|
|
College of Nursing IntroductionUndergraduate Study in Nursing Accreditation Degree Requirements
Sample Curricula Dean, Joan Shaver, RN, Ph.D., FAAN The College of Nursing is recognized as one of the top ten colleges of nursing in the country and is internationally renowned for its nursing leadership. Exciting and challenging opportunities are available for capable, dedicated, and caring individuals who will be leaders in tomorrow’s health care. The University of Illinois School of Nursing was founded in 1951 and became the College of Nursing in 1959. The College of Nursing is located in close proximity to the Colleges of Applied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, and the School of Public Health. The libraries and scientific and clinical resources make up one of the largest medical centers in the world. The College of Nursing offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing; the Master of Science, including joint degree options with a Master of Business Administration, Master of Health Informatics, and a Master of Public Health; and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Sciences with entry at post-baccalaureate or post-master’s level. Beginning in Spring Semester 2005, the college will offer a Graduate Entry Program into the Master of Science. This program is specifically designed for students who hold baccalaureate degrees in other fields and want to pursue a master’s degree in Nursing. This is not an accelerated baccalaureate degree, but rather a program for students who want to receive advanced training in any one of UIC’s master’s specialty programs (the only option not currently available is Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist). The generic B.S.N. curriculum is offered at Chicago and Urbana-Champaign campuses. Programs for the registered nurse to earn a B.S.N. are offered at Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and the Quad Cities. In addition to the graduate programs offered at the Chicago campus, master’s programs are offered at the Quad-Cities, Peoria, Rockford, and the Urbana-Champaign campuses. Undergraduate Study in Nursing The College of Nursing undergraduate program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The curriculum is divided into three levels: foundation, middle, and terminal. The foundation level, freshman and sophomore years, includes those lower division non-nursing courses that represent the basic learning necessary for the completion of the course of study. The middle level, junior year, includes most upper division courses that prepare the graduate as a nurse generalist. The terminal level, senior year, represents those upper-division, senior-level courses at the end of the nursing program that synthesize previous learning. The college has two paths leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing: (1) the generic plan that provides students the basic nursing preparation and eligibility to apply for the registered nursing licensing examination (NCLEX-RN); and (2) the RN/BSN plan that provides advanced placement for students who are registered nurses seeking a B.S.N. College of Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDPR). The college holds membership in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. To earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from UIC, students need to complete the degree requirements of the University and college that are in effect at the time of initial registration. It is essential for each student to become familiar with the degree requirements stated in this catalog and to keep up-to-date with published changes. If requirements change, continuing students and those whose attendance at UIC has been interrupted for no more than two years may elect to complete the new graduation requirements or may continue to fulfill those requirements in effect at the time of initial registration. Students who return to UIC after an absence of more than two years are responsible for meeting the requirements of the University and college in effect at the time of re-enrollment. If courses originally required are no longer offered, the college has the prerogative of specifying substitutes. The college retains the right to change educational policy and graduation requirements at any time. This may affect currently enrolled students’ standing. The College of Nursing semester hour requirement is 120 semester hours. UIC students complete the first two years of the program in Pre-Nursing Studies through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. If admitted to the College of Nursing, students complete the final two years in the Nursing curriculum. Please see Preprofessional Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog for more information on Pre-Nursing.
Course Requirements—Pre-Nursing Studies
a Students select courses from two different areas for the social sciences and humanities requirements. For social sciences requirement, introduction to psychology and introduction to sociology are recommended. Course Requirements in the College of Nursing
a RN/BSN Curriculum: Courses that may be validated for credit by successful completion of NLN Mobility II Profile examinations or through articulation.
