Academic Progression Policies

Expected Completion for Full-Time and Part-Time students

• Full-Time students are expected to complete coursework within 3 semesters (including a summer session)
• Part-Time students are expected to complete coursework within 5 semesters (including a summer session)

Academic Completion Requirements

Students must complete their RN-BSN degree following either a full or part-time semester sequence based on when they entered the RN-BSN pathway in either the fall or spring. Specific course sequencing is noted under the Curriculum Section. All students must take a minimum of two courses per semester in nursing unless otherwise approved by the RN-BSN Coordinator for extenuating circumstances. Co-enrollment students must take one course each fall and spring semester before transitioning into the degree-seeking RN-BSN students unless otherwise approved by the RN-BSN Coordinator for extenuating circumstances.

Students must complete all RN-BSN requirements within five years. If a student's account is deactivated due to a two-year lapse in coursework and later reactivated, they will have five years from the reactivation date to complete their requirements. Students who take a leave of absence (LOA) or withdraw from the university for less than two years are required to complete their degree according to the original timeline established when they began their studies.

Deferment/Leave of Absence  

Students who wish to take a deferment or leave of absence will be required to complete the following:

• Notify the RN-BSN coordinator and their faculty adviser of the requested leave or deferment
• Once approved, complete the required documentation noted on the registrar’s student page by the deadlines listed on the registrar’s dates and deadlines for student page
• Notify the RN-BSN coordinator, faculty adviser, and the operations coordinator of upcoming return.
• Apply for re-entry on the Academic Student Services page by the stated deadline.

Grading

Grading Scale

The following scale is used for all course final grades in the School of Nursing. The grading policy is consistent with that of the university. The School of Nursing will use plus and minus grades and no grade will be rounded upward. The scale is as follows:

A         93.00 to 100 
A-        90.00 to 92.99 

B+       87.00 to 89.99 
B         83.00 to 86.99
B-        80.00 to 82.99

C+       77.00 to 79.99
C         73.00 to 76.99
C-        70.00 to 72.99 (minimum passing)

D+       67.00 to 69.99
D         63.00 to 66.99
D-        60.00 to 62.99
F          59.99 and lower

Incomplete Grade Policy

If, under extraordinary circumstances, such as illness, a student is unable to complete course work in a class, they may request an Incomplete be given from the instructor of the course before the end of the semester in which the course is being taken. The letter “I” represents on transcripts incomplete work in a given course.

Final coursework for a course in which a student receives a grade of “I” must be completed by the end of the next regular semester or the grade is recorded permanently as “F.” It is the student’s responsibility to contact and communicate with the instructor to make arrangements to resolve incomplete work. If the student is unable to finish coursework, they may request an extension from the instructor. It is the instructor’s prerogative to choose to grant or deny an extension. If the instructor chooses to allow an extension, they must file an extension with the Registrar’s Office.

An “I” that is not resolved by the due date will revert to an “F” for a course grade.

Faculty will give an “I” only for illness or other compelling reasons that they clearly document. An incomplete grade will not be granted due to unsatisfactory academic performance. The faculty member and student must agree on a feasible plan to complete the course work. When a faculty member assigns a grade of “I” they communicate to the RN-BSN coordinator:

• Rationale for assigning the “I.”
• Conditions for course completion.
• Date(s) for accomplishing each condition and for completing the course.

Students who receive financial aid, have incomplete grades, and have not completed another full-term course must complete the incomplete course work within 21 days after the day grades are due to demonstrate they have completed the term; otherwise, their financial aid for the term may be reduced. For example:

• A student taking 12 full-term credits in the fall term who receives a grade of “D-” or better in 9 credits and an Incomplete in 3 credits IS considered to have completed the term; however,
• A student taking 12 full-term credits in the fall term who receives an Incomplete in all 12 credits is NOT considered to have completed the term.

You can learn more about the impact of incomplete classes on financial aid eligibility in Section 19 of the JMU Terms and Conditions for financial aid.

