Concurrent Nursing Program Trends
Standard 2 Faculty and Staff
B. A M.Ln.
Indian River C.C. Florida Atlantic University Emory University
Director, Learning Centers Marion Kane B.A.
M.A.
Rutgers University Clemson University Manager, Learning Center/
Testing
Bernadine Hebrock B.A.
M.P.A.
Ohio State University University of Toledo
Student Life Support
Assistant Director, Student Life Cynthia Lackey B.S. Florida Southern College
Manager, Student Life South Lake
Linda Karp B.S.
M.S.
Troy University Troy University
Safety and Security
Senior Vice President, Business Affairs
Richard Scott B.A.
M.S.
Quincy University Western Illinois University Executive Director, College
Facilities
Don Ball A.S.
A.S. B.A. M.B.A.
ITT Technical Institute C.C. of the Air Force Warner Southern College St. Leo University
At the nursing program level, a targeted approach is used to support students. When new students attend the mandatory program orientation just prior to their first semester, each student must complete the VARK Learning Styles Questionnaire. Results of the questionnaire are made available to both students and faculty, and are used in academic advising when students are experiencing academic difficulty. Specific VARK strategies are suggested to students based on
their stated learning preferences as well as study habits, stress management, and other skills to increase success.
Nursing students are strongly encouraged to participate in student study groups and are given assignments and projects that require them to work in learning communities. In the first year of the program, collaborative testing is used to increase test-taking skills and critical thinking in NCLEX-style exams. Following each course examination, students are randomly assigned to a small group and have the opportunity to discuss specific questions, decide upon a group response to the exam, and possibly earn two additional points on their individual test scores based upon their group score.
When students either fail an examination or have a score within two points of a failing grade, they are requested to make an appointment with the instructor to individually review the test and their test preparation methods. Students who continue to show poor results receive continued counseling and additional study support.
In addition to counseling, the nursing program has acquired many Elsevier digital support products such as case studies, practice tests, patient reviews, SimChart, and Adaptive Quizzing. Faculty work with students to coach in their use and in some cases actually assign quizzes or case studies to help strengthen test taking and critical thinking skills. The HESI testing product is used in all didactic courses, with the exception of Management of Care I and II, as a comprehensive final exam.
To support student success, students are assigned a faculty mentor at the beginning of their first semester. The faculty mentor is available to advise students throughout the two year program on educational or vocational situations. Faculty mentors may also make referrals at the student’s request to the college’s Student Assistance Program.
One faculty position in the nursing program is designated as a student success coordinator. This individual actively works with faculty and students either individually or in small groups. The success coordinator also provides individualized study tips and academic assistance, oversees the HESI testing results and provides reports to faculty and administrators regarding student trends and areas of concern. The coordinator also functions as a mentor and manages action plans for students who have been re-admitted to the program.
The college provides a wide variety of services to support student success. To evaluate the quality of these services, students are surveyed on a variety of college-wide support services. Table 3.4.3 shows the results of student surveys for the past three years. These surveys are conducted just prior to graduation as the students are completing their last course.
Table 3.4.3
Student Evaluation of Usefulness of College and Nursing Program Support Services LSSC Student Support 2012 Graduates (n=86) 2013 Graduates (n=82) 2014 Graduates (n=61)
Learning Center: The learning center met my needs 3.2 3.2 3.2
Table 3.4.3
Student Evaluation of Usefulness of College and Nursing Program Support Services
LSSC Student Support 2012 Graduates
(n=86) 2013 Graduates (n=82) 2014 Graduates (n=61)
Computer Labs / IT Services: Computer labs and IT services
met my technology needs 3.2 2.6 2.2
Admissions / Registrar: Admissions and Registrar’s office met
my needs. 3.3 3.1 3.3
Bookstore: The bookstore met my needs. 3.4 3.2 2.9
Faculty Members: The faculty members were available and
offered appropriate support in the pursuit of your education. 3.7 3.6 3.7
Source: End of Nursing Program Survey Data. Evaluated on 4 point scale. 4 = Strongly Agree, 1 = Strongly Disagree
CRITERION 3.5
Student educational records are in compliance with policies of the governing organization and state and federal guidelines.
Compliance with Title IV Regulations, FERPA, ADA, and Other Federal and State Guidelines and Regulations
LSSC adheres to rigorous procedures to safeguard student records, including protecting student confidentiality and backing up student data. The College Admissions and Records Office maintain information in its files that is considered essential and appropriate to college operation and student welfare. Each student’s permanent academic record is maintained electronically as part of the student record database. In addition, the College Admissions and Records Office maintains files that include admission application, high school transcript or GED report, transcripts from post-secondary institutions, registration related forms, petitions for course substitutions, evaluations to determine the award of credit, and requests for records.
