Undergraduate student handbook

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (16 month BSN)

Application requirements

UNR Pre-Nursing candidates apply to the nursing major a semester prior to admission to the BSN Program. Applicants must satisfy all prerequisites and may have up to 13 credits in progress at the time of application. No more than 4 science credits can be in progress at the time of application. CHEM and BIOL lecture and lab courses must be within the past 10 years. See additional guidelines and course descriptions at the Traditional BSN Program Catalog Listing found at Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). All prerequisite course grades must be a grade of “C” or better. The admission GPA is calculated from the grades earned in the shaded areas below. This admission GPA must be a minimum of 3.0. The total number of prerequisite credits (University Core and Nursing Major Prerequisites) is 58 credits.

University Core requirements C09, C010, C012, and C014 are satisfied by courses within BSN major.

Admission process

Orvis School of Nursing admissions process for pre-licensure BSN program 

Students must meet the following requirements to apply to the nursing major.

1. Submit a formal application to the Orvis School of Nursing by the date specified by the Student Affairs (SAC) committee. No more than 16 prerequisite credits can be in progress during the application period. No more than one science course (4 credits) may be taken in the application period.
2. Earn at least a 'C' grade in all prerequisite courses. The cumulative grade-point average earned in selected prerequisite courses is used, in part, to determine which students are selected to the upper-division nursing major. 
3. Complete all prerequisite course requirements for the major by the end of spring semester for fall admission and by the end of fall semester for spring admission to the nursing major. Any repeated course must have a letter grade posted to the student’s transcript. A student may not apply to the nursing major while enrolled in a course that has previously received a mark of withdraw, incomplete, audit, or grade less than C.
4. Class Repeat Policy for the Traditional BSN Program: For admission purposes, the grades for the first two enrollment attempts in a given course will be averaged for this BSN program admission application. Any prerequisite required for this program admission application is subject to this policy. Students can enroll in any courses multiple times to better comprehend the class content, but only the first two enrollments will be used to calculate the prerequisite GPA for admission. 
   
   
5. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in selected pre-nursing courses to qualify for application to the upper-division nursing 
   1. BIOL 189 or BIOL 190
   2. BIOL 223 A/L (Anatomy & Physiology I)
   3. BIOL 224 A/L (Anatomy & Physiology II)
   4. BIOL 251 (Microbiology)
   5. CHEM 121 A/L (General Chemistry)
   6. CHEM 220 A/L (Organic Chemistry)
   7. MATH ≥ 126 (Pre-Calculus)
   8. NUTR 223 (Principles of Nutrition)
   9. HDFS 201 (Lifespan Human Development)
   10. Communication (Several Options)
   11. NURS 407 (Pathophysiology)
       
       
6. Transfer credits taken for S/U credit from an institution that does not offer letter grades are evaluated on an individual basis.
7. Students will complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam and results will be evaluated based on the cumulative score.  Exam scores must reflect an exam date within twelve months of application. A minimum benchmark score is not required to apply to the Traditional BSN program. Applicants will enter their TEAS score into the GPA/Point Calculator. 
8. TEAS tests may be taken one time per application period up to three attempts in a rolling 2-year-period. The most recent score report will be used for the application.
9. TEAS test scores from other institutions will be accepted if taken within 1 year of application to Orvis; however, applicants will need to request an official copy of their TEAS Discover/Transcript from ATI to be sent directly to the University of Nevada, Reno BSN Program (Orvis).  Only the latest exam results can be used when applying to Orvis.  Test results will not be accepted if submitted directly by the applicant.
10. The Orvis School of Nursing actively supports the University of Nevada, Reno's policies that ensure equal opportunity/ affirmative action and diversity.

Prelicensure program application process

• Applications are reviewed by the Undergraduate Academic Advisor, the BSN Track Leader, and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate programs.
• Applications that do not meet minimum requirements will not be considered. The applicant will receive a letter stating the reason(s) the application was not reviewed.
• Applications that meet minimum requirements will be evaluated through a point-based matrix (see below).
• Applicants will be ranked from highest to lowest based on the application matrix. Applicants with the top 64 matrix scores will be offered provisional admission to the OSN pre-licensure
  1. In the event of a tie, the tie-breaking candidate will be selected using the Pre-Nursing GPA and TEAS Score

*Pre-Nursing GPA Includes: CHEM 121A/L, BIO 189**, BIOL 223 A/L, BIOL 224 A/L, BIOL 251 A/L, NUTR 223, HDFS 201, MATH > 126, Communications and NURS 407.

** BIO 189 or BIO 190 included in prenursing GPA calculation for all students advised from Fall 2023 forward. Optional inclusion for students having been advised prior to this time.

Approved: 9/12/2023

***In-state residency status must be stated on the student's Demographics tab in MyNevada at the time of application to Orvis

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Admission requirements

The RN to BSN program is designed to provide the graduate of an associate degree nursing program with the opportunity to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing. After completing the program, the graduate is qualified for nursing positions in public health agencies, schools, hospitals and other health-care providers. Baccalaureate graduates may also earn commissioned status in the military services, as well as admission to graduate education. The RN to BSN degree program is two to four semesters with admissions occurring in spring and fall semesters.

Students admitted to the RN to BSN major may complete remaining University of Nevada, Reno core curriculum requirements while enrolled in the RN to BSN major. Permission to enroll in the final nursing course will be granted once all UNR core curriculum requirements are met.

The baccalaureate degree program is approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Post-licensure admission to the RN to BSN major requires:

• Graduation from a nationally and regionally accredited school of nursing with a minimum of 24 transferrable college credits
• A current and unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the Unites States.
• A 2.5 GPA in all previously completed coursework
• Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of “C”
  • Anatomy & Physiology (two semesters)
  • Microbiology

Concurrent ADN/AAS enrollment

The RN to BSN concurrent enrollment program allows students to work toward the baccalaureate degree while actively enrolled in an associate degree in nursing program. Concurrent enrollment requires:

• Completion of at least 24 transferrable college credits
• Enrollment in the 3rd or 4th semester of nursing coursework at a nationally and regionally accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) nursing program.
• Advisor approval confirming good academic standing in an ADN/AAS program with no grade less than a “B” in any nursing course.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previously completed coursework.
• Note that concurrently enrolled students may not enroll in NURS 4XX (leadership practicum) prior to receipt of an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse.

Application to the RN to BSN major

1. Apply to the University of Nevada, Reno as a degree-seeking transfer student. Choose “Pre-Nursing” as your major.
2. Send official transcripts from all previously completed and currently enrolled coursework to the University of Nevada, Reno Admissions and Records (Mail Stop 0120 | Reno, NV 89557).
3. Apply to the RN to BSN program. A completed application packet must include
   1. Completed RN to BSN application
   2. Copy of current RN license from the state where you will be completing required practicum hours. Pre-licensure applicants seeking concurrent RN to BSN enrollment must include written approval from an advisor in the student’s ADN/AAS program.
   3. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.

