STUDENT HANDBOOK RPN TO BSCN BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAM - Nipissing University
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
RPN TO BSCN
BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAM
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2021-2022
COVID-19
During this unprecedented and continuously changing time, there may be
necessary revisions to policies and certain sections of this handbook. Please
review the information on the Nipissing University website and information
sent to your email for the most current information regarding changes relating
to COVID-19.
Revised July 2021
WELCOME It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to Nipissing University’s Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Blended Learning Program. We are delighted that you have chosen to pursue a Nipissing University degree in nursing that utilizes a unique partnership model with your employer and other clinical sites to support your educational experience. It is our sincere hope that you enjoy your experience of blended learning and that you find the program both academically challenging and professionally rewarding. At the heart of the Nipissing experience is our commitment to personalized learning; this is one of our defining strengths and is at the root of our consistently high student satisfaction ratings. The University is committed to ensuring you have the right academic and student resources to set you up for success. There are numerous tools and supports available to you as you embark on this new journey. Many of those resources are listed in this handbook and we encourage you to explore everything Nipissing has to offer you. This handbook addresses program specific policies and information for the RPN to BScN Blended Learning Program. Please read it carefully. If the information in the handbook is not clearly understood you should seek clarification from the program administration, nursing faculty, program staff and/or an academic advisor. We wish you success in your studies and in your future nursing career. The Blended Learning Program Faculty, Staff & Administration
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CURRICULUM..........................................................................1
Introduction ............................................................................. 1
Statement of Nursing................................................................ 1
Nursing Education.................................................................... 1
Mission, Vision and Values........................................................ 2
RPN to BScN Blended Learning Program Curriculum Weave....... 2
Values Defined.......................................................................... 2
Program Description................................................................. 4
Program Outcomes................................................................... 4
References................................................................................ 4
BEST PRACTICE SPOTLIGHT ORGANIZATION (BPSO).................5
COLLEGE OF NURSES OF ONTARIO..........................................5
GENERAL ACADEMIC GUIDELINES............................................6
Grades..................................................................................... 6
Required Withdrawal from a Program....................................... 6
Course Syllabi.......................................................................... 7
Textbooks................................................................................. 7
Assignments............................................................................. 7
Absences from Quizzes, Tests, etc.............................................. 7
Examination Location................................................................ 7
Absences from Final Examinations............................................. 8
Expected Theory Course Commitment........................................ 8
Expected Clinical Commitment .................................................. 8
Requesting/Reporting Time Off................................................. 9
Policy on Academic Dishonesty.................................................. 9
Plagiarism/Dishonest Behaviour................................................ 9
PROCEEDING IN THE PROGRAM............................................10
ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR CLINICAL PRACTICUM COURSES......11
Clinical Commitment Form....................................................... 11
Clinical Course Registration..................................................... 12
Clinical Planning - Student Responsibility and Fees................... 12
COVID-19 Pandemic Policies and Procedures........................... 13
Students Contacting Agencies Regarding Clinical Placements.... 14
Student Employment at a Partner Health Care Agency.............. 14
Attendance Policy (for Clinical Practicum courses)..................... 14
Clinical Experience Location.................................................... 14
Clinical Location Requirements................................................. 15
Clinical Experience Cancellation.............................................. 15
INCIDENT OR INJURY DURING CLINICAL PRACTICUM.............15
NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS..........................................15
Submission of Documents for Clearance................................... 15
Submission Schedule............................................................... 16
Police Vulnerable Sector Check
(PVSC):.................................................................................... 16
Health Requirements - Communicable
Disease Screening Form (CDSF):............................................... 16
Transportation........................................................................ 17
Uniform Policy in Clinical Practice Setting................................. 17
Acute Care Placement Centers ................................................. 17
Dress Code for Community Based and Mental
Health Placements ................................................................ 18
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL WRITING GUIDELINES..........................19
ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS....................................................20
USB Headset........................................................................... 20
Computer and Laptops............................................................. 20
Respondus LockDown Browser................................................. 20
Wireless vs ‘Wired’ Connections.............................................. 20
ACADEMIC RESOURCES.........................................................21
Academic Advising.................................................................. 21
Harris Learning Library ........................................................... 21
University Technology Services (UTS)........................................ 21
Student Development and Services (SDS).................................. 21
Student Accessibility Services (SAS).......................................... 21
Student Learning & Transitions (SLT).......................................... 21
OTHER RESOURCES...............................................................22
Financial Aid, Scholarships, Bursaries, And Awards................. 22
Student Financial Assistance.................................................... 23
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)............................. 23
Codes of Conduct.................................................................... 23
Code of Student Conduct.......................................................... 23
Professional Conduct............................................................... 23
Privacy and Confidentiality Conduct......................................... 23
NETIQUETTE GUIDELINES.......................................................24
CURRICULUM, STUDY PLAN AND COURSE AVAILABILITY.........27
NCLEX-RN STUDENT PREPARATION........................................31
CONTACT INFORMATION......................................................33
CURRICULUM
Introduction Health is a personal and societal resource.
