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Academic Rules and Regulations
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Academic Standing A minimum grade of B- is required in all courses offered for any graduate degree. If a student receives below a B- grade in any School of Nursing course, the course must be repeated. If the grade for the repeated course is below a B- the student will be automatically dropped from the program. A grade of below B- in any other course requires repeating the course and earning a satisfactory grade or earning a minimum grade of B- in an alternate course. Students who receive more than one grade below B- are automatically dropped from the program. Any F grade results in the student being dropped from the program. Students in the School of Graduate Nursing are not permitted to take courses on a CR/NC basis.
Appealing a Grade Students who wish to appeal a course grade must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course. Absent a satisfactory outcome, the student consults with their faculty advisor prior to meeting with the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services.
The student will be advised by the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services to file a formal appeal to the Associate Dean of Academic Programs. The appeal letter must address the grounds for the appeal including any claims of grading errors, perceived inequities based on policies/syllabi discrepancies or extenuating circumstances. The documentation for the appeals process does not include email; it must be printed and presented to the Office of the Associate Dean of Academic Programs.
For grades awarded for the fall semester, the written appeal must be submitted no later than 14 calendar days after the beginning of the spring semester. For grades awarded for the spring semester or summer sessions: the written appeal must be submitted no later than 14 days after the first day of the fall semester. For January term, a written appeal must be submitted no later than 14 days after the end of that session or term. Appeals submitted after the deadline will be heard only in exceptional cases, as determined by the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services.
The Associate Dean of Academic Programs shall make a final decision after full consideration of the materials submitted and/or a committee’s recommendation. The student will be notified of the decision within three weeks of receiving the student’s appeal.
Grade Changes Grade changes can only be made by the course professor and must be done within four weeks of the end of the semester. Extra work to raise a final grade, once submitted, is not permitted.
Grades A graduate student’s work in a course is graded on the basis of A+ (100), A (95-99), A- (90-94), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D- (60-62) and F (59-0).
Incomplete Grades A grade of incomplete is a non-grade designation given for a course. A grade of IN becomes an F 200 days after the end of the examination period unless a form requesting an extension of time has been signed by the course instructor and approved by the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services. Instructors are not authorized to extend the time for completion of course work without the Dean’s approval. Forms for securing extensions are available from the School of Nursing website. Prior to the end of the course, students must initiate the request for an IN and secure the instructor’s approval.
Students with two or more outstanding incomplete designations (in the same semester or cumulatively) may not enroll in courses in subsequent terms. A student’s degree cannot be conferred with a grade of Incomplete (IN) on record.
Statement These rules and regulations apply to all School of Nursing programs, with the exception of the PhD program. The PhD Nursing degree is a program under the auspices of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). PhD students should abide by GSAS policy and the policies set forth in the PhD program section.
Leaves of Absence The Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services may grant leaves of absence to students for up to two semesters upon written application stating the reason for temporarily leaving the University.
Readmission after Voluntary Withdrawal or Leave of Absence Readmission to the School of Nursing master’s or doctoral program is not automatic. After an absence of a semester or longer, a former student must apply for readmission to the School of Nursing Senior Assistant Dean for Academic Programs by December 1 for the spring semester or by April 1 for the fall semester. Readmission following a withdrawal or leave of absence is granted only if space is available.
Statement of Policy The University of Virginia School of Nursing expects all students to meet established academic standards satisfactorily for all course requirements, including meeting learning objectives, clinical practice objectives/standards, and professional standards of behavior for safe and quality nursing practice.
The purpose of this policy is to promote academic achievement, maintain academic and professional standards, and to achieve fairness and consistency in decisions regarding students with academic or professional deficiencies. Faculty members as course professors/clinical instructors are responsible for assessing and monitoring each student’s academic and professional progress, including knowledge gained, skills acquired, and professional behavior as well as adherence to policies and procedures concerning clinical education and the health system/clinical facility policies.
