InformationBooks & Uniforms | Health Assessment & Insurance | Student Housing & Lunch | Transportation & Parking | Smoking | Employment | Student Progress | Leave of Absence | Student Leadership
You may purchase all textbooks directly from a book company. After you are accepted and your registration fee is received, a book list will be sent to you. You will have adequate time to order books before classes start.
Your personal appearance reflects your commitment to your career. You must purchase your uniform directly from a uniform company. After you are accepted and your registration fee is received, ordering information will be sent to you. An identification pin and photo are provided by the Center.
You are required to wear your uniform for lab and when clinical experiences are planned in Level I (this may be modified by faculty). Street clothes are permitted for classes in Levels 2 and 3.
Health Assessment and Insurance:
You must submit a completed form from your physician attesting to your health, as required by the State Board of Nursing. You are encouraged to have health insurance because the Center assumes no such obligation. Financial obligations for injuries, accidents or illness are your responsibility.
While student housing is not available, local residents notify staff of available rooms. You are responsible to find your own living facilities and accept renting responsibilities of the property owner. You are responsible to provide your own lunch when assigned to the Center and to pay for lunches at affiliated facilities.
You are responsible for your transportation to the Center and affiliated facilities. Members of car pools are individually responsible for attendance at classes and clinical experiences.
Parking is available at the Center. You will receive information about parking at affiliated facilities during your orientation to them.
Smoking is not permitted in the Center. It is permitted outside the building where there are appropriate containers for refuse. You must follow smoking policies at affiliated facilities.
You may be employed during your enrollment at the Center. Important guidelines related to employment are included in the Student Handbook.
Several procedures are used to inform students of their progress in classroom and clinical settings.
Classroom progress is determined by grades given every eight weeks by each instructor, according to the course syllabus.
The grading system is: 95 - 100 - A
87 - 94 - B
80 - 86 - C
Below 80 - FAILURE
Students in Track 2 taking college courses are expected to maintain passing grades as required by the college in all education courses.
Clinical grades are determined to be Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory based on clinical evaluation criteria. Clinical evaluations and status are determined by instructors at the end of clinical rotations.
All students enrolled in the practical nursing program are required to submit a Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check on the first day of class, as well as, child abuse and FBI fingerprinting clearances. Affiliating clinical agencies have the right to refuse to allow any student with a criminal and/or abuse record to participate in clinical activities within the agency. Students must be able to participate in clinical activities at affiliating agencies in order to meet course objectives of the practical nursing program.
Unsatisfactory progress is communicated through guidance and intervention forms, academic probation and clinical probation. Areas for improvement and recommendations to improve performance, including attendance, are shared with students, and efforts are made to help students succeed. Academic probation occurs if students do not attain a grade of 80 at midterm or accrue three absences within a level, and clinical probation occurs when two or more clinical rotations indicate unsatisfactory performance. If improvement does not occur during probation, enrollment is terminated.
Dismissal Without Probation
Dismissal without probation may occur based upon the professional judgement of the faculty and director if conditions merit such action. Actions that will lead to dismissal without probation include, but are not limited to, the following:
--A student is found to possess, intend to sell, sell, experiment with or take drugs, such as marijuana, barbiturates, amphetamines, narcotics or any drugs not specifically prescribed by a physician for a specific condition;
--A student receives a final grade below 80% in any subject.
--A student accrues two consecutive days of absence without notifying the Center.
--A student receives an unsatisfactory clinical evaluation for the level.
Readmission
Students may repeat a course or courses failed in a level at the discretion of the faculty and director, with the next available class. Should failure or withdrawal occur a second time, readmission will be denied. There is no readmission for clinical failure.
A leave of absence may be granted due to unforeseen circumstances and according to certain criteria.
A student leadership program encourages leadership with peer groups and involves students with the Center's program. Students are selected by class members to serve as class representatives.