Starting in the junior year, students must meet the following criteria in order to progress in the major:

Criteria for Progression

1. Adhere to the NSNA Code of Ethics for Nursing Students—Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct (Entry-Level Nursing Student Handbook, 2016-2017, p. ).

2. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 in nursing courses.

3. Achieve a grade of C or better in all nursing courses.

  • Satisfactorily complete the clinical component of each nursing course. A clinical failure constitutes failure of the entire nursing course regardless if a passing grade was obtained in classroom theory tests.
  • Minimum of 70% examination average must be met before other assignments are considered in select nursing courses in order to pass the course. Once the examination average of 70% is met, all other assignment grades will be factored.

    These select courses include: NUR-301 Holistic Health Assessment, NUR-305 Foundations of a Caring Profession, NUR-310 Pathopharmacology, NUR-311 Professional Nursing Care of the Adult I, NUR-312 Nursing Care of Children and Families, NUR-408 Maternal and Infant Nursing, NUR-409 Professional Nursing Care of the Adult II, NUR-410 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, NUR-431 Community Health Nursing.

4. Only one nursing course (NUR designation) may be repeated—and only one time. Failure of a second nursing course results in dismissal from the nursing program.

5. Students are limited to repeating one science course (for a grade less than C) and one nursing course (for a grade less than C) throughout the entire program of study.

6. Students are limited to two withdrawals from nursing courses during their course of study. 

7. Students who withdraw from the program due to non-academic reasons may be reinstated on a space available basis. Students must have withdrawn in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above in all nursing courses. University admission policies are followed.​

8. Students in the Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program who are unsuccessful in a course, may not retake that course in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum, nor may they transfer into the Accelerated BSN program. Students in the Accelerated BSN program who are unsuccessful in a course may opt to join the Traditional BSN program for the remainder of their studies. Once an Accelerated BSN student moves to the Traditional BSN program, the student may not transfer back to the Accelerated BSN program. 

Academic Nursing Program Probation

Students will be placed on academic program probation when:

  • A grade less than C is earned in any nursing course (A student who earns a grade less than C in any nursing course must repeat the course).
  • Cumulative GPA is less than 2.8.

Students placed on academic probation in the nursing program must create a success plan with the Retention and Success Specialist to be implemented immediately. 

Students have one semester to raise their GPA to 2.8. If a student is unable to raise her GPA after the probationary semester, she will be dismissed from the nursing major.

Final Grade Appeal

Only final grades may be appealed. A final grade may be appealed if there is evidence that the grade was not given in accordance with the grading policies set forth in the course syllabus or announced syllabus modifications.

The principle of seeking a reasonable, fair and speedy resolution prevails throughout the process. All information related to the appeal and the appeals process will remain confidential.

Process for Final Grade Appeal

When a student wishes to appeal a final grade, the student must write to the faculty member setting forth the basis for the appeal, evidence documenting the alleged discrepancy between the syllabus grading policy and the grade received, and the remedy sought. The student should also submit a copy of the appeal materials to the department chair, or in the case of an interdisciplinary (IDS) course, to the director of the program in which the course is offered. The appeal must be made within two weeks of the official posting of grades on WebAdvisor. The faculty member will respond in writing to the student's appeal within two weeks.

If not satisfied with the faculty member's response, the student may, within two weeks of the response, appeal to the department chair or program director. The student makes the appeal in writing, setting forth the basis for disagreement with the faculty member's response. The chair or program director informs the dean of the school delivering the course. The chair also informs the faculty member of the student's appeal and obtains a copy of the course syllabus and the faculty member's written response to the student. The chair then reviews the written record. The chair writes a response, including a report on the steps taken in the review process. The written response of the chair is sent to the student, the faculty member, and the dean within two weeks of the conclusion of the review process.

If not satisfied with the response made by the chair, the student or faculty member may appeal in writing within two weeks to the dean of the school delivering the course. The dean then asks for a written statement and a copy of all relevant materials. Within two weeks of receiving the appeal, the dean forwards his or her decision in writing to the student, the faculty member, and the department chair. The decision of the dean is final.

If a grade change is authorized, the registrar will be directed in writing to make the change in grade.

Dismissal from the Nursing Major
  • Students who earn a second grade less than C in a nursing course will be dismissed from the nursing major.
  • Students who do not achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.8 by the end of their probation semester will be dismissed from the nursing major.
  • Any violation of the Code of Ethics for Nursing Students (2009), in addition to any violation of the Standards of Conduct found in the NDMU Student Handbook (Section VI, pp 8-12), could lead to dismissal from the Nursing major. Violations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Appeals Process for Dismissal from Entry-Level Nursing Program

Students have the right to appeal dismissal from the nursing major. Students who wish to submit an appeal must adhere to the process below.

1. Upon receipt of letter of dismissal, the student may write a letter of appeal to the Chair of Undergraduate Studies. The letter of appeal must be received by the chair within 7 business days of receipt of notification.

2. The letter of appeal includes the following:

  • Identify any extenuating circumstances leading to academic difficulty. The student uses her judgment as to what information is shared in the letter.
  • Propose a plan for success.

3. Submit the formal letter to the Chair both electronically and in hard copy.                                                      

4. Once the Chair receives the letter, the appointed Appeals Committee composed of nursing faculty convenes to review the appeal. As part of the review process the committee will have access to the student’s academic record, letter of appeal, and all other documents provided by the student. The Appeals Committee members will also reach out to faculty of courses the student has taken.

5. The student will meet with the Appeals Committee as an opportunity to advocate for self and to elaborate on submitted materials. This is also an opportunity for the committee to ask questions of the student for increased understanding.

6. After a full review, the Appeals Committee makes a recommendation to the Chair and Dean regarding an appeal decision.

7. The Dean and Chair will notify the student and appropriate faculty in writing of the appeal decision. This decision of the Dean is final.

Timeline

Action Fall semester End of Term I* Fall and Spring Spring semester
Student notified of dismissal decision and process for appeal Before university closes for winter break By the end of the first business week following posting of final grade(s) By the end of the first business week   following posting of final grades
Student submits appeal packet to Chair (electronic and hard copy) End of first business week in January Within 7 business days of receipt of  notification Within 7 business days of receipt of notification
Chair submits packet to Appeals Committee End of the first business week in January Within 24 hours of receipt of notification Within 24 hours of receipt of notification
Appeals Committee convenes to review Second week of January During the first full week following receipt of notification (excluding Spring break if applicable) During the first full week of June
Student meets with committee Established date in 2nd week of   January Established date during the first full week following receipt of notification (excluding Spring break if applicable) Established date in the 1st full week of June
Appeals Committee deliberates Established date in 2nd week January Established date during the first full week following receipt of notification (excluding Spring break if applicable) Established date in the 1st full week in June
Appeals Committee makes recommendation in writing to Chair and Dean By Tuesday of the 3rd week in January By Tuesday of the 2nd full week (excluding Spring break if applicable) By Tuesday of the 2nd full week in June

Chair and Dean write response to student’s letter with decision about appeal and notify appropriate faculty of the decision

*Students are not permitted to progress to Term II nursing clinical courses; students may continue in any semester long courses already in progress. However, these credits will not count toward completion of the nursing degree program. Students must take responsibility for dropping any Term II clinical nursing courses. Updated May 2016

 By end of the 3rd week in January By the end of the 2nd full week (excluding Spring break if applicable) By the end of the 2nd week in June