Progression in the Nursing Major

Students enrolled in the traditional track of the BSN program must follow the prescribed curriculum.

Students who receive less than a C+ grade (78) in a nursing course may not progress to the next semester nursing courses until a grade of C+ (78) is achieved, this may mean that the student needs to request to become a 5-year student. Students must achieve a 78 average on test scores in nursing courses including the final exam, before other grades, such as papers, projects or nursing care plans, are averaged in. Students may only repeat a nursing course once. Failure to successfully complete on the second try, at any institution, will result in dismissal from the program. 

Additionally, nursing students must maintain a C- grade (70) in PY101 and SO 201 and a C (73) in EH 101 (College Writing). Students who receive less than a C- grade in PY 101 and SO 201 and less than a C grade in EH 101 are required to successfully complete these courses before beginning junior level courses. Also, nursing students must maintain a C- grade in BI 201, BI 204, BI 205 and CH 105. Effective with the Class of 2012 students must successfully complete science courses before beginning sophomore level nursing courses. If the student is unable to successfully complete these required science courses as stated, they may request to becaome a 5-year student from the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing if they wish to continue in the Nursing program. These courses may be repeated only once if recommended by the Department Chair. If courses are taken at another accredited institution, a minimum grade of C (73 or 2.0) must be achieved (College policy).

If a student fails to achieve a 78 (C+) or better in theory but passes clinical, the student will only need to repeat the theory portion of the course. The student may take the theory portion at another accredited nursing program if the theory portion is comparable to the SJC course. Nursing courses taken at other institutions must be passed with a 78. Prior to enrolling in a non-SJC nursing theory course, the student must seek approval from the Chair, who will determine the appropriateness of a course for transfer. If a student passes theory but fails clinical, the student may retake clinical with an appropriate SJC faculty member. This opportunity is contingent upon the faculty member being available for supervision. The student will need to pay tuition for the clinical as well as pay a fee for the faculty member for each day of clinical.

Students who fail NU 301T fall semester and continue to spring semester to successfully complete NU 390T must take the Excelsior equivalent exams over the summer and successfully complete in order to continue to senior level nursing courses. If failure occurs in both NU 301T and NU390T students will not be allowed to take the Excelsior exams and must become 5 year students.

The student is required to take all NU designated courses for the first time at the College. If student retakes and fails, the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student fails two nursing courses in the same semester that have a clinical component, the student will need to retake both the theory and clinical components of those courses.

Functional Abilities Policy

Students in nursing programs must possess the functional abilities to perform the skills and behaviors required of a professional nurse. Therefore all nursing students must possess the following functional abilities:

• Ability to see, hear, touch, smell, and distinguish colors.
• Communicate orally and in writing with clarity, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Motor skills sufficient to perform full range of required client care activities in a safe and effective manner.
• Think critically, analyze, assess, solve problems, make judgments.
• Emotional stability and ability to accept responsibility and accountability.

Detailed statements relative to these abilities can be found in the Nursing Student and books.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2000). Guidelines for Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Schools of Nursing. Washington, DC: American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Professional Licensure

The undergraduate Nursing major curriculum is designed to prepare students to take the NCLEX - RN licensing exam. It should be noted, however, that 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.

Students, who are pursuing a BSN degree leading to application for professional licensure and who will be participating in clinical placements and internships through the Saint Joseph’s College program, should be aware that their host facility may require a criminal background check, finger printing or drug screening. In such situations, each student is responsible for obtaining and paying for the background check or other screening process and for delivering required documentation to the facility. Although the College will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in field experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. Further, students should be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the state licensing body. Students may consult the licensing body of their particular state for more details. Successful completion of a program of study at Saint Joseph’s College does not guarantee licensure.