AAS Academic Standards and Progression

Purpose:

To outline for the student, academic standards to be met for progression in the associate of applied science in nursing (AAS) degree program.

Standards for Progression:

The following academic standards are required for student progression in the associate degree nursing programs:

The student will:

1. Complete each required course in the curriculum with a minimum grade of "C."
2. Achieve a "C" or higher grade in nursing and general education/support courses which are required at each semester level prior to progressing to subsequent nursing courses.
3. Achieve a satisfactory rating in clinical for nursing courses with a clinical component.
4. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all work at the University.
5. Cease to attend clinical immediately upon receiving two grades of "U" (unsatisfactory) at any time during a clinical rotation.
6. Repeat both theory and clinical components of a nursing course in which less than a "C" grade is achieved; or when the clinical component is evaluated as unsatisfactory.
7. Repeat required general education/support courses in which less than a "C" grade is achieved prior to progressing to the next nursing course.
8. If a course repeat is required, the student must submit a written request at the time of course failure to the assistant coordinator of the AAS program stating the desire to repeat the course. If a written statement is not received it will be considered an unofficial withdrawal from the program.
9. NURA 214 and NURA 215 are required to be taken consecutively during the final semester of the program to meet Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) requirements for the 120-hour direct patient care experience during the last semester of the program. In the event that a student is unsuccessful in NURA 214, NURA 215 must be repeated regardless of previous successful grade earned to fulfill 201 KAR 20:320. A student who is unsuccessful in NURA 214 and NURA 215 will be dismissed from the program. Anecdotal Note: Kentucky Administrative Regulation KAR
10. For consideration for reinstatement in the nursing program the student may be required to complete an interview with the Admissions and Progression Committee.
11. Be reinstated in the nursing program providing:
    1. Space is available in the nursing class.
    2. Recommendation for reinstatement was made by the Admission and Progression Committee.
    3. Submission of written request for reinstatement was made.
    4. Required general education/support courses were successfully completed.
    5. Course failures have not exceeded the limits as stated below. (See #16)
12. Complete the nursing program within six semesters after initial entry into the program.
13. Transfer students who enter the program in the second semester of required courses must complete the program within five semesters.
14. Maintain current American Heart Association (AHA) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification for Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers.
15. Present evidence of current liability insurance coverage payment before progressing into a clinical nursing course that requires learning activities within a health care facility.
16. Be dismissed from the nursing program for any of the following situations after admission to the nursing program:
    1. Achievement of less than a "C" grade twice in the same course.
    2. Achievement of less than a "C" in any two required courses in the curricular sequence.
    3. Inability to complete the nursing program within six semesters after beginning the program.
    4. Inability for transfer students or LPNs who have entered the program at the second semester to complete within five semesters.
    5. Inability to transfer theory into practice.
    6. Consistent lack of understanding of his/her limitations.
    7. Inability to anticipate the consequences of action or lack of action.
    8. Consistent failure to maintain communication with faculty and staff about client care.
    9. Dishonesty about client care.
    10. Commitment of a civil/criminal act in the educational area.
    11. Breach of patient confidentiality.
    12. Impaired behavior.
    13. Unprofessional behavior or acts of incivility that place a client or colleague in physical or emotional jeopardy. Examples of incivility include but are not limited: 
        • Using the silent treatment
        • Spreading rumors
        • Badgering or back-stabbing
        • Rude or obnoxious behavior
        • Sabotaging a project
        • Damaging someone's reputation using humiliation, put-downs, and intimidation
        • Failing to support a peer in collaborative relationships
        • Setting someone up for failure
        • Undermining of work
        • Verbal abuse
        • Public reprimands
        • Failing to follow the chain of communication (command)
        • Sarcasm
        • Destroying confidence
        • Losing one's temper or yelling at someone
        • Continual criticism
        • Encouraging others to turn against a peer
    14. Failure of acceptance to a clinical site based on unprofessional behavior.