      Approved by OSN faculty 11/18/2019

Advising petition

Students, after consulting with their academic advisor, may petition for course substitutions or other considerations pertaining to the Orvis School of Nursing’s curriculum requirements, if a student completes required courses, more than 7 years before applying to the nursing major, the courses must be evaluated. Requests for course substitutions or waivers must be submitted to the Student Affairs Committee by petition for consideration and recommendation to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies.

Academic advisement report

Requirements for graduation are included in the Academic Advisement Report. This is available to you in MyNevada. It is the student’s responsibility to check and verify that all requirements for graduation have been successfully completed.

Visit academic advising in MyNevada to view your advising report.

Graduation

Students are responsible for purchasing a graduation application via their MyNevada account. Failure to apply by the specified deadline will result in delaying your graduation.

Applying for graduation in MyNevada.

OSN undergraduate grading policy

Purpose: To provide consistency in grading across the Orvis School of Nursing undergraduate curriculum. The following grading scale is to be used by the Orvis School of Nursing faculty for all undergraduate courses:

A         93 or >
A-        90 – 92.99
B+       87 – 89.99
B         84 – 86.99
B-        81 – 83.99
C+       78 – 80.99
C         75 – 77.99
C-        72 – 74.99
D+       69 – 71.99
D         66 – 68.99
D-        63 – 65.99
F          < 63

A final grade of 75% or better is required to pass this class per grading policy as listed in the general catalog.

Academic Standing and Dismissal Policy for OSN Undergraduate Nursing Program

According to the Nevada System of Higher Education (“NSHE”) Code, Title 2, Chapter 11, “a student may be dismissed from a program for academic reasons which may include but are not limited to inadequate grades or failure to remain in academic good standing as defined by the program, a lack of professionalism or unethical conduct, or failure to comply with other specific program requirements. Failure to comport with professional and/or ethical standards applicable to the particular discipline or program may be grounds for dismissal from a program.” The NSHE Code authorizes programs to establish their own written dismissal policies, procedures and sanctions for program dismissals. The Orvis School of Nursing (“OSN”) herein sets forth the Dismissal Policy for undergraduate students in OSN Undergraduate Nursing Program (“Nursing Program”).

A. General:

A student may be dismissed from the Nursing Program for numerous reasons, which may include, but are not limited to:

1. Failure to maintain good academic standing as defined by this Dismissal Policy.
2. Failure to make satisfactory progress as defined by this Dismissal Policy.
3. Failure to meet the conditions of academic probation as described in the Academic Probation Notice.
4. Failure to comply with professional or ethical standards applicable to the Nursing Program while the student is in a clinical or professional setting.
5. Violations of University Student Code of Conduct or the Academic Standards Policy for academic dishonesty (UAM 6,502) where the disciplinary sanction is expulsion.

B. Academic Good Standing

A student may be placed on probation and dismissed from the Nursing Program for failure to maintain academic good standing. To be considered in good academic standing, undergraduate students shall:

1. Complete each didactic nursing course with a grade of “C” or better for the units to be acceptable toward the degree.
2. For each semester, maintain a grade-point average (“GPA”) of at least 2.0 in core and nursing specialization courses.
3. Have not been placed on probation by OSN for academic or clinical or practicum placement deficiencies.

C. Failure to Make Satisfactory Progress

A student may be placed on probation and dismissed from OSN for failure to make satisfactory progress in their course of study. Failure to make progress is indicated by one or more of the following academic progress standards (“Academic Progress Standards"):

1. A failure to complete three (3) credits per semester toward the nursing degree (Exceptions can be made if the student has been granted a leave of absence by the University pursuant to its Leave of Absence Policy or exceptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis by the dean of the OSN).
2. Unsatisfactory grades (including grades below C or its numerical equivalent, or repeated withdrawals from courses).
3. Failure to comply with specific Nursing Program requirements or policies as stated in Nursing Program’s student handbook and website.
4. Failure to receive a “C” or higher in any nursing specialization course.
5. Failure to perform at a level commiserate with the training received from either the Nursing Program or the clinical/practicum placement site while the student is in a clinical or practicum setting.
6. Failure to maintain the standards of academic and professional integrity expected in the Nursing Program, as described in the Nursing Program’s student handbook and website, while the student is in a clinical or practicum setting.

The Nursing Program shall review the academic performance and progress of the undergraduate student at least once per year. The Nursing Program benchmarks for the Academic Progress Standards are stated in the Nursing Program Handbook and on the Nursing Program website. The benchmarks for the Academic Progress Standards shall be consistent with Nursing Program requirements and the standards in the field, as specified in the Nursing Program Handbook and on the website for the Nursing Program.

D. Probation and Dismissal

The OSN may place the student on probation and dismiss the student for failure to maintain academic good standing as stated in Section II(B) and/or failure to make satisfactory progress as stated in Section II(C).

1. Probation

If the Nursing Program determines that the student has failed to maintain academic good standing or failed to make satisfactory progress, the department chair or the associate dean of undergraduate programs of OSN (the “Associate Dean”) shall recommend to the dean of OSN (the “OSN Dean”) that a student be placed on probation. The department chair or Associate Dean shall hereafter be referred to as the “Recommending Party.” In the request, the Recommending Party shall provide documentation of the student’s failure to meet the specific provisions(s) of this Policy warranting probation. The Recommending Party also shall provide specific requirements and/or conditions, including deadlines, which the student shall complete in order for the OSN Dean to remove the student from probation. If the OSN Dean approves the request to place the student on probation, the Recommending Party shall notify the student in writing that the student has been placed on academic probation (the “Academic Probation Notice”). The Recommending Party shall forward the Academic Probation Notice to the Office of Admissions and Records. The Academic Probation Notice shall outline what the student must do and the dates by which the student must do so in order to return to good standing in the Nursing Program. The Academic Probation Notice also shall inform the student that if the student does not meet the conditions of probation, the student shall be dismissed from the Nursing Program, contain information about the appeal process that shall be used, either the appeal process in this policy or the appeal process in the University’s dismissal policy for specialized programs and provide the student with the contact information for the OSN Dean for any questions or concerns the student may have. The Academic Probation Notice also shall inform the student of the student’s right to participate in a review conference with the Recommending Party to discuss the terms and conditions of the probation and that the student must submit a written request to the OSN to have a review conference within ten (10) Working Days from the date of the Academic Probation Notice.

The student shall be afforded the opportunity for a review conference, which shall be administered by the either the department chair or the Associate Dean (“Review Conference Administrator”). The student shall have ten (10) Working Days from the date of the Academic Probation Notice to submit a written request to the OSN to have a review conference (“Review Conference Request”). OSN shall direct the Review Conference Administrator to schedule the Review Conference to occur no later than ten (10) Working Days from receipt of the Review Conference Request.

2. Dismissal

If the student fails to meet the requirements and/or conditions of probation, violates the terms of the probation or is recommended for dismissal without probation under Section II(E), the Recommending Party shall make a written request to the OSN Dean to dismiss the student from the Nursing Program. In the request, the Recommending Party shall provide documentation of the student’s failure to meet the terms of the probation or the grounds for dismissal without probation as stated in Section II(E).

