Winter 2012 Undergraduate Calendar


NURSING

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAM REGULATIONS

Additional Information: GENERAL UNDERGRADUATE REGULATIONS



ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

General Regulations and Procedures

The considerations listed below apply to admission to all Nursing programs.

Degrees in Other Disciplines

Special consideration may be given to applicants holding degrees in other disciplines.

Admission by Transfer

A student who wishes to transfer from another university's Faculty of Nursing is required to submit an official transcript of records, descriptions of courses taken and a statement of reason for transfer. This statement of reason is subject to verification.

A minimum grade of C- must have been obtained in each course for it to be considered. Official transcripts and course descriptions should be submitted no later than two months prior to the first day of classes.

Prior Nursing Courses

University courses taken within seven years prior to admission or readmission to any nursing program may be considered for credit.

Selection for Admission

Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications. Selection of candidates for admission to the various programs will be based on criteria determined by the Faculty of Nursing Admissions Committee.

Advanced Standing Examinations

Registered Nurse students who wish to write the advanced standing examination for Nursing 63-230 must petition the Faculty of Nursing for permission at least two months before the course start date or within the first year of the program. Registered Nurse students may also be permitted to write advanced standing examinations in 63-331, 63-333, and 63-433. These examinations are available only to those registered nurses who can demonstrate via a portfolio prior knowledge of the course content. Portfolios for 63-331, 63-333, and 63-433 must be submitted at least two months before the course start date for evaluation. A non-refundable fee will be applied for each portfolio evaluated.

Advanced standing examinations will be scheduled within two weeks after the beginning of the term in which the courses are offered or by appointment. Students who pass these examinations will have the notation "Advanced Standing by Examination" entered on their transcripts. The normal charge for advanced standing examinations will be applied. Students who are unsuccessful are not permitted a second challenge attempt and must take the course.

Health Requirements

Students in the first year of all nursing programs must submit by August 1 to the Faculty of Nursing Office a health status and immunization form. This form must be completed and signed by the student and a Health Care Practitioner. In subsequent years, all students, prior to each clinical experience, must submit documentation of tuberculosis status and update of immunization, as appropriate.

Other Requirements

1) Students in the first year must submit a birth certificate (original or true certified notarized copy) to their instructor on the first day of their clinical course (63-172) in September. It will be returned to the student as soon as the data has been noted. This information is required by the College of Nurses of Ontario. This does not apply to Registered Nurse students.

2) Students are responsible for their own transportation and living expenses incurred in clinical nursing experiences, including the consolidation experiences. Additional costs may be incurred for participation in some clinical placements. Inability to comply with this requirement may necessitate voluntarily withdrawal from the course to avoid risk of failure due to missed clinical hours.

3) Students are responsible for supplying their own uniforms and accessories. Details pertaining to uniforms and accessories will be sent to those admitted to the program.

4) Applicants who accept admission into all nursing programs are required to obtain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (HCP) and First Aid preparation before starting the program. These certificates are to be shown to the student's instructor on the first day of their clinical course (63-172) in September. Annual CPR re-qualification from a certified instructor is necessary.

5) An extended Police Clearance is mandatory on entry and renewed as required by agencies. Application forms may be obtained at www.oesc-cseo.org (under “Services”).The OESC ID card plus one original written police report are required. Alternately, local police agencies’ forms may be obtained at the Faculty of Nursing office. The submission deadline for these forms to the OESC or any police agency is July 1 to be guaranteed a completed police clearance for September 1. The clearance is to be shown to the instructor on the first day of the students’ clinical course (63-172) in September. This is the financial responsibility of the student.

COLLABORATIVE HONOURS B.Sc.N. PROGRAM

1) Six Grade 12 "U" or "M" courses including Grade 12"U" English, Chemistry, and Biology, or their equivalents. One Grade 12"U" Mathematics or equivalent is recommended.

2) An interview with the Faculty of Nursing Admissions Committee may be required.

One-year Pre-Health Science Nursing Program

Students at Lambton College who successfully complete the one-year Pre-Health Science-Nursing Program with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.7 (B), and a minimum science subject average of a 2.7 (B) in BIO 120, BIO 220, CHM 125 and CHM 225, will be considered for admission to the BScN Program.

