BSN Student Handbook 26-27

Baccalaureate Nursing Student Handbook AY 26-27

BACCALAUREATE NURSING STUDENT HANDBOOK

In effect for AY 2026-2027 The School of Nursing reserves the right to make changes to the handbook when unforeseen circumstances occur. These changes will be communicated to students as early as possible.

Table of Contents:

Program Administrators

2 3 3 3 5

Mission and Values

Program Goals

Program Outcomes Handbook Policy

Admission Policies Clinical Placement Health Requirements Progression School of Nursing Academic Policies and Procedures

9-18

Key Policies “For Cause” Drug Screen

Attendance

10 12 14

Grading and Testing Academic Integrity

Professionalism and Code of Conduct

14-15

Dress Code

16 16 17

School of Nursing Uniform

Simulation Center and Simulation Guidelines

National Louis University and School of Nursing Administration

NLU President Dr. Eddie Phillips Provost: Dr. Eddie Phillips Vice Provost: Tracy Templin MAT, MSW Interim Dean Undergraduate College: Ms. Erin Neubert

School of Nursing Executive Director of Nursing: Dr. Laura Robbins-Frank (lrobbins1@nl.edu ) Director of Simulation and Interprofessional Education Jennifer Davis MSN, RN (jdavis97@nl.edu ) Clinical Placement Coordinator: Ms. Srey Biswas MSN, RN (sbiswas@nl.edu) Full Time Clinical Faculty Professor Bryan Manalo, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, CPN Assistant Professor Dr. Lydia Falbo, DNP, MSN, RN Faculty Professor Ariel Passarelli, MSN, APRN, CNM, CLC Simulation Technician Ms. Amanda Werner, BSN, RN

Operations Coordinator Ms. Laura Devaney, BS

This Baccalaureate Nursing Student Handbook is an adjunct to the University Student Guidebook (https://nl.edu/student-services/student-affairs/student-guidebook/ ). Students are expected to read and abide by both documents. Students will submit an attestation form related to the reading and understanding of this handbook in their initial term of attendance and then every September thereafter while enrolled in the program. University Purpose: National Louis University (NLU) is committed to preparing professionals and engaged citizens. We strive to facilitate learning and develop character, and we expect students to uphold values that advance their communities. The NLU Student Code of Conduct provides a framework to guide the personal conduct of all NLU students as members of an academic and professional community, as students assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University’s function as an educational institution. As an expression of NLU’s expectations of student conduct, the Code of Conduct facilitates an environment that is safe, welcoming, and supportive of all students meeting their academic and professional goals.

National Louis University

School of Nursing

Mission National Louis University is an inclusive, innovative community providing educational opportunities that inspire and empower all learners as they prepare for and advance in meaningful lives and productive careers.

The BSN undergraduate program aims to educate and prepare practice-ready nurse generalists who can plan and implement evidence-based nursing care across the age span while providing ethnically competent care across different practice settings. These practice-ready graduates will have demonstrated competencies through practice experiences with individuals, families, communities, and populations within four spheres of care; disease prevention/health promotion; chronic disease management; regenerative/restorative care and hospice/palliative/supportive care across the age span.

Values Innovation Access Excellence Equity

Integrity Autonomy Respect Social Justice Equity

Program Goals: 1. To prepare practice-ready baccalaureate graduate nurses who implement evidence-based interventions to care for individuals, families, communities and populations across the age span and diverse practice settings. 2. To prepare transformational leaders who advocate for their patients and their profession using ethical and moral principles along with implementation of social justice throughout the continuum of care.

3. To prepare graduates who utilize the social determinants of health framework to address health disparities and provide inclusive care across diverse populations striving for health equity.

Program Outcomes: At the end of the BSN School of Nursing students will be able to: 1. Integrate knowledge from liberal arts, science, and nursing science as the basis of critical thinking and clinical judgment in professional nursing practice 2. Plan and implement evidence-based nursing interventions utilizing a systems approach (i.e., nursing process) to meet the health care needs of individuals and communities across the age span in diverse settings. 3. Utilize information technology ethically and effectively to support clinical judgment and the achievement of patient outcomes in professional nursing practice. 4. Demonstrate the use of effective communication skills to collaborate with patients, families and the interdisciplinary/interprofessional healthcare team. 5. Utilize leadership concepts and skills to guide clinical judgment in the practice of professional nursing. 6. Integrate ethical and social values along with legal knowledge to support clinical judgment and decision making in professional nursing practice. 7. Value lifelong learning as a necessary component of professional nursing practice. 8. Implement ethical nursing care by accepting responsibility and accountability for patient outcomes in professional nursing practice. The BSN curriculum is grounded in the American Association Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The

Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (January 2022). Congruence of University and Program Outcomes with AACN Essentials University Outcomes Program Outcomes

Essentials Domains 1. Knowledge for nursing practice 4. Scholarship for nursing practice 1. Person-centered care 3. Population Health 7. Systems-Based Practice

1. Specialized Knowledge 2. Broad and Integrative Knowledge 3. Intellectual Skills 3. C. Engaging Diverse Prospectives

Integrate knowledge from liberal arts, science, and nursing science as the basis of critical thinking and clinical judgment in professional nursing practice Plan and implement evidence-based nursing interventions using a systems approach (i.e., nursing process) to meet the health care needs of individuals and communities across the age span in diverse settings. Utilize information technology ethically and effectively to support clinical judgment and the achievement of patient outcomes in professional nursing practice.

