Student Handbook

Welcome to the Nursing Department at Emory & Henry University. This Handbook is your primary resource for information about policies and procedures of the nursing programs at E&H. The Handbook will provide you with information that will acquaint you with various aspects of your program and help you plan your nursing studies.

In addition to this Handbook, official publications of interest to nursing students are the Emory & Henry University Academic Catalog (https://catalog.ehc.edu/) which contains descriptions of all undergraduate programs and general academic regulations and the Department of Nursing website (https://www.emoryhenry.edu/academics/nursing/) which contains information about our nursing degree programs.

Letter from the Nursing Faculty

Welcome to the Department of Nursing at Emory & Henry University!

The profession of nursing has a long and distinguished history and has been ranked the most trusted profession for 20 years in a row. While caring is at the core of what a nurse does, the discipline requires a comprehensive view of patient care, incorporating science and art in evaluating changes in clinical conditions and advocating for appropriate care. As the largest profession within healthcare, nursing gave rise to many subsequent disciplines such as the first anesthetists and social workers among others. Healthcare disciplines bridge science and care into practice to improve health outcomes and nursing is the cohesive link for patients between healthcare disciplines.

You are a part of an exciting and caring profession where the opportunities to grow are limitless. I encourage you to use this time to study to explore and push yourself to levels you previously did not think possible. Do not settle for “good enough” or mediocrity but strive for excellence, while taking time to enjoy the journey.

We, the faculty and staff, are here to support you throughout your studies here at Emory & Henry. As you embark on this next step in your educational journey, we understand the commitment and sacrifice you are making to advance your professional career. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can help you in any way.

Wishing you all the best in your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Emory & Henry University Nursing Faculty

Emory & Henry Collge was founded in 1836 and was named after Bishop John Emory, an eminent Methodist church leader, and Patrick Henry, a patriot of the American Revolution and Virginia’s first governor. Both men symbolize the University’s dual emphasis on spiritual growth and civic engagement with the belief of education having a transformative effect on an individual, a community and ultimately the world.

The College transitioned to University status in 2024, solidifying its stance as a premier provider of undergraduate and graduate education in the Southwest Virginia area. Emory & Henry University offers more than 50 undergraduate degrees with 71 majors, 4 graduate, and 4 professional majors to its approximate 1250 students. Academic opportunities are enriched at Emory & Henry University for students to engage in co-curricular activities including athletics; cultural, political, and social organizations; music theater; and student government.

Emory & Henry University is located in the Highlands of Virginia and enables students to enjoy academic, cultural, galleries, museums, restaurants, shops, and sporting events in close proximity to the main campus. The richness of the culture and diversity empowers the students to engage in inquiry and promote knowledge and critical thinking. Students have an opportunity to become involved in service-learning in the community and abroad.

Emory & Henry University Mission Statement

We affirm the Christian faith as our spiritual and moral heritage and encourage all our members to grow in faith as they grow in knowledge. We believe in the worth of each person’s religious and cultural heritage, inasmuch as that heritage leads to service to others in our region and the larger world.

We affirm the liberal arts as our intellectual foundation and believe that excellence results when everyone actively participates in the educational process. We challenge all persons to confront historical and contemporary ideas and issues to develop the ability to think critically about all areas of human experience.

These traditions provide the context for our pursuit of excellence, as we engage a diverse group of well qualified men and women in educational experiences that lead to lives of service, productive careers, and global citizenship.

(Taken from the Emory & Henry University Academic Catalog https://catalog.ehc.edu/)

Emory & Henry University Vision Statement

Emory & Henry will be a national leader in providing the highest quality liberal arts, graduate, and professional education that combines tradition and innovation as it fulfills our historic commitment to transform lives and to create positive, social change in our region, our nation, and the world.

(Taken from the Emory & Henry University Academic Catalog https://catalog.ehc.edu/)

Emory & Henry University Motto

Macte Virtute – “Increase in Excellence”

Emory Campus

Nestled in the Virginia Highlands, the Emory & Henry central historic campus encompasses 168 pristine acres and is surrounded by an additional 167 undeveloped acres and the village of Emory.

Health Sciences Campus

The School of Health Sciences was established in 2014 with the goal of preparing compassionate, patient-centered, highly skilled health care professionals who not only provide quality healthcare to their patients, but actively engage in leadership and service opportunities within their professional organizations and communities. The School of Health Sciences has both undergraduate and graduate programs.

• Undergraduate – Exercise Science; Pre-Health; Nursing (BSN and RN-BSN)
• Graduate – Occupational Therapy (OTD); Physical Therapy (DPT); Physician Assistant (MPAS); and Counseling (CMHC).

Equestrian Center

The 120-acre riding center has indoor and outdoor arenas and a cross-country course suitable for competitions and hands-on training.

Bartlett-Crowe Field Station

Provides education, research, and service opportunities in the Appalachian forest and river ecosystems.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC)

The baccalaureate degree program in at Emory & Henry University, is accredited by the commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791

Equal Opportunity Policy

Emory & Henry University admits eligible students regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or social class. Each student is given all the rights and privileges to all programs and activities bestowed or made available to students at the University. Emory & Henry University does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or social class in admission, employment, activities, programs or services.

Disability Services

Students who experience some difficulties in their educational pursuits are expected to present documentation or have testing to receive services. Please review the links below.

https://www.emoryhenry.edu/office-student-success/disability-support-services/

https://www.emoryhenry.edu/office-student-success/school-of-health-sciences/

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Emory & Henry University Department of Nursing is to educate and prepare nurses to be professional leaders in healthcare in Southwest Virginia and beyond. The nursing curriculum is built with the underpinnings of liberal arts, sciences, and nursing which focus on the nursing process to enhance the pedagogical attainment of nursing knowledge, clinical skills, and devotion to the nursing profession.

Nursing Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Nursing is to educate nurses through interprofessional collaboration to strive for excellence, integrating science and care to improve health in our communities and world.

Nursing Department Vision Statement

Preparing nursing leaders who promote excellence, competent, and compassionate care.

Nursing Department Philosophy

Emory & Henry University is coeducational, church-related liberal arts university with a commitment in providing education in a caring environment. The nursing philosophy embodies faculty belief of nursing education and professional practice as recognized through the nursing metaparadigm of person, environment, health, and nursing. The nursing program embraces development of the whole person: ethical, intellectual, moral, physical, psychosocial, and spiritual. The nursing faculty will provide supportive, individualized awareness to assist students to attain learning goals and self-direction in achieving their professional nursing goals and education. Students will be active participants in their learning process through collaborative encounters inter-professionally, intra-professionally, and with the community to provide evidence based, patient-centered nursing care.

Professional education is instrumental in the achievement of a focused, specialized level of knowledge with an emphasis in a discipline through a commitment to ethical, social, and scholarly professional standards. It cultivates the acceptance of accountability for clinical judgement, critical thinking, and decision-making relevant to the level of professional nursing practice. Nursing education fosters students to promote and provide culturally-competent, ethical, evidence-based, and spiritually appropriate patient-centered care to diverse populations in the community.

The knowledge of nursing is procured through aesthetic, empirical, ethical, personal, and social knowing. The environment of education promotes scholarly inquiry and enables students to become knowledgeable to care for individuals throughout the lifespan. The education for preparing baccalaureate professional nursing practice is derived from a program of studies in behavioral and physical sciences, humanities, and nursing sciences. Students in the nursing program will be competent practitioners with a variety of skills, the ability to make sound clinical judgement based on data and current evidence-based practices, as well as develop respect for the intrinsic worth of human beings, contemplate their own personal values and attitudes, and develop a commitment to the profession of nursing and lifelong learning.

Nursing students at the undergraduate baccalaureate level are accountable for their individual learning with the unique potential for advancing the profession of nursing.

Nursing faculty serve as facilitators and mentors in the students’ quest of inquiry and knowledge in the learning environment. Nursing faculty exhibit behaviors of professionalism as a reflection of the ethical and legal commitment to the scope and standards of nursing practice.

Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework for the Emory & Henry University Nursing Department is based on the nursing metaparadigm concepts of person, health, environment, and nursing. The definition of metaparadigm is “The concepts that identify the phenomena of central interest to a discipline; the propositions that describe these concepts and their relationships to each other” (Farlex & Partners, 2009)

The four concepts of the metaparadigm provide a holistic view to concentrate on the whole person, the health and welfare of the person, the internal and external environment, and the obligation of the nurse to the person.

Concepts:

Person – The person is regarded as an individual to be treated with dignity, respect, nurtured and valued to maintain the right to make informed decisions concerning their health and well-being. The structure of care encompasses the physical, cultural, mental, social, and spiritual needs of the person.

Health – The health of the person evolves throughout the lifespan. Health is viewed to comprise the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, social, intellectual, and spiritual wellness of the person. Consideration of these areas is optimal for the benefits and welfare in the outcomes for the person.

Environment – The environment is viewed as the physical space and surroundings which have an impact on the person and can be affected internally and externally. Factors which can influence the environment may include culture, interpersonal relationships, social status, educational level, socioeconomic status, geographical setting, genetics, immune function, and politics, to name a few.

Nursing – The nursing component focuses on the values of service and what the nurse does in providing care for the individual to promote optimal health outcomes. This involves the development of a relationship with the person, providing a safe and caring environment, determining evidence-based nursing interventions and actions for the provision of care. This is accomplished through the skills, knowledge, communication and collaborations, professional judgment and decision-making, critical thinking skills, and the use of technology which is acquired through education and practice.

At the completion of the baccalaureate program the student will demonstrate the following:

1. Apply knowledge from the liberal arts and sciences to professional nursing practice.
2. Analyze and apply evidence from research and other information sources as a basis for nursing practice.
3. Apply knowledge and skills in using information systems and a range of patient-care technologies to facilitate delivery of safe, quality patient care.
4. Advocate for financial and regulatory healthcare policies, processes, and environments that improve the nature and functioning of the healthcare delivery system and nursing practice.
5. Collaborate and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals to promote positive working relationships, improve patient health outcomes, and deliver safe, quality patient care.
6. Apply knowledge and skills of organizational and systems leadership, quality improvement and patient safety in promoting safe, quality care for diverse patients across healthcare systems and environments.
7. Assess factors that influence health and apply culturally appropriate health promotion and disease prevention to diverse individuals and populations.
8. Demonstrate consistent application of nursing’s professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct.
9. Integrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes expected of baccalaureate prepared nurses to provide professional nursing care to diverse patients and populations across the lifespan, healthcare settings, and healthcare environments.

DEIB Statement

Emory and Henry Department of Nursing emphasizes the power of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to establish high-quality, safe, professional, and individualized clinical excellence for the provision of healthcare and the learning environment. Emory and Henry’s Department of Nursing understands, values, and represents DEIB components that make our students, patients, colleagues, and faculty unique. The Department of Nursing is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, including those from various religion, nationality, race, color, age, sex, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Emory and Henry Department of Nursing supports training and collaboration to promote DEIB awareness and activities throughout the various program offerings. Nursing faculty ensures that the curriculum prepares students to address the social determinants of health for all people within their clinical practice experiences. In short, we endeavor to create an environment that welcomes you as you are and that allows you to be open in appropriately sharing more about yourself.

Suggested Traditional BSN Plan of Study

TBSN Curriculum
Number	Course Name	Credit Hours
	FALL 1
BIO/CHEM 100	(If needed)*	3
ENGL 101	Writing	3
CORE 100		3
SPAN 105	Medical & Healthcare Spanish I	4
PSYCH 102	Intro to Psych	3
		16
	SPRING 1
BIOL 120	A & P I	4
PSYCH 231	Developmental Psych (CORE 200)	3
CHEM 125	Introduction to Chemistry	3
SPAN 106	Medical & Healthcare Spanish II	4
		14
	SUMMER 1
	FALL 2
BIOL 121	A & P II	4
CORE 103	Lifetime Wellness	1
NURS 206	Global Issues in Healthcare (CORE 300)	3
BIOL 232	Microbiology & Lab	4
		12
	SPRING 2
NURS 400	Pathophysiology	3
NURS 203	Fundamentals in Nursing	5
NURS 401	Health Assessment	3
STAT 163	Introduction Stats for Behavioral Sciences	4
		15
	SUMMER 2
NURS 204	Healthcare of the Older Adult	5
NURS 302	Pharmacology I	3
		8
	FALL 3
NURS 300	Nursing Ethics	3
NURS 304	Medical-Surgical Nursing I	5
NURS 305	Psychiatric Nursing	5
NURS 402	Informatics & Technology	3
		16
	SPRING 3
NURS 303	Pharmacology II	3
NURS 306	Maternal Child & Women’s Health	5
NURS 307	Pediatric Nursing	5
NURS 403	Evidence-Based Practice & Nursing Research	3
		16
	SUMMER 3
	FALL 4
NURS 409	Medical-Surgical Nursing II	5
NURS 411	Population & Rural Health Nursing	3
NURS 412	Population & Rural Health Nursing	2
NURS 405	Healthcare Policy & Finance	3
		13
	SPRING 4
ART	(creative arts requirement)	3
CORE 300	(second CORE 300 in lieu of study abroad)	3
NURS 413	Professional Leadership Capstone	5
HHP/HHP	Recreation Course (2)	1
RELG 1XX	Religion	3
		15
	Total	122-125

Suggested RN-BSN Plan of Study

Fall 1	Spring 1	Summer 1
NURS 206 Global Issues in Healthcare (3) CORE 300	NURS 401 Health Assessment (3)	NURS 300 Nursing Ethics (3)
NURS 402 Informatics & Technology (3)	NURS 400 Pathophysiology (3) (Elective)	Lifetime wellness (1)
SPAN 105 Medical Spanish I or Language (4)	SPAN 106 Medical Spanish II or Language (4)	Core Religion, Arts or Humanities (3)
	STATS 163 Into to Stats for Behavioral Health (4)
(10)	(11-14)	(7)
		Total (28-31)
Fall 2	Spring 2	Summer 2
NURS 405 Healthcare Policy & Finance (3)	NURS 403 Evidence-Based Practice & Nursing Research (3)	NURS 407 RN-BSN Capstone (2)
Core Religion, Arts or Humanities (3)	NURS 404 Leadership & Management in Nursing (3)	HHP 1XX Activity/Recreation Course (0.5)
NURS 411 Population & Rural Health Nursing (3)	Core Religion, Arts or Humanities (3)	HHP 1XX Activity/Recreation Course (0.5)
NURS 412 Population & Rural Health Nursing Clinical Practicum (1)	Elective (3)
(10)	(12)	(4)
		Total (26)
		Total Credit Hours (54-57)

• Students may transfer in up to 75 credits – 39 credits from Diploma or ADN nursing courses
• A total of 120 credit hours are required for BSN degree if all general education hours are met.

Traditional BSN Early Assurance Program

Admission to Emory & Henry University as a freshmen or pre-nursing student does not guarantee admission to the nursing major until all criteria have been met. Through the early assurance program, qualified applicants may qualify for a guaranteed admission to the nursing program and enroll as “pre-nursing” students if they maintain a:

• 3.0 GPA
• “C” or better in their science coursework (Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Introduction to Chemistry, Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Statistics for Behavioral Sciences, General Microbiology)
• Score of 65% or higher on Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

To meet the requirements of early assurance, applicants have two pathways for eligibility.

Pathway 1

• Minimum high school GPA of 3.3
• SAT >1150; or ACT >25
• Interview with BSN Program Director/Chief Nurse Administrator

Pathway 2

• Minimum high school GPA of 3.8
• Interview with BSN Program Director/Chief Nurse Administrator

Nursing faculty determine admission to the early assurance program. Application to the nursing program continues for students not included in the early assurance program who wish to be accepted as outlined below.

Nursing Program Admission

Admission into the pre-licensure BSN program occurs yearly and is competitive.

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Score of 65% or higher on Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) within the last two years
• Submission of the BSN Program application
• Interview with nursing faculty
• Submission of signed Technical Standards form
• Current American Health Association (AHA) CPR Healthcare provider certification
• Criminal background check, Drug Screen, Immunizations
• Completion of, or current enrollment in, the required nursing prerequisite courses (listed below) must be completed prior to the start of spring semester BSN courses:
  • BIOL/CHEM 100* Introduction to Biology (3)
    • It is possible to be exempt from the BIOL 100 requirement if:
      • You have taken AP Biology and scored a 3 or higher on the AP exam, or
      • You have a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT and a GPA of greater than 3.3, or
      • GPA of 3.3 or higher and have successfully completed other AP exams (3 or higher) in Science and/or Math and feel confident in science knowledge
  • BIOL 120 Anatomy & Physiology I (4)
  • BIOL 121 Anatomy & Physiology II (4)
  • BIOL 232 General Microbiology (4)
  • CHEM 125 Introduction to Chemistry (3) or CHEM 111 (4)
  • PSYC 102 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • PSYC 231 Lifespan Development (3)
  • Statistics 161 or 163

After Admission Requirements

After admission to the Nursing program but before students can enroll in courses, students must complete the compliance requirements via the current SON credentialing vendor (see instructions below).

The School of Nursing utilizes ATI™ to support student learning and success. ATI™ Content Mastery Series (CMS) and/or Concept-Based Curriculum (CBC) assessment scores account for 10% or less of a student’s course grade. The comprehensive ATI review program offers the following to students:

• A comprehensive, assessment-driven review program designed to enhance student NCLEX® success.
• Multiple assessment and remediation activities. These include assessment indicators for academic success, critical thinking ability, and learning styles. Additionally, online tutorials, online practice assessments, and proctored assessments are provided and span major content areas in nursing. These ATI tools, in combination with the nursing program content, assist students to prepare effectively, helping to increase their confidence and familiarity with nursing content.
• ATI Orientation resources, such as ATI Plan, which may be accessed from “My ATI” tab. It is highly recommended that you spend time navigating through these orientation materials.

REVIEW MODULES/E-BOOKS ATI provides Review Modules in eBook formats that include written and video materials in key content areas. Students are encouraged to use these modules to supplement course work and reading. Instructors may assign chapter reading either during a given course and/or as part of active learning/remediation following assessments.

TUTORIALS TO SUPPORT ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION PROCESS ATI offers unique tutorials that are designed to teach nursing students how to think like a nurse, how to take a nursing assessment, and how to make sound clinical decisions. ATI is committed to increasing student confidence by providing students with experience answering NCLEX-style questions in a variety of quizzing formats.

ASSESSMENTS The Content Mastery Series Assessments (CMS) provide essential data regarding a student’s mastery of concepts in relation to specific nursing content areas, including a series of Targeted Medical Surgical assessments that address the individual body systems to provide formative evaluation of content prior to the final Medical-Surgical course. There are practice assessments available for students as well as standardized proctored assessments that may be scheduled during courses. These assessments will help students identify what they know, in addition to areas requiring remediation (called Topics to Review). All TBSN (pre-license RN) students are required to sign the ATI™ policy before enrolling in nursing courses.

Post-Licensure RN-BSN Program

• Consideration for this program requires students to apply and receive acceptance into E&H University and Post-Licensure RN-BSN program.
• Be a graduate* of an accredited Associate Degree of Nursing program or Diploma school.
  *Emory & Henry University has Concurrent Admission Agreements with several community colleges to provide a transfer pathway for students to earn four-year degrees. Students who are concurrently admitted to E&H, may take RN-BSN coursework while completing their Associates Degree.
• Hold a current unencumbered RN license in the state which they practice. Upon application to the nursing program, each student provides proof of current, unencumbered, unrestricted and valid licensure (RN and/or APRN) in the state(s) in which they plan to complete their practicum courses. If at any point during the program a student’s license (RN and/or APRN) becomes encumbered or restricted, the student is obligated to inform the Department Chair and Dean of the School of Health Sciences immediately. Under no circumstances will a student with an encumbered or restricted license be permitted to enroll in a course with a practicum component. Failure to report an encumbered or restricted license to the Department Chair and Dean will result in dismissal from the nursing program. An active registered nurse advanced practice credential (if applicable) in the state (jurisdiction) where employment and/or clinical practice will be completed shall be maintained while in the nursing program.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
• For entry into the program, a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher is required. A GPA of 3.0 is to be maintained in nursing courses throughout the program. Applicants who do not meet the admissions requirements may apply for conditional admission consideration.
• Complete clinical clearance requirements 30 days after admission and prior to starting any clinical experience.

Clinical Clearance/Credentialing

Students are required to purchase a credentialing packet, complete and submit the following via the current credentialing vendor:

• Background Check – This is a criminal background check and is essential for our clinical placements.
• 12-Panel Drug Test – Tests for Cocaine; Marijuana; PCP; Amphetamines; Opiates; Benzodiazepines; Barbiturates; Methadone; Propoxyphene; Quaaludes; Ecstasy/MDA; and Oxycodone/Percocet.
• eLearning – Annual required training
• Vaccinations, CPR training, and insurance evidence required – listed in table below

 

• Varicella Immunization:
  • Verification that each student has provided proof of receiving (2) doses of the
    varicella vaccine or proof of immunity by a Varicella IgG titer. 
  • If titer does not show proof of immunity, the student must be recommended
    to receive the vaccine from their provider, but the vaccine is not required.
  • If the student refuses to obtain the vaccination, the school must obtain and
    submit a declination form. All documentation must be kept on file by the
    school.
• Hepatitis B: Verification that each student has provided proof of their Hepatitis Immunization vaccine dates (three dates) OR a titer to verify immunity. If no immunity is proven, the student must receive the vaccine or sign a declination form. All documentation must be kept on file by the school.
• TB: Verification that each new student has provided proof of negative Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test within the previous twelve (12) months.
  • For returning students, the school will determine if student should have additional skin test before starting in the clinical area.
  • Students with a history of TB or those who have previously tested PPD positive shall not have PPD testing but shall have a baseline chest x-ray.
  • All documentation must be kept on file by the school.
• MMR Immunization: Verification that each student has provided proof of two (2) dose vaccine series for MMR after their first birthday or laboratory evidence of a positive IgG, also known as a positive titer, for measles, mumps and rubella. Proof to be kept on file with school.
  • All documentation must be kept on file by the school.
• Influenza Vaccination: Verification that each student placed at a clinical facility has provided proof of receiving flu vaccination during the annual dates of October 1– March 31st. The school will also be required to communicate the location the student received the vaccination.
  • All documentation must be kept on file by the school.
• Tdap immunization: within the past 10 years
• Other requirements specified by clinical agencies, such as Covid-19, if applicable

CPR Certification

• Submit your current CPR certification. Must be American Heart Association BLS Provider course
• The front and back of the card must be submitted at the same time and the “Holder’s Signature” line on the back of the card must be signed
• eCards are also acceptable and do not need to be signed
• The renewal date will be set based on the expiration of your certification

Health Insurance

• Upload a copy of your current health insurance care OR proof of coverage to this requirement

Background Check

Emory & Henry University requires all students to complete a criminal background check upon admission to the nursing program and with enrollment in clinical nursing courses. This is to ensure a safe clinical environment for both students and the public and to meet the contractual requirements of area healthcare facilities. Criminal history does not necessarily exclude the nursing student from the nursing program. Some clinical agencies may require additional or more frequent background checks. Failure to undergo the background check by the deadlines given may result in dismissal from the nursing program and will result in the inability to attend clinical.

Should a clinical agency refuse to place a student based on the outcome of the background check, Emory & Henry University Department of Nursing has no responsibility for arranging alternate clinical placements. Any questions regarding the background check process should be directed to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences.

Nursing applicants and students should be aware that clinical facilities have the right or responsibility to preclude students with certain criminal histories from the facility. Additionally, a state board of nursing may deny licensure based on a student’s criminal history. Even if licensure is granted, certain employers may preclude applicants with certain criminal histories from employment.

NO STUDENT MAY START CLINICALS WITHOUT CLEARANCE FROM COURSE FACULTY VIA OUR CREDENTIALING VENDOR.

Grading Scale & Expectations

A+ =100	B+ = 85-89	C+ = 75-76	D = 65-68
A = 95-99	B* = 80-84	C = 72-74	F = 64/below
A- = 90-94	B- = 77-79 (failing for nursing majors)	C- = 69 -71

 *(minimum passing grade for nursing)

Policies and Procedures for Student Grievances/Appeals

Emory & Henry University staff and faculty strive to provide each student with positive educational experiences. The E&H University student complaint policy may be found at Academic Code and Procedures for Due Process. Students are encouraged to take problems and recommended solutions directly to the Course Faculty. If resolution is not achieved at the level of the Course Faculty, the student should consult his/her Department Chair/Program Director. If the problem or solution has a larger scope or if resolution cannot be achieved at the level of the Department Chair, or if the issue directly involves the Department Chair, students are encouraged to meet with the School of Health Sciences Dean.

Grade Appeals Process

Students have the right to know the final course grade he or she has earned, the right to know the grading systems of the Faculty, and the right to know the grades they are given during the semester. This grading system should be included in the course syllabus.

If a student disputes their final course grade, the student may appeal. The student must inform their course faculty in writing, no later than ten (10) business days after final grades have been posted, requesting a review and meeting to discuss their grades and concerns. At the meeting, the student will request an explanation of how the grade was determined. Both should make good faith efforts to share viewpoints and mediate differences of opinion.

If it is mutually agreed that a grade readjustment is warranted, the faculty member communicates a change of grade request, including explanatory reasons, to the Department Chair/Program Director.

If an agreeable decision cannot be reached, between faculty and student, the student may submit a written letter of appeal with supporting documents, if any, to the Department Chair/Program Director, no later than 10 business days after the faculty member’s final decision. The Department Chair/Program Director will have the Department of Nursing Faculty Committee consider the appeal. This committee will consist of all faculty members, minus the involved faculty and minus the Department Chair. The Dean of Student Affairs and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging will also serve on this committee as an ex officio member. If the committee reaches a decision that is not agreeable to the student, the student may appeal the decision in writing to the Department Chair/Program Director, no later than 10 business days after the committee’s decision.

In considering the appeal, the Department Chair will review all relevant information and may select to interview all involved parties deemed relevant to the appeal. Although not obligated, the student filing the appeal will have the opportunity to present their ‘case’ to the Department Chair.

• Every attempt will be made to select a date and time that does not interfere with the student’s academic activities.
• The student cannot request a different date or time for the meeting than that selected by the Department Chair.
• The student cannot be accompanied by anyone at the hearing, including, but not limited to legal counsel and/or parents.
• Under no circumstances is the student permitted to electronically record any part of the meeting.
• The Department Chair will have three (3) business days from the date of the meeting to make a final decision and notify the student.
• Depending on the issues leading to the deceleration or dismissal decision, and at the discretion of the BSN Department Chair/Program Director/Chief Nursing Administrator and in consideration of recommendations from the faculty, students may or may not be permitted to continue in their academic studies pending the appeal decision.

If the Department Chair/Program Director reaches a decision that is not agreeable to the student, the student may appeal the decision in writing within five (5) business days of the receipt of the Department Chair’s decision requesting the Dean of the School of Health Sciences to have the Healthcare Academic Standards Committee consider the appeal. The charged student may accompany the appeal with a written statement of his/her position.

• The Healthcare Academic Standards Committee (“Standards Committee”) will meet within ten (10) business days to consider the appeal.
• In considering the appeal, the Standards Committee shall review the appeal request and all relevant information. The Standards Committee may interview the person filing the appeal, the Department Chair, the student’s faculty advisor, or other pertinent members involved. The subject student shall be given no less than five (5) business days’ notice of the aforementioned meeting. No one, including the subject student may be represented or accompanied by anyone at the hearing, including, but not limited to legal counsel.
• After completing its review of the matter, the Standards Committee shall have three (3) business days to make its decision and notify the School’s Dean. The School’s Dean shall notify the subject student by hand delivery signed for by the subject student or by U.S. Postal Service (Return Receipt Requested) and the Department Chair of the appeal decision within five (5) College business days of said decision.

If no resolution is reached after discussing the issue with the Standards Committee and Dean, the student may then submit a written petition to the Assistant Provost and/or Provost. Academic Code and Procedures for Due Process | Emory & Henry University (emoryhenry.edu)

*Appeals of final course grades must begin within 10 business days after final grades are posted. This time frame is essential as grade decisions are required for student progression to the next semester. Appeals received after this time will only be heard with the approval of the Dean of the School of Health Sciences.

The following should be noted:

Students are expected to have addressed the concern with the professor of the course in question, the Department Chair/Program Director, and the Dean of the School of Health Sciences before pursuing any appeal with the Assistant Provost or Provost.

Testing Policy

Calculating Final Course Grade

In order to achieve a course grade of 80% in a didactic nursing course, both the exam average and final course grade must be at least 80%. Exam averages will include the following: course exams and comprehensive course final exam. Exam averages are calculated first, before any other coursework is calculated. The exam average is not weighted and must be an 80% average of all exams averaged equally. If the average is below 80%, the student will earn the score of the exam average for their grade and will not be able to progress. Take-home quizzes, group quizzes, open-book quizzes, ATI CMS assessments, or other learning assessments are not calculated in this total.

Final Course Grade Determination:

• At least 70% of all final course grades in nursing courses will be made up of proctored exams and assessments (course exams, comprehensive final exams, and ATI proctored CMS assessments).
• The Department of Nursing does NOT round final grades.

A student must achieve a minimum average of 80% to pass the course.

Exam Grades:

• Exam grades are recorded to the nearest 0.00 and exam grades are not rounded to
  the nearest whole number.
• There is no opportunity for extra credit for any exam or major course test.
• All exam/test grades are final and there is no option for exam/test retake.

Exam Remediation:

• Students who make less than 80% on course exams must meet with the course faculty teaching the course for remediation and develop a success plan.
• Students are expected to contact the instructor within 24 hours of posting an unsatisfactory exam grade.
• Once the student contacts the faculty, course faculty must meet with each student who does not achieve an 80% on an exam for the required development of a Success Plan and remediate with students to include exam analysis and/or content review.
• Faculty must retain appropriate documentation of remediation for all students and students should verify and sign remediation assignments from the course instructor.

Missed Exams:

• If a student has a legitimate excuse for missing an exam (family emergency, death, serious illness) the student must notify the instructor as soon as possible and request an extension. All arrangements must be made directly with the course instructor. Written verification may be required when an extension, (i.e. doctor’s excuse) is requested or prior to granting an extension. Students do not have an automatic right to “make-up” missed exams and/or quizzes.
• All exams administered after the set time and date of the exam may receive a 10-point deduction for taking the exam later the same day as originally scheduled, a 10-point deduction per day (including weekends) for each day late. This rule may not apply in certain unforeseen circumstances in which the student has made other arrangements with the instructor.
• Testing sessions on weekends will be at the instructor’s discretion.

Precautions against Cheating:

The following precautions will be followed when administering exams:

• All exams will be administered in a proctored environment.
• All student belongings are to be placed against the wall, or location specified by the instructor.
• All cell phones and smart watches are to remain in a specified location and are to be turned off during the exam.
• Students may not have hats, hoodies, earbuds, large coats/sweaters in use during an exam.
• Only calculators supplied by the nursing department may be used during exams.
• Faculty may create a seating chart with different placement of students for each exam.
• Unsupervised breaks during the exam will be at the discretion of the instructor.
• Instructors are not allowed to define or pronounce words in an exam; the instructor(s) may provide a standard English dictionary during the exam.
• Students are not allowed to ask substantive questions during an exam in an effort to elicit the correct answer from the instructor. Students may ask for clarification on a question (ex. Misspelled word, duplicate answer, etc.). In this situation, the instructor will answer the question to the entire class.
• Faculty may have additional precautions, but these must be outlined in the course syllabus at the beginning of class. (ex. no food or drink, specific writing utensils, inspection of any items on desk, etc.)
• Earplugs may be used by students if inspected and approved by the instructor prior to each use.
• For all proctored exams administered via the current learning management system, a specified custom browser must be utilized to secure the on-line test environment.

Test Review:

• Students will have the ability to review exams in a proctored environment. No phones, electronic devices or cameras will be permitted during exam review. Notes may be taken but must be reviewed by the instructor prior to leaving the proctored environment.
• If a student has questions regarding any exam question or grading, students may make an appointment with faculty outside of class hours to discuss exam questions.
• Exam reviews during class time are at the discretion of the instructor.

Testing Accommodations:

• Testing accommodations will be available only to students with documented disabilities on letterhead from the Emory & Henry University Student Success.
• Only accommodations documented by Student Success will be allowed.
• Testing accommodations must be supplied to the instructor at least 48 hours prior to the exam in order to accommodate the request.
• It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation of any accommodations to the course instructor. This must be done prior to the first day of class each semester.
• After completion of the first spring semester in the nursing program, students will be unable to backwards navigate on exams.
• Minimum of 40 questions per exam
• Faculty may not supply detailed study guides – paper or oral
• No open-book/open-note exams
• All exams should comply with current NCLEX-RN style questions at noted at www.ncsbn.org
• Medications should be listed by generic name
• Course Coordinator to work with all faculty teaching course to develop similar exams over the same content
• All exams and  exam blueprints should be peer reviewed by at least one faculty per semester

Standardized Exams:

The purpose of standardized testing is twofold: it assesses student’s knowledge, skills and abilities that are essential to the field of practice and provides students the opportunity to gain confidence in standardized testing prior to sitting for the NCLEX exam.

ATI Tools & Content Mastery Series Assessment Course Integration

Course Name	ATI Tool / CMS Assessment
NURS 203 Fundamentals in Nursing	Test Taking Strategies Dosage & Calculation Fundamentals Practice A&B Fundamentals CMS Proctored Assessment
NURS 204 Healthcare of the Older Adult	Dosage & Calculation
NURS 304 Medical-Surgical I	Dosage & Calculation
NURS 305 Psychiatric Nursing	Mental Health CMS Practice A&B Mental Health CMS Proctored Assessment
NURS 306 Maternal Child & Women’s Health	Maternal Newborn Practice A&B Maternal Newborn CMS Proctored Assessment
NURS 307 Pediatric Nursing	Dosage & Calculation Pediatric Nursing CMS Practice A&B Pediatric Nursing CMS Proctored Assessment
NURS 409 Medical-Surgical II	Dosage & Calculation Adult Medical Surgical CMS Practice A&B Adult Medical Surgical CMS Proctored Assessment
NURS 412 Population & Rural Health Nursing	Community Health CMS Practice A&B Community Health CMS Proctored Assessment
NURS 413 Professional Leadership Capstone	Dosage & Calculation Nutrition CMS Practice A&B Nutrition CMS Proctored Assessment Leadership CMS Practice A&B Leadership CMS Proctored Assessment Pharmacology CMS Practice A&B Pharmacology CMS Proctored Assessment Comprehensive Predictor CMS Proctored Assessments (Practices per instructor discretion)

Dosage & Calculation Exam Policy

Students are required to pass a dosage and calculation exam each semester with 80%. Preparation prior to the proctored Dosage & Calculation exam will include a practice exam. Students who do not pass the dosage and calculations exam on the first attempt will be required to complete remediation and then repeat a Dosage & Calculation exam, and must achieve 80% on the exam (Max attempts for exam = 2 total attempts). Successfully passing the dosage & calculation exam is not a component of course letter grade, but is pass/fail, and is required to advance to the next clinical course. Passage of the dosage and calculation exam is required to pass the course and proceed in the nursing program. If the student does not pass the dosage & calculation exam, they will receive a “C” for the course letter grade.

TBSN Graduation Requirements in addition to E&H University Requirements

1. Grade of B (80%) or better in all nursing courses.
2. Completion of 122 semester hours and all required courses and clinical hours.
3. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for all courses taken at Emory & Henry University.

RN to BSN Graduation Requirements

Academic graduation requirements include the following:

1. Completion of 120 semester hours and all required courses. RNs must successfully complete both the general education and required nursing courses. Elective hours make up the remaining hours needed to graduate.
2. Grade of B (80%) or better in all nursing courses.
3. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for all courses taken at Emory & Henry University.

Progression, Retention, Dismissal Guidelines for TBSN and RN-BSN Students

All Nursing students must maintain the required 80% (B) average in nursing courses.

If a student fails (“F”) a nursing course, they will be dismissed from the nursing program. If a student does not successfully pass a nursing course with an 80% or above, they will be allowed to retake the course one time. A second failure (79% or below) of any subsequent nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program. If a student fails a Pass/Fail portion of the course, the maximum grade that can be obtained will be 79%. The student will be required to repeat the course.

First time students in the nursing course will be given precedence over a student repeating the course. If there is a second failure of the same nursing course*, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program.

*If repeating the same nursing course – student’s submission of the same work, from the previous attempt, will not be acceptable.

Pursuant to VA BON 54.1-3007 A student will receive a failing “F” clinical and didactic course grade and be dismissed from the program for any of the following:

• Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a license, certificate, or registration;
• Unprofessional conduct;
• Willful or repeated violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;
• Conviction of any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
• Practicing in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics or in such a manner as to make his practice a danger to the health and welfare of patients or to the public;
• Use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that such use renders him unsafe to practice, or any mental or physical illness rendering him unsafe to practice;
• The denial, revocation, suspension or restriction of a license, certificate, registration, or multistate licensure privilege to practice in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States possession or territory; or
• Abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient’s or resident’s property.

Additional reasons for dismissal include, but are not limited to:

• Earning a course grade of “F” in any nursing course.
• Failure of two nursing courses by earning a grade of less than 80%.
• Failure of the same nursing course twice by earning a grade of less than 80%.
• Failure to meet clinical objectives.
• Falsifying any patient documentation.
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs (prescription or recreational).

Summer Credit Hour Policy

Students enrolled in the nursing program may only register for a total of 8.0 credit hours during the summer term(s). Students who wish to enroll in more than 8.0 credit hours during the summer must receive permission from their nursing advisor.

Withdrawal from a Class, Withdrawal from Emory & Henry University, Leave of Absence

The Department of Nursing follows the withdrawal and leave absence policies of Emory & Henry University.

The policy for withdrawal from a class can be found at:

Academic Catalog

The policy for withdrawal from Emory & Henry University can be found at:

Academic Catalog

The policy for requesting a leave of absence can be found at:

Academic Catalog

Readmission Into Nursing Program

A student who has been absent from the nursing program for any reason (including voluntary withdrawal) and who wishes to re-enter the program must meet all the admission/progression requirements in place at that time and may be required to reapply to the Department of Nursing. Readmission to the Department of Nursing occurs only rarely and will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants for readmissions compete with the entire pool of candidates for admission to the program.

Reapplication and readmission may occur one time only. Students who have failed two or more nursing courses are not eligible to reapply for readmission to the Department of Nursing BSN program. Students interested in readmission will submit an essay and be asked to participate in an interview with the Department Chair and other members of the nursing faculty.

Technical Standards for Admission, Progression, and Graduation

The goal of Emory & Henry University Nursing program is to enable every student to prepare to critically think and be competent and compassionate nurses in a changing healthcare environment. The endeavors of the program are to enhance nursing knowledge, practice, and professional integrity to develop improved health outcomes for patients, families, and communities in the continuum of care.

The student must be independently able to meet the technical standards of essential attributes of (1) physical attributes; (2) intellectual attributes; (3) interpersonal attributes; and (4) performance attributes. If the student is unable to meet these technical standards, with or without equitable accommodation, the student will be unable to complete the program and will be advised/counseled accordingly. [See Technical Standards and Essential Functions]

Confidentiality of Coursework

The communication of information in face-to-face or online courses which are based on personal or work-related experiences adheres to the policies and guidelines of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Students are expected to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of patients, peers, family, or agency/institution by not disclosing information outside of courses. If needed to express some detailed information, anonymity should be maintained with the use of an alias or initials. For more information on these laws, please refer to the following websites:

FERPA – https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/?src=fpco

HIPAA - https://www.hipaa.com/

Academic Catalog

Professional Conduct

Each individual student is required to conduct themselves in a non-disruptive, respectful manner conducive for learning and engaging within the academic and clinical environments. Unprofessional behavior or potentially injurious actions to self, patients, or others will result in being asked to leave the setting immediately and can result in course or clinical failure. Such circumstances can include, but are not limited to, unprofessional appearance, not being prepared for class or clinical, and tardiness.

Incivility

Incivility toward peers, faulty, patients or healthcare professionals will not be acceptable behavior. The American Nurses Association (ANA, 2015) describes the behaviors of incivility as a “form of rude and discourteous actions, of gossiping and spreading rumors, and refusing to assist a coworker; name-calling, using a condescending tone, and expressing public criticism” (p. 3).

Bullying

Bullying toward peers, faculty, patients or other healthcare workers will not be tolerated. The ANA defined bullying as “repeated, unwanted harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the recipient. Bullying actions include those that harm, undermine, and degrade” (p. 3). Behaviors of bullying can be intimidation, insults, verbal aggression or attacks, hostile comments in the presence of the victim or others or through cyber media.

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ANA (2015). Position Statement: Incivility, Bullying, and Workplace Violence. pp. 1-29.

Academic Honesty in Nursing

The nursing profession expects a nurse to demonstrate ethical behaviors and personal integrity at a high level consistent with the Christian worldview as viewed by Emory & Henry University, School of Nursing, the BSN and MSN Nursing Programs. Academic honesty is an essential component of ethical behavior and personal integrity and is required of all students completing nursing education at Emory & Henry University and entering professional practice. Faculty may use tools to detect plagiarism, such as GoogleTM, GrammarlyTM, TurnitinTM, or SafeAssignTM, to advance academic integrity and to identify student knowledge gaps. Students are encouraged to use these resources to check their work for plagiarism, and identify opportunities for learning related to paraphrasing, citations, references.

“Large language model generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and others, have recently emerged and become available for wide use. While generative AI tools can offer inspiration and new possibilities, they should not be seen as unacknowledged substitutes for the content created by students in their courses.” (UT at Austin)

Examples of adverse academic integrity (list is not all inclusive):

Cheating

1. Obtaining or giving assistance on assignments, tests, quizzes or other program related situations.
2. Eradicating and/or copying questions on exams or quizzes.
3. Unapproved collaboration on academic activities or assignments with fellow students.

Plagiarism

1. Verbatim replication of an author or another person’s work without recognition for citation.
2. Appropriating ideas from someone else and indicating them as your ideas.
3. Preparation of academic work is completed by another person or organization.

