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2024-2025 Nursing Student Handbook 1100 Rockhurst Road Kansas City, MO 64110 (816) 501-4700 The Nursing Program of Rockhurst University is accredited by: The Commission on College Nursing Education (CCNE) The Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Rockhurst University reserve the right to change and to make exceptions to the provisions of this Handbook at any time and to apply any change or to make an exception applicable to any student without regard to date of admission application or date of enrollment. This Handbook is neither a contract nor an offer to enter into a contract. 1 A Warm Welcome… We are very excited that you have chosen to join us on your journey in nursing. Rockhurst University and St. Luke’s College of Nursing have a rich and vibrant history. We’re very proud of our many distinguished graduates. Every department on campus strives to set new standards of academic excellence and fully live the University’s mission to transform lives by creating a learning community centered on excellence. It is truly a place “Where Leaders Learn.” We are pleased that you have accepted the responsibility of charting your own future as a nurse. We believe you will reap the rewards of an exceptional education and we’re confident that you will leave a proud legacy for future students. As you progress through our program, please know that we are here to encourage, guide, teach, and help you realize your full potential as a student who holds the key to a promising future in nursing. Nursing Student Responsibility As a nursing student at Rockhurst University, you are responsible for reviewing and following any policies and procedures as outlined in the Rockhurst student handbook, the nursing handbook, and the program-specific catalog. Updates or revisions will be communicated to you through course announcements, emails, and/or posts. If you have questions or concerns, please share them with your assigned faculty or administrator. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS (See page numbers in this document, all other contents have links) PROGRAM OVERVIEW Faculty Staff...(4) Our Vision Our Mission Our Values Our BSN Mission Our MSN Mission...(6) Program Catalogs University Policies ST. LUKE'S COLLEGE OF NURSING POLICIES Latex Allergy: Policy and Procedure Clinical Compliance Policy Student Impairment Policy and Procedure Rockhurst Leave of Absence Policy Leave of Absence Policy - Return Student Complaint Policy Student Professional Conduct Policy and Procedures Clinical Laboratory and Simulation...7 Clinical Laboratory and Simulation Handbook HIPPA and Confidentiality BSN PROGRAM SPECIFIC INFORMATION Grading and Student Evaluation...(8) Undergraduate Nursing Grading Scale and Policy Testing Administration Procedures BSN Testing Administration ATI Testing and Remediation Missed Exam Policy Licensure...(9) Student Success Services...(10) Standards for Continuation...(11) Part-time Plan of Study...(11) Remediation...(12) Out of Synch Student Policy Professional Appearance Policy Student Nurses Association (SNA)...(13) ABSN PROGRAM SPECIFIC INFORMATION Grading and Student Evaluation...(8) Undergraduate Nursing Grading Scale and Policy Testing Administration Procedures ABSN Testing Administration ABSN ATI Testing and Remediation Missed Exam Policy Licensure...(9) Student Success Services...(10) Standards for Continuation...(11) Remediation...(12) Out of Synch Student Policy Professional Appearance Policy Student Nurses Association (SNA)...(13) ABSN Program Specific Information...(14) RN-BSN Specific Information RN-BSN to MSN Bridge Program MSN PROGRAM SPECIFIC INFORMATION Academic Policies and Procedures...(15-16) Clinical Policies...(17) Graduate APG Post Master's Nurse Practitioner Certification Qualifications 3 FACULTY AND STAFF Nursing Adjunct Faculty We are fortunate to have excellent adjunct instructors who provide clinical and didactic expertise to support many areas of our teaching. You will meet several adjunct instructors throughout your time in the program in roles including didactic, clinical, lab, and simulation instructors. Nursing Department Advisors and Staff Kylie Lark Senior Administrative Assistant: School of Nursing, BLA Email: Kylie.Lark@rockhurst.edu Yvette Sweeney BSN Academic Advisor Email: yvette.sweeney@rockhurst.edu Office Phone Number: 816-501-4097/816-905-2215 (Cell) Lilly.Coye Nursing Student Services Coordinator Email: lilly.coye@rockhurst.edu Office Phone Number: Shawnda Clark Lab and Simulation Assistant Email: Shawnda.Clark@rockhurst.edu Jay Renfro Simulation IT Specialist Email: jay.renfro@rockhurst.edu Sam Dodds Clinical Compliance Coordinator, BS, PTA Email: Samantha.Dodds@rockhurst.edu Office Phone Number: (816) 501-4730 Kathleen FitzGerald Academic and Facilities Assistant Email: Kathleen.FitzGerald@rockhurst.edu Office Phone Number: (816) 501-4701 4 ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY'S OATH OF INCLUSION: The Oath of Inclusion: "We, as students, form a diverse and vibrant university community, We do not enter into this community by proximity, but by virtue of a shared Jesuit vision - to pursue higher truths, obtain greater knowledge and strive for a better world. In this endeavor, we do not succeed by our individual ambitions, but by our discovery of each other. We find higher truths when we seek to understand the complexity of our neighbors' identities, we obtain greater knowledge when we consider the perspectives of our fellow students and we begin to strive for a better world when we build a stronger community. 8 As a student and a member of the Rockhurst community, I will live by this oath. I will embrace people for the diversity of their identities, creating a community inclusive of race, ethnicity, sex, age, ability, faith, orientation, gender, class and ideology. I will challenge my worldview through education inside and outside the classroom. I will show that I am proud to be a Hawk by enriching the culture of our University. I will foster a community that welcomes all by recognizing the inherent dignity of each person. I will work for social justice in the Kansas City community and beyond. This is the Rockhurst I believe in. This is the community I am building. This is our Rockhurst." 