Course Catalog

Student Handbook

Academic Policies and Requirements

COURSE WITHDRAWAL
Prior to week four of the semester, withdrawal will result in a “W” on the transcript. Withdrawal during weeks four through twelve will result in a “WP” or “WF” on the transcript. This determination will be based on the student performance to the time of withdrawal. A grade of “WP” is reserved for individuals doing passing work at the time of withdrawal. Withdrawal after week twelve will result in an “F” on the transcript. Courses greater than or less than 16 weeks will be prorated accordingly.

ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
An administrative withdrawal is a special withdrawal to be granted at the discretion of the Dean only for documented extraordinary and/or emergency circumstances. A grade of “W” will be assigned.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE
A leave of absence is an interruption in the program of nursing education for at least one semester and no more than one full year (two semesters plus a summer session). A leave of absence may be taken for academic, personal, or health reasons. As long as the nursing program is completed within five (5) years after admission, the student may be allowed up to two leaves of absence during the program of study. The student who returns from a leave of absence must meet with the Dean to review the current curriculum and graduation requirements. Students must comply with the LOA (Leave of Absence) procedure and return to the program of study within the specified time or the student will be dismissed from the College. The student may reapply for admission. Graduation requirements will be those in force as stated in the college catalog at the time of readmission.

A student may request a leave of absence by completing the following:
1. Meet with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs to discuss the request.
2. Obtain and complete a request form, including a statement of the reason(s) for the LOA and its estimated duration. The form is available in the Student Affairs Office.
3. Meet with their academic advisor and the Dean.
4. Petition the Academic Standards Committee for approval of the LOA.
5. Notify the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in writing no later than six weeks prior to the end of the approved period of the leave of the intent to resume participation in the nursing program. The student will be granted permission to return provided there is space available in the course.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE
A student who withdraws from the College for any reason must comply with the following procedure:
1. Obtain appropriate withdrawal form from the Office of Student Affairs.
2. Meet with their faculty advisor.
3. Meet with the Dean.
4. Satisfy all financial obligations to the College.
5. Return completed withdrawal form with all appropriate sigantures to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.

STUDENTS ORDERED TO ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Saint Anthony College of Nursing recognizes that students may be called to active military duty while enrolled in classes. The following will be adhered to for students who have been called to active military duty:
1. Student who must withdraw prior to the sixth week of the semester will receive a full refund.
2. Students who must withdraw after the sixth week of the semester may request a military incomplete. A military incomplete will be indicated for current courses as a “MI” on the transcript. A military incomplete will allow the student to return the first semester after military discharge and to reenroll in the courses so designated, if the course is offered and space is available. The student will not have to resubmit tuition for those courses that semester.
3. The student will adhere to any curriculum/catalog changes as mandated by the Leave of Absence Policy.

PROBATION POLICY

Admission into Saint Anthony College of Nursing does not guarantee program continuation or graduation.  Saint Anthony College of Nursing utilizes probationary status to respond to actions or performances which indicates that the student may lack academic or professional conduct/competence befitting the baccalaureate degree and/or profession of nursing. Probation is a period of evaluation. Decisions to impose, continue, or remove probationary status are the responsibility of the Academic Standards Committee of the College of Nursing Faculty Organization.  More than one probation is grounds for a full review of the student's status in the program and may result in the student's dismissal from the College.

A.  Academic Probation

Academic probation is imposed when a student achieves a:

            1.  grade less than "C" in any course taken at the College

            2.  cumulative grade point average below 2.0

Probationary status is removed upon satisfactory resolution of the academic issue.

B.   Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary probation may be imposed for violation of College policy.  Probationary status is removed upon satisfactory resolution of the disciplinary issue.

              

Students on probation may be prohibited from:

            1.  Holding office in the Student Organization.

            2.  Serving as a representative of the Student Organization.

            3.  Being placed on the Dean's List.

 

A student on probation is to prepare an action plan addressing resolution of the concern leading to probation.  The student is expected to seek assistance from appropriate faculty or administration.  While on probation students are expected to schedule and attend regular appointments with their faculty advisor to monitor progression of the action plan.  Failure to prepare and successfully complete an action plan may lead to further disciplinary action

DISMISSAL FROM THE COLLEGE

Saint Anthony College of Nursing reserves the right to dismiss any student whose class work, health, conduct, or nursing practice makes it inadvisable for the student to remain in the College. A student who has been dismissed from Saint Anthony College of Nursing program will not be eligible for readmission to that program.

