Dismissal Withdrawal, Incomplete and Modification of Plan of Study

Dismissal Policies
In addition to university policies, the following activities are grounds for dismissal from the Graduate Nursing Program.

1. Falsification of records and reports including clinical documents, cheating on an examination, quiz, or any other assignment is basis for program dismissal.
2. Academic honesty is an expected behavior of all students. Academic dishonesty may include, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, copying or printing of online exams, and knowingly assisting others in an act of academic dishonesty. Students who engage in academic dishonesty in any form, even as a first offense, place themselves in jeopardy of receiving a failing grade for the assignment or course, as well as dismissal from the nursing program and University. Policies and procedures governing academic dishonesty can be found in the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the University Bulletin. Cheating on an examination, quiz, or any other assignment will be a basis for dismissal from the program.
3. Plagiarism, as defined in the University Bulletin, is the intentional reproduction of another person’s ideas, words, or statements without acknowledgment. Students must give credit when using the works of others and are expected to properly reference the use of: 1) direct quotes; 2) another person’s ideas or opinions; or 3) any borrowed statistics, facts, or other materials. Failure to properly give credit to others’ work is a form of academic dishonesty (University Bulletin, Student Rights and Responsibilities).
4. The Faculty reserves the right to dismiss any student whose personal integrity, health, or behavior demonstrate unfitness to continue preparation for advanced practice nursing and or violate the Code of Ethics.
5. Violation of client and/or agency confidential information (HIPAA violation) may result in dismissal from the program.
6. Students considered by faculty to be unsafe practitioners or whose progress in meeting program objectives is judged unsatisfactory will be dismissed from the program.
7. Graduate nursing students must maintain an unencumbered nursing license throughout the program.
    

Withdrawal Policy
The option of withdrawing from a course and receiving a grade of "W" is possible within the withdrawal period listed on the USI academic calendar each semester. Students electing to take a "W" in a nursing course are to understand that re-enrollment in that course is subject to the review of the faculty and space availability. The student is to be encouraged to explore all other alternatives before taking such action. See the USI Bulletin guidelines for the procedure that must be followed regarding withdrawal. Students who do not follow the required University procedure to officially withdraw from a course will receive an "F" grade.  Grades are record on university graduate transcripts according to the rules and regulations of the Office of the Registrar.

All students (MSN and Post MSN) must petition the Admission and Progression Committee to return to the program. The Admission and Progression Committee Petition to Return to Graduate Nursing Courses form is found under ‘Appendices.’  The student may not progress in the program with more than one withdrawal.  

Incomplete Policy
An "incomplete" will be used only in cases of true hardship when extenuating circumstances have resulted in the student's being unable to complete course requirements by the end of the semester.  All University policies regarding incomplete are applicable to nursing courses.  Refer to the USI Graduate Bulletin. 

In the rare instances in which an incomplete is assigned, the following policies are in effect:

1. Incomplete will not be used to allow for remedial work; student work must be passing.

2. If an incomplete is received in a clinical course, enrollment in the next clinical course is dependent upon faculty evaluation of the:

a. status of incomplete course assignments;
 
b. student status in the graduate nursing program;

c. progression will not be allowed until the pre-requisite course requirements are successfully completed;

d. if a student is completing a course with an adjunct faculty as lead instructor, the program chair must review the reason for the incomplete grade assignment and agree to the incomplete grade assignment. For courses taught by an adjunct faculty, subsequent course work will be graded by the program chair;

e. students will be notified in writing of the change in faculty to the graduate program chair.  

3. The student must meet with her/his advisor to reassess course of study.

Modification of Plan of Study
Students experiencing personal or academic difficulties may request a modification of their scheduled course of study. The student is to contact their academic advisor to discuss this option. Progression into the next nursing courses will be permitted on space available basis and faculty approval.  Readmission policies apply as outlined under “Progression Policies.”  Application for readmission is required if sitting out for one 16-week semester or longer. The application is found in Appendix C.