A student’s failure to meet the established academic, clinical and/or professional standards requires faculty documentation of a plan of action on an academic deficiency form and may be initiated any time.
Faculty should refer to the SON Faculty/Staff Handbook for procedures with Academic Deficiency Notices.
Transfer of Credit Students may receive a maximum of four graduate-level courses (up to 12 credits) completed at other institutions for transfer credit. In order to be considered for transfer, the courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of B.
Credit for transfer courses is determined following an evaluation of each student’s course work and overall plan of study. The School of Nursing grants transfer credit based on an analysis of the content, level, and comparability of the courses taken, the applicability of the courses to the student’s intended major and degree program, the quality of the student’s performance in the courses, and the accreditation of the institution at which the work was completed. Evaluation of credits for transfer does not occur until after the student is admitted to the program. Information on the procedure for transfer of credit is available from the School of Nursing Registrar’s webpage.
Any currently practicing advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has taken advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment, and has those courses documented on an approved academic transcript, will not be required to retake those courses as part of the program of study for a Post-Master’s Certificate.
Visiting Student Status Under special circumstances, a student with a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing may complete a maximum of two graduate nursing courses without formally seeking admission to the degree program. Special student status is granted only when there are vacancies available in the courses requested. Admitted degree students receive enrollment priority. Completion of coursework as a visiting student does not guarantee admission to the program.
Voluntary Withdrawal An official application to withdraw must be approved by the Dean of the School of Nursing or the Dean’s designate. Withdrawal applications may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Student Services. The application must then be endorsed by the Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services. Student identification cards are collected at the time of withdrawal.
A student is not permitted to withdraw later than two weeks before the beginning of the examination period in any semester except for providential reasons.
A student who withdraws from the University for reasons of mental health must obtain permission from CAPS and the Department of Student Health. Subsequent medical clearance from the Department of Student Health/CAPS and the Office of the Dean of Students is required for readmission.
Clinical Agencies: Responsibility, Compliance and Affiliation Agreement Policy Formal affiliation agreements are executed with all agencies prior to placement of students in clinical sites to provide direct care to patients. If the student is an employee of the agency, an agreement is still needed with the agency. While performing the practicum activities, the individual is in the role of student, not employee. Therefore, he/she would be considered an agent of the University. Agreements must be fully executed and include the signatures of the authorized representative of the facility, a representative of the School of Nursing, and the Director of Tax Compliance and Operational Contracts (Office of the Comptroller). Students will be placed in clinical sites only when enrolled in a credit-bearing course for which he or she paid tuition and in which participation in the clinical experience is a course requirement. This applies to all clinical experiences that require the student to have patient contact.
The faculty member placing students and the students assigned to agencies are responsible for knowing and adhering to the terms of the affiliation agreement, including its conditions and responsibilities.
The School does not provide legal advice to the student regarding whether to submit to the conditions set by the facility. The School does not pay any student costs related to the clinical experience. If the student declines or fails to participate in or complete the clinical experience and the experience is a requirement for the course, the student will not successfully complete the course and may not graduate. The student is solely responsible for the consequences of his or her decision regarding whether to submit to the conditions or requirements established by the facility.
Doctoral Degree Programs
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D)
Master’s Degree Tracks
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Leader (RN-entry and non-RN Master’s-entry)
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certification Tracks
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Professional Requirements/Required Expenses
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In addition to tuition, fees, and expenses as outlined in the Tuition, Fees, Housing, and Dining section of this Record, graduate students in nursing should anticipate the following additional expenses:
Clinical Agency Requirements Students must meet the required competencies of the clinical agency to which they are assigned as outlined in the clinical agency contract. This may include requirements such as respiratory mask fit, infection control training, criminal background investigations, and mandatory drug screening.
CPR Certification Students are required to obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults, children, and infants prior to entering clinical courses. Certification must be maintained throughout the program, and validation must be presented each year. Students must complete the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers course.
