Regulations & Policies

          POINT VALUE                              LETTER GRADE
93-100                                                    A
90-92                                                      A-
87-89                                                      B+
83-86                                                      B
80-82                                                      B-
77-79                                                     C+
73-76                                                      C
70-72                                                      C-
67-69                                                      D+
63-66                                                      D
60-62                                                      D-
<60                                                         F

          Other letter grades have no “weight” and are not computed into the Grade Point Ratio.
They are:
P       =       Pass
W      =       Withdrawal, No Credit
INC    =       Incomplete

          If a student has an “INC” but does not meet the requirements of the course by the time limit set
by the Office of the Registrar, the grade will automatically be converted to a “W”.

          The School of Nursing believes and maintains that practice is knowledge based.  Therefore, the
grades generated by the evaluation of knowledge of theory and clinical practice are incorporated
into one grade for each Nursing course.  The clinical laboratory experience is graded by use of
satisfactory (P) or unsatisfactory (F).   An unsatisfactory grade in the clinical laboratory
experience constitutes a failure for the course.  A failure in a theory course will result in a “F” in
the clinical component.

2. Courses in each module of the curriculum must be completed before progressing to the next module.
3. Nursing students may fail only one (1) nursing course.  Please note that after a student fails a Nursing course, they are required to register for and repeat the failed Nursing course the next semester in which the course is offered. Prior to this semester the student is required to take NR050 / NR150 Foundations for Success: Basic Nursing Overview.  This course includes clinical and theory remediation to maintain matriculation in lieu of a leave of absence.  This course is designed to reinforce prior nursing knowledge and is customized to meet each students individualized learning needs.  Future failures will necessitate automatic dismissal from the Nursing Program.  For example:  If a student fails a course, retakes it, and passes, then fails another nursing course, he/she will be dismissed from the program.  If the student retakes a course and is unsuccessful on the second attempt, the student is dismissed from the nursing program but may continue studies at the College in another field.
4. No student gets credit for more than 18 units in their major.

Academic Integrity

The Wagner College faculty and student body take seriously the academic integrity of this institution. The Academic Honesty Committee (AHC), comprised of both faculty and student representatives, hears cases of academic dishonesty. If a professor is concerned that a student has acted dishonestly with regard to his or her academic work, the professor can turn the case over to the AHC for investigation. All students are expected to be aware of and abide by the Wagner’s guidelines for academic integrity.  If you have questions about these guidelines, it is your responsibility to ask.  Plagiarism and/or Cheating:  Plagiarism occurs when you use someone else's ideas or words (including from internet sites, books or articles) without giving them credit.

Mid-Semester Warning

Each student doing unsatisfactory work in any course at mid-semester is notified by the department faculty responsible for the course.  At this time, the faculty will notify the Center for Career Engagement (CACE) and the student will receive an official notice of their status.

Advisement

The student is expected to report to his/her instructor and to his/her faculty advisor for necessary guidance.  Your advisor is listed on your myWagner account.

Registration Procedure/Advisement

The Registrar notifies continuing students of the dates allocated for academic advisement and sends a mailing to those students who are not currently attending nursing courses, but are on continued matriculation.  After a copy of the course schedule for the coming semester is obtained from the Registrar’s office, the procedure listed on the Academic Advisement Form contained in this booklet should be followed.  Advisement within the School of Nursing facilitates adequate record-keeping of the student’s progress.

An academic advisor is designated for each student in the Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing, once they have declared Nursing as a Major.  The list of respective advisors is on the bulletin board in the Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing, Campus Hall, third floor.  If you are not on the list, notify the office personnel in the School of Nursing’s office.

A student who wishes to make a change in their schedule or program should consult their academic advisor.  If the change is approved, the student must file a change of program form signed by the advisor.  Drop/Add course changes and Pass/Fail option changes are listed in the Course Schedule.

Financial Aid and Tuition

Information about financial aid can be obtained from the Undergraduate Bulletin and the Financial Aid Department.

Student Physical Examination Policy

The health policy for all Wagner College students is explained in the Undergraduate Bulletin.  The students in the Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing must have a yearly physical examination and must submit a copy each semester to each clinical instructor on the first clinical day. The original must be on file in the Nursing Office.  Each student must comply with this policy in order to fulfill contractual agreements made with clinical agencies.  If a student experiences a change in health status, a note must be submitted from the student’s physician stating that a student’s health status is such that full participation in clinical nursing practice is possible.  Specific forms are obtained from The Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing’s office personnel.  All students must have their own personal health insurance.  This can be obtained from the Student Health Services Office at a low cost to the individual.

Progression Policy

All students must progress in the Nursing Program in full modules unless she/he is repeating a failure of a course.  Any student failing a course must repeat the course in the next semester it is offered. Prior to this semester, the student must register for NR050/150.