3. Intellectual Skills 3.B Use of Information Resources

5. Quality and Safety 8. Information and Healthcare Technologies

4. Applied and Collaborative Learning

Demonstrate the use of effective communication skills to collaborate with patients, families and the interdisciplinary/interprofessional healthcare team. Utilize leadership concepts and skills to guide clinical judgment in the practice of professional nursing. Integrate ethical and social values along with legal knowledge to support clinical judgment and decision making in professional nursing practice. Value lifelong learning as a necessary component of professional nursing practice.

6. Interprofessional Partnerships 7. Systems-Based Practice 9. Professionalism 10. Personal, Professional and Leadership Development 9. Professionalism 10. Personal, Professional and Leadership Development 4. Scholarship for Nursing Practice 10. Personal, Professional and Leadership Development 10. Personal, Professional and Leadership Development

4. Applied and Collaborative Learning 5. Civic and Global Learning

6. Professional Skills

7. Professional Skills

Implement ethical nursing care by accepting responsibility and accountability for patient outcomes in professional nursing practice.

HANDBOOK POLICY This Handbook is intended to provide students with information and answers to the most commonly asked questions posed by new and returning students as they progress through their undergraduate nursing degree program. The purpose of this Handbook is to complement, NOT replace, the University Student Guidebook. Each student has access to an electronic copy of the National Louis University, School of Nursing Baccalaureate Nursing Student Handbook when they begin the program and each September when the Handbook is updated. The Student Handbook is located on the Nursing Resource Page accessed from the School of Nursing Homepage. It is the responsibility of the student to be knowledgeable about and observe all policies and procedures related to the program they are pursuing, including those in the Handbook. In no case will a policy be waived or an exception granted because students claim ignorance or contend that they were not informed of the regulations or procedures. Students will complete a Handbook Agreement Attestation form and submit to the required electronic compliance system upon initial entry to the program and annually in September thereafter. All statements and policies published in this Handbook are in effect for the time-period published on the cover of the Handbook. Faculty reserve the right to change statements and policies during the academic year the Handbook is in effect, with the provision that students are informed in writing of any changes. The Handbook is updated annually in September.

NURSING STUDENT RESOURCE PAGE Students will find pertinent documents, including the BSN Student Handbook and Attestation Form on the School of Nursing Resource Page. Students can find the Resource Page on the School of Nursing main website. Once the student is on the School of Nursing main page select the Menu drop down and then select the Student Resource Page.

When this page opens it will ask for your NLU log in credentials. Other documents on the Resource page include but are not limited to: 3 rd Party Vendor account creation (currently Complio and My Clinical Exchange) ScrubIN Uniform and Equipment Welcome Packet Nursing Education Program Student Medical Exam Form

NLU SON Approved Lab Values BSN Nursing Student Handbook BSN Nursing Student Handbook Attestation Form

Nursing Scholarship Information Complio NLU Student Guidebook

ADMISSION

General Requirements: Official transcripts from all institutions recognized by a regional or national institutional accreditor attended. Official e-transcripts are preferred and must be submitted directly from the issuing institution to documents@nl.edu. Official paper transcripts must arrive in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution. Applicants with less than 15 QH (10 semester hours) of transferable college credit must submit an official high school transcript or an official high school equivalency credential transcript (GED or HiSET) Official military transcripts, military certificates (including Army, Navy, Marine Joint Services or CCAS-Air Force transcripts), nationally recognized certificates and CLEP/DANTES/AP/IB test scores may also be submitted for transfer credit consideration. International Students

Proof of English language proficiency is required if English is not the applicant’s native language.