Criminal Background Check (CBC) and Drug Screening All students are required to complete a criminal background check prior to course enrollment in the School of Nursing. The Office of Admissions and Student Services communicates this requirement to students. Additionally, different clinical agencies may require students to undergo a criminal background investigation and/or drug examination using their own vendor when students are assigned to clinicals. This expense is covered directly by the student.
Insurance All students must be covered by year-round health insurance. Each student must be insured under the University Health Insurance Plan or by another insurance contract that the student and/or his parents consider to be comparable in benefits to the University Plan. All students must present proof of insurance with their Pre-Enrollment health forms.
Clinical Competencies and Compliance Students are required to complete screenings, trainings, immunizations, and infection control training such as annul PPD and flu vaccinations
TYPHON The School of Nursing uses the TYPHON NSST system for student portfolio development and student clinical activity tracking throughout their program. Access to this system is required for all students. Students pay a one-time access fee. Initial training to TYPHON will be provided for all students. Following the training, students will be provided with individual log-on and password information. Students are introduced to TYPHON in their first clinical course. Ongoing use of TYPHON will continue throughout the program and for three years after graduation.
EPIC Training EPIC is the electronic medical record used at the UVA Health System. All students completing clinicals/practicums at the UVA Health System are required to complete a one-time mandatory classroom training.
NetLearning Throughout your educational experiences at the University, you will be required to complete competencies on a yearly basis. These competencies are delivered on the internet through the NetLearning system. All students are required to complete all the assigned and mandatory learning modules and must log onto the NetLearning system to complete this requirement. The NetLearning web site can be accessed at: http://netlearning.nursing.virginia.edu. Students are assigned modules to complete. Hospital employees may be requested to provide copies of their NetLearning transcripts to the School of Nursing Registrar periodically for tracking purposes.
Respiratory Mask Fit (RMF) All pre-licensure nursing students assigned to clinicals at the UVA Health System are required to be fitted for special masks to protect both you and your patients when you work with certain respiratory infections. You must complete this requirement prior to enrollment in clinicals. For pre-licensure students, the cost for the fit test is covered via the Clinical Services Fee. The student is responsible for any cancellation fees. All other graduate students who complete their clinicals/practicums at the UVA Health System will also need to complete this requirement, but it is paid for by the student.
Patient Confidentiality Guidelines The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has important personal and professional implications for SON faculty, staff, and students. The regulations prohibit the disclosure, intentional or otherwise, of patients’ Protected Health Information (PHI). These regulations apply to information contained in any format, including electronic and hard copy health records. Patient information may not be reproduced (copied and pasted, photographed) from any electronic or written medium. When collecting data for an academic clinical assignment, students and faculty must consider carefully what clinical data is absolutely necessary for effective learning. The following excerpt is from the United States Department of Health and Human Services website. Faculty, staff, and students are referred to the website for additional information (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/).
Medical Instruments A complete set of diagnostic instruments must be procured by students admitted to the advanced practice nursing program. The cost of these instruments is assumed by the student.
Other Expenses Depending on the program and track, additional costs may be required (i.e. clinical supplies and resources).
Travel to Clinical Facilities Many of the clinical facilities used in the master’s degree and certificate programs or for the doctor of nursing practice program are a distance from the medical center. Transportation costs to and from these facilities must be borne by the student.
Pre-licensure Students Only:
Student Assessment Program for NCLEX Preparation All pre-licensure nursing students are required to purchase the Elsevier Student Assessment Program (ESAP), prorated, in semester installments. ESAP is a special assessment program that includes learning and assessment activities, such as case studies, supplemental review materials, and practice exams. ESAP specialty exams and case studies are assigned in selected courses as a prescribed percentage of the course grade. The program includes a cumulative examination (Exit Exam) in the final year of the program that assesses student readiness for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Uniforms Students are required to follow the School of Nursing uniform policy for pre-licensure student clinical attire: www.nursing.virginia.edu/current-students/uniform/.
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