1. After acceptance and prior to enrollment in the first nursing course, all basic/generic and RN-BSN students must provide evidence of a level of health that protects the well-being of persons receiving nursing care and allows for the performance of essential functions included in the delivery of nursing care as identified by the School of Nursing. Students must submit a completed Health Form provided by the School of Nursing which documents the level of health, required immunizations, and a recent PPD (Tuberculosis) test. The PPD (TB) test must be updated each year. All students must provide evidence of CPR certification through the American Heart Association (Level BLS for the Healthcare Provider), professional liability insurance, and personal health insurance prior to enrolling in the first nursing course and must provide yearly evidence of renewal. The professional liability insurance will be issued through the University with the yearly cost added to the student’s fee bill.
2. Criminal background checks and drug screens will be required for all students prior to enrolling in the first nursing course. Failure to pass a criminal background check may prevent a student from enrolling and/or continuing in the program. A student with a significant criminal background check will be required to withdraw from the program. A significant criminal background check means an act or misconduct for any matter (a) listed in the Laws Governing Nursing in South Carolina that would be grounds for disciplinary action against a license; (b) noted by the program accrediting agency; and/or (c) identified by a clinical affiliate as unacceptable for clinical practice. A non-negative/positive drug screen with evidence of drug abuse will require the student to be withdrawn from the nursing program and will prohibit the student from enrolling and/or continuing in the program. Disciplinary action may be taken by the University in accordance with the Charleston Southern University Student Handbook.
3. To remain in and progress in the Nursing program, students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each nursing course and maintain a University GPA of at least 2.0. A student who earns less than a “C” in a required nursing course will be allowed to repeat the course only once. Grades of D, F, W, WP, WF, FD, and FA constitute one attempt. Upon successful repeat with at least a grade of “C,” the student will be allowed to progress in the program. The student may not earn a grade of less than “C” in any other required nursing course without academic dismissal from the nursing program. If the repeat attempt is unsuccessful on the first nursing course in which a grade of less than “C” is earned, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program. All program requirements must be completed within 6 years of initial enrollment in the nursing major/program.
4. BIOL 345 Nutrition, NURS 260 Life Span Development, and PSYC/SOCI 301 Introduction to Behavioral Statistics are support courses for nursing courses. A grade of at least “C” is required in these courses in order to meet the Prerequisite requirements of specific nursing courses. See course descriptions for details.
5. Students must achieve a minimum required score on Drug Dosage Competency Examinations and other required computerized content-area examinations in order to progress to nursing courses in the next semester or level.
6. Students who leave the University and/or nursing major/program in good standing and are seeking readmission to the nursing major/program must initiate readmission through the University Office of Enrollment Services and the School of Nursing. Students who withdraw voluntarily from the nursing major/program should submit a new application for admission to CSU, if needed, and to the School of Nursing, accompanied by a typewritten letter stating (1) the circumstances that resulted in the student’s withdrawing from the major/program, and (2) reason(s) that readmission to the major/program is justified. Students will be considered as part of the total applicant pool and readmission is not automatic. The requirement for completion of the program/major requirements within 6 years of initial enrollment will be in effect.
7. Students dismissed from the nursing major/program for any reason are not eligible for readmission.
8. Once admitted into the nursing major/program, basic/generic students must maintain full-time enrollment. RN-BSN Option students may attend full-time or part-time.
9. Since a variety of clinical sites will be used throughout the program, students are responsible for providing their own transportation to assigned clinical experiences.
10. If a student has completed a baccalaureate level nursing course at another institution, a request may be made for transfer of the course to the School of Nursing and Charleston Southern University. The following conditions apply:
a. The nursing course to be considered must have been completed at the baccalaureate level in a nationally accredited program within three years of admission to the nursing major/program. A grade of “C” or better must have been achieved in the course.
b. After acceptance to the nursing major/program and no later than one month prior to matriculation and enrollment in the first nursing course, the student must submit a transcript and course outline/syllabus of the course to be considered for transfer to the Dean of the Derry Patterson Wingo School of Nursing. The materials will be reviewed by the appropriate course coordinator for equivalence to the appropriate nursing course and a recommendation will be made to the Dean. The student will be notified in writing of the decision by the Dean and the decision will be considered final.
c. Transfer credit is not granted automatically.
11. All degree requirements must be completed within six years of initial admission and enrollment in the nursing major/program.
12. RN-BSN Option students must maintain a current South Carolina RN license throughout enrollment in nursing courses.
13. Refer to the School of Nursing Student Handbook for all policies and procedures related to the nursing major/program.
NOTE: Some policies for the School of Nursing and the nursing major/program exceed the policies of the University. In each case, these policies are intended to insure the protection of persons receiving nursing care and facilitate the highest academic development of each student and to facilitate success in professional practice and performance on the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN).
Progression in the Nursing Program
