Faculty Regulations

Admission
Academic Standing and Graduation

Admission

See Admission to Undergraduate Programs and General Admission Requirements for general admission requirements to the University. Specific admission information for the Faculty of Nursing is set out in Faculty of Nursing .

Academic Standing and Graduation

The following regulations apply for all undergraduate degree programs in the Faculty of Nursing with the exception of Academic Performance, With Distinction and Graduation Requirements which are not applicable for students in the BScN-Honors Program. The promotion and graduation regulations for the BScN-Honors can be found in the program description in Course Sequence .

Academic Performance:
Initial assessment and subsequent reassessment of academic standing is based on students’ performance in a minimum of ★9. If, at the time of review, students have attempted fewer than ★9 since the last assessment, the review is deferred and the academic standing assigned at the last review remains in effect until the next review.

Assessment of academic performance is conducted at the end of each student’s registration in both Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer provided that ★9 have been attempted since the last review.
1. Satisfactory Standing: For promotion, a student must pass all courses and obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
2. Whenever a student receives a grade of F, D, D+ or C- in a nursing course, the student’s total academic and clinical performance in the program is reviewed at the end of each term and considered in determining continuation in the program.
3. Unsatisfactory Standing: A student with a GPA of less than 2.0 must withdraw from the Faculty.
  1. To be considered for readmission, an applicant who has been required to withdraw from the Faculty of Nursing must present a minimum of ★18 transferable to the University with a GPA of at least 2.7, of which ★6 must be physiology with a minimum grade of B-. An applicant must also satisfy any other conditions as specified at the time of withdrawal.
  2. In order to protect the public interest, students who have been required to withdraw and are applying for readmission may be required, as part of the admission process, to demonstrate nursing knowledge and skills learned to date in order to determine an appropriate placement in the program.
  3. Students who have been required to withdraw and who, after being readmitted, have GPA’s below 2.0, will be required to withdraw and not be readmitted to the Faculty.
4. Fresh Start Program: Year 1 Collaborative and Bilingual BScN students who have completed less than ★40 and who have achieved a GPA of between 1.3 and 1.6 may be permitted to continue at the University of Alberta in the Fresh Start program providing they have not previously been required to withdraw from any postsecondary program. Normally, students who have committed an academic offence under the University of Alberta Code of Student Behavior will not be recommended for the Fresh Start Program.
  
  The Faculty will determine whether to recommend a student for participation in the Fresh Start program and will notify the student of that option. Successful completion of ★18 with a GPA of at least 2.7 will be required for readmission. Further detailed information can be found in First- and Second-Year Students with GPAs of 1.3 to 1.6—Admission to Fresh Start Program , Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Required to Withdraw and Fresh Start Program .
  
  If successful in the Fresh Start program and all conditions specified by Open Studies and the Faculty have been fulfilled, students may apply for readmission to the Faculty.
5. First-Class Standing: First-class standing is awarded in a given year to students who receive a GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a minimum of ★24 taken during the Fall/Winter.
Health and Safety Requirements
Note: For updates on changes to medical testing and immunization refer to the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca.
1. Health Status: All students admitted to undergraduate nursing programs must be capable of completing responsibilities and activities required in clinical practice. In order to successfully pass clinical practice courses students must consistently demonstrate the essential skills and abilities required to safely provide nursing care to their assigned patient/client. The requirements for Registered Nurses are applicable to students in the Faculty of Nursing. To review a summary of these requirements see the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca.
2. The University of Alberta recognizes its duty to minimize the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens to/by individuals studying or working at this University. The Bloodborne Pathogens policy limits the possibility of transmission of bloodborne pathogens within the educational setting. The University recognizes, however, that it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of infection (see University Bloodborne Pathogens Policy ).
  1. Hepatitis B: For students who test negative for the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), Hepatitis B vaccination will be required. An exception will be made for whom it is medically contraindicated or for those individuals who have proof of prior vaccination and test positive for the antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HB). If repeated Hepatitis B vaccination and repeated tests for the antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen fail to demonstrate an appropriate antibody titre, then these students will be counselled as to their potential risk status for acquiring Hepatitis B infection. Such students will be expected to practice in ways which minimize their risk of infection.
    
