MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING and POST MASTERS’S CERTIFICATE STUDENT HANDBOOK

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT

ARLINGTON

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN

NURSING and POST

MASTERS’S CERTIFICATE

STUDENT HANDBOOK

THE COLLEGE OF NURSING AND

HEALTH INNOVATION

Academic Year 2023-2024

Revised: May 2024

In all cases, the Graduate Catalog supersedes.

DISCLAIMER: The student handbook is updated annually and as needed for

programmatic and policy changes. The electronic version of this handbook supersedes all

print copies.

Table of Contents

MSN Programs – Overview

College of Nursing and Health Innovation Vision and Mission 4

Accreditation

College of Nursing and Health Innovation History

Master of Science in Nursing Program Outcomes

Post Master’s Certificates

Program Administrators

MSN Program Directors

Policies and Procedures

Advising and Registration

Course Scheduling

Transfer Course Credit

Course Adds, Drops/Withdrawals

Dropping or Withdrawing After the Last Day to Drop

Repeated Course Withdrawal

Leave of Absence

Change of Program

Gap Analysis

State Authorizations

Academic Standing and Progression

Academic Standing

Academic Probation

MSN and PMC Programs Remediation Policy

Petitions to Continue in the Graduate Nursing Program

Graduate Nursing Student Course Failure Policy

Graduation

Degree Requirements 16

Degree Completion 16

Application for Graduation 16

Certification and Licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse 17

MSN NP Verification of Education for Certification and Licensure 18

Academic Integrity 19

Student Complaint and Grievance Procedures

Student Complaints 20

Course Grade Grievance Procedures 21

Student Academic Grievance Outline Flowchart 22

Clinical Policies and Procedures

Nurse Practitioner Program Clinical Experiences 23

Status of RN Licensure 24

Substance Abuse Policy 24

Professional Liability Insurance 24

Verification of Medical Insurance Coverage 24

Exposure of Bloodborne Pathogens 25

Clinical Performance Requirements and Evidence of Clinical Competence 25

Student Resources and Information

Student Success Faculty 26

Disability Accommodations 26

APA Format 26

Current Mailing and Email Address 27

Technical Support 27

Library Support 27

Dress Code 27

Study Time 28

Employment Recommendations 28

Board of Nursing Reportable Student Incidents 28

Civility (Professionalism) 29

Appendix: Substance Abuse Policy 30

MSN Programs – Overview

College of Nursing and Health Innovation Vision and Mission

Mission

Our mission is to advance global health and the human condition through transdisciplinary

collaboration by engaging in high-quality teaching, research, scholarship, practice and service to

prepare a diverse population of health professionals and to reduce health disparities.

Vision

To provide innovative, exceptional education, through research and practice to advance health and

the human condition globally.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing

Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at The University of Texas at Arlington

are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750,

Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The University of Texas at Arlington is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Commission on Colleges.

College of Nursing and Health Innovation History

The UT Arlington College of Nursing was established in 1971 as the U.T. System College of Nursing in

Fort Worth and was housed in John Peter Smith Hospital. In 1976, the school became an academic unit of

UT Arlington, moving to the campus in 1977. The history of the UT Arlington College of Nursing and

Health Innovation is available at: CONHI History

Master of Science in Nursing Program Outcomes

Graduate nursing education builds on a foundation of undergraduate nursing education and provides an

opportunity for professional nurses to develop a specialty practice that is congruent with an expanding

theoretical and empirical knowledge base. The graduate program in nursing is designed to assist

professional nurses to prepare for advanced clinical and functional roles that demand increased

accountability, expertise, and leadership. The master's program facilitates the use of the research process

through the course of study and prepares the graduate to be a critical thinker and a self-directed

professional who collaborates with consumers and other health care providers.

MSN Programs include Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, and Nursing Education. Additional

information regarding each program is available at: MSN Program Information.

Outcomes:

The MSN Program graduate is provided a background to:

1. Demonstrate competence in an advanced nursing role;

2. Participate in scholarly endeavors to advance nursing knowledge;

3. Provide leadership in professional nursing and interdisciplinary health care

Post-Master’s Certificates

The Department of Graduate Nursing offers Post-Master's Certificate programs for Nurse Practitioners.

Students seeking a Post-Master's Certificate must have completed an MSN from an NLNAC or CCNE

accredited program. Depending on course work completed for the MSN and current advanced practice

status (as applicable), an individualized certificate degree plan will be developed based on a gap analysis

of the applicant's MSN transcript and experience. Post-Master’s Certificates are offered in all Nurse

Practitioner Programs and in Nursing Administration. Additional information is available at: Post Masters

Certificate Program Information.

Outcomes:

The Post MSN Certificate Program graduate is provided a background to:

1. Demonstrate competence in an advanced nursing role

2. Provide leadership in professional nursing and interdisciplinary health care

Program Administrators

Elizabeth Merwin, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean, College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

Ann Eckhardt, PhD, RN, Chair, Department of Graduate Nursing.

Jackie Michael, PhD, APRN, WHNP, PMHNP-BC, Associate Chair for Advanced Practice Nursing.

Margarita Treviño, PhD, RN, CHN, Associate Chair for Nursing Education, Nursing Administration,

Health Informatics, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and PhD in Nursing Programs.

Ann Eckhardt, PhD, RN, Associate Chair of Clinical Education

Candice Calhoun-Butts, PhD, Assistant Dean, Office of Enrollment and Student Services

MSN Program Directors:

Keri Draganic, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CNE, Director of Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse

Practitioner Program

Tammy Eades, DNP, RN. Director of MSN Nursing Administration

Emily Fox DNP, APRN, NNP. Director of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs (Primary and Acute

Care) and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program

Kellie Kahveci, PhD, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, GNP-BC, CNE, Director of Adult Gerontology Primary

Nurse Practitioner Program

Aaron Langford, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Director of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program

Patricia Thomas, PhD, APRN, NNP-C, CNE, Director of MSN Nursing Education Program

Phyllis Wood, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner Leadership

Master of Science and Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing

Programs - Policies and Procedures

This section of the Student Handbook contains general policies and procedures that apply to

graduate students in the Master of Science in Nursing and Post Master's Certificate Programs of

the College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Students are expected to follow the University

catalog and the Student Handbook.

The Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, the

Handbook of Operating Procedures of the University of Texas at Arlington and the University

Catalog of the University of Texas at Arlington supersede departmental, program, or college

publications.

Advising & Registration

The Graduate Nursing Programs provide advising online and/or in person with Academic Advisors. In

the MSN and Post MSN Certificate Programs, students can reach an academic advisor via email at

msnadvising@uta.edu or by calling 817-272-2776 and selecting option 4.

