Academic Success Coaching
The rigorous nature of the nursing curriculum warrants high expectation of our nursing students. Students are being prepared to think like a nurse which means they are required to understand course content, not just memorize it. As a result, the college has an academic nursing progression policy that is referenced below and in the student handbooks.
As a supplement to the progression policy, the college also offers Academic Success Coaching. Coaches are available at all campus locations and students can self-enroll or be referred by a faculty member. If a student scores below 77% on an exam that accounts for 10% of their grade, they will be referred.
Learn more about our coaches and how to connect.
Nursing Progression Policy for Pre-licensure Students
This policy delineates the academic, ethical and academic integrity standards required of students admitted to the pre-licensure* undergraduate nursing program, which includes two options: the General Bachelor of Science in Nursing (GNURS) and the Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCND). Academically, the student is limited to two attempts for any prerequisite course requirement or two attempts of the same required nursing course or one attempt of two different required nursing courses. Ethically, a violation of the Student Ethical Behavior policy which is based on the Nursing Code of Ethics and/or a violation of Penn State Academic Integrity Policy G-9 may result in dismissal from the nursing major.
Definitions:
- Pre-licensure* refers to nursing students who do not have an RN license.
- Course attempt** is defined as earning a grade or late dropping the course.
**A course attempt in one pre-licensure option (GNURS or SCND) applies to all pre-licensure options. Academic renewal and grade forgiveness do not negate previously attempted required prerequisite or nursing courses. In a situation where the student withdraws from the University (Policy 56-30), courses will not be counted as one of the two attempts for the required prerequisite course or nursing course.
Overall Program Requirements of the Nursing Major:
A. Academic Standards
Prerequisite Course Requirements:
- Successful completion of the following required prerequisite courses (BIOL 161, BIOL 162, BIOL 163, BIOL 164, PSYCH 100, HD FS 129, NUTR 251, CHEM 130 or CHEM 110 and CHEM 111, MICRB 106, MICRB 107, SOC 001 or SOC 005, STAT 200 or STAT 250) is defined as a grade of “C” or better according to the syllabus and department offering the course; e.g., nursing requires a 75 for a “C”, but a prerequisite course such as BIOL may define a “C” as 70 or another set parameter.
- Any required prerequisite course may be attempted only two times.
- A student who attempts (see definition above) or earns a “D” or “F” in the same required prerequisite course for a second time will be dismissed from the Nursing major.
- One time failure of two different required prerequisite courses does not result in dismissal from the major.
Clarification Note: Attempts/failures PRIOR to admission into the GNURS or SCND options do NOT count toward academic progression.
Nursing Course Requirements:
- Successful completion of required Nursing courses is defined as a “C” or higher according to the Nese College of Nursing Grading Scale.
- All required Nursing Courses must be taken for a letter grade. Pass/Fail is not option.
- A student who attempts or earns a “D” or “F” in the same required Nursing course for a second time will be dismissed from the Nursing major. Academic advising relative to other majors/options will be provided.
- A student who attempts or earns a “D” or “F” in two different required Nursing courses will be dismissed from the Nursing major. Academic advising relative to other majors/options will be provided.
- Students who wish to return to the University after a leave of absence or re-enroll after withdrawing from the University will follow the Nese CON Re-enrollment/Re-entry policy available in the Student Handbook.
- Required prerequisite courses and nursing course dismissal criteria are separate categories. For example students can be dismissed by attempting/failing the same required prerequisite course twice; or attempting/failing the same required nursing course twice or two different required nursing courses. Students cannot be dismissed by attempting/failing one required prerequisite course and one required nursing course.
B. Ethical Standards
Violations of the Student Ethical Behavior policy which is based on the Nursing Code of Ethics may result in dismissal from the nursing major.
C. Academic Integrity Standards
Violations of Penn State’s Academic Integrity Policy (G-9) may result in dismissal from the nursing major.
Exceptions to the Nursing Progression Policy:
- Any exceptions to the Nursing Progression Policy must be approved by the Dean of the Nese College of Nursing.
- Students may petition for an exception to the Nursing Progression Policy by emailing the DEAN no later than ten (10) days after the last day of the semester in which the grade was earned.
- Students should work with their adviser to prepare their letter, being sure to explain extenuating circumstances and changes that will be made to support future success.
- If the exception request is approved, students will be issued an updated Plan of Study which will assist the student in scheduling their remaining curriculum.
- All decisions related to the exception request to the Nursing Progression Policy are made by the dean and are final.
Senate approval: Spring 2016 Senate approval of revisions: Fall 2016
Senate approval of revision: Summer 2022
Reorganized to clarify process: Fall 2022
Revised to include Nursing Code: Fall 2022
Revised: Spring 2023
Senate approval: Fall 2023
Academic Warning
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing’s Nursing Progression Policy supersedes University policy on Academic Warning for General BSN and Second Degree Students.
Academic warning serves as official notification that the student has failed to earn a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average. A student placed on academic warning will have a hold placed on registration and will be required to meet with an academic adviser in order for this registration hold to be removed.
Academic Suspension
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing’s Nursing Progression Policy supersedes University policy on Academic Suspension for General BSN and Second Degree Students.
Academic suspension is an official notification that a student has earned a semester grade-point average of less than 2.00 while on academic warning. A student who has been academically suspended may not schedule courses at the University for two consecutive semesters (Note: Summer session is equal to one semester and includes all courses offered after Spring semester and before Fall semester). A student returning from academic suspension must apply for re-enrollment as defined in policy 58-00 (or admission, if he/she is a degree-seeking provisional student) and returns to the University in warning status, with his/her former cumulative grade-point average, and with a hold placed on the registration. The student must receive written support obtained in the college/major (or DUS) the student intends to pursue.
A student can be academically suspended from the University two times. If, after two suspensions the student fails to achieve at least a 2.00 semester GPA, the student is subject to academic dismissal (54-50). A student may apply for academic renewal four years after academic dismissal.
