Capital University School of Nursing Student Handbook Pre-Licensure Programs Traditional Undergraduate Program & Accelerated BSN Program 2022-2023 Student Handbook Website Location: http://www.edu/Current-Students/ Preface Welcome to Capital University and to the School of Nursing. We are pleased that you have decided to prepare for a career in professional nursing and that you have selected Capital University. There are busy and exciting years ahead! You are entering a program that is committed to providing a liberal arts education within a caring environment. Based on the University's fundamental commitment to its Lutheran heritage, the School of Nursing encourages the development of the total person: intellectual, physical, psychosocial, moral, ethical, and spiritual well-being.
As a holistic nurse, holistic health needs of individuals, families, communities, and populations are embraced. The goal of holistic nursing is whole person healing, and the interconnectedness of body, mind, emotion, spirit, social/cultural, relationship, context, and environment. In addition, this program is designed to develop critical thinking/clinical judgment; communication skills; holistic caring; system competencies; leadership ability; self and client transitions; and cultural competence. Your studies will be based on a thorough grounding in the biological, social, and nursing sciences.
You will learn to solve increasingly complex problems as you master professional nursing clinical skills with clients at multiple clinical practice sites. We will be assisting you in your growth and have created this handbook as a resource. This is a supplement to the Capital University Undergraduate Bulletin and the Capital University Undergraduate Student Handbook. These three documents contain educational policies and general information that will address most of your needs and questions as well as important policies of the School of Nursing and Capital University.
You will also be assigned a faculty adviser from the School of Nursing. Please see your faculty adviser with your questions and any concerns as they might arise. Your active participation in your education is the key to your success. Patterson, DNP, RN, OCN, CNS, AHN-BC Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Pre-licensure Nursing Programs Traditional Undergraduate Program (TUP) Nursing Accelerated Program (ABSN) 2 Table of Contents Section 1: Overview of the Program 6 History of the Program 6 Accreditation & Membership 6 Honorary Degrees 6 Nursing Honorary 7 Department Awards 7 Section 2: Communication 8 Student Mailboxes and Department Mail Folders 8 Faculty Mailboxes 8 Faculty E-Mail and Voice Mail 8 Bulletin Boards 8 Social Media 8 Nursing Pre-Licensure Handbook 8 Section 3: Faculty Adviser 9 Your Faculty Adviser 9 What Does Your Adviser Do? 9 Course Registration & Scheduling 9 Section 4: Activities 10 Committees 10 Capital University Student Nurses Association 11 American Assembly of Men in Nursing 11 Musical and Athletic Groups 11 Arranging Your Schedule to Participate 11 Section 5: The Nursing Program 11 Capital University Mission 11 Capital University Learning Goals 12 Nursing Program Mission 13 Philosophy 13 Curriculum Concepts 14 Goals of the Pre-Licensure Program 14 Admission Procedures 16 Essential Performance Policy 20 Disability Services 21 Curriculum Requirements 22 Section 6: Academic Progress 22 Grading Scale 23 Periodic Evaluation in Nursing Courses 23 The 78% Rule / Clinical Unsatisfactory in Nursing Courses 23 Academic Progression Policies for TUP 24 Academic Progression Policies for ABSN 26 3 Grade Point Average (GPA) 28 Transfer Credit 28 Policy on Credit for Military Experience 28 Policy on Transient Student Credit 29 Leave of Absence 29 Academic & Professional Behaviors / Misconduct 30 Petitions for Exceptions to Rules on Progression 31 Grievance 31 Academic and Disciplinary Sanctions 31 Accountability 33 Variance Report 33 Section 7: Standardized Testing 35 Comprehensive Achievement Testing 35 Evolve/Reach Testing and Supplemental Learning Plan (SLP) 35 Exit RN(HESI) Exams 39 Assessment Exams & Exit R.
Exams (HESI): SLP & Requirements 39 NCLEX-RN Review Course 40 Certification to sit for NCLEX-RN Exam 40 Section 8: Campus Resources 41 Office of Academic Success 41 Accessibility Services 42 Campus Ministries 42 CAP Cupboard 42 43 Career Development Office Kline Center for Health and Wellness 43 Diversity and Inclusion Office 43 Title IX and Sexual Harassment Center 43 The Library and Information Technology 43 Helene Fuld Computer Laboratory 44 Section 9: Clinical Course Requirements 45 Equipment and Uniforms 45 Prerequisites for Clinical Experience 45 Health Requirements 46 The Center for Health & Wellness 46 Professional Liability Insurance 46 Background Check & Criminal Records 47 CPR Certification 47 Drug Testing 47 Note on Policies 48 Travel to Clinical Settings 49 Related Clinical Obligations 49 Assuring your privacy 50 Tuition & Program Fees 50 Estimated Costs Associated with the Nursing Program 50 4 Section 10: Scholarships, Honors, Awards, and Off-Campus Study 50 Scholarships 50 Academic Distinction 50 Honors Convocation 51 International Nursing Honor Society 51 International & Off-Campus Study 51 Fast Track into MSN Program 52 Section 11: Graduation Activities 52 Preparing for Graduation 52 TUP Graduation Requirements 52 C-NAP Graduation Requirements 52 Request for Letter of Reference 52 The Pinning Ceremony 53 Applying For Licensure 53 Appendices 55 A. Curriculum Plans & Course Descriptions 56 B. Conceptual Framework & Conceptual Definitions 64 C. Expectations of Student Behavior 69 D.
Technology, Communication, and Mobile Device Policy 73 E. Policy on Excused Absences from Quizzes, Exams, & Clinical Absences in Nursing Courses 77 F. Policy on Student Complaints and Grievances H. Writing Policy for Students 85 I.
