academic-policies

Academic Policies

The faculty of the School of Nursing has formulated these policies for the welfare of each student and the total educational program.

  1. Grading System:
    . . Grade Point System:
    100-94 Excellent A - 4
    93-87 Good B - 3
    86-80 Satisfactory C - 2
    79-74 Poor D - 1
    73 Failure F - 0
  2. Credit
    1. Fifteen (15) hours of classroom instruction equals one credit.
    2. Forty-five (45) hours of classroom/clinical laboratory equals one credit.
  3. Grading Policies
    1. Grade Point Averages will be computed on the theory grade.
    2. A grade of “C” (2.0) is the minimum passing grade for all courses.
    3. The Grade Point Average (GPA) is the average for the semester. The Cumulative Average (Cum) is the average of Grade Point Averages for the length of time in the school.
    4. Final Nursing Course Grades shall be recorded as whole letters grades. Failure in theory or the clinical component of a nursing course will result in a grade of “F” for the course.
    5. GPA’s and Cum’s are calculated at the end of each semester based on those courses attempted during that semester. Grades for courses taken prior to acceptance into the program are not calculated into the semester GPA or cumulative average. Validation test scores are not included in calculating GPA’s/Cum’s.
    6. All course grades are to be maintained by the designated course instructor. Grades are sent to the student at the end of each semester providing all obligations have been met.
    7. All program requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) to receive credit.
  4. Honors
    1. Director’s List: A student with a semester GPA and/or Cum of 3.5 or above will be placed on the Director’s List which is posted in the School of Nursing.
    2. Graduation: Students graduating with a Cum average of 3.5 or higher will graduate with honors.
  5. Attendance
    1. Class: Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Absenteeism will result in review of a student’s status in the course by course instructors.
    2. Clinical: Clinical attendance is mandatory. Missed clinical experiences will require clinical make-up time at the instructor’s discretion in order to evaluate students in accordance with course objectives.
  6. Permission to take Courses
    Any course taken out of sequence or at any other institution must be approved.
  7. Receiving Credit
    1. Students who repeat a failed course or take courses out of sequence must submit verification of the grade received to Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing within one semester after taking the course. Failure to submit transcripts within one semester will be viewed as incomplete course work.
    2. Credit will be awarded via CLEP and Excelsior College examinations for selected courses based upon standardized recommended scores.
    3. Credit for required courses taken prior to admission will be awarded provided a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) is achieved. Credit for science courses will be awarded if completed within five years of acceptance to the program. All transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  8. Pre-Requisites
    A student may not progress in nursing until all course objectives and pre-requisites are met as described in the curriculum plan with the exception of N111. Each nursing course is a pre-requisite for the subsequent nursing course. The final Nursing course may not be taken unless all program requirements have been met. Official proof of successful course completion (C = 2.0) must be received in the School of Nursing prior to registration for nursing courses.
  9. Math Competency Requirement
    100% is required on all Math Competency exams in order to progress in nursing courses. Students are candidates for dismissal if 100% is not achieved on the third testing.
  10. Promotion
    Promotion to the second year of the program occurs when students have completed all first year requirements with a grade of “C” or above.
  11. Extended Periods of Absence due to Illness
    The student must inform faculty in writing concerning an illness of an extended nature. This should be followed by a report from the physician within two weeks of the onset of illness, informing the faculty as to the approximate length of absence. Extended absence beyond a total of two weeks may necessitate repeat of the course. If a student is unable to continue to meet the demands of the program, for any reason, their status in the school will be re-evaluated.
  12. Change of Status
    Any departure from contiguous educational curriculum constitutes a change of status. Requests for change of status must be made in writing and approved by School Administration.