Cultural Diversity Requirement As noted in the table above, College of Nursing students complete one course selected from the Cultural Diversity list in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog or an equivalent course taken at another college or university. This requirement may also be met by selecting a social sciences or humanities course from the Course Distribution Requirements Chart in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog that also fulfills the cultural diversity requirement as indicated on the cultural diversity list. English Composition Requirement As noted in the table above, College of Nursing students meet the requirement by achieving a passing grade in English 160 and 161. General Education Requirements As noted in the table above, College of Nursing students take courses in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences to fulfill the general education requirements. Students should consult the Course Distribution Requirements Chart in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog for a list of approved courses in each category. Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement All students are required to satisfactorily complete with a minimum grade of C all required LAS and nursing courses and maintain a cumulative and nursing grade point average of 2.00/4.00. Graduation Declaration/Filing to Graduate Students declare their intent to graduate online using the UI-Integrate Student Self-Service System. The deadline for submission to the Pending Degree List is the end of the third week (fall and spring) or second week (summer) of the term in which graduation is sought. Failure to submit the request at this time may delay the awarding of the degree. A final review will be made following the close of the term. If a student has satisfactorily completed all the degree requirements, the student’s name will be placed on the official degree list. Enrollment Residence Requirement At a minimum, the last 30 semester hours of university work must be taken at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Transfer Credit Transfer guides are available for most colleges in the Chicago area and can be found at http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/transf/index.html. To be considered full-time, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours fall and spring terms, and 6 semester hours in the summer term. During the regular academic year, an academic course load exceeding 18 semester hours (9 in the summer) must be approved in the College Office of Academic Programs. Academic Probation and Dismissal Rules Probation Rules A cumulative grade point average is calculated. When the nursing or cumulative grade point average is below 2.00/4.00, the student is placed on probation. A student not currently on academic probation will be placed on academic probation at the end of any term in which the student earns less than a 2.00/4.00 in nursing, non-nursing, or cumulative grade point average. A student currently on academic probation will be continued on academic probation when:
The Admissions and Academic Standards Committee-Baccalaureate determines the conditions of probation. In addition to specifying the grade point average, the committee may require the completion of specific courses, may limit the number or hours for which the student registers, and may exclude the student from taking certain courses while on probation. Dismissal Rules
Undergraduate students may drop courses using the UI-Integrate Student Self-Service System through the end of the second week of classes for fall and spring semesters, or through the end of week 1 for summer semester. During weeks 3 through 6 of the fall and spring semesters (weeks 2 through 5 for summer semester) students may drop courses with the permission of their major college. If the drop occurs between 0–2 weeks in fall and spring (between weeks 0–1 in summer), there will be no notation on the transcript. If the drop occurs during weeks 3 through 6 in fall and spring (weeks 2 through 5 in summer), a W is noted on the transcript. Undergraduate students may drop a maximum of 4 UIC individual courses that result in a W notation on their transcript during their entire undergraduate degree program. College of Nursing students must meet with an academic advisor or the Associate Dean for Nursing Clinical Practice Studies in the Office of Academic Programs on the first floor of the College of Nursing. Classroom Attendance at all classroom sessions is expected. Students are expected to prepare for each class by completing the required readings and other assignments (e.g., viewing videotapes, listening to audiotapes). Discussion Groups Discussion groups are a critical component of many courses. Attendance and participation are expected. Attendance will be taken during discussion group times to assure participation. If the student is unable to attend discussion group due to an accident, illness, or injury, the student must contact the course coordinator to make up any work that is missed. Laboratory Sessions Attendance at all laboratory sessions is expected. In the event that a student misses a laboratory session due to illness or personal emergency, the student will make arrangements to complete the session and the assigned exercise. Failure to do so will result in the student’s grade being lowered, and the student may not be able to progress to the next lab session until the make-up is completed. Practicum Sessions Practicum attendance is expected. Students must be prepared for the practicum experience. If a faculty member determines that the student is not prepared to