General Academic Policies

A. Academic Advising and Counseling

1. Each student will be assigned an advisor upon admission to the program.

(Please note: Although the purpose of this assignment is mainly academic

in nature, nursing faculty members have a commitment to assist the student with any concerns wished to discuss. Personal problems may have a direct impact upon academic performance both in the University and in the Department of Nursing. Faculty may be aware of services or resources available at Delaware State University and the surrounding community that could be helpful to the student).

2. Nursing faculty advisors will assist students in academic activities related to successful progression through the Nursing Program. Students should make appointments and meet with their nursing advisor during specific periods of the academic year as follows:

a. registration and pre-registration;

b. at the beginning of each semester to discuss progress made in prior semester and plans, problems, questions or concerns for current semester;

c. prior to dropping or withdrawing from a course; and

d. when experiencing academic or personal problems at any time.

3. The assigned nursing faculty advisor may be changed upon request of the student and/or faculty member. Such request must be made to the chairperson of the Department of Nursing.

B. Math Proficiency Examinations: All nursing students must demonstrate competent skill and ability to calculate accurate and safe dosages of drugs and solutions in each clinical nursing course. To ensure that students maintain such competency, the following policy shall be followed:

1. A math proficiency exam shall be administered by faculty in each clinical nursing course during the first two weeks of the semester. 2. A grade of 90% or above must be achieved to pass the examination.

3. The examination may be taken twice. If not successful on the second attempt, the student will not be able to continue in the course.

4. Students may not administer medications while in a clinical course prior to achieving success on the math proficiency examination.

C. Standardized Achievement Tests - At the end of each clinical course faculty may administer an appropriate achievement test to students completing the course. Results of the test will be used by faculty to evaluate student progress in courses and plan appropriate remediation for students as necessary. If an achievement test is required, the student must take the examination and achieve a satisfactory score prior to

43 progressing to the next level nursing course. Specific requirements for achievement tests will be included in each course syllabus.

D. Course Examinations - All written examinations and quizzes are to be taken on the day that they are scheduled. In cases of emergency only, a student may arrange with the faculty (at the faculty member’s discretion) to be given a make-up examination. Faculty must be notified prior to the scheduled examination of student absence. Course policies concerning examinations and quizzes are included in each course syllabus.

E. Senior Comprehensive Examinations – Seniors are required to take three national standardized examinations to assess preparedness for NCLEX. Remediation is required for all areas in which a student scores less than the desired level in any area of either examination.

F. Independent Study Guidelines - Any student at the junior or senior level may register for an independent study course (28-312 or 28-412) with departmental approval. These one to three hour courses provide for the student an in-depth study of specific subjects, specific skills or techniques. Learning objectives are established by the student and faculty for periodic progress evaluation. These courses may not be used to take regularly scheduled nursing courses without prior departmental approval. Students who have taken nursing courses at other college or universities may use the independent study option to complete course work which the nursing faculty feels was not included in the transferred course.

G. Course and Instructor Evaluations – The Department of Nursing complies with the University policy regarding course/instructor evaluations. Instructor/course evaluations will not affect the student’s grade in any nursing course. All written comments and scores are reported as group data so individual students cannot be identified.

H. Class and Clinical Attendance – Department policies regarding attendance are written in each course syllabus. Students must attend classes with regularity and punctuality to meet the objectives of each course.

1. Attendance at all nursing laboratories, clinical practice experiences and classes is compulsory. Any time missed from clinical must be made up. Nursing faculty will decide if the clinical time will be made up.

2. A health care provider’s excuse must be presented for illness causing an absence of more than two days. If a student becomes pregnant, has surgery, sustains an injury or has any other significant change in health status during a course, a health care provider must provide a written statement that the student may continue in the clinical component(s) of the course. Illness or problems resulting in sustained absence from class may result in student being asked to withdraw from the course and/or the program.

44 3. If an extreme emergency which necessitates absence from the clinical agency arises, students must notify the administrative nursing personnel (supervisor, head nurse, etc.) and/ or faculty member prior to the clinical experience.

4. Students are referred to the policy and procedure manuals of specific agencies for general policies regulating clinical practice at that facility. I Liability Insurance - All students are required to carry malpractice insurance. The

cost for this coverage is paid by the student. Arrangements for coverage are made by the Chairperson of the Nursing Department and Safety/Risk Manager in the Human Resources; the cost is included in the appropriate course fees.

J. Grievance Procedure – The grievance procedure is a mechanism designed to protect the individual rights and liberties (due process) of nursing students. A student may appeal any action or grade that they feel was assigned in an arbitrary or capricious manner.

The grievance procedure is initiated as follows: A. Request a conference with the faculty member(s).

B. If the problem is not resolved, present the complaint in writing to the Department of Nursing Chair.

C. If the problem remains unsolved, present the complaint in writing, filing a “Compliant Against Instruction.” This form can be obtained in the Department of Nursing. The form is then to be sent to the CEHPP Dean within five (5) business days.

D. The Dean will review the case, make the final decision, and forward signed statement of his or her position to all persons involved.

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