Nursing Education Programs Competency Standards and Progression Policy

A. All NUR courses required for the nursing education program will be evaluated based on satisfactory completion of class, lab and clinical competencies. The classroom competency standard requirement is 80%. Students are required to achieve a satisfactory evaluation in the lab and clinical components of each NUR course. Numerical grades below 80 (B), in the NUR courses and/or an unsatisfactory lab and/or clinical evaluation for the semester are considered unsatisfactory attainment of course competencies. An Unsatisfactory evaluation in class, lab and/or clinical will result in the student’s failure to progress in the NUR course sequence. Students who complete a nursing course with a 79.4 average or below will not progress in the nursing program and will receive grades in accordance with the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College grading scale. An unsatisfactory lab and/or clinical evaluation for the semester will result in a course grade of (F).

B. All written assignments/activities for lab or clinical must be satisfactorily completed. Failure to satisfactorily complete assignments/activities by the specified time period as identified in the NUR course syllabus/blackboard will result in an Unsatisfactory for that assignment. This includes, but not limited to, any clinical paperwork, assignments, or lab simulations. If a student accumulates more than two unsatisfactories in that course, the student will be withdrawn from the program and will receive and overall Unsatisfactory for lab/clinical and will not progress in the program. Completing the unsatisfactory assignment does not reverse the unsatisfactory.

An Incomplete Grade may be used only in situations where “students need extra time to complete the objectives of a course because of unusual circumstances such as extended sickness or hospitalization. This must be agreed upon in advance by the student and the instructor, with all work completed prior to the end of the following term.” (See RCCC Incomplete Grade Agreement Form)

C. Students who make less than 80% on the unit test/final exam are required to contact the instructor immediately following receipt of their unit/final exam grade to schedule a meeting to review the test/final exam and receive a remediation plan in order to review concepts where competency was not met.

• The purpose of remediation is to enhance learning and solidify concepts that were unclear during the unit of study. It is required for students who make less than 80% on a unit test or final exam complete remediation before the next unit test or they will be unable to take the next unit test. It is also recommended that these students attend a tutoring session with a nursing tutor or peer tutor in the RCCC tutoring center.
• Students who score < 77% on any unit test or final exam are required to attend a tutoring session with a nursing tutor in the RCCC tutoring center

D. Students will be required to take a number of standardized tests throughout the nursing program to monitor the student’s retention of course content. Students with standardized test scores less than the norm/standard score as defined by the testing service, will be assigned remediation from the testing program resources.

E. A medication dosage calculation test will be administered in each course of the nursing program. Students must achieve a 100% score on the medication dosage calculation test. Three attempts to achieve this required score will be provided. Students must show all work in an organized manner in order to get credit for each question. The nursing faculty will provide a calculator in order to check written work but students must show their work in order for each question to be scored. Failure to show written work will result in that question being counted incorrect regardless of a correct answer in the blank. Remediation will be provided after the first and second unsatisfactory attempt. Math tutors are available to help with basic math calculation errors. Failure to achieve this 100% score requirement will result in a course grade of “F” for unsatisfactory attainment of course competencies. (See Nursing Student Handbook and NUR Course Syllabus for specific procedural details).

F. A grade of ‘C’, (70-79) is required for non-nursing courses, (ACA, BIO, PSY, ENG and Humanities) courses.

G. Students must adhere to the curriculum sequenced plan for progression. A student may take non-nursing courses in advance but cannot take them late as the course may become pre-requisite or co-requisite to the next NUR course. Students who do not take the required pre-requisite or co-requisite courses within the curriculum sequence will not be allowed to progress in the nursing program.

H. Cumulative program grade point averages for the Nursing Education Programs are limited to required courses in the specified curriculum. Courses taken outside the specified curriculum are not considered as part of the program grade point average.

I. Students will be required to earn a program GPA of at least 2.0 at the end of the first semester and maintain that minimum GPA each semester thereafter. Lab and clinical competencies will be evaluated on the basis of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.

J. Continuance in the NUR course sequence is dependent upon satisfactory attainment of stated course competencies (a class grade of 80%, ‘B’ and satisfactory lab and clinical evaluation). When competencies are not met, the student will not continue in the NUR course sequence.

