical Learning Resource Center (Simulation Lab) ....................................................................................... 19 Communication Expectations ......................................................................................................................... 20 Exposure to Chemicals....................................................................................................................................20 Identification Badge........................................................................................................................................20 Legal Violations ............................................................................................................................................... 21 Religious Holy Days ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Title IX and Sexual Violence/Harassment ...................................................................................................... 21 Smoking Policy ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Social Media Policy ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Student Complaints ........................................................................................................................................ 24 Universal Identification Number (UIN) ........................................................................................................... 25 Weapons Policy & Campus Carry....................................................................................................................25 Weather & Other Campus Crisis Events ......................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 2: Undergraduate Program ................................................................................................................... 26 Tracks Leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree..............................................................26

Traditional BSN Track..................................................................................................................................26 Second Degree BSN Track ........................................................................................................................... 26 RN to BSN Track .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Upper Division Courses...................................................................................................................................29 Traditional and Second Degree Curriculum................................................................................................29 RN to BSN Curriculum ................................................................................................................................. 29 Standardized Testing ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Chapter 3: Admissions Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 31 Additional Requirements for International Applicants...................................................................................31 Admissions Criteria ......................................................................................................................................... 32 Notification of Admission Decisions ........................................................................................................... 32 Campus Transfer Requests ............................................................................................................................. 33 Transfer Course Credit Policies ....................................................................................................................... 33 Residence Requirement for Baccalaureate Degree .................................................................................... 34

3

Transfer from Another Nursing Program....................................................................................................34 Texas Success Initiative...............................................................................................................................34 Chapter 4: New Student Compliance..................................................................................................................36 Computer Requirements ................................................................................................................................ 36 Health History & Physical Exam Requirement ................................................................................................ 36 Insurance ........................................................................................................................................................ 37 Health.......................................................................................................................................................... 37 International Student Insurance Requirements ......................................................................................... 37 Professional Liability ................................................................................................................................... 37 Immunizations Policy ...................................................................................................................................... 38 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification ....................................................................................... 39 Criminal Background Checks Policy ................................................................................................................ 39 Procedure for Background Check ............................................................................................................... 40 Other Requirements ....................................................................................................................................... 41 Chapter 5: Registrar Policies & Procedures ........................................................................................................ 42 Excess Credit Hour Policy................................................................................................................................43 Leave of Absence (LOA) .................................................................................................................................. 43 Military Leave ................................................................................................................................................. 44 Q-Drops ........................................................................................................................................................... 44 Readmission .................................................................................................................................................... 44 Registration Process........................................................................................................................................ 45 Cancellation of Registration........................................................................................................................45 Late Registration ......................................................................................................................................... 45 Request for Minor...........................................................................................................................................45 Request for Double Degree ............................................................................................................................ 45 Student Name or Address Changes ................................................................................................................ 46 Transcript Requests ........................................................................................................................................ 46 Ordering an Official Transcript....................................................................................................................46 Undergraduate Registration for Graduate Level Coursework ........................................................................ 47 Verification of Enrollment............................................................................................................................... 47 Withdrawal ..................................................................................................................................................... 47 Chapter 6: Student Services................................................................................................................................48 Disability Services ........................................................................................................................................... 48

4

Health Services................................................................................................................................................ 48 Library Resources............................................................................................................................................49 Office of Financial Aid ..................................................................................................................................... 49 Personal Counseling........................................................................................................................................49 Scholarships .................................................................................................................................................... 50

Scholarship Academic Progress Policy ........................................................................................................ 50 Security ........................................................................................................................................................... 51 Student Business Services...............................................................................................................................51 Study Helps ..................................................................................................................................................... 51 University Writing Center ............................................................................................................................... 52 Chapter 7: Academic Rules, Policies, and Procedures ........................................................................................ 53 Student Rules .................................................................................................................................................. 53 Academic integrity .......................................................................................................................................... 54 Definitions of Academic Misconduct .............................................................................................................. 55 Other Types of Conduct Concerns .................................................................................................................. 55 Grading Policy ................................................................................................................................................. 56

