Student Recruitment, Admissions and Progression

A number of individuals with disabilities (as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act) are qualified to study in the School of Nursing with the use of reasonable accommodations. To be qualified to attend the School of Nursing at PLU, all individuals must be able to meet both our academic standards and the Essential Qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodations. The School of Nursing will work with the student and the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation (OAA) office to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis and will be provided at no cost to the student.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation. While the School of Nursing will make every effort to work with our students with disabilities to accommodate their disability-related needs, it is important to note we are not required to provide requested accommodations that would fundamentally alter the essential functions or technical standards of the program. Additionally, our partnering clinical settings and organizations reserve the right to make independent decisions as to whether specific accommodations will be accepted within the clinical practice setting. Further information on nursing students with disabilities can be found at the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities.

While pregnancy is not considered a disability, it may impact a student’s educational progression. The School of Nursing recognizes that pregnancy is protected under Title IX. Students may voluntarily request accommodations related to pregnancy and childbirth. Students will not be penalized for absences related to pregnancy and childbirth as long as the student’s medical provider deems the absences medically necessary. However, students must meet applicable academic standards to complete the program, so any such absences, missed content, assignments, exams, or clinical experiences need to be made up as they would for any other approved absence. Medical provider clearance may be required in order to return to the patient care setting, and extended absences may affect program progression.

Students who have testing accommodations while a student at PLU may qualify for testing accommodations during the NCLEX-RN examination. To request testing accommodations the student will need to submit the following documentation to the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission:

• A letter with her/his application and request for accommodation;
• A letter from the student’s health care provider providing a diagnosis and identify the accommodation needed;
• A letter from the nursing program certifying the student has obtained this accommodation while attending PLU.

If accommodations are requested, do not schedule an appointment to take the NCLEX-RN exam until you have received written confirmation of your accommodations and your ATT email indicating “Accommodations Granted.”

Candidates approved for testing with accommodations must schedule their testing appointment through the NCLEX Accommodations Coordinator by calling Pearson VUE NCLEX Candidate Services at the telephone number listed on their ATT and asking for the NCLEX Accommodations Coordinator. Candidates who seek to test with accommodation cannot schedule their appointments through the NCLEX Candidate website. Candidates with accommodations cannot cancel their accommodations at the time of their appointment.

Students frequently request letters of recommendation or references from faculty and/or staff members of the School of Nursing for scholarships, educational applications, employment, etc. Nursing students are instructed to first obtain consent from each faculty/staff member; faculty and staff may choose to decline the request at their discretion.

FERPA Release for Letter of Recommendation & References

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and following PLU’s FERPA Policy Statement, all students must sign a release for faculty/staff to disclose any educational information other than direct observation in a letter of recommendation or reference request. The FERPA Reference-Recommendation Release from the School of Nursing (see link below) should be completed and filed with the School of Nursing office when the Letter of Recommendation Request form is submitted. Faculty or staff may also ask to see a copy of this release.

The School of Nursing may remove a student immediately from a classroom or clinical situation if the faculty member believes the student is posing harm or significant risk of harm to a patient, client, or others. The faculty member is required to report the incident or concern to the Dean or their designee to begin the process of reviewing the incident in order to determine appropriate action. An incident report must also be filed. The student may be prohibited from attending courses or clinical during the investigational period. Events involving a student and a faculty member that the nursing education program has reason to believe resulted in patient harm, unreasonable risk of patient harm, or diversion of legend drugs must be logged and reported to the WA NCQAC within two business days of the event.

If the misconduct or safety issue is a potential violation of the PLU Code of Student Conduct, the matter will be referred to the PLU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and/or Campus Safety. PLU’s Conduct Procedures will be followed. The School of Nursing (through its RAP Committee and process) reserves the right to determine and apply additional conduct standards and sanctions for nursing professionals.

Removal from the classroom or clinical setting for safety reasons may result in failure of the course and clinical. Nursing students who demonstrate a pattern of unsafe practice or who violate standards of academic performance or professional conduct are subject to dismissal from the School of Nursing. Concerns related to student competency or professional conduct will be referred to the School of Nursing RAP committee and/or the Dean or designee for review.

Misconduct may also include disruptive behavior, incivility, sexual misconduct, drug/alcohol abuse, criminal behavior, or violations of professional code. In a professional nursing program any such behaviors may be academic in nature and may be grounds for academic sanctions or dismissal from the program.