Submit official test scores or academic records- IELTS: 6.0 overall, no sub-score lower than 5.5

TOEFL iBT: 72 total score TOEFL PBT: 533 total score PearProgram Test of English: 50 overall score Duolingo: 95 overall score This requirement is waived for applicants who have at least 2 years of college/university, or 3 years high school/secondary school, where English is the language of instruction. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of the approved agencies listed at: www.nl.edu/foreigncredential The School of Nursing has three pathways to the BSN degree. BSN-T (traditional)- students who have completed the required prerequisite courses and many of the general education requirements. • Applicants are required to have a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher • Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA but higher than 2.75 may submit an admission appeal • Transfer applicants need to have completed all prerequisites, and earned a “C” or better in those courses, at an accredited 2-year or 4-year institution, recognized by an institutional accreditor prior to starting the nursing program • Student must earn a “C” or better in all required nursing prerequisite courses and earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA prior to conversion to Full Admission to the School of Nursing. • Transfer applicants are required to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher calculated from all transcripts. • Transfer applicants are required to submit transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended directly to documents@nl.edu. • Transfer applicants are required to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher calculated from all transcripts. • Transfer applicants are required to submit transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended directly to documents@nl.edu. • All science prerequisite courses submitted for transfer credit must be current within the past five years unless taken during the completion of an earned/conferred Associates degree within the past seven years. • Transfer students apply via the National Louis University application portal at www.nl.edu/applyonline • All requirements must be completed no later than 30 days prior to the start of the academic term.

Non-Science Prerequisites

Science Prerequisites

MTH 101 Introduction to Math Concepts NUR 100 Introduction to Professional Nursing and Healthcare PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology PSY 315 Lifespan Development

SCI 102/102L Survey of Biology + Lab SCI 111/111L Microbiology + Lab

SCI 112 Chemistry for Healthcare

ABSN-H (accelerated BSN hybrid) – Students with a previous bachelor’s degree in a non- nursing field and all pre-requisite courses completed. • Transfer applicants need to have completed all required prerequisites, and earned a “C” or better in those courses, at an accredited 2-year or 4-year institution, recognized by an institutional accreditor prior to starting the nursing program. (See table) SCI 200/200L Anatomy & Physiology I + Lab PHI 107 Ethics, Logic and Critical Inquiry SCI 205/205L Anatomy & Physiology II + Lab HTH 201 Nutrition for Healthcare

Non-Science Prerequisite Courses

Science Prerequisite Courses (current within 5 years unless taken during a conferred Bachelor’s Degree within the past seven years)

Introduction to Psychology

General Biology + Lab

Lifespan Development (Developmental Psychology)

Anatomy and Physiology I + Lab

Nutrition Statistics

Anatomy and Physiology II + Lab

Microbiology + Lab

Introduction to Philosophy College Algebra or higher

Chemistry

• Transfer applicants are required to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. • Transfer applicants are required to submit transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended submitted directly to documents@nl.edu. . • All science prerequisite courses submitted for transfer credit must be current within the past five years unless completed during the earned/conferred bachelor’s degree within the past seven years. • Transfer applicants for the ABN-H pathway apply via National Louis University application portal at www.nl.edu/applyonline • Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA but higher than 2.75 may submit an admission appeal.

• All requirements must be completed no later than 30 days prior to the start of the academic term.

RN-BSN students - current Registered Nurses holding either a Diploma or an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from institutions recognized by a regional or national institutional accreditor. • Apply via National Louis University application portal at www.nl.edu/applyonline • Must submit transcript, demonstrating completion of RN diploma or degree • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from an institution recognized by a regional or national institutional accreditor. • Must also submit current active unencumbered nursing license via Nursys report https://www.nursys.com/ to documents@nl.edu. • Applicants with less than a 2.5 GPA but higher than 2.0 may submit an admission appeal. Transfer Credit Applicants must submit transcripts from all higher education institutions attended. Transfer applicants must have college credits from accredited 2-year or 4-year institutions recognized by a regional or national institutional accreditor for specified General Education and prerequisite courses. In general nursing courses will not be accepted for transfer credit. However, a transfer student may submit a formal request for consideration. Admission Appeal NLU believes that a change in a student’s learning environment may change their academic performance. In that light, NLU will consider applications from students who do not meet the admissions criteria detailed above. Such students may be admitted on a high potential basis and referred for appropriate assistance to Learning Support or other academic and student support services. Criteria used in determining whether or not students can be admitted on a high potential basis could include work experience, demonstrated leadership in their community, extracurricular activities, motivation and attitude toward learning or career objectives. The applicant must provide a personal statement outlining their commitment to achieving success in the nursing program, along with two letters of recommendation that attest to their academic performance or capabilities. A personal interview may also be required. It is the student’s responsibility to submit all documents necessary for a decision regarding provisional admission. Admission decisions will not be made until all documents are received. Once the personal statement and two letters of support have been reviewed, a student may be admitted to the Pre-Nursing designation as a Provisional Admit. Provisional Admit status requires earning a "C" or better in all coursework during the first two academic terms to be eligible for conversion to Nursing. Successful completion of prerequisite coursework at the

completion of all prerequisite courses with a “C” or better and a cumulative GPA of 3.0, results in Full Admission-Nursing status for Preliminary Pre-Nursing Students. Admitted students should contact their academic advisors to review degree requirements. National Louis University General Education Requirements: Fields of Knowledge- 3 courses (1) Academic Writing course (1) Oral Communication course An elective that meets this domain Humanities and Fine Arts- 2 courses from one of these domains (1) Introduction to Philosophy (prerequisite for Medical Ethics meets first Humanities requirement) (1) Healthcare Ethics (meets second Humanities requirement) Math and Natural Science- 3 courses MATH 101 or higher Math (required and meets the Math requirement; prerequisite to MATH 102 Statistical Foundations) SCI 102 Survey of Biologic Science (required and meets the Natural Science requirement) Elective that meets this domain (could be a Math course such as Math 102 or any other SCI course)

