PROGRESSION IN PROGRAM TO GRADUATION AND RN STATUS
In Program To Graduation To Graduate Certification & RN Status Core Curriculum
I. PROGRESSION IN PROGRAM
Progression from admission to graduation in the Program of Nursing follows strict adherence to guidelines related to behavior, academic success, clinical skill performance and college requirements for graduation. All departmental requirements are congruent with college policy.
A. HEALTH
A student must maintain physical and mental health satisfactory for performance of educational achievement and psychological well being necessary to provide nursing care in clinical situations.
B. ACHIEVEMENT IN CLASS AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
1. The grading scale in Grades and Reports, Del Mar College Catalog states:
Health Sciences program grades are recorded as “A” (100-90); “B” (89-83); “C” (82-75); "D" (74-70); “F” (below 70) failing; and “P”. A final grade of “D” or “F” in any course in the student’s major in the health sciences programs will automatically remove a student from eligibility to continue in that program until the unsatisfactory grades are removed. Removal can be done only by re-admission to the program.
A minimum grade of “C” is required for all health science students in all courses to remain in good standing in all health sciences programs.
A student may be recommended for dismissal for failing grades, cheating, inappropriate behavior or attitude, or unsatisfactory clinical performance in any and all health science programs. An evaluation of unsatisfactory (unsafe) clinical performance will supersede any classroom grade and will, therefore, mean failure for the semester.
2. Nursing faculty for each course will plan, implement and evaluate course requirements.
3. Nursing faculty will maintain a record of student progress in a course and communicate to the student progress or lack of progress in the course.
4. Course instructors communicate course requirements to the students in writing by Course Descriptions and through verbal reinforcement.
5. The clinical evaluation tool includes both a Formative and Summative Evaluation. A Summative Clinical Evaluation of UNSATISFACTORY (U) in clinical laboratory practice will result in a failing grade for the semester regardless of the theory grade achieved.
6. A criterion for Graduation from Del Mar College requires an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above.
C. PROGRESSION FROM LEVEL TO LEVEL
1. All RNSG courses must be taken as listed on the degree plan.
2. Students must maintain a theory grade of C in any course of the nursing program in order to progress to the next level.
3. Students must earn a Satisfactory Clinical Evaluation in order to progress to the next level.
4. Students who do not pass a course and desire to continue in the nursing program are required to apply for re-admission to the program.
D. INCOMPLETE IN A RN COURSE
An Incomplete (“I”) grade is considered a mutual agreement between the student and instructor, both agreeing that all of the requirements necessary for the completion of the course will be done at a date later than the last day of the semester in which the student has enrolled for the class. The student has 6 months after the ”I” is recorded to complete the necessary requirements to the satisfaction of the instructor and remove the “I” to a grade. An “I” that is not replaced with a grade within 6 months will automatically change to a grade of “F” Del Mar College Catalog.
A student in the nursing program cannot progress to the next Level of nursing education with an “I” in a previous nursing course. If the nursing student does not meet the necessary course requirements the “I” becomes an “F”, and the student must apply for re-admission to the nursing program.
The student may be required to register for the course, again, in order to maintain liability coverage for clinical incompletes.
E. WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL
1. A student who withdraws from a nursing course has the responsibility to meet with their instructor. Students with special circumstances, such as those receiving financial aid, Students with a visa, etc. must also notify the respective department(s).
2. College policy for withdrawal is in the current College Catalog with dates related to deadlines. Also, students who find it necessary to withdraw should complete a form in the East or West Campus Registrar’s Office. If a student stops attending class without officially withdrawing from the College, the grade becomes an automatic “F”.
3. Any interruption in enrollment in the RN Program will require application for re-admission. Departmental policy for re-admission follows the College policy in addition to nursing departmental criteria for re-admission (Re-admission Policy, Handbook for Nursing Student.)
Candidates for the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing must complete all curriculum on the Nursing Degree Plan with a grade of C or better in nursing courses and an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better to satisfactorily meet graduation policies.
To graduate from Del Mar College the student must complete 25% of semester credit hours at Del Mar College.
III. PROGRESSION TO GRADUATE CERTIFICATION AND TO REGISTERED NURSE STATUS
The student successful in completion of the nursing program is eligible to apply to take the NCLEX examination to become a Registered Nurse in the State of Texas. This process is guided by the following requirements of the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners and Texas Nursing Practice Act Rules and Regulations. The Departmental Chairperson guides and certifies students in this process. The student will receive and is responsible to read and/or complete forms related to:
A. Licensure and Licensure Eligibility of the Texas Nursing Practice Act.
B. Rules 213.27-213.30 and 217.11-217.12 of the Rules and Regulations relating to Professional Nurse Education, Licensure and Practice.
C. The Notification Form and the Declaratory Order Petition that is provided on admission to the nursing program (See Appendix D-2).
D. Two months prior to completion of all course requirements and graduation the Chairperson will provide the necessary legal documents and additional information for the licensing examination.
E. The student anticipating graduation will:
- Complete application for the NCLEX examination form (bubble sheet) at same time of application for graduation.
- Apply for graduation and present proof of this application to the Nursing Department office. (Students who have not applied for graduation and who are eligible for graduation will be notified of their noncompliance and the effects on graduation.)
- Certification of graduation will only occur for those students who have:
- Applied for graduation and presented proof of their application;
- Completed all courses on the RN degree plan; and
- A grade point average above 2.0
- Students will receive a copy of this policy with their application for graduation.
Core curriculum for Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degrees is for the student to transfer credits and facilitate matriculation into an institution of higher learning without losing credit or requiring excess course repetition. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has adopted requirements for a forty-two-hour core curriculum. Students pursuing an AA or an AS degree are required to complete these curriculum requirements. Each student is responsible for knowing transfer requirements. However, by completing an AA Degree in addition to an AAS-RN degree, a student may benefit when transferring the block of courses to any other Texas college. That Texas college must accept it for their core curriculum, unless the receiving college has a larger core curriculum, which can require additional courses. The completion of this core curriculum facilitates the transfer of lower division credits taken at Del Mar College to other colleges and universities. An AA degree plan specific to a student’s area can be obtained in the RN Departmental Office.
Fall, 2007