College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Effective Date

These policies become effective immediately upon approval and shall remain in effect until revoked or revised.

Responsibility

Each student is responsible for knowing and adhering to the current admitted student policies for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) and their specific program. These policies are made available to students upon admission and are published on the CNHS website. Students are notified by Metro State email when policies are updated. Students are responsible for knowing and learning about changes in policies. The responsibility for the implementation of these policies is assigned to the dean and faculty of the CNHS.

Petition for Exceptions to Policies

A student seeking an exception from a policy or requirement may do so through the College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ petition process. Exception requests are considered on an individual basis considering the strength of the submitted evidence or rationale. Students should contact their advisor for information on the petition process.

CNHS Communication Acknowledgement

In accordance with FERPA, communication related to student academics, program progression, and student support may occur throughout the program among faculty, advisors, administration and staff.

• 1. Matriculation Requirements
• 1.1 Students are expected to adhere to the progression, academic, and graduation standards and current policies for the university and this program.
• 1.2 Students must establish and maintain a Metro State email account. This account is free of charge and is active as long as a student remains enrolled and 180 days beyond enrollment at any Minnesota State institution. The university-assigned student email account is the official means of communication with all students enrolled at Metro State. No other email account may be used as means of communication with faculty or staff. This policy is enforced to protect faculty, staff, and student privacy.
• 1.3 Students are expected to read their email on a regular basis to ensure that they are aware of information circulated by the CNHS. Changes in policy and procedures, reminders of important dates, and announcements about financial aid are all transmitted via Metro State email. It is the students’ responsibility to create accounts to use university services such as the library databases and online course management systems.
• 2. Advising Students will have an assigned advisor(s) throughout their time in the program. Advisors are available to help students with questions or issues while they progress through their degree program. Advisors can assist with issues such as course registration, petitions, graduation planning, or other concerns. Advisors provide information, advocacy, information about program requirements, and referrals to available university services to support students and their success.

• 3. Accessibility/Learning Needs
• 3.1 Our institution values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation. Our goal is to create learning environments that are accessible, equitable, inclusive and welcoming. Metro State University is committed to providing educational opportunities to students with disabilities. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other applicable state and federal laws, the school provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified students with disabilities. The decision regarding appropriate accommodations will be based on the specifics of each case and program specific technical requirements. Students who seek reasonable accommodations for disabilities must contact the Center for Accessibility Resources. The Center for Accessibility Resources, in collaboration with the student, will determine a student’s eligibility and recommend eligibility and appropriate accommodations and services. Please note that accommodations may not be applied retroactively. Additionally, accommodations cannot fundamentally alter a course or program. Students seeking accommodations are encouraged to connect with the Center for Accessibility Resources as soon as reasonably possible to begin the accommodation process. Once accommodations have been determined, it is the responsibility of the student to clearly state what accommodations they intend to use and when.

• 3.2 Information about the Center for Accessibility Resources can be found on the Metro State website: https://www.metrostate.edu/accessibility. The Center for Accessibility Resources is located in New Main, Suite L223. Their phone number is 651-793-1549, TTY (651) 772-7723, and their email is accessibility.resources@metrostate.edu.
• 4. Grading
• 4.1 Course grades are derived according to the scales displayed below.

Undergraduate courses grading scale:

Graduate courses grading scale:

Grades are not rounded to a higher number.

• 4.2 Incompletes An incomplete grade may be granted at the discretion of faculty if significant progress has been made in the course. Students should consult with their faculty if they desire an incomplete. Students should be aware of the university grading policy for incomplete grades and how an incomplete grade might affect their progression in the program. If granted an incomplete, students must successfully complete the course prior to start of the subsequent semester, in order to progress in the ELMSN program.

• 4.3 Written Paper Remediation Students may request to resubmit an assignment for which they have earned less than 78% for an undergraduate course or less than 75% for a graduate course. Remediation may be granted at the discretion of the instructor on a case-by-case basis. The highest score that can be earned on the remediated assignment is 78% for an undergraduate course assignment or 75% for a graduate course assignment. Assignments with a score of less than 78% for an undergraduate course or less than 75% for a graduate course as a result of point deductions due to submission past the deadline, do not qualify for remediation.