CLINICAL PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS A criminal background check and 10-panel drug screening are required for entry into the School of Nursing. Information on completing these requirements will be provided during orientation. During the program, students may be required to repeat their criminal background check and/or drug screening. Students are obligated to inform the Executive Director of Nursing of any changes that occur in their criminal record. Placement in a required clinical setting will not be possible if there are positive findings on the criminal background check and/or drug screening. As a result, a student may not be able to complete the requirements of the program. If at any time, a student’s enrollment in the School of Nursing is interrupted, and not continuous, a repeat drug screen, and background check are required for readmission.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER COMPLIANCE

All students will complete and submit the following compliance documents to the required electronic compliance system within the first four weeks of the initial entry term into the School of Nursing. It is then the students’ responsibility to maintain their compliance with all compliance requirements throughout their attendance in the program. Students who are not in compliance at the start of the term will not be allowed to attend clinical until compliance is achieved which could result in failure of the clinical course and affect progression in the program. If a student’s progression is interrupted, new health documents may be required. Refer to the SON resource page for instructions on uploading compliance documentation to the third-party compliance tracking system and for student cost and payment options. Physical Exam - Must be completed by a health care provider, signed, and dated within the 12 months prior to the initial entry term. TB testing - all students must submit an Annual negative TB test (QuantiFERON Gold). The above guidelines may be superseded by a clinical facility’s TB testing requirements. CPR – American Heart Association BLS (for Healthcare Providers) must be current and remain current throughout the program. Documentation proof is uploaded to the compliance tracking system before expiration date. It is the student’s responsibility to find a course to complete. Students should check the American Heart Association’s website for a list of CPR courses across the Metro Chicago area. Only American Heart Association CPR certification will be accepted.

Health Insurance – all students are required to carry health insurance and to provide proof of current active insurance uploaded to the compliance tracking system annually. • If a student does not have health insurance, they can apply for health insurance through a third-party vendor contracted by the University. Application for enrollment must be submitted within the first 10 calendar days of the academic term. The links below will provide more information as well as the SHIP attachment. Students may also purchase insurance on the marketplace if they prefer but will still need proof of insurance. NLU Student Health Insurance Website: https://nl.edu/student-services/student-health-insurance/ Health Insurance Brochure with Benefits 2024-2025 (updated annually) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q_wSb6d2whiWoaUzBTdpze0ox1_Vdjg-/view A Background check is required in the initial term of entry and may be required if a student does not have continuous enrollment. The background check will be ordered through the third- party vendor identified on the SON Resource page. Refer to the directions for submitting an order for the background check and submitting payment. A 10-panel Drug Screen will be ordered through the third-party vendor identified on the SON resource page. Refer to the directions for submitting an order for the drug screen and for submitting payment. Please be aware that a repeat drug screen will be required for any flagged results including negative dilute and for any positive results. Required Immunizations: Please note that the CDC no longer recognizes a history of disease as proof of immunity. A titer or evidence of vaccine MUST be provided.

Immunization Hepatitis B

Notes

Due Date Initial entry term Initial entry term Initial entry term Initial entry term

3 documented vaccinations OR if vaccinated over age 12 (2) doses or + titers

MMR

Documentation of 2 doses of MMR OR Positive Titers

Tdap

Tdap Booster within 10 years**must include pertussis ** Td not accepted. 2 documented vaccinations or + titers. If no documentation exits must receive 2 doses of varicella and provide the documentation. Documented flu vaccination for current flu season no earlier than August 1 and no later than October 31 st . Prescriptions/Receipts accepted with documentation of date immunization given and lot number

Varicella

Influenza

Annually

Strongly Recommended Vaccines Polio

Documentation of completed primary series (4 doses in childhood or 3 doses after age 18) or + titer. Child immunizations accepted. A current seasonal COVID-19 vaccination Individual clinical agencies may establish additional COVID-19 vaccination requirements