Policy on the Use of Helene Fuld Computer Laboratory 86 J. Guidelines for Use of the Nursing Skills Lab 86 K. Clinical Practice Documentation & Drug Testing Policy 89 M. Policy and Guidelines on Occupational Health 107 N.
Exposure Control Plan 108 O. Guidelines for Caring for Persons with Known Contagious Diseases 109 P. Policy and Procedures on Exposure to Contaminated Fluids in the Skills 113 Lab Q. Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 114 R.
Candidates for Examination and Endorsement 115 S. Estimated Costs Associated with the Nursing Program 117 5 Section 1: History of the Department Capital University was founded as a Lutheran Seminary in 1830, chartered as a university in 1850, and is the oldest comprehensive university in central Ohio. Trinity Lutheran Seminary, adjacent to Capital’s campus, selected a separate Board of Trustees in 1959. In 2016, the Board of Trustees for both Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary voted to reunite once again.
Capital University also includes the College and Law School. The nursing program was established in 1950 as a department in the College of Arts and Sciences and became a School of Nursing in 1965. Capital University underwent a reorganization of schools within the College (2008) to include: the School of Natural Sciences, Nursing, and Health; the School of Management and Leadership; the School of Social Sciences and Education; the Conservatory of Music and School of Communication; and the School of Humanities. The Department of Nursing was restored to a School of Nursing in the Fall of 2019.
Currently, the University offers four undergraduate degrees, six graduate degrees and more than 70 undergraduate majors to its approximate 3700 students. Capital University’s Adult and Graduate Education office offers access to undergraduate degrees in the arts and sciences. The School of Nursing offers a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. There are four distinct nursing programs that make up the nursing program, three of which offer an undergraduate degree in nursing and one that offers a graduate degree.
The three pre-licensure programs that offer the BSN degree are the Traditional Undergraduate Program (TUP), the Nursing Accelerated Program – Traditional track (ABSN) and Nursing Accelerated Program – Hybrid track (ABSN-H). Through the Graduate Program in Nursing, launched in 1994, students may earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Capital continues to explore the possibility of offering a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program in the near future. The Capital Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program (ABSN) began its inaugural academic year in 2006-2007, and its first graduates completed the program in Spring 2008.
The initiation of ABSN (previously known as C-NAP) was made possible through grants from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Department of Education/Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Accreditation & Membership The pre-licensure program of the School of Nursing is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (2018- 2023) and all programs of the School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (2020-2030) and are endorsed by the American Nurses Holistic Certification Corporation (AHNCC) (2009-2025). The nursing program is a charter member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), a member of the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is a member of the National Student Nurses Association. Honorary Degrees A desire to recognize and celebrate nursing’s contributions to society has been operational through the nominations of outstanding nurses for honorary degrees from Capital University.
To date, six nurses have been so honored. They are: • Pearl Tucker, Col., USAF, Retired • Geraldine Price, Director of the Division of Nursing at the Ohio Department of Health 6 • Dorothy Cornelius, Executive Director of the Ohio Nurses Association and past ANA and ICN President • Juanita Thiele, founder of the school and leader in nursing education and global service • Mary Jane Sievwright, nursing leader in Jamaica and ICN • Sister Roni Daniels, advocate for the homeless and health care provider in Washington, D., Haiti and the Dominican Republic • Kevin Sowers, President of Duke Medical Center and a Capital Nursing Graduate Nursing Honorary A chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Theta Theta, was chartered at Capital University in 1986. Capital’s Theta Theta Chapter was subsequently recognized with a major award, the chapter Key Award, from the International Honor Society in 1991 and again in 2017. This honor is impressive for so young a chapter since only 26 chapters in undergraduate nursing programs were selected from among the over 300 chapters worldwide.
The chapter has mentored new honor societies in England and Sweden. Eligible senior TUP and ABSN students, graduate students, and community nurse leaders are invited for induction into the Theta Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing based on scholarship and leadership. The Chapter offers programs for the nursing community each year and coordinates with other local chapters for special events. Awards Through the generous support of donors, alumni, faculty, and friends of the nursing program, the School of Nursing (SON) recognizes nursing students that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the areas of scholarship, leadership, holism, and clinical excellence.
The following awards are presented annually to students at the Capital University Honors Convocation. The Distinguished Nurse Leader Award For outstanding achievement in nursing and best exemplification of the role of a professional nurse leader. Haines The Josephine T. Hickey Award For Clinical Excellence in Nursing.
Donor: Faculty of the Nursing Department The Ruth S. Neikirk Award In recognition of a nursing student who demonstrates self-development and promotes health and well-being of the total person from a Holistic Perspective, Donors: Alumnae, friends, and colleagues of Ruth S. Neikirk 7 Section 2: Communication Students are responsible for providing notification of any changes in name, address, telephone number, and e-mail to the Registrar’s Office. There are several ways to communicate with other students and with faculty.
Student Mailboxes & Department Mail Folders Every nursing student has a mail folder in the filing cabinets on the third-floor lobby of Battelle Hall (BHSN). Nursing mail folders are arranged alphabetically by program. Communications from the School of Nursing (SON) are placed in the student’s mail file. Students should check their mail folders weekly.
In addition, every TUP student is assigned a mailbox at the Campus Post Office located in the basement of the Student Union. Students should check with the Post Office for their box number and combination. Faculty Mailboxes Faculty mailboxes for the SON are found inside the nursing suite in BHSN 330 (copier room). The mailboxes for other faculty on campus are in the buildings where their offices are located.
Faculty E-Mail & Voice Mail E-mail is the primary mode of communication to students.