• 4.4 Students are required to take specified standardized tests following procedures established by the Department of Nursing. Course grades will be withheld until completion of all standardized tests associated with the course.
• 4.5 Students are required to obtain letter grades in all ELMSN program courses.
• 4.6 Students must achieve a grade of “C” or above in all ELMSN program courses.
• 4.7 If a course is not passed with a grade of “C” or better or a student withdraws from a course, they may take the course a second time if they are approved for reinstatement, per the reinstatement guidelines. Inability to achieve a grade of “C” or better or withdrawal from the second attempt of a course, or three nursing course failures will result in dismissal from the program.
• 4.8 Monitoring of Academic Standards
• The college will monitor the academic standing of all ELMSN students each semester and forward relevant information to the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The dean will take the following actions after reviewing students’ grades.
• 4.8.1 Academic Warning
• Academic warning letters will be sent at the end of each semester to students who receive an incomplete in any two courses, or who have a term or cumulative grade point average of less than 3.00.
• 4.8.2 Academic Probation
• Students who have been sent an academic warning letter will be placed on probation at the end of the next semester if they have a semester or cumulative GPA of less than 3.00. Students will continue on probation if their cumulative GPA remains less than 3.00, but their most recent semester GPA is above 3.00.
• Students on probation whose semester and cumulative GPA return to 3.0 or above are returned to good standing.
• Students on probation must meet with their advisor to discuss their academic status prior to registering for courses for any subsequent semester.
• Students who have not returned to good academic standing after two semesters on probation will have their record evaluated by their advisor to determine their potential eligibility for graduation.
• The student’s advisor will communicate with the dean regarding the student’s likelihood for graduation. Students who are unlikely to graduate may be dismissed from the ELMSN program for academic reasons.
• 4.8.3 Academic Dismissal
• A student will be dismissed for failure to progress due to poor academic performance. Students who have not returned to good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or above after two semesters on probation will be dismissed from the program if determined to be unlikely to graduate. Failure or withdrawal from the second attempt of a course, or three nursing course failures will result in dismissal from the program.

• 5. Curriculum Changes
• 5.1 Currently enrolled students whose program is amended due to curricular changes shall not be required to fulfill more credits than those in their original plan. Students will not be required to duplicate course content already completed.
• 5.2 Students who enroll in courses after a gap in enrollment must adhere to current program pre-requisites, requirements, and policies.
• 6. Progression
• 6.1 Students must enroll in and successfully complete courses in the sequence identified on the ELMSN Curriculum Plan. The minimum acceptable passing grade for all courses in the ELMSN program plan is a C. A student who does not successfully complete a nursing course on the first attempt, including withdrawals, may repeat the course one time only. A student who withdraws from one or more courses in a single semester may repeat the course(s) within one year on a space available basis. Courses not successfully completed must be repeated with a subsequent cohort on a space available basis within one year. Until a course is successfully completed, the student will not progress to subsequent courses. A student may repeat no more than two nursing courses. Failure or withdrawal from the second attempt of a course, or three nursing course failures will result in dismissal from the program. Students who fall out of progression may request reinstatement, using the request for reinstatement form following the reinstatement procedure. Approval of requests for reinstatement may include conditions that must be met by the student, including, but not limited to, development of a learning plan, medication dosage calculation exam, and health assessment skill demonstration.
• 6.2 Medication dosage calculation exams are included in the ELMSN program to help prepare students for safe medication administration. These exams must be passed at a minimum score of 90% within a maximum of 3 attempts in any given course. Failure to achieve 90% after 3 attempts at the medication dosage exam within a course will result in failure of the course. Students who fail a medication dosage calculation exam after 3 attempts will not be allowed to continue in clinical in the course.
• 6.3 Skills validations are identified in the course syllabi for courses that include them and are graded P/F (Pass/Fail). Skills validations may be performed face to face or be a video submission, based on instructor discretion. Students must pass all skills validations to earn a passing grade in the course.

Students will have two attempts to pass a particular skills validation at the stipulated level. The second skills validation attempt may be recorded, based on instructor discretion. Students will be allowed to repeat up to two skills validations in a single course.

A failure of the course occurs if the student does not pass a skills validation in two attempts or if a student fails three separate skills validations on the first attempt within the course.