Health is defined and redefined by each
The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to
individual (family, community, population)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
and has a unique meaning to each. Health
Blended Learning program provides
is affected by a variety of determinants that
learners with a quality university education
are dynamic across the lifespan. Wellness
through an alternative delivery model,
and illness may coexist and, in fact, may
‘blending’ online and face to face learning
intersect. Health may be promoted at any
experiences. Nursing is a dynamic,
time and may be enhanced, maintained,
demanding profession, therefore, learners
or destroyed by the actions of persons or
must demonstrate intellectual and clinical
environments. Health facilitates the work
competence, and function according to
of individuals, families, communities and
the professional standards of the College
populations in working toward their life
of Nurses of Ontario. The purpose of the
goals.
program is to assist you in developing
the competencies required to become a Person is an ever-changing being
Registered Nurse. in constant interaction with his/her
environment. Each person is unique in that
As an adult learner you have made
each comes with individual experiences
significant personal, professional,
that inform the moment and the process
and financial commitments towards
of dynamic and creative change. For the
furthering your education. You are
purposes of nursing and nursing education:
joining a community of learners and a
persons are individuals; persons may be
program team who respect and share
clients, nurses, colleagues; persons are
these commitments. Your experience will
members of and form families, groups,
include the rewards and challenges of role
communities and populations.
transition from RPN to BScN graduate.
As a distance education student, your Environment is the ever-changing context
active involvement in this online learning within which we live and work and hence,
community is essential. Connecting with experience health. Our relationship
your classmates and the program team with the environment is interactive and
will support your success and enjoyment allows for an ever-evolving perception
in earning this BScN degree. The skills, of our potential for change and growth.
knowledge, and experience you bring as Components of the environment may be
a practicing RPN will complement your political, economic, social, biological,
coursework. As a successful learner, you technological, spiritual, cultural and
will take initiative to reflect, research, and ecological.
build on current knowledge and skills to Nursing is the art and science of caring
broaden your learning experience and within a therapeutic relationship. The
ultimately, transform your nursing practice nurse uses caring, communication,
(Legg, Adelman, Mueller, & Levitt, 2009; critical thinking and change to co-create
McAllister, 2015). health with clients and with members of
multidisciplinary teams. The process is
Statement of Nursing oriented to the activities of promotion,
Nursing, as a profession, has agreed on protection, maintenance, restoration, and
four major concepts that are common to palliation.
nursing theories and nursing program
curricula. The following definitions of the Nursing Education
concepts reflect the values and beliefs of Nursing education is an interactive process
the Nipissing University RPN-BScN Blended between teachers and learners within an
Learning Nursing Program.
1environment that encourages self-directed • Collaboration
learning and participant accountability. • Diversity
Uniqueness, open inquiry, and a • Critical Inquiry
commitment to continued education are • Scholarship
promoted. Application of knowledge and • Knowledge
skills in a professional, caring, and holistic • Leadership
manner is expected. Nursing education • Innovation
should provide a broad general education, • Personalized Role Transition
preparation in professional nursing, and a
basis for graduate study. RPN to BScN Blended Learning
Curriculum development in this program Program Curriculum Weave
embraces knowledge from a variety of The values of the RPN to BScN Blended
disciplines. The natural sciences, social Learning Program are woven throughout
sciences, and human sciences contribute the curriculum with a specific emphasis
to the development of nursing knowledge on four core values of professionalism,
in providing a broad basis for students leadership, critical inquiry, and caring.
to understand the context of the human
The values act as curricular threads,
health experience. Faculty and students
interwoven to connect the courses of the
explore curriculum content, nursing
curriculum as depicted in the Curriculum
concepts, and nursing issues from a variety RPN to BScN Blended Learning Program
Weave diagram below.
of perspectives. Both quantitatively and Nipissing University
qualitatively constructed knowledge is
valued.
ry
Pr
ui
of
nq
es
I
sio
Mission, Vision and Values c al
na
Co
iti ip
lis
Cr sh
lla
m
ar
bo
Mission ho
l
ra
e
Di
Sc dg
tio
ve le
n
rs w
The Nipissing University School of Nursing ity
K no
is committed to innovation, leadership
and excellence in teaching and learning Ca
p rin
through evidence informed nursing hi
rs Sa g
ade Co fe
education, research, and practice. Guided Le on m &
ati pe
by imaginative faculty and innovative n ov ed te
liz on nt
Co
In
na iti Ca
m
programming, our graduates learn to so ans
m
r re
un
Pe Tr
practice relationally and are dedicated
ica
le
Ro
tio
to advancing health and systems
n
transformation.
Vision
We will be an innovative leader in state- Values Defined
of-the-art experiential learning, curricula Critical inquiry is a process that expands
and program delivery. We educate and on critical thinking where students reflect
empower a diverse population of nurse and examine their beliefs, assumptions,
leaders who will be relational, and ideas, principles, relevant theory, and
evidence-informed; transforming health, resulting actions in nursing practice
health systems and societal structures (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2014).
through knowledge, inquiry and service. Theoretical and clinical practicum
Values courses provide students with diverse and
personalized learning opportunities to
• Caring synthesize, evaluate, generate, and apply
• Safe and competent practice knowledge as students engage in their
• Communication discovery and transition to the Registered
• Professionalism
2Nurse (RN) role. students learn to navigate the complexities
of communicating in both a traditional
Scholarship involves intellectual and
and technology supported learning
creative activities that guide students
environment.
through the process of generation,
validation, synthesis, and application of Caring is a process in which a nurse
knowledge to nursing practice (Canadian creates a healing environment to address
Association of Schools of Nursing, 2013). clients’ holistic needs (Lukose, 2011).
