Undergraduate Student Handbook

Decker School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook

Table of Contents

Section 1: Preface

Section 2: Guiding Principles

Section 3: Academic Policies

Section 4: Clinical/Laboratory Policies and Procedures

Section 5: Grading Policies

Section 6: Additional Information

Section 1: Preface

Decker School of Nursing (part of Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences) publishes this handbook for undergraduate students, faculty and staff. In addition to this handbook, all Decker undergraduate nursing students are responsible for knowing and abiding by the policies outlined in the following:

  • (formerly, the Bulletin): be sure to review the following sections
    • Section for all ßÙßÇÂþ»­ students 
    • Section for all undergraduate students

    • Section for Decker College undergraduate students

  • ßÙßÇÂþ»­ Code of Student Conduct 


The Decker School of Nursing reserves the right to amend or alter the content of this handbook at any time. 

Section 2: Guiding Principles

Academic Honesty

  • ßÙßÇÂþ»­'s policies on academic integrity and the student academic honesty code can be found in the (formerly, the Bulletin). This link also allows students to review violation category definitions per the University's academic honesty policies.
  • Decker College's Academic Honesty Policy applies across all Decker College divisions and schools and includes all Decker College courses, including those cross-listed with other programs/schools that have a Decker College faculty member as the primary instructor.
  • View the Decker College Appeals Process for Academic Honesty and Grievance Decisions.
  • Additional information on academic honesty at the University level, including forms, is presented on the University provost's website.

HIPAA

Approved May 2014, Faculty Council
Maintaining confidentiality is an integral part of nursing practice. Federal regulations guide the scope of practice of healthcare workers to safeguard protected health information (PHI) through the Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). PHI is defined by Health and Human Services to mean demographic and health information that makes the individual identifiable. This information includes but is not limited to names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers and medical records numbers. This includes all demographic data related to the person's physical or mental health, the provision of healthcare to the individual or payment for the provision of healthcare to the individual (past, present or future).*

*.

The Decker School of Nursing provides competency training for HIPAA to ensure the student is well-versed with these regulations and the required behaviors necessary to ensure compliance. This policy outlines the corrective action for each level of a potential HIPAA violation, which could culminate in dismissal from the Decker School of Nursing. Maintaining HIPAA standards will be a clinical objective and will be evaluated with each course.

Affiliating agencies collaborating with the Decker School of Nursing maintain their own HIPAA standards to which students must adhere. These policies supersede Decker School of Nursing policies. A HIPAA violation may mean dismissal from a clinical site and could impede placement at other clinical sites, which may prevent meeting requirements for graduation from the Decker School of Nursing. Any student violations requiring legal representation will be at the student's expense. 

Decker School of Nursing students and faculty must follow these guidelines:

  1. Maintain confidentiality by only sharing PHI with those who are considered individuals who need to know
  2. When you need to discuss PHI, hold conversations in private areas where others cannot hear the conversation.
  3. Shred PHI that is no longer necessary to maintain in approved shredding bins. If shredding bins are not available, destroy the document before disposal.
  4. Do not use patient names, dates of birth, medical record numbers or social security numbers on Decker School of Nursing databases, papers or written assignments.
  5. Do not share PHI with family members, peers or individuals not directly involved with the patient's care.
  6. Information shared during the clinical day and pre/post conference is not be shared outside the conference area.
  7. Students may not leave/save any patient, family, faculty, clinical facility or student information on any open-access desktop or hard drive.
  8. PHI is not to be left open in public areas.
  9. PHI is not to leave the clinical site.
  10. Computer screens and electronic health records with PHI are not to be left unattended; students are expected to log out before leaving the workstation.
  11. Students cannot share their personal login or password information.

View the Decker School of Nursing HIPAA Corrective Actions webpage.

Adapted with permission by Mary Ellen Murray, associate dean, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In compliance with the , reasonable accommodation for students with disability-related needs will be determined on an individual basis, taking into consideration the essential skills that must be performed to meet program objectives. Decisions regarding reasonable accommodation will be directed toward maximizing the student's independence while maintaining personal and client dignity and safety.