Initial entry term

COVID-19

As directed

Documentation Requirements a. Compliance documentation must be submitted on official healthcare facility, healthcare provider, laboratory, pharmacy, or other authorized documentation, as applicable. b. Documentation must clearly identify the student by full name and date of birth (DOB) and identify the healthcare provider, facility, laboratory, pharmacy, or other authorized source issuing the documentation. c. Documentation must contain sufficient information to verify that the applicable health or safety requirement has been met. d. Screenshots from mobile phones or patient portals will not be accepted as official compliance documentation. Students should download and upload printable versions of documentation when using health applications or patient portals. e. Students are responsible for ensuring that submitted documentation is complete, legible, accurate, and uploaded to the designated compliance system. Continuing Student Compliance a. Continuing students MUST be compliant with all applicable health and safety requirements at the beginning of each clinical term, including the current seasonal influenza vaccination and any updated TB testing required by the School of Nursing or clinical agency. b. Continuing students with health or safety requirements scheduled to expire during the current academic term MUST submit updated documentation no later than 30 days BEFORE the expiration of the current compliance item. c. Students are responsible for monitoring the expiration dates of their compliance requirements and completing renewals within the required timeframe. Compliance Notifications a. Students may receive multiple emails alerting them to upcoming expiration of previously compliant requirements beginning approximately 90, 60, and 30 days before the expiration date. b. Compliance notifications are provided as reminders and do not replace the student's responsibility to monitor and maintain compliance. Noncompliance a. Students who are not compliant with all required health and safety requirements at the beginning of the clinical term will not be permitted to attend clinical until they are in full compliance. b. If a student becomes noncompliant during the clinical term, the student will not be permitted to attend clinical until full compliance is restored.

c. Clinical absences resulting from noncompliance are considered unexcused and may result in clinical course failure. d. If a student fails a clinical course due to noncompliance, the student must repeat both the theory and clinical course the next time they are offered, provided a clinical placement is available. e. Clinical course failure may result in a change to the student's anticipated graduation trajectory. ACADEMIC PROGRESSION The program builds in progression from one course to the next, which is reflected in the prerequisite and co-requisite course requirements. To be eligible for progression to successive courses in the School of Nursing, the student must meet the following requirements: • Students must earn a C or better in all prerequisite courses. • In all theory courses with a clinical component, inclusive of HTH 203 Pathophysiology and NUR 300 Pharmacology students must earn a 75% on all quizzes and exams BEFORE any other assignments will be calculated into the final grade. o If the student does not meet the exam and quiz grade threshold of 75%, they will fail the course and a D grade will be entered. o If the student earns the 75% required on the exams and quizzes then any additional grades will be added and the overall course grade must be a 75% or higher. • Courses excluded from the exam and quiz grade threshold include: § NUR 100 Introduction to Professional Nursing and Healthcare § HTH 301 Genetics and Genomics in Healthcare § NUR 302 Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice § NUR 303 Issues in Professional Nursing Practice § NUR 403 Leadership in Nursing Practice § PHI 205 Healthcare Ethics • The cumulative quiz and exam grades will NOT be rounded. ONLY the final grade can be rounded based on mathematical rounding rules. • NOTE - The grade shown in D2L is an overall course grade and does not show only the quiz and exam cumulative grade and cannot be relied upon to determine passing or failing of the course o To calculate the quiz and exam cumulative grade take the % score as a whole number, multiply it by the weight of the item. Add all the weighted grades together and divide by the percentage of the course being evaluated. Example:

Commented [LR1]: Or should we keep it ALL NUR courses?

Quiz total score = 85% weight is 3% so 85x 0.03 = 2.55 Exam I score = 80% weight is 15% so 80 x 0.15 = 12.00 Exam II score = 70% weight is 20% so 70 x 0.2 = 14.00 Exam III score = 68% weight is 20% so 68 x 0.2 = 13.6 Final exam = 69% weight is 30% so 69 x 0.3 = 20.7

Add all together = 62.85 divided by the percentage of the course being evaluated so in this case 87% so 62.85/.87 = 72.24% so this student does not pass the course despite the other assignment outcomes. • Students are encouraged to withdraw from the course to prevent impact on GPA. • If the course has an associated clinical course withdrawal from both courses is required • Students may repeat a failed course when it is next offered and if there is adequate room in the course and clinical sections. • Students may not register for the same course for a third time. • If a student fails or withdraws from the same course two times they will be dismissed from the School of Nursing. o If a student is dismissed from the program they may apply for readmission one time. See readmission policy. • Students must maintain a term and cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher o If a student falls below the term and/or cumulative GPA of 2.5 they will have one term to bring their GPA back to a term 2.5 and two terms to bring cumulative GPA back to 2.5 or above. Course or Program Withdrawal and Academic Leave of Absence See the university’s Office of the Registrar for more information on withdrawal and academic leave of absence. The Program has program-specific policies regarding nursing course withdrawals: • A student may only withdraw from two different nursing courses. • Students who withdraw from a nursing course or are administratively withdrawn may be allowed to repeat a course the next time it is offered only if space in the course/clinical permits. • Students cannot register for the same course for a third time. • When a student withdraws from a course during the term or at the end of the term the student’s grade point average (GPA) is unaffected, however these count as an enrollment and will count towards the policy of not being able to enroll in a course for the third time. Administrative Withdrawal/Dismissal from the School of Nursing A student dismissed from the School of Nursing has the right to petition for readmission one time. Process/Procedure: 1. Student will receive a dismissal letter from the Executive Director of Nursing (EDON) that will contain the necessary information to apply for readmission to the School of Nursing.