Students are encouraged to expand their Students build on their skills, experience,
depth and breadth of knowledge by and knowledge of caring concepts by
researching scholarly databases, current incorporating relational caring for self
literature, and incorporating evidence- and others, developing and maintaining
informed theory in all courses. a holistic and client-centred practice, and
sharing the human experience.
Knowledge refers to the conceptual,
factual, and theoretical information Diversity is “the variation between people
that is learned in a program (Canadian with respect to ethnicity, national origin,
Association of Schools of Nursing, race, gender, ability, age, physical
2015). The Blended learning program characteristics, religion, values, beliefs,
supports students to further develop their sexual orientation, socioeconomic class
foundational knowledge and nursing or life experiences” (Canadian Nurses
practice by incorporating various Association, 2010, p. 16). In the program,
ways of knowing. The diverse ways of we recognize and value diversity by
knowing include empirics, aesthetics, acknowledging, appreciating, and
ethics, personal knowing (Carper, 1978; supporting the uniqueness of individuals
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, and communities. Students engage in
2013), and emancipatory knowledge self-reflection and learning activities as a
(Chinn & Kramer, 2011). means to identify and analyze their own
values and beliefs, and integrate cultural
Professionalism is demonstrated by ethical
safety within all learning environments.
behaviour, integrity, respect, responsibility,
and the values associated with the Safe and competent practice refers to the
practice of nursing. It is a core value and “nurse’s independent ability to use their
an expectation within the RPN to BScN knowledge, skill, judgment, attitudes,
Blended Learning program. Students are values and beliefs to perform in a given
supported in their commitment to lifelong role, situation and practice setting”
learning and in the transformation of their (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2014,
professional presence. p. 11). Students are prepared for the
added responsibilities and challenges of
Collaboration involves working together
the RN scope of practice by expanding
in a coordinated approach to achieve
their judgment and competency, and by
a common goal. The program provides
incorporating evidence-informed practice
opportunities for learners to collaborate
to ensure optimal health outcomes for
within an online learning community and
clients, families, and populations.
values the importance of collaboration
among interprofessional healthcare team Leadership is an interactive process
members with a focus on client-centred which influences or inspires people to
care. work together towards a common goal.
Leadership skills develop from personal
Communication is the exchange of
qualities that are gained through
information between two or more people.
knowledge, skills, experience, and
Nurses intentionally use communication
education (Registered Nurses Association
skills to develop and maintain therapeutic
of Ontario, 2013). Nurses demonstrate
relationships with individual clients,
leadership by providing, facilitating, and
families, populations, and interprofessional
promoting the best possible care to the
health care teams. In the blended program,
3public. Students in the program enhance Learning program, the graduate will:
their capacity for leadership through
1. Apply caring concepts and caring theory
experiential engagement of theoretical
when practicing professionally within the
and clinical learning within the healthcare
legislative and ethical requirements.
community.
2. Exemplify professional communication
Innovation is the application of knowledge and collaborative behaviors in
and skill to redesign or re-imagine ideas relationships with individuals, families,
and experiences. Innovation requires populations, nursing colleagues, and
deconstructing long-held assumptions and interprofessional healthcare team
traditions in order to enable evidence- members.
informed approaches that support a 3. Demonstrate cultural competence
culture of smart risk-taking, creativity, in nursing practice among diverse
and excellence. The program challenges populations in a variety of contexts to
students to critically think among people, ensure culturally safe care.
ideas, and technology in preparation 4. Integrate critical inquiry through ongoing
for a professional nursing career that is reflection and examination of relevant
adaptable to the complexity of current and theories and knowledge in nursing
future healthcare environments. practice.
5. Demonstrate leadership attributes that
Personalized role transition refers to the
promote adaptation, goal achievement,
evolution of an individual’s state of mind
and innovation.
as it applies to their professional role (Suva
6. Commit to self-regulation, scholarship,
et al., 2015). To facilitate role transition
and nursing competence through
from RPN to BScN, the program respects
the personalized role transition from
individuals’ previous nursing education
registered practical nurse to BScN.
and practice, integrates principles of adult
7. Integrate evidence-informed literature
learning, and emphasizes learner-centered
with the nursing process to practice safe
experiences. By becoming actively engaged
and competent nursing care.
in their role transition, students take
8. Synthesize new knowledge by using
initiative in their learning and ownership
various sources of information and
for their continued competence, scholarly
communication technologies towards
practice, and success within an inclusive
monitoring and evaluating health
and positive learning community.
outcomes in individuals, families, and
Program Description populations.
The RPN to BScN Blended Learning References
program provides an opportunity for
Carper, B. A. (1978). Fundamental patterns
RPNs to transition into a Baccalaureate
of knowing in nursing. Advances in
of Science in Nursing through multiple
Nursing Science, 1(1), 13-23.
modalities such as face to face,
synchronous and asynchronous distance Canadian Association of Schools of
learning. The program uses Blackboard as Nursing. (CASN, 2013). Position Statement
the learning management system for course on scholarship among Nursing Faculty.
delivery. Students participate in varied Retrieved from
learning activities that are technology https://casn.ca/wp-content/
supported and accessible throughout uploads/2014/10/
Ontario. Students actively collaborate with ScholarshipinNursingNov2013ENFINALmm.
a diverse group of faculty who facilitate pdf
scholarly learning.
Canadian Association of Schools of
Nursing. (CASN, 2015). National Nursing
Program Outcomes education framework: Final report.