Following admission, as part of new student orientation, a degree plan is developed that indicates the

course and semester in which the student will complete each course. Students may access their degree

plan at any time in their MyMav Student Center. Each semester, the student is expected to register

according to their degree plan. Students requesting changes to the degree plan must discuss it with an

Academic Advisor prior to enrollment. Failure to follow the degree plan may result in delays in

completing the degree in a timely manner. Students desiring to change their program of study from one

specialty area to another (MSN Programs) and/or between the campus based and accelerated online

program must contact an Academic Advisor (please also see Change of Program information in the

handbook). The Academic Advisor will work with the student regarding the specific process for the

change of program.

Course Scheduling

Depending on the major area of study, the MSN and Post MSN Certificate Programs are offered in a

campus-based traditional semester length format and/or in an off campus/accelerated online format. Most

courses in the campus-based programs are offered online with minimal campus presence required.

Courses scheduled in the campus-based format are completed within the traditional semester time frame of

15 weeks (Fall and Spring semesters) or 11 or 14 weeks (Summer semester). Courses are offered using

blended on-campus and online teaching strategies. The following MSN and Post MSN-Certificate

Programs are offered in the campus-based format: Adult Gerontology (Acute and Primary Care) Nurse

Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute

and Primary Care), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Courses offered in the off-campus/accelerated online format are scheduled to be completed in 3 to 13 week

time frames (depending on the course). The following MSN and Post MSN-Certificate Nurse Practitioner

Programs are offered in the off-campus accelerated online format: Adult Gerontology (Acute and Primary

Care) Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute and Primary

Care). The Nursing Administration and Nursing Education programs are ONLY offered in the accelerated

online format.

Students have the option to complete their MSN or PMC with full-time (minimum 6 semester credit hours

per semester) or part-time (less than 6 semester credit hours per semester) study. The degree must be

completed within a 6-year time frame. Courses are offered during Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters

(individual course offerings will vary by semester).

Transfer Course Credit

A maximum of 25% of a program’s required semester hours may be accepted for transfer credit

with the approval of the graduate nursing faculty. Only courses completed with grades of A or B

are accepted for transfer credit. Courses submitted for transfer credit must have been completed

no more than 6 years before completion of the MSN graduate program at UT Arlington. Students

should also be aware that course grades in transfer courses are not included in calculating a

student’s UT Arlington GPA.

Transfer of courses from anotheruniversity requires the submission of a course syllabus. The

syllabus is reviewed by the faculty at UTA who determine whether the course taken at another

university has comparable course outcomes, content, and assignments. Students requesting

transfer credit must complete and submit the Course Transfer Credit Form (Transfer Credit

Form) to their Academic Advisor and an official transcript with the course grade posted must be

sent to UTA's Admissions Office to receive transfer credit.

Course Adds, Drops and Withdrawals

Graduate students who wish to change their course schedule by adding or dropping/withdrawing from a

course must first consult with an academic advisor.

Students in campus-based programs are encouraged to consult the academic calendar for the final

withdrawal date for each academic semester. Students in accelerated option programs are encouraged to

consult the final withdrawal date that is applicable to the specific start date and week format of

enrollment. Click on the accelerated online academic calendar to locate all related important dates.

Adds and drops may be made through late registration either at MyMav or in person through the student’s

academic advising department. Drops/withdrawals can continue through a point two-thirds of the way

through the enrollment period. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to

attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of

certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of

dropping classes or withdrawing. Students with questions regarding financial aid should contact the

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.

Please note:

• A student may not add a course after the end of late registration.

• A student dropping a graduate course after the Census Date but on or before the last day

to drop will receive a grade of W. Students must submit a drop request form via MyMav

no later than 4pm CST on the respective drop deadline. Drop requests received after 4pm

CST will not be processed.

Dropping or Withdrawing after the Last Day to Drop

Dropping a course after the Last Drop/Withdrawal Date requires the permission of the Chair of the

Graduate Nursing Programs. Students seeking this permission must first contact an academic advisor. The

academic advisor will work with the student to submit a "Graduate Withdrawal and Drop Policy Exception

Form".

Repeated Course Withdrawal

A student may withdraw from the same course a maximum of 2 times. “Withdrawal” is defined as

dropping a course after census date and is indicated by a “W” on the student’s academic transcript. The

third time the student enrolls in the course they will not be permitted to withdraw from the course after

census date. Students with extenuating circumstances may petition the program director for permission to

withdraw.

Leave of Absence

For a graduate student to continue as an active/enrolled student, the student must be enrolled in a

minimum of one semester credit hour each long semester (Fall and Spring). A student may request a

Leave of Absence to respond to unusual circumstances that prevent them from meeting the continuous

enrollment requirement. A leave of absence may be granted for “good cause” (e.g., pregnancy, health

related issues, significant family concerns) that would interfere with the student’s ability to participate in

graduate study. Leaves are granted for a maximum of two long semesters during the student’s graduate

study. Only students in good academic standing (minimum GPA 3.0) may be granted Leave. The

Continuous Enrollment and Leave of Absence Policies are available in the University Catalog.

Prior to requesting a Leave of Absence, the student should discuss the request with an Academic Advisor

and develop a revised degree plan. A student requesting a Leave of Absence must complete the Leave of

Absence Request form. The request for the Leave of Absence is submitted to the Academic Advisor who

will forward the request to the student’s Associate Chair for action.

Change of Program/ Student Movement between Campus-based Programs, Off-campus

Accelerated Online Programs, and/or Major Areas of Study or Specialty (NP Programs)

1. Movement between programs and/or major areas or specialty area of study is not allowed until

students have completed 9 hours in the program or major to which they were admitted.

2. To qualify to switch from one program/major to another, a student must have a current and admission

GPA equal to or higher than the lowest GPA admitted to the ‘new’ program in that semester.

For example, a MSN administration student with a current GPA of 3.2 and an admission GPA of 3.1

will not be allowed to switch to the FNP program if the lowest admission GPA in the FNP program

that semester was 3.5. However, if a PNP student with an admission and current GPA of 3.5 may be

allowed to switch to the Nursing Education program if the lowest admission GPA in the education

program that semester was 3.2.

3. Students who are qualified may only make one move during their MSN program. This includes

moving between:

a. A campus-based program and an accelerated option (off-campus) program

b. An accelerated option program to a campus-based program.

c. One off-campus major and another off-campus major.

d. One specialty area of study and another specialty area of study or specialty whether on campus

or online

For example, this applies to a student in the on-campus MSN in FNP program to the AGACNP on-

campus program. It also applies to a student changing from the off-campus FNP program to the on-

campus FNP program.

4. The deadline for submitting a request to change programs or majors is 4:00 pm CST on the graduate

course drop date for the traditional semester. This deadline applies to students whether in the on-

campus or off-campus accelerated online program.

5. Changes become effective at the beginning of the next semester.

6. Exceptions to this policy may be made for extenuating circumstances.

GAP Analysis

As part of the application process into the Post- Master’s certificate program, each applicant’s

transcripts are reviewed by the respective Program Director. This review determines which

courses will be required to complete the certificate. Applicants are required to complete the GAP

Analysis Request Form to identify which courses they want evaluated as equivalent to the

required certificate program’s courses. Upon completing this form, the applicant is required to

return it along with the respective course syllabus to the Admission Advisor. Syllabi must be

from the semester and year the student took the course. Any requests submitted without the

correct syllabus and/or inadequate documentation will be denied. Appeals will not be considered

without submitting the correct documentation.