Grade Rounding Policy................................................................................................................................56 Progression ..................................................................................................................................................... 57

Good Academic Standing ? ......................................................................................................................... 57 Academic Progression Criteria .................................................................................................................... 57 Academic Success Plan for Nursing Students ............................................................................................. 58 Q Drop Policy .................................................................................................................................................. 58 Incomplete "I" Grade Policy........................................................................................................................59 Grade Disputes & Undergraduate Appeals Process ................................................................................... 60 Academic Dismissal.....................................................................................................................................60 Chapter 7: Classroom & Clinical Expectations .................................................................................................... 61 Civility Statement............................................................................................................................................61 Clinical Expectations ....................................................................................................................................... 61 Patient Safety..............................................................................................................................................62 Clinical Course Concerns.............................................................................................................................63 Attendance.................................................................................................................................................. 63 Policy for Clinical Concerns ......................................................................................................................... 64 Reporting of Illness & Absence ................................................................................................................... 65

5

Dress Code/Uniforms Rules ............................................................................................................................ 65 Traditional/Second Degree B.S.N. Student Dress Code:.............................................................................66 RN-BSN Dress Code:....................................................................................................................................69

Evaluation of Faculty, Courses, and Program ................................................................................................. 69 Guidelines for Classroom Experiences............................................................................................................69

Electronic Devices in the Classroom ........................................................................................................... 69 Intellectual Property ................................................................................................................................... 70 Exam Guidelines..........................................................................................................................................70 HIPAA Policy....................................................................................................................................................71 Needlestick Guidelines.................................................................................................................................... 71 First Aid for percutaneous and mucocutaneous exposures: ...................................................................... 72 Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens Procedure.........................................................................................73 Substance Abuse Rules ................................................................................................................................... 74 Additional Testing Conditions ..................................................................................................................... 75 Description of the Drug Screen Panel ......................................................................................................... 75 Appeal and Retesting Guidelines ................................................................................................................ 75 Disciplinary/Actions .................................................................................................................................... 76 Refusal to Consent to Testing ..................................................................................................................... 76 Confidentiality............................................................................................................................................. 76 Transportation Expectations...........................................................................................................................76 Chapter 8: Student Conduct Code Procedures ................................................................................................... 78 Professional Code of Ethics.............................................................................................................................78 Disciplinary Penalties for Violation of Professional Code of Conduct ............................................................ 80 Reporting Violations ................................................................................................................................... 80 Procedures for Handling Uncontested Case Investigations........................................................................80 Procedures for Handling Contested Case Investigations ............................................................................ 81 Disciplinary Hearing .................................................................................................................................... 82 Right to Appeal ........................................................................................................................................... 83 False Alarm/Reporting Penalties ................................................................................................................ 83 Chapter 9: Student Life ....................................................................................................................................... 84 Community Service Opportunities..................................................................................................................84 Recreation Center ........................................................................................................................................... 84 Sports Pass/Ticket Options ............................................................................................................................. 84

6

Student Participation in Committees.............................................................................................................. 84 Student Organizations .................................................................................................................................... 85

Class Council ............................................................................................................................................... 85 Student Nurses Association ........................................................................................................................ 85 Nurses Christian Fellowship........................................................................................................................86 Aggie Newborn & Obstetrics Nurses Association (ANONA) ....................................................................... 86 Aggie Pediatric Nursing Association (APNA) ............................................................................................... 86 Student Nurses' Organization of Health Wellness (SNOHW) ..................................................................... 86 Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society ............................................................................................ 86 New Student Organization Recognition and Approval Process ...................................................................... 87 Interprofessional Organizations...................................................................................................................... 88 Chapter 10: Graduation and RN Licensure Information ..................................................................................... 89 Graduation Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 89 Graduation Commencement .......................................................................................................................... 90 CON Recognition Ceremony ........................................................................................................................... 91 RN Licensure ................................................................................................................................................... 91 Declaratory Order of License Eligibility...........................................................................................................92 Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (NJE)..................................................................................................................93 National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).....................................................................................93 APPENDIX A Academic Success Plan for Nursing Students .............................................................................. 94

7

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download