2. Student will complete the readmission application in its entirety paying close attention to specific directions for examples. 3. Student will obtain faculty feedback form(s) and must: o Obtain one from the faculty who taught the course not passed that led to the dismissal o If dismissed for failure to meet the GPA requirement and did not fail a course one form comes from a faculty member for a course with the lowest grade o If the student desires, they may ask for another faculty to also complete a form supporting their readmission application 4. If the student has any other supporting documentation that they feel will support their case they are welcome to submit the documentation along with the readmission application. (e.g., medical evaluation, evidence of other barriers to success). 5. The readmission application is due to the Executive Director of Nursing within 7 business days of receipt of the letter of dismissal. 6. The application for readmission will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee. 7. The applicant will be invited to a Zoom meeting with the committee where the applicant will have the opportunity to present their case. a. students will be afforded 3-4 minutes to present anything they wish related to their application b. students might be asked follow-up questions by committee members 8. The decision of the committee will be emailed to the student within 7 business days of the committee meeting. 9. The decision of the committee will be final with no recourse for appeal. 10. Readmission is not guaranteed and is dependent upon many factors. If Readmitted: 1. If a student is afforded readmission to the School of Nursing, they will be placed on an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP) for the first term of readmission. o Once the student receives the AIP, they must sign it and return the signed copy to the EDON within 7 business days o If the student does not sign and return the AIP within the 7 business days, they are indicating their decision to not return to the School of Nursing in the term identified in their readmission letter. 2. The student must keep an academic portfolio of each identified action(s) with evidence demonstrating progress toward achievement of goals during the first term of readmission.

The portfolio will be due to the Executive Director of Nursing for review in week 6/midterm and again in week 11/final submission. 3. If the student fails to achieve set academic goals in the first term of readmission, the AIP will continue for a second term, and the student will continue the academic portfolio. 4. If the student fails to achieve set academic goals in the second term of readmission, the student will again be dismissed from the program with no option for readmission.

SCHOOL OF NURSING POLICES

1. Email Communication The School of Nursing utilizes the student’s NLU email address exclusively to communicate with students. Course information/communication, clinical/Simulation Center schedules, course learning management system (D2L) announcements, university-wide announcements, and compliance requirements are examples of information that will be communicated via email. It is the student’s responsibility to check their NLU email account regularly. 2. Academic Status All nursing students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in each term of the program. If a student falls below the 2.5 cumulative GPA the student will receive an Academic Warning. The student must bring their cumulative GPA back to or above 2.5 in the next term or the student will be placed on Academic Suspension. At this time the student is required to meet with their academic advisor and develop an academic plan within 14 days of the Academic Suspension notification email. If the plan is accepted, the student will be placed on Academic Probation. If the student meets academic standards the following term, they will return to good academic standing. 3. Textbooks and other learning materials The School of Nursing will utilize Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) in most courses across the curriculum. All students MUST have an ATI account. Students will be provided with all necessary ATI account creation information. ATI cost will be broken into two payments, one the first term and one the 4 th term. The cost for the ATI package will be added to the students’ account so that financial aid monies may be used to assist in paying for the subscription. Textbooks have been replaced by ATI whenever possible, however, in some courses the ATI resources are an adjunct to the textbook. Whenever a textbook is required, it will be listed in the Course Learning Materials in the Course Management System. If a textbook is listed as required it is the student’s responsibility to purchase or rent the textbook to be prepared for class, and to complete the required readings. 4. “For Cause” Drug Screening If faculty observes a student behaving in a manner that is consistent with the use or misuse of alcohol, illegal drugs, or drugs which impair judgment, affecting either the classroom, clinical or Simulation Center setting, the student will be removed from the educational setting and required to submit to an appropriate screening immediately. If the behavior is noted in the clinical setting, the student will be removed from patient care. The student will have to submit to the agency’s drug screening and results will be shared with the School of Nursing Executive Director.