The faculty of the College of Nursing reserves the right to dismiss a student for:

 

  1.  Academic failure in any course taken at Saint Anthony College of Nursing.

  2.  A second incident of probation.

  3.  Evidence of unsatisfactory professional behavior including, but not limited to:

       a.   Unsafe nursing practice that may endanger the well-being of patients.

       b.   Falsification of health care facility records and/or reports.

       c.   Dishonest behavior.

       d.   Unethical nursing practice.

  4.  Evidence of unsatisfactory personal behavior including, but not limited to:

       a.    Falsification of documents and/or other records.

       b.    Academic dishonesty.

       c.    Unacceptable behavior that would threaten the well-being of others.

       d.    Conduct that brings discredit to the College or profession.

       e.    Conduct reported by a local, state or federal agency that is in conflict with the Illinois          Nursing Practice Act.

Students in disagreement with the decision of the College have the right to file a grievance following the grievance policy in the student handbook.

 

The student will be notified, in writing, of the dismissal by the Dean of the College of Nursing.

 

ATTENDANCE
Promptness and attendance are hallmarks of professionalism. Patterns of absenteeism and tardiness are monitored, and disciplinary action will be instituted at the discretion of the faculty. Extenuating circumstances are reviewed on an individual basis. Regardless of absenteeism, the course requirements and/or clinical competencies must still be met by each student.

1.   At the beginning of each course, the instructor provides information specific to attendance, make-up privileges, and acceptance of late assignments. These policies are found in the course syllabus.

2.  If absence from any class or clinical is anticipated, the instructor should be notified prior to the beginning of that class or clinical experience.  Students will be required to attend an alternative clinical session as defined in the Clinical Absence Policy for Undergraduates.

Each instructor monitors attendance. Excessive absences will be reported to the Academic Standards Committee.  Attendance requirements for on-line courses are explained in the course syllabus.  Online attendance will be monitored weekly and reported to the Student Affairs Office.

UNDERGRADUATE CLINICAL ABSENCES

A lab or clinical absence in a clinical course will require an equivalent make-up day.  No fee will be assessed for the first missed clinical or lab of a 16 week course.  A second make-up day will incur charges above and beyond the course tuition charge.  Fees and requirements for missed clinical or lab days in courses other than 16 weeks will be addressed in the course syllabus.  The fee is to be processed through the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs prior to completion of the semester.

 

Failure to complete a make-up assignment will result in failure of the clinical course unless extreme extenuating circumstances are documented and approved by the Academic Standards Committee.  In the case of a documented extreme extenuating circumstance, the Academic Standards committee may grant an incomplete and allow a time frame for make up.  A third missed clinical or lab in a clinical course will be addressed by the Academic Standards Committee. 

 

1. Clinical make-up experience will be built into the clinical schedule as much as possible. Make up experiences must be equivalent in time and content.

2.  In a clinical course a fee of $20.00 per clinical hour will be assessed for a second clinical or lab absence and any subsequent clinical absences.

3.  Location and date of clinical or lab make-up days witll be at the discretion of the course faculty in consultation with the Associate Dean.

4. Make-up clinical or lab assignments and expectations will reflect the current placement of the student in the curriculum.

5. Faculty are to notify the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs of all absences at the time of occurrence and make-up experience at time of make-up.

COLLEGE HOUR

Whereas College Hour sessions are designed to be an integral part of the nursing program at Saint Anthony College of Nursing and/or be required by legal authority, attendance at College Hours is expected.  Attendance sheets will be collected for each session.

MISSED EXAMINATION POLICY

Students are expected to take examinations tests, and/or quizzes as scheduled or a grade of zero will be received.

Permission to take a missed examination should be very rare and granted by an instructor only in the case of a serious emergency, illness or extenuating circumstances. The student may be asked to provide documentation. Permission to reschedule an examination must be requested prior to the missed examination unless the critical nature of the emergency prohibits it.

Missed examinations must be taken on the first day of the student's return to class or clinical. The time for the test administration will be the student's first non-class/non-clinical period (day or evening) or as designated by the instructor.

