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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:

  1. 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.
  2. Student Success. As part of assuring student success in the program, any student who meets one 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:
    1. scores of 79% or less on any course examination or major project
    2. failure to notify faculty of absences
    3. repetitive tardiness or absences
    4. inattentiveness in class or clinical or
    5. not meeting clinical objectives in course with a clinical component

Active participation in resulting remediation activities is expected. Participation is a consideration in all matters of retention.

  1. Failure of a Nursing Course. A student who withdraws or receives a final grade of D or F in a nursing course for the first time may be allowed to repeat the course after formal review by the BSN Student Affairs Committee. The committee will consider all of the following in rendering a decision:
    1. Recommendation of course faculty.
    2. Academic performance in other courses.
    3. Demonstrate behaviors and attitudes expected of professional nurses.
    4. Space availability in the course.
  1. Conditions of Retention after a Failure. To remain in the program after retention, students must:
    1. Adhere to the UIW Student Code of Conduct.
    2. Demonstrate a pattern of safe clinical practice commensurate with their educational experiences.
    3. Demonstrate behaviors and attitudes expected of professional nurses.
    4. Comply with the directives in the letter of retention. Supplemental didactic and/or clinical courses may be required.
  1. 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.
  2. Petitions. 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 petition and submit relevant new information for the purposes of the petition. The Dean will consider each petition on a case by case basis.
  3. NCLEX-RN Preparation. (Traditional BSN Pathway only) 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 pathway are required to achieve a satisfactory score on a comprehensive diagnostic examination in order to receive approval for graduation.
  4. Student Success Program. (Traditional BSN Pathway only) Use of academic resources is required and expected. Standardized integrated testing may be required throughout the program and will be used in calculation of course grades and to determine needs for remediation as noted in nursing course syllabi.
  5. Medication Calculation Exam. (Traditional BSN Pathway only) Any traditional BSN student who fails to earn the 90% after a second attempt on the medication calculation exam, which is administered at the beginning of each semester will be reviewed by the BSN Student Affairs Committee for continuation in the program.