Equity and Title IX Grievances
The college president is the Chief Equity Officer for LSSC. To enhance effective monitoring and implementation of affirmative action, the president has appointed an equity officer to oversee the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED). The OED monitors the college’s compliance with federal, state and institutional policy guidelines that promote a non-discriminatory and harassment-free environment, including the investigation of complaints of discrimination or harassment, and monitoring compliance with affirmative action initiatives.
LSSC Administrative Procedure 2-07 details the grievance process for concerns related to equity and Title IX. Students are informed of the college’s equity statement in the LSSC 2014-
2015 Catalog and Student Handbook. Grievances are submitted in writing to the OED using the
Equity Issue Report and Request for Appointment Form. Inquiries concerning implementing regulations for Title IX may also be referred to the federal Office of Civil Rights.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
LSSC maintains certain practices and procedures to assure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This law affords the following rights with respect to student educational records:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the date the college receives a request for access. Students should submit to the
Admissions and Records Office a written request that identifies the record(s) to be inspected. The registrar or designee will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the Admissions and Records Office, the registrar shall work with the office that maintains the record and coordinate the student's request.
2. The right to request an amendment of the student‘s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. The student must write to the college official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record he or she wants changed, and specifying why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the college decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the college will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to appeal administrative decisions (LSSC Administrative Procedure 4-14).
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is defined as a person employed by the college in an administrative supervisory, academic or support staff position (including, a law enforcement unit); a person or company with whom the college has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a person assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the College discloses educational records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll and to the Florida Department of Education to comply with state-reporting requirements.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington, DC 20202. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, provide protection for students with disabilities from discrimination that may occur due to misconceptions, attitudinal barriers, and/or failure to provide appropriate accommodations, services, or auxiliary aids. LSSC Board Rule
4.08, Administrative Procedures PRO 4-16 and Administrative Procedures PRO 4-18 address disability services at LSSC and to maintain compliance with state and federal laws.
LSSC STUDENT RECORDS RETENTION GUIDELINES Authorization for Released Student Information
If a student wishes to have any personally identifiable information regarding their educational record released, an Authorization for Release of Student Information Form must be completed by the student. This form is available in the Admissions and Records Office/Enrollment Services at any campus.
Student Administrative Appeals Committee Record Retention
The Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs is responsible for maintaining all records of the Student Administrative Appeals Committee and for providing the required logistical support for the committee. The records for each grievance will be maintained for a period of four years after the final recommendation has been rendered. All original documentation, including paper and electronic records related to the grievance, shall be maintained in the designated grievance file by the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Affairs, and may be released only in accordance with the requirements of Florida law.
Equity and Title IX Grievance Record Retention
All original documentation, including paper and electronic records, related to complaints and the investigation of discrimination or harassment are maintained in a locked file cabinet in the Office of Equity and Diversity for a minimum of five years after settlement of a complaint and may be released in accordance with state and federal laws.
Administrative Appeal Requests Record Retention
The Director of Student Development is responsible for maintaining all records of student appeal requests. The records for each appeal request will be maintained for a period of four years after the final recommendation has been rendered. All original documentation, including paper and electronic records related to the appeal request, shall be maintained in the
designated appeal request file by the Director of Student Development, and may be released only in accordance with the requirements of Florida law.
Student Disciplinary Action Record Retention
Disciplinary records are maintained in the office of the Director of Student Development for a period of six years after the final decision has been rendered. All original documentation, including paper and electronic records related to the student conduct hearing shall be
maintained in the designated grievance file by the Director of Student Development, and may be released in accordance with the requirements of state and federal law.
Grade Grievance Appeal Record Retention
Grade grievance appeal records are maintained in the office of the Dean of General Education and Transfer Programs for a period of five years after the final decision has been rendered. All original documentation, including paper and electronic records related to the appeal is
maintained in the designated file by the Dean of General Education and Transfer Programs, and may be released in accordance with the requirements of state and federal law.
The LSSC Administrative Procedure Manual details an overview of all student services provided at the college. Those procedures specifically related to Grievance and Disciplinary action are
referenced in Table 3.5.1.
Table 3.5.1 Relevant LSSC Grievance and Disciplinary Administrative Procedures LSSC Administrative Procedures Administrative Procedure location
Discrimination/Harassment/Sexual Harassment
Grievance for Employees, Students or Third Parties PRO 2-07 Administrative Procedure Manual
Student Grievance Procedure PRO 4-14 Administrative Procedure Manual
Student Disciplinary Procedure PRO 4-15 Administrative Procedure Manual
Disability Services Procedure PRO 4-16 Administrative Procedure Manual
Modification/Substitution of Admission and Graduation
Requirements Students with Disabilities PRO 4-18 Administrative Procedure Manual
Nursing Program Student Records Retention Guidelines
Because the nursing program is a limited access program, select nursing student documents are maintained in the nursing department. The nursing department maintains the integrity of student records, ensuring compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA). In addition, hard copy background check data are securely stored in compliance with
the Volunteer & Employee Criminal History System (VECHS) at the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement (FDLE). The nursing program is in compliance with all college policies and procedures related to student privacy and the storage of personal files.