When the Program Director has completed their review, the GAP Analysis Request Form will be

returned to the Admission Advisor who will return it to the applicant. The applicant must sign

and return the document to the Admission Advisor. Applicants will not be assigned a degree plan

unless they have signed and returned this form. Changing this form after the Program Director

has signed it, submitting false records or falsifying any records is unprofessional conduct and

academic dishonesty. Anyone guilty of this will be reported to the Office of Community

Standards.

Applicants applying to a Post-Masters Certificate Nurse Practitioner program should be aware

that the GAP Analysis process is essential to their successful certification and licensure. While

applicants may believe courses are equivalent, the Program Directors have the responsibility and

final say on the course equivalency. Giving credit for courses which are not equivalent will

prevent applicants from being able to obtain national certification and state licensure; therefore,

credit is not granted for any course which is not determined to be equivalent to the nurse

practitioner courses taught in the program.

State Authorizations

The University of Texas, College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers several programs in

the online format. To do so, the College of Nursing and Health Innovation must follow federal

and state laws for the operation of programs in states outside of Texas. CONHI’s ability to offer

programs outside of the State of Texas is variable and highly dependent upon the program,

federal laws, and state laws including each states’ board of nursing regulations. It is important

that every student understand and acknowledge that the completion of a graduate nursing

program may only occur in a state in which CONHI can operate.

Students are required to review the list of approved states per program at the following

link: CONHI State Authorization Disclosure

Graduate nursing students must understand the following:

1. States in which UTA CONHI graduate programs are approved to operate may change without

prior notice. This may adversely affect progression in the program as described below.

2. Approved states may change their laws and regulations at any point without prior notice to

UTA CONHI. This may adversely affect progression in the program as described below.

3. Living in, moving to, or working (temporary or permanent assignments) in a state in which

UTA CONHI graduate nursing programs are not approved to operate may result in one or

more of the following:

a. a delay in graduation

b. not graduating

c. withdrawal from a course

d. withdrawal from the program

e. may require students to come to Texas to complete clinical and/or any portion of the

graduate program

f. a denied clinical placement

g. a delay in clinical placement

Due to the constraints of international law the nurse practitioner programs do not operate outside

of the United States. Requests received from a student to attend or continue in a non-nurse

practitioner program from an international location are reviewed on an individual basis.

Travel assignments are subject to the details of this policy and may not occur without prior

approval. Any student who lives near the border with another state are also subject to this policy

if they want to complete clinical outside their state of residence.

Prior to accepting a travel assignment, seeking a preceptor in another state, or moving, students

are required to email [email protected] to discuss the implications on their progression to

graduation and clinical placements.

Students who are admitted to the program and live or work, a temporary or permanent

assignment, in a state which is not approved for the MSN/PMC programs to operate must contact

their advisor immediately by sending an email to ms[email protected].

All students are required to review the CONHI State Authorization Disclosure to determine if the

program in which they are enrolled leads to licensure and if the curriculum leads to licensure in

their respective state.

Academic Standing and Progression

Academic Standing

Policies and procedures for academic standing and progression in the MSN and Post MSN Certificate

Programs are consistent with UTA Graduate policies. Click on the Academic Standing link for more

information on the university policies.

Graduate students are considered to be in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress in a

degree program if they 1) meet all admission conditions within the time required 2) have a B (3.0) or better

grade-point average on all coursework undertaken while in Graduate School and 3) have a B (3.0) or

better grade-point average in courses needed to satisfy degree requirements by the end of the semester in

which they intend to graduate. Students must be in good academic standing by the end of their final

semester in order to receive an advanced degree from UT Arlington.

Academic Probation

Per the Graduate Policy, “A graduate student whose cumulative grade point average falls below a

3.00 in all graduate courses, be they graduate or undergraduate level taken while enrolled as a UT

Arlington graduate student, will be placed on academic probation. The student must attain a grade point

average of at least 3.00 in the next semester he or she is enrolled or be subject to dismissal. Undergraduate

courses or graduate courses graded P, R, I, Z, or W or courses that do not provide graduate credit cannot

be used to remove the condition of academic probation.” Courses that are not part of the student’s degree

plan do not contribute to GPA.

Graduate nursing students placed on academic probation are required to meet with an academic

advisor to discuss plans for improvement and potential revision of their degree plan. Students

may meet with an academic advisor electronically, via telephone, or in person. Students on

academic probation will not be able to register for a following semester until cleared by the

academic advisor (an advising hold will be placed in MyMav).

Students who do not gain good academic standing in the semester following completion of the probation

semester will be academically dismissed. A student who has been dismissed for failure to maintain a

GPA 3.0 may petition the program director to continue in the program.

Master of Science in Nursing and Post Masters Certificate Programs Remediation Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide an opportunity for remediation to MSN and PMC

students to facilitate academic success and degree completion.

Master of Science in Nursing and Post Masters Certificate students who require remediation

prior to or during clinical practice have the option to or may be required to retake a course(s) as

remediation.

Courses taken as remediation are subject to the following stipulations:

1. Remediation course grades cannot be used to improve the University GPA or

program GPA. Students are required to achieve a 3.0 GPA independent of the

remediation course grade(s) for program completion. Remediation course grades are

subject to university policies and procedures.

2. A remediation course may only be taken in which a letter grade of C was earned.

The remediation policy does not apply to courses in which a student earned a letter

grade of D or F.

3. A remediation course may only be taken for courses required as part of the

student’s MSN or PMC degree plan.

4. Each course in which the student has earned a letter grade of C may be repeated

for remediation only once.

5. Students may withdraw from a remediation course only once. Subsequent

enrollment in the remediation course must be completed.

6. Required remediation courses must be completed with a grade of B or better to

satisfy a remediation requirement.

7. Optional remediation courses are subject to approval of the advisor and/or the

program director.

8. Completion of remediation courses will be included in the academic summary

information when reviewing petitions for continuation in the MSN and PMC

programs.

9. Students may be required to remediate in one or more courses to continue in the

program.

10. Remediation courses are not eligible for financial aid.

11. Students not in good academic standing will be required to complete clinicals

in sites which do not require good academic standing as a pre-requisite for clinical

practice.

12. Letters of good academic standing will not be issued to students or other parties

on the student’s behalf based on a remediation course grade.

13. Students who have demonstrated unsafe clinical behaviors may be subject to a

clinical practice performance remediation plan in addition to course remediation.

Clinical Practice Performance Remediation

Students who have demonstrated unsafe clinical behaviors, as evaluated by the faculty, may be

required to complete a formal, individualized remediation plan. The plan will be developed by

the program director in consultation with the clinical course lead faculty and clinical faculty.

Remediation plan shall be:

• in writing,

• signed by the program director and the student,

• kept in the student’s permanent record.