Disability-related academic accommodations are authorized by ßÙßÇÂþ»­â€™s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office in consultation with the students and their professors. While many accommodations can be easily arranged, some may not be feasible given the nature of the nursing program, especially for those enrolled in the Baccalaureate Accelerated Track due to the fast-paced curriculum. Students should register with SSD and notify faculty as soon as they know the need for an accommodation.

Violations of Nursing Standards

Approved by Undergraduate Admissions and Academic Standards Committee, November 2023.
Per the Decker School of Nursing's mission to prepare future providers and managers of care, the Violation of Nursing Standards (VNS) policy requires students to abide by the following rules and regulations while enrolled in the program:

A violation may be issued any time a student is not compliant with the bulleted items above.

Records of violations are tracked and recorded internally. Immediately following a violation, the VNS report will be completed and submitted by the issuer of the violation. Once a VNS is reported, the student will receive the following to his/her/their official ßÙßÇÂþ»­ email:

  1. Description of the violation
  2. Consequences
  3. Required remediation instructions, if necessary
  4. Instructions for submitting comments, acknowledgment of receipt of the VNS letter

Course faculty or administration may require remediation to address the VNS. A student who successfully completes the required remediation may be allowed to continue in the program. If remediation is required, failure to complete the assigned remediation(s) will result in more severe consequences (and may include immediate dismissal).

Despite remediation: 

  • Three violations in one course will result in course failure.
  • Five cumulative violations will result in dismissal from the Decker School of Nursing.
  • A single incident determined to have produced serious actual/potential harm may also result in dismissal.
  • Violations of federal, state and/or local laws will result in a report to law enforcement. 
  • Violations of affiliating agency policies and procedures may result in termination of privileges at the clinical site. 

Dismissal from the nursing program due to a VNS is final and may be recorded on the student's official ßÙßÇÂþ»­ transcript.

A student may initiate the Decker College Grievance Policy as a formal appeal process. Future readmission of students severed due to VNS will be considered case-by-case.

Direct questions about this policy to the undergraduate nursing program director.

Cell Phone Policy

The use of cell phones or other electronic devices during clinical experiences, except with permission of the clinical instructor, is not permitted.

Social Media Policy

Students should exercise professional judgment when using social media. Photographs and videos may not be taken in any clinical setting. All ßÙßÇÂþ»­ Official Social Media Guidelines and apply to Decker students using personal social media accounts. 

Section 3: Academic Policies

Petitioning an Academic Policy

Students may . The Admissions and Academic Standards Committee reviews undergraduate petitions. Petition decisions are made within 10 business days unless additional information is required.

All academic deadlines apply; students must plan accordingly for petitions by submitting them at least 10 days before application deadlines. (See the official Student Records calendar and financial liability deadlines.) 

Incomplete petitions will be automatically denied. 

Academic Load

Undergraduate students can register for a maximum of 18 credit hours per semester. 
Undergraduate students with a 3.3 GPA will receive automatic approval for credit overload petitions up to 22 credits; others will be evaluated individually. Students should attend class until they can officially register online. Petitions from first-semester first-year students, first-semester transfer students, and students on probation will not be considered.

Attendance and Laboratory/Clinical Cancellations and Absences

The Decker School of Nursing adheres to the attendance policy outlined in the ßÙßÇÂþ»­ University Academic Guide (formerly, the Bulletin) for all classes and laboratory experiences.

Laboratory/clinical cancellations: The instructor of record or clinical instructor will communicate all laboratory/clinical cancellations due to weather or other reasons, even when campus classes are canceled. Students are responsible for notifying instructors with questions or concerns about cancellations.

Laboratory/clinical absence: The Decker School of Nursing acknowledges that students may miss laboratory/clinical experiences for unexpected situations and religious obligations. Students who must miss a laboratory/clinical experience must complete the following steps:

  1. The student must contact the clinical instructor directly as soon as possible but no later than the scheduled start time of the laboratory/clinical experience.
  2. The student must complete an
  3. Before the next laboratory/clinical experience, the student must communicate with the clinical faculty to determine whether it is possible to meet the course objectives.