On completion of the RPN to BScN Blended Retrieved from
4https://www.casn.ca/wp-content/ 69.
uploads/2014/12/Framwork-FINAL-SB-
Lukose, A. (2011). Developing a practice
Nov-30-20151.pdf
model for Watson’s theory of caring.
Canadian Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing Science Quarterly, 24(1), 27-30.
Canadian Nurse Practitioner core doi:10.1177/0894318410389073
competency framework. Retrieved from
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.
https://www.cno.org/globalassets/for/
(RNAO, 2013). Developing and sustaining
rnec/pdf/competencyframework_en.pdf
nursing leadership best practice guideline
Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M, K. (2011). (2nd ed.). Retrieved from
Integrated Theory and Knowledge https://rnao.ca/bpg/guidelines/
Development in Nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis, developing-and-sustaining-nursing-
MO: Mosby/Elsevier leadership
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2019). McAllister, M. (2015). Exploring
Entry to practice competencies for Ontario transformative learning and the courage
registered practical nurses. Retrieved from to teach a values based curriculum. Nurse
https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/ Education in Practice, 15(6), 480-484.
reg/41042_entrypracrpn-2020.pdf
Suva, G., Sager, S., Mina, E. S., Sinclair,
Legg, T. J., Adelman, D., Mueller, D., & N., Lloyd, M., Bajnok, I., & Xiao, S.
Levitt, C. (2009). Constructivist strategies (2015). Systematic review: Bridging the
in online distance education in nursing. gap in RPN‐to‐RN transitions. Journal of
Journal of Nursing Education, 48(2), 64- Nursing Scholarship, 47(4), 363-370.
BEST PRACTICE SPOTLIGHT ORGANIZATION (BPSO)
In June 2021, Nipissing University’s School
of Nursing was awarded the RNAO Best
Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO)
designation. As part of this commitment,
nursing students within each program
will integrate evidence into their practice.
One example of this is the uptake of
Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) in various
courses throughout the program. Faculty
will determine the level and nature of the
students’ engagement with the BPGs as
appropriate and in relation to the unique
delivery of each program.
COLLEGE OF NURSES OF ONTARIO
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) graduates for the category (RN or RPN) to
is responsible for regulating nursing which you are applying.
in Ontario. Here are some important
2. Complete a registration examination.
Registration Requirements for those
You must successfully complete the
applying to practice nursing in Ontario.
registration examination approved by the
You must:
College for the category (RN or RPN) to
1. Complete a nursing program. You must which you are applying.
demonstrate the successful completion of
3. Complete the jurisprudence
a nursing program designed to prepare
examination. You must successfully
5complete the RN/RPN Jurisprudence authorization under the Immigration and
Examination. This online exam assesses Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage
your awareness and understanding of in the practice of nursing in Ontario.
the legislative and regulatory framework
7. Report past offences, findings and
(i.e., laws, regulations, and College by-
other specified matters. You must truthfully
laws, practice standards and guidelines)
state if you have ever been found guilty
governing the nursing profession in Ontario.
of an offence, had a finding related to the
4. Provide evidence of nursing practice. practice of nursing or another profession
For most Ontario nursing graduates, against you, or are involved in certain
evidence of practice is demonstrated by proceedings.
successful completion of a nursing program
8. Meet College requirements related
for the category (RN or RPN) to which they
to health and conduct. Before you are
are applying.
registered, the College must be satisfied
5. Demonstrate language proficiency that you do not suffer from any physical
in English or French. You must provide or mental condition or disorder that could
evidence that you are proficient in English affect your ability to practice nursing in a
or French. This includes demonstrating safe manner.
you can communicate and comprehend
For more information on registration and
effectively, both orally and in writing, in
practice requirements, please contact the
either language.
CNO at :
6. Provide proof of citizenship, permanent https://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/
residency or authorization under the new-applicants1/ontario/
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
CNO website: www.cno.org
(Canada). You must be a Canadian citizen
or a permanent resident of Canada or hold or call 1-800 387-5526
GENERAL ACADEMIC GUIDELINES
Please refer to the academic calendar for program.
the most complete and current information • All students must complete the program
regarding Nipissing University policies and within seven (7) years of the original
regulations. date of admission;
http://academiccalendar.nipissingu.ca • Distinction at Graduation;
Undergraduate students who graduate
Grades with an overall average of 80% or
• Students must successfully complete all higher on all courses taken at Nipissing
NSGD courses with a minimum grade University and presented for the degree
of 60%, and all clinical practicum will be granted their degree “with
courses with a “Satisfactory” grade; distinction”. The overall average must
• A student may be allowed to repeat a be calculated on a minimum of 60
course once. A student may attempt a numerically graded credits (10 full
theory course for a third time only with courses or equivalent) completed at
departmental approval. Nipissing University and presented for
• A student in the nursing program the degree.
may not receive more than one Required Withdrawal from a
“Unsatisfactory” grade in clinical Program
practicum course throughout the
program. If a second “Unsatisfactory” Students will be withdrawn from the BScN
grade is achieved, the student will be program should they receive more than one
required to withdraw from the nursing grade of “Unsatisfactory” in any Clinical
Practicum courses. See the academic
6calendar for additional information on skill with APA formatting throughout the
being asked to withdraw. program, and deductions will be assigned
for APA formatting errors. All assignments
Course Syllabi are due on the specified date. If permission
In each course you will be provided with is received for a late submission, the
a course syllabus (outline). This outlines assignment will be due on the agreed upon
all course activities and acts as a contract date.
between student and the course instructor.
