Standards of Performance

Students in the School of Nursing are expected to adhere to standards of performance and ethics that are the foundation of the nursing profession.  These standards include:

•  IU Southeast Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct at http://www.ius.edu/studentaffairs/article/codesummary (for summary of code provisions); and http://www.iu.edu/~code/ (for complete code.)
•  The American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Professional Performance at http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ThePracticeofProfessionalNursing/NursingStandards.aspx
•  The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses at http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses.aspx; and
•  IU Southeast School of Nursing Essential Abilities (see below). 

 Essential Abilities

The School of Nursing faculty has specified essential abilities (technical standards) critical to the success of students in any IU nursing program.  Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study.  Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities with or without reasonable accommodations.

1. Essential judgment skills to include:  ability to identify, assess, and comprehend conditions surrounding patient situations for the purpose of problem solving around patient conditions and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.
2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include:  ability to use the senses of seeing, hearing, touch, and smell to make correct judgments regarding patient conditions and meet physical expectations to perform required interventions for the purpose of demonstrating competence to safely engage in the practice of nursing.  Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations.
3. Essential communication skills to include:  ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, patients, and all members of the health care team.  Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.
4. Essential emotional coping skills:  ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of nursing as determined by professional standards of practice.
5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include:  ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of nursing.
6. Other essential behavioral attributes:  ability to engage in activities consistent with safe nursing practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment.  The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the School of Nursing and as a developing professional nurse consistent with accepted standards of practice.

Student Nurses Association (SNA)

With membership of approximately 50,000 nursing students nationwide, the National Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) mentors the professional development of future nurses and facilitates their entrance into the profession by providing educational resources, leadership opportunities, and career guidance.

 Indiana University Southeast’s School of Nursing students are encouraged to join the SNA as sophomores to gain experienced for leadership positions in the association as juniors and seniors.

Students are also encouraged to become involved in other IU Southeast student groups, activities, programs, and leadership experiences.  For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life.

Assessment of Student Learning—Basic students only

At specified times in the BSN nursing curriculum student knowledge and skills are assessed to determine if students are progressing as expected toward expected outcomes. The HESI (Health Education System, Inc.) assessments occur at three points during the student’s progression through the program.

• HESI A2 Preliminary Assessment: 

Students take this exam as part of the admission process.  The exam includes reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and math.  It also assesses learning styles and personality profile.  Beginning Spring 2010, the score from the HESI section for “Reading Comprehension” will be combined with the nursing GPA to rank students for admission to nursing. 

• Mid-Curricular Exam (HESI MC)

This occurs during the second semester of the third year.  Students take a customized mid-curricular exam that measures achievement of the nursing course objectives through the end of the third year.

• Exit Exam (HESI Exit)

The final HESI assessment occurs in the fourth year, spring semester.