Academic integrity is honesty concerning all aspects of academic performance including clinical performance. Academic integrity in the classroom is defined in the PLU Student Rights and Responsibilities. Academic dishonesty in the clinical setting includes, but is not limited to:

• Plagiarizing clinical assignments, including care plans, drug reviews, falsifying data in a patient’s record, or other required work,
• Submitting work written by others as one’s own work,
• Unauthorized collaboration with others in fulfillment of assignments,
• Falsifying data or deliberately submitting inaccurate information; and
• Covering up or denying knowledge of an error in the clinical setting,
• Falsifying data or documentation regarding patient/client visits or clinical activities in any setting.

Faculty are expected to abide by PLU and SON policy on academic integrity if s/he believes a student has engaged in a violation of academic integrity. All issues of Academic Integrity will be reviewed by the School of Nursing RAP Committee to determine if the breach is severe enough to warrant a recommendation of further sanctions, including dismissal from the program. Violations of academic integrity that meet the PLU definition of academic dishonesty must be reported to the PLU Campus Life Committee as stipulated in the PLU Student Rights and Responsibilities policy, https://www.plu.edu/student-code-of-conduct/student-code-of-conduct-policies/academic-integrity/.

Nursing students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, to be in the clinical areas as assigned, and to be on time. Faculty may set other attendance requirements for particular classes or clinicals. Failure to attend the first two in-person class, labs, or clinicals, and failure to log in to online courses within the first week will result in removing the student from the course and affects program progressions accordingly. Students with asynchronous courses are expected to complete weekly online assignments, discussions, other materials as scheduled.

A minimum number of clinical hours is required to complete clinical rotations for the nursing programs (see WAC 246-840-531). Absences for any reason, excused or not, may adversely affect the course grade. Unexplained/unexcused absences may result in failure and will definitely affect the student’s grade.

The laboratory component of nursing courses is an integral part of the nursing program. Minimum required numbers of clinical hours must be completed for successful program completion and for attestation of NCLEX-RN licensure and national certification exam eligibility. Successful demonstration of technical nursing skills in the lab is vital to ensure safe nursing practice in the clinical agencies. Therefore, attendance at all scheduled lab demonstrations, practices and tests is mandatory.

If an absence is unavoidable, the student is responsible for remedial work to master the material or activity missed, as well as for notifying the instructor(s) in a timely, appropriate manner. If a scheduled exam or evaluation activity is missed, the faculty member is not obligated to provide a make-up opportunity. This can be expected to adversely affect the final course grade.

Progression in the nursing major is dependent upon satisfactory completion of the prescribed sequence of courses.

Undergraduate (BSN and ABSN):
Nursing students must obtain a minimum grade of “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in all required nursing courses before students may progress to the next sequence of nursing courses. Students who earn less than a “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in any nursing course must repeat that course in its entirety in order to continue in the program. Required courses may be repeated only once. The option to repeat a nursing course is not guaranteed. See Course Failure and Petition Process sections for more information. Students who earn a “C-” or below in a repeated nursing course are not permitted to enroll in the course a third time; they are dismissed from the nursing program.

Earning less than a C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale), is defined as failing a course in the nursing program. Withdrawal from a course in failing status is considered equivalent to a course failure. Failure or withdrawal in failing status from any two nursing courses will result in dismissal from the School of Nursing.

Graduate (MSN and DNP):
Graduate nursing students must obtain an average minimum grade of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in all required prerequisite and nursing courses before students may progress to the next sequence of nursing courses. Students who earn less than a “B-” (2.67 on a 4.0 scale) in any nursing course must repeat that course in its entirety in order to continue in the program. Required courses may be repeated only once. The option to repeat a nursing course is not guaranteed. See Course Failure and Petition Process sections for more information. Students who earn less than a “B-” in a repeated nursing course are not permitted to enroll in the course a third time; they are dismissed from the nursing program.

Graduate students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate work. A graduate student whose grade point average falls below 3.0 is placed on academic probation and is subject to dismissal from the program. A graduate student cannot earn a master’s or DNP degree with less than a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all graduate-level work.

Earning less than a B- (2.67 on a 4.0 scale), is defined as failing a course in the graduate nursing program. Withdrawal from a course in failing status is considered equivalent to a course failure. Failure or withdrawal in failing status from any two nursing courses will result in dismissal from the School of Nursing.

If a student encounters circumstances beyond his or her control, that student is responsible for addressing this as soon as possible with faculty instructors and with the academic advisor. The Recruitment, Admission and Progression Committee (RAP) and/or the Dean may require documentation and testimony of these circumstances.