HONESTY/PLAGIARISM POLICY

The College of Nursing expects that students act in an honest manner and in accordance with the College Honor Code.  Unsatisfactory behavior could include acts of written, verbal and/or other acts of unsatisfactory personal behavior.  A student who fails to adhere to this policy and/or commits any other acts of dishonesty will be subject to judicial action.  Disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the College may result.

Plagiarism refers to using the words of another as one's own, presenting the ideas of others as one's own, or preparing/using another student's assignment.

Student leadership of the Student Organization will review non academic violations such as reliance on notes without prior permission.  Suspected instances of plagiarism, cheating or other academic violations of the Honor Code will be reported to the Academic Standards Committee.  Once plagiarism, cheating or other academic violations of the Honor Code has been verified, Academic Standards Committee will assign sanction.  When appropriate, academic and non academic violations of the Honor Code will be reviewed by College Administration and sanctions applied.  Sanctions by Academic Standards Committee and College Administration may include no credit for academic work and/or dismissal from the College.

Students will receive a copy of and be required to read Policy# 351, Honesty/Plagiarism Policy, and the Honor Code and sign the Receipt and Acknowledgement Form which will be placed in their files.

 

HONOR CODE

 

The academic community of students and faculty at Saint Anthony College of Nursing maintain an environment of honesty, trust, and respect.  Students and faculty are expected to hold themselves and their peers to a high standard of honor and integrity.  The Honor Code allows students and faculty to attain appropriate recognition for their academic and personal achievements.  The Honor Code also mandates that students acknowledge when information is obtained from other sources as identified in the plagiarism policy.

Violation of the Honor Code involves acts of dishonesty which may include, but are not limited to:

Plagiarism: Refers to using the words of another as one’s own, presenting the ideas of others as one’s own, or preparing/using another student’s assignment.

Cheating:  Using prohibited notes or study aids, allowing another party to do one’s work/exam and turning in that work/exam as one’s own, copying off of another student’s course work, collaborating on course work when prohibited for that course, and submitting the same or similar work in more than one course without permission from the course instructors.

 

Violation of Exam Integrity:  Recording in oral or written form any part of a question following an exam or other assessment of learning for purposes of sharing such information with any current or future student of the College or any other college or organization. 

Fabrication:  Falsification or creation of data, research or resources, or altering a graded work without the prior consent of the course instructor.

Lying or misrepresentation:  Deliberate falsification with the intent to deceive in written or oral form.

Bribery:  Providing, offering, or taking rewards in exchange for a grade, an assignment, or the aid of academic dishonesty.

Threat:  An attempt to intimidate a student, staff, or faculty member for the purpose of receiving an unearned grade or in an effort to prevent the reporting of an Honor Code violation.

Unauthorized access to protected information:  Gaining unauthorized access to protected information.

 

RECORD FALSIFICATION
Falsification or incomplete application/registration documents may be cause for denial of admission to the College. Should such falsification be discovered after a student has been accepted, the Dean will determine appropriate action, which could include dismissal from the College. Future eligibility for admission will be determined at this time.

In order to progress to Level IV, a student must:
1. satisfactorily complete all required courses within Level IIIA and IIB with a minimum grade of “C” in each course and an overall GPA of 2.0 on 4.0 scale.
2. satisfactorily complete the mid-curricular examination process administered by the College prior to enrollment in a Level IV course.

If a student fails to pass the mid-curricular examination administered by the College, the student must participate in a remediation and retesting process as defined by the College. A student may enroll in level IIIB and level IV courses while undergoing a remediation process.

The cost of one mid-curricular exam administered by the College is included in standard student tuition and fees. A student will be assessed a testing and administrative fee for each retake exam.

GRADUATION POLICY
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree indicates completion of the BSN educational program. Upon completion of all course requirements and audit of the records a signed degree will be issued to the graduate.

 Degree completion is subject to the following:

1.

Satisfactory completion of the prescribed curriculum of 128 semester credits.

2.

Satisfactory completion of all required courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, including courses taken in transfer and confirmed by official transcript.

3.

Satisfactory completion of all learning experiences of the program.

4.

Satisfactory completion of a secured comprehensive exit examination process administered by Saint Anthony College of Nursing and other required NCLEX RN preparatory activities or proof of current RN licensure. 

5.

Completion of twenty-four (24) semester credits including required 400 level courses taken in residence at Saint Anthony College of Nursing.

6.