Nursing Electives

Students may use a variety of courses to meet their nursing elective requirement. Elective courses are designed to assist the student in exploring advanced concepts of nursing and/or in-depth study of a selected area of application to the healthcare system. Interest in specific electives is expected to develop as core nursing concepts are introduced in the curriculum at levels II and III.

Nursing electives are considered part of the synthesis of nursing experience and are expected to assist the student in meeting program and personal objectives.

See the list of approved nursing electives below.

  • Approved nursing electives

    Africana Studies (AFST)

    • AFST 380T: Introduction to Community and Public Health

    Ancient Mediterranean Studies (AMS) [formerly Classics/CLAS]

    • AMS 121 [formerly CLAS 121]: Scientific/Medical Terminology

    Anthropology (ANTH)

    • ANTH 243: Medical Anthropology: Human Biology and Health
    • ANTH 249: Introduction to Epidemiology
    • ANTH 333: Human Genetics
    • ANTH 465: The Body
    • ANTH 480O: Global Health in Anthropology

    Biology (BIOL)

    • BIOL 332: Genetics

    Health and Wellness Studies (HWS)

    • HWS 210: Men's Personal Wellness
    • HWS 216: Women's Wellness
    • HWS 233: Stress Management
    • HWS 325: Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
    • HWS 330: Human Sexuality
    • HWS 331: Contemporary Health Issues
    • HWS 332: Nutrition
    • HWS 333: Health, Human Behavior and Society
    • HWS 336: The Science and Application of Exercise
    • HWS 410: Pathophysiology Nutrition and Disease
    • HWS 411: Introduction to Global Health

    Nursing (NURS)

    • NURS 220: Stress Management
    • NURS 258: Basic Emergency Medical Tech
    • NURS 310: Human Sexuality
    • NURS 311: Contemporary Health Issues
    • NURS 312: Nutrition
    • NURS 332: Holistic Health Practice
    • NURS 335: Forensic Health: Essentials
    • NURS 335B: Forensic Health: Victims
    • NURS 335C: Forensic Health: Offenders
    • NURS 335D: Forensic Health: Pediatrics
    • NURS 335F: Medico-Legal Death Investigation
    • NURS 337: Forensic Health: Sexual Offending and Victimization
    • NURS 348: Wound Care Essentials
    • NURS 370: Disaster Preparedness
    • NURS 388: Healthcare Policy/Health Disparities 
    • NURS 431: Basics of Emergency Nursing
    • NURS 455: Correctional Health
    • NURS 497: Independent Study
    • NURS 499: Nursing Research

    Political Sciences (PLSC)

    • PLSC 389X: Comparative Political Economy of Health

    Psychology (PSYC)

    • PSYC 330: Drugs and Behavior
    • PSYC 362: Behavioral Neuroscience

    Spanish (SPAN)

    • SPAN 175: Basic Medical Spanish
    • SPAN 382B: Spanish for Professionals: Medical Spanish

    Translation Studies (TRIP)

    • TRIP 474: Medical and Health Translation

    Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS)

    • WGSS 380: Gender, Health and Medicine
    • WGSS 384E (SOC 353): The Sociology of Reproduction

Students are responsible for determining if any of the above courses have required prerequisites. The frequency of course offerings is up to the individual departments; not all courses will be offered every semester. Transfer courses may also be acceptable. Students should check with their advisor to ensure any courses taken outside ßÙßÇÂþ»­ can count as their nursing elective.
 
Students may to use a course not listed.


Repeating a Nursing Prerequisite or Core Nursing Course

Approved May 2019, Faculty Council

Students may repeat a general education course or elective course if they receive a withdrawn (W) or failed (F).

Nursing prerequisites: Students must repeat a nursing prerequisite if they receive a D, F or W.

