The RN-MSN program at the University of the Incarnate Word is available for associate or diploma prepared registered nurses in nursing who wish to earn a masters degree in nursing. The graduate program at UIW prepares nurses for the advanced practice roles of either Clinical Nurse Leaders or Clinical Nurse Specialists. All applicants for the RN-MSN degree must first apply and be accepted to the RN-BSN through ADCaP. In the second term of the RN-BSN program, the RN-MSN student will declare their interest in pursing the RN-MSN track. RN-MSN students will be required to take NURS 3512, NURS 3341, NURS 4313, NURS 4365, and NURS 4265 as "bridge courses" to be admitted to the graduate program. Once the bridge courses and general core requirements are completed, students will make application to the graduate program. Students are admitted into the RN-BSN/MSN program twice per year.
Academic Policies
Progression, Retention, and Graduation
Students must maintain satisfactory standards to progress in the nursing program and must be recommended by nursing faculty for promotion and eligibility to graduate. Requirements are as follows:
- Acceptable progress. A minimum grade of C (75) is required in all nursing courses, including an average of 75% on exams. In general, satisfactory completion of courses in one semester is required prior to enrolling in subsequent semesters
- Student Success. As part of assuring student success in the program, any student who meets on or more of the five following criteria will be required to meet with the course faculty to determine a remediation plan to improve the student's performance:
- scores of 79% or less on any course examination or major project,
- failure to notify faculty of absences,
- repetitive tardiness or absences,
- inattentiveness in class or clinical, or
- not meeting clinical objectives in course with a clinical component.
Active participation in resulting remediation activities is expected. Students who do not participate will be referred to the Director of Student Affairs for Undergraduate Nursing. Participation is a consideration in all matters of retention.
- Failure of a Nursing Course. A student who withdraws or receives a final grade of D or F in a nurisng course for the first time may be allowed to repeat the course after formal review by the Student Affairs Committee. The committee will consider all of the following in rendering a decision:
- Recommendation of course faculty.
- Academic performance in other courses.
- Demonstrate behaviors and attitudes expected of professional nurses.
- Space availability in the course.
- Conditions of Retention after a Failure. To remain in the program after retention, students must:
- Adhere to the UIW student code
- Demonstrate a pattern of safe clinical practice commensurate with the educational experience
- Demonstrate behaviors and attitudes expected of professional nurses
- Comply with the directives in the letter of retention
- Ineligibility for Continuation in the Program. A student who receives two grades of D or F or two withdrawals in nursing courses or a combination of D or F and a withdrawal will not be eligible for continuation, even if the student has already repeated one of the courses and received a grade of C or above.
- Appeals. Upon notification of ineligibility to continue in the nursing program, the student may appeal the decision by addressing a letter to the Dean of the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions. Such correspondence should specify the reasons for the appeal and submit relevant new information for the purposes of the petition. The Dean will consider each petition on a case by case basis.
- NCLEX-RN Preparation. As part of the preparation for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), nursing students in their final semester of study in the traditional BSN program pathway are required to achieve a satisfactory score on a comprehensive diagnostic examination in order to receive approval for graduation.
- Student Success Program. Use of academic resources is required and expected. Standardized integrated testing may be required throughout he program and will be used in calculation of course grades and to determine needs for remediation as noted in nursing course syllabi.
Non-Academic Requirements for Admission and Continuation in the Nursing Program
Essential Functions and Skills
The Nursing Program has identified essential functions and skills critical to the effective preparation of nursing students and to their success as future nursing professionals. The purpose of the essential functions and skills is to establish performance levels that are required of all nursing students in order to successfully complete the Nursing Program with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with the University's Office of Student Disability Services. This includes a review of whether the accommodations may jeopardize clinician/patient safety, or the educational process of the student, including all coursework, clinical experiences and internships deemed essential for graduation.
To be accepted into and/or to continue in the Nursing Program and successfully fulfill its standards, students must be able to meet the essential functions and skills, which include emotional requirements, behavioral and social abilities, cognitive requirements, communication skills, neurosensory skills, psychomotor skills, and general health.