• 6.4 ELMSN students must complete the nursing major within five years of enrollment in the first nursing course. Students who do not complete the nursing major within five years must submit a petition for an extension of the time limit. The petition must include a detailed plan and timetable for completion of the major. The request for extension of the time limit will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• 6.5 ELMSN students who fail to enroll in courses according to the published program plan will be required to submit a request for reinstatement. If granted, the student will be held accountable for any interim curriculum changes, including any changes in course pre-requisites. Reinstatement will be based on space availability.
• 7. Active Military Duty
• CNHS is committed to ensuring learning opportunities for members of any branch of the US military in accordance with Board policy (5.12.1) of the Minnesota State System.
• 8. The experiences, perceptions, ideas, and viewpoints of students are important to CNHS. Opportunities exist to provide input to the program coordinators, department chair, faculty, and department committees. This involvement provides for exchange of information and ideas related to continuous evaluation and improving of the programs.
• 9. Academic honesty is highly valued. Metro State University’s position regarding academic honesty is found in the Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures, #2190 and #219 and is provided to students on the university website and in course syllabi. Students are expected to uphold student integrity and standards when fulfilling program requirements and assignments. Allegations of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are subject to investigation and sanctions under the University Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures, #2190 and #219, respectively. Violation(s) of academic honesty standards may result in a reduced grade on an assignment or test including a reduction in points that may affect the final grade in the course. Serious violations may result in zero points, which could result in failure of the course.
• 10. Student Behaviors
• 10.1 All students are held responsible for meeting course, clinical, or practicum requirements. Students must consistently demonstrate behavior reflective of professional practice at the university and in public environments. Failure to demonstrate professional behavior may result in dismissal from the program.
• 10.2 Professional behavior includes:
• Taking actions that are consistent with the ANA Code of Ethics and the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act.
• Understanding and maintaining confidentiality consistent with HIPAA, professional ethics, and other regulations.
• Attending all learning experiences regularly and punctually.
• Informing course faculty in advance if unable to attend scheduled classroom meetings, exams or clinical experiences, or if unable to meet project deadlines.
• Complying with contracted requirements of clinical facilities and practicum sites.
• Completing all clinical pre-practicum requirements and clinical onboarding education by the specified due dates.
• Demonstrating behavior that is professional and respectful to faculty, peers, patients, and staff in the classroom, the learning lab, within online courses, and in clinical facilities and practicum sites.
• Demonstrating awareness that the classroom, learning lab, and clinical environments are learning environments. Unless otherwise directed, this includes turning cell phones off and arranging for emergency contacts in a manner that does not disrupt class or client care.
• 10.3 Students or organizations may be subject to university discipline for any of the misconduct noted in University Procedure #112 that occurs at any time on university-controlled premises or at university approved or sponsored functions, including clinical sites. Behaviors that endanger the physical or psychological safety of patients, family members, staff, peers, or instructors are unacceptable and may be grounds for dismissal from the program. 
• 10.3.1 Students exhibiting unprofessional behavior will be notified by faculty that such behavior is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. Faculty members or others in a position of authority may take any appropriate actions necessary to protect themselves and others, and to uphold established policies, regulations, and laws. Any behaviors that violate the Student Code of Conduct may be subject to investigation. Depending upon the nature of the incident or the number of incidents, faculty may consult with the Office of the Dean of Students or the Student Conduct Office to authorize a conduct investigation under University Student Code of Conduct Policy #1020 and Procedure #112.
• 10.3.2 During clinical experiences, students who possess a professional role license (e.g. RN, LPN, LVN) are providing care as student nurses. However, licensed students are accountable for their professional behavior as related to licensure. For example, the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act (148.263 Sub. 3) includes an obligation to report violations that are likely to result in disciplinary action. Such violations will be reported to the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
• 11. Practicum and Contract Requirements of Clinical Facilities and Practicum Sites
• 11.1 Legal contracts are arranged with clinical and practicum sites. These contracts specify information the college must collect from students. Students must submit the required pre-practicum and clinical documentation prior to the deadline. Failure to submit this information prior to the deadline will result in students’ inability to enroll and attend clinical courses. The pre-practicum requirements are determined by clinical agencies. All requirements must be met and remain valid for the duration of all clinical and practicum experiences. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain the records. Information on clinical requirements can be obtained on the CNHS website: https://www.metrostate.edu/academics/nursing-and-health-sciences/practicum/requirements.
• 12. Complaints and Conflicts
• 12.1 Academic Appeal Students who believe they have been unfairly evaluated concerning grades, academic integrity, program requirements, or graduation requirements may appeal such concerns in accordance with the University’s Academic Appeal Procedure (University Policy and procedure, section 2-b, Procedure #202).
• 12.2 Student Complaints and Grievances Whenever possible, complaints, disagreements, and misunderstandings should be settled between the individuals involved and at the lowest possible level. Student who believe they have been unfairly treated by department faculty or staff, or who have a complaint related to a course that is not covered by the academic appeal procedure should use the following protocol, University Policy and Procedure 3-b, Procedure #303.
• 13. Graduation Requirements and Process
• 13.1 The student must complete all standardized tests required by their department.
• 13.2 Students must apply for graduation in accordance with university procedures.
• 13.3 Advisors nominate students for graduation after all degree requirements have been met or are in progress. The Graduation Office clears students for graduation after confirming that all outstanding degree requirements have been completed.