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School of Nursing

General Information

The IU South Bend campus offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), for traditional and RN students, as well as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Nursing Administration Major or Post Master Certificate of Family Nursing Practitioner.

Accreditation

The Baccalaureate degree program and the Master's degree program in nursing at IU South Bend are accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org/)

Program Memberships

The School of Nursing is an agency member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. It is a Tier 1 member of the Indiana Center for Nursing.

Student Organizations

Sigma Theta Tau International

The Alpha Chapter of the International Honor Society of Nursing was organized at Indiana University. Students in Indiana University bachelor and graduate degree programs, as well as community members, may be eligible for membership when they have demonstrated excellence in nursing and have shown superior academic and personal records. Leadership, research, and scholarship constitute the purposes of Sigma Theta Tau International.

Student Nurses' Association

Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for membership in the National Student Nurses' Association, Indiana Association of Nursing Students, and IU South Bend's local chapter. This includes students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs, RN programs, MSN programs, and pre-nursing students. Individuals or organizations interested in furthering the growth and development of the National Student Nurses' Association obtain sustaining memberships. The chief purpose of the organization is to aid in the preparation of students for the assumption of professional responsibilities. Programs may encompass health care issues, legal aspects of nursing, interdisciplinary programs, and community programs.

General Policies

Program Planning

Students in the School of Nursing are responsible for planning and meeting degree requirements. Academic advisors are available from the Vera Z. Dwyer College of Health Sciences Advising Center to assist students in understanding degree requirements. It is important that students acquaint themselves with all regulations and remain properly informed throughout their studies.

All provisions of this publication are in effect as soon as a nursing student begins the Nursing Program.

Students interrupting their studies, pursuing part-time study, and those who take more than two years to complete prerequisite requirements are subject to policy and curriculum changes as they occur. Curriculum changes during progress toward the degree may result in revision of degree requirements.

The Code of Ethics for Nurses

Students preparing to enter the profession of nursing are expected to follow the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Each person, upon entering the profession, inherits a measure of responsibility and trust in the profession and the corresponding obligation to adhere to standards of ethical practice and conduct set by the profession. The code was adopted by the American Nurses' Association in 1950 and was most recently revised in 2019.

It is the student's responsibility to know, understand, and follow the Code of Ethics for Nurses.

1. The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.
2. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.
4. The nurse has authority, accountablity, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal care.
5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence, and continue personal and professional growth.
6. The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves the ethical environment of the work setting and conditions of employment that are conducive to safe, quality health care.
7. The nurse, in all roles and settings, advances the profession through research and scholarly inquiry, professional standards development, and the generation of both nursing and health policy.
8. The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.
9. The profession of nursing, collectively through its professional organizations, must articulate nursing values, maintain the integrity of the profession, and integrate principles of social justice into nursing and health policy.

Statement of 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 (technical standards) 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.

Failure to meet one or more of the essential abilities may hinder progression or result in dismissal from the Nursing Program. Any student who is questioning their ability to meet one or more of the essential abilities should contact the disability services officer at (574) 520-4460 prior to enrollment in nursing courses. Documentation of any requested accommodation must be submitted to the Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee in the Vera Z. Dwyer School of Nursing for review prior to matriculation into the nursing major.

Students with Disabilities

The university is committed to helping temporarily and permanently disabled students make the transition to student life. Students with physical, mental, or learning impairments are encouraged to consult with advisors from the Vera Z. Dwyer College of Health Sciences and Disability Support Services for assistance in meeting degree requirements.

Students with disabilities must meet all academic and technical skill requirements as outlined in the Statement of Essential Abilities and any other standards related to professional licensure. Modifications in the learning environment to assist students in meeting these requirements are made in accordance with federal and university guidelines and in consideration of individual needs. Disability Support Services is located in the Administration Building 167-170.

Eligibility for Licensure

Any person who makes application for examination and registration as a registered nurse in the state of Indiana shall submit to the Indiana State Board of Nursing at the Health Professions Service Bureau written evidence, verified by oath, that he or she:

• Completed an approved high school course of study or the equivalent, as approved by the appropriate educational agency
• Completed the prescribed curriculum in a state-accredited school of nursing and holds a diploma or certificate therefrom
• Has not been convicted of any act that would constitute a ground for disciplinary sanction under the state board rules and regulations or of any felony that has direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently

International students and graduates of schools of nursing who are outside the United States must meet the requirements of a State Board of Nursing in the United States for eligibility to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX).