Academic Calendar 2004
(New Academic Choices)

Decisions regarding advanced standing and transfer of credit are governed by the policy of this University.

1. In exceptional circumstances, a student registered in a BScN program in another university may be able to transfer into a program offered by this University. Permission must be granted by the Admissions Committee, School of Nursing.
2. An applicant may request transfer of credit toward a degree at this University for courses taken prior to admission to the BScN program at this University. The School of Nursing reserves the right to determine what transfer of credit will be granted.
3. After admission to the School of Nursing, students intending to take courses at another university are required to obtain a Letter of Permission from the Dean's Office for credit in their BScN program.
4. Registered nurse candidates who qualify for unconditional admission to the BScN program for Registered Nurses will be admitted directly to Year 3 of the program.
5. The Introduction to Nursing Management: Distance Education program sponsored by Canadian Nurses Association/Canadian Hospital Association, and similar courses, will be granted advanced standing for the former Nursing 411 if successfully completed within the last ten years.

Students in the School of Nursing will be required to care for persons with infectious diseases (including Hepatitis B and HIV) should they be assigned to them. Students accepted to the program will be sent complete documentation regarding health status policies and immunization requirements. Documentation of immunization and tuberculin status will be required.

Nursing courses are open only to students registered in the School of Nursing. Unless otherwise noted, "course" or "option" means one full course or two half courses.

The School of Nursing offers academic counselling to all interested candidates and students throughout the year. Early academic counselling is recommended.

All students must achieve a satisfactory level of performance in academic and clinical work. In a professional program, satisfactory performance in the clinical area is of prime importance. Certain commitments on the part of students are required to maintain a satisfactory status. These commitments include: 1) keeping appointments with assigned patients, families and faculty; 2) advising appropriate personnel of inability to keep appointments; 3) attending lectures, seminars, clinical practice, tutorials and supervisory conferences; 4) notifying an instructor regarding absence from a nursing laboratory or clinical experience because of illness or other circumstances.

Permission to write final examinations is conditional upon:

1. adherence to general academic policy regarding examinations, and
2. completion of the clinical practice component of the course.

Eligibility for continued progression in the nursing programs is conditional upon the attainment of specified minimum levels of achievement.

All written assignments in a professional practice course are required to be handed in on the due date.

Only under exceptional circumstances will late assignments be accepted for grading, without penalty.

If a student requires an extension, it is the student's responsibility to negotiate an extension with the faculty member prior to the due date .

In the event a student does not hand an assignment in on time or does not negotiate an extension, there will be a five percent (5%) deduction of the assignment's value per calendar day to a maximum of ten calendar days. After this ten day calendar period, the faculty member will not grade the assignment except under unusual circumstances.

Scenario:

An assignment is due on a Friday but not handed in until the following Monday. The assignment is counted as 3 days late. The assignment's value is worth 20% of the final course grade. Fifteen percent (15%) of the value of the assignment will be deducted (3 days late x 5%) because of the late penalty. The assignment is marked and the student would have received 16/20 (80%). Since it was handed in late the student's grade is now 13/20 (65%).

The final grade for most nursing theory courses is based upon individual assignments, group projects and written examinations. Final examination papers will not be returned to students. Clinical courses (e.g. Nursing 052, 252, 321, 352, 421, 498, 499) will receive a grade of pass/fail.

Undergraduate students with outstanding academic records are named to the Dean's Honor List each year. For inclusion on the Dean's Honor list a student must be registered with the School of Nursing as a full-time student and have an average of 80% or more.

Students in degree programs who have achieved an overall average of 80% and no grade lower than 70% on the entire program with no failed courses will graduate "with distinction".

Graduands of diploma or certificate programs offered by Western who have achieved an overall average of 80% and no grade lower than 70% on the entire program with no failed courses will receive the designation "With Distinction".

Notes:

Any student who withdraws in good standing or is required to withdraw may submit an application for readmission. Such application will be subject to the admission regulations and program requirements in force at the time of application to re-enter.

See STUDENT ACADEMIC APPEALS in the ACADEMIC POLICIES / REGULATIONS section.