Progression in the Nursing Major

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

Students must receive at least a C+ grade (78) in each nursing course and 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 extend the program beyond 4 years since most nursing courses are taught only once per year. 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. BI204, BI205, and CH105 must be successfully completed before beginning sophomore level courses and BI201 must be successfully completed before beginning NU204.  If the student is unable to successfully complete these required science courses as stated, the time for completion of the program may be extended beyond 4 years. These courses may be repeated only once; failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program. If these 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 nursing 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.  If a nursing 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 Handbook, “Guide for the Journey”.

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.