  • Failure to achieve the minimum passing grade or withdrawal in any combination of two nursing prerequisites will result in dismissal.
  • Failure to achieve the minimum passing grade or withdrawal from the same nursing prerequisite twice will result in dismissal. 

Core nursing courses: Students must repeat a core course if they fail to achieve the minimum passing grade or withdraw.

  • Failure to achieve the minimum passing grade or withdrawal from any combination of two core nursing courses will result in dismissal.
  • Failure to achieve the minimum passing grade or withdrawal from the same core nursing course twice will result in dismissal.  

Preparation of Written Assignments

Students in nursing courses are required to type all written assignments using the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, latest edition, unless specifically advised otherwise.

Re-Enrollment and Interruption of Progression

Approved May 2019, Faculty Council

Students who would like to return to study after missing three consecutive major semesters must follow re-enrollment guidelines. A student who has missed fewer than three consecutive semesters, but has taken a semester off from his/her/their prescribed nursing curriculum, is required to submit an . 

The student must submit the Intent to Return form by the appropriate application deadline:

  • BAT: November 1
  • Traditional: March 1

Requests to return may be denied. 

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is evaluated by Decker College's Division of Advising and Academic Excellence to meet prerequisite, General Education and elective requirements. To be considered for transfer, coursework must be transcripted through an accredited institution.

Credit by Exam

Some degree requirements may be fulfilled by college-level, credit-bearing proficiency exams. Students interested in earning credit by exam should contact Decker's Division of Advising and Academic Excellence.

Transfer of Undergraduate Upper-Division Credit Policies and Procedures

Enrolled students may submit a  to transfer the following upper-division nursing courses:

  • NURS 351: Pathophysiology I
  • NURS 360: Socialization II, Nursing Research
  • NURS 361: Pathophysiology II
  • NURS 365: Pharmacology
  • Nursing elective
    • A course deemed a direct equivalency to a course on the list of approved nursing electives will be transferred automatically. All other courses must be approved by petition. 

Petitions to transfer an upper-division nursing course will only be considered if a course is used for a CCNE-, ACEN- or NLN CNEA-accredited nursing program, and if the purpose, content, evaluation and objectives align with the equivalent course at ßÙßÇÂþ»­. 

All students, including those with denied petitions, have the option of taking a challenge exam for the courses above before the semester in which they would enroll in the course, according to their standard program plan. A passing grade of C (75%) or better on the exam will result in a waiver of that requirement. The waiver will not result in a transfer of credit, and therefore the course will not appear on the student's transcript (which may be required for admission into an advanced-degree program). 

NOTES: 

  • Students who have been unsuccessful in a course listed above (grade of D or F) cannot take a challenge exam.
  • Students who elect to transfer a course or take the challenge exam are responsible for all content covered in the Decker course, which will be incorporated into all future nursing coursework. 
  • ßÙßÇÂþ»­ requires that the last 30 credits toward the degree be in residence.

Prerequisites

Nursing prerequisites

Nursing prerequisites are courses that must be completed before taking required, upper-level nursing courses. The courses are listed in detail on the undergraduate program pages. 

When taken at ßÙßÇÂþ»­, the prerequisites for these courses are:

Course Prerequisite(s)
Composition Varies based on course
Statistics None
Intro to Psychology None
Developmental Psychology Intro to Psychology
General Chemistry I None
General Chemistry II General Chemistry I
Intro to Biology None
Microbiology

General Chemistry I

General Chemistry II

Intro to Biology (BIOL 113)

Anatomy and Physiology I

General Chemistry I

General Chemistry II

Intro to Biology (BIOL 113)
Anatomy and Physiology II Anatomy and Physiology I

Prerequisites for core nursing courses

Some nursing courses require additional prerequisites. The chart below contains a list of prerequisites to all core nursing courses. 

