Academic Standards

All nursing courses are composed of theoretical and clinical components. Students must achieve a 2.3 (78%) theory grade, pass the final examination, and pass the clinical component to successfully complete nursing courses. The course grade is the theory grade which includes a pass or fail clinical grade. Students are evaluated at the end of each course. The student is responsible for achieving the established objectives in each course. Clinical performance is graded through self-evaluation and faculty evaluation.

A minimum course grade of 1.7 (C-) is required for all general education courses.

A student may fail and repeat only one course within the entire curriculum.

Grading

The academic standing of each student is computed at the end of each semester. The basis for determining a grade is the extent to which the student has achieved the objectives of the course.

A student who achieves a final cumulative average of 3.45 or above at the end of the program graduates with honors. College honors are based on the following cumulative average criteria:

3.45 Cum laude
3.70 Magna cum laude
3.90 Summa cum laude

A transfer student must achieve a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or above on the courses used for transfer or previous nursing education (LPN/LVN) in order to be eligible for honors. College honors are based on the courses taken at Lawrence Memorial/Regis College.

Examinations

Course requirements, including examinations, are shared with the students at the beginning of each course. All nursing courses have comprehensive mid-term and final examinations. The final examination must be passed in order to pass a nursing course.

Dropping or Withdrawing from a Course

A student may request to drop a nursing course before it begins or withdraw from a nursing course anytime thereafter. A student may request to withdraw from a nursing course only once during the curriculum. A student who withdraws from a nursing course and is not enrolled in any other course in the curriculum is automatically placed on a leave of absence.

A student who withdraws from a nursing course and is failing theory or on clinical warning at the time of withdrawal will have this course counted as a failure.

Prior to re-enrollment in nursing courses, a student who has successfully completed or exempted out of any prior nursing courses may be required to validate previous nursing knowledge through testing. A student who withdraws failing near the end of a course may be unable to repeat the course in the next semester.

A student may drop or withdraw from a general education course only if it is being taken before it is required in the curriculum as a co-requisite course. A student may not drop or withdraw from a general education course if it is being taken as a co-requisite with a nursing course.

Leave of Absence

Students may be granted a leave(s) of absence for a period(s) not to exceed one year in total. Students may be allowed two leaves of absence (each for one semester) or one leave of absence for one year.

A student who withdraws from a nursing course and is not enrolled in any other course in the curriculum is automatically placed on leave of absence. A student on Academic Probation who shows no signs of improvement by the end of the next semester will be required to take a leave of absence. The Discipline Committee may also require a student to take a leave of absence.

A student who takes or is placed on a leave of absence and is failing theory or on clinical warning in a nursing course at the time the leave is granted will have the course counted as a failure.

A student returning from a leave of absence who has successfully completed or exempted out of any nursing course(s), may be required to validate previous nursing knowledge.

Promotion & Graduation

In order to be promoted from one semester to the next, a student must have successfully completed all prerequisite courses for the upcoming semester. The student who does not attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 after each semester will be placed on academic probation. In order to receive the Associate of Science degree, the advanced placed student must successfully complete a minimum of two nursing courses as well as required general education courses in the curriculum.

A full-time student has three years from the date of matriculation to complete the educational program of studies (curriculum). A part-time student must complete the curriculum within four and a half years.

In order to be eligible for graduation, a student must have successfully completed all courses within the curriculum with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, fulfilled financial obligations and submitted a completed program exit form. The graduate is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN Examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Educational Mobility

Educational mobility enables an individual to move from one educational level to another with acknowledgement of acquired competencies and minimal repetition of previous learning. Lawrence Memorial/Regis College policies and procedures for Advanced Placement are designed to recognize previous nursing education without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or status as a handicapped person, disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. Applicants presently or previously enrolled in a professional nursing program or licensed practical/vocational nurses may be granted advanced placement within the curriculum upon passing theory and clinical validation testing.

Lawrence Memorial/Regis College also has articulation agreements with selected LPN/LVN programs. Graduates of these programs (within the past four years) may be advanced placed without individual testing.

