BSN Program Requirements

The School of Nursing is committed to educating professional nurses and is obligated to provide safe and effective care to the clients we serve.  Students are expected to be in compliance with program requirements at all times.  Requirements include immunizations, Basic Life Support (CPR), criminal background check, and drug screen.

Immunization Guidelines/Infectious Disease Prevention

Documentation (a physician statement or copy of the medical record) of immunizations and tuberculosis screening is required to be submitted by all students on admission to the nursing program.

1. TB skin test (PPD): Obtain a PPD tuberculin skin test or present documentation of chest x-ray or symptom screening.  Students must be tested annually thereafter or submit documentation of symptom screening annually.
2. MMR vaccine: Provide proof that they have received the MMR vaccine since 1980, or antibody titer.  This does not need to be repeated.
3. TETANUS AND DIPTHERIA: Immunized within the last ten years.
4. POLIOMYELITIS: If the immunization record is not available, student or parental memory of receipt of the primary series with booster may serve as adequate proof of immunization.  If immunization status cannot be documented, a primary series must be initiated.
5. VARICELLA: History of prior varicella or *varicella-zoster antibody as determined by a certified laboratory must be provided.
6. HEPATITIS B VACCINE: Proof of receipt of Hepatitis B vaccine series must be provided.  The student must have had the first injection in the series before the first day of class.
7. INFLUENZA: Influenza vaccine is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for sophomores and REQUIRED for junior and senior students in clinical affiliations.

The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Regulations (Standards 29-CFR) guides infection control instruction for the School of Nursing.  Basic BSN students receive instruction and a printed copy of the Standard upon entry to the nursing program and annually thereafter.  BSN and RN-BSN students are expected to use standard/universal precautions appropriately. 

Basic Life Support/CPR

1. Students must show proof of certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers upon admission to the nursing program cohort.
2. Certification in BLS for Healthcare Providers must be maintained throughout the duration of the nursing program.  The student is responsible for renewing CPR/Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers on an annual or bi-annual basis (as required by the CPR provider) and providing proof of renewal to the nursing office.

Criminal Background Check

To ensure that students in the School of Nursing uphold professional standards, integrity, and behavior expectations in the Nursing Program, all students are required to submit verification of a National Criminal Background Check upon admission to the School of Nursing and each year thereafter.

1. Students admitted to the Indiana University Southeast School of Nursing are required to submit verification of a national criminal background check as a condition of admission to the program and prior to each fall semester annually.
2. Results will be sent to the School of Nursing by the background checking agency.
3. Arrangements and cost for the National Criminal Background Check are the responsibility of the student.
4. Information regarding criminal offense or conviction gathered as a result of a background investigation may result in denial of admission, dismissal, or other action deemed appropriate by the School of Nursing.  This includes, but is not limited to:
   • Any criminal offense or conviction affecting licensing by the Indiana Health Professions Bureau pursuant to statue 1C 25-1-1.1
   • Any criminal offense or conviction affecting licensing by the Kentucky Board of Nursing pursuant to Statute KRS 314.109.
   • Examples include:
     • Dishonesty, substance abuse, sexual offense, breach of trust, danger to the public safety, or physical harm or endangerment.
     • The acts from which the conviction resulted may be considered as to whether the student should be entrusted to serve the public as a registered nurse.

Drug Screen

The School of Nursing is reaffirming a position of no tolerance for conduct associated with drug and alcohol use/abuse that in any way jeopardizes patient safety or pursuit of excellence in professionalism and education.  Students must refrain from any use/abuse of alcohol outside the clinical or classroom which adversely affects a student's performance in the clinical setting or classroom, or adversely affects or threatens the interests of the School of Nursing.

"Drugs" and "Alcohol" are defined to include any substance with the potential to produce the effects of intoxication and/or behavior which may impair a student's ability to safely and efficiently perform in the clinical or classroom environment.

1. IU Southeast nursing students are expected to comply with drug screening as a condition of admission to the nursing program and annually.  Requirements are subject to change at any time during the program.
2. Arrangements for the drug screen appointment and the cost of the drug screen are the responsibility of the student.  Results will be sent to the School of Nursing by the screening agency.
3. Minimum screening (10 Panel) will test for cocaine metabolites, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone, barbiturates, marijuana metabolite, opiates, phencyclidine, amphetamines, and propoxyphene/metabolite.
4. Failure to undergo the urine drug screen, a positive drug screen (with no authorized prescription to validate the presence of the drug), or a tampered-with urine sample, will result in denial of admission or dismissal from the program.
5. Students may not attend classroom or clinical experiences until drug screen results are received by the School of Nursing.  Any missed clinical or class time is considered unexcused.
6. If the drug screen shows diluted or adulterated results, the student will be allowed one retest.  If the student fails the second test, the student will be dismissed from the program.
7. Students demonstrating behaviors that suggest drug or alcohol usage, or behaviors associated with intoxication will be immediately dismissed from the classroom or clinical area and may be required to obtain a drug and alcohol screen within 8 hours.  Immediate dismissal will occur for any student proven to be under the influence of any illegal drug or alcohol while in the classroom, caring for patients in any clinical setting, or while involved in any clinical experience on the Indiana University Southeast campus.