    For students who test positive for the Hepatitis B surface antigen, their “e” antigen (HbeAg) status and the presence of Hepatitis B viral DNA will be determined. If students are found to be positive for the “e” antigen or the viral DNA they will be counselled as to their risks of infecting other persons. Program modifications, in keeping with reasonable accommodation guidelines, may be necessary in cases where students test positive for the “e” antigen or the viral DNA. The decisions of the Faculty as to the program modifications can be appealed to the Practice Review Board (see Practicum Intervention Policy ).
  2. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): The data indicate that transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) from a health care worker to a patient in a health care setting is extremely rare, although transmission from patients to a health care worker is more common. Therefore, all students accepted into undergraduate nursing programs are encouraged to undergo HIV and HCV testing upon admission and at any time during their program when concerns about infection have arisen. However, testing for HIV and HCV is not mandatory at this time.
  3. Repeat testing as necessary: Students are expected to seek testing for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV immediately after incidences where exposure to blood, blood-products, or bodily fluids places the individual at risk of infection by bloodborne pathogens.
3. Immunization: To ensure, insofar as possible, both student and patient safety, the Faculty requires immunization against, or proof of immunity to, poliomyelitis, diptheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B. As well, varicella screening and a two-step tuberculin skin test is required in the first year of the program and should be performed by the University Health Centre. The Alberta Public Health Act - Communicable Disease Regulation (1985) states: “All staff of day care facilities and persons with face to face contact with patients in a health care facility shall ensure they are immunized against Rubella.” Students in the BScN Collaborative Program, the BScN-After Degree Program, and the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) to BScN Program must have their immunization status reviewed by the University Health Centre upon acceptance to the nursing program. Students in the BScN Bilingual Program must have their immunization status reviewed by the University Health Centre during Spring Session of Year 1.
4. CPR certification: Undergraduate nursing students must provide evidence of CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider Level to participate in clinical practice courses. Refer to the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca for program-specific deadlines. A CPR-Healthcare Provider certificate is valid for one year from the date of the course. Evidence of recertification in each subsequent year is required.
5. Standard First Aid Certificate: Undergraduate nursing students must provide a standard first aid certificate to participate in clinical practice courses. Refer to the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca for program-specific deadlines.
6. Police Information Check: Under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, all students going to any clinical placement in Alberta are required to complete a Police Information Check (also known as a criminal Record Check, Security Clearance Check, or Police Clearance), which must include a Vulnerable Sector Check. The clinical practice site will determine the criteria for acceptance/denial of a placement. Students are responsible for having a Police Information Check completed prior to commencement of their clinical practica.
  
  Students who have an unclear Police Information Check may be unable to complete the required student placements and may be required to withdraw from the program.
  