Part – time Enrollment
Undergraduate and pre-licensure ELMSN students must maintain full-time status in the nursing program.

Post-licensure ELMSN students seeking to change their status from full-time to part time enrollment must follow the procedures outlined for MSN students below.

MSN students need to indicate upon admission whether they are requesting full-time or part-time status. Any student seeking to change their status from full-time to part-time enrollment in the MSN or post-licensure ELMSN program must follow the steps outlined below:

• Prior to taking action (withdrawal from or enrollment in courses), discuss issues regarding part-time status with their assigned nursing advisor;
• After discussion with the advisor, submit, in writing, a request for part-time enrollment to the MSN/ELMSN Coordinator. This written request should be submitted prior to the semester in which the change in status is desired;
• Upon approval by the RAP Committee or the Dean, schedule an appointment with the MSN/ELMSN Coordinator to sign a new academic program contract;
• Use the new part-time status academic program contract as the contractual guide for subsequent enrollment in the nursing curriculum.

DNP students need to indicate upon admission whether they are requesting full-time or part-time status. Any student seeking to change their status from full-time to part-time enrollment in the DNP programs must follow the steps as outlined below:

• Prior to taking action (withdrawal from or enrollment in courses), discuss issues regarding part-time status with their assigned nursing advisor;
• After discussion with the advisor, submit, in writing, a request for part-time enrollment to the PMHNP Lead Faculty Member, or FNP Lead Faculty Member, depending on what program you are in. This written request should be submitted prior to the semester in which the change of status is desired;
• Upon approval by the RAP Committee or the Dean, schedule an appointment with the PMHNP Lead Faculty Member, or FNP Lead Faculty member, depending on what program you are in; to sign a new academic program contract;
• Use the new academic program contract as the contractual guide for subsequent enrollment in the nursing curriculum.

Enrollment management in nursing is very important because of clinical agency expectations, capacity, and demand. A change in any student’s enrollment status affects others. Requests to convert to or from full-time status to or from part-time status must follow this same process. Students should be aware that returning to full-time status following part-time enrollment is on a space-available basis and cannot be guaranteed.

The School of Nursing faculty may enact a Performance Progression Alert (PPA) for students who are not meeting the Essential Qualifications or not performing to academic, clinical, lab, or professional standards at any point in the academic term and program of study. The PPA will specify the nature of the performance concern, criteria for satisfactory performance, the timeline for achieving expected improvements, and consequences for failure to improve. The notice will be signed by the issuing faculty member and the student. The original signed form is placed in the student’s School of Nursing academic file. Communication regarding the notice will be submitted by the issuing faculty member to the following School of Nursing personnel: Academic Advisor; Chair of RAP committee; Associate Director of Advising, Admission, and Student Support; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; School of Nursing Dean; and as appropriate, Lead Course Faculty, and/or the SoN Clinical Placement Coordinator. Deficiencies are categorized as minor and/or major based on the severity of the event. Major violations will result in immediate notification to the School of Nursing Dean. Three separate minor and/or a single major occurrences during the program of study will result in a review by the RAP committee and/or the Dean of Nursing and may result in dismissal from the School of Nursing. Any occurrences that place the client, self, or others in potential immediate danger will result in immediate review by the Dean.

Deficiencies are categorized as minor and/or major based on the severity of the event. Faculty are required to provide immediate notification to the SoN Dean for major deficiencies. Three separate minor and/or a single major occurrence during the program of study will result in a review by the RAP committee and/or the Dean of Nursing, and may result in dismissal from the School of Nursing. Any occurrences that place the client, student, or others in potential immediate danger will result in immediate review by the Dean and require reporting to the WA NCQAC within two business days.

PPA Definition and Procedure

The School of Nursing faculty may enact a Performance Progression Alert for students who are not meeting the Essential Qualifications or not performing to academic, clinical, lab, or professional standards at any point in the academic term and program of study. The Notice of Deficiency will specify the nature of the performance concern, criteria for satisfactory performance, the timeline for achieving expected improvements, and consequences for failure to improve. The notice will be signed by the issuing faculty member and the student. The original signed form is placed in the student’s School of Nursing academic file. Communication regarding the notice will be submitted by the issuing faculty member to the following School of Nursing personnel: Academic Advisor; Chair of RAP committee; Advising, Admission, and Student Support Coordinator; Graduate Program Coordinator(for graduate students); School of Nursing Dean; and as appropriate, Lead Course Faculty and/or the SoN Clinical Placement Coordinator.