Withdrawal/Non-Passing Grade Policy

A student’s academic adviser or the RN-BSN coordinator is available to assist students if they are considering withdrawal from a course(s) or the RN-BSN pathway. 

The RN-BSN pathway will follow the JMU Academic Affairs withdrawal from the University policy.

Students who withdraw from the university or a course after the end of the course adjustment period, and who do not have documented extenuating circumstances that justify withdrawal, will receive either:

• a grade of “WP” in courses with a grade >70% at the time of withdrawal
• a grade of “WF” in courses with a grade of <70% at the time of withdrawal and will not receive tuition reimbursement.
• a grade of “WF” is considered non-passing and will be treated as a grade of “F”

Students who have two F grades (including WF’s) for courses will not be allowed to continue in the RN-BSN pathway.

Students must complete a minimum of two courses per semester (see Academic Completion Requirements within this handbook). 

Grade Review Policy

The School of Nursing and RN-BSN pathway adheres to the JMU policies for Grade Review Procedure, Grade Change Procedure, and Grade Review Process. You may access this information in the current academic year JMU Student Handbook under Academic Policies and Procedures.

At-Risk Policy

Students who do not meet the SON Technical Standards, course objectives, or who demonstrate irresponsible, unprofessional, or unsafe behavior will be identified as At-Risk. Depending upon the type and seriousness of the problem or repeated poor performance, the student may be placed on probation or asked to withdraw from the course and/or RN-BSN pathway prior to the end of a semester.

1. Classroom- Students demonstrating irresponsible, unprofessional, disruptive behavior, and/or achieving an overall test or course or course average at or below 72% in any given course by midterm are expected to initiate a meeting with the course instructor to develop a plan for improvement within a two-week period and will be identified as At-Risk.
2. Clinical- Behaviors that are inconsistent with responsible, professional, and safe clinical practice as outlined by the ‘At Risk Warning’ form. This is inclusive of all sites and experiences in the clinical course (simulation, lab, clinical settings, etc.).

If a student is identified as At-Risk in the same or any other course, it will prompt a faculty review and may result in an unsatisfactory course outcome, placement on probation, and/or dismissal from the nursing program. The RN-BSN Coordinator and Associate Director will monitor At-Risk plans across semesters and intervene as needed. See Appendix A for the At-Risk Form and Appendix B for the Probation Form.

1. 1. Degree-seeking students are not required to maintain a minimum GPA in the nursing program.* However, nursing students must earn a grade of C- or better in all graded nursing courses. For the Community Practicum Course, students must earn a grade of Pass to progress. Grades of D, F, Fail, NC (No Credit), or WF (Withdraw Fail) are considered non-passing and do not meet progression requirements.
      *Non-degree seeking (co-enrollment) students are required to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and a C or better in all nursing courses while they are concurrently enrolled in their associate degree nursing program.
   2. A student who receives a grade of Fail or less than a C- in a nursing course for the first time must seek departmental approval to repeat the course. Courses must be retaken when they are next scheduled in the curriculum and as space allows. If a grade of Credit or C- or better is achieved when the first unsuccessful course is repeated, the student will be allowed to continue in the pathway.
   3. A student who receives a second unsuccessful grade of Fail or less than a C-, in a repeated nursing course, will not be allowed to continue in the RN-BSN pathway. Students will not have the option of repeating courses following a second unsuccessful attempt.
   4. A satisfactory clinical performance using the performance evaluation tool is mandatory for a passing grade. Students must achieve a Credit rating in every outcome on the Practicum Evaluation Tool (PET) in order to pass the clinical course. Students must demonstrate satisfactory development of knowledge and skills. Objectives must be met consistently and comprehensively, with progressive independence and self-direction. Students must show insight into strengths and areas for growth. A student may be unsuccessful in a practicum course and receive a grade of ‘no credit’ (for credit/no credit clinical courses). Depending upon the type and seriousness of the problem, the student may be put on probation or asked to withdraw from the course and/or pathway prior to the end of a semester. Unsatisfactory performance occurs when the student:
      • Consistently fails to meet clinical objectives.
      • Does not take initiative and/or takes initiative inappropriately, thereby endangering client's safety and well-being.
      • Is insensitive to client's needs.
      • Is consistently unable to develop communication skills and form therapeutic relationships with patients, families and coworkers, even with guidance.
      • Exhibits negligent behavior causing potential irreversible damage to the client. Exhibits behaviors that could cause injury to the client
      • Violates professional ethics through behaviors such as:
        • Carelessness with client confidentiality.
        • Inconsistency in complying with agency policies.
        • Inability to recognize the professional consequences of one’s behavior
        • Violation of therapeutic nurse/client relationship.
        • Gross violation of agency policies.
        • Consistently fails to meet obligations.