Fabrication

1. Misrepresenting and concoction of citations, data, or information.
2. Falsification or modifying documentation in the clinical setting.
3. Altering academic records documentation.

Course and clinical faculty will address all academic honesty violations with consideration of the evidence to determine the appropriate sanctions.

Sanctions are:

1. First infraction
   1. On the course assignment suspected, a grade of zero (0) or “F”; OR
   2. A course grade of “F”, OR
   3. Dismissal from the program.
2. Second infraction
   1. Immediate program dismissal, AND
   2. No readmission eligibility.

Academic honesty violations and sanction(s) imposed will be sent to the Dean of the School of Nursing and the Office of the Provost. Further sanctions may be imposed if warranted. The student has the right to appeal the sanction according to the Student Handbook guidelines. Documentation will be thorough regarding the incident and disciplinary action and sanctions placed in the academic student file.

Course Attendance

The Nursing program(s) are rigorous with expectations of students being accountable and responsible for their learning. Students are expected to be present and on time for each class and clinical session. Online courses will have specific requirements for participation.

Hybrid courses will require some face-to-face sessions along with online participation. The attendance requirements of each course will be addressed in the course syllabi.

It is understood illness and emergencies arise, which may result in the need to be late or miss a class. Unless it is an unexpected emergency, the student is responsible for notifying the instructor PRIOR to the class meeting time and obtain missed course lectures and/or assignments. If no contact is made notifying faculty of such circumstances, this will be an unexcused absence. The faculty may request documentation, such as an excuse from a healthcare provider. Two unexcused absences can result in unintentional withdrawal and/or failure of the course. Excessive absences can result in failure of the course and possible termination from the nursing program.

Absentee Policy

The E&H University Nursing Program does not have free absences for classroom, online or clinical instruction. It is understood circumstances occur and are unpredictable. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor or clinical faculty at a minimum of 30 minutes prior to class or clinical if they are to be absent and the reason for the absence. It is not acceptable to ask a classmate to notify the instructor of YOUR absence and this will be considered an unexcused absence. You must complete all the required clinical hours to pass the course, and progress in the program.

Excused absences are determined by the following circumstances and at the discretion of the course or clinical faculty:

1. Illness with a required healthcare provider’s excuse.
2. Death in the family.
3. Attendance for a school sponsored event (i.e., sporting event or competition, professional conference or presentation, etc.).

Unexcused absences are determined by the following circumstances and at the discretion of the course or clinical faculty:

1. Not in class and has not contacted the faculty (even when sick and forgot to call).
2. Leaves class after test or when there is a break.
3. Leave class or show up late for class due to an appointment without prior arrangements made with the faculty.
4. Tardy to class three times.

Absenteeism is unacceptable behavior and can result in consequences set forth by the course faculty, which may include a decrease in the grade or failure of the course.

Tardiness Policy for Class or Clinical

Students are to be responsible and accountable in their behaviors. Students are expected to be present for class and clinical on time. To ensure being on time, plan to arrive early to class and clinical. Being late to class will result in receiving a tardy and three tardy episodes will result in an unexcused absence.

Clinical tardiness will NOT be tolerated. The first occurrence may result in the student being given a warning verbally and in writing. If there is a second occurrence, the student will be sent home and an unexcused absence will be given with written documentation placed in the student’s file. A third incident of tardiness to clinical will result in clinical failure for the semester and the student will have to retake the course per progression policy above.

Class & Clinical Cancellation Due to Weather Conditions

Emory & Henry University is a resident University; therefore, there is seldom a cancellation due to severe weather conditions. Because the nursing program has a high proportion of commuter students, decisions to attend class and/or clinical are different and may be made in the early hours of the morning before decisions for the main campus are reached. Students should work with their clinical faculty to decide upon a “calling” policy in the event of bad weather. Individual faculty will arrange the cancellation policy with their students when distance to the clinical facility could pose a hazard to the student’s safety during inclement weather such as snow or ice storms. When cancellations occur, rescheduling may be required. The rescheduled clinical day will be determined by the clinical faculty who will set the date and time of the “make-up” clinical.

While it is expected that nursing students attend all clinical assignments, commuters should use sound judgment in deciding to travel. If a student is to be absent from clinical, they are required to call the faculty in advance of the clinical experience in order to receive an excused absence from the clinical. However, if classes are canceled by the University, the announcement will be posted on the University web site and may be heard on radio and TV stations. Faculty may post announcements on the course learning management site or send emails via Emory & Henry University email. Students are responsible for checking their email and/or course announcements to receive direction from the instructor on how the disruption of instructional time will be addressed.

Classroom Etiquette

Nursing students are preparing to enter a profusion which requires knowledge and skill. Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism in the classroom and clinical settings as stated in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses. The additional expectations and guidelines are to be demonstrated in the classroom:

1. Be prompt and on time for class and ready for participation.
2. Be polite to peers and faculty.
3. Show respect to peers and faculty during lectures and discussions.
4. Turn off cell phones during class with exception of circumstances of emergency and the need to inform the instructor prior to the start of class.
5. Students should avoid scheduling appointments or work time on any scheduled class or clinical day.
6. Personal computers or tablets may be used during class for course specific activities.
7. Do not engage in personal emailing, Instant Messaging, or being on any social media during class time. If this occurs, you will be asked to leave class and participation points will be deducted.

Cell Phone Policy

Because they create distractions and disrupt regular work routines, the use of personally-owned communication devices such as cell phones is prohibited during class or clinical.

Please keep your devices secure, but not on your person, while performing clinical duties. You may use your phones and other devices during breaks and meal times in areas away from the general public. Use of cell phones for unauthorized purposes will result in the following:

1. Use of the cell phone during or leaving the classroom to answer the call will result in the student being asked to leave class for the day and will result in an unexcused absence.
2. Clinical sites have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for cell phone use. A clinical failure will be given if violation of this policy occurs.

Netiquette

Misconduct in courses can create feelings of annoyance and frustration with the impact felt by the instructor and fellow classmates. This behavior may cross the line into academic dishonesty and may be treated similarly to cheating or plagiarizing. These guidelines for learners are warranted and require students to take them seriously to avoid a negative impact on their success in the course and program.

Security

Your password is the only thing which protects you from pranks or more serious harm.

1. Follow the Emory & Henry University guidelines with respect to password security.
2. Do not share your password with anyone.
3. Change your password when prompted to do so by the E&H University website AND if you suspect someone might know your password.
4. Always logout when you are finished using a system – especially if using a shared computer in a public place.
5. ID badges should be worn at all times on the Health Sciences Campus in Marion. Building access is allowed by ID access, and approved guests. Do not let anyone “tailgate” or be permitted access to the building without an active ID.

General Guidelines

• Treat instructor(s) with respect, in email or any form of online communication.
• Always use the proper title for your professor: Dr. or Prof., or if you’re in doubt use Mr. or Ms.
• Do not refer to your instructor by their first name, unless specifically given permission or invited to do so.
• Use clear and concise language. Be respectful of the reader’s time and attention.
• Ensure you use correct grammar and spelling.
• Avoid slang terms, such as “whassup?” and using abbreviations in a text, such as “u’ instead of “you”.
• Standard fonts should be used for online reading in a consistent readable size (12 to 14 pt.).
• Avoid using caps lock feature as IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING.
• Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons. Not everyone knows how to interpret them.
• Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm as tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion post and your message might be taken literally or offensively.
• Be careful with sharing personal information online (both yours and others).
• In any health care course, follow HIPAA guidelines – no sharing of patient information or emailing confidential patient information.

Email Netiquette

E&H email and Moodle (LMS) course information should be checked at a minimum, daily. All correspondence to your nursing instructor, clinical faculty, or fellow classmates should be exclusively through your E&H email and include the following:

• In the subject line, provide a clear and descriptive heading so there is a reason to open the email.
• Be brief and to the point and try to avoid having the reader to scroll for the entire message.
• Write the important part at the beginning as the reader may not read it in its entirety.
• Avoid sending attachments unless you are sure the reader can open them.
• Ensure there is a place at the end of your email which has your name, email address, and a contact phone number.
• Before you “reply all” to an email, think before you send. Do all the recipients need to see your response?
• If you are upset or angry about a situation, allow yourself 24-hours to calm down before you send or respond to an email so you can respond with a clear head.

Discussion Board Netiquette and Guidelines

• Ensure post are on topic and relevant to the course material. Re-read the instructions provided by the instructor, if necessary.
• View your post seriously and edit, if necessary, before sending. Avoid poor grammar and sloppy writing with spelling errors.
• When making a post, be brief and concise when making a thorough comment. This is a discussion area not a formal paper.
• Formally cite your resources as you would in any formal paper. Cite all references to quoted sources.
• Read all the messages posted in a discussion prior to giving a reply.
• Ensure your posts are your original ideas and not those of someone else.
• Avoid replying to a post with “I agree” without supporting your reasoning and ideas.
• Be respectful and considerate of other individuals’ opinions, which may differ from your own. Feel free to offer your differing opinion in a non-critical, respectful manner. Do not make insulting or personal remarks.
• Be open-minded and receptive to learning from your colleagues.

Classroom Professionalism Policy

The framework for the nursing professional culture consists of:

Preparation

Nursing faculty have an array of education, experience and ongoing professional development which enables their ability to provide significant content, evaluation of the course, and leadership. This is a commitment and responsibility faculty take seriously. To ensure a quality class is provided, it takes the dedication of faculty and students to be prepared. Faculty diligently prepare for class and clinical with expectations of students to thoroughly complete assignments and be punctual in turning in assignments. Students must be disciplined in taking their education seriously and study to be successful.

Engagement

Nursing is a professional practice which requires engagement. Faculty and students develop a partnership in learning. Faculty, therefore, pledge to create a learning environment which is innovative in providing interactive opportunities for meaningful learning, attentive to student opinions and insight, and receptive to student feedback. Students are required to engage by being attentive to their colleagues and faculty, to be inquisitive and provide informed insight to enhance their knowledge. Students should possess positivity and open-mindedness in class and clinical settings as well to class/clinical content which may be difficult. Active participation in learning and ensuring they fully understand course content, interest in their progress in the course and not merely the grades they have are expectations of students.

Meetings

Meetings are a part of every professional culture with formal/informal expectations. For purposes of the nursing program, the definition of meetings applies to scheduled class periods whether on-ground or online, conferences with course and/or clinical faculty individually or group, or during any clinical experience.

Students are expected to be present and on time for meetings. Professional culture dictates it is not acceptable to miss a meeting without informing the appropriate person in advance, regardless of the reason. This applies to any class, clinical, or conference meetings.