Course Prerequisite(s)
NURS 320: Socialization I, Intro to Professional Nursing

Nursing prerequisites:

  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • Statistics
  • Intro to Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • General Chemistry I
  • General Chemistry II
  • Intro to Biology*
  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Anatomy and Physiology II
NURS 321: Nursing Assessment of Clients
NURS 322: The Client System of Nursing
NURS 351: Pathophysiology I
NURS 361: Pathophysiology II
NURS 360: Socialization II, Nursing Research
NURS 365: Pharmacology
NURS 352: Practice of Nursing I

NURS 320

NURS 321
NURS 353: Practice of Nursing II

NURS 320

NURS 321
NURS 362: Practice of Nursing III

NURS 351

NURS 352

NURS 353

NURS 361
NURS 363: Practice of Nursing IV

NURS 351

NURS 352

NURS 353

NURS 361
NURS 470: Socialization III, Professional Issues Corequisite: NURS 471
NURS 471: Practice of Nursing V

NURS 360

NURS 362

NURS 363

NURS 365
*Waived upon completion of Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II and Microbiology

Registering for coursework with prerequisites

Students may only register for courses if the required prerequisites are completed with a minimum grade of C- or in-progress at ßÙßÇÂþ»­. Students with in-progress prerequisites will be removed if the required minimum grade (C-) is not met. Students who are registered for prerequisites at other institutions will not be eligible to register until the required prerequisites have been articulated on their transcript. 

Section 4: Clinical/Laboratory Policies and Procedures

Clinical Course Registration

The Decker School of Nursing reserves the right to place deadlines on registration changes for courses with clinical components (separate from those of the University), and/or alter student placement within course section(s) based on clinical agency, department and school operating needs.

Clinical Placements

The Decker School of Nursing makes final clinical placements based on student, course, preceptor, agency and school needs. In some clinical courses, student preference of clinical site may be considered but not guaranteed. Students must provide care to patients to whom they are assigned. When a clinical instructor is not on-site, responsibility for the provision of patient care must be explicitly defined and mutually agreed upon by the clinical instructor and the clinical agency.

Innovative Simulation and Practice Center/ISPC

Decker College's Innovative Simulation and Practice Center (ISPC) is primarily used to support Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences students. The ISPC may be used by outside community members by reserving and/or renting the space through the ISPC director as scheduling allows.

Students may be recorded on videotape, film, audiotape, paper, digital medium or otherwise by the University, its agents, servants or employees. By agreeing to attend the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, all students authorize the use of such recording for any proper and legitimate educational or commercial purpose by the University, either on or off campus. Students acknowledge the University's ownership of recorded material and further agree that student names, likenesses and biography may be used for the purpose of promoting the program. Students wishing to opt out of being recorded should contact the Innovative Simulation and Practice Center director.

Evaluation of Laboratory/Clinical Performance 

Laboratory/clinical performance is an integral part of the course and is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Specific expectations of clinical/laboratory performance are identified for each course in the course syllabus. When the evaluation is satisfactory, the letter grade for the didactic or theoretical component is the grade assignment for the course. If the clinical performance is unsatisfactory, the grade for the course is F.

Health and Clinical Practice Requirements 

Students must comply with all health and clinical practice requirements by the deadlines listed on the Decker Requirements webpage. Compliance is verified before and immediately following all deadlines. Failure to comply and/or maintain health/clinical practice requirements will negatively impact the student's time to degree. There are no exceptions.

Criminal Background Screening and Drug Screening

The Decker School of Nursing reserves the right to require students to undergo background screening to meet clinical agency requirements. Screenings may include a criminal background check, drug screening and/or fingerprinting. Positive criminal background screening results may hinder a student's opportunity for state licensure. The Decker School of Nursing recommends a student contact his/her/their state board of licensure to clarify any concerns regarding licensure.

Should a student be convicted of a criminal offense after submitting the initial background screening, he/she/they must immediately disclose this to the Decker School of Nursing program director for review with the clinical site. The clinical site will determine whether the student will be permitted to continue to participate in clinical. Any such incident may jeopardize the student's enrollment at the University and licensure.

Incident Reporting

An incident is defined as any unusual occurrence, with or without injury, that interferes with the functioning of the system or the patient. Examples include but are not limited to patient falls, incorrect procedures, medication administration errors/occurrences, exposure to blood and/or body fluids, delays in treatment or concerns about patient care.

