BS in Nursing - RN to Bachelor of Science Degree

All policies applicable to students in the baccalaureate program (refer to Retention/Progression Policies) also apply to students in the RN to BS option program.

All RNs must fulfill the University's 30 credit residency requirement (6 credits earned at another UMS campus may be applied toward residency).

The SON recognizes a maximum of 30 nursing credits (RN credit options) transferred from an associate's degree nursing (ADN) program as basic nursing credits required in the baccalaureate program. These credits are applied toward fulfillment of the baccalaureate requirements for RN students who have successfully completed NUR 308, Professional Communication and Technology Utilization in Nursing. Nursing credits earned in the ADN program beyond the basic 30 credits above may be used as elective credit. RNs graduating from a diploma program will be awarded the basic nursing credits (30) for a fee, upon successful completion of NUR 308 Professional Communication and Technology Utilization in Nursing. Additional information may be obtained through the Office of Prior Learning Assessment.

The following courses must be completed, or may be available for credit by examination, prior to entry into the upper division nursing courses.

**Chemistry and anatomy and physiology requirements are waived with the successful completion (minimum grade of C) of pathophysiology.

University requirements in general education or the Core curriculum must meet the progression standards of those curricula, e.g., students taking the Lewiston Common Core (LCC) must complete all 100 level courses before 200 level, and 200 level courses prior to 300 level.

Students must take all required CON and NUR courses at USM.

Upper division nursing courses, in required sequence for RNs, include:

RN students must matriculate in the University prior to enrollment in the upper division nursing course sequence except for Health Assessment and Professional Communication and Technology Utilization in Nursing. Clinical courses may not be taken unless RN credit options have been completed and posted. USM and the University of Maine (UM) have a collaborative RN/BS option that is available through the University Network Education System (UNET). Students may take required and equivalent courses from the other campus for residency credit.

Once a student is matriculated the student is required to notify the Coordinator of the Undergraduate Nursing Programs of any change in status of their RN license.

Retention/Progression Policies

The following are exceptions or additions to University progression policies.

Both part-time and full time students in the nursing programs must maintain class standing according to hours accomplished, with a grade point average as follows:

By maintaining a 2.75 GPA or above during the upper-division years, the student maintains a standard appropriate to professional practice. The student must accomplish, as a minimum, a GPA for good standing according to the number of credits earned. A student who is unable to maintain a grade point average of 2.75 but whose average remains above 2.5 is on probation within the School of Nursing. Such a student may take support courses until his or her grade point average has been restored to the level of 2.75 or above, at which point progress in nursing lecture and clinical courses may resume. A student who is unable to maintain a grade point average of 2.5 will not be allowed to maintain matriculation in the School of Nursing and will be required to either change majors, be suspended, or be dismissed from the University according to its policies.

The lowest acceptable grade in required NUR/CON courses and their prerequisite courses is a grade of C. If placed on probation, a student has a maximum of two semesters to achieve a satisfactory cumulative GPA or the student will be suspended or dismissed. While on probation, the minimum semester GPA accomplished must be the GPA for good standing according to the number of credits earned (see above) or the student will be suspended. A student is suspended for one semester; the student will be dismissed at the end of the next enrolled semester if the GPA requirement is not met.

Science courses may only be repeated once.

The Undergraduate Admissions and Advancement Committee will review the academic record of any student who receives unsatisfactory grades in a given semester as follows:

1. Multiple unsatisfactory grades in prerequisite, nursing, and/or support courses;

2. A C-, D, F or L in one or more prerequisite, nursing and/or support course(s) when repeating the course due to an unsatisfactory grade;

3. An F in a nursing clinical or partnership course.

Academic actions may include probation, suspension or dismissal from nursing and/or the University. Matters of personal concern to the student will be considered. The Committee will recommend to the Director a decision regarding progression or dismissal. Appeals may be made to the Undergraduate Admissions and Advancement Committee. A request for exception to the policy must be initiated by the student.

The School of Nursing reserves the right to accept and retain only those students who satisfy the requirements of scholarship and health necessary for nursing. A student who admits to or is found guilty of a violation of the American Nurses' Association guidelines for ethical practice (see School of Nursing Student Handbook) is subject to suspension or dismissal from the University. The Maine State Board of Nursing may refuse to grant a license on the basis of violation of academic or professional integrity or on the basis of criminal history record information relating to convictions denominated in Title 5, Chapter 341, Subsection 5301 of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated.

Low Pass Grades

Low pass (LP) grades are used in clinical and partnership courses to inform students whose performance is near failing. Students are held accountable to address the weaknesses identified in their performance appraisal with subsequent clinical and partnership faculty. A second low pass grade constitutes an F and stops progression in clinical, didactic and partnership coursework (see above progression policies).

Incomplete Grades

A temporary grade may be assigned by a faculty member when a student, because of extraordinary circumstances, has failed to complete course requirements in a nursing course or CON required course. Incomplete grades in upper division nursing courses must be completed with a letter grade of C or better before progressing to the next course.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation with a bachelor of science degree with a major in nursing, the student must have successfully completed all requirements, and a minimum of 120-128 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

The RN applicant must (a) meet the general admission requirements of the University, (b) provide evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in Maine, and (c) must have a GPA of 2.5 or better. Applications of those candidates with a GPA below 2.5 will receive consideration by the Undergraduate Admissions and Advancement Committee.