If the OSN Dean approves the request to dismiss the student, the Recommending Party shall notify the student in writing that the student is being dismissed from the Nursing Program (“Dismissal Notice”). The Dismissal Notice shall include a written statement of reasons for the dismissal action, information about the applicable appeal procedures and the time period by which the student must file an appeal (set forth in Section II(I) below).

E. Dismissal Without Prior Probation.

In rare instances, a student may dismissed from the OSN without being placed on probation. These instances include the following circumstances:

1. When the academic reason for failing to progress is non-enrollment without being granted leave of absence for at least three (3) consecutive semesters, including the summer session.
2. When a sanction of expulsion is issued by the Office of Student Conduct resulting from a violation of the Student Code of Conduction or a violation of the Academic Standards policy (UAM 6,502) for academic dishonesty.
3. When a student’s behaviors or actions while in a clinical or practicum setting endanger the life, health, well-being or safety of any person at the clinical or practicum setting.
4. When a Level I student fails to maintain academic good standing as stated in Section II(B) or fails to make satisfactory progress as stated in Section II(C) after completion of Level1. Level I is defined in the Nursing Program Handbook. For those instances involving non-enrollment, the student is subject to the procedures outlined in Section II(F). For those instances involving a disciplinary sanction of expulsion by the Office of Student Conduct, the student is subject to the procedures as outlined in Section II(G). For the other instances described above, the student is subject to the same procedures as outlined in Section II(D)(2) for Nursing Program dismissal. The student shall be provided with a Dismissal Notice which shall include information about the appeal procedures, the appeal conference and the time period by which the student shall file an appeal (set forth in Section II(I) below).

F. Dismissal for Non-Enrollment

All students are required to be enrolled in three (3) credits per semester in classes required by the Nursing Program. If a student is unable to enroll in the minimum number of credits, the student shall submit a Leave of Absence Form signed by the Nursing Program and the OSN Dean.

Failure to submit the Leave of Absence Form or failure to return to the Nursing Program after the leave of absence has expired shall result in dismissal from the Nursing Program. The student has no right to appeal a dismissal for non-enrollment.

G. Dismissal for Violation of UNR’s Student Code Conduct or University’s Academic Standards Policy (UAM 6,502).

All disciplinary issues relating to a student’s alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct and the Academic Standards Policy are processed through the Office of Student Conduct and not the OSN. The OSN does not dismiss students from the Nursing Program as a result of a finding of responsibility of violations of the Student Code of Conduct or the Academic Standards Policy. The OSN does dismiss a student from the Nursing Program upon direction from the Office of Student Conduct after all conduct hearings and appeals have been completed and the Office of Student Conduct notifies the OSN that the sanction imposed against the student is expulsion from the University and therefore, dismissal from the Nursing Program.

H. Probation or Dismissal/ for Lack of Professionalism or Professional Misconduct in a Clinical or Practicum Setting.

Students may be placed on probation and/or dismissed from the Nursing Program for lack of professionalism or professional misconduct while the student is in a clinical or practicum setting. OSN has established its own benchmarks or requirements for professionalism and

professional conduct, consistent with its Nursing Program requirements, licensing, accreditation and national standards. These benchmarks or requirements are stated in the Nursing Program Handbook and the Nursing Program website.

HA recommendation for probation and/or dismissal due to lack of professionalism or professional misconduct shall follow the procedures stated in this policy for dismissals for failure to make adequate progress (Section II(C) or Section II(E)).

I. Appeal Process

1. Student’s Appeal Request

The student shall have ten (10) Working Days from the date of the Dismissal Notice to submit an appeal to the OSN. OSN then shall have ten (10) Working Days to submit the student’s appeal to the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education. Within ten (10) Working Days of receipt of the student’s written request for appeal, the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education shall review the student’s appeal and provide the student with written notification of the opportunity for a review conference on the appeal (“Appeal Conference”).

2. Appeal Conference

The Appeal Conference shall be administered by the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education. The Appeal Conference is a meeting that is not intended to be adversarial in nature. The student may be accompanied by an advisor during the Appeal Conference, who may serve in a support role to the student during the Appeal Conference. In this process, the advisor has no right to speak during the Appeal Conference except to the student.

If a student, who has been given notice does not appear for the Appeal Conference with the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education, the review conference shall proceed in the absence of the student.

The Appeal Conference is the time for presentation of the information, documents or witnesses in support of the dismissal. The Appeal Conference is the time at which the student is afforded the opportunity to present information, documents or witnesses on the student’s behalf. Witnesses may present a statement to the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education; however, only the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education is allowed to ask questions of any witnesses. Furthermore, the Recommending Party has the opportunity to participate in the Appeal Conference and may present information, documents or witnesses in support of the dismissal recommendation. The Vice Provost Undergraduate Education also may include a representative from the applicable discipline of the Nursing Program in the Appeal Conference. The Appeal Conference shall occur within thirty-five (35) Working Days but no earlier than ten (10) Working Days after the date the Dismissal Notice was sent to the student by email or by personal delivery. The student can make a written request to the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education asking that the 10-day period be waived if the student wants the Appeal Conference to occur sooner. If necessary, the student can make a written request to the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education for an extension of time for the Appeal Conference and the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education in their sole discretion, may grant the extension with regard to the Appeal Conference. If an extension of time for the Appeal Conference has been granted by the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education, the Appeal Conference shall take place no later than forty-five (45) Working Days from the date that the Dismissal Notice.

3. Written Decision.

After a review of all the materials, statements and relevant circumstances, the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education shall issue a written decision setting forth the reasons upon which the final decision is based. The Vice Provost Undergraduate Education’s determination shall be made on the basis of whether it is more likely than not that the student engaged in behavior or actions related to the Nursing Program that warrant dismissal. If the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education does not uphold the recommendation for dismissal, the student shall be reinstated in the Nursing Program. The Vice Provost Undergraduate Education shall provide the written decision to the student and the Nursing Program within five (5) Working Days after the Appeal Conference.

4. Decision Final.

The decision of the Vice Provost Undergraduate Education is final and is not subject to appeal.

J. Re-Admission Process

1. A Level I student who is dismissed from the Nursing Program for academic reasons pursuant to Section I(B) or Section II(C) may reapply for admission to the Nursing Program. Readmission is at the discretion of OSN and is available solely on a space available basis. Students may re-apply to the Nursing Program only one time.

2. Readmission or reinstatement is not allowed for a Level II, III, or Level IV student who has been dismissed from the Nursing Program.

Grade appeal policy

See UNR website for Grade Appeal Policy.

OSN In-Class Examination Procedure

Each course faculty, at the beginning of course, will provide students with the following information orally and in writing:

• Criteria utilized for evaluating student performance.
• Specific weight given to examinations.
• Examination format (essay, multiple-choice, etc.).
• How the final grade is derived.

Faculty will announce the duration of any examination and time the question and answer sheets and/or essays must be retrieved, immediately prior to the beginning of any examination.

At the end of each written examination, all examination questions must be turned in with the answer sheets. Faculty will keep examination materials for one year.