Students at St. Clair College who successfully complete the one-year Pre-Health Science-Nursing Program with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.7 (B), and a minimum science subject average of (2.7) (B) in GAS 11, GAS 21, GAS 11A and GAS 21A, will be considered for admission to the BScN Program.

TWELVE-MONTH, PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FOR DEGREE-PREPARED NURSES

Note: Final intake for this program will be Fall 2008. A full-time 12 month option is available only. All successful applicants need to complete the NP Certificate by August 2009.

1) The applicant must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing which includes physical assessment, statistics, and a research methods course. An interview with the Faculty of Nursing Admissions Committee may be required. A letter of reference from current or most recent employer is required and a minimum overall nursing average of 70%.

2) Applicants must hold or be eligible for a current certificate of registration as a registered nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

3) Preference will be given to Ontario residents whose work experience in nursing has been continuous and who have clinical experience in one or more of the following areas: primary health care, ambulatory care, public health, community health, long-term care, emergency care, or outpost nursing.

4) Applicants must have the equivalent of two years full-time relevant nursing practice within the past five years.

Note: This is a limited enrollment program. Therefore, possession of minimum published requirements does not guarantee admission.

Information must also be obtained on the internet at http://np-education.ca.


PROGRAM REGULATIONS

Students are directed to become familiar and to comply with the general regulations of the University which apply to all students. Additionally, students must comply with the regulations particular to Nursing programs.

1) For promotion and graduation, nursing students are required to achieve a minimum grade of a C- in each nursing theory course, achieve a pass in each clinical/laboratory course, and maintain both cumulative and major GPAs of at least 5.0.


2) Students who fail a clinical course may require remediation prior to re-taking the course to ensure competence for safe practice at the expected level in the nursing program. Clinical courses in the nursing program require the application of theory to practice. Therefore, a student who fails a required theory course from the following course couplings will be advised to repeat the paired clinical course to ensure continuing safe clinical practice:
63-171: 63-172
63-173: 63-174
63-271 or 63-273: 63-272
63-275 or 63-277: 63-274
63-373: 63-372
63-375: 63-374

3) Students who failed a required nursing course may not repeat the course more than once. No more than two required nursing courses may be repeated in the case of failures.

4) Students who wish to repeat a previously passed required nursing course for any purpose may only be considered to do so if they can be accommodated in the course by the professor. However; students are not encouraged to repeat previously passed courses.*
(*Note: Senate needs to update Policy on Repetition of Courses with respect to this regulation for nursing.)

5 The program of studies for the four-year basic degree or the program for Registered Nurses must be completed within seven years from the first Nursing course taken (63-).

6) All option courses must be successfully completed prior to the start of Year 4 level nursing courses. Overload is not permitted while taking Year 4 level nursing courses.

7) Clinical placements will be arranged by the Faculty of Nursing to meet the Entry to Practice expectations of the College of Nurses of Ontario for every nursing student. Student preferences will be considered based on availability; however, placements requested cannot be guaranteed.

8) Students are expected to take responsibility for meeting all Faculty of Nursing clinical placement policy requirements and for conforming to any additional agency-specific policies. Students will be denied access to a clinical placement site if they fail to provide required documentation. The Faculty of Nursing is not responsible for providing an alternative clinical experience for students who do not meet these requirements.

9) All clinical nursing experiences and laboratories are mandatory.

10) In the clinical courses, students must achieve all course outcomes and critical elements.

11) Students are expected to work the clinical shifts arranged for them by the Faculty of Nursing. Shifts may be scheduled during the days, evenings, and/or on weekends. Students may expect to have eight-hour shifts during the first two years of the program, except during consolidation courses where some twelve-hour shifts are possible. In year four, students in preceptored experiences may work eight or twelve hour day, afternoon or night shifts. A student will not be allowed to work more than three days in a row if they are working twelve hour shifts (i.e. three consecutive 12 hour shifts), and must have a minimum 48 hour break before starting the next set of shifts.)

12) During consolidation courses 63-278 and 63-378, student requests to be excused for any reason will not be considered (e.g. for employment, or to take other courses, etc.). A letter to employers explaining the consolidation course requirements is available to students in the Nursing Main Office.