Absences from Quizzes, Tests, etc.
Textbooks The following guidelines apply unless
Required textbook information can be indicated otherwise in the course outline.
found by going to the campus bookstore A mark of zero (0) will be given for any
at www.nipissingu.bkstr.com. Students missed test or quiz. There will be no
who wish to be successful need to be rewrites or supplemental tests or quizzes,
using the most recent edition of the unless alternate arrangements are made
textbook(s). Courses are taught using the with the course instructor.
most recent version of the textbook to
ensure that students are not learning out Examination Location
of date/incorrect information. Several of Some courses in this program have
the required Med/Surg textbooks in the in-person final exams at our North Bay
program will be used for multiple courses. campus on a set, inflexible date within
the final exam period for that session. The
Textbooks promoted on websites that claim
dates of the final exam period for each
to offer exceptional discounts should be
session are available in the Important
highly scrutinized by students to assess
Dates section of the Academic Calendar
the legitimacy of these sources. When
each year. The exact date and time of your
purchasing textbooks online, students must
exam(s) will be made available to you on
be diligent in assessing the textbook site to
WebAdvisor at least eight weeks prior to
ensure it is a legitimate source. Such sites
the start of the exam period each session.
are purposefully designed to be misleading
and it can be challenging to assess the If you wish to complete your exam(s) at a
legitimacy. location outside of North Bay, you must
submit a Distance Exam Request Form
Sites offering PDF versions of textbooks at
to the Office of the Registrar after your
a fraction of the cost likely did not obtain
final exam schedule has been posted for
permission from the publisher to sell texts
each session and prior to the withdrawal
at such reduced prices. If this is the case,
deadline each session. You would be
this is a copyright violation and is illegal.
responsible for booking any such exams
Students should not purchase textbooks
at an approved testing centre near you on
from such sites. Students should not
the same date as the exam taking place
photocopy or share PDF’s of textbooks.
in North Bay for your course(s), for any
Assignments fees charged by the testing centre for
their services, and for ensuring that your
The following guidelines apply unless completed Distance Exam Request form
indicated otherwise in the course outline. is submitted to the Office of the Registrar
All assignments must include references at distance_exams@nipissingu.ca prior to
and follow APA format. Assignments the withdrawal deadline each session.
must be submitted on time. Students can
normally expect five percent (5%) of the Further details regarding this process and
potential mark standardized to 100% any applicable deadlines will be sent to
will be lost for each workday of lateness. your Nipissing University student email
Spelling and grammar must be accurate. account each semester within eight weeks
All students are expected to develop of the final exam period.
7Some courses in this program have online eight to ten hours a week for each course.
tests, quizzes and final exams. These may It is expected that each student will have
be set up in your course using Secured the required text. Please refer to Page
Online Testing Tools such as Respondus 7 for additional information regarding
Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor. Textbooks.
See section ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS on
p. 20 for further details. Expected Clinical Commitment
If you have any questions or concerns, To provide the best clinical experiences
contact distance_exams@nipissingu.ca possible students can expect to commit
the following hours in the clinical setting.
Absences from Final Examinations Please note that days per week/hours may
Students who are unable to write final change based on the availability of the
examinations because of illness or other clinical agency and the clinical instructor.
circumstances beyond their control, or Clinical practicum course work includes
whose performance on the examination time in the clinical setting and other
has been impaired by such circumstances, assignments as listed in the course outline.
may, on application, be granted permission This may include assignments, case studies,
to write a deferred final examination. online discussions, group meetings with the
instructor, testing or other activities.
Details regarding the application and
process of deferred examinations may be Paid RPN hours cannot be counted towards
found in the Final Examinations section of any non paid clinical hours. The role/scope
the Academic Calendar. Please be advised of a practicing RPN and BScN student
that travel or work arrangements or are very different and the two cannot be
misreading the examination schedule are combined. Claiming paid hours towards
not valid reasons for requesting a deferred learning hours will be considered academic
examination. dishonesty under Nipissing University’s
policy on Academic Integrity. Students
Expected Theory Course demonstrating this behaviour will be
Commitment subject to consequences that may include
being reported to the CNO, and expulsion
Time commitment for theory courses will from the RPN to BScN Blended Learning
vary based on each student as well as the Program.
course, but expected time commitment is
8Total
Weekly Hours/
Course Hours/Term
Days in Clinical
(12 wk term)
NSGD 2106 - Clinical Practicum for RPN to 14 hours/
168
BScN varies
NSGD 2028 - Clinical Practicum - Nursing in 14 hours/
84 (6 wk term)
Specialized Settings - Mental Health varies
NSGD 2029 - Clinical Practicum - Nursing in 14 hours/
84 (6 wk term)
Specialized Settings - Women and Children varies
NSGD 3026 - Clinical Practicum - Family 14 hours/
168
Nursing in Diverse Settings varies
NSGD 3027 - Clinical Practicum - Nursing 14 hours/
168
Communities and Populations 1 to 2 days
NSGD 4026 - Clinical Practicum - Advanced 14 hours/
168
Nursing Practice 1 day
Varies
One semester
option = 35 hrs
420
NSGD 4027 - Clinical Practicum - Preceptorship per week
(12-24 wk term)
Two semester
option = 35 hrs
per two weeks
1260 Total
Requesting/Reporting Time Off plagiarism, cheating, and impersonation.