Students involved in any incident must immediately report the incident to their clinical instructor. If the instructor is not immediately available to the student or there is any evidence of immediate danger for the patient or others, report the incident immediately to the appropriate charge nurse or other supervisor of the unit, agency or system where the incident occurred. Proceed to notify the instructor subsequent to the above action. 

Incident reporting is critical to maintaining and improving safety for students and patients. Procedures following incidents are individualized and may include a revision of procedures or a root cause analysis. Not all incidents will result in disciplinary action, but failure to report an incident will. 

Occupational Exposure

Students who experience an occupational exposure must notify their clinical faculty immediately and will follow the policy/practice of the clinical agency where the exposure occurred.

Clinical and Nonclinical Uniform Requirements

Students must comply with the Decker uniforms outlined below unless an exception has been made in advance by the clinical instructor. 

Faculty have discretion to determine whether or not a student is in compliance with these policies. Failure to comply with the Decker School of Nursing Dress Code Policy and any additional requirement from the clinical agency may result in dismissal from the clinical day and thus could be counted as a clinical absence. The ability to recover that clinical time is not guaranteed and may impact student success in that clinical course.

  • Uniform for clinical setting (direct patient care)

    Top

    • Hunter green, V-neck scrub top with the Decker logo on the left side
    • A green scrub jacket with the Decker logo on the left side is optional
    • ¾-length sleeved shirts may be worn under scrub tops but must be white, black or green with sleeves that conform to the arm (not loose or free-flowing)
    • NO sweaters, sweatshirts, hooded clothing

    Bottoms

    • Black ankle-length pants with pockets
    • NO yoga or exercise pants
    • Must be freshly laundered, stain-free
    • Must be pressed, wrinkle-free
  • Uniform for community setting (all clinical preparation, community observations, presentations unless otherwise specified)

    May wear clinical uniform as described under "Uniform for clinical setting," above, or

    Top

    • White button-down shirt with ¾-length or full-length sleeves or white polo shirt
    • Top button may be open
    • A green scrub jacket with the Decker logo on the left side is optional

    Bottoms

    • Black ankle length pants or mid-knee length skirt
    • NO yoga or exercise pants
  • For all settings (shoes, undergarments, socks/hosiery, hair, facial hair, jewelry/accessories, nails, tattoos, head coverings, name tags, ßÙßÇÂþ»­ ID, fragrances) 

    Shoes

    • Must be all white or all black
    • Sneaker style, leather or vinyl
    • Heel height must be 1½ inch or less
    • Must be clean and intact
    • NO open toes or open-heeled footwear allowed

    Undergarments

    • Must be flesh-colored
    • May not be visible through clothing

    Socks/hosiery

    • Socks or hose must be worn at all times
    • Socks must be white or black. NO designs

    Hair

    • Must be well groomed
    • Must be a natural color
    • Long hair must be contained, pulled back, off neck and not touching collar

    Facial hair

    • Must be trimmed and groomed

    Jewelry/accessories

    • A wedding band is the only ring that is allowed to be worn
    • A watch is the only wrist jewelry that is allowed to be worn
    • Piercings:
      • Only 2 piercings per ear lobe allowed
      • Earrings must be small, non-dangling
      • NO gauges, tongue, nose, or other facial or cartilage jewelry/piercings allowed
      • Skin-colored spacers are allowed for piercings that cannot be removed for long periods of time
      • Jewelry that can't be removed may be covered

    Nails

    • Short, clean, trimmed
    • Clear nail polish only that is intact, no chipped polish
    • NO acrylic or artificial nails, including gels
    • NO colored polishes

    Tattoos

    • Must be covered with make-up or clothing
    • Meet in person with the director of undergraduate program for any issues with tattoo covering

    Head coverings

    • Must be white, black or green
    • Only those with religious or medical reasons are allowed to wear head coverings in the clinical setting or when representing the Decker School of Nursing

    Name tags

    • Must be visibly displayed
    • Must include ßÙßÇÂþ»­ logo, student first and last name, and designation "Nursing Student"

    ßÙßÇÂþ»­ ID

    • Visibly displayed in plastic holder

    Fragrances

    • NO perfumes, aftershave or other scented body products

Universal Precautions

The Decker School of Nursing adheres to standard precautions published by the .