Examples of the types of documents stored are listed in Table 3.5.2. File and electronic copies of the locally stored student records are available for review.
Table 3.5.2 Locally Stored Nursing Program Student Records
Pre-Admission Advising Form
HESI Score
Application Packet
Communications
Selection Letter
Post Admission Background check report/waiver
VARK Learning Style
CRITERION 3.6
Compliance with Higher Education Reauthorization Act Title IV eligibility and certification requirements is maintained, including default rates and the results of financial or compliance audits.
LSSC has an agreement with the United States Department of Education Federal Student Aid School Eligibility Channel with continued participation in any Title IV, HEA Program. This agreement was signed by the Secretary of Education and the president of the college and is in effect until December 31, 2017. The scope of the coverage includes a variety of financial aid programs that are available to eligible students attending LSSC. The college maintains full compliance with the general terms and conditions of this agreement. These programs offer financial assistance in the form of grant aid, loans and work study assistance. The scope of each type of financial assistance program is described on the LSSC Student Financial Aid section of the college’s website. Student default rates are presented in criterion 3.6.3 below.
CRITERION 3.6.1
A written, comprehensive student loan repayment program addressing student loan information, counseling, monitoring, and cooperation with lenders are available.
The Director of Financial Aid oversees financial assistance. LSSC students, upon application for a student loan, receive counseling through the Federal Student Aid website about their rights and responsibilities. Before their loan is processed, students are required to print confirmation that they have completed entrance counseling and submit it to the financial aid office.
Once a student is no longer enrolled in at least six hours of course work, they are sent an exit packet with information regarding repayment of their student loan and directed to access the
Department of Education Federal Student Aid website to complete their exit counseling.
These responsibilities are reiterated during the exit counseling session where they again receive detailed information regarding their obligations for repayment of their student loan. Deferment and forbearance are also explained as options to prevent default of their student loan. They are informed that questions regarding their rights and responsibilities should be addressed to the school administrator or the Department of Education.
Borrower rights and responsibilities and entrance and exit information are available at the sites noted above.
CRITERION 3.6.2
Financial counseling sessions are scheduled with individual student borrowers once they reach a certain loan debt threshold. The counseling session includes, but is not limited to, dialogue regarding debt management strategies, student loan repayment options, loan repayment calculation, and the student’s ethical responsibility to repay their loans. Nursing students are tutored in ethics throughout the program and learn to embrace ethical responsibility as part of their professional code of practice. Information given to students regarding their borrower rights and responsibilities and entrance and exit counseling is available on the Financial Aid section of the LSSC website. Confirmation of entrance counseling for individual student borrowers and exit counseling notification is available in the college’s Financial Aid Department.
CRITERION 3.6.3
Financial aid records are maintained in compliance with policies of the governing organization, state, and federal guidelines.
The LSSC Financial Aid Office’s departmental procedural manual includes policies and procedures regarding processing of student loans as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. Copies of student loan applications, entrance and exit counseling information and two-year cohort default rate history are maintained in the Financial Aid Office. Table 3.6.3 provides data showing the college’s default rate history for years 2008-2011. Nursing program data are aggregated with college data.
Table 3.6.3.1 Default Rate History Fiscal
Year Cohort
Rate Type Program
Type Numerator Denominator Rate Process Date
2008 Official FFEL* 26 169 15.3 7/31/2010
2009 Official FFEL 18 151 11.9 7/30/2011
2010 Official DIRECT** 16 167 9.5 7/31/2012
2011 Official DIRECT 17 193 8.8 7/27/2013
* FFEL: The Federal Family Education Loan Program
** DIRECT: Direct loans, the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
CRITERION 3.7
Records reflect that program complaints and grievances receive due process and include evidence of resolution.
Addressing Student Complaints, Grievances and Appeals
LSSC has established procedures for addressing written student complaints and is responsible for demonstrating that it follows those procedures when resolving student complaints and grievances. The established procedures and the definitions of a student complaint, grievance, and appeal, are provided in the LSSC Administrative Procedures Manual PRO 4-14 and PRO
Complaints/Grievances chart that informs students which college office and administrator is responsible for resolving various types of student concerns. Nursing program students are informed of the grievance process in the Associate Degree Nursing Student Policy Handbook (page 10). In all college programs, students have the following rights:
1. To access appropriate college facilities and resources as necessary to enhance their academic and learning experience;
2. To communicate ideas in written and oral form without disruption to the regular
operations of the institution and in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations; 3. To critically think and effectively communicate their opinions and views in any course of
study and to be protected against prejudicial or capricious academic evaluation;