Students should be prepared for each meeting with textbooks, be able to take notes either manually or electronically, and engage in discussions, as class participation is vital to learning. Any form of social media use (texting, IM, Tweet, SnapChatTM, FacebookTM, etc.) is unacceptable in classroom and clinical settings and will affect your performance evaluation.

Inquiries

Understanding and adhering to appropriate timing is an important aspect of professional culture and behavior. Any inquiries regarding the class/clinical schedule, assignments, and clinical situations are welcome but should be posed prior to or after class/clinical. During class/clinical, unrelated questions demonstrate a lack of engagement to the content or task at hand. A lack of focus affects the performance evaluation in the class/clinical settings as it would in the workplace. Certain topics should be discussed privately and confidentially, not in the classroom or clinical setting. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law which protects the privacy of individual student records, therefore, grades and evaluations of assignments or tests should be conducted in privacy at a determined time.

Communication via Technology

Communication is an essential component of the nursing profession, whether face-to-face interactions, phone, email or text. Formal communication is deemed appropriate through face-to-face interaction or by email and informal communication is appropriate through phone conversations or text messages.

Guidelines for Communication:

1. Contact the professor to schedule a time during office hours for a face-to-face meeting. Instructors have office hours scheduled and many accept walk-in meetings, if they are available.
2. Phone messages received by 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday will be responded to within 24-48 hours, with the exception of illness or extenuating circumstances. Phone messages received after 4:00 p.m. on Friday will be responded to on Monday, with the exception of illness or extenuating circumstances.
3. Email messages should include the class name and number in the subject line with the subject included (ex: NURS 401: Health Assessment - Project Question). An email will be viewed in the student performance evaluation; thus, it should be formatted appropriately, have complete sentences with proper grammar and spelling. Emails received after 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday will be responded to on Monday, with the exception of illness or extenuating circumstances.
4. Text messages will be acceptable at the discretion of the instructor. Instructors typically do not put all of the student’s phone numbers in their contacts. It is important to identify yourself, the class, and your question (ex: Hello Dr. Jones. This is Alex and I am in your NURS 401 Health Assessment class…. then ask your question). Text messages received by 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday will be responded to on the same day with the exception of illness or extenuating circumstances. Text messages received after 4:00 p.m. on Friday may not receive a response until Monday, with the exception of illness or extenuating circumstances. A text message received over a weekend in regards to class or clinical assignment requiring completion over the weekend may be responded to in a timelier manner.

Social Media Policy

Social media and the internet provide an important medium for sharing information and offer easily accessible methods for mass communication. Nursing students must be aware of the risks and consequences associated with social networking. Online social networking (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs, etc.) must be considered public information and postings containing certain information are illegal. Online content and behavior have the ability to enhance or undermine not only an individual but also Emory & Henry University, and the profession of nursing. Violations may expose the offender to criminal and civil liability. It is important to avoid disclosing any HIPAA or academic protected information regarding patients, clinical sites, or peers. Students should not post any information or videos to YouTube or other social media using the University name or label. For course assignments requiring a YouTube video, it is imperative that you select “unlisted” as the privacy setting for your video. With the setting of “unlisted”, only people with who you share the URL with can see your video. It is not searchable on YouTube. When posting a video in this manner, Emory & Henry University or personal demographics should not be mentioned in the video, description, or title. Any student found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as set forth in the nursing student handbook. For example, infractions may result in utilization of the Professional Conduct Policy.

The following are taken from the American Nurses Association Social Networking Recommendations and modified to serve as a guide to students to avoid potential problems.

1. Standards of professionalism are the same online as in any other circumstance.
2. Never post photographs or any information gained in a nurse-patient relationship.
3. Maintain professional boundaries in the use of electronic media. Online contact with patients blurs these boundaries.
4. Do not post inflammatory or unflattering information about peers, patients, clinical sites and/or their employees on any social media site. Make every effort to present yourself as mature, responsible, and professional.
5. Do not take photos or recordings of a patient in your clinical setting or peers in their clinical or classroom learning environment without obtaining special permission utilizing the appropriate forms.
6. Promptly report any breach of confidentiality or privacy to your faculty member.
7. Do not share any protected health information. (HIPAA)

Please refer also to the professional email communication guidelines below.

For potential consequences of inappropriate use of social and electronic media and common myths and misunderstandings refer to the site below:

https://www.ncsbn.org/347.htm

More information can be found at American Nurses Association Social Media/Social Networking Principles Toolkit https://www.nursingworld.org/social/

Nursys E- Notify – RN-BSN & Graduate Students

The Nursing program uses the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing electronic system, Nursys, for licensure verification and e-Notify to receive automatic updates on any changes in status of student licensure for those students who live in states with participating boards of nursing. Information about state participation can be found at: https://www.nursys.com/NLV/NLVJurisdictions.aspx

Although the Nursing program uses this system, each student is responsible for notifying the BSN Department Chair/Chief Nursing Administrator immediately, if there is any action related to the student’s license while in the program.

Student Input into Governance

The Nurisng program acknowledges the importance of obtaining student input and offering students an active role. To facilitate the process of obtaining input, faculty will announce through e-mail the issues for which student input is requested. All students are expected to submit course evaluations at the appointed time during each semester. In addition, all students are encouraged to provide input to faculty, the BSN Program Director, and the School of Health Sciences Dean by a variety of means including appointments, e-mail, telephone, written suggestions, etc. All student input is thoughtfully considered and faculty make every attempt to provide appropriate responses to student suggestions. Each program track cohort will elect a student representative who is asked to “attend” (in person or by phone) the meetings. Student representatives are non-voting members of the committee. All students are welcome to attend any nursing meeting, however portions of the meeting agenda may be closed to non-voting members.

Student Representative

The role of the student representative (SR) to the program track faculty is critical to meeting program outcomes. Characteristics of a student representative include but are not limited to the following: excellent verbal and written communication skills, organizational and planning skills, critical reasoning and problem solving skills, interpersonal skills, ability to negotiate, make constructive suggestions and find corresponding solutions.

A student representative demonstrates commitment to the program by participating in meetings that are scheduled over the academic year; taking notes of the meeting and reporting the outcomes of the meeting to the student body; working with other students and faculty to implement initiatives and solutions; creating connections via planning events to enhance communication lines; and devoting about one hour a week towards this role.

Consistent with program outcomes, the SR role enables students to develop and/or strengthen leadership skills, connect with various internal and external agencies, assist student peers with communicating issues, concerns, and opinions. Responsibilities of SRs include:

• Acting as a link between students and faculty/administration
• Serving as a liaison in bringing any issues/suggestions/feedback to faculty at meetings
• Relaying key messages from the faculty/administration to the student body
• Suggesting, developing, and implementing solutions to problems related to online and/or campus life
• Collaborating with students to coordinate events to enhance student communication opportunities

Course and Program Evaluations

Student input is highly valued at the University, University, and School of Nursing. Program improvements are often generated by student feedback. Students are expected to complete evaluations of all orientations and courses at the end of every semester or when directed. Faculty values student input into the course and technology. Course and program evaluation is one mechanism for providing input to faculty and administration regarding the student learning experience. Other evaluations of the program are required at exit. After graduation, students are contacted to provide feedback as alumni. All evaluation data are reviewed by faculty and administration and serve to inform faculty regarding course and program refinements. Evaluation feedback is important for ongoing program improvement and meeting accreditation requirements.

Dress Code for Classroom and Lab Activities

Nursing is the only health profession where the entry level preparation is at the undergraduate level. Dressing professionally fosters respect from patients and colleagues.

Absolutely NO visible 5 Bs (breast, buttocks, belly, back, and if a breeze comes by nothing will blow up). Attire for classroom is business casual with closed toed shoes. You can wear comfortable shoes as long as they follow the guidelines. You can wear an Emory and Henry sweatshirt/t-shirt and slacks. No jeans unless there is a special school event which allows them. Scrubs are acceptable, but only SOLID COLORS. If you are going to wear scrubs you need to wear a matching scrub set. “Jogger” style scrub pants are allowed for classroom days but NOT allowed for clinical, skills, or simulation days. You must wear E&H scrubs on skills, simulation, and clinical days.

Appropriate/Permissible Attire

Inappropriate/Non-permissible Attire

Business casual attire Closed toed shoes (in clinical, lab, or simulation settings) Emory & Henry sweatshirts, sweaters, polos, collared shirts Dress shirts Sweaters Emory & Henry t-shirts Slacks (khakis, chinos, dress pants, non-form fitting non-jean material) Solid-colored matching scrubs (joggers allowed in classroom but not in sim, lab, or clinical) Dresses/Skirts with length at knee level or below Headbands (must be solid-colored in sim, lab, or clinical)

Attire showing cleavage, exposing abdomen or back when arms are lifted or when squatting, skirts/dresses above the level of the knee Jeans (unless special school event allows them) Patterned scrubs Non-matching scrubs Ball caps or hats

Dress Code for Clinical Experiences, including Lab and Simulation

Attire for clinical experiences:

1. Emory & Henry University students will wear navy uniform scrub pants and tops with the E&H monogram. The scrub tops and pants must be sized appropriately, wrinkle-free, clean and in good condition at all times. The top should not expose the abdomen when arms are raised above the head. Pants should be worn at the natural waist and underwear should not be visible. “Jogger” style scrub pants are not allowed for clinical experiences. Female students MUST wear a bra.
2. Lab coat or scrub jacket may be required.
3. Black, non-permeable leather shoes with a closed toe and closed heel are required. No sandals or clogs are to be worn. Shoes are to be clean, appropriately sized, and in good repair at all times.
4. For on-campus skills and simulation lab sessions, alternative footwear consistent with clean, professional, closed-toed, rubber-soled shoes can be worn. The footwear cannot be glittered, sequenced, or brightly patterned.
5. Black socks/hose are to be worn and should be the same color as the shoes. The length of the socks/hose should be sufficient to not expose the leg when seated.
6. Identification badges are to be worn at all times. Some clinical agencies may require facility specific ID badges. Students and clinical faculty will abide by the facility requirements.
7. Clinical units may allow business casual attire. This will include wearing dress slacks, appropriate top/shirt, closed toe/heel shoes (not heels), and socks/hose. Skirts and dresses may be worn with the hem being at the knee or below. Students should wear modest tops which do not show cleavage, emphasize the chest, or are tight and form fitting.
8. The following attire is PROHIBITED for any clinical experience: Jeans (denim or colored), shorts, tank or spaghetti strap tops, flip-flops, or sandals.
9. Clinical agencies may have additional attire requirements.