Completion of all course work taken at Saint Anthony College of Nursing no later than five (5) years of initial enrollment in a Saint Anthony College of Nursing clinical course.

7.

Settlement of all financial obligations to College of Nursing.

8.

Completion of the Candidate to Graduate Form.

Students not licensed as RNs must follow the procedure below in order to progress to graduation from Saint Anthony College of Nursing baccalaureate nursing program and be so recognized in order to apply for NCLEX-RN examination and RN licensure.

1.

Students will be provided with the assessment identification numbers and password at the beginning of the semester for the unsecured ATI online RN predictor practice exam.  Students must complete the unsecured examination with a score of > 90% before the first administration date of the secured examination.

2.

The student must take the secured comprehensive RN predictor examination by ATI administered by Saint Anthony College of Nursing during the last semester of the BSN curriculum.  A minimum score of 70% (70 percent) is required to pass the ATI secured comprehensive RN predictor examination.

3.

If a satisfactory score is not achieved on the first exit examination, the student must meet with the course coordinator within a week of the administered exam to develop a remediation plan.  Failure to develop a remediation plan within the specified time frame will result in failure of the course.

4.

The student must provide weekly documentation to the course coordinator that the steps of the remediation plan are being met.  Failure to complete the remediation plan within the specified time frame will result in failure of the course.

5.

The second secured proctored ATI comprehensive RN predictor examination will be administered by the College near the end of the semester.

6.

Students who do not achieve a 70% (70 percent) on the ATI secured comprehensive RN predictor examination after the second attempt will receive a failing grade for N450, Senior Seminar, and will not graduate.


LICENSURE STATEMENT
A goal of Saint Anthony College of Nursing BSN program is to prepare graduates to function in a generalist role as registered professional nurses and to promote application for RN licensure upon graduation. Upon successful completion of the entire Saint Anthony College of Nursing BSN program, graduates will be eligible to apply for licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse. Students will be required to meet the licensure requirements including successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and other requirements as determined by the department of professional regulation of the state in which licensure is desired. State requirements for licensure vary and may include personal history and other requirements. All applicants in the State of Illinois are required to answer the following questions:

1. Have you been convicted of any criminal offense in any state or in federal court (other than minor traffic violations)?
2. Have you had or do you now have any disease or condition that interferes with your ability to perform the essential functions of your profession, including any disease or condition generally regarded as chronic by the medical community, i.e., (1) mental or emotional disease or condition; (2) alcohol or other substance abuse; (3) physical disease or condition, that presently interferes with your ability to practice your profession?
3. Have you been denied a professional license or permit, or privilege of taking an examination, or had a professional license or permit disciplined in any way by any licensing authority in Illinois or elsewhere?
4. Have you ever been discharged other than honorably from the armed service or a city, county, state or federal position?

An affirmative response to any of the items above may necessitate state review and/or denial of licensure.

STUDENT INPUT INTO EVALUATION
Students will have a voice in the formation of policies relative to academic and student affairs by representation on Academic Standards, Curriculum, and Assessment and Program Review Committees.  The president of Student Organization will attend and have voice on Faculty Organization unless excluded during executive session. 

Students will be provided the opportunity to evaluate instructors, courses at the end of each term, and clinical experience at the end of each rotation.  Students will be provided the opportunity annually to evaluate library and computer services, advising services, financial aid, and other current academic and student services.  

DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Directory information may be given out in response to inquiries from individuals or groups outside Saint Anthony College of Nursing without the express permission of the student. The following information has been designated as “directory information”:
1. Student’s current and previous name(s)
2. Student’s date of birth
3. Dates of attendance at Saint Anthony College of Nursing
4. Enrollment status at Saint Anthony College of Nursing
5. Degree earned at Saint Anthony College of Nursing
6. Previous institutions of higher education attended

A student who chooses not to have directory information released must sign a notice in the Student Affairs Office.

Release of information to federal and state agencies
Some federal and/or state agencies may mandate that information be made available for students receiving financial aid, without express consent of the student. Examples include (but are not limited to) address changes or number of credit hours enrolled for students receiving Pell, MAP or Stafford loans.

All information pertaining to a student’s personal life and academic performance not deemed as “directory information” is the sole possession of the student and may not be released without the student’s written permission.