RN-BSN Student Withdrawal and Re-entry

When a student withdraws from the RN-BSN pathway for personal, performance, or academic reasons, readmission is not automatic, and priority is not necessarily given on the basis of previous enrollment. A personal interview with the RN-BSN Coordinator and/or the Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs is required prior to readmission. The student must:

1. Submit a request in writing to the RN-BSN coordinator and RN-BSN Admissions committee during the semester prior to the semester of desired enrollment.
2. Students seeking readmission after leaving the RN-BSN pathway due to unsatisfactory performance must:
   • Acknowledge responsibility and accountability for the problem that resulted indismissal.
   • Show evidence of initiative to correct the problem. For example, activities that promote academic growth and insight while not enrolled in the RN-BSN pathway.
   • Provide documentation to demonstrate readiness to perform beyond the minimal standard if readmitted through medical or counseling reports; letters of recommendation; new grade reports; employment records; special projects or volunteer work; evidence of academic remediation, and/or statement of personal goals and a plan of acti
3. Students are required to complete the RN-BSN pathway within three years of re-entry.
4. Complete nursing courses in existence at the time of re-entry.
5. Student applications for readmission after a lapse of one or more years will be reviewed at the discretion of the RN-BSN Admission and Progression committee.

RN-BSN Student Dismissal Policy

The School of Nursing reserves the right to interpret, maintain, and enforce the standards of conduct and professional performance for nursing.  The School of Nursing reserves the right to recommend dismissal or deny continued enrollment to any student who, in the judgment of the RN-BSN Admission and Progression Committee by majority vote, has violated standards of ethical or professional behavior.

A student may be dismissed if they:

1. Demonstrate behavior which conflicts with safety essential to nursing practice
2. Present a threat to others, or a threat of disruption to the School of Nursing
3. Are unable to meet the School of Nursing’s Technical Standards
4. Engage in conduct which violates the Virginia Nursing Practice Act
5. Fail the drug screen or has a background check that shows criminal activity that would disqualify the student from continuation
6. Engage in conduct which violates the Code of Ethics for Nurses of the American Nurses’ Association which has been adopted by the School of Nursing as its standard for ethical conduct by faculty and students
7. Engage in conduct which threatens or has the potential to threaten the physical, emotional, mental, or environmental health or safety of a client, a client’s family member, another health care provider, or the student himself or herself
8. Fail to participate in or complete clinical work for any reason or fails to perform clinical work which is consistent with professional nursing practice, including satisfactory performance of all critical behaviors specified on the evaluation tool for each course
9. Fail to adhere to University, College, School and clinical site policies and procedures

All students are regularly evaluated against the above standards in relation to clinical practice and may be dismissed from any course or from the RN-BSN pathway upon violation of any of the stated standards, regardless of course grades.

Readmission After Dismissal

A student who has been dismissed from a School of Nursing program should not expect to be readmitted. In very rare cases when in the judgment of the administration and RN-BSN Admission and Progression Committee, there is clear evidence of probable future academic success, a letter of request for readmission may be considered.

