RN to BSN Nursing Handbook, Section 3: Policies and Information

Grading Policy

All nursing courses use the following grading scale:
A = 100.00-90.00
B = 89.99-80.00
C = 79.99-75.00
D = 74.99-65.00
F = 64.99-00.00

Withdrawal/Dismissal Policy

Students who have repeated a course twice with the RN to BSN program and have not earned a “C” or better, will be dismissed from the program. Students withdrawing or dismissed from the nursing program must meet with their faculty and/or Nursing Director within the RN to BSN program for academic counseling and completion of the appropriate forms.

Licensure

All fully admitted students must hold an active United States registered nursing license with no restrictions. Students who elect to complete Practicum hour requirements in another state must be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in that state. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and maintain licensure and certification. The Nursing Department will verify licensure through the appropriate state board of nursing. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Nursing Department of any restrictions that are placed on any license during the program.

Student Fee, Expenses, and Refunds

Students in the RN to BSN program are required to follow the College policies and procedures related to fees, expenses, and refunds. Each semester updated fees and expenses, found in the College Catalog under Tuition and Fees.

Online Attendance Policy

The RN to BSN courses will be time intensive. For each credit of theory expect to devote, at a minimum, fifteen (15) hours over the duration of the course. For example, a four (4) credit course will require a minimum of sixty (60) hours over the duration of the course, which is generally eight (8) weeks. Additional hours may be required depending on the course. Learners will be required to engage in one or more online activities or assignments each week. Specific expectations will be outlined in each course syllabi. All recorded time stamps for discussion submissions, assignments submissions, and other attendance requirements will reflect Pacific Standard Time Zone. All learners must post their BIO to each course within the first 48 hours of the class start time. If the BIO is not posted, the student will be reported as “no show” to TMCC Admissions & Records and automatically dropped from the class.

Change Notice

The Nursing Department reserves the right to make changes in policies, procedures and regulations subsequent to the publication of this Student Handbook and individual RN to BSN courses. Notice of changes, revisions, or any additions, to the RN to BSN Student Handbook will be posted on the Student Announcement Page in the RN to BSN Canvas Cohort site.

Statement of Professionalism

To be a professional requires a commitment to those values shared by the profession. For nursing, those values include an orientation to the service of others based on nursing's body of knowledge and the Nurses’ Code of Ethics. The autonomy to practice nursing and control nursing practice is supported by nursing's body of knowledge. The authority to practice is derived from the Nurse Practice Acts legislated in each state. Professional nurses must take responsibility for protecting autonomy and for maintaining authority through active participation in the organizations of the profession.

As professional practitioners of nursing, nurses are responsible and accountable for providing quality and competent nursing care to clients and families in a variety of community settings according to the ANA Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice and other defined standards of practice. Professional practice of nursing requires sensitivity to the special characteristics, values and health care needs of multi‐cultural and diverse groups. The nurse‐client relationship is built through credibility, trust and confidentiality.

There is a responsibility to establish collegial and interdisciplinary relationships with fellow professionals. Responsibility and accountability are also demonstrated through one's commitment to continuing education as a lifelong process. Ongoing learning is necessary to maintain competency and currency in an ever‐changing world. In addition, a professional demonstrates personal integrity through appearance, behaviors, communication, dependability, punctuality and a respect for both self and others.

Professor/Course Evaluation

All full and part-time faculty are evaluated each semester in all theory courses. Theory evaluations are standard for TMCC and will be made available on the Canvas site. You will receive a reminder email from Web Services when the faculty evaluations are available. All evaluations are anonymous. Technology Requirements

Please review the Truckee Meadows Community College WebCollege guidelines to understand what is expected of Online students.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability are encouraged to meet privately with their instructors to discuss their specific needs and must contact the Disability Resource Center at 775-673-7277 in RDMT 122 to establish documentation of a disability and to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

Inclusion and Diversity

Pronouns: TMCC acknowledges that pronouns are an important part of one’s identify. The State of Nevada asserts specific protection for individuals based on their gender identity and gender expression.

HIS Statement: TMCC is a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution (HIS) that recognizes Latinx cultures in our diverse community.

Inclusion Resource List: This limited list focuses on resources for students in need.