The following procedures have been established to insure that, in the specific area of course examinations, the standards of professional behavior of Orvis are maintained:

Student Behavior During Examinations

Students are expected to behave professionally during examinations. Academic Dishonesty of any kind is incompatible with behavior considered inherent in becoming a nurse. The existence of firm guidelines during the examination period emphasizes the commitment of administration and faculty to neither foster nor tolerate such behavior. Guidelines include:

• Students may not communicate with one another during examinations
• Students will be seated in a wide distribution to diminish the opportunity of academic dishonesty.
• Books, note pads, calculators, and hand-held electronic information systems may not accompany students to their seats and will be left in the front of the room. Open-book exams are the exception to this procedure.
• Students who leave the room during an examination must leave their examination material with the proctor and may be asked to sign in and out of the room.
• Students taking examinations are expected not to communicate the contents of the examination to those students who have not yet taken this examination.

Class conduct and civility

In accordance with Undergraduate Academic Standards related to Class Conduct, as identified in the University of Nevada, Reno catalog for 2018-2019 states: Students may be dropped from class at any time for negligence or misconduct, upon recommendation of the instructor and with approval of the college dean.

This course will be conducted as a civil, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative community, comprised of individuals with diverse experiences and perspectives, whose rich interchange of ideas fosters a dynamic learning environment. All participants within this course community will be responsible for their behaviors and interactions.

If there are any uncivil and/or disrespectful interactions that are disruptive to the course community they will be reported and dealt with as in compliance with university policies.

Academic standards policy for students

Specific to the academic pursuits of students, the University of Nevada, Reno, believes the maintenance of academic standards is a joint responsibility of the students and faculty of the University. Freedom to teach and to learn is dependent upon individual and collective conduct to permit the pursuit and exchange of knowledge and opinion. Faculty have the responsibility to create an atmosphere in which students may display their knowledge. This atmosphere includes an orderly testing room and sufficient safeguards to inhibit dishonesty. Students have the responsibility to rely on their knowledge and resources in the evaluation process. The trust developed in the maintenance of academic standards is necessary to the fair evaluation of all students.

The University of Nevada, Reno Academic Standards Policy can be found here.

Academic dishonesty policy

A student may receive academic and disciplinary sanctions for cheating, plagiarism, or other attempts to obtain or earn grades under false pretenses.

Academic dishonesty of any kind is incompatible with behavior inherent in becoming a professional nurse. Academic dishonest of any type will result in academic and/or administrative action: any assignment completed for this course through academic dishonesty will receive a zero on the exam/assignment in question.

In more severe cases, for example, extensive plagiarism of other people’s work, the case may be referred to University authorities. Students are expected to read and be familiar with the policies and guidelines related to academic dishonesty.

The OSN administration in conjunction with the involved faculty and student will handle all administrative actions.

Recording lecture

Under department policy, classes may not be videotaped in any form, and if you wish to audiotape a class, you must notify the instructor and obtain their permission.

Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents. The Board of Regents policy states: Classes may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class might be recorded.

The Disability Resource Center offers support services and accommodations for all undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities.

Student feedback

Communicating student concerns

The student has the obligation to express concerns by utilizing the following order of communication guidelines set forth by the Orvis School of Nursing.

1. Conference with instructor involved.
2. Conference with Course Coordinator (if course does not have a coordinator skip to step 3).
3. Conference with the BSN Track Leader
4. Conference with Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs.
5. Conference with the OSN Dean.

Evaluation of faculty by students

The University by-laws require that faculty members be evaluated annually in order to assess the quality of professional performance of academically assigned responsibilities.

Students will be expected to participate in the evaluation process by objectively rating the faculty's teaching effectiveness in the classroom and clinical settings. Professional responsibilities are a requirement for tenure, promotion or merit recognition. Students should be aware of the importance of their role in this evaluation process.

OSN inclement weather policy

All students and faculty should keep themselves apprised of weather conditions for travel to classes and clinical. This must be done in advance of any specific weather conditions which can and do arise at any time.

Guidelines for inclement weather:

• If the university delays or cancels classes due to snow, nursing faculty and students are obligated to follow that decision.
• Students may find it helpful to participate in the UNR Emergency Alerts program which sends a text message notification of closures and delays among other things.
• For information is available by visiting inclement weather alerts and sign-up
• As some students may be geographically located where they leave very early to arrive at class or clinical, they must be aware of any and all communications which involve decisions in a timely manner.
• If, as is common in this geographic area, there are regional differences in snow distribution, each student must make their own decision regarding the safety of their trip to clinical.
• That decision will of course include consideration of the vehicle that you travel in, your own experience / expertise driving in snow, etc.
• For some that means a decision to stay nearer to the school or hospital when a snow storm threatens.
• It is the student's responsibility to communicate in a professional manner with the clinical instructor regarding that decision prior to the clinical day if at all possible.
• If an individual faculty member is unable to make it to clinical due to weather conditions, there will not be clinical for that student group.
• It is the clinical faculty member's responsibility to communicate that information to the respective clinical group and clinical agency unit in a timely manner.
• Multiple missed classes and or clinical may be a detriment to passing the course.

Ultimately, each student must decide and or make arrangements which will allow him/her to attend class or clinical.

OSN clinical absence and make up policy

Purpose

The Orvis School of Nursing is committed to student success in the clinical setting. Clinical courses are foundational to the nursing major. Time spent in clinical and simulation settings are essential to a student’s ability to provide high quality patient care upon graduation. Physical attendance and presence in the clinical and simulation settings are essential to students learning needs. The following policy has been developed to outline clinical absences and make up expectations for the faculty and students.

Students are expected to attend classes in which they are enrolled unless absent for institutionally approved activities or other reasons allowed under institutional policy. Instructors may set course attendance requirements, which may include consequences for absences that are not institutionally approved, but such requirements must not conflict with institutional policies governing student absences. As indicated in UAM 6,501: Syllabus Policy it is the instructor's responsibility to state course-specific policies regarding late work and make-up exams in the course syllabus. (UAM 3,020: Class Absence Policy).

Policy

All non-COVID related clinical absences:

An absence or tardy from clinical days and activities will result in a reduction of the final course grade. In the event a student misses a clinical day/activity for any reason (or anticipates a clinical day will be missed), the STUDENT must do the following:

1. Notify the clinical faculty prior to the clinical absence. Failure to contact the course coordinator and clinical faculty will result in a deduction of professionalism points.
2. Follow up with the clinical faculty regarding clinical absence within 24 hours.
3. Students are responsible for contacting course coordinator to request an alternate clinical assignment for qualifying absences. A make-up assignment is not guaranteed until approval from the course coordinator is granted.

If a student misses any part of the clinical day for any reason, 1% will be deducted for every increment of 2 (two) hours missed, minimum. For every 12 (twelve) hours of absence, the final grade will be reduced by 6%.

More than 20% of clinical hours of missed in one semester, may result in not being successful in clinical and progressing in the nursing major. (1 credit = XX hours; 2 credit = XX hours; 3 credit = XX hours; 4 credit = XX hours; 5 credit = xx hours)

Make-up of clinical hours will only be provided to those students who have missed a full clinical shift and provide documented illness paperwork the day that they missed class or clinical. Students will be able to make up ½ of the time for documented illnesses. Catastrophic events and family death is a case by case discussion between student, the faculty and the dean of the undergraduate program. Students can make-up clinical time only once during a clinical semester. Assignments required to make-up the clinical hours will be predetermined each semester by the course coordinator.