The remediation plan may include but is not limited to remediating one or more courses in which

the student earned a grade of C; enrolling in one or more independent studies to remediate

identified deficiencies in didactic content and clinical performance and completing simulation

activities. Students must successfully pass all aspects of the remediation plan to pass the clinical

course.

Students who have failed a clinical course and are unable to achieve a GPA of 3.0 prior to

graduation are not eligible to be placed on a clinical remediation plan.

Petitions to Continue in the Graduate Nursing Program

Students who wish to submit a petition to continue in the Graduate Nursing Program must meet with an

Academic Advisor. During that meeting, students should be prepared to discuss h o w / w h y plans to

regain good academic standing during the probation semester were not successful and develop a specific

plan for improvement. The student is responsible for submitting a written letter of petition electronically to

the academic advisor for action by the graduate faculty. Students are also strongly encouraged to meet with

the student success faculty (see information in following section) to develop plans to support academic

success.

The student’s petition to continue in the Graduate Nursing Program will be reviewed by the program

director. If the program director approves the student’s petition to continue, the academic advisor will

work with the student to review/revise the student’s degree plan and assist with clearing the student for

enrollment. If the program director does not approve the petition, the student can submit a petition to the

Chair of Graduate Nursing. Students should also be aware they may need to submit a “readmission form”

if they experience an enrollment gap that includes a Fall or Spring semester. To apply for readmission,

click on the readmission form link.

In some cases, a student may need/wish to submit a second petition to continue. If the conditions of the

first petition were met, the program director will review the petition. As above, if the program director

approves the student’s petition to continue, the academic advisor will work with the student to

review/revise the student’s degree plan and assist with clearing the student for enrollment.

Students whose petitions to continue are approved by the program director may enroll as stipulated in the

requirements of the approved petition. If a student’s petition is not approved, dismissal from the University

will stand. The student is not eligible for readmission to the Graduate Nursing Program.

A student who wishes to appeal the decision of the program director must submit the appeal in writing to

their academic advisor who will then forward it to the Graduate Nursing Department Chair for review.

Graduate Nursing Student Course Failure Policy

The Department of Graduate Nursing is committed to maintaining a high-quality academic

experience, high academic standards, and preparing graduates to practice the art and science of

advanced nursing practice safely and to the full extent of their education. Advanced nursing

practice requires the registered nurse to apply graduate level education to serve as leaders in

health policy, leaders of health care systems and to improve the health and outcomes for

individuals, families, and populations.

Student academic performance represents the level of mastery of the content taught in their

respective program. Course grades of D and F represent a severe knowledge deficit and are the

antithesis of safe advance nursing practice.

Progression Policy

Beginning Fall 2022 progression in the MSN, PMC, DNP, or PhD programs will not be

permitted nor will a student be able to enroll in additional nursing courses if they:

1. receive a grade of D or F in more than one graduate level course or

2. receive any combination of grades D or F on two attempts of the same course

Special Considerations

1. Students who meet the above criteria will be dismissed from their respective program.

2. Students who desire to transfer programs and meet the above criteria but remain in good

academic standing must petition the program director they wish to transfer to for

approval.

3. Grades of D or F earned in remediation courses will not be considered in the two failure

policy; however, earned failing grades in remediation courses will impact the overall

GPA.

4. Students who are inactive and reapply for admission will be subject to the terms of this

policy upon application for readmission. An inactive student who reapplies for admission

and has two failing grades, as defined by this policy, and has a GPA of 3.0 or higher,

must petition the program director for readmission.

5. For continuing students who currently have one or more failures, any subsequent failures

will result in dismissal from the program.

Grade Replacement Policy

UT Arlington allows grade replacement in the graduate college. A student may retake up to 2

courses during their graduate study and replace their grade. The same course cannot be taken

more than once for grade replacement. Please refer to the university catalog for the full grade

replacement policy.

Graduation

Degree Requirements

Graduate students must complete degree requirements in accordance with the Graduate Catalog in force

at the time they entered the graduate program in which the degree will be awarded or, at the student’s

option, the catalog of any subsequent year in which the student was in residence. If students choose to

complete degree requirements in accordance with the catalog of a year subsequent to that in which they

entered the graduate program, their graduate advisor must submit an online request form to Graduate

Studies. The graduate advisor may contact the Office of Graduate Studies graduation desk for access to

the required form. For additional information click on Master’s and Doctoral Degrees Academic

Deadlines and Eligibility for Graduation

Degree Completion

Coursework initiated in fulfillment of an MSN or a Post MSN Certificate program must be completed

within six (6) years. All courses six (6) or more years old will expire and will need to be repeated to

fulfill the requirements towards the degree or certificate program. Re-enrollment in completed courses

are subject to financial penalties.

Students who exceed the published time limits for completing the graduate degree or certificate, but wish

to graduate, must repeat courses six (6) or more years old and petition the program director for an

exception to the time limit policy. A student who wishes to appeal the decision of the program director

must submit the appeal in writing to their academic advisor who will then forward it to the program

director.

Application for Graduation

Students who have completed all degree requirements or who will complete degree requirements must

submit an application for graduation by the deadline for graduation for the next available graduation date.

They must also pay the appropriate graduation fees. Enrolled students who do not complete all

requirements by the beginning of the next long semester must enroll to complete remaining requirements.

Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for complete graduation information.

Certification and Licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

UT Arlington prepares registered nurses to become Nurse Practitioners through an MSN degree

program or a formal post-master’s certificate program. Graduates from the MSN/PMC Nurse

Practitioner programs are prepared to complete national certification and obtain state licensure.

Students may review the Nursing State Authorization website to determine if the MSN/PMC

Nurse Practitioner program meets licensure requirements in their state. MSN/PMC students who

graduate from a nurse practitioner specialty track are eligible to take the national certification that

aligns with their educational preparation.

Nurse Practitioner

Specialty Track

Certifying Body

Certification Exam

Adult Gerontology Acute

Care Nurse Practitioner Track

American Association of

Critical Care Nurses

American Nurses

Credentialing Center

Adult Gerontology Acute

Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult Gerontology Primary

Care Nurse Practitioner Track

American Academy of Nurse

Practitioners

American Nurses

Credentialing Center

Adult Gerontology Primary

Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

Track

American Academy of Nurse

Practitioners

American Nurses

Credentialing Center

Family Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Track

National Certification

Corporation

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-

Acute Care Track

Pediatric Nurses Certification

Board

Pediatric Nursing

Practitioner- Acute Care

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-

Primary Care Track

Pediatric Nurses Certification

Board

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-

Primary Care

Psychiatric Mental Health

Nurse Practitioner Track

American Nurses

Credentialing Center

Psychiatric Mental Health

Nurse Practitioner

All individuals prepared as Nurse Practitioners must be certified in their area of specialization.

All individuals completing preparation as a Nurse Practitioner must also be licensed by their

respective Board of Nursing (BON) as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) prior to

practicing as a Nurse Practitioner. Students are responsible for completion and submission of the

National Certification and BON applications and for obtaining their APRN status.