Section 5: Grading Policies

Second-Read Policy

The Second-Read Policy at the Decker School of Nursing applies to papers in courses taught by multiple faculty members. This policy does not pertain to assignments other than written work. A second read must be requested within two weeks after the faculty returns the student’s paper.

Students must first discuss the grade and paper with the faculty member who graded the paper.

Students may then request a second read for a paper if they feel the grade given is not deserved.

If a second read is requested, the faculty of record or the appropriate program director will assign a faculty member to read a clean copy of the paper using the grading rubric developed for the paper.

After consultation with the first reader, the second reader’s grade will be reviewed with the faculty of record and the grade will be assigned. The grade may be lower, higher or the same as the original grade. 

Students who feel they deserve a different grade on the paper with one faculty of record should review the grade with the faculty of record first. If they wish to pursue a different grade after meeting with the faculty of record, they may follow the Decker College Grievance Policy.

Standardization of Extra Credit

If extra credit is available, it may not exceed 2% of the final course grade and must not be calculated into the minimum required quiz/exam average.

Section 6: Additional Information

Student Representation on Decker Committees

Student representation is encouraged on the following Decker committees:

  • Committee on Committees
  • Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
  • Admissions and Academic Standards Committee
  • Evaluation Committee
  • Simulation Committee
  • Deans committees as needed

Students interested in serving on a committee should contact decker@binghamton.edu.

Application for State Board and NCLEX-RN Exam

After degree conferral, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination for licensure in New York state or any other state. The Decker School of Nursing will certify students as eligible to take the examination upon completion of the program. Students will need to obtain appropriate application materials from the state where they seek first licensure and complete those materials as directed.

The dean's signature, University seal and notary public witness to the applicant's signature are often required. Some states require an official transcript be forwarded as part of the application, which the student must request from the ßÙßÇÂþ»­ Student Records Office. 

Computer adaptive testing (CAT) for the NCLEX-RN examinations are administered on a continuous basis year-round. There are no filing deadlines, and candidates may schedule their own examination date after meeting degree and eligibility requirements in the state where they plan to be licensed. During the final semester in the program, seniors are provided with information about the NCLEX-RN examination and the application for licensure process.

Career and Internship Assistance

Students are encouraged to use the resources made available by the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development. Professional and faculty advisors may also serve as a resource to students with career and internship questions.

Expenses

Students in the Decker School of Nursing are responsible for the cost of: 

  • Uniforms (ordering details available on the Requirements webpage) 
  • Equipment (ordering details available on the Requirements webpage)

  • Health/clinical practice requirements including the medical document manager (details available on the Requirements webpage)

  • Transportation and travel
  • Textbooks and course materials 
  • Personal protective equipment (as required by the ISPC and/or clinical agencies)

Decker students are also responsible for the following costs, which are incorporated into the University bill on each semester that a clinical nursing course is taken:

  • Malpractice insurance fee
  • Simulation fee
  • NCLEX preparation fee

Spring 2020: Undergraduate Pass/Fail Policy 

  • Courses completed with a pass/fail grading option will not fulfill prerequisites or major degree requirements. 
  • Students are expected to consult with a professional advisor to discuss the impact of changing their course grading option prior to making any changes.
  • If, after consultation, the student chooses to take prerequisites or major degree requirements pass/fail, they must repeat the course and achieve the minimum passing letter grade, which may delay their graduation.
  • Elective credits, with the exception of the required nursing elective, may be taken pass/fail.
  • General education credit will be awarded for courses completed pass/fail. 
  • Students completing the forensic health minor may use the pass/fail option for those courses taken beyond the requirements for their nursing degree. However, they must maintain the 3.0 GPA required for the minor.