participate fully in the practicum experience, the faculty member may ask the student to leave or not to participate in certain activities. The student’s performance for the day will be considered unsatisfactory and will influence the practicum evaluation. If written assignments are required, a grade of zero will be given. Students should refer to the course syllabi for policies regarding absence or late practicum assignments. Students must attend all practicum orientations for their assigned agency. If students are not present, they may not be allowed to continue in the course. Opportunities for making up excused or unexcused absences are not available. Any absence may affect the grade. Absences of more than 15% of the total practicum hours may result in the student’s need to repeat the course before progressing in the program. Students may petition the Director of Academic Programs for exceptions to certain college regulations, but should do so only after consulting with their advisor, whose recommendations must appear on the petition. Petition Forms may be obtained in the Office of Academic Programs. Petition forms must be accompanied by a full explanation of the circumstances and any appropriate supporting documents. Petitions should be filed within thirty (30) days of the time an individual knows, or reasonably should have known, that an occurrence has affected his or her status. Petitions can take 4–6 weeks to be reviewed and a decision made. The College of Nursing has a mandatory advisement policy. Students must meet with their advisor each semester to discuss their program plan and to obtain permission to register. A student may repeat only once a nursing course or its equivalent. If a grade of C or higher is not earned at the end of the second registration in a nursing course or its equivalent, the student will be dismissed from the college. A nonclinical nursing course in which a grade below C is received must be repeated the first term the course is offered again. A clinical nursing course in which a grade below C is received must be repeated the first term in which space is available and prior to enrolling in any other clinical course. If a student repeats a course for which credit was earned, the original credit is forfeited, but both grades will be included in the cumulative grade point average and will remain on the student’s permanent record. Students are admitted to the College of Nursing each fall semester. Applications are available beginning July 1. Priority application deadline is October 15 and the final application deadline is January 15. All decisions are communicated in writing. No decisions will be given over the phone. Intercollege Transfer Students For application information, students currently enrolled in another college at UIC should contact the College of Nursing at 312-996-6045. Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities The College of Nursing admits qualified junior-level transfer students from accredited institutions. Transfer student applicants are required to have a 2.50/4.00 cumulative transfer grade point average and a 2.00/4.00 natural science grade point average for admission, in addition to satisfying all other UIC transfer admission criteria. All required course work must have a grade of C or higher. RN/BSN Admission Qualified applicants with an RN license are admitted for fall term only to the RN/BSN program at regional sites in even years—Urbana (Fall 2002). Applicants are admitted at Chicago and Quad Cities each fall. RN/BSN applicants are required to meet the transfer student admission requirements: 2.50/4.00 minimum cumulative GPA, a 2.00/4.00 natural science GPA, and completion of the required prerequisite LAS courses. At the Chicago campus, the curriculum may be completed on a full-time basis in two semesters. However, most students enroll for part-time study taking three semesters or longer. At the regional sites, RN/BSN study is generally on a part-time basis. Contact the Quad Cities or Urbana-Champaign offices for the specific program plans. The length of the program will be determined by the number of courses successfully validated through the National League for Nursing (NLN) Mobility II Profile exams or articulation and the number of nursing courses taken each semester after enrollment. The College of Nursing participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative and has articulation agreements with several community colleges. Check the Illinois Articulation Initiative Web site www.itransfer.org/IAI/FACT/ for a list of approved schools. Students who apply within five years of graduation from one of these programs, meet all other college and University admission requirements and are admitted, are not required to complete the National League for Nursing (NLN) Mobility II Profile examinations. Thirty-three hours of credit are awarded after successful completion of the courses NUSC 242—Concepts and Processes for Contemporary Nursing Practice and NUSC 210—Health Assessment. Students must have an active RN license for admission. When the student applies for admission directly from a non-baccalaureate nursing program, he or she must take the NCLEX-RN Licensure Examination at the first opportunity after graduation and present the RN license to the college prior to enrollment. Failure to pass the NCLEX-RN Examination will result in cancellation of admission. Requirements for All Transfer Students Accommodation. Students requesting accommodation for disabilities should make the request in writing using the “Request for Accommodation” form available from the Office of Disability Services, 925 UH, 312-413-2183. That