If the result of the drug screening is negative, the student shall meet with the Executive Director of Nursing within 24 hours of the test results to discuss the circumstances surrounding the impaired behavior. Based on the information provided and further medical evaluation if warranted, the Executive Director of Nursing will make a decision regarding return to the classroom, clinical, classroom, simulation or laboratory setting. If the drug screen is positive, the Executive Director of Nursing in conjunction with the academic advisor will withdraw the student from all nursing courses. The student will pay the costs associated with the “for cause” drug screening. A student’s failure to comply with any aspect of the “For Cause” Drug Screening Requirement will result in the student’s dismissal from the School of Nursing without option for readmission. a. Readmission Following a Positive Drug Screening Students who are withdrawn from the School of Nursing for reasons related to a positive drug screen must submit: • a letter to the Executive Director of Nursing requesting readmission to the School of Nursing. • Applicants must include documentation from a therapist specializing in addiction behaviors indicating status of recovery and/or documented rehabilitation related to the substances used or abused. Documentation must include a statement by the Therapist that the applicant will be able to function effectively and provide safe, therapeutic care for clients in the clinical setting. If readmitted, the student will be subjected to random drug screening and/or to “for cause” drug screening at the student’s expense for the duration of their studies in the School of Nursing. If the student has positive results on a drug screening after readmission to the School of Nursing, the student will be dismissed from the program with no option for readmission to the program. 5. Attendance The faculty of the School of Nursing are committed to the student’s development of professional values and conduct. Regular and punctual attendance in class, lab, simulation and clinical experiences is a reflection of professional conduct; therefore, students are required to attend lab and clinical, be on time and prepared to actively participate. Preparation is essential for effective participation. Obtaining missed content/materials is the responsibility of the student. Repeated absences and/or incidents of tardiness will result in a referral to the Executive Director of Nursing, a Retain case opened for further actions . a. Didactic Class Attendance Policy Students are expected to attend all didactic classes. Additionally, students must be on time, be prepared, and actively participate. In the event of an unforeseen circumstance in which the student is unable to attend class, it is the student’s professional responsibility to notify the instructor as soon as reasonably possible via email. b. Lab and Simulation Attendance Policy

Students are required to attend all Simulation Center sessions. Additionally, students must be on time, be prepared, and actively participate. In the event of an unforeseen circumstance in which the student is unable to attend a lab or simulation, it is the student’s professional responsibility to notify the instructor as soon as reasonably possible via email. An absence may require appropriate documentation, which may include a letter from a health care provider, obituary, letter of jury duty or other supporting documentation, as requested by the course instructor. Students who miss a lab session will be required to complete a written make- up assignment and/or schedule a time to complete any missed skills check offs. c. Clinical Attendance Policy The School of Nursing has established a programmatic attendance policy that will help facilitate the learning of required knowledge, technical skills and patient care vital to success in the nursing profession. Attendance is MANDATORY at all clinical experiences and is essential to meeting course and program learning outcomes. More than one unexcused clinical absence may result in failure of the clinical course. i. Clinical/Lab Section Placement

Students are randomly assigned to clinical sections. Assignments are based on availability of sections and sites, number of students and agency constraints. Clinical/Lab assignments may be scheduled on any day of the week, including weekends, and can be during the day or evening hours. The clinical area includes sites throughout the greater metro Chicagoland area. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from clinical agencies and are responsible for all travel expenses, including parking cost. Clinical placements are assigned based on program requirements, clinical site availability, student capacity, agency requirements, and other operational considerations. Individual personal circumstances, preferences, transportation needs, employment schedules, or other non-programmatic considerations cannot be used to determine or modify clinical placement assignments. ii. Clinical Absences and Tardiness Tardiness: Tardiness is defined as arriving more than seven minutes past the identified start time. A tardy becomes an absence at 21 minutes past the start time. Occurrence #1 – Verbal warning Occurrence #2 – A Retain Academic report will be opened for formal follow-up Occurrence #3 – Counts as a clinical absence Clinical Absence: Absence is defined as missing 21 minutes or more of lab/ clinical/simulation.

• In order to ensure continuity of patient care, a student must notify the clinical faculty of an absence or tardiness prior to the start of the clinical shift as early as possible before the clinical start time via email and/or text as directed by the clinical faculty during orientation. o If a student fails to use proper notification procedures (“no call-no show”), the Executive Director of Nursing will be notified. • Asking a classmate to inform the instructor that the student will be late or absent does NOT constitute proper notification. • Clinical absences, tardiness or leaving before the end of the clinical shift will be documented in the student’s evaluation. • An absence will require appropriate documentation, o letter from a health care provider, o obituary, o letter of jury duty or other supporting documentation, All documentation must be emailed to both the clinical faculty and the Clinical Coordinator • After a significant medical event, documentation is required from a licensed healthcare provider clearing the student to safely return to the clinical site without any limitations. • Under certain conditions, the clinical agency may request the student not to return to the clinical site. At that time the student may need to withdraw from the course if not able to meet core performance standards. • Attending the first clinical day/clinical orientation is imperative for the student to be successful in the clinical component of the course. Clinical Makeup Policy: Should an absence occur; the student must make up the clinical practicum day. The clinical coordinator will assign clinical make up assignments to be completed by the assigned due date. Make-up assignments and documents will be submitted directly to the clinical faculty. 1. Multiple clinical absences may result in course failure and or dismissal from the program. 2. Missed clinical hours due to faculty illness, or unexpected school or clinical agency closures/cancellations will not count as student absences. A clinical make- up may be assigned to the students for completion of clinical hours. 3. If a student is ill and unable to attend a scheduled Simulation Center/clinical/simulation, the student is to notify the clinical faculty and the course director via text and/or email no later than 2 hours prior to the scheduled start time 4. In the event of lab/clinical/simulation cancellation due to faculty illness, or unexpected school or clinical agency closures/cancellations, the faculty will notify the students via email and/or text as soon as possible. o If a student is absent for the clinical orientation, the Executive Director of Nursing will be notified immediately and the student is required to meet with the Executive Director of Nursing before the next clinical day.