Deficiencies are categorized as minor and/or major based on the severity of the event. Major violations will result in immediate notification to the School of Nursing Dean. Three separate minor and/or a single major occurrences during the program of study will result in a review by the RAP committee and/or the Dean of Nursing and may result in dismissal from the School of Nursing.

All faculty are responsible for identifying and addressing occurrences. The following list is offered as a guideline for students to see the types of behaviors that may result in an issuance of a Performance Progression Alert. These are but a few examples and are in no way meant to be limiting or all in encompassing. For further information, please consult the Essential Qualifications document.

Minor occurrences may include:

• Unprofessional communication behaviors
• Inappropriate professional dress in clinical or lab
• Inappropriate utilization of technology during class
• Not being prepared for learning in lab, clinical, or classroom
• Failure to demonstrate the expected level of clinical competency
• Turning in late, wrong, unfinished, or incomplete assignments
• Tardiness and/or absences from lab, clinical, or classroom (excused and unexcused)
• Inappropriate behaviors and/or lack of judgment relative to assigned clinical activities, professional relationships, or interactions that are part of the learning environment
• Poor performance in the lab, clinical environment, or classroom
• Other disruptive lab, clinical, or classroom behaviors

Major occurrences:

• Life-threatening errors
• Unsatisfactory clinical performance
• Failure to report an incident
• Falsifying medical records
• Cheating/Plagiarism
• HIPAA violations
• Professional misconduct and safety Issues as defined in the School of Nursing Student Handbook
• Violations of the law or other legal regulatory requirements
• Other unsafe behaviors Any occurrences that place the client, self, or others in potential immediate danger will result in immediate review by the Dean

Incomplete grades provide a mechanism for students who are in good standing but have significant unforeseen circumstances preventing course completion in the normal time-frame. Incomplete grades affect nursing program progression and thus are permitted only in exceptional circumstances. The faculty of record has the right to refuse an incomplete grade and will determine the final plan for successful completion of the grade. Incomplete grades that are not completed by the agreed upon date on the Incomplete Contract Form will default to an E/F or another grade if indicated on the form. Refer to the PLU policy on incomplete grades and course syllabus for more information.

Undergraduate (BSN & ABSN):
Undergraduate students who earn a “C-” or below in a nursing course, withdraw in failing status (withdrawal in failing status is considered a failure in the School of Nursing), or receives a Performance Progression Alert (PPA) for a major violation or 3 minor violations are subject to RAP review and may be placed on probation in the School of Nursing. Students may repeat a failed nursing course, or enroll in other subsequent nursing courses, only after a review by the RAP committee.

If, while on academic probation, a student earns a “C-” or below in any nursing course, or withdraws in failing status, that student will be dismissed from the School of Nursing. If, while on professional conduct-related probation, a student receives a Performance Progression Alert (PPA) for a major violation or receives an additional 3 Performance Progression Alert (PPA) for minor violations, the student will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.

Each situation is individually evaluated, and permission to continue and/or repeat is not automatically granted. Generally, students will remain on probation for one calendar year from the date of the RAP review.

Graduate (MSN & DNP):
Graduate students who earn below a “B-” in a graduate nursing course, withdraw in failing status (withdrawal in failing status is considered a failure in the School of Nursing), or receives a Performance Progression Alert (PPA) for a major violation or 3 minor violations are subject to RAP review and may be placed on probation in the School of Nursing. Students may repeat a failed nursing course, or enroll in other subsequent nursing courses, only after a review by the RAP committee.

If, while on academic probation, a student earns below a “B-” any graduate nursing course, or withdraws in failing status, that student will be dismissed from the School of Nursing. If, while on professional conduct-related probation, a student receives a Performance Progression Alert (PPA) for a major violation or receives an additional 3 Performance Progression Alert (PPA) for minor violations, the student will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.

Each situation is individually evaluated, and permission to continue and/or repeat is not automatically granted. Generally, students will remain on probation for one calendar year from the date of the RAP review.

Graduate students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate work. Graduate-level credit will not be given for any class in which the grade earned is lower than a B- (2.67). A graduate student whose grade point average falls below 3.0 is placed on academic probation and
is subject to dismissal from the program. A student’s academic probation may be lifted once his or her cumulative GPA meets the minimum standard. If, while on academic probation, a student receives a grade of less than B-, the student is subject to dismissal from the program. A graduate student cannot earn a master’s or DNP degree with less than a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all graduate-level work.