MSN NP Verification of Education for Certification and Licensure

1. The Department of Graduate Nursing is committed to the appropriate and timely

completion of verification of education (VOE) forms for nurse practitioner students’

licensure or certification. These forms require the school to attest to the completion of

each student’s education. The school will only attest to the completion of education after

the semester has ended and after the degree conferral date. Each semester VOEs will be

sent to the respective licensing board and/or certification board on the first business day

after the degree conferral date.

2. Students should communicate with their respective program director regarding any

questions about the licensure and certification process.

3. The Department of Graduate Nursing will automatically send the verification of

education forms to the Texas Board of Nursing and ANCC. Requests for other

verifications should be sent to [email protected].

4. Students applying for licensure in Texas will need to complete the release of information

form on the APRN application and email it to BONp[email protected]du. This form is

located on page 2 of Part II of the Texas BON APRN application.

5. Out of state students applying for licensure in a state other than Texas are required to

review their state licensure application, determine which forms need to be completed by

the school and email those forms to BONpaperwork@uta.edu.

Academic Integrity

The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation supports the

University of Texas at Arlington Honor Code and academic regulations regarding academic

integrity. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with the Honor Code:

I pledge, on my honor, to uphold UT Arlington’s tradition of academic integrity, a

tradition that values hard work and honest effort in the pursuit of academic excellence. I

promise that I will submit only work that I personally create or that I contribute to group

collaborations, and I will appropriately reference any work from other sources. I will

follow the highest standards of integrity and uphold the spirit of the Honor Code.

Click on the University Honor Code link to view the code.

Students in the Graduate Nursing Programs are expected to follow the rules of academic integrity

and submit only academic work and assignments that are entirely their own work. Academic

dishonesty (violations of academic integrity) may include cheating, plagiarism, and collusion.

Information regarding dishonesty may be found in the University Catalog. For additional

information regarding student conduct and discipline click on the UT Arlington Policy link.

In addition to the general rules of academic integrity, students are expected to comply with the

following:

• Students may not collaborate with anyone else on assignments, quizzes, examinations, or

any other academic work except as directed by the assignment/instructor’s directions.

• Students may not resubmit any assignment or part of a previous assignment – written,

audio, or video recorded - for which they previously received a grade. This applies to

courses from which a student withdrew and/or in which a failing course grade was

achieved.

• Students may not submit the same assignment (written or recorded) or portion of an

assignment to more than one course unless specifically allowed or directed by the

instructor’s directions. This applies to both graded and non-graded assignments.

• Students may not resubmit any work which has previously been submitted for course

credit at any educational institution unless prior written approval is received. Written

approval for resubmitted work must be received from both the current course instructor

and the instructor of the course in which the work was previously submitted.

• Students may not copy or share any course materials or documents, past or present

assignments, nor quiz/examination questions on any social platform or publicly available

website.

• Students may not seek, acquire, receive, or provide unauthorized information or

assistance regarding an exam, quiz, or assignment (such as purchasing, using, or

distributing any unauthorized course materials in order to gain academic advantage).

• Students are expected to accurately and completely document and record clinical practice

hours completed and patient/client care activities. Falsifying any documents related to

clinical hours or patient/client care activities (including documenting as fact, information

not obtained through one’s own direct assessment and examination of a patient or falsely

recording clinical practice hours) constitutes dishonesty.

• Students are expected to accurately collect and submit data collected for completion of

course and program requirements. Falsification of data or data collection methods

constitutes academic dishonesty.

• Students are expected to comply with all HIPAA guidelines. No PHI should be removed

from the clinical setting either in writing or electronically. If a student is an employee of

a facility, the employee log on should not be used to gain access to medical records

unless explicitly allowed by the facility. Failure to comply may result in an OCS referral

and/or a report to the State Board of Nursing.

Students suspected of committing academic dishonesty will be referred to the Office of

Community Standards. Students found responsible for academic dishonesty are subject to a

grade penalty for the assignment in question, which may include a point deduction up to and

including a zero and/or course failure. As noted in the University catalog, sanctions may include

probation, suspension, and expulsion from the university. Procedures and additional information

related to academic dishonesty and violations of the University Honor Code may be found on the

Office of Community Standards’ website.

Student Complaint and Grievance

Procedures

The policies and procedures for Student Complaints, including grade and non-grade grievances

are located on the University of Texas Arlington website and may be accessed by clicking on the

links below:

• Grade Grievance

• Student Complaints

A confidential log of student complaints is maintained in the College of Nursing and

Health Innovation Dean’s Office.

Student Complaints

Student complaints related to issues or concerns in the graduate nursing program should be

submitted in writing and may include grade and non-grade complaints. If a student has a

complaint regarding the conduct of a course, a concern about a faculty member’s feedback, or a

grade on an individual assignment in a course, it is the student’s responsibility to first make a

serious effort to resolve their concern with the faculty member involved. When the complaint is

not resolved following discussion with the individual faculty member, the student should contact

their Academic Program Director. Other complaints (for example, issues regarding clinical

placements and/or policies and procedures of the graduate nursing program) should first be

addressed by contacting the student’s Academic Program Director. If a complaint remains

unresolved, the student should contact the Associate Chair for their academic program for further

assistance.

Students are encouraged to maintain a record of their efforts to resolve the complaint which may

include emails, names of individuals contacted, and any meetings that occurred to resolve the

complaint. At each step of the complaint process, if the student’s complaint is not resolved, the

student will be informed of the next step in pursuing their complaint. If the complaint or concern

is still not resolved AND the student has evidence that they were treated differently than their

peers and/or the institution processes or policies were not followed, the student may submit a

formal appeal to the Dean of Students.

Course Grade Grievance Procedures

In an attempt to resolve a complaint, the student must first make a serious effort to resolve the

matter with the individual with whom the grievance originated. Faculty of the course has the

primary responsibility for assigning grades. Appeals of the official grade assigned to a student

for a course will not, therefore, be considered at levels above the faculty unless a student offers

evidence of:

• Differential treatment – examples might be providing benefits such as extra time

for assignments to some but not all students in the class; excluding some students

from attendance or other course requirements, OR

• Procedural irregularities – examples might be adding a new requirement that

was not listed in the class syllabus; using criteria for grades not made available to

the student ahead of time.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FACULTY

At the outset of a course, the faculty will provide students with an overview of the expectations

related to the course (e.g., assignments, grading, absences and academic dishonesty). The faculty

will ensure that the grading policies are uniformly applied to all students in the class.

If an appeal process begins and if additional documentation is requested from the faculty, then

the faculty must provide the documentation requested within 10 business days. Failure to supply

the requested material may be considered as a cause for a finding in the student’s favor.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT

Step 1. The student must first discuss the issue or grade with the faculty involved. (If a clinical

grade, this would be the Clinical Faculty. If the issue cannot be successfully resolved, then the

student will discuss the matter with the Lead Teacher/Faculty of Record).