Personal Hygiene/Jewelry

1. Students should present to clinical showered/bathed.
2. Hair should be clean, dry, and groomed neatly. For individuals with long hair –hair should be pulled up off the collar.
3. Facial hair should be clean-shaven or neatly groomed at all times.
4. Make-up may be worn conservatively to be consistent with a professional image.
5. Nails should be clean and trimmed. Clear nail polish only may be worn. Artificial nails of any kind are NOT permitted.
6. Jewelry is restricted to engagement/wedding rings, stud pierced earrings, and a watch with a second hand. PROHIBITED jewelry: dangling or hoop earrings, body piercings of ANY kind, necklaces or chains, and bracelets. Students with ear gauges need to have skin tone colored plugs in place.
7. Tattoos and/or body art should not be visible at any time and should be
   covered by clothing. Clinical agencies may have additional requirements.

IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: Any student, who does not adhere to the required uniform policy, may be sent home from the clinical site and receive a clinical absence by their assigned nursing faculty.

Clinical Requirements for Attendance and Participation

Students will participate in clinical experiences in the BSN program. Prior to enrollment in the first clinical course and annually, students must submit documentation proof of health status and the following immunizations (or approved exemptions) provided by a physician or nurse practitioner. All documentation must be valid for the clinical for the semester or academic year. Please refer to Department of Nursing Specific Policies, under “Clinical Clearance/Credentialing” to obtain a list of mandatory immunization records that must be submitted to the credentialing vendor.

Documentation of current immunizations and other clinical health requirements must be submitted prior to the clinical experience. If submission is not complete, the student will not be allowed to attend clinical, resulting in an unexcused absence requiring clinical make-up hours. Two clinical failures will result in dismissal from the nursing program.

Clinical Behavior and Absences

1. Students are expected to dress appropriately (see Dress Code section) and arrive on time to the clinical unit. Students are to remain in their designated clinical unit for the duration of their clinical day unless permission or re-assignment is given by the supervising clinical faculty or preceptor.
2. Use of cell phones or other electronic devices is prohibited in clinical units. In cases of emergency, the student may ask permission to have their phone with their belongings to be kept in a designated area or have contact made with the instructor or preceptor with their permission.
3. Students may NOT use tobacco, tobacco products (to include vaping), alcohol, illegal drugs, or misuse any legal, prescription medications while engaged in any educational and clinical experiences as a representative of Emory & Henry University. Violation of this may result in suspension or expulsion from the nursing program.
4. It is the policy of Emory & Henry University Department of Nursing to maintain a safe and healthy environment for its students and employees. Emory & Henry University prohibits being under the influence of, or unlawful use, manufacture, possession, distribution or dispensing of drugs, “controlled substances” as defined in the Controlled Substance Act, 21, U.S.C 812: Section 812 and alcohol on university property or during university activities. Violation of this policy is grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including permanent dismissal of a student. See Department of Nursing Student Drug & Alcohol Policy under Policies and Procedures for Infection Control/Prevention and Exposure Response (pg. 48).
5. Students with symptomatic illnesses, (i.e., nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, elevated temperatures, skin rash, or drainage from eyes, to name a few), on the day of clinical should consult with the clinical instructor and/or preceptor PRIOR to clinical experience to ascertain eligibility to provide patient care.
6. In the instance of arriving at the clinical unit with symptoms of illness, the student may be dismissed by the clinical instructor or preceptor. Students may be asked for clinical clearance provided by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner to return to clinical.
7. Absence from clinical is highly discouraged and detrimental to successfully meeting the clinical requirements and course objectives. Students are encouraged to avoid scheduling appointments during clinical or course meetings.
8. Absenteeism should be for personal illness or extreme emergencies. The student will be responsible for:
   1. Necessitating any make-up work at the discretion of the clinical faculty or preceptor to ensure course objectives have been met, OR
   2. If extreme mitigating circumstances occur, the student will be given an “Incomplete” for the clinical, OR
   3. The student may be required to repeat the entire course, didactic and clinical, if course objectives cannot be met and this will result in a failing grade. A failing clinical grade results in a failing course grade.
9. Students will be responsible for personal transportation to all assigned clinical experiences.
10. Emory & Henry University Department of Nursing and clinical agencies utilized by the school will not be liable for any injuries incurred traveling to and from clinical experiences, while at the clinical site, or for any illness diagnosed and treated while at the clinical site.
11. All personal property of the student is their responsibility. Emory & Henry University Department of Nursing and clinical agencies utilized by the school will not be liable for any damage or loss to such items.
12. Students are required to adhere to the dress code guidelines for professional attire and image. At their discretion, clinical faculty and/or preceptor may dismiss the student from clinical that day for failure to comply with the dress code. This will result in an unexcused absence, no ability for make-up, and a grade of zero (0) for any assignments that day.
13. Students commonly are employed during school for financial needs. Faculty request students to not work past 11:00 p.m. the night prior to a clinical day to ensure proper rest is obtained and students can function at their optimal level. If a student presents to clinical fatigued and drowsy, clinical faculty and/or preceptor are required to use their discretion and may dismiss the student from clinical that day. This will result in an unexcused absence, no ability for make-up, and a grade of zero (0) for any assignments that day.

Clinical Policy Violation

Adherence to the clinical behavior and dress code guidelines is MANDATORY. Failure to comply with the guidelines will result in being dismissed from the clinical site resulting in an unexcused absence with no make-up clinical given. A grade of zero (0) will be given for the clinical day. Repeated offense to these guidelines can result in a course/clinical failure and/or dismissal from the nursing program.

Infection Control and Exposure Response

The safety of all students, staff, faculty, and patients is of primary concern. Therefore, during orientations for both didactic and clinical education phases, nursing students are presented with information on personal security and fire safety, in addition to infection control, HIPAA, and OSHA. Furthermore, nursing students will be required to complete any clinical site-specific safety or security training requirements in preparation for supervised clinical practice experiences. Students must be aware that risk exists for exposure to infection and environmental disease during the didactic and clinical phases of the program. Nursing students, staff, and faculty must adhere to all established Emory and Henry University safety protocols.

• Didactic-phase students must notify their course faculty as soon as possible of any exposure to bodily fluids, chemical hazards, or potentially serious infectious diseases.
• All faculty, staff and students will utilize Standard Precautions (Methods of Prevention as outlined in the Nursing Program Student Handbooks) during all activities that present a risk of exposure to blood/body fluids or chemical hazards. Failure to do so will be grounds for disciplinary action.
• Students must follow the exposure response plan detailed below in the case of any exposure to blood/body fluids, chemical hazards, or potentially serious infectious diseases.
• Compliance with all safety practices is not just good procedure; it is also a mark of your professionalism. Failure to observe and practice Standard Precautions may result in adverse/disciplinary action for unprofessional behavior and referral to the Student Progression Committee.

Methods of Prevention

Standard precautions (Methods of Prevention) are the minimum safety and infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care and laboratory or technical skills training experiences in any setting where healthcare or healthcare training is delivered. These practices are designed to protect healthcare professionals (HCP) and prevent HCP from spreading infections to others.

Hand Hygiene:

• Good hand hygiene is critical to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
• Current CDC guidelines recommend use of alcohol-based hand rub for hand hygiene except when hands are visibly soiled (e.g. dirt, blood, body fluids), or after caring for patients with known or suspected infectious diarrhea, in which cases soap and water should be used.
  Key situations where hand hygiene should be performed include:
  • Before touching a patient, even if gloves will be worn.
  • Before exiting the patient’s care area after touching the patient or the patient’s immediate environment.
  • After contact with blood, body fluids or excretions, or wound dressings.
  • Prior to performing an aseptic task (e.g. placing an IV, preparing an injection).
  • If hands will be moving from a contaminated-body site to a clean-body site during patient care.
  • After glove removal.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

• Exam gloves will be worn when there is risk of contact with or when handling blood or body fluids or when there is a potential for contact with mucous membranes, non-intact skin or body orifice areas, or contaminated equipment. Facial masks, protective eyewear and/or gowns (as well as gloves) will be worn when performing/assisting procedures with a risk of body fluid or other hazardous material splashes or sprays.

Safe injection practices:

• No recapping of needles unless required by the specific procedure being performed.
• Use of self-sheathing needles and/or needleless systems when available.
• All needles and other disposable sharps will be placed in designated puncture resistant containers as soon as possible after their use.

Safe handling of potentially contaminated surfaces or equipment:

• Environmental cleaning: Areas in which patient care activities are performed will be routinely cleaned and disinfected at the conclusion of the activity.
• Medical equipment safety: Reusable medical equipment must be cleaned and disinfected (or sterilized) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the manufacturer does not provide guidelines for this process the device may not be suitable for multi-patient use.

Respiratory hygiene/Cough etiquette:

• Cover mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Use and dispose of tissues.
• Perform hand hygiene after hands have been in contact with respiratory secretions.
• Consider using a mask to prevent aerosol spread.
• Sit as far away from others as possible.

Exposure Response

Wounds and skin sites that have been in contact with blood or body fluids should be washed with soap and water; mucous membranes should be flushed with water. There is no evidence that the use of antiseptics for wound care or expressing fluid by squeezing the wound further reduces the risk for HIV transmission. However, the use of antiseptics is not contraindicated. Use of caustic agents, e.g., bleach, is not recommended.

Incident/Injury Form:

• The student must notify her/his supervisor immediately and complete any notice of incident forms in use by the clinical site, as well as the Student Incident/Injury Form which can be found on Moodle>Student Forms/Documents-SON https://moodle.ehc.edu/course/view.php?id=22021

Medical Evaluation:

• It is very important that medical evaluation take place immediately because treatment decisions must be made within 2 hours of exposure. HIV prophylaxis for high-risk exposure appears most effective if started within 2–4 hours. It is also extremely important to evaluate the donor’s risk status immediately.
• The student should report IMMEDIATELY to his or her Clinical/Course Faculty and also contact the Program Director or Dean within 24 hours of exposure.
• If the exposure occurs at an off-campus clinical unit, the student should follow the Infection Control Policy of that facility. Outside of clinical hours, the student should go IMMEDIATELY to the nearest urgent care or emergency room.
  Note: If the incident occurs at a hospital or large medical facility, that facility’s Employee Health Clinic may be able to do the initial clinical evaluation.

Program Participation:

• Continued participation in the activities of the Nursing program will not be affected by any injury or illness that occurs while enrolled, provided the student continues to meet all Technical Standards and fulfill all defined requirements for program progression and is not directly infectious by way of routine contact.
  Note: This only applies to serious, potentially life-threatening infections.

Financial Responsibility:

• Students are mandated to have health insurance throughout their participation in the Program. Students will be financially responsible for all costs incurred during compliance with this policy.

Laboratory Testing/Treatment:

• To determine whether treatment of the student is necessary, blood may need to be drawn from the patient (i.e. source of contamination) to evaluate Hepatitis B, C, and HIV status.  If the exposure during a clinical rotation, the student should follow the Infection Control Policy of that facility.