Clinical make-up assignment for non-COVID related absences:

1. Created and provided to the student by the course coordinator.
2. Due dates of clinical make-up assignments will be provided to the student by the course coordinator.
3. Clinical make-up assignments will be required to be completed in full. Incomplete assignments will not be accepted for make-up time.
4. Clinical make-up assignments will have a set number of hours defined by the course coordinator. Students will not be able to make up hours less than the predetermined make-up.
5. If a clinical make up assignment is deemed incomplete or late by the course coordinator it will not be accepted for clinical make up hours.

Clinical assignments or activities, if missed for non-COVID related absences, do not qualify for a make-up assignment:

1. Any hours missed over a full clinical shift.
2. Missing partial clinical hours during shift for any reason.
3. Hours missed due to being excused by clinical faculty or course coordinator for professionalism issues or unsafe clinical practice.
4. Incidental tardiness.
5. Any mandatory clinical laboratory activities during the semester.
6. Any skills days and simulation activities during the semester.
7. The course coordinator reserves the right to deem an absence ineligible for make-up.

COVID related absences:

An absence from a clinical days and activities associated to COVID will follow the UNR policies associated. In the event a student misses a clinical day/activity associated to suspected COVID the STUDENT must do the following:

1. Notify the clinical faculty prior to the clinical absence. Failure to contact the course coordinator and clinical faculty will result in a deduction of professionalism points.
2. Immediately go to UNR Student Health Center and obtain a COVID PCR test.
   1. Home tests and rapid tests for COVID will not be accepted.
3. Isolate until you have test results.
4. Test results, regardless of the result, must be sent to the OSN Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and the course coordinator.
5. COVID related absences will only be granted if a positive PCR is received by OSN.
6. If a student has a negative PCR test; the isolation ends, and the absence from clinical is considered a non-COVID related absence.
7. If a student has a positive PCR test

1. 1. No symptoms: Day 0 of isolation is day of the test, and isolation will occur for 5 days. Students must wear a mask for through day 10.
   2. With symptoms: Day 0 is the day of symptom onset, regardless of test, and isolation may end after 5 days if the student is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, and symptoms are improving. Hospitalizations or moderate illness of shortness of breath day will need to isolate for 10 days.

Clinical make-up assignment for COVID related absences:

1. Created and provided to the student by the course coordinator.
2. Due dates of COVID make-up assignments will be provided to the student by the course coordinator.
3. COVID make-up assignments will be required to be completed in full. Incomplete assignments will not be accepted for make-up time.
4. COVID make-up assignments are for a set number of hours defined by the course coordinator. Students will not be able to make up hours less than the predetermined make-up.
5. If a COVID make up assignment is deemed incomplete or late by the course coordinator it will not be accepted for clinical make up hours.

OSN Medication Administration Competence Policy

Purpose

The Orvis School of Nursing is committed to ensuring that students are prepared to safely administer medications in the clinical setting. The following policy has been developed to outline safe medication administration competency expectations for students enrolled in the undergraduate program.

Policy

Students will need to demonstrate safe medication administration competency in each level of nursing school. In order to gain competency, the students must be able to consistently and accurately calculate medication doses, apply basic safe medication administration principles and apply medication knowledge for the medications being administered. Skills and knowledge for each’s level’s competency will be introduced and practiced in the preceding level to ensure students are ready for the upcoming level. Students’ competency will be evaluated through written assessment (all levels), simulation experiences (all levels) and direct supervision in the clinical setting (levels 2-4).

Criteria for each evaluation method.

Written assessment:

• Students will have practice opportunities with feedback provided prior to the administration of the written assessment. Below are practice opportunities that will be available to the students:
  • During Level one, students will be practicing medication dose calculations in the NURS 317 course.
  • Non-graded practice tests that provide students with feedback on what they missed and strategies for calculating the correct answer will be provided before each written assessment.
  • Practice will be available with feedback during mandatory labs and/or simulation for each level.
  • Weekly practice will be available in the clinical courses and select didactic courses.
• The written assessment will be administered online in the university’s Learning Management System (LMS) and must be proctored in person. Each assessment will be 20 questions. Each written assessment should not exceed 5% of the total course points.

• All subsequent attempts on the assessment(s), regardless of level, will be 20 questions, with 3 minutes allotted per question.
• Questions will be written so students must supply correct standardized units but not penalized for grammatical or spelling errors.
• If a student has documented DRC accommodations for the clinical course, the accommodations will be honored for this assessment.
• Each assessment will reflect the content and complexity of the level at which the student is enrolled. Each level’s assessment content is outlined in this policy.
• If a student does not reach mastery at the first attempt of the written assessment- resources to help attain mastery will be provided. When ready, the student will take an alternative version of the assessment. This will continue until either the student achieves mastery or the student is unable to achieve mastery by the end of the semester.
• Scoring for the written exams:
  • 1st attempt:
    • 100% gets full points
    • 95%- 95% of points
    • <95%- 0% of points
  • 2nd attempt:
    • 100% - Meets competency and earns 50% of total points for the assessment
    • 95% but less than 100%- they meet competency on the assessment but receive 0% of points back
  • Additional attempts:
    • Needs 95% or higher to meet competency but will not receive points for this assessment.

Simulation Experiences:

• Students will have practice opportunities prior to this experience in level one and level two.
• In level 3 and 4, the simulation experience is a reinforcement of knowledge so no additional practice time will be provided before the initial assessment in these levels. The simulation experience will be held during the first week of clinical.
• Students will be assessed based on a standardized rubric for that level.
• If a student has DRC accommodations- those accommodations will not be honored for this assessment due to the nature of the activity.
• Students will be given feedback immediately after the simulation experience by the evaluator and the level of supervision needed for medication administration in the clinical setting will be communicated.
• Students will sign a document after they received feedback on their simulation experience that they understand the level of supervision needed while administering medications in the hospital setting.

Direct Faculty Supervision of Medication Administration in the clinical setting:

• Medications will not be administered by students in the level one clinical setting
• Direct faculty supervision will be needed for any route that the student has not demonstrated on a non-simulated patient. If the student has demonstrated competency for this route in a previous level, they may administer that route with their registered nurse if demonstrated competency in that level’s assessments and upon faculty discretion.
• Direct faculty supervision will be needed during medication administration thereafter if:
  • The students do not meet competency in all evaluation methods for that level
  • A safety concern is identified in the clinical setting regardless of competency attainment in the evaluation methods for that level
  • It will then be up to faculty’s discretion and expertise to determine when the student is able to administer medications with a reference nurse in the clinical setting.
• DRC accommodations for extra time or quiet environment will not be honored due to the nature of the clinical setting environment
• Each level must outline in their course syllabus the student communication expectations with faculty when administering medications with a reference nurse.
• Medication knowledge must be evaluated routinely by faculty even when administering medications with a registered nurse and not in direct supervision of a faculty member. Points must be allocated in clinical assignments to reflect students’ medication competency.