Step 2. In the event the student and the faculty are unable to reach agreement, or the faculty is

unavailable, the student may request a meeting with the Lead Teacher/Faculty of Record’s

supervisor. (Associate Chair of the Department/Program Director as an example.) At this

meeting, the student must present evidence of either Differential treatment or Procedural

irregularities. Disagreement with the faculty’s assignment of a grade is not grievable.

Step 3. In the event the student and the Associate Chair/Program Director are unable to reach

agreement, the student must complete the Student Academic Grievance Form. The form is

available from the Dean’s Office.

PROCEDURES

1. Before a student appeals to the Department Chair, the student must attempt to resolve the

complaint with the program director.

2. An appointment with the Department Chair of the involved Undergraduate or Graduate

program may be scheduled to review the grievance procedures. This is not an interview

to review the details of the grievance.

3. Students will complete the Student Academic Grievance Form using additional sheets of

paper as necessary. The form can be obtained from the Dean’s Office.

4. Once complete, the student should return the completed form to the Dean’s Office in

person or via email.

5. The Department Chair will appoint a committee of neutral faculty from within the

Department to review the grade grievance. The Committee shall be composed of at least

3 faculty who are unrelated to the issues or people involved. The Committee's Chair will

be designated by the Department Chair at the time of appointment. The Chair of the

Committee will contact all members, provide information, and establish a meeting within

5 business days.

6. The Committee will review the appeal and all supporting documentation that has been

submitted. The Committee may request an interview with the faculty and/or the student.

The student may request the opportunity to meet with the Committee.

7. After gathering and reviewing all information, the Committee will make a

recommendation to the Department Chair within 10 business days of completion of

deliberation.

8. The Department Chair will review all information and make a final decision. The Chair

will communicate the final decision to the student.

9. The Chair will notify the Dean of the decision.

10. If a student is dissatisfied with the decision, they may appeal to the Dean of the College

of Nursing and Health Innovation. The Dean’s decision is final.

11. Students have one year from the day grades are posted to initiate a grievance.

Note: These procedures follow the UTA Academic Grievance-Grade and Non-grade Process.

https://www.uta.edu/student-affairs/dos/file-a-complaint/academic-grieviance-grade-non-grade

Reference for UTA student complaints is found at https:www.uta.edu/deanofstudents/complaints

Clinical Placement Policies and Procedures

Students are responsible for reading and following the clinical policies and procedures in the

clinical management system. The clinical management system guides students through clinical

placement and clearance processes. The following policies are posted in the clinical management

system:

• UTA MSN Clinical Practicum Acknowledgement

• Graduate Student Clinical Placement Policy and Procedure

• Graduate Student Clinical Performance Policy

• Graduate Student Clinical Site and Preceptor Policy

• Students Experiencing Difficulties with Clinical Placements

• Graduate Nursing Clinical Clearance Requirements Policy

Nurse Practitioner Program Clinical Experiences

Clinical hours required in the nurse practitioner tracks are experiential learning encounters

designed to provide patient care practice that prepares students in the diagnosis, evaluation and

management of their population focus. National nursing organizations, national certifying bodies

and program accreditation agencies require nurse practitioner programs to provide a minimum of

500 clinical hours. Some programs, such as the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program, are

required to have a minimum of 600 clinical hours. The minimum number of hours must be direct

patient care experiences. Nonpatient care clinicals activities (including simulation and

observational activities) may not be used to satisfy the established minimum clinical hour

requirements and may only be used for clinical hours which exceed the minimal requirements.

Simulation hours may not be used to replace population specific clinical hours required by any

NP track even if the student has met the minimum 500 direct patient care hours. Students must

have direct patient care hours in all categories of population specific requirements, required by

their NP track, in addition to meeting the minimal direct patient care hour requirement.

While the requirements establish the minimum number of hours an NP program must provide,

they do not preclude universities from requiring more hours as part of their curriculum. UTA’s

NP programs have incorporated more than the minimal number of clinical hours to facilitate

student learning, ensure that students are able to transition to the work force as seamlessly as

possible, and ensure that students receive the foundational knowledge required to practice safely.

The completion of a degree implies that students have met all the requirements of the curriculum,

and thus can practice safely upon graduation. Students are unable to graduate without completing

all program required clinical hours. This includes hours above the minimum threshold as defined

by the appropriate national certifying body for the degree. Completion of a graduate level

education is required to sit for national certification and state licensure; therefore, failure to

complete all program required clinical hours will result in a failure to graduate, become certified

and become licensed.

The graduate nursing faculty have designed the curriculum to align with certification, licensure,

and accreditation requirements and are committed to high academic standards. As such, waiving

any amount of clinical hours required in any NP track is not appropriate nor does it align with

professional, ethical, and legal standards that require the department to validate students’

competency and ability to practice safely upon graduation.

Status of RN Licensure

All graduate nursing students must have an unencumbered license as designated by their

licensing Board of Nursing (BON) to participate in graduate clinical nursing courses. It is

imperative that any student whose license is under investigation by a Board of Nursing or

becomes encumbered at any time while a student is enrolled in a Graduate Nursing Program

immediately notify the Chair. Students who fail to report the above may be subject to dismissal.

Substance Abuse Policy

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) College of Nursing & Health Innovation (CONHI) is

committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive learning environment for students,

faculty, staff, clients, and visitors. To provide a safe learning environment, students must be able

to perform with reasonable skill in a safe, secure, productive, and effective manner, and remain

able to do so through the entire time they are students at UTA.

Students must adhere to the Academic Nursing Program Substance Abuse Policy (full policy in

the Appendix) at all times. Violations of this Policy may result in disciplinary action up to and

including dismissal from the Program.

Professional Liability Insurance

The Liability Insurance Policy is provided through UTA and is covered by a student fee each year that is

assessed in the Fall registration.

Verification of Medical Insurance Coverage

All newly admitted UTA Graduate Nursing Students are required to provide Verification of Medical

Insurance Coverage that includes Emergency Department coverage and follow-up treatment for needle

sticks and blood borne diseases. This mandatory requirement has been approved by the UT System Board

of Regents.

Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

In the event of injury, needle stick, and/or exposure of the nursing student to blood or body fluids, the

nursing student should immediately notify the nursing clinical faculty. The faculty is responsible for

notifying the appropriate person at the agency where the incident occurred and completing the

agency’s documentation if appropriate. The faculty will also notify CONHI’s Clinical Compliance

Coordinator.

Life threatening emergency treatment, if needed, should be implemented at the clinical facility. If

emergency treatment is not available on site, 911 should be activated. If the clinical facility does not

provide care indicated for the injury/incident or it is a non-emergent situation, the student may select

a health care provider of their choice.

The faculty will be responsible for completing the Injury/Illness Report form for Students and

Visitors located in Canvas and the Faculty Student Incident Check List. The Injury/Illness Report

form should be forwarded to The University of Texas at Arlington Environmental Health and Safety

Department.