Attendance

• Didactic: It is important for students to attend all classes. Attendance will be taken.  Students are held responsible for all material presented in every class.  Students who are absent from class more than two (2) times will have their course grade decreased by one letter grade (e.g. A to B) SEE UNDERGRADUATE NURSING HANDBOOK. Students should email or call the Lead theory professor to inform them of a didactic absence.
•  Clinical/Campus Laboratory: ONLY ONE EXCUSED ABSENCE IS PERMITTED and will require a make-up. The only excused absence is student illness or a death in family. The student is responsible to notify both the faculty leader for the course and the clinical instructor of the clinical/campus laboratory section by 1 hour before the absence occurs. Written documentation (health care provider note or death certificate) must be presented to the faculty leader within one week of absence. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements to attend the scheduled make-up. The learning schedule and meeting of objectives cannot accommodate more than one make up within the semester. Any absences beyond ONE will result in a course grade of Incomplete or Failure.
• An absence due to an “extenuating circumstance” will be individually evaluated by the lead course coordinator who will determine if the absence may be excused.
• Lateness is not tolerated. Attendance sign-in sheets will be collected at the beginning of each didactic class and clinical/campus laboratory. Lateness and absences will be recorded.
• NOTE: Lateness and Unexcused absences are not acceptable behaviors for professional nurses. Review: “Standards of Professional Behavior for Wagner College Nursing Students” SEE UNDERGRADUATE NURSING HANDBOOK http://www.wagner.edu/departments/nursing/standards.  Failure to maintain these standards will result in a disciplinary meeting with the course coordinator followed by a written warning

Withdrawal from a Nursing Course

Students who are considering withdrawing from a nursing course may request one “W” while matriculated in the Nursing Program; however, they must make an appointment with their advisor to discuss the course withdrawal.  Please note that after a student requests a “W”, they are required to register for and repeat the withdrawn course the next semester in which the course is offered.  A student who is considering a withdrawal from a course, must comply with the College Academic Calendar regarding the designated date/deadline each semester.

Evaluations

Students in nursing are evaluated both in the clinical laboratory and the classroom. The evaluation tools and methods are determined by the faculty member. The standards by which students will be evaluated are shared in the beginning of the semester. The clinical evaluations are completed by each instructor as well as a student self-evaluation at mid-semester and at the end of each semester. Since the clinical experience is a vital part of the program, an unsatisfactory grade in the clinical component will result in failure for the course regardless of the grade earned in the classroom.

Clinical Agencies

Since nursing is a practice profession, much of the student’s education will take place in a variety of health care and educational institutions.  Numerous agencies on Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, providing clinical laboratory facilities, are selected for use in the nursing courses based on their excellence and ability to meet the clinical learning objectives.  Students are expected to arrange their own transportation to the clinical agencies to which they are assigned.  Liability insurance for undergraduate nursing students is provided by the college and is included in college fees.

Student Registration

During Advisement, professors will review required nursing theory and clinical courses. Students will register for courses through myWagner each semester.   The School of Nursing has the right to change clinical sections at any given time due to extenuating circumstances.

Writing and Written Assignments:

Policy:    The most current issue of the APA (American Psychological Association) is to be used for all
written work.
Students are encouraged to utilize the College's Writing Center.  It is highly recommended when the need for remediation is identified.

Student Expenses

The extensive clinical experiences in nursing increase the expenses for students in this major. Students are responsible to register for a theory course with correlating clinical component together, if applicable.  A theory course may not be taken without clinical component or vice versa. In addition to lab fees, the following requirements exist. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical experiences. Carpooling arrangements will not be accommodated when scheduling clinical experiences off campus.

Students in Nursing are expected to enroll in health insurance plans of their choice and maintain effective immunizations as required by the College. A yearly physical examination and laboratory tests are required of all students prior to the start of each fall semester. Forms are obtained from the School of Nursing office and webpage. No student will be allowed to participate in clinical practice without completed physical exam results on forms by due dates. If registered for the course and forms are not completed, students will be immediately dropped from the course with a loss of clinical preference. Those students without current health insurance will be dropped from the course.

Majors in nursing are also required to be covered by malpractice insurance which is provided by a school group policy and paid for through laboratory fees. Current CPR certification for the Healthcare Professional (BCLS-2yr. certification) is required prior to clinical practice in every nursing course that has a clinical component. The School of Nursing provides a class in CPR annually for a fee.

Students must purchase the complete School of Nursing uniform as noted in the uniform standards section of this handbook.  Only approved uniforms may be worn when in clinical areas.  Students can only choose from styles selected as official Wagner uniforms.  Students are responsible for purchasing uniforms at identified vendor.  All students must have a watch with a second hand and the Nurse Combo Kit.  The Nurse Combo kit must be purchased at the uniform vendor.  Students are required to purchase the required Nursing uniform to participate in Pinning Ceremony.

 Standardized Exams:  Standardized testing is an important adjunct to the nursing curriculum.  Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC (http://www.atitesting.com/) is the provider of the testing used in the Wagner Nursing curriculum.  Payment for Exams: A computerized testing fee is required and covers computerized testing in all modules. This is a NON-REFUNDABLE fee. Prior to graduation, students are required to register and attend a live review course on campus scheduled by the Nursing Resource Center Director.  An additional fee is required for this live review course.  Students will be notified of the fee at the beginning of Module IV.  (NOTE: RN students do not utilize this testing).

Student Representation

Student representatives shall volunteer, on a rotation basis, to attend monthly departmental faculty meeting.  Therefore, SNA meetings must occur at different times from departmental meetings.  Students shall participate in all activities of committees and shall have an active voice.  The SNA advisor will apprise the officers of the School of Nursing meetings, and communication will also occur via the SNA bulletin board.  Any undergraduate Nursing Student can request to attend the School of Nursing meetings and have an item placed on the agenda.

Student Clinicals - Assigning of Students to Clinical Sections:

During advisement, professors will assign students clinical sections and required nursing theory courses. Students then register based on their assigned sections which avoids oversubscribing to clinical sections.  The School of Nursing may need to adjust clinical sections at any time.