College of Nursing and Health Innovation Policies
Undergraduate Policies
Admission
Preprofessional Admission
Students are admitted into the College of Nursing and Health Innovation as “pre-major nursing” students. Admission to ASU as a pre-major nursing student does not guarantee admission into the professional program. Admission to the professional program requires a separate application to the College of Nursing and Health Innovation and is competitive, with the greatest emphasis placed on GPA based on selected prerequisite courses.
In addition to meeting the university requirements for admission, it is recommended that students complete one year each of high school chemistry and biology. Pre-major nursing students are required to seek academic advising each semester through the College of Nursing and Health Innovation student services office. This advising includes course planning and information about application materials and deadlines.
Transfer Credits
While ASU accepts transfer credit from other accredited institutions, all transfer credit may not apply toward a B.S.N. Students completing course work at a community college or university other than ASU should consult a College of Nursing and Health Innovation academic advisor to plan an appropriate sequence of prerequisite courses and to apply to the professional program. The college has a transfer partnership agreement with the Maricopa Community College District. See a College of Nursing and Health Innovation academic advisor for details. The college may not accept transfer credit (especially science) completed more than seven years before the date of application to the professional program.
Professional Program Admission
Individuals interested in applying to the professional program must receive advising from a College of Nursing and Health Innovation academic advisor and are required to attend an application workshop. Contact the student services office in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at 602-496-0888 for details.
Students are eligible for consideration for admission to the professional program if they meet the following criteria:
- Regular admission to the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at the Downtown campus as a pre-major nursing student.
- Academic good standing at ASU and in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
- Minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75.
- Completion of designated prerequisite courses with an earned grade of “C” (2.00) or higher in each course.
- Completion of all application materials.
- Submission of all required health and immunization requirements.
- A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 or higher for international students.
- Receipt of entrance examination scores.
- Submission of other required materials.
Admission is selective and based on available resources. Meeting the minimum prerequisite GPA does not ensure admission. All qualified applicants may not be admitted.
Students admitted to the professional program are required to meet the following additional criteria:
- Proof of CPR certification (Level C American Heart Association Health Care Provider).
- Proof of negative drug screen.
- Completion of all required health and immunization information.
- Eligible for fingerprint clearance card.
- Other required materials.
Professional program courses are offered at the Community Services Building in Tempe, the Downtown Phoenix campus, the Mayo Clinic Hospital campus, the Polytechnic campus and the West campus. Students are asked to specify location preference as part of the application process. Students are expected to complete the professional program on the campus assigned upon admission.
The four-semester (64-credit-hour) professional program is available in two options:
- A 24-month option with classes scheduled during the fall and spring semesters at the Downtown campus.
- A 16-month year round option with classes scheduled during fall, spring and summer sessions with minimal breaks between semesters available at various sites.
For more information, visit the Web site at http://nursing.asu.edu, or contact the College of Nursing and Health Innovation Student Services Office.
Opportunities for individual, direct and group patient care are available in a variety of settings:
- Community clinics.
- Geriatric facilities.
- Health fairs.
- Home health.
- Hospice.
- Hospitals.
- Industries.
- Rehabilitation agencies.
- Schools.
Professional Program Transfer
Students requesting to transfer into the professional program with advanced standing may be required to submit letters of recommendation. Any student enrolled in good standing at any accredited/approved baccalaureate school of nursing within the past two years may apply for admission into the professional program. To be considered for admission to the professional program, transfer students must first be admitted to ASU as pre-major nursing students (see undergraduate admission) and must also meet all professional program admission requirements. To be considered for advanced standing in the professional program courses, petitions for each course must be completed by the student accompanied by course descriptions and syllabus materials and be approved by the college standards committee.
Admission of Registered Nurses (R.N.s)
All R.N. students are admitted into the College of Nursing and Health Innovation as pre-major nursing students. Each R.N. must show evidence of a current unencumbered Arizona R.N. license or one from a compact state recognized by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. R.N. students are responsible for adhering to Arizona State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations. Alternatives are available to R.N.s to facilitate their progress in the program, including credit by examination, substitution of previously completed nursing courses for specified ASU nursing courses, and transfer of general education course work completed at other accredited colleges and universities. All R.N. students must consult with an academic advisor in planning their program of study. See professional program admission for admission criteria into the B.S.N. professional program. Registered nurses are admitted into the R.N.-B.S.N. program track twice a year, in January and in August.
Readmission to the Professional Program
Students who have not been in continuous enrollment must file a petition requesting readmission to the professional program and must provide the following documents:
- Proof of current enrollment or readmission to ASU and the College of Nursing and Health Innovation in good standing.
- Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
- All other admission requirements as outlined under admission.
Arizona State Board of Nursing Requirement
To be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), a student must have a high school diploma or GED certificate as well as proof of graduation from an approved nursing program. Arizona State law prohibits an individual convicted of a felony from applying for nursing licensure or certification until five years after the date of absolute discharge of the sentence. Application for, and passage of, the NCLEX-RN is the sole responsibility of the student.