Penalties for dealing with such offences
There are many circumstances which
will be strictly enforced. For full details
require students to withdraw from taking
of the policy on academic dishonesty see
courses for a semester or more, such as
the appropriate section of the Nipissing
family commitments, financial concerns,
Academic Calendar. Please note that
illness or injury and more. Students should
instructors in this program are expected to
notify the Program Manager if extended
use plagiarism detecting software.
time away from the program is expected.
Students who have not registered in courses Dishonest Behaviour
for more than a 18-month period will be Students who commit acts of dishonesty
required to apply for readmission before are subject to penalty by the Dean. An
they will be permitted to register and will example of such dishonest behaviour is
be required to follow the degree and when a student submits clinical documents
program requirements for the calendar that have been falsified to the School of
year in which they resume their enrolment. Nursing. Any plagiarism or academic
Previous enrolment in the program does not dishonest behaviour that occurs during
guarantee readmission. studies is reportable to the College of
Nurses.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty
False, misleading, misrepresented, altered,
The University takes a serious view of such omitted or forged documentation occurring
offences against academic honesty as while in the program is considered
9dishonesty. This behaviour can result in the program, and reporting the incident to
serious consequences, including, but not the College of Nurses of Ontario. Please
limited to; receiving a 0 or U in the course, see the academic calendar for additional
suspension from the university, special information.
conditions for readmission, expulsion from
PROCEEDING IN THE PROGRAM
Please refer to the academic calendar for opportunities. Students who follow
the most complete and current information the study plan, including selecting
regarding Nipissing University policies their placements on their “Clinical
and regulations. http://academiccalendar. Commitment” form and meeting their
nipissingu.ca clinical clearance requirements will be
• In order for the student to begin courses prioritized for placement planning.
in the next 1000 level, for example, • A student must complete the RPN to
from 2000 to 3000 level, all 2000 level BScN Blended Learning Program within
courses must be completed successfully, seven (7) academic years from initial
unless the student obtains prior approval registration in the Program.
from the RPN to BScN Blended Learning • All Students, including those taking time
Program Manager. off of school are still expected to be
• The RPN-BScN Blended Learning checking their Nipissing University email
program is a part-time program account for important messages from the
designed for students to take two courses University.
per semesters over three semesters per • Students who have not registered in
year for five years. It is not intended to courses for more than a 18-month
be full-time and it is not designed with period will be required to apply
options to fast track. for readmission before they will be
• Students who hold a previous university permitted to register and will be required
degree who have been exempted from to follow the degree and program
courses, and students who have received requirements for the calendar year in
additional transfer credits must meet which they resume their enrolment.
with academic advising for assistance Previous enrolment in the program does
with a modified study plan. Although not guarantee readmission.
it may sometimes be possible, students
who hold a previous degree or have
Dosage Calculation Competency
additional transfer credits should not Testing Schedule
expect to complete the program in less • All students will be required to
than five years. demonstrate proficiency in the Dosage
• Students must adhere to the degree Calculation Competency Test.
requirements in place for the year they • Completion of the module and a grade
were admitted to their program. of 90% on the final test are required to
• All NSGD courses require a minimum be satisfactory.
grade of 60% to pass the course.
• Clinical practicum courses are graded
S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory).
Students must receive an S grade in
these courses in order to proceed in the
program.
• Limited enrolment assists the School of
Nursing in managing clinical placement
10Dosage When Module is Completion
Calculation Test to be Taken Required For
Test 1 During NSGD 2106 NSGD 2028/2029
Test 2 During NSGD 2029 NSGD 4026
Test 3 During NSGD 4026 NSGD 4027
ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR CLINICAL PRACTICUM COURSES
Satisfactory Performance: Students • Students who fail a clinical course are
demonstrate consistency in meeting encouraged to speak with the Program
clinical learning outcomes, as well as Manager about the next opportunity to
being satisfactory in clinical tests and repeat the course and program progress.
assignments. • A student, who is unsatisfactory in 2
clinical courses, will be required to
Unsatisfactory Clinical Performance:
withdraw from the nursing program.
Students do not demonstrate consistency
in meeting clinical learning outcomes as Clinical Commitment Form
outlined on the clinical evaluation form at
Clinical planning for each year is done
the completion of a rotation.
based on the information students provide
• If a student is not meeting the objectives on their “Clinical Commitment” form in
of a clinical practicum by mid-rotation, WebAdvisor. The annual deadline for
it will be documented and signed by submitting this form is November 1st for the
both the student and the professor/ following Spring/Summer, Fall and Winter.
instructor. Documentation will include Submission is done via WebAdvisor.
strengths, areas for improvement and Information and Instructions are emailed to
strategies to structure success. Ongoing the student’s Nipissing email account in the
documentation will be maintained and fall each year. Students who are admitted
signed by both the student and the in January will be required to submit their
professor/instructor. If improvement initial selections in their first semester then
is not noted by the final evaluation, in the fall of that year and each year after.
the student will have unsatisfactory
Submitting the “Clinical Commitment” form
performance.
is not the same as registering for courses.
• In clinical practicum courses, students
This is our way to know the student intends
must be satisfactory in all components
to register for these clinical courses. If
(Practice, assignments and testing) of the
any plans change during the year it is
clinical course. An unsatisfactory grade
important to revise the selections on the
in any one component will result in an
“Clinical Commitment” form by submitting
unsatisfactory grade in the course.
a change request.
