Progression in the Nursing Major

Students enrolled in the traditional track of the BSN program must follow the prescribed curriculum sequence. NU 110, NU 190 T (theory), NU 190 C (clinical), and NU 205 must be completed before enrolling in NU 204 T, NU 204 C, NU 208 T and NU 208 C. All sophomore level nursing courses must be completed before enrolling in junior level nursing courses. Students need to complete all NU 300 level courses prior to enrolling in NU 400level courses. 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. Students may take a required nursing course only twice. Any student who achieves less than a C+ (78) in two NU designated courses (either theory or clinical) will be dismissed from the Nursing program.

Additionally, nursing students must maintain a C- grade (70) in PY 102 and SO 201 and a C (73) in EH 101 (College Writing). Students who receive a D grade in these courses 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, BI205 and CH 105. Students who receive a D grade in these courses must successfully complete these courses with a minimum of a C- grade before beginning junior level nursing courses. Students receiving an F in CH 105 cannot progress to NU 190 T, NU 190 C and NU 205 until a C- (70) is achieved; those who receive an F in BI 204 cannot progress to BI 205, NU 190 T, NU 190 C and NU 205 until a C- (70) is achieved and students receiving an F in BI 205 cannot progress to NU 204 T, NU 204 C, NU 208 T and NU 208 C until a C- is  achieved. These students must also request 5-year status from the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing. These courses may be repeated only once if recommended by the Department Chairperson (see Repeat Course Policy in this College Catalog). If courses are taken at another accredited institution, a grade of C (73 or 2.0) or above 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. Prior to enrolling in a non-SJC nursing theory course, the student must seek approval from the SJC course coordinator and 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. Before a student can progress to spring semester, the student must pass both theory and clinical in fall semester clinical courses (e.g. If a student fails NU 301T but passes NU301C, the student must pass NU 301T, before progressing to NU 304 T, NU 304 C , NU 390T and NU 390 C). The student is required to take all NU designated courses for the first time at the College unless prior approval is received from the course coordinator, faculty advisor and the Chair. If student retakes and fails, the student will be out of the program. If a student fails two nursing theory courses in the same semester that have an associated clinical component, the student will have 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.