5 OUR MSN MISSION Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Rockhurst University graduate nursing programs focus on developing compassionate thoughtful leaders, accomplished scholars, and lifelong learners with a passion for advance nursing practice that meets societal needs with diverse populations in diverse settings. 6 CLINICAL, LABORATORY, AND SIMULATION If your course has a lab or simulation component, you will receive orientation and detailed explanation in your course. The Clinical Laboratory and Simulation Manual and the Seelos Simulation Center Handbook provide policies and procedures specific to all student functions, responsibilities, and expectations while in the assigned lab or simulation. Disposable student supplies will be ordered by the student and required for participation in the lab and simulation center. The information and instructions for ordering your supplies will be communicated to you with a deadline for ordering to facilitate time for shipment. The non-disposable supplies are for your use only. The lab fees paid to Rockhurst cover non-disposable 19 equipment and supplies such as mannequins, clinical models, software/platforms, simulation equipment, IV pumps, etc. All clinical experiences are scheduled by the nursing faculty. Students are not allowed to contact sites directly. We have established and trusted relationships with our clinical partners and rely on them for continued access to quality clinical experiences for all students. Students contacting clinical sites directly will be subject to Professional Conduct violations. ABSENCES Clinical, lab, or didactic absences for athletic or religious reasons should be communicated to the instructor and/or clinical lead as soon as possible. Required clinical assignments, exams, activities cannot always be rescheduled. 7 GRADING and STUDENT EVALUATION See course syllabi for course grading and student evaluation requirements. The BSN Catalog has additional information about grading scales, course withdrawal, and course failures. Pre-nursing students taking nursing courses are subject to all evaluation, grading, and progression requirements as outlined in the course syllabus. 8 LICENSURE After graduation, each student will need to take and pass the National Certification Licensure Examination (NCLEX) before being eligible for licensure. More information about the exam can be found on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website NCSBN Licensure information. You will receive additional information about NCLEX throughout the nursing program, including testing recommendations and student preparation. 9 STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES Purpose Student Success Services is a resource for student support to assist students to meet the program’s academic and professional behavior standards by developing remediation plans for any students who are not progressing in the program at the expected standards outlined in the student handbook. Students on academic probation, those that have returned following a leave of absence or have decelerated in the program, and/or those who do not attain a passing grade on examinations (written and practical) and/or clinical experiences are encouraged to utilize these services for assistance. Student Success Services also assists students who do not demonstrate appropriate professional behavior, as described in the Student Handbook. Student Success Services provides assistance and guidance to students who have illness, injury, psychological conditions, disability, or other issues that may impact a student's ability to attend and actively participate in class, learn or apply course material, and/or succeed in the program. You are encouraged to seek assistance through the University’s Student Success Services or ADA office as soon as possible and as often as needed. There are diverse resources available to you and we encourage you to take advantage of them. Your course faculty can guide you to the most appropriate resources if you have questions or concerns. 10 STANDARDS FOR CONTINUATION In order to successfully complete the BSN program, a student must meet all requirements as outlined in the BSN Catalog (See BSN Degree Requirements). PART-TIME PLAN OF STUDY There are limited seats available for a part-time plan of study in the traditional BSN program. All BSN student policies and requirements are congruent between the full-time and part-time plan of study. Full-time students may switch to a part-time plan of study based on the seats available, Program Director approval, and students must be in good academic standing. Students who switch to part-time must stay in the part-time plan of study and may only switch between semesters, not in the middle of any semester. Part-time students will only be admitted in the Fall semester and must graduate within 3 years (maximum). Program: Nursing, BSN - Rockhurst University Failure to seek counseling, academic assistance, and establish communication will disqualify circumstances as valid reasons for poor academic performance or expression of attitudes which do not meet the generally accepted ethical standards of nurses. Additionally, no extra credit will be awarded in BSN courses. Students may only earn one-course failure and remain in the nursing program. Two or more course failures will result in dismissal from the nursing program. Pre-nursing students will be subject to the same requirements if taking Pathophysiology prior to program admittance. Students dismissed from the traditional BSN program are not eligible for admission to the ABSN program. The curriculum for both programs is the same, however the format and delivery for the ABSN is much quicker and the didactic courses are not face-to-face. 11 REMEDIATION It is imperative that students be proactive in seeking opportunities for remediation throughout the nursing program. The remediation process provides additional opportunities for learning and reinforces challenging