K. Attendance/promptness is mandatory for program progression (See Attendance Policy).

L. Students with ‘At Risk Behaviors’ will be referred to Student Services as part of a remediation plan of action. When a pattern of these behaviors are observed by faculty, the student will meet with the nursing faculty to discuss the situation and determine a course of action for student success. (See Process for at Risk Students)

M. Each year of the program, all students are required to complete the annual online Fire & Safety / Infection Control programs as prescribed by each of the clinical affiliates. The online program is provided to all new acceptances for completion as part of the Health Form packet.

N. Although students must have a current, unrestricted NC approved NAI certification for entry, the student does not have to maintain currency throughout the program.

O. Students successfully completing NUR 101 and NUR 102 in the Practical Nursing program and NUR 111 and NUR 112 in the ADN program will be eligible for NA II certification. All students must have current NAI listing to be eligible. NA II certification verification will be authorized by the Director of Nursing Education. Eligible students will be notified when verification has been complete. Each student must complete the online certification form on the North Carolina Board of Nursing web site, www.ncbon.org and pay fees required. These forms must be completed within the 30-day time frame required by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

P. Students who have successfully completed all nursing program and college requirements are eligible to apply to take the national council licensure exam.

a. Students who failed the course in either the didactic or clinical setting or failed to score 100% after 3 attempts on the medication calculation test will be eligible for re-entry 1 time within 1 year.

b. Students who have withdrawn from the course must have a passing grade (WP) in order to be eligible for re-entry 1 time within 1 year.

c. If a student is withdrawn failing (WF), the student must re-apply to the nursing program and will compete for ranking.

d. Any student who fails NUR 101 or NUR 111 must re-apply to the nursing program and will compete for ranking. Students must make an appointment with their assigned pre-nursing advisor to begin the process. Students may use their Kaplan Admission Test score from the previous year or may re-test if desired.

e. Students who have non-progressed in the ADN program for the second time, may take a competency assessment test for entry into the LPN program. (see Advanced Placement/Transfer Policy). Students may only enter into NUR 102 if they have successfully completed NUR 111 and NUR 112. Students may not advance place into NUR 103.

Q. Non-progression: (See Advanced Placement/Transfer Policy)

R. Students who non-progress (see #3) will only be allowed to re-enter the nursing programs 1 time within 1 year. The Director of Nursing Education will determine re-entry status based on space availability and any extenuating circumstances. Students may not advance place into NUR 103 or NUR 213.

S. Students applying to enter the program in an advance placement status must follow requirements stated in the Advanced Placement/Transfer Policy and stipulations specified for admission. Failure to meet pre-requisite requirements will result in denial of admission.

T. Students, whose performance for any nursing course is deemed unsafe as characterized by dangerous, inappropriate, irresponsible, or unethical behavior that actually or potentially places the student, patient, patient’s family, or health team members in jeopardy, may be denied progression/re-entry into the nursing program. The nursing faculty will review the applicant’s record and decisions for re-entry will be made based on the applicant’s ability to provide safe nursing care to the public (approval of Nursing Programs, Process and Standards in regards to:

North Carolina Board of Nursing: www.ncbon.org.

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics: http://www.med.howard.edu/ethics/handouts/american_nurses_association_code.htm

Nursing Practice Act: http://www.ncbon.com

ANA Standards of Care: http://www.statepen.org/ana.htm

A Patients Bill of Rights: http://www.patienttalk.info/AHA.PatientBillofRights.

U. Students who fail to meet the progression standards as a result of the nursing program recommendation process, may appeal this decision in accordance with RCCC procedure 1B600.00.50.01. Q, Student Grievance Procedure. Student grievances will be reviewed and considered in accordance with RCCC procedure 1B600.00.50.01. Q, within the context and in adherence to all Board of Nursing standards and nursing program guidelines and policies. It is the ultimate Responsibility of the college president to uphold and support the fulfillment of program guidelines and governing standards, with the expectation that all college personnel act consistently to maintain the integrity of and adhere to both college procedures and these standards and guidelines. No conflict should exist between the procedures of the college as they are written and implemented and the standards of the program’s governing body, nor the program guidelines. Students will be referred to Student Services for assistance with the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Grievance Policy/Procedure.

Compliance with this policy is required throughout the entire enrollment in the nursing program. Noncompliance with this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the nursing program.