iii. Clinical Punctuality Punctuality is a professional responsibility – students should not interrupt or delay other students and faculty once the clinical experience has begun. Tardiness is defined as arriving after the scheduled clinical start time, see definition above. • It is within the clinical faculty member’s discretion to dismiss/send a student home if the student’s late arrival will interrupt the clinical experience and continuity of patient care. Laboratory Make-Up Policy Student Notification Responsibilities A student who will be absent from a scheduled laboratory session must notify the course faculty member as soon as possible and, except in an emergency, before the laboratory begins. The student must follow all course and program procedures for reporting an absence. Notification of the absence does not excuse the student from completing the required make-up process. Students are responsible for reviewing missed course materials, laboratory preparation resources, assigned readings, skills checklists, and related learning activities before attending the required make-up sessions. Required Laboratory Make-Up Process A student who misses a scheduled laboratory session must complete both of the following requirements: 1. Lab Makeup Day The student must attend the designated Lab Makeup Day on Friday from 1300 to 1700 during Week 4 of the quarter. During the Lab Makeup Day, the student will receive instruction, review, or receive guided learning related to the content and skills missed during the original laboratory session. The student must: • Arrive on time and remain for the entire scheduled session. • Complete all required preparation before attending. • Bring all required laboratory supplies, equipment, and course materials. • Participate fully in all assigned learning activities. • Follow laboratory dress, conduct, safety, and professional-behavior expectations. Attendance for only part of the Missed Lab Makeup Day does not satisfy the requirement unless an alternative is approved in writing by the course faculty member or nursing program administrator. 2. Full Educator Facilitated Lab Session In addition to attending the Lab Makeup Day, the student must attend one full scheduled Educator Facilitated Lab (EFL) session the following week, week 5, to practice the skills associated with the missed laboratory experience and receive skill sign off in student lab manual by faculty The student must remain for the full EFL period. Brief attendance, equipment setup, observation of another student, or independent review outside the designated EFL session Open Lab does not fulfill this requirement. As well, attending only an Open Lab without faculty facilitation and observation does not fulfill the requirement as noted prior. Educator Facilitated Lab (EFL) participation is for practice, coaching and skill sign off.

The student must demonstrate identified knowledge and skills of the following: Skill demonstration include, as applicable: • Correct performance of the required nursing skill. • Adherence to safety and infection-prevention standards. • Appropriate patient identification and communication. • Accurate organization and sequencing of the procedure. • Recognition of relevant assessment findings. • Appropriate clinical judgment and decision-making. • Correct documentation. • Demonstration of professional behavior. • Ability to explain the rationale for nursing actions. The faculty evaluator will determine whether the student has demonstrated the required level of skill demonstration based on established course criteria and skills checklists., Failure to attend lab make-up and subsequent Open Lab will result in the student NOT being able to participate in Lab Competency in week 6/7 and may result in Lab failure Implementation: Required Sequence The missed laboratory requirements must ordinarily be completed in the following sequence: 1. Attend the Lab Makeup Day Friday of Week 5 from 1300 to 1700. 2. Attend one full Educator Facilitated Lab (EFL) session for practice. 3. Student demonstration of improving assessment(s) and/or skill(s) capability in accordance with the Assessment and/or Skills Checklist(s) must be met as per faculty evaluation. Faculty may adjust the sequence, when necessary, because of course scheduling, laboratory availability, or student safety. Any adjustment must be approved by the course faculty member or nursing program administrator. Scheduling Responsibilities The nursing program will identify the available Missed Lab Makeup Day and Educator Facilitated Lab dates. Students are responsible for: • Monitoring course announcements and schedules. • Registering for required sessions when registration is required. • Making personal, employment, childcare, and transportation arrangements. • Attending the assigned sessions at the designated dates and times. Students may not substitute another laboratory section, independently arrange a make-up activity, or attend an unapproved session without written faculty authorization. Employment obligations, routine appointments, transportation difficulties, childcare conflicts, travel, and personal plans are not ordinarily grounds for missing or rescheduling a required make-up session. Evaluation: Failure to Complete Requirements A student has not completed the missed laboratory requirement until all three required components have been successfully completed. Failure to attend or complete the Missed Lab Makeup Day and the full Educator Facilitated Lab session may result in An unsatisfactory laboratory or professional-behavior evaluation. • Loss of eligibility to participate in related skills validation, simulation, or clinical activities.

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