concepts for student success. It is the student's responsibility to seek remediation, use the resources and support that is available to them. Students are required to meet with the nursing faculty for remediation of any exam achievement less than the identified benchmark (course exams and HESI/ATI exams). The faculty will assist the student to develop and implement a remediation plan. It is recommended the student also seek support and resources through Student Success Services. The clinical remediation process is outlined in the Nursing Clinical, Lab, and Simulation Manual. The student will meet with the Clinical Lead to develop and implement the remediation plan. 12 STUDENT NURSING ASSOCIATION (SNA) Any degree-seeking, BSN/ABSN student who is enrolled in one credit hour or more during the current semester is considered a member of the student body and is automatically a member of the SNA. The organization promotes personal and professional development and serves as an avenue for student input into programs and policies of the College. Through its officers and standing committees, the organization sponsors social, educational, and cultural events, and community activities. As a regular part of its activities, the organization sponsors fund-raising events. Some of the monies raised are used to enable students to attend annual, out-of-town conventions of the State and National Student Nurses’ Association, of which SNA is a constituent member. They foster activities designed to enhance personal growth, to engage with community organizations who serve under-resourced populations, to provide multicultural experiences, and assist community organizations in fundraising. SNA publishes a newsletter. 13 ABSN PROGRAM SPECIFIC INFORMATION Residency Experience Participation and attendance is required for the residency experience. This is a 10-day experience for lab, simulation, and clinical competency achievement. Housing and meal accommodations are available on campus for an additional fee. Communication will be sent directly to students from the Student Success Advisor. Attendance at Precepted Experiences Students are responsible for informing preceptors of any unavoidable absence or arrival delay from the agreed-upon precepted learning experience schedule. Either clinical or systems placements may be subject to cancellation due to one or more “no-shows” or repeated tardiness. Students are responsible for contacting the Clinical Faculty Supervisor to reschedule missed hours. All required hours must be completed within the designated course timeframe requirement. All clinical experiences and preceptor pairings are coordinated by the nursing faculty. Students are not allowed to contact sites directly, to ask for a different preceptor or alternative days prior to approval. We have established and trusted relationships with our clinical partners and rely on them for continued access to quality clinical experiences for all students. Students contacting clinical sites or alternative preceptors directly will be subject to Professional Conduct violations. Clinical Faculty Supervisor Meetings Meetings with Clinical Faculty Supervisors are required in each clinical course. If a student does attend the required meetings without prior communication with the Clinical Faculty Supervisor (CFS); a Student Conduct Report will be completed. The student must attend the required number of meetings with the CFS for each course (2) to successfully pass clinical. Appeal Process Please follow the university appeal policy and process. However, the appeal process will be expedited to accommodate the accelerated schedule. 14 MSN PROGRAM SPECIFIC INFORMATION Program Director's Welcome I warmly welcome you to the MSN graduate program at Saint Luke’s College of Nursing (SON) and Health Sciences at Rockhurst University and eagerly anticipate fostering your scholarship, creative innovation, and clinical expertise throughout your journey. Our faculty and clinical partners are eager to collaborate with you, promoting your growth and evolution towards becoming an advanced practice nurse. As a transformational nurse leader, I urge you to be actively engaged in our SON and Rockhurst University community while proudly sharing your talents with interprofessional healthcare teams in local, regional, and national settings. We believe your preparation as an advanced practice nurse is instrumental to the future of healthcare: delivering expert clinical services and advancing innovations that improve health outcomes of patients and families. We are proud to welcome you and look forward to collaborating with you! Barbara Ludwig, EdD, MSN, RN Director of Graduate Nursing Programs and Assistant Professor ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Saint Luke’s College of Nursing offers a flexible program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing degree. Master’s students pursue their educational endeavors with faculty and clinical/consulting associates who have expertise and research in the student's chosen area of study. In most MSN majors, students have the option to pursue either full-time or part-time study. All MSN core courses are offered online every semester, clinical programs require one in-person immersion experience, and all the majors in the MSN program are designed to accommodate distance-based learners. Students in the MSN Program may select clinical or systems majors. ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The students, faculty, administration, and staff of Saint Luke’s College of Nursing are part of the academic community of Rockhurst University and as such are subject to the policies, rules and regulations of the University as a whole. Additionally, the School and its respective programs may, as deemed necessary, develop its own policies and procedures to augment those of the University. Policies and procedures for the University are provided within this handbook. