Baccalaureate Degree Program Policies

Sequential Progression

Students who are enrolled in the nursing program are subject to three different minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) standards. Nursing classes have a prefix of NB/NL, NU, or NUR. Students who are enrolled in courses that are prerequisites for nursing classes or general education courses required for the degree must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. Students are, however, advised that maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.00 is not sufficient to meet the standard for enrollment in nursing classes.

Students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 in order to initially enroll in nursing classes (see below).

After the first semester of enrollment in nursing classes, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. Once a student is admitted to the nursing major and falls below the minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA, the student must appeal in writing to the Admission and Progression Committee for consideration (see readmission policy below).

1. Enrollment in entry level nursing courses will be permitted only if students have:
   1. Completed all prerequisite courses (see Nursing Student Handbook)
   2. Earned a grade of “C” (2.00) or above in all required nursing major and health professions track requirement courses
   3. Maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher
2. Students may continue to progress according to the curriculum plan if they:
   1. Complete all prerequisite courses prior to enrollment in any nursing course
   2. Earn a grade of “C” (2.00) or above in all required nursing major and health professions track requirement courses
   3. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
   4. Demonstrate satisfactory performance of designated nursing skills
   5. Earn a satisfactory grade in both the theory and clinical/lab components of the nursing courses; in the event that the earned clinical/lab grade is unsatisfactory, the course grade assigned will not be higher than the letter grade of “D”
   6. Pass the math calculation competency test at 100% each semester (RNs are exempt)
   7. Demonstrate full compliance with all standards of the nursing profession as defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of practice, the ANA code for nurses, and South Dakota, Minnesota,Iowa and North Dakota law
   8. Maintain all rules and regulations outlines by Presentation College as outlined in the College Catalog.
   9. Maintain current health requirements/CPR. Students whose health requirements or background screen are not current on the first day of each semester school is in session will be withdrawn from nursing courses.
   10. Submit satisfactory national background screening annually by July 1; cost incurred by students
       1. additionally, Minnesota students are required under Minnesota Statues, section 144.057, to submit to a background study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS); see Minnesota Notification Requirement at pages 213-214 for details
3. Students who do not progress according to the curriculum plan as identified, fail, or withdraw from a nursing course, must petition in writing the Department of Nursing Admission and Progression Committee to be readmitted or gain permission to progress out of the expected sequence
4. A nursing course may be repeated one time only regardless of whether students earn less than a “C”, or withdraw failing (“WF”)
5. Students who earn less than a “C” or withdraw failing (“WF”) in two nursing courses in two separate semesters will not be allowed to progress
6. Students are accountable to follow all policies in the current Nursing Student Handbook
7. All program requirements must be completed within six years of first admission to nursing courses. Due to curriculum changes, students not progressing in the major in a continuous manner may be required to complete additional courses

Failure to achieve any of these standards shall constitute reason for students to be dismissed from the program. The faculty and administration of the Department of Nursing reserve the right to dismiss any student enrolled in the major for unethical, dishonest, unprofessional, or illegal conduct that is inconsistent with the ANA Code for Nurses.

Readmission

Students requesting readmission must apply in writing to the Department of Nursing Admission and Progression Committee. Student situations are reviewed on an individual basis. Requests for readmission for fall semester must be submitted by April 1 of the year in which readmission would occur, or by October 1 for readmission which would occur the following spring. Placement is dependent upon class size and course enrollment constraints. Readmission cannot be guaranteed to any student. A formal letter of provisional acceptance and or the outcome of the appeal stating the terms of the appeal will be sent to the student and placed in the official academic file.

Specific guidelines for readmission include the following:

1. Course repetition policies:
   1. A nursing course earned less than a “C” (2.00), or withdrawn failing (“WF”) may be repeated one time only
   2. Non-nursing science courses may be repeated only one time
   3. A repeated course must be repeated within the next academic year
   4. Students who have earned less than a 2.00 (“C”) in two science courses (either lab or lecture) at Presentation College or another institution (same course repeated or two different courses) will not be readmitted
   5. If students are allowed to repeat a nursing course, they must repeat the course in its entirety
   6. Students may appeal decisions in writing based on course repetition policies to the Department of Nursing Admission and Progression Committee. The appeal should include a recommendation from the academic advisor or course instructor. Decisions on appeal requests are the responsibility of the Admission and Progression Committee and may be approved or denied based on individual circumstances and an evaluation of the request.
2. Students readmitted to the major will be required to:
   1. Meet College re-admission criteria
   2. Demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge from prerequisite nursing courses
   3. Successfully validate prior medication calculation competency and clinical skills*
3. Readmitted students will be expected to meet graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission and to follow the baccalaureate degree nursing policies in effect for that academic year
4. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher to be considered for readmission
5. A tuition deposit is required to hold a place in the class
6. Students must meet #1 – 14 under “Admission to All Nursing Programs (General Requirements and Information)”

   *The range of fees for validation of mathematics and nursing skills is $50 - $150 dependent upon which semester of the program students re-enter. See the Department of Nursing Student Handbook for detailed discussion of program policies.

Graduation

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing is granted by Presentation College to those candidates who have completed the 121-credit requirement as described in the traditional nursing curriculum course plan and who have met all degree requirements of Presentation College. A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher is required to graduate from the program.

State Board of Nursing Regulations for Licensure

The Board of Nursing may deny, revoke, or suspend any license or application for licensure or may take corrective action if the licensee or applicant has:

1. Been convicted or pled guilty to a felony. If the applicant has a felony conviction, or if the applicant has ever pled guilty to a felony, the Board of Nursing should be contacted before seeking admission;
2. Become addicted to the habitual use of intoxicating liquors or controlled drugs.

Prior to the Department of Nursing approval for the candidate’s licensure (NCLEX) application, an exit interview with the Department of Nursing is required. Additionally, all College graduation requirements must be met and students’ accounts must be cleared. Official transcripts or certificates of completion of education program forms will not be released to State Boards of Nursing until students have successfully completed Nursing Department requirements for NCLEX-RN preparation. No exceptions to the Nursing Department NCLEX-RN preparation requirements will be made.