Clinical Performance Requirements and Evidence of Clinical Competence

Nursing is a practice profession in which patient and family safety must be protected. MSN and

PMC students enrolled in a nurse practitioner track are responsible for demonstrating clinical

competence. The faculty will investigate all allegations and concerns of all unsafe clinical

behavior. If faculty deem a student’s clinical performance as unsafe, students may not drop or

withdraw from the clinical course regardless of the drop or withdrawal date. The student will be

immediately removed from the clinical setting, will be prohibited from completing any

additional clinical hours for the course in question, and receive a grade of F.

Any of the following behaviors constitute a clinical failure:

1. Fails to follow standards of professional practice as detailed by the Texas Nursing Practice

Act

(available at http://www.bon.state.tx.us/) or the student’s respective Board of Nursing or

state licensing agency.

2. Inability to accept and/or act on constructive feedback.

3. Need continuous, specific, and detailed supervision for the expected course performance.

4. Inability to implement advanced clinical behaviors required by the course.

5. Failure to complete required clinical assignments.

6. Falsification of clinical hours.

7. Violation of the student confidentiality agreement.

8. Falsification of clinical logs, clinical assignments, patient documentation.

9. Knowledge deficits which increases the risk of or causes injury to a patient.

10. Dismissal from the clinical setting by the preceptor, or their designee, for unsafe clinical

behavior, knowledge deficits, or incivility with the patient, family, preceptor or other

employees of the clinical agency.

Students should also be aware that violation of the Nursing Practice Act is a “reportable

offense” to the Texas Board of Nursing or their State’s Board of Nursing or state licensing

agency.

The following program requirements are also associated with patient safety and will result in

clinical failure without regard to the drop or withdrawal time frames. Clinical failures related to

the items below will be reviewed by the Department Chair and/or the Associate Chair.

1. Non-compliance with clinical clearance requirements.

2. Non-compliance with Drug and Alcohol policy

3. Unlawful behavior prohibiting sufficient background check required for clinical

participation

Student Resources and Information

Student Success Faculty

Faculty members who work specifically with graduate students are available to assist graduate

nursing students who are at academic risk or who need academic support. The goal of the student

success faculty is to support student achievement in masters and doctoral level coursework so

students can reach their educational goals. Students may contact a student success faculty

member directly, or a course instructor may encourage the student to contact a student success

faculty member. Contact information for the graduate student success faculty can be found in

each course syllabus or by clicking on Student Success Faculty. University level student support

may be found by clicking on the Student Services link.

Disability Accommodations

UT Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all federal equal

opportunity legislation, including The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Americans with

Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. All instructors at UT

Arlington are required by law to provide “reasonable accommodations” to students with disabilities, so

as not to discriminate on the basis of disability. Students are responsible for providing the instructor

with official notification in the form of a letter certified by the Student Access and Resource Center

(SARC). Students experiencing a range of conditions (Physical, Learning, Chronic Health, Mental

Health, and Sensory) that may cause diminished academic performance or other barriers to learning

may seek services and/or accommodations by contacting:

Student Access and Resource Center, (SARC), or calling 817-272-3364

Counseling and Psychological Services, (CAPS), or calling 817-272-3671

Only those students who have officially documented a need for accommodation will have their

request honored. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-

based academic accommodations can be found by clicking on the Office for Students with

Disabilities link or by calling their office at (817) 272-3364.

APA Format

Correct and accurate citation of information used to prepare papers and presentations is an

expectation of graduate students in nursing. Students are required to follow American

Psychological Association (APA) format for scholarly papers and assignments.

Current Mailing and E Mail Address

Students are required to maintain a current mailing address and telephone number contact with the

University. A change of address may be completed online via MyMav. This is essential so that schedules,

official correspondence, scholarship notification, and emergency messages will not be delayed or lost.

UT Arlington has adopted MavMail as its official means to communicate with students about important

deadlines and events, as well as to transact university-related business regarding financial aid, tuition,

grades, graduation, etc. All students are assigned a MavMail account and are responsible for checking the

inbox regularly. There is no additional charge to students for using this account. For information on

activating and using the student email click on the MavMail link.

Per UTA Policy, MavMail is the official email for CONHI and the University to communicate

pertinent information. Students will be held responsible for information distributed in this

manner. All official communication will be done using UT Arlington’s MavMail. Personal

and/or work emails will not be used. Students are required to check MayMail every day.

Technical Support

MyMav, the online system for registration and payment, gives students access to their course grades

and a record of all courses completed. Students’ net IDs and passwords provide them with secure

access to the MyMav and other electronic support programs including the UTA MavMail system, the

library, and Canvas courses. If students have trouble with electronic access, they should contact the

university Help Desk.

Library Support

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation has a subject librarian who works closely with

students and faculty. Information about how to contact the subject librarian is available in each

course syllabus.

Dress Code

The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation expects students to

reflect professionalism and maintain high standards of appearance and grooming in the clinical setting.

Professional attire (which may include a lab coat) is expected. Students where scrubs are provided should

follow the above standards prior to changing into scrubs.

In addition, MSN and Post-MSN Certificate students must be clearly identified as UTA Graduate students

and wear a UTA MyMav ID in the clinical environment.

Commitments outside of the classroom

Graduate nursing education requires students to have dedicated time to devote to studying,

completing assignments, preparing for, and completing clinicals and other course work. Students

are encouraged to review their work schedules and commitments and adjust accordingly given

the demands of the MSN/PMC program. Commitments which compete with graduate study may

result in suboptimal academic performance and place the student in academic jeopardy.

Study Time Recommendations

In general, for every-one graduate nursing semester credit hour of enrollment a student should

allocate 5 hours of study time outside of class. For example, a 3 semester credit hours course

may reasonably require 15 hours of work outside of class plus anytime needed to complete

clinicals. Please note that accelerated online courses will require more time outside of class to

successfully complete the course due to the accelerated format.

Employment Recommendations

It is recommended that a student’s employment not exceed 16-20 hours per week in either

regular or summer semesters. Students are encouraged to evaluate their energy level, familial and

personal obligations, and school commitments before starting their degree program.

Board of Nursing Reportable Student Incidents

Registered Nurses enrolled in a graduate nursing program at UTA are serving in a professional

capacity. Graduate students are required to act in accordance with their respective State Board of

Nursing’s Nurse Practice Act and Rules and Regulations. Violations of standards of nursing

practice, as defined by the student’s respective State Board of Nursing will be reported to the

appropriate Board of Nursing.

In the event a reportable event is suspected to have occurred, the faculty witness to the event will

discuss the event with the Department Chair. The Department Chair will examine the respective

Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act and Rules and Regulations and make a determination on

the reportability of the event. Upon determining that the event is reportable, the Department

Chair will inform the Dean and student, complete the necessary paperwork and submit it to the

student’s respective Board of Nursing.