Confidentiality: The handling of all records and subject information will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.  Any breach of confidentiality will be considered serious and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

BSN Requirements and Registering for Nursing Classes

In order to register for nursing classes, authorization must be granted from the School of Nursing.  Annual requirements must be up-to-date and current for the entire academic year in which the student is enrolling before the student can be authorized.  Annual requirements include:

• TB skin test or screening
• CPR*
• Criminal background check
• Drug screen

Academic Policies

Academic Standing

Good Standing - Students who maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all required general education and didactic courses and a grade of “S” in all required practicum/clinical courses will be considered in good standing.

Academic Probation 

A student will be placed on probation when any of the following conditions exist:

1. The cumulative GPA falls below “C” (2.0).
2. The semester GPA falls below “C” (2.0).
3. A grade below “C” (2.0) has been received in a required didactic course or a grade of “F” has been earned in a required practicum/clinical course.

Academic probation will be removed when all of the following conditions exist:

1. The cumulative GPA is “C” (2.0) or higher.
2. The semester GPA is “C” (2.0) or higher.
3. A minimum grade of “C” (2.0) has been received in the required didactic courses completed, and a grade of “S” has been earned in the required practicum/clinical courses completed.
4. All other specific conditions, if required, have been met.

Academically At-Risk Students

Objective:  To provide early intervention for students who are not meeting or who are minimally meeting expectations in the classroom and clinical setting.

Classroom

1. Students who consistently score below 80% on quizzes, tests and papers in the classroom will be notified at mid-term by faculty or the course leader. 
2. The student will be asked to complete a study plan designed to improve progress and successfully complete the course.  The plan will be submitted to faculty with follow-up discussion as needed.
3. Students are encouraged to meet with faculty to help improve academic performance early-on.

Practicum/Clinical

1. A student whose clinical performance is marginal or does not meet expectations will be counseled by faculty as issues arise.
2. If the student’s performance is consistently below expectations, the clinical instructor will initiate a written contract to identify performance problems and make recommendations for performance improvement.  The clinical instructor and student will discuss the clinical contract, then sign and date the document.  Clinical contracts are binding and failure to meet expectations can result in course failure.

Admission and Readmission to the Nursing program

Objective:  To identify practices in the BSN and RN-BSN programs for admission and readmission of pre-nursing and nursing students.

1.   Students admitted to the BSN and RN-BSN nursing major must formally accept or decline admission in writing prior to beginning of the semester to which the student has been admitted.

• Students who have been accepted to the BSN program but decline acceptance for any reason must reapply to the program and compete with the applicant pool for the semester in which they request admission for the second time.
• BSN students have only two opportunities to decline admission in writing prior to losing their eligibility to apply.
• Students who have been accepted to the RN-BSN program but decline acceptance for any reason must declare a new admission target date. 

2.   Students admitted to the BSN program who withdraw from course work within the first semester must reapply for admission.

• Students who withdraw from course work within the first semester will have one opportunity for readmission.
• Reapplication must be within the time frame that would allow the student timely completion of the program.
• Students must adhere to the published dates for application.

3.   Students who fail to register for each sequential semester once accepted into either the BSN or RN-BSN program have interrupted their academic progress.

• Students must have completed one semester of study in the nursing program to be considered out of sequence.*
• Students who have interrupted their program of study for any reason must submit a written request to return at least one semester in advance of their return.  The request is submitted to the Admission, Progression, and Graduation committee for deliberation.
• Students who are considered out of sequence* will be placed back in their required course work based on transcript evaluation, review of non-academic performance (i.e. Essential Abilities, Student Code of Conduct, etc) and space availability.

 *A student in the nursing program is considered out of sequence when their academic progress has been interrupted for any reason and the student fails to register for each sequential semester.

Approval of Undistributed Courses*

Students may progress toward the BSN degree by applying undistributed course work toward General Education or Nursing course credit.  The Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) committee reviews the student request to approve or deny credit as appropriate. 

1.   The student submits a Course Approval Form to the APG committee that includes:

• A written request to the APG committee to approve the undistributed course, specifically noting the general education or nursing requirement the course is to meet.
• The course syllabus with goals and objectives or the course description from an official website or college bulletin from the transferring academic institution.

2.   The APG committee responds to the student in writing.  If approved, the academic advisor applies the course to the student’s degree plan.

*Undistributed courses are courses transferred from another academic institution that are not IU Southeast equivalent courses, however, the student is granted credit for the course on the credit transfer report.