    1. A student may request a leave of absence for a maximum of one year. This leave allows the individual to maintain status in the school without pursuing academic studies during this period.
    2. A program extension may be requested by the student experiencing academic or extenuating personal problems to allow additional time to complete program requirements. The individual continues to pursue academic studies during the extension period. A maximum of one year may be granted for this purpose.
    3. Student placement in nursing on return to the program may be affected by the duration of the absence, space available and resources at time of return, and/or curriculum change during the period of absence. Students must comply with policies regarding the total school program in place at time of return.
    4. Students who do not return to the program of study within the agreed upon time will be dismissed.
    5. Withdrawal from a nursing course results in a change of status. A student who withdraws prior to completing one half of a course will receive a WD. A student who has completed at least one-half of a course before withdrawal will receive a W/P (withdrew passing) or W/F (withdrew failing) grade as appropriate. A W/F constitutes failure of a course. The last date of attendance is considered the withdrawal date.
    6. The name of any student receiving federal monies, whose status changes due to a Leave of Absence or Program Extension, will be communicated promptly to the appropriate persons associated with the Stafford Loan or PELL Grant programs and to the NJHEAA. It is the responsibility of the student to report any change in status to the appropriate source.
  13. Incomplete Grades
    A grade of Incomplete is assigned when a student has not completed course work. A time plan must be established for completion of work. If not completed by the designated period, the grade will be converted to an “F”.
  14. Course Failure
    1. A student who fails a nursing course will be a candidate for dismissal. A student who fails or withdraws failing from any additional nursing course will be dismissed. A student who fails or withdraws failing from a laboratory science course must pass it the next time taken or will be a candidate for dismissal.
    2. A student who has failed to achieve a “C” (2.0) must repeat that course. The grade received in the repeated course becomes the official grade for the GPA.
    3. A student who receives a grade below C in N111, and passes N110, will receive an incomplete grade for N111, and may continue to N120/N121. If the student achieves a grade of C in both N120 & N121, the incomplete grade for N111 will be converted to a C. Failure in N121 will convert the incomplete in N111 to a failure. In order to continue to N210, both N111 & N121 must be repeated and passed.
  15. Resignation
    Students considering resignation are requested to discuss this with the Director of the School of Nursing and submit a letter of resignation stating the reasons for the decision. The name of any student receiving federal monies, who leaves the program for any reason, will be communicated promptly to the appropriate persons associated with the Stafford Loan or PELL Grant programs and to the NJHEAA.
  16. Clinical Performance
    A grade of Pass or Fail is assigned to clinical practice. Any student whose clinical performance falls below the expected level of behavior for any nursing course will be a candidate for dismissal.Anecdotal records, kept by the clinical instructor, are available for student review and are retained until students exit the program.
  17. Performance Improvement Plan/Warning
    Students are advised on a periodic basis during the semester regarding their progress in the academic and clinical areas. A student is notified verbally and subsequently in writing at any time of unsatisfactory academic and/or clinical performance. Unsatisfactory clinical attendance will result in a written warning. Faculty will meet with the student to review identified problem(s). The student will develop a written performance improvement plan which is filed in the student’s portfolio. Failure to respond to faculty’s request for a conference will be documented on the Performance Improvement Plan.
  18. Probation
    Any student whose GPA or Cumulative average falls below 2.0 will be placed on probation for the next semester. Any student who must be placed on probation a second time due to a GPA or Cumulative average of less than 2.0 will be a candidate for dismissal from the school.
  19. Dismissal
    The faculty reserves the right to dismiss any student who demonstrates inappropriate professional judgment or behavior, or acts in an unethical manner as identified in the New Jersey Nurse Practice Act, the ANA Code of Ethics, and the Code of Academic/Professional Integrity of Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing. Students are informed of dismissal in writing.
  20. Academic Appeal
    A student who wishes to appeal a decision of the Admissions Promotions Committee must submit written notification of intent to appeal to School of Nursing Administration within five business days of receipt of the Committee’s decision. The student is advised as to preparation of materials to identify the basis for appeal. The chairperson of the Ad Hoc Appeals Committee will notify the student of the date and time for the appeal within five business days of receipt of written intent to appeal a decision.
  21. Graduation
    The diploma and pin of Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing will be awarded when the student has successfully completed the planned program of studies. The letter of completion will be sent to the Board of Nursing when the student has successfully completed the planned program of studies, and fulfilled all school requirements and financial obligations. The student is then eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination to become a Registered Professional Nurse.
  22. Student Communication
    All communications regarding the student’s status in the school will be sent to the student. The student may grant permission to release this communication in accordance with Section 438 (b) (4) (B) of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended.
  23. Policy Changes
    Faculty of the School of Nursing reserves the right to change school policies. The student body will be informed in writing of policy changes.