Reportable events include but are not limited to:

1. Academic Dishonesty

2. Falsification or omission of any admission documentation

3. Falsification of licensure

4. Falsification of information submitted for clinical clearance

5. Falsification of information submitted requesting assistance with clinical placement

6. Unsafe clinical behaviors include but are not limited to:

a. Fails to follow standards of professional practice as detailed by the Texas Board

of Nursing Practice Act, and Rules and Regulations or the student’s State’s Board

of Nursing.

b. Inability to accept and/or act on constructive feedback

c. Need for continuous, specific, and detailed supervision for the expected course

performance

d. Inability to implement advanced clinical behaviors required by the course.

e. Failure to complete required clinical assignments

f. Falsification of clinical hours.

g. Violation of student confidentiality agreement.

h. Falsification of clinical logs, clinical assignments, patient documentation

i. Knowledge deficits which increases the risk of or causes injury to a patient.

7. Falsification of GAP Analysis.

8. Incivility which disrupts patient care.

9. Other activities which violate the respective Board of Nursing Practice Act or Rules and

Regulations (e.g., HIPAA violations).

In addition to reporting unsafe clinical behaviors to the student’s respective licensing agency, the

student will receive a course grade of “F”. If the unsafe clinical behaviors are related to academic

dishonesty, the incident will also be reported to the Office of Community Standards.

Some states do not have a Board of Nursing. In this instance, students are equally responsible for

the standards of practice, rules and regulations and laws established by the appropriate state

licensing agency. The above language applies in these instances as well.

Civility and Professional Behavior

UTA CONHI believes in a culture of caring. At CONHI, civility is expected from faculty, staff

and students. Incivility will not be tolerated. Incivility is defined as any one-time or repeated

action or unprofessional behavior (whether physical, psychological, verbal and/or non-verbal)

including but not limited to behavior that is: disrespectful, obnoxious, impolite, hostile,

disregarding, rude, discourteous, offensive, vulgar, aggressive, taunting, violent, intimidating,

belligerent, and/or bullying. Students are required to maintain civil and respectful

communication with faculty, staff, and students at all times and to act in accordance with the

ANA Code of Ethics. Uncivil communications with faculty and staff may result in one or more

of the following:

1. Notification informing the student that a communication was inappropriate, and their

concerns will be addressed when they pose their communication in a civil, professional

manner.

2. When necessary, reporting behavior to the appropriate parties. Threats of harm to an

individual or to the college or university will be reported to the Office of Community

Standards, the UTA Police Department, and the student’s respective State Board of

Nursing.

Students should keep in mind that they are communicating with faculty and staff members that

they will rely on for references and recommendations in the very near future. Completion of

references and recommendations for a student are at the sole discretion of the faculty or staff

member. Students are beginning a new phase of their professional career and professionalism is

one of the areas that will be evaluated in any recommendation

Appendix

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH INNOVATION

ACADEMIC NURSING, KINESIOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM

SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) College of Nursing & Health Innovation (CONHI)

is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive learning environment for students,

faculty, staff, clients, and visitors. In order to provide a safe learning environment, students must

be able to perform with reasonable skill in a safe, secure, productive, and effective manner, and

remain able to do so through the entire time they are students at UTA.

All students are expected to be in good academic standing throughout their Academic

Undergraduate Nursing, Graduate Nursing, Kinesiology or Public Health Program. Good

academic standing for CONHI students includes maintaining professional behavior, personal

accountability, academic integrity and for Undergraduate or Graduate Nursing Students,

upholding the Code of Ethics for Nursing Students. Failure to meet these expectations may

result in course failure or dismissal from the Program. Good academic standing extends beyond

the classroom and is an expectation CONHI holds of students during their clinical courses, while

present in healthcare facilities, and while present within their communities.

Students will be required to sign an attestation with each clinical course for which they enroll

verifying they will adhere to this Policy. Regardless of whether a student has signed the

attestation, students must adhere to this Academic Nursing Program Substance Abuse Policy

(Policy) at all times. Violations of this Policy may result in disciplinary action up to and

including dismissal from the Program.

Registered Nurses

If a student is a registered nurse and has a positive drug screen, the student will be referred to the

state BON where the student is licensed. The student must comply with all BON requirements

prior to returning to any clinical course(s). Failure to complete any BON requirement will result

in dismissal from CONHI.

Impaired Behavior Students

Impaired students are not fit for participating in a Program and may pose significant health and

safety risks to themselves and others. In the clinical setting, students must be fit for duty and are

expected to perform in a safe manner without signs of impairment. Students exhibiting one or

more signs of impaired behavior directly before or at any time during a clinical rotation shift will

be immediately assessed. [See Impaired Observation Checklist (IOC)*].

When a faculty member or preceptor personally observes or receives reliable information that

supports a reasonable suspicion that a student may be impaired, the faculty member or preceptor

will assess the student using the IOC. If the IOC results confirm impairment, the student will be

removed immediately from the clinical setting and will be required to submit to the appropriate

screening test at an approved screening center, including UTA Health Services. The specific test

will be based on the suspected substance and may include blood, urine, or saliva sample(s).

Typically, a blood alcohol level test is administered when alcohol is the suspected cause of

impairment and a 10-panel urine screen is administered when impairment is suspected due to

other substances. Students are solely responsible for the cost and scheduling of impaired

behavior drug screenings, evaluations, and treatments.

Students must arrive at the testing site for their impaired behavior screening within two hours of

referral. Students suspected of impairment are not allowed to drive themselves to the testing site

and must make appropriate transportation arrangements such as calling a friend or family

member to transport them or using a transportation system, such as a taxi. Depending on the

level of impairment, the student may be referred to the facility’s emergency department (where

the student is participating in a clinical course) for evaluation and care.

Once at the screening center, students will have up to three hours to provide an adequate

specimen (the approved screening center will determine the adequacy of the specimen). Students

must remain at the testing site the entire three hours or until an adequate specimen is provided,

whichever occurs first.

Approved screening centers will adhere to the following:

• maintain the chain of custody;

• confirmation GCMS (gas chromatography and mass spectrometry);

• initial screen must include split sampling method;

• blood alcohol level drawn if alcohol involvement suspected; and

• if a student fails to provide an adequate sample within the required three-hour time

period, stop the test and report to the referring faculty member or preceptor, or other

CONHI designated representative, the student failed to provide an adequate sample.

Students screened for impaired behavior cannot return to their clinical course(s) until their results

are received and approved by appropriate CONHI personnel. Students who refuse to submit to,

fail to appear for, or fail to provide an adequate sample for their impaired behavior drug screen

will not be allowed to return to any clinical course(s) and will earn a failing grade in their clinical

course(s).

If an impaired behavior student’s screening is positive due to alcohol or substance abuse, the

student must be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional (psychiatric mental healthcare

provider or substance abuse provider), follow the qualified healthcare professional’s

recommendation for treatment if applicable, receive a recommendation from the qualified

healthcare professional to return to the Program, and provide documentation the student is able

to safely return to the Program. Upon an impaired behavior student’s return to clinical courses,

random urine drug screens will be conducted each semester throughout the student’s Program

and at the sole discretion of CONHI.