  Students who have concerns related to their ability to provide a clear Police Information Check should consult with the Faculty of Nursing, Undergraduate Nursing Office, immediately upon being admitted to the program. The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that students meet the requirements of clinical agencies lies with the students. Other background checks may be required by a clinical agency, such as a child intervention record check. Students will be advised if any additional background checks are required by a clinical agency. See Requirement for Police Information Checks for more information on the general requirements concerning Police Information Checks and the fees associated with them.
7. Language Competency: Besides demonstrating overall English language proficiency, students entering the Faculty of Nursing in an Undergraduate BScN Program need a further level of spoken English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. Speech competence is a prerequisite for enrolment in clinical courses. Students who have not achieved the necessary level of competence may not register for these courses. See English Language Proficiency and Spoken English Requirement . Students in the BScN Bilingual Program have additional requirements about proficiency in French (see BSc in Nursing–Bilingual Program/Baccalauréat ès sciences infirmières (bilingue) and Admission Requirements ).
Clinical Performance
1. Students must complete theory and practice components of nursing courses to receive credit. Students who have not received a pass in the clinical/laboratory portion of a nursing course are not given credit for the course and must repeat both the clinical and non-clinical portions of the course. The clinical component, explained in the course outline, must be completed for credit to be granted.
2. A student who is absent more than one clinical day in any one clinical nursing course may need to make up the lost time before being allowed to continue in the program.
3. The Dean, or supervisor acting on behalf of the Dean, may immediately deny assignment of a student to, withdraw a student from, or vary terms, conditions or site of a practicum/clinical placement if the Dean or supervisor has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the public interest. (See Practicum Intervention Policy .) For unprofessional, incompetent or unsafe practice on the part of the student not directly related to medical issues, the transcript will reflect the practices and sanctions delineated in the Code of Student Behavior. Amendments to the Code of Student Behaviour occur throughout the year. The official version of the Code of Student Behaviour, as amended from time to time, is housed on the University Governance website at www.governance.ualberta.ca. The sanction typically includes a grade of F being assigned. The student has the right to appeal the Dean’s decision to the GFC Practice Review Board (PRB).
4. Students who fail the same clinical course twice will be required to withdraw from the program.
Professional Ethics/Code of Student Behavior: All students enrolled in the Faculty of Nursing are bound by, and shall comply with the Professional Codes of Ethics governing the profession and practice of Nursing.
1. “Professional Codes of Ethics” means the current Canadian Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, and all other relevant professional codes and practice standards for registered nurses.
2. It is the responsibility of each Faculty of Nursing student to obtain, and be familiar with, such Professional Codes of Ethics, and their amendments as may be made from time to time. (See §30.1 and 30.2 of the Code of Student Behaviour). Amendments to the Code of Student Behaviour occur throughout the year. The official version of the Code of Student Behaviour, as amended from time to time, is housed on the University Governance website at www.governance.ualberta.ca.
Performance in Theory Courses
1. Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance in seminars in order to successfully complete the program. Students who have not received a pass in the seminar portion of a nursing course will not be given credit for the course and will be required to repeat the course. The seminar component, as spelled out in the course outline, must be completed for credit to be granted.
2. Attendance at seminars is required for successful completion of the course.
3. Students with advanced standing will still be expected to participate in all seminar activities and will be expected to apply knowledge from those courses in which they have advanced standing.
Residence Requirement: Although advanced credit toward the nursing degree can be given for course work completed at a university other than the University of Alberta, a minimum of 50% of the total units of course weight must be taken at the University of Alberta before the degree can be granted.
With Distinction
1. The notation “With Distinction” is awarded to a graduating student of the BSc in Nursing-Collaborative Program or the BSc in Nursing-After Degree Program or the BSc in Nursing-Bilingual Program who has obtained a GPA of 3.5 or higher on the last ★60 taken (from the time of admission) for credit toward the degree and has incurred no failing grades throughout the program. Students who have taken part of their work at another university may be granted a degree “With Distinction” at the discretion of the Faculty Council.
2. The notation “With Distinction” is awarded to a graduating student of the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) to BScN Program who has obtained a GPA of 3.5 or higher on the last ★36 taken (from the time of admission) for credit toward the degree and has incurred no failing grades throughout the program. Students who have taken part of their work at another university may be granted a degree “With Distinction” at the discretion of the Faculty Council.
Graduation Requirements:
1. For students in the BScN - Collaborative Program, BScN - Bilingual Program, or the BScN - After Degree Program, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required on the last ★60. (If ★60 requires including another term or terms, the best results from this term or terms are included. Failing results are not included in the calculation of the graduation GPA.).
2. For students in the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) to BScN Program a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required on the last ★36 taken.
Reexaminations: See Reexaminations .
Credit by Special Assessment is available in certain courses under specific circumstances. See Credit by Special Assessment , and contact the Faculty of Nursing for any further information.
Maintaining Registration:
1. Students who wish to alter the course sequence of their program as laid out in the calendar, or who have withdrawn from or failed a course must see the Student Advisor immediately to discuss program completion options. Reregistration cannot occur without permission from the Faculty. Students will be competing for available space in nursing courses when returning. Students may be required to enrol in a refresher course prior to proceeding in clinical nursing courses in order to protect the public interest.
2. Reregistration in Courses - A student who has been assigned a grade of “W” or “F” in a course is entitled to a second registration in this course and must achieve a minimum grade of C. If a student receives a “W” or a grade less than C in the second attempt of a course, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program (see Reregistration in Courses ).
Dean’s List: All students who receive first-class standing or degree with distinction and have demonstrated satisfactory clinical practice are placed on the Dean’s Honor List for that particular year.

Appeal Procedures

Matters regarding a student’s academic status, including course grades, may become the subject of an appeal. Students with such problems should first consult the instructor of the course concerned and the coordinator, if necessary. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student must approach the Assistant or Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education to discuss the matter further. A formal appeal may then be activated by an official letter of appeal from the student to the Dean. The Faculty of Nursing Appeals Committee meets to consider the case. Details of appeal procedures at the Faculty level are available from the Faculty website. Students have the right to appeal a Faculty of Nursing Appeals Committee decision, except grade appeals, to the General Faculties Council Academic Appeals Committee. See Appeals and Grievances and Practicum Intervention Policy .