Medication Administration Competency by Level

Level One Competency:

To meet competency for safe medication administration in level one the student must:

• Meet a mastery level of 90% on a written assessment that assesses knowledge on:
  • Non-parenteral medication doses calculations. Routes include:
    • Tablets
    • Pre-measured liquid formulations
    • Reconstitution of liquid medications
    • Creams
    • Ointments
    • Drops
  • Basic safe medication administration principles and medication rights
  • Knowledge of household, metric and apothecary conversions and the Joint Commission approved abbreviations will be necessary to complete this assessment.
• Demonstrate safe medication administration of non-parenteral medications and subcutaneous/intradermal/intramuscular medications through a simulated patient experience.

The student must meet competency in safe medication administration by the end of the semester to progress to level 2.

Level Two Competency:

To meet competency for safe medication administration in level two the student must safely and consistently administer medications with their reference nurse in the clinical setting. 

The student must meet competency in the following areas to be allowed to pass medications with their reference nurse:

• A mastery of 95% on a written assessment that includes:
  • Reinforcement of nonparental medication doses calculation knowledge and basic safe medication administration principles
  • Calculation of Intravenous push medication doses
  • Calculation of primary and secondary intravenous flow rates
  • Calculation of insulin administration
  • Knowledge of safe administration principles for the following drug classes
    • Insulin
    • Beta-blockers
    • Loop diuretics
    • Opioids
    • Benzodiazepines
    • Anticoagulants
• Demonstrate safe medication administration of NG/PEG medications, IV push medications and Secondary IV medications in a simulated patient experience AND
• Demonstrate safe medication administration to a patient in the clinical setting under the supervision of the clinical faculty

If the student does not achieve competency in one or more of the above areas, the student will be required to administer medications with faculty supervision in the clinical setting until competency is achieved. Faculty have the right to require students to pass medications with them if safety concerns arise, even if competency has been met in the above areas. In this case, a student support plan will be developed and implemented by the student, the faculty and the course coordinator. Students will need to be able to pass medications with the reference nurse in the clinical setting and consistently demonstrate safe medication knowledge by the end of the semester to achieve competency and progress to level three.

Level Three Competency:

To meet competency for safe medication administration in level three the student must safely and consistently administer medications with their reference nurse in the clinical setting. 

The student must meet competency in the following areas to be allowed to pass medications with their reference nurse:

• A mastery of 95% on a written assessment that includes:
  • Reinforcement of nonparental medication, Intravenous push, Primary and Secondary IVF flow doses calculation knowledge and basic safe medication administration principles
  • Calculation of Heparin infusion medication doses (bolus and weight-based adjustments)
  • Calculation of pediatric medications including:
    • Medications dosed by body weight (i.e. mg/kg)
    • Safe dose based on body weight
    • Therapeutic dose range
  • Knowledge of safe administration principles for the following drug classes
    • Ace inhibitors
    • Anticonvulsants
    • Anti-infective
    • Oxytocin
• Demonstrate safe medication administration of NG/PEG medications, IV push medications and Secondary IV medications in a simulated patient experience OR demonstrate safe medication administration to a patient in the clinical setting under the supervision of the clinical faculty.

If the student does not achieve competency in one or more of the above areas, the student will be required to administer medications with faculty supervision in the clinical setting until competency is achieved. Faculty have the right to require students to pass medications with them if safety concerns arise even if competency has been met in the above areas. In this case, a student support plan will be developed and implemented by the student, the faculty and the course coordinator. Students will need to be able to pass medications with the reference nurse in the clinical setting and consistently demonstrate safe medication knowledge by the end of the semester to achieve competency and progress to level four.

Level Four Competency:

To meet competency for safe medication administration in level four the student must safely and consistently administer medications with their reference nurse in the clinical setting. 

The student must meet competency in the following areas to be allowed to pass medications with their reference nurse:

• A mastery of 95% on a written assessment that includes:
  • Reinforcement of nonparental medication, Intravenous push, Primary and Secondary IVF flow doses calculation knowledge and basic safe medication administration principles
    
    • Calculation of micrograms per minute from milliliters per hour
    • Calculation of milliliters per hour from micrograms per minute
  • Administration of medication doses measured in micrograms per kilogram of body weight per minute
  • Administration of medication doses measured in units per hour
    • Calculation of units per hour/minute from milliliters per hour
    • Calculation of milliliters per hour from units per hour/minute
  • Knowledge of safe administration principles for the following drug classes:
    • Antiarrhythmics
    • Vasoactive mediations
    • Inotropic medications
    • Neuromuscular blocking agents
    • IV electrolytes
    • alpha-2 agonist (dexmedetomidine)
    • non-barbiturate sedative (propofol)
• Demonstrate safe medication administration of NG/PEG medications, IV push medications and Secondary IV medications in a simulated patient experience OR Demonstrate safe medication administration to a patient in the clinical setting under the supervision of the clinical faculty

If the student does not achieve competency in one or more of the above areas, the student will be required to administer medications with faculty supervision in the clinical setting until competency is achieved. Faculty have the right to require students to pass medications with them if safety concerns arise even if competency has been met in the above areas. In this case, a student support plan will be developed and implemented by the student, the faculty and the course coordinator. Students will need to be able to pass medications with the reference nurse in the clinical setting and consistently demonstrate safe medication knowledge by the end of the semester to achieve competency and complete level four.

Approved December 2023

Medication administration: “Special Products”

• OSN students may not administer non-FDA regulated cannabis in any form or any marijuana-related products to patients in any clinical practicum setting in which they are in the role of a UNR Orvis School of Nursing student.
• OSN students under the age of 21 years are not allowed to administer any ethyl alcohol to patients.

(Approved by OSN faculty, 10/19/2015)

Safe/unsafe clinical practice

Any of the following behaviors are sufficient grounds for faculty to determine that a student is clinically unsafe and cannot continue in the clinical practice course. This decision has serious consequences and adequate documentation is necessary.

• Failure to meet clinical objectives.
• Placing self, patients, co-workers, families and other human contacts in physical jeopardy.
• Refusal/failure to follow OSN regulations and agency protocols.
• Illegal behavior.
• Verbally or otherwise revealing confidential information.
• Failure to execute critical elements of procedures/protocols/practice.
• Absences/tardiness (see Policy on Absences).
• Inability to articulate rationale for care given to patients/clients.
• Dispensing inaccurate, untrue information.
• Failure to comply with Clinical Evaluation Tool (CET) Guidelines

OSN Undergraduate Student uniform policy/dress code

The University of Nevada, Reno, Orvis School of Nursing expects students to reflect professionalism and maintain high standards of appearance and grooming in all clinical settings.

Students who do not adhere to this policy will not be permitted to participate in clinical activities.

Standard uniform

Uniforms must be neat, clean, pressed, and odor-free for all clinical activities. Rolling down the waistband of uniform pants is not acceptable.