Health Requirements
Good physical and mental health is essential for study and practice in professional nursing. The faculty reserves the responsibility for admitting and retaining only those students who demonstrate qualities of physical and mental health generally considered to be imperative for professional nursing practice. See preceding reference to Essential Functions and Skills. In compliance with the Health Care Provider terms of TAC 97.64 (Required Vaccinations for Student Enrolled in Health-Related and Veterinary Courses in Institutions of Higher Learning) applicants to the nursing program are required to provide proof of completed immunizations upon application to the program. CPR (Healthcare Provider) certification, and First Aid certification is required prior to enrollment in nursing classes. Current immunization and certification is also required for continued enrollment in the program. Students are required to maintain up-to-date records at the UIW Health Services Office. They are also responsible for providing evidence of this record upon request from the appropriate program director. The Health Services Office will help the student determine what immunizations are complete and when further immunizations are due. Specific requirements include:
- Immunization Record:
- Hepatitis B (Completed series-3-due upon program application. May take up to 7 months to complete series). Laboratory evidence will not be accepted in lieu of vaccine documentation.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses, due upon program application)
- Varicella (2 doses-or Positive Varicella titer--due upon program application). History of Chickenpox not accepted as documentation
- Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertusis (1 dose Tdap--due upon program application)
- Seasonal Influenza (due upon program application and annually in Fall)
- TB skin test or alternate medical recommendation (due upon application and then annually)
- Selected Agencies only: HIV testing. Students will be notified if this is required at the time of clinical assignment.
- Current CPR certification- Only the following courses are accepted: American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider and American Red Cross Professional Rescuer Certification.
- Current First Aid Certification- Required for traditional BSN students only; not required for students in the RN to BSN alternate pathway. The following courses are accepted:
American Red Cross First Aid Certification
American Heart Association First Aid Certification
Additional health requirements may be required by some clinical agencies. Students must show proof of current health insurance and bloodborne pathogen injury coverage. If for any reason, any required immunization is contraindicated, the student is required to present a record of medical evaluation and recommendations.
Other Requirements
Criminal Background Screening:
Criminal background screening is completed on all candidates for the nursing program. The school will designate a company to do the background screening and will not accept results from any company other than the one designated by the school. Students pay expenses related to all screening. A student with a significant criminal background or a current conviction may not be allowed to register for nursing courses until the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) for the State of Texas issues a declaratory order stating the individual is eligible for initial licensure or license renewal or determines that the individual is eligible to return to practice. If a BON reportable event occurs during the time the student is enrolled in the program, the student will notify the Dean or BSN Program Chair within 3 days of the event. The Dean along with the BSN Program Chair will determine if the student is eligible to continue in the program.
Eligibility for Licensure:
Completion of degree requirements for the BSN does not guarantee licensure as a registered nurse. The Nurse Practice Act for the State of Texas, and the Texas Board of Nursing (BON), require that a candidate for licensure possess good professional character. Students are regularly evaluated for good professional character throughout the program of study. Students who do not demonstrate the qualities required by the Nurse Practice Act will not be recommended for licensure. Good professional character includes, but is not limited to, behaviors indicating honesty, accountability, trustworthiness, reliability and integrity. Students will review the BON rules related to Good Professional Character (213-27), Standards of Nursing Practice (217-11), and Unprofessional Conduct (217-12) in the first semester of the nursing program, and they will be held to the standards throughout the program.
Declaratory Orders
Applicants to the nursing program who answer "yes" to any of the following questions MUST contact the Texas Board of Nursing and file a petition for a declaratory order (an order which indicates the candidate will be eligible for a nursing license).
- For any criminal offense, including those pending appeal, have you:
- been convicted of a misdemeanor?
- been convicted of a felony?
- pled nolo contendere, no contest, or guilty?
- received deferred adjudication?
- been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
- been sentenced to serve jail or prison time? court-ordered confinement?
- been granted pre-trial diversion?
- been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?
- been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
- been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action? (You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations.)
- Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?
- Has any licensing authority refused to issue you a license or ever revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew a license, certificate or multi-state privilege held by you now or previously, or ever fined, censured, reprimanded or otherwise disciplined you?
- Within the past five (5) years have you been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?
- Within the past five (5) years have you been diagnosed with, treated, or hospitalized for schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder?
Refer to the Texas BON website http://www.bon.texas.gov/olv/pdfs/DOapp.pdf (revised 03/2011) for more information if you must answer yes to any of the questions above.
Drug Screening
Drug screening may be required by some clinical agencies or by the School of Nursing's determination. The School will designate a company to do the drug screening and will not accept results from any company other than the one designated by the School. The student will pay the cost of the screening at the time of testing.
A student who has a positive drug screen will not be allowed to participate in clinical courses. The student will be required to complete, at the student’s expense, chemical dependency evaluation and treatment if recommended by the drug assessment. Any student with a positive drug screen shall be suspended for a minimum of one calendar year and will be required to provide documentation of successful treatment prior to being readmitted to clinical courses. If readmitted, the student must be retested by the School approved laboratory and have a negative drug screen. This testing is done at the student’s expense.
Liability, Health, and Bloodborne Pathoden Insurance
Students are required to be covered by liability insurance. The liability insurance fee is included in nursing course fees. Students must also be covered by health insurance. Limited health insurance coverage is offered by the University. Bloodborne pathogen (needle-stick injury) insurance is also required and is included in that offered by the university. Students without bloodborne pathogen coverage in their policy need to purchase a rider.