Students who need to repeat a nursing course must first petition to do so. See Course Failure and Petition Process sections of the SoN Student Handbooks for more information. If repeating the course is permitted, the student will register on a space-available basis. If all sections of the course are closed the student must register for the course during a later semester. If progression is delayed for more than one (1) semester, the student may be required to enroll in a 1 credit skills refresher course, NURS 491-IS Nursing Clinical Skills Refresher, prior to being allowed to continue in clinical courses. Students in regular progression are given preference.

When a student repeats a course, both the new and original grade will appear on their official transcript. However, PLU uses the higher of the two grades to determine the cumulative GPA. For further information regarding PLU’s policy on repeating courses, review the PLU handbook (undergraduate policies & procedures or graduate policies & procedures).

Dismissal from the School of Nursing is an action that can be taken only by the Dean based on recommendation by the RAP committee. Students dismissed from the program due to unsatisfactory performance may appeal the decision to the University Dispute Resolution Committee. The UDRC review is limited to whether a School of Nursing or University policy, including the policy on Equal Opportunity, was violated.
Students who are dismissed from the School of Nursing for academic performance may re-apply to the nursing program.

Undergraduate (BSN & ABSN):
Students who earn a “C-” or below in a repeated course are not permitted to enroll in the course a third time; they are dismissed from the nursing program. Students who earn a “C-” or below in any two separate nursing courses are dismissed from the School of Nursing.

Graduate (MSN & DNP):
Students who earn below a “B-” in a repeated course are not permitted to enroll in the course a third time; they are dismissed from the nursing program. Students who earn below a “B-” in any two separate nursing courses are dismissed from the School of Nursing.

Course Failure

1. The Recruitment, Admission and Progression Committee (RAP) reviews the record of every student receiving a failing grade in a course; this record includes the faculty’s evaluation and the student’s entire educational record. Course faculty is consulted when appropriate.
2. Students must provide a copy of permission to remain in the program and retake the failed course petition form describing the issue in detail and any plan for future success to the chair of the Committee prior to the date of the next RAP meeting.
3. Students may ask to appear before the RAP Committee with a faculty advocate, if desired, to present their situation. The student and/or faculty advocate does not remain for the Committee deliberations.
4. After all available documentation has been reviewed, and all parties concerned have had the opportunity to voice concerns, the Committee will make its recommendation to the Dean.
5. Nursing students will receive a written statement from the Dean as to the final decision. Letters sent to students placed on academic probation will have identified areas of difficulty and stated specific expectations to be met; the student’s probationary status and consequences; and the minimum level of competency to be achieved for successful completion of the course and further progression.
6. Copies of the letter will be sent to the student, appropriate faculty, and the student’s faculty advisor, and added to the student’s educational record in the School of Nursing. Copies may also be sent to the appropriate university officials.
7. Upon receipt of notification of successful completion of the courses for which the student was originally placed on probation, the RAP Committee will notify the student that the terms of the probation have been met and that they is again in good standing in the School of Nursing.

When disagreements arise over grades assigned in a course, students and faculty are first expected to follow the SoN’s established procedure for informal grade dispute resolution. If the informal procedure is unsuccessful in resolving the grade dispute, the student may elect to file a petition with the RAP committee.

Procedural Steps:

1. A student considering a grade dispute must first read the appropriate section in the Student Handbook in its entirety and discuss it with their assigned faculty advisor before proceeding to step
2. If the student’s advisor is also the faculty member responsible for submitting the disputed grade, the student should contact the School of Nursing Advising, Admissions & Student Support Coordinator to determine an alternative advisor for these proceedings.
   1. The difference between the disputed grades must be one full letter grade or higher, with the exception of those grades that could result in dismissal from, or delay in, the nursing program. (Examples: A- vs. A, No dispute; B vs. A, Can be disputed; C- vs. C, Can be disputed.)
   2. Grounds for grade disputes should arise from documented incidents of discrimination and/or harassment based on race, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability, and/or arising from non-compliance with established PLU and/or School of Nursing policies and procedures.
   3. The grade must be disputed within twenty (20) working days after the grade has been officially posted, and prior to beginning the first day of any courses for which the disputed course/grade is prerequisite.
3. A student who chooses to dispute a grade should first initiate the informal grade dispute process in the following manner, by addressing the matter with the faculty member responsible for submitting the grade:
   1. Submit to the responsible faculty member a written statement, detailing why the grade is being disputed and the grade and/or remedy the student is seeking, and requesting an appointment to meet with the faculty member.
      1. The student is responsible for providing a copy of the written statement to the School of Nursing Administrative office to be placed in the student’s official School of Nursing academic file.
      2. The written statement should be available during the discussion between the student and the responsible faculty member.
   2. After the initial discussion, the responsible faculty member should provide a written statement detailing the issues discussed, including why the grade will or will not be changed.
      1. Both the responsible faculty member and the student should sign this written statement; the student should have an opportunity to provide additional written comments.
      2. The faculty member is responsible for submitting this statement, along with any additional written comments from the student, to the School of Nursing office to be placed in the student’s official School of Nursing file.
4. If the matter is not resolved between the student and the responsible faculty member, the student may request assistance and advocacy from his or her faculty advisor. With regard to written statements, requests for meetings and discussions held between the responsible faculty member, the faculty advisor, and the student, should follow the same procedures and guidelines as outlined in Step #2.
5. If the matter is not resolved after discussion with the faculty member and the faculty advisor, the student may initiate the formal grade dispute process as outlined in the university grade dispute policy.