office will evaluate the student’s request and make recommendations to the College of Nursing. The College of Nursing will determine if the recommendations can be met. No accommodations can be made until the student’s situation is evaluated by the Office of Disability Services. Alcohol and Controlled Substances. The use of alcohol and illegal use of controlled substances, including alcohol can seriously injure the health of students, impair their performance of their responsibilities, and endanger the safety and well-being of fellow students and members of the general public. Students who are engaged in clinical work at a practicum site may be required to submit to random tests for illegal use of controlled substances as provided by the law or regulations of the contracting agency. Just cause for student disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, use or unauthorized possession of intoxicants, controlled or illegal substances, or materials dangerous to public health and safety. It is not acceptable to use alcohol or illegal drugs prior to or during class or clinical. Immediate disciplinary action will be taken. Background Check. Some clinical agencies require the Illinois State Police do a background check. These forms and instructions will be made available at the time of the lottery for clinical assignment. Evidence of a clean background check must be produced at the first clinical experience. The student should maintain this record. CPR Certification. Prior to enrolling in NUSC 225—Clinical Nursing I: Clinical Concepts students must hold current CPR certification. Contact the American Red Cross (Basic Life Support), American Heart Association (“C” level course), local park district, fire department, or hospital for available courses. CPR Certification must be updated yearly throughout the educational program. Students who do not provide this document will not be allowed to participate in the clinical experience. Drug Testing. The College of Nursing does not require drug testing of students for admission to the college. However, some clinical practicum sites used by the College of Nursing require drug testing of students for clinical practicum placement. If a student chooses a clinical practicum site that requires drug testing, the student will be required by that practicum site to submit to drug testing. The student needs to inform the practicum site that the results of drug testing are to be sent directly to the student, and not to the college. The college only requires notification from the practicum site of the student’s acceptance for the clinical practicum. The student is responsible for paying for the test. Immunization. Students must complete Parts I, II, and III on the University of Illinois Medical Immunization form and Part IV of the College of Nursing Immunization Report. Documentation of current immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria/tetanus, and hepatitis B and evidence of chicken pox immunity status, including titers, are required. ANNUAL TESTING FOR TUBERCULOSIS IS REQUIRED. Students should retain a copy of their immunization record and make it available for verification at the first day of class for each clinical course. Students are required to keep current all immunizations throughout their enrollment. Word Processing Skills. Each student admitted to the College of Nursing, prior to the beginning of the program, must provide documentation of skills in basic word processing. Compliance with the requirement can be demonstrated with a transcript-documented high school or community college course, or a copy of a certificate of completion of a basic computer skills/word processing course. Transportation. Each student is responsible for his or her own transportation to all clinical sites. These clinical sites may be located some distance from the College of Nursing and public transportation may not always be available. Therefore, students need a car. Students without a car will need to find alternative methods of transportation. Prior to admission to the College of Nursing, advice on acceptance of transfer credit is available in the College Office of Academic Programs. Following admission, students are assigned an advisor who will assist them with course and career planning. Mandatory advising is required each term. At commencement, students are awarded College Honors for academic distinction. College Honors shall be awarded to the top 15% of students based on their nursing grade point average. Students will receive a certificate and be awarded with an Honor Cord. Graduation with College Honors benefits students when they are being considered for job placement, graduate school, and other competitive opportunities. Outstanding academic achievement in the College of Nursing is recognized by inclusion on the Dean’s List. Eligibility is based on a 3.35/4.00 term grade point average with a program of 12 semester hours of letter grades in a semester. The College of Nursing has the Alpha Lambda chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society in Nursing. The purposes of the society are to recognize achievement of superior scholarship and the development of leadership qualities, foster high professional standards, encourage creative work, and strengthen the commitment by individuals to the ideals and purposes of the profession of nursing. Seniors and graduate students are eligible for membership.
Two hours of nursing electives and the liberal arts and sciences requirements must also be completed. Full- and part-time study is available each semester, including the summer session.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||