13) Students wishing to voluntarily withdraw from 63-472 or 63-476 must obtain approval from their Level 4 Coordinator.

14) Auditing of clinical courses is not allowed.

15) Students who are required to repeat a nursing clinical course must notify the Undergraduate Coordinator, in writing, of their plan to repeat the course by June 30 (for fall return), by September 30 (for winter return) and by January 30 (for intersession/summer return). If a student fails to do so, a clinical placement cannot be provided.

16) Students in good standing who are absent for more than one semester and wish to return to nursing must complete and submit the “Returning Nursing Student Form” available at the Nursing Main Office and/or on the Nursing website prior to registering for any courses and will be required to demonstrate clinical competence before taking any clinical course. The deadlines for submitting the Returning Nursing Student Form are April 1 (for return in Fall) or October 1 (for return in Winter).

17) The Faculty of Nursing reserves the right to remove a nursing student from the clinical placement in instances where the instructor has reason to believe that the student is rendering unsafe and/or unprofessional and/or unethical nursing care, or that the student’s safety is at risk.

18) Students must not give their personal contact information to patients/clients in clinical placements.

19) Post-Diploma students must be in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario in order to remain in the program.

20) Post-diploma students who intend to register for 63-432 must notify the Clinical Coordinator by June 30 (for fall registration) or March 31 (for intersession/summer registration) so that clinical placements can be arranged for the term.

21) Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations in any nursing course must contact an Advisor in Student Disability Services (SDS) to complete SDS Registration and receive the necessary Letters of Accommodation. After registering with Student Disability Services, students must present their Letter of Accommodation and discuss their needs with their professor(s) as early in the term as possible. Deadlines for submission of documentation and completed forms to Student Disability Services are available on the website: www.uwindsor.ca/disability.

22 Students of the Faculty of Nursing are required to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the University of Windsor standards of acceptable behaviour (see Senate Bylaw 31) and the Professional Standards for Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses; the Standards for the Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship; the Ethical Framework for Nurses in Ontario; and the Explanation of Professional Misconduct of the College of Nurses of Ontario; and of the academic policies of the University of Windsor.

Failure of any Nursing student to conform to the principles of these documents may result in dismissal from any of the Faculty of Nursing programs.

Note: The College of Nurses of Ontario requires that in order to obtain permission to write Nurse Registration Examinations and/or apply for Nurse Registration in Ontario, a person must provide a declaration of one's status regarding:
(a)any conviction of a criminal offense under the Narcotic Control Act and the Food and Drugs Act;
(b)being a subject of proceedings with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity in Ontario in another health profession or in another jurisdiction in nursing or in another health profession;
(c)any mental or physical disorder which makes it desirable in the public interest that the person not practice;
(d)a current police clearance within six months of examinations.

Any change in status related to a student’s police clearance after clearance has been obtained must be immediately disclosed by the student to the Undergraduate Coordinator.

If a student is convicted of a criminal offense after admission to the program (or if a prior criminal conviction becomes known after admission to the program), he/she will be denied access to clinical placements as per clinical placement agencies’ policies, and will be required to withdraw from the clinical course.

Further Information
Applicants wishing to discuss the program or visit the Faculty of Nursing should contact the campus (519-253-3000, Ext. 2258). Information may also be obtained from the Internet: www.uwindsor.ca/nursing


Major Clinical Resources

Nursing is a profession of diverse opportunity. Clinical experiences are found in a variety of settings.

Examples of the diversity of placements for nursing students are in hospitals, public health agencies, visiting nurse organizations, family support services, doctors' offices and clinics, day care centres and preschools, elementary and high schools, new Canadian multicultural programs, First Nations groups, seniors residences and services, and caring for challenged populations. On campus, practice is done in independent learning laboratories and simulated situations. These experiences and more, lay the foundation for professional nursing.

Awards and Scholarships

Nursing Awards and Scholarships are offered to students enrolled at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Nursing.


NURSING: MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY STATEMENTS AND PROGRAM OUTCOMES
NURSING: COURSES
NURSING: PROGRAMS
NURSING: INSTRUCTORS