Many student interactions with the RAP committee require the student to submit a petition to explain the circumstances of their situation. The petition process allows students to request an exception to policy, permission to step out of the nursing curriculum sequence, address professional conduct issues, or to dispute a grade. Regardless of the circumstances, the process of writing a petition is the same. Please also see the SoN Student Handbook section on Interplay between PLU’s Student Code of Conduct and the School of Nursing. Students are required to work with their academic advisor to be sure petitions are complete and accurate.

1. Students considering a petition must contact their academic advisor as soon as possible. Advisors are responsible for assisting the student to determine the best course of action: what type of petition the student should pursue, how to craft this petition, and the process involved.
2. After meeting with their advisor, students may also request a meeting with the Advising, Admissions, and Student Support Coordinator to discuss the petition process further and determine a timeline for completion.
3. Using a RAP Petition Form, the student will draft a statement that outlines their request, their reason for this request, and their proposal for future study and/or course(s) of action. This statement will vary depending upon the student’s circumstances and request. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what kinds of information should be included in the statement.
4. Additional documentation, such as primary care provider notes, may also be required.
5. Students may request letters of support from current nursing faculty, but this is not required.
6. Once the petition statement is complete, students must submit it to their advisor for feedback and suggestions.
7. Once the advisor deems the statement suitable, the student may submit the statement, along with any supporting documentation, to the Advising, Admissions, and Student Support Coordinator.
8. The petition will be reviewed at the next available Recruitment, Admissions, and Progression (RAP) committee meeting.
9. The student has the option to make a personal presentation at the RAP meeting, and to bring along one academic advisor or designated faculty substitute.
10. Students may also choose to bring witness to the event if applicable. However, personal attendance at the RAP meeting is not required.
11. Based upon their collective evaluation of the petition, the RAP committee will make a recommendation to the Dean regarding the petition. This recommendation will include an approval or denial of the petition, and may contain suggested or required course(s) of action from the student.
12. The Dean will review the petition and the committee’s recommendation before making the final determination.
13. Students will be informed by mail of the outcome. At this point, petition decisions are final.
14. Students may contact the University Dispute Resolution Committee (UDRC) if they feel the processes for the petition did not follow School of Nursing or University policy. The UDRC review is limited to whether a School of Nursing or University policy, including the policy on Equal Opportunity, was violated.
    Students who have petitions denied should consult with their advisor to determine how best to proceed with their nursing education.
15. Students who have petitions approved, but fall out of sequence with their cohort, will be placed in a new cohort on a space available basis.

Additional information on student-faculty disputes and petitions is outlined in the SoN Student Handbook. Other forms of student-faculty informal or formal dispute resolution and petition are expected to abide by the processes as outlined above.

Students are expected to maintain professional boundaries and relationships in all SoN academic experiences. Students should not give their home/cell phone numbers to clients or a client’s family. Students should have clients contact them through either the clinical agency or through an approved method of communication as determined by the clinical faculty. When students need to contact clients for community clinical, students should call their clients during the regular workday; unscheduled calls should not be made after 8:00 p.m. or on the weekend.

Students are not permitted to sign as witnesses for legal documents such as surgery permits or consents. It is also strongly recommended students not witness wills or other similar legal documents. Students are expected to refer any such requests to the faculty member or appropriate nursing personnel.

Students are discouraged from giving gifts to faculty and clinical staff or accepting gifts from clients. Students are encouraged to show their appreciation through words and thank you notes rather than gifts.