• A student who withdraws from a
clinical after the course has begun will Before making selections, please consult
automatically receive an unsatisfactory the study plan, the academic calendar
grade unless special permission is and/or any previously revised course plan
granted from the practicum committee developed with Academic Advising or the
and the program manager. Program Manager.
11Clinical Course Registration
There are several additional requirements that need to be taken into consideration to
register for a clinical course. Please review these common issues if you are having difficulty
registering.
Clinical Have you been cleared for Clinical? You must meet all of the
Clearance clinical clearance requirements to be granted permission to register
in clinical courses. Contact clinicalclearance@nipissingu.ca for
additional information. NOTE - Winter semester clinical registration
is permitted only after the fall clinical clearance submission deadline
has closed and been processed by mid-December.
Clinical Have you previously selected your clinical course in the correct
Commitment semester on the “Clinical Commitment” form in WebAdvisor? If
Form you have not completed the form then we have not been planning
for you and we will not forward your name to the Office of the
Registrar to grant you permission to register. This form must
accurately reflect your intentions and be updated if your plans
change. Contact nursingblended@nipissingu.ca for additional
information.
Required Have you successfully completed all the required prerequisites? You
Prerequisites must complete the 2000 level courses before you can move onto
your 3000 level clinicals, and your 3000 level courses before you
can move onto your 4000 level clinicals. All NSGD courses require
a minimum grade of 60 to be considered successful. Refer to the
academic calendar for more information at
https://academiccalendar.nipissingu.ca/
Required Are you registering in corequisites at the same time? Several clinical
Corequisites courses must be taken with a corequisite. If you are registering in
these courses you must register for both courses at the same time.
Refer to the Academic Calendar for more information at
https://academiccalendar.nipissingu.ca/
Tuition Have you paid all your fees? A financial restriction will be placed
and Fees on your account that will prevent you from registering. Please
contact the finance office for assistance in repaying any outstanding
fees or developing a payment plan, if required. Contact
finance@nipissingu.ca for additional information.
If you have answered “yes” to all of these questions and you are still having difficulty
registering then please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@nipissingu.ca.
Clinical Planning - Student an important role in the planning process.
Responsibility and Fees Students need to be accountable for
careful selection of their clinical practicum
Clinical planning begins months ahead of semesters. Late or incorrect selections and
course registration. When placements are untimely change requests create delays and
arranged, the School of Nursing connects additional expenses for our agencies and
with health care agencies and their the university.
placement representatives, hires instructors,
arranges clinical groups and adheres to Please read the following message
orientation requirements. Students have carefully.
12The “Clinical Commitment Form” away will not incur additional fees.
Students will receive an email with detailed For the majority of students who carefully
instructions indicating when the form will plan and select their clinicals and then
be available, how to access this form proceed to those clinicals in the selected
via WebAdvisor, and how to complete semesters, no fees will apply.
the form. Students must complete their
This fee will be charged to students who
selections by November 1 of each year.
will not be attending a clinical that is
Students who begin the program in
planned for them or for students requesting
January will have an initial deadline on
to be added to the clinical planning with
March 1 and then every November 1 after
less than four months’ notice. The fee will
that. The process is for selecting the clinical
be charged for reasons including, but
practicum courses for the year ahead,
not limited to, failure to update the form,
Spring/Summer, Fall and Winter
completing the form incorrectly, geographic
Clinical Commitment Form Late Fee - relocation without notification, conflicts with
$75.00 work schedules, financial restrictions that
prevent registration, lacking the required
• The “Clinical Commitment Form” is to
prerequisite courses, being absent from
be completed once a year in the fall
orientation and not attending a planned
and the form is locked after the deadline
clinical.
of November 1. (Students who begin
the program in January will have an Please note that making a change request
initial deadline in March and then every to add a clinical after the four-month
November 1 after that.) deadline will incur the $425 fee but does
• Students who fail to complete the form not guarantee that a placement will be
by the deadline must request permission secured. Any late requests will mean you
to submit the form late and will be will be added to a clinical planning waitlist.
charged a $75 late fee. The ability to secure a placement will be
• For students who pay the $75 fee affected by such things as how early in
and are permitted to submit a Clinical the planning cycle the change is requested
Commitment Form late will have all and how many students and/or placement
selections pre-selected as ‘NONE’. opportunities there are in the area. This
Students will then need to submit $425 fee is non-refundable, even if a
a “change request” to reflect their placement is not secured.
clinical intentions. Any clinical selection
Please note - extenuating circumstances are
change requested after November 1is
taken into consideration when applying
considered a “change request” and
late change fees. Students are welcome
may be subject to additional fees. (See
to submit a letter of appeal, including any
Clinical Change Fee below - Changes
supporting documentation, outlining their
requested with more than four months’
situation to nursingblended@nipissingu.ca.
notice will not be subject to a change
The committee will review the appeal at the
fee.)
next scheduled meeting.
Clinical Change Fee - $425.00
• Once the form is submitted, students who
COVID-19 Pandemic Policies and
make changes to their clinical selection Procedures
less than 4 months before the start of Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several
that course will be charged $425. (For policies and procedures have been put in
example, any change after January 1 place which relate to student placements
for a Spring/Summer clinical, May 1 during the pandemic. These documents
for a Fall clinical, and September 1 for are meant to promote the wellbeing of
a Winter clinical are subject to fees). students and the community. Please review
Change requests affecting clinical these documents prior to and during your
selections that are more than four months
13placements. They can be found on our Attendance Policy (for Clinical
website and will be sent to you prior to the Practicum courses)
beginning of your clinical placement.