Student Safety During Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs)

The Nursing Program will provide appropriate training to students regarding Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards prior to beginning the program. The facility at which the clinical experience takes place shall provide students access to the facility’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures with which the students are expected to comply, including the Facility’s OSHA, personal and workplace security and personal safety policies and procedures and shall address all appropriate safety measures for all students on site. It will be the clinical faculty’s responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure personal safety and security of students during clinical experiences.

For all incidents/injuries, students are required to complete the Student Incident/Injury Report Form as included on Moodle>Student Forms/Documents – SON https://moodle.ehc.edu/course/view.php?id=22021 within 24 hours of the incident or injury.

Inherent Risk Assumed

Choosing the healthcare profession is a noble and self-sacrificing calling. Students should accept responsibility for the decision they have made to enter into a profession and professional training program that has inherent risk to their personal safety while performing their duties, responsibilities, and training in this role of caring for other human beings. By enrolling in this Nursing Program the EHC Nursing student accepts this risk.

Universal Precautions

Students are responsible for following OSHA Guidelines for universal precautions at the clinical rotation site; including the use of gloves, care of sharp objects, use of eyewear, protective clothing, and other precautionary measures.

Latex Allergies

Any documented allergies to latex products should be reported to the BSN Program Director/Chief Nursing Administrator, as well as clinical faculty/preceptor.

Safety Precautions

Students are required to review the material on personal safety and security in the School of Nursing’s Student Handbook in addition to the Safety and Security information posted in the Emory and Henry University Academic Catalog>Student Handbook EHC Safety and Security. Importantly, in addition to the E&H University and School of Nursing safety policies and procedures, nursing students are required to follow all clinical site-specific safety policies and procedures.

Student Drug and Alcohol Policy

It is the policy of Emory & Henry University Department of Nursing to maintain a safe and healthy environment for its students and employees. Emory & Henry University prohibits being under the influence of, or the unlawful use, manufacture, possession, distribution or dispensing of drugs, “controlled substances” as defined in the Controlled Substance Act, 21, U.S.C. 812 Section 812  and alcohol on university property or during university activities.

Violation of this policy is grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including permanent dismissal of a student. Federal and state laws provide additional penalties including fines and imprisonment. Local and University ordinances and policies may provide penalties for drug and alcohol violators, which may include referral for local prosecution or requiring the individuals to participate satisfactorily in an approved drug or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

To maintain a safe and drug free environment, EHC expects its campuses and institutes to establish procedures for performing screenings for controlled substances and alcohol within areas or positions that affect safety or where such screenings are required by federal regulations. In addition, screenings are permissible where there is a reasonable suspicion of drug or alcohol use.

At E&H, the university bears the additional responsibility of assuring that students entering clinical settings are ready for providing clinical care and must pay particular attention to issues that could affect patient safety or student access. To this end, the campus has an established a number of guidelines and procedures relating to drug and alcohol monitoring.

Guidelines and Procedures:

1. Clinical sites may require drug testing, (at the student’s expense) as a condition of clinical placement and students may be responsible for payment of such testing. In addition, agencies may require random drug and/or alcohol testing of a student while in or on the clinical site’s premises. Students participating in patient care in such settings as a part of their education must conform to that site’s policies and requirements.
2. Students taking over-the-counter or prescribed medication are responsible for understanding the effect that the medication may have on their performance or personal behavior and possibility that usage of these medications might lead to an adverse finding on a drug screen. Students in such circumstances are strongly advised to report the use of such substances to their Program Director and/or Director of Clinical Education (DCE), if they suspect that their performance may be impaired and/or if their behavior has caused university officials to require them to provide blood, urine, or breath analysis.
3. A university official may require a student to undergo drug testing, (at the student’s expense) for an immediate blood, alcohol, urine or breath analysis under any of, but not limited to, the following circumstances and conditions:
   1. When there is reasonable suspicion that the individual is under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, sedatives, hallucinogens, marijuana or other chemical substances;
   2. Following a work-related injury;
   3. Observation of poor judgement or careless acts, that caused or had the potential to cause patient injury, or that had, or had the potential to jeopardize the safety of others, or that had resulted in damage to property and/or equipment;
   4. Suspected diversion of controlled substances (e.g. use of possession of a prescription drug without a prescription, sale or distribution of a prescription drug, or theft of a prescription drug) including but not limited to, anti-anxiety agents or psychostimulants (such as Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin).
4. Until proven otherwise, an individual with a preliminary positive drug or alcohol screen is presumed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and subject to intervention or sanction by his/her university. This type of intervention or sanction will be dependent on the setting in which the incident occurred, the degree of impairment observed and the actual level of banned substance detected. Additional confirmatory testing or monitoring would likely be required to determine the need for additional sanctions/treatment beyond temporary removal from the setting in which a change in, and/or abnormal behavior was observed.
5. Individuals with a history of drug or alcohol use, including those who were required by the university to seek treatment as a condition of continued enrollment, may be required to have periodic testing for drugs or alcohol at the student’s expense.
6. Individuals who refuse to undergo an immediate drug and alcohol screen may be subject to immediate disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal.

Nursing students are also bound by the Emory & Henry University Code of Student Conduct. https://catalog.ehc.edu/ehc-student-handbook/code-of-student-conduct

Intervention Process for Cases of Chronic Substances Use/Abuse/Dependence

In the absence of a defined university process, the following general guidelines should be followed when a university determines that a student is unduly affected by substance use/abuse/dependence.

1. Students that have been exhibiting evidence of substance use/abuse/dependence should be referred for assistance through the Paul Adrian Powell, III Student Success Center and the SON Committee (SONC) for voluntary evaluation and care. Counseling services are provided through the Paul Adrian Powell, III Student Success Center. Services are available to all enrolled students. Depending on a student’s needs, students may meet individually with a counselor or participate in workshops and groups that focus on various topics such as stress management, assertiveness, appropriate expressions of anger, grief, trauma, consultation, adjustment to changes, substance abuse, and relationships. When necessary, the Counseling Office refers students for services that are not available through the university. Information about counseling services can be found at: Counseling Services Counseling staff provide services on the Marion campus as well as the Emory Campus.
2. If his/her conduct and performance in a clinical setting warrants such action, the student may be subject to immediate corrective action by the clinical faculty. Such actions could involve immediate removal from the clinical setting, requirement for immediate testing for alcohol or controlled substances at the student’s expense, referral of the student for behavioral screening, or other actions deemed necessary by the clinical faculty.
3. A student may be required to take a leave of absence (normally for a period not to exceed 12 months) for evaluation and care by treating clinical professionals who will be permitted to confirm compliance with recommended treatments and to confirm readiness of the student to return.
4. Any student who fails to complete recommended care and treatment and/or whose readiness to resume his/her academic program is not confirmed by his/her health care provider will be subject to dismissal.
5. Any student on leave to address substance use/abuse/dependence will not be allowed to resume active enrollment without a written positive recommendation from his/her treating healthcare provider(s).
6. In the case of substance use/abuse/dependence:
   1. The student must provide evidence of successful completion of the treatment program and sustained active recovery/sobriety.
   2. The student must present documentation that they are substance free, presently involved in an after-care program and fit to resume their education without restrictions.
   3. The student must sign a statement that they are willing (or be willing) to provide periodic unannounced urine screens during the remainder of their educational experience.
7. Students should be aware that academic programs may be required to divulge information related to prior drug or alcohol treatment for hospital and/or professional credentialing.

A listing of the general policies of Emory & Henry University can be found at Student Handbook | Emory & Henry College (emoryhenry.edu).

The goal of the Emory & Henry University Department of Nursing is to produce competent, professional Registered Nurses who provide compassionate, quality care to various patients across the lifespan. In addition to scholastic achievement, nursing students will be judged on their physical, intellectual and emotional aptitude to complete the essential function requirements of the nursing program. Fundamental skills which are required, with or without reasonable accommodations, to complete the essential functions and technical standards of the Emory & Henry University Department of Nursing BSN programs include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Observation: The functional use of vision and other sensory modalities for observation are required. Students must be able to observe/participate in didactic, laboratory, and clinical demonstrations, as well as observe patients up close and at a distance while noticing the verbal and non-verbal signals.
2. Communication: Communication is a vital part of nursing and includes speech, reading, writing and computer literacy. Nursing students must effectively communicate with patients to elicit and transmit information concerning changes in physical health, mood, and activities as well as other vital information related to healthcare needs. Students must be able to communicate and perceive nonverbal signals. Nursing students must effectively and efficiently communicate with various members of the health care team.
3. Sensory and Motor Coordination and Function: Nursing students must have fine motor, gross motor and equilibrium functions to effectively perform patient assessments (i.e., palpation, auscultation, percussion muscle testing, range of motion and other examination procedures) and to carry out nursing interventions. Students must be able to execute motor movements required to provide general therapeutic interventions (i.e., patient transfers/positioning, exercise, performing manual mobilization techniques) and provide emergency treatment to patients. Quick reactions are essential for safety and therapeutic response. Such skills require coordination of both fine and gross muscular movement, equilibrium and functional use of touch and vision.
4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: Nursing students must be able to effectively solve problems and have decision-making skills, which require the student to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information from various sources. Students must be able to perform these skills and abilities in a timely manner, especially in emergency situations. Students must be able to synthesize knowledge and integrate relevant information of a patient’s history and physical examination to develop an effective nursing intervention plan.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: Nursing students must possess emotional health/psychological ability required for full use of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities inherent to diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, compassionate, and empathetic relationships and rapport with patients. Nursing students must be able to handle physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. Students must be able to adapt to a changing environment, display flexibility and function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical patients’ experience. Ethical behavior must be demonstrated in the classroom and clinical settings at all times. Compassion, empathy, integrity, values, concern for others, interpersonal skills, and motivation are all personal qualities which will be assessed.
6. Nursing students must be able to use a computer to access various internet sites utilized in the nursing program as well as be able to write papers and do assignments throughout the program.
   
   It is the responsibility of the student to request appropriate accommodations. Emory & Henry University will provide reasonable accommodations for eligible students as long as accommodations do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program and do not impose an undue hardship such as those that cause a significant expense, difficulty, or are unduly disruptive to the educational process. To determine eligibility for accommodations, students should follow the procedures listed at:https://www.emoryhenry.edu/office-student-success/disability-support-services/register-with-our-office/

Students needing accommodations are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services as soon as possible; DISCLOSURE BEFORE BEING OFFERED ADMISSION IS NOT REQUIRED. Applicants/students with disabilities who meet the above technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, shall not be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, nor be subjected to discrimination in the Emory & Henry University Departmen of Nursing.