Test or course grades will not be released to anyone over the telephone, fax machine, or by e-mail. Test or course grades may be posted for a class as a group (electronically or on site) provided any one individual’s grades can not be identified other than by the student and appropriate faculty member.  Confidential secure codes must be assigned to each student.

CHANGE OF NAME OR ADDRESS

Students are to notify the Student Affairs Office immediately of change of name, local address, home address, and/or telephone number. A name/address change form must be completed, and verification of the legal change of name must be provided.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Appropriate and professional behavior is required during all classes. The dress code for classroom as stated in the student handbook is observed for all classes.  (Dress Code)  Beverages are allowed in classrooms.  No Foods or beverages are allowed in combined classrooms and labs.  In classrooms and lab, all phones and pagers may be present if set to vibrate or turned off.  Out of consideration for others, cell phones/pager users are to step out of the classroom or lab if necessary to answer a cell phone or pager. 

Cell phones, pagers and PDA are prohibited during all exams, quizzes, tests, etc.  Use of such devices during and exam, quiz, or test may result in a zero for that experience.  For urgent matters, students may leave the number of the College front desk.   The front desk receptionist will contact students per the instructor.

During College proctored exams, quizzes, or tests, only College computers and calculators are to be used.  No other calculators or computers, i.e., personal computers, PDA, are to be used.

CLINICAL BEHAVIOR

Appropriate and professional behavior is required during all hospital and community clinical experiences.  The dress code is required as appropriate for hospital or community experiences.  (Dress Code)

Clinical agencies guidelines are to be followed regarding pagers and cell phones.  If allowed they are to be set to vibrate with consideration for ohters during speaking. 

Violation of appropriate behavior will be subject to disciplinary action by the individual faculty member, Academic Standards Committee, or Graduate Affairs Committee.

COSIGNATORY CHARTING
In order to meet the regulations of all clinical agencies, faculty are required to co-sign all chart entries made by Saint Anthony College of Nursing students.

CONTENT MASTERY EXAM POLICY

Satisfactory completion of secured required content mastery exams administered by the College is an expectation for progression in the BSN program of the College.  Administration of content mastery examinations, remediation and reexamination will be permitted according to College guidelines and defined procedures.

 

Failure to satisfactorily pass a secured content mastery examination will result in a grade of “F” in the course.  No refunds will be given based on scores of content mastery examinations.

Permission to repeat a failed course is at the discretion of the Undergraduate Academic Standards committee in accordance with College policy.

 

A score of 70% (70 percent) on the secured designated Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) content mastery exams and other course requirements must be achieved to be eligible to receive a passing grade in a course requiring a content mastery exam.  ATI examinations will be given in the following categories: fundamentals, pharmacology, maternal/newborn, care of children, mental health, community health, medical/surgical, and nursing leadership.  Addition or deletion of content mastery exams are at the discretion of College administration in consultation with College faculty.  Students will be provided with the assessment identification numbers and passwords at the beginning of the semester for the unsecured ATI examination appropriate for their course of enrollment.  Students must complete the unsecured examination with a score of > 90% before the first administration date of the secured examination to sit for a content mastery examination.

Students who fail to earn a 70% (passing score) on an ATI secured content mastery examination on a first attempt will receive a “TI” grade in that course and will not be able to register for any course in which that course was a prerequisite.  If a student fails an ATI secured content mastery examination on a first attempt and successfully remediates, the student may take a second ATI secured examination as administered by the College.  A score of 70% (70 percent) or above on the second ATI secured exam is the passing score.  Students who pass the second ATI secured examination will receive a course grade based on criteria established in the course syllabus. 

 

  • The first attempt at the ATI secured examination will be scheduled near or during finals week.  It will be administered by the College in a proctored secured setting.

 

  • If the student does not receive a score of 70% (70 percent) or above on the first attempt of a proctored secured examination, the student must prepare a remediation plan for review on or before Friday of the week of administration of the secured examination.  It is an expectation that the student will continue to communicate regularly with the course coordinator to review the student’s implementation of his/her plan.

 

3.      Failure to develop a remediation plan within the specified time frame will result in failure           of the course.

4.      Documentation of satisfactory remediation must be submitted to the course coordinator.  Failure to complete the remediation plan within the specified time frame will result in failure of the course.

5.      The second attempt at the ATI secured examination will be scheduled approximately three weeks after the first sitting and a score of > 70% is required to pass.