Course Time Limit

• Knowledge and competencies developed in courses that fulfill the requirements for anatomy, physiology, and microbiology are considered to be time-limited for individuals pursuing an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.  If any of these courses were taken more than seven (7) years prior to admission to the nursing undergraduate degree, the program applicant must validate the related knowledge and competencies through testing, portfolio, or repeating the course to be eligible for admission and/or progression. 
• The Registered Nurse student pursuing a BSN degree is exempt from this policy.

Withdrawal from Nursing Courses

Withdrawals (grade of W) from nursing courses will be issued to students wishing to withdraw from any or all courses in accordance with the University’s withdrawal policies and procedures.

1. Students withdrawing from nursing course work must complete the course prior to progression in the program.
2. Students who withdraw from the nursing major in the first semester must seek readmission to the program.  Readmission is subject to competitive review.
3. Students withdrawing from required nursing course work will be considered out-of-sequence students.  Students who have failed to register for each sequential semester once accepted into the program will be seen as having interrupted their academic progress and out of sequence.  The date of graduation for out of sequence students is not guaranteed.
4. Withdrawal from a didactic course requires an automatic withdrawal from the corresponding co-requisite courses. If a student withdraws from a didactic course that requires an automatic withdrawal from a co-requisite practicum, this withdrawal from the two courses will be counted as one withdrawal.
5. More than three academic withdrawals in a semester is considered lack of progress toward the degree. A pattern of withdrawals may influence a request for consideration of reinstatement to the nursing program.
6. Withdrawal from nursing program courses constitutes a disruption in progression and requires that a student seek reinstatement to the program. Students must submit a formal written request to the Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) Committee at least one semester in advance of wishing to return.

Dismissal from the Nursing Program

A student will be dismissed from the program when, in the judgment of the Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) Committee, there is a lack of progress toward the degree.  Lack of progress will include, but not be limited to the following: 

Failure to:

1. Achieve a 2.0 semester grade point average in any two consecutive semesters.
2. Earn a grade of C (2.0) or S (satisfactory) in any two required nursing courses (didactic or practicum/clinical) on the first attempt.
3. Achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in any required nursing didactic course or S (Satisfactory) in any required nursing practicum/clinical course by the second attempt.
4. Achieve a grade of C in three (3) or more general education courses required for the BSN degree.  Of the three courses, only two (2) failures will be allowed in science course work.  Any grade below a “C” is considered unsatisfactory (failing).
5. Meet Indiana University Southeast essential abilities expectations.
6. Meet expectations of the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct.

Falsification of records or reports, plagiarism, or cheating on an examination, quiz, or any other assignment are cause for dismissal (See IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct).

The faculty reserves the right to dismiss any student whose personal integrity, health, or conduct demonstrates unfitness to continue preparation for the profession of nursing.  Integrity and conduct will be judged according to the standards of the most recent Code for Nurses as adopted by the American Nurses’ Association.

The dismissal of any student is contingent upon review by the Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee.  Student dismissal is subject to the IU Southeast appeal process.

Reinstatement to the Nursing Major

• Students who have interrupted their course of study for any reason may request to be reinstated to the nursing program through the Admission, Progression, Graduation (APG) committee.  Exception: Online RN students who make a grade less than C in a nursing course must successfully repeat the class before continuing with sequential classes in the curriculum.  The student is not required to petition the APG committee for the first course failed.
• Students who fail a nursing or pre-requisite course (that precludes progression in the curriculum) or withdraw from nursing courses in the first semester of the nursing program are not eligible for reinstatement.  These students must reapply to the program. Readmission is subject to competitive review.

Procedure

1. To be reinstated to the nursing program the student must meet with the academic advisor before submitting the request for reinstatement to the Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) committee.
2. The student submits a written request for reinstatement to the academic advisor who forwards it to the APG committee for consideration.  The committee reviews documentation from the student file and the written request to support or deny reinstatement.
3. The student will appear before the APG committee only at the request of the committee.
4. Additional documentation may be requested by the committee in order to make a decision about reinstatement.
5. The student will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision.  The Committee’s decision to reinstate does not guarantee a seat for the student since reinstatement may depend upon the availability of space in the class.

Grievance Process

• Students in the School of Nursing are expected to meet the standards of conduct as defined in the IU Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Conduct, the American Nurses Association’s Standards of Professional Performance, and the IU Southeast Essential Abilities. 
• Students are encouraged to consult with nursing faculty associated with the problem/issue as the first step towards resolution.
• It is expected that the course faculty will discuss with students any issues/problems that violate standards of conduct.  First is a verbal discussion, and if inadequate response, progresses to a written warning.  If the behavior is serious enough to warrant a written clinical contract, the faculty will identify the detrimental behavior and outline steps for improvement.
• If not resolved in the School of Nursing or if the behavior violates the IU Southeast Student Code of Conduct, the student/faculty will follow the IU Southeast grievance process.
• Plagiarism, cheating, etc. will be handled through the Office of Student Affairs and the dean of the School of Nursing.
• Violation of academic and/or conduct standards may be cause for dismissal from the nursing program.