Full-time attendance is part of the value
Students Contacting Agencies system of the professional nurse and of
the nursing profession. Attendance at all
Regarding Clinical Placements
clinical experiences (including pre-clinical
All clinical placements are arranged and post-conference) is COMPULSORY and
through the Distance Placement will contribute significantly to a student’s
Coordinator. Students are not permitted success in nursing. Clinical placements
to contact agencies directly to discuss or may be scheduled on any day or evening
try to arrange a placement or a preceptor of the week, including weekends. All
for any clinical course. The processes clinical orientation/training is mandatory.
established by the School of Nursing for Students who miss, or do not complete the
placement must be followed. Circumventing required training, will be removed from the
these processes will pose a risk to your clinical course. Students must be aware of
opportunity for placement. academic dates, which can be found in the
Academic Calendar. Students should NOT
Student Employment at a Partner plan any travel during a clinical semester,
Health Care Agency including during study week.
Students are expected to remain employed Records of attendance during the clinical
at a partner agency for the duration of experience (including pre-clinical and
the program and the School of Nursing post-conference) will be maintained during
must be notified when a student changes the length of the program. There will not
employers. New students admitted to the be an opportunity for students to make up
program will be removed from the program missed clinical time. For students missing
if they change employers prior to the any time from clinical; their situation will
last day to register in their first semester. be reviewed by the School of Nursing to
Due to the nature of our partnerships, assess if time missed has impacted the
students who are employed at a partner student’s ability to consistently meet the
agency will be given priority for confirmed required course outcomes.
placements. Students will not be removed
Students who do have to miss clinical time
from the program if they are no longer
need to notify their clinical instructor/
employed at a partner agency, but must
advisor and the unit if applicable prior
be aware that there could be challenges
to the start of the scheduled shifts/
in securing future placements. Being
meeting. This notification is a professional
required to travel more than 100 kms,
expectation and failing to do so may result
deferred or delayed clinical placements,
in unsatisfactory performance in the course
and a delayed program completion time
objectives.
are just some of the challenges that can
arise when students are not employed at
Clinical Experience Location
a partner agency. Students are required
to inform the School of Nursing about any Clinical placements are chosen with the
changes in employers so students are being expertise of the Clinical Education Leader,
planned for appropriately. Failure to notify Distance Placement Coordinator, and
the School of Nursing will be considered Program Manager based on clinical areas
dishonest behaviour and students may be that agencies have available to create the
subject to consequences as laid out in the richest clinical experience possible to meet
Plagiarism/Dishonest Behaviour section of the learning needs of the students. In some
the RPN to BScN Blended Nursing Program situations students may be required to
Student Handbook (see page 9). attend clinical placements in agencies other
than their home agency. The School of
Nursing endeavors to limit students travel
14to no more than 100 km for their clinical of the listed semester dates. The School of
experience, wherever possible. Nursing does not schedule these sessions
and cannot make changes to them.
In some cases, if the School of Nursing is
unable to secure a placement in certain
geographic areas a student may be
Clinical Experience Cancellation
required to defer the placement to the next If clinical experience is cancelled due to
available semester. unforeseen circumstances, such as illness
of the instructor, students will be notified.
Clinical Location Requirements It is the responsibility of the student to
ensure that they always use their Nipissing
Many placement agencies have mandatory
University email and that the school has
training and/or other requirements of
their most up to date contact information.
students. Training sessions and other
requirements may be scheduled outside
INCIDENT OR INJURY DURING CLINICAL PRACTICUM
Students must notify the Clinical Instructor 8 hours of the incident occurring. The
immediately following any near miss, form can be found in all clinical course
incident or injury that occurs during a Blackboard sites.
clinical placement. In addition to an agency
Students will be assigned to a variety of
specific incident report a School of Nursing
agencies. Students assigned to clinical
Clinical Incident Form must be completed.
practice areas, as part of their program
The clinical instructor must notify the
requirements, will be covered by
Clinical Education Leader of the incident as
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
well as fax or email the completed School
(W.S.I.B.) All students will be required to
of Nursing Clinical Incident form to
complete a Student Declaration form on
705-474-6111 or
an annual basis in order to be covered by
nursingplacement@nipissingu.ca within
W.S.I.B while on clinical placement.
NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Students are responsible for all associated students in the clinical practicum courses
costs and expenses incurred for application including but not limited to Communicable
to or while enrolled within any Nursing Disease Screening Form, CPR “Level “C” or
program. These may include, but are “HCP” or BLS” (or equivalent) certification,
not limited to, the following: CPR “Level Mask Fit Testing and a Police Vulnerable
“C” or “HCP” or BLS”certification, police Sector Check. In addition, students may
vulnerable sector check, mask-fit testing, be required to submit agency specific
required lab/practicum equipment requirements or take part in agency specific
and/or supplies, licensure preparatory training prior to the start of the clinical
requirements, transportation to and from placement. All forms and instructions can
any theoretical and/or practicum course be found on the clearance website at the
placement, etc. beginning of the clearance period at the
following link:
Submission of Documents for https://selfservice.nipissingu.ca/Student/
Clearance Student/NursingApplication
Clinical placement clearance requirements False, misleading, misrepresented, altered,
are mandatory on an annual basis for all omitted or forged documentation occurring
15You can also read
