DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

Academic Standards

Since the role of the professional nurse affects the health/ welfare of human beings, those recommended by the nursing department for this role must conduct themselves according to principles of high moral standards and honor. In addition, they should display levels of competence consistent with the rigorous demands of the profession. Each year, the Department of Nursing, in recommending baccalaureate students for graduation, also recommends them to the appropriate Licensing Board. The recommendations reflect the department comments on the candidates’ conformance to published departmental academic, social, and professional regulations as well as their ability to start professional responsibility as a beginning practitioner. The academic standards for good standing in Nursing are designed to assist these goals. A student whose behavior is deemed contrary to the standards or regulations of the department, the ANA Code of Ethics and the N.J. Nursing Practice Act may be dismissed from the nursing program. These academic standards are applied in addition to those all-college academic standards applied to students generally. Determination of academic standing in the Nursing major is made at the end of each semester, beginning with the freshman year.
Approved 4/25/88 Department of Nursing

Departmental Grading System

Approved Department Faculty – November 1997

N.B. A value of one one hundredth above .5 converts that number to a .6 (Ex. 68.51 = 68.6)

A value of .6 or higher following a full number converts that number to the next integer. (Ex. 68.6 = 69)

1. A GPA of 2.0 overall must be achieved by the end of each academic year.
2. A GPA of 2.0 in the major is required at the end of each academic level.
3. A grade below C- in a major course must be repeated. Major courses include nursing, science and psychology courses, nutrition and statistics.
4. Although a C- grade in any course cannot be repeated, a C- grade in a major course counts as a grade below C in our academic standards policy.
5. A grade below C- in a non-major course is subject to the university’s academic standards policy.
6. The college will record repeated grades after a course is retaken. Only the last grade is counted in the GPA.
7. A major course may be repeated only once.
8. Nursing students will be dismissed from the major after earning their third grade below C in the major. All grades below C are counted, even if the course has been repeated.
9. Students who earn a grade below C in the major must complete a tutorial assistance program offered through the Center for Academic Support and/or the Nursing Department.

Students in Academic Jeopardy – Dismissal from Major

Student Rights and Responsibilities

1. Any nursing student subject to dismissal may submit, in writing to the Chairperson of the Academic Standards Committee (with a copy to the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing), a comprehensive report regarding grade(s) below C with an explanation of the same.
2. A student whose academic standing is being reviewed shall be expected to attend, if requested by the Academic Standards Committee, a meeting of the Committee.
3. The Academic Standards Committee will report its recommendations on student standing at a faculty meeting, once grades are posted for each academic term and committee review is complete.
4. The Dean of the College of Science and Health and the student shall be notified of dismissal decisions.

Appeal Procedure of Dismissal

Students who wish to appeal a decision regarding their academic standing in the Nursing major follow the appeal procedure of the University found in the current catalogue.

Procedures for Complaints about Grades

Students who are dissatisfied with treatment by a faculty member in reference to grades or student academic performance should pursue the following procedure. Due process must be followed at each step of this procedure. No grade will be changed by anyone other than the faculty member who assigned it unless there is convincing evidence that the assignment of the original grade was inconsistent with professional standards in the discipline.

Each step in the procedure must be initiated within ten (10) working days of the faculty, chairperson, or departmental response. Dated, written statements are required at each step. Likewise, at each level, the faculty member, chairperson or Department Executive Council (or other appropriate departmental committee) must complete a review of all pertinent written materials prior to rendering a decision and inform the student in writing of the decision within ten (10) working days of receipt of the complaint materials. If the student can verify that she or he has not been able to contact the faculty member, it is understood that the student’s right to appeal will not be jeopardized, and the deadline will be extended. A copy of all materials submitted at each level of the appeal process should be retained by the student. If the student so chooses, he/she will be allowed to appear before the appropriate committee or council at each level of the appeal process.

1. The student must write to the faculty member within ten (10) working days of the receipt of grade or incident related to student academic performance to request an appointment to discuss the complaint, the letter must also include any pertinent documentation to substantiate the student’s complaint.
2. At the meeting with the faculty, the student must present any additional pertinent documents to substantiate the complaint. The faculty member must make available for review at this meeting, materials submitted by the student for evaluation and not yet seen by the student.
3. If the student is unsuccessful in making contact with the faculty member or upon meeting with the faculty member is dissatisfied with the outcome and wished to further pursue the complaint, the student must write to the Department Chairperson and request an appointment to discuss the complaint. A copy of all materials originally presented to the faculty member must be included. The department chairperson will try to resolve the issue by reaching a settlement that is agreed upon by both the student and the faculty member. Each student who registers a complaint with a department chairperson must be given a copy of this policy. A copy must be attached to the appeal and signed by the student to indicate that he/she has been given a copy of this procedure, has read it and understands it before the appeal can proceed.
4. If the complaint is not resolved at the chairperson’s level, and if the student wishes to pursue the complaint, the student must request in writing that the department chairperson convene the Department Executive Council (or other appropriate department committee) to hear the appeal. The committee must consult with the faculty member involved in the complaint and review the documents provided by the student. The committee will then submit a decision to the department chairperson. When the faculty member involved is the chairperson, the student may request that the dean of the school convene the Department Executive Council (or other appropriate department committee).
5. If not satisfied with the Department Executive Council’s (or other appropriate department committee’s) decision, and if the student wishes to further pursue the complaint, the student must write to the Dean of the College of Science and Health requesting that the complaint be brought to the School Council for a decision by the department chairpersons of the school concerned. The chairperson of the department concerned will not take part in the final vote. This decision will constitute the College’s final decision.
6. The faculty unequivocally have the final responsibility with regard to grade.