RN to BSN Policies

Portfolio Review-RN/BSN Degree Completion Program

To establish a mechanism for assessing, validating and evaluating prior learning in order to award course credit or exemption for undergraduate nursing courses.  The portfolio provides evidence that students have acquired the content and skills through prior learning and/or practice experiences.  

1. Students may validate prior learning (academic work or professional experience) by preparing a portfolio to demonstrate acquisition of content and skills commensurate with outcomes, competencies or objectives of a specific course.
2. The portfolio option may be used for a course(s) as long as it does not interfere with other university or school course/credit hour policies related to progression or graduation. 
3. Portfolio courses are graded as satisfactory (S) or Failure (F).  Students who are successful in the portfolio process will be awarded “special credit” for the course in question through the Indiana University Special Credit process.
4. To receive portfolio credit, students must be in good academic standing and demonstrate satisfactory progression toward degree requirements.
5. Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours on the campus awarding the degree.  Courses/credits which are reviewed for portfolio credit do not count toward undergraduate residency requirements.
6. Faculty reserve the right to determine if the student is eligible for the Portfolio alternative.  This option will not be entertained when, in the faculty’s expert judgment, student learning might be compromised.
7. The success of the portfolio depends on the students’ ability to present sufficient related materials that meet course objectives/competencies and critical learning experiences.  

Special Credit/Advanced Standing for RN to BSN students

Credit for foundational courses from the Associate Degree or Diploma program will be applied towards the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree for the RN-BSN student.  

1. RN students who successfully complete the RN to BSN Transition courses and successfully complete all pre and co-requisite course work may receive advanced standing via special credit in the RN-BSN program. 

2. Special credit will be awarded for the following nursing courses when the fall semester is satisfactorily completed and students have paid any specified credit hour special fees:

• B 230 Developmental Issues and Health     4 cr.
• B 248 Science and Technology of Nursing     2 cr.
• B 249 Science and Technology of Nursing Practicum     2 cr.
• H 351 Alterations in Neuro-Psychological Health     3 cr.
• H 352 Alterations in Neuro-Psychological Health Practicum     2 cr.
• H 353 Alterations in Health I       3 cr.
• H 354 Alterations in Health I: Practicum     2 cr.
• H 361 Alterations in Health II      3 cr.
• H 362 Alterations in Health II: Practicum     2 cr.
• H 363 The Developing Family and Child     3 cr.
• H 364 The Developing Family and Child: Practicum     3 cr.
• S 470 Restorative Health Related to Multi-System Failures     3 cr.
• S 471 Restorative Health Related to Multi-System Failures: Practicum     2 cr.

TOTAL     34 cr.

3. A grade of S (Satisfactory) will be recorded on the student’s transcript for the above courses according to criteria determined by faculty.

4. Registered nurses holding valid specialty certification from a professional nursing organization in an appropriate area of nursing may receive special credit.  The nurse must show proof of certification.  A maximum of 3 credit hours may be awarded.  Contact the academic advisor to initiate the awarding of special credit.

5. Special credit does not count toward residency credit.

Graduation Requirements

1. 120 credit hours of course completed course work in the nursing curriculum
2. Grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above
3. Grade of C or above in each required course and satisfactory (S) in all practica
4. Incomplete, deferred grades removed from the transcript
5. Special credit courses on transcript
6. Course work completed within six years of enrollment in nursing courses

Senior Recognition Awards

Senior awards provide a mechanism for recognizing graduates for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and competency achievements. The School of Nursing recognizes outstanding graduates annually at the baccalaureate ceremony.  Awards include:

1. Outstanding BSN student: Superior academic achievement
2. Outstanding RN student: Superior academic achievement
3. Lillian Yeager Leadership Award: Established by Dr. Lillian Martin Yeager, Dean from 2000-2006, recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the nursing program.  A monetary award will be presented during the annual Nursing Baccalaureate ceremony by Michelle Yeager (daughter) or Dean of the School of Nursing.
4. Other categories to recognize excellence as determined by faculty

Scholarships

February is scholarship month in the School of Nursing.  During February, scholarship applications are available for pre-nursing and nursing students. Contact the Financial Aid office or the Nursing Advisor for more information.

The student financial aid program provides assistance and advice to students.  Scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment are available singly or in various combinations to assist in meeting the difference between the cost of attending IU Southeast and the amount the student and the student's family can reasonably be expected to provide.  Contact the Financial Aid Office (US-105) at www.ius.edu/FinancialAid/ or call (812) 941-2246.