Tops: The uniform top and optional scrub jacket is to be embroidered with the Orvis School of Nursing logo on left upper chest (Scrubs and embroidery available at Reno Uniforms – 1270 E. Plumb Lane, Suite B, Reno, NV 89502). To order online please visit Uniforms2you.com, click Group Login, your Group Sign-in Code is “ORVIS,” items purchased online receive an automatic 15% off scrubs and 10% off your supplies

• IRG Epic Women’s V Neck Top in Navy (Item #: 4801)
• IRG Epic Men’s V Neck Top in Navy (Item #: 4851)
• OPTIONAL: IRG Epic Women’s Zip Jacket in Navy (Item #: 4812)
• OPTIONAL: IRG Epic Women’s Snap Jacket in Navy (Item#: 4811
• Any shirt worn under the uniform top must be either white or black only, and be without decoration.
• OPTIONAL:
  • Maevn Matrix White Long Sleeve Shirt (Item#: 6609)
  • Maevn Matrix Black Long Sleeve Shirt (Item #: 6609)
  • Maevn Matrix Pewter Long Sleeve Shirt (Item#: 6609)

Bottoms:                    

• IRG Epic Women’s Tapers Leg Pant in Navy (Item #: 9811)
• IRG Epic Men’s Tapered Leg Pant (Item #: 9851)

Shoes: Footwear must provide safe, secure footing and offer protection against hazards.  Footwear should be closed-toed, closed-heeled uniform or athletic shoes with no openings, clean, and in good repair.

Socks: Socks or stockings must be without offensive messaging.

ID Tag: An OSN ID tag (photo identification) will be supplied to students in Level 1 and must be worn on the upper chest and readily visible during all clinical activities. While on clinical assignment, students may also receive an ID tag for the individual facility. If the facility does not provide a tag, the student must wear the OSN tag.

Clinical settings requiring professional attire

• Business casual is expected with an OSN ID tag visible on the lapel. This means dress slacks or khakis, a dress shirt or blouse, an open-collar or polo shirt, an optional tie or seasonal sport coat, a dress or skirt at knee-length or below, a tailored blazer, a knit shirt or sweater.
• The following attire is not acceptable for professional attire settings:
• Jeans/western cut pants
• Sweatshirts
• Sleeveless shirts (or shirts of underwear type)
• See-through clothing
• Clothing exposing a bare midriff, back, or chest
• Clothing exposing undergarments

General appearance guidelines

*If an agency has a stricter dress code than what is in the OSN policy, that agency's policy must be followed. *

Hair: Hair is to be clean and well-groomed. Shoulder-length or longer hair must be pulled back. Hair color is restricted to natural color. Bright colors such as purple, pink, blue, green, purple, or unnatural red are not acceptable. A solid-color surgical cap may be worn. 

Facial Hair: Mustaches, beards, goatees, and sideburns must be neatly trimmed and reasonable in length.

Jewelry:

• Watches, wedding/engagement rings, two stud earrings (per ear), and medical alert jewelry or tags are the only acceptable jewelry in all clinical settings.
• If a religious or cultural medallion or neck chain is worn, it may not be visible under the uniform and must not interfere with patient care.
• Solid gauge posts of neutral color are to be worn if the student has gauged earlobes.
• No other (visible) body piercing jewelry is allowed in clinical settings.
• All facial jewelry (including nose, brow, lip, and tongue piercings) must be removed. There are no exceptions to this. Facial jewelry may NOT be worn under a surgical mask.

Tattoos:

• Visible tattoos are permitted except for those that may be interpreted as offensive language or pictures (Ex: swastika, gang emblem, nudity, profanity) Offensive permanent adornments must be covered at all times in the clinical setting.

Nails:

• No nail polish may be worn (NOT even clear).
• Nails are to be cleaned, groomed, and manicured. They must be cut to the tip of the finger.
• No artificial nails of any type are acceptable in any clinical setting.
• Fingernail jewelry is not acceptable.

Other appearance:

• No perfume/cologne or scented lotions are to be worn.
• Good personal hygiene is expected.
• Gum chewing is not permitted.

Technology:

• Smart device technology loaded with required clinical reference books is acceptable if permitted by clinical faculty/agency.
• Personal smart devices may only be utilized during breaks away from direct patient care areas.
• Text message and camera functions of smart device technology are prohibited while in the direct patient care area unless directed for use by clinical faculty.

(Approved by OSN Undergraduate Admissions, Progression, and Student Affairs Committee on 4/8/24)

Biologic exposure policy

Purpose and policy

The purpose of these guidelines is to reduce the risk of student exposure to pathogens encountered in the clinical setting such as, but not limited to, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Tuberculosis (TB).

Standard Precautions requires implementation of blood and body fluid precautions for all patients and patient specimens regardless of diagnosis. Standard precautions will be the minimum standard of practice in all Orvis School of Nursing clinical experiences. Barrier precautions will be used at all times when students are in contact or potentially may come in contact with moist body substances or surfaces. All human blood and body fluids will be handled as if they are infectious.

Prevention of pathogen exposure
Education and training in exposure prevention procedures:

Students will be required to complete Blood Borne Pathogen and TB Exposure Prevention Training prior to beginning patient care in level one. Training must be renewed during the first week of level four clinical. The student must also have satisfactorily demonstrated skill in using personal protective equipment and procedures before receiving a patient care assignment. The OSN office will maintain documentation of annual training.

Hepatitis B vaccine:
Students will be required to have completed the hepatitis B vaccine series, have documentation of titer immunity, or to have signed a declination prior to going to clinical sites. Students may receive the series through UNR Student Health Services, the Washoe County Health Department, or their own private health care provider.

Methods of compliance
Students will comply with the Blood Borne Pathogen and TB Exposure Policies of the clinical sites to which they are assigned.

General screening
The Orvis School of Nursing will not undertake any program of screening faculty or students for antibodies to HIV. Any student or faculty wishing to be tested will be referred to his/her private physician, the UNR Student Health Center, or the county health department.

Accidental exposure incidents
A student in the School of Nursing who has blood or body fluid exposure while in a clinical agency is treated in a similar manner to any type of accident occurring within a clinical agency. The student must immediately notify the clinical faculty who will assist the student in triaging the exposure. The faculty member will contact the National Clinician’s Post-Exposure Hotline (888/448-4911) to assist in evaluating the exposure. Before contacting the Post-Exposure Hotline, the faculty member will determine the date and time of the exposure, where and how the exposure occurred, the type of device used, and the severity of the exposure (i.e. mucotaneous splash, superficial scratch without bleeding, moderate puncture or cut with a small amount of bleeding, or a deep puncture or cut with profuse bleeding).

If the exposure occurs in an acute facility, the faculty member will inform the patient of the exposure and work with unit staff to obtain patient consent for a STAT needlestick panel. If the exposure occurs in a community agency, the faculty will inform the patient of the exposure if possible and contact the National Clinician’s Exposure Hotline for direction. The faculty member will review the patient’s medical record, if available, to identify whether the patient has a known history of HIV, HCV, or HBV. If the patient has a known history of HIV, the faculty member will attempt to obtain a recent CD4 count and viral load of the source patient. The National Clinician’s Post-Exposure Hotline staff will triage the exposure as low-risk (PEP is not indicated), potentially high risk (PEP may be indicated), or high risk (PEP is indicated).