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Academic Specifics All academic and clinical standards and requirements are outlined in the course syllabi and specific to your academic track See course syllabi for course grading, student evaluation, and progression requirements. The Rockhurst University Graduate Catalog has additional information about graduate student policies and procedures Master of Science in Nursing student must complete the following requirements for program completion: Complete the prescribed credit hours for the chosen MSN track Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 Students may repeat a course only one time Earn a B or better in each graduate nursing course Students are allowed to repeat a maximum of ONE course Successfully complete all required clinical and/or practicum hours required by specific program track. Graduate Nursing Program Academic Dismissal Policy A student may be dismissed from the Graduate Nursing Program for the following reasons: Failure to maintain continuous enrollment in the graduate nursing program without an approved leave of absence Failure to complete the graduate nursing curriculum within six (6) calendar years If a student receives an unsatisfactory grade of C or lower in any two courses throughout the graduate nursing curriculum See the Graduate Catalog for more program requirements. 15 MSN PROGRAM SPECIFIC INFORMATION Registering for Classes PURPOSE To establish criteria for registration for classes in the MSN degree program. POLICY Newly admitted or re-admitted graduate students may enroll during identified registration periods. Currently enrolled students are given the opportunity to register for the next semester's classes during university-designated time periods. Upon admission into the MSN degree program students are expected to consult with their academic advisor to develop a Program of Study specific to their degree program or area of study. The Program of Study must be approved by the academic advisor, signed, and dated, and will be kept in the student’s file. Any revision made to the Program of Study must be approved by the Academic Advisor and/or the Track Director. A change in the Program Plan of Study may result in course(s) being unavailable and may delay graduation. The MSN curricula are subject to change based upon professional or accreditation standards and/or national certification requirements. Students will be notified when changes occur. GUIDELINES Graduate students should meet with their academic advisor to develop the Program of Study. PROCEDURE Graduate students will be notified via email the dates of registration, how to register, and the schedule for the upcoming semester. Fall and Summer schedules are typically sent to students in March. The Spring schedule is typically sent to students in October. All graduate students must register through the Add, Drop or Withdraw Class link in the Rockhurst Portal my.rockhurst.edu 16 MSN PROGRAM SPECIFIC INFORMATION Graduate Nursing Program Clinical Policies Attire Students in all precepted experiences (clinical and systems) are expected to present a professional appearance that reflects the standards of Saint Luke’s College of Nursing. Clinical attire will promote identification of Saint Luke’s nursing students in a manner that instills confidence and trust in patients, families, physicians, nurse colleagues, and other healthcare team members. Student identification badges are to be worn at all times positioned above the waist with name and photo clearly visible. If the student works at a clinical agency, only the student identification badge should be worn while participating in a clinical learning experience. Students in accordance with the clinical site’s standards will present a clean, professional appearance and will adhere to safety, infection control, and standards of the assigned work area. ATTENDANCE AT PRECEPTED EXPERIENCES Students are responsible for informing preceptors of any unavoidable absence or arrival delay from the agreed-upon precepted learning experience schedule. Either clinical or systems placements may be subject to cancellation due to one or more “no-shows” or repeated tardiness. Students are responsible for rescheduling and making up missed hours. All required hours must be completed within the designated course timeframe requirement. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Master's students must uphold professional standards of practice as a licensed registered nurse. Students should be informed that deviating significantly from these standards and engaging in harmful, unlawful, or unprofessional behavior may result in a recommendation for dismissal from the program. While a single incident may be serious enough to warrant an immediate recommendation for dismissal, a pattern of less serious unprofessional behaviors will also result in a recommendation for dismissal. If a student’s behavior/performance is believed to be an immediate and severe threat to patient or public safety and welfare, he/she may be removed from the clinical area, followed by a written recommendation for dismissal from the course. It is possible that dismissal from the nursing program will be recommended. If a student's behavior violates the Nurse Practice Act, the offense may be reported to the appropriate State Board of Nursing. CLINICAL COMPLIANCE AND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS The safety and preparation of nursing students and protection of clients is core to all clinical and laboratory experiences. Students cannot participate in clinical experiences without having completed compliance and clearance requirements. It is the students' responsibility to ensure that they are up to date on all clinical requirements and that relevant documentation is provided. Renewal of requirements is the responsibility of the student. No student will be admitted to a clinical site if the requirements are not met. Attendance at the clinical site by the student is not permitted until all requirements are met: See Clinical Compliance Policy. GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM IMMERSION EXPERIENCES Participation and attendance are required for track-specific immersion courses. The first immersion experience is face-to-face on campus and the second immersion experience is virtual. 17