In no case will readmission be considered until at least two full semesters have elapsed from the semester of dismissal.

• Students must submit reentry application according to the following deadlines:
  • For spring readmission: November 1
  • For fall readmission: July 1

For further information see Re-Entry to JMU

Graduation Requirements

All requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) must be met. In addition, a grade of C- or better must be earned in each nursing course. Students must follow the JMU policy for Intent to Graduate and fulfill all JMU requirements for graduation.

To qualify for graduation, baccalaureate degree candidates must complete all the requirements on the following checklist. A student deficient in any area will not receive a diploma until the requirement is complete.

• Schedule a meeting with adviser to review academic progression prior to the graduation application deadline.
• Submit a completed Graduation Application to the Office of the Registrar by the posted deadline.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit (includes transfer credit from pre-licensure nursing program and any experiential learning credit that has been awarded).
• Complete all required coursework with a minimum of C- or better.
• Make certain that official transcripts for all transfer and affiliated courses are on file in the Office of the Registrar.
• Make sure that all holds are removed from student account.
• Fulfill all financial obligations to James Madison University.
• Complete any exit interview or online evaluations.

Graduation with Honors Distinction

RN-BSN students are ineligible to graduate with honors distinction. Before becoming eligible for graduation with honors, a student must successfully complete the following:

• Enrollment at JMU for a minimum of four semesters (fall and spring).
• Completion of a minimum of 60 attempted and earned credit hours at JMU.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 on all course work completed at James Madison University, including any work completed at JMU as a dual enrollment student prior to undergraduate matriculation and/or any work attempted and earned beyond four semesters or 60 credit hours.

This means that a student needs 60 hours of completed course credit from JMU. The RN-BSN curriculum only supplies 30 hours, and the 37 hours of experiential learning credit DO NOT count as course work completed at JMU.

If a student has attended JMU in the past and graduated with a degree, they are not able to count those course hours towards their new degree - therefore they cannot be assigned Honors Status for graduation.

The Exception

If a student completed courses at JMU and withdrew from the university before receiving their degree but has returned to JMU to complete their RN-BSN, they may graduate with Honors so long as they have met the 60 hours of coursework and other GPA criteria. Below is the university policy statement:

Honors Requirements from Registrar's Office

To be considered for graduation honors, students who enter JMU for the first time in Fall 2015 and thereafter need at least four regular semesters (fall and spring) at JMU, a minimum of 60 attempted and earned credit hours at JMU, and a minimum grade point average of 3.50 at JMU (including any work completed at JMU as a Dual Enrollment student prior to undergraduate matriculation, and/or any work attempted and earned beyond four semesters or 60 credit hours). For students who entered JMU for the first time prior to Fall 2015, please consult the undergraduate catalog for information regarding graduation with honors for the year in which you first enrolled at JMU.  Graduation honors noted in the commencement program will be based on the grade point average at the end of the semester preceding the semester in which final graduation requirements are met. For students who participate in the May ceremony but complete requirements in summer session, the honors noted in the commencement program will be based on the grade point average earned at the end of the preceding fall semester. Final graduation honors recorded on the diploma and transcript will be determined by the grade point average at the end of the semester in which all graduation requirements are met.

All RN-BSN students are, however, eligible for entry into the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. Students who meet the GPA requirements will be offered membership once they have completed half of the RN-BSN coursework. Sigma graduates receive honor cords and distinction at graduation, as well as entry into a professional organization. Learn more about Sigma.

Second Degree, Second Major, or Minor Policy

Students entering the RN-BSN pathway as first-time students at JMU may not declare a second degree program, second major, or minor. Only previously enrolled, continuing students at JMU, who have an officially declared plan (major or minor) prior to declaring the RN-BSN pathway, may complete that plan(s). Consultation with the second major or minor adviser or coordinator will be required to ensure timely completion of the declared plan(s). Students must complete their BSN, and any additional plan, within 5 years from the start of the RN-BSN pathway.