If the student is deemed by the Post-Exposure Hotline to have experienced a potentially high- risk or a high-risk exposure, the student will be immediately referred to the emergency room covered by the student’s private medical insurance. It is the responsibility of the student to know which facility is covered by their individual insurance policy. If the determination is that the student’s exposure is low risk, the student will be sent to UNR Student Health Services for baseline testing and evaluation. If an exposure occurs outside of Student Health Services hours or if the clinical experience takes place more than 50 miles from the University campus, the student is to be referred to the nearest emergency room that is covered by their individual health policy regardless of the triaged exposure risk.

Biologic exposure guidelines

The University of Nevada Reno is not liable for treatment or medication costs and students are not covered by the clinical agencies’ workers compensation policies. Each student enrolled in the School of Nursing must carry individual medical insurance coverage at all times and all costs are the responsibility of the student.

Immediate first aid for a percutaneous exposure includes cleansing the area with soap and water. Mucotaneous exposures should be flushed with water, and eye exposures should be flushed with normal saline. No attempt should be made to express blood from a percutaneous exposure site and the site should not be cleaned with caustic agents (i.e. bleach). If the student has sustained a deep laceration, the student should be referred to the emergency room of their participating provider for injury management. The exposed student is encouraged to submit to testing for HIV, HCV, and HBV at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months. The decision to be tested, however, is the choice of the individual exposed.

In the event of a potential or documented exposure to a patient with active Tuberculosis, the exposed student is encouraged to have a PPD skin test at baseline at three months after exposure. A student who has a positive PPD skin test within 18 months of a previous negative result should discuss treatment options with his or her medical provider. A student with a positive PPD skin test will be excluded from clinical practice until a chest x-ray or QuantiFERON-TB blood test demonstrates the absence of active disease.

An incident/occurrence report must be completed at the clinical agency. Faculty will consult unit management to facilitate timely reporting. The clinical course coordinator and/or the program coordinator will be contacted to assist with student triage and reporting as necessary. Faculty will complete the OSN Bloodborne Pathogen & Communicable Disease Student Exposure Form and submit the completed form to the OSN director within 24 hours of a communicable disease exposure. The OSN director will keep this documentation on file for a period of not less than ten (10) years following the date of the exposure.

Biologic exposure – special circumstances

Guidelines for exempting students from clinical assignment to clients with blood borne diseases.

Confirmed pregnancy:
There is no epidemiological reason to exempt pregnant students from caring for patients with blood borne diseases. The risk of transmission of communicable diseases to pregnant health care workers is not known to be greater than the risk to those not pregnant. However, a pregnant student may not be eligible to receive triple therapy post-exposure prophylaxis in the event of a high-risk exposure due to the teratogenic effects of protease inhibiting medications.

Incompetent immunological systems:
Students with diagnosed immunological deficiencies may be at an increased risk for developing opportunistic infections that may be present in the clinical setting. Students with HIV infection need not be restricted from clinical experience unless they have some other illness for which any health care worker would be restricted. Symptoms of HIV (i.e. fatigue, paresthesia, vision problems, or dementia) may limit a health care worker's ability to safely practice.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Nurses Association do not recommend barring HIV-infected health care workers from practice. However, in the event that a patient is exposed to the blood or body fluids of a student, disclosure of the student’s status may be indicated and mandated by law.

Students with HIV infection or other immunocompromising conditions may be at higher risk to develop active tuberculosis infection in the event of a TB exposure. Students with immunocompromise should not care for patients with active tuberculosis.

Any student with an infectious process could further compromise the client with an incompetent immunological system. All students with exudative or weeping skin lesions should be restricted from direct patient care activities.

The decision to exempt a student from clinical experience will be made on a case-by-case basis by the faculty responsible for the clinical course. Decisions about longer exemptions (more than one clinical session) will be made in consultation with the course coordinator, the program coordinator, and the OSN director.

Student acceptance of clinical assignment
Students who have received formal classroom instruction in bloodborne pathogen exposure control and can satisfactorily demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to safely care for potentially infectious patients are expected to care for all patients in order to meet the course objectives. The decision to exempt a student from clinical experience will be made on a case-by-case basis by the faculty responsible for the clinical course.

Confidentiality
Healthcare providers (and students) who know they are infected with a bloodborne disease are ethically and legally obligated to conduct themselves responsibly in accordance with the following protective behaviors.

All confidential medical/health care information is protected by statutes and unauthorized disclosures may create legal liability. No specific or detailed information concerning symptoms or diagnoses will be provided to faculty, administrators, or parents of students, without the express written permission of the individual in each case except as required by law.

Revised February 2012

Approved by Director & OSN faculty February 27, 2012

Student biologic exposure reporting guidelines

• This form must be completed by the clinical faculty in collaboration with the student for any exposure or potential exposure to a communicable disease that occurs during the course of a clinical rotation. An exposure or potential exposure is defined as a percutaneous injury, direct skin and/or mucous membrane contact with blood or body fluids, unprotected exposure to a patient with active tuberculosis, or a reasonable belief that an exposure may have occurred. 
• Please complete this form as thoroughly as possible. This form is required in addition to any form required by the clinical agency.
• While the first priority is to obtain appropriate exposure management and post-exposure prophylaxis therapy if indicated for the student, this form must be completed and returned to the OSN director within 24 hours of a student exposure.
• This information will remain confidential and will be maintained in a locked cabinet at the Orvis School of Nursing for a period of not less than ten years following the exposure. Information in this form will remain confidential and will only be utilized by public health agencies in the mandated reporting of diseases, or as required by law.

Bloodborne Pathogen & Communicable Disease Student Exposure Reporting Form

Source Patient Data & Post-Exposure Form Follow Up

Tuberculosis evaluation and screening policy

Orvis Nursing students who routinely work in health care facilities treating individuals are at high risk for infection that all persons present in their agency are disease-free and/or protected from infection.

Purpose

1. Identify people with TB infection and possible TB disease.
2. Treat persons with identified infection.
3. Evaluate persons infected and treated on a continuing basis.

Procedure: TB screening and evaluation

All students are skin tested yearly prior to entering any clinical facility.

A baseline two-step Mantoux or QuantiFERON will be done on all students who have not had a documented two-step Mantoux test and documented yearly negative Mantoux or QuantiFERON tests within each 12 month period after the baseline (This includes persons who have had BCG vaccination and women who are pregnant).

Students who are exposed to suspected TB patients in the course of their clinical experience will follow the guidelines of that facility or seek advice and testing from student health services. A person with a documented history of a positive QuantiFERON or Mantoux tuberculin skin test is exempt from future skin tests or chest x-rays.

A person with a current positive skin test will have a chest x-ray once prior to entry into the nursing major and medical evaluation for active tuberculosis on required physical exam.

A person with a history of TB or a positive TB test will have documented yearly medical evaluations for the presence or absence of symptoms of TB. A person with active TB will undergo medical treatment for the disease according to the American Thoracic Society.

Fit for Duty policy: Pre-licensure students

Purpose:
The Orvis School of Nursing (OSN) is committed to protecting the safety, health and well-being of its student’s faculty, staff and the patients and employees