College Health Requirements
Students admitted/enrolled in the professional program are responsible for fulfilling the requirements of the health policies of the College of Nursing and Health Innovation. The student is responsible for providing proof to the College of Nursing and Health Innovation student services office of having met these requirements before enrollment in the professional program courses.
These health policies include the following requirements:
- Proof of measles (rubeola), mumps and rubella immunization (two MMRs or appropriate titers).
- Proof of annual tuberculosis screening.
- Completed series of hepatitis-B vaccine or proof of hepatitis-B titer.
- Current American Heart Association Level C CPR Certification.
- Proof of tetanus, diphtheria immunization (T.D.).
- Proof of varicella (chicken pox) immunization.
- Proof of negative drug screen.
A student may not participate in any clinical experience without meeting these requirements. An annual flu vaccine is also recommended; other health information may be required. While the hepatitis-A vaccination is not required for admission, information on who might benefit from the vaccination is available from the College of Nursing and Health Innovation student services office.
Latex Sensitivity
Healthcare workers are at risk for developing Latex allergies, which may be life threatening. It is the student’s responsibility to report if an allergy or sensitivity to Latex products is suspected; medical care is imperative for diagnosis, guidance and treatment.
Fingerprint Clearance
All College of Nursing and Health Innovation students admitted to the professional program must submit a photocopy of their fingerprint clearance card to the student services office by the first day of class.
Essential Functions
Students admitted to the professional program are expected to meet the essential functional abilities of the undergraduate nursing student. Essential functions for this program include gathering data through the senses (hearing, seeing, etc.), synthesizing information from a variety of sources, making decisions regarding patient care and performing necessary physical and mental activities to ensure safe care. Some clinical experiences may require students to purchase their own protective devices. For complete details, call an advisor in the student services office at 602-496-0888.
ASU Health Requirements
See undergraduate admission and immunization requirements.
Professional Liability Insurance
It is highly recommended that students carry their own professional liability insurance when enrolled in clinical nursing courses.
Health and Accident Insurance
It is strongly recommended that all students carry their own health and accident insurance. Some clinical agencies require students to have current health insurance. See the baccalaureate programs student handbook. Each student is personally responsible for costs related to any accident or illness during or outside of school activities.
Automobile Insurance
Students are required by state law to carry automobile insurance. Students are responsible for transportation to and from clinical sites. Extensive travel may be required for selected clinical experiences.
Academic Advising
Academic advising, provided by the College of Nursing and Health Innovation through the student services office, is an essential aspect of the education experience; see academic advising. While the College of Nursing and Health Innovation provides academic advising, it is ultimately the responsibility of each student to fulfill academic and program requirements. Advisors are available by appointment in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation student services office, call 602-496-0888. Advisor appointments are also available at West campus, the Polytechnic campus and at several community colleges in the area.
Advisors assist students with program planning, registration, preparation of needed petitions, verification of graduation requirements, referrals to university and community resources and career planning.
Student responsibilities include following university guidelines regarding submission of transcripts from all colleges other than ASU, obtaining the necessary signatures or computer verifications required by the university and following university procedures for matriculation.
Mandatory Advising
All pre-major nursing students are required to meet with an academic advisor before registering for each semester of classes. All students on probation are required to meet with an advisor to plan strategies for improving their academic standing.
Declaration of Graduation
Students following the curriculum requirements of the 1996–1998 or later catalog editions must file a declaration of graduation form using the Degree Audit Reporting System during enrollment in the first semester of the professional program.
Student Employment
Each of the four semesters in the prelicensed professional program is composed of 16 credit hours. Seven to eight of these credit hours reflect three days in clinical laboratory practicum experience. The remaining eight to nine credit hours reflect classroom hours with preparation and study requiring additional time and effort. It is suggested that any other extracurricular activities or employment be kept at a minimum.
Academic Standards
Students are admitted into the College of Nursing and Health Innovation as pre-major nursing students and are subject to the general standards of academic good standing at the university (see retention and academic standards ). However, students who maintain standards of academic good standing do not necessarily qualify for admission into the professional program. Consideration for admission into the professional program is contingent on achieving at least a “C” (2.00) in all prerequisite courses and earning a minimum GPA of 2.75 in prerequisite courses. In addition, a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher is required in all course work for the degree except in nursing practice courses where a designation of a “Y” (satisfactory) grade is required.
Once admitted into the professional program, students are allowed only one nursing course failure within the program. The second failure in a nursing course leads to an automatic disqualification from the College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Probation and/or disqualification is in accordance with university policies. Academic dishonesty is not tolerated in any course and is subject to specific College of Nursing and Health Innovation policies and procedures.
Graduate Policies
Academic Advising
Students are advised by the student services office before admission to the M.S. program. Upon admission, each student is assigned a faculty advisor within the area of concentration.