BSN Special Policies and Procedures

BSN SPECIAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
 

• The B.S.N. Program in Nursing reserves the right to make such changes and adjustments in its curriculum as are educationally sound and are in keeping with the dynamic nature of its discipline and which do not extend the program of studies listed in the official University of Louisiana at Lafayette Bulletin.
• The B.S.N. Program in Nursing reserves the right to limit the number of students enrolled in nursing courses in order to make the mot effective use of the educational resources available. In the event that enrollment in these courses must be limited, students to be admitted will be selected by their academic ranking based upon overall G.P.A.

Academic Requirements

1. It is the student’s responsibility to stay informed of curriculum and departmental policy changes at all times.
2. The LHC Group · Myers School of Nursing reserves the right to make such changes and adjustments in its curriculum as are educationally sound and in keeping with the dynamic nature of its discipline which does not extend the program of studies listed in the official UL Lafayette Bulletin. Also, the LHC Group · Myers School of Nursing reserves the right to limit the number of students admitted to freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior nursing courses in order to make most effective use of the educational resources available.
3. The student must attain a minimum grade of “C” in each prescribed course in the curriculum and a grade of “Satisfactory” in each nursing laboratory or clinical component. The grading scale for all nursing courses is: 93-100 A, 92-85 B, 84-77 C, 76-69 D, 68 & below F.
4. All courses attempted will be included in the calculation of the overall grade point average. The LHC Group · Myers School of Nursing does not honor repeats filed with the Registrar’s Office. However, in the event of enrollment limitation at any level, filing of repeats will not be honored - only the overall GPA, not the adjusted GPA, will be considered.
5. A student will be permitted to repeat only one required nursing course. A student who fails or withdraws (receives a grade of “W”, “D”, or “F”) again in that course or from a second required nursing course will no longer be permitted to major in nursing in the UL Lafayette College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
6. A student will be permitted to repeat only one required non-nursing course. A student who fails (receives a grade of “D”, or “F”) again in that course or from a second required non-nursing course will no longer be permitted to major in nursing in the UL Lafayette College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
7. A student will be required to achieve a minimum overall GPA of 2.800 for progression into nursing courses in the sophomore year. However, meeting the minimum GPA criteria for a class in which enrollment is limited does not guarantee admission into that course. Selection decisions are based on the overall GPA. Those students with the top overall GPAs will be considered for enrollment.

Transfer Students

1. Students who transfer to the UL Lafayette LHC Group · Myers School of Nursing from another accredited institution are also subject to the rules listed above. Transfer students who fail and/or withdraw from nursing courses taken at another accredited institution will be treated in the same way as failures and/or withdrawing from required nursing courses at UL Lafayette. Failure in non-nursing courses taken at another university will be treated the same as failures in non-nursing courses at UL Lafayette.  
2. All transfer/change of major/re-entry students must be enrolled at UL Lafayette during the semester of application for inclusion in the applicant pool for consideration for enrollment in Nursing 208/209. If enrollment in nursing courses is interrupted for a period of three years, the student must repeat all required courses titled Nursing.

                                                                                                                                      
Admission Requirements

Admission to Nursing 104
Before entry into Nursing 104, all students (generic and transfer) must meet with the Assistant Dean, Student Services and must meet the following qualifications:
a) English ACT greater than or equal to 18, and
b) Math ACT greater than or equal to 21

To clarify, English 101 and Math 105 must be taken concurrently or before Nursing 104. Students whose Math ACT score earns a placement in Math 103/104 must successfully complete Math 103/104 before taking Nursing 104.
                                               
Admission to Nursing 208

1. Completion of a minimum of 42 semester hours, including all sciences courses, excluding Biology 261, from the freshman and sophomore years of the curriculum with a minimum grade of “C” in each course, and minimum overall GPA of 2.800.
2. Completion of remedial courses (if required) with a minimum grade of “C”.
3. Receipt of application by the Nursing Student Services office by April 1 for the Fall semester or November 1 for the Spring semester.
4. Clearance by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing to enroll in a clinical nursing course after ANY incidence of disciplinary action, arrest, or impairment in ANY state.
5. Clearance of Level I and/or Level II background investigation check required by healthcare agencies for clinical nursing learning experiences. Clearance includes a Louisiana State Board of Nursing approved Louisiana State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation check.

Admission to Junior Nursing Courses

1. All courses listed in the freshman and sophomore years of the curriculum must be completed except your history, literature and art elective. 
2. A minimum grade of “C” must have been earned in each prescribed course.

  *Please note that a 2.800 GPA is a minimum standard only. A substantially higher GPA may be needed to be competitive in the event of enrollment limitation.

Clinical Requirements

The first clinical course in the curriculum is the sophomore course, Nursing 208. To be prepared to participate fully in this class and all subsequent clinical courses the student should:

1. Be equipped with bandage scissors, watch with second hand, penlight, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, and disposable mouth protector for CPR.
2. Arrange personal transportation to and from hospitals, nursing homes, public agencies, or any other assigned areas for clinical laboratory practice.
3. Purchase full departmental nursing uniform at the beginning of Nursing 208.
4. Provide evidence of sound health yearly.
5. Provide evidence of current CPR certification (Level C).
6. Provide evidence of hospitalization insurance ($16,750 maximum aggregate policy include in UL Lafayette registration fee for full-time students or comparable policy). Please note that the university insurance policy is supplemental in nature and provides only limited coverage. It is highly recommended that students seek additional insurance coverage. Further information about student hospitalization insurance is provided through the Office of Student Health Services (O.K. Allen Hall, Saucier Wellness Center) or your local insurance agent.

Students who fail to provide evidence will not be allowed to remain enrolled in any clinical nursing course. Students must provide evidence by August 1 prior to Fall semester and January 5 prior to Spring semester clinical nursing courses.

Other Requirements

Students are responsible for informing the Department Head in writing of verified disabilities prior to the
beginning of the semester. In addition:

1. If you have ever been arrested for, charged with, convicted of, pled guilty or no contest to, or been sentenced for ANY criminal offense in ANY state, you must petition the Louisiana State Board (LSBN) in writing for the right to practice as a student of nursing in Louisiana prior to enrolling in the first nursing courses. The LSBN will conduct criminal record checks on all applicants for licensure as a registered nurse in Louisiana.
   • Students should review the complete LSBN document (available from Student Services) related to requirements regarding criminal incidents, addiction, and impairment reporting. Students are advised to refer to the LSBN website (http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/) for information regarding disclosure and expungement. 
2. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the LSBN at all times when LSBN enrollment requirements are not met or when there has been a change in the student’s status which the LSBN considers to be significant and/or which the LSBN deems as a reportable event or status change.    
3. Students must adhere to policies prescribed by each clinical agency when involved in clinical nursing experiences at that agency. The institution’s policies may require random drug screening and/or drug screening for cause and Level I (unlicensed students) or Level II (licensed or certified caregiver) background investigation check.
4. Students enrolled in the LHC Group · Myers School of Nursing for six years prior to their anticipated graduation will follow the degree program normally followed by the other students enrolled in their present year of nursing courses. For example, a student enrolled for more than six years and presently enrolled in senior nursing courses will follow the curriculum of the seniors who began their program of studies three years ago. Similar situations will apply to those in sophomore or junior nursing courses. If the student fails another course and drops behind, the student will also need to take the courses those students have had or were required to take.