Lawrence Memorial/Regis College also builds a solid foundation for future endeavors in professional development and educational mobility. Regis College provides the structure for multiple entry and exit points along the continuum of the nursing profession beginning with the associate degree and continuing through the master’s degree, post master’s certificate and doctoral degree. The associate degree nursing program has dual admission agreement with Regis College enabling its graduates to matriculate in the BSN/MSN curriculum without validation testing or repetition of learning.

In order to facilitate the advanced placement of its graduates, Lawrence Memorial/Regis College also works with other college and university nursing programs.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes and class related activities. Attendance is required at all clinical experiences, clinical conferences, examinations and mandatory program activities. Class attendance, although not required, is strongly encouraged. Class attendance becomes mandatory if a student is placed on academic warning (theory or clinical), academic probation, or is participating in the private tutoring program.

The student may be required to show evidence of medical clearance after an absence and prior to returning to the program. A student may be placed on academic (clinical) and/or discipline warning when clinical absenteeism interferes with the planned learning experiences within a course. A student’s standing following prolonged or repeated absences is determined individually by the faculty in the course. Make-up clinical time may be required and a fee charged if a student is unable to meet the objectives or course requirements or the faculty is unable to have sufficient opportunity to evaluate the student by the completion of the course.

Academic Warning

The passing grade in all nursing courses is 2.3 (78%). Students are placed on academic warning when they are in danger of failing clinically or have a theory average of 2.5 (80%) or below.

Academic Probation

A student who is not in good academic standing is placed on academic probation. This is a serious warning that the student’s level of achievement is unsatisfactory. Class attendance becomes mandatory when a student is placed on academic probation. To be in good academic standing, a student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 (75%). A student who shows no signs of improvement at the end of the next semester will be required to take a leave of absence. The student may return if there is reasonable expectation of successful completion of the program.

Academic Failure

A student may fail and repeat only one course within the entire curriculum.

A student who withdraws from a course or takes a leave of absence and is failing or on clinical warning at the time of withdrawal will have this course counted as a failure. Withdrew/Failing will be noted on the transcript for the course.

A student who fails a course may progress in the curriculum and repeat the failed course on a space-available basis. If the failed course is prerequisite to another course(s), it must be passed before the student can take the requisite course(s). If the failed course is a nursing course, validation testing may be required prior to enrollment. A student who is not enrolled in any course in the curriculum is automatically placed on leave of absence for that period.

A student who fails more than one course or fails the same course twice, whether taken at Lawrence Memorial / Regis College or elsewhere, is administratively withdrawn from the program.

Academic Integrity

Enrolled students are expected to maintain integrity in all academic pursuits including the writing of papers, examinations, assignments, records, and other details relating to the assessment of student performance. In addition, enrolled students are expected to uphold the ethical standards of the nursing profession by demonstrating responsibility and accountability for safe clinical practice, protecting the rights of the client and maintaining the integrity of the nursing profession. Any dishonesty is subject to disciplinary action. In proportion to the seriousness of the action, discipline may extend from a failing grade in the work in question to dismissal from the Program.

Commitment to a Drug-Free School & Community

The Program is committed to the health and well-being of staff, students, patients and the general community. The school adheres to the federal Drug-Free School and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Complete information and policies concerning standards of conduct and sanctions for non-compliance are included in the Student Handbook, which is received by all students and school employees. Others may request this information from the Director, Student and Alumni Services.

Discipline

The faculty reserves the right to discipline, with or without warning, any student whose conduct, pattern of tardiness/absenteeism, breach of academic integrity, or unsafe clinical practice make it inadvisable for the student to remain in the program. Participation in an illegal act is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

Student Records

Program policies and procedures for the confidentiality of student information and records comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, in order to safeguard disclosure of personally identifiable information about students, provide opportunity for challenge of the contents of educational records, and maintain adequate records of requests and disclosures. Specific details are explained in the Student Handbook.

Transcripts

All requests for transcripts must be made in writing. Official transcripts imprinted with the Program seal must be mailed directly to the agency or institution requiring them. The initial transcript is issued at no charge; additional copies are issued for a fee. Transcripts, references or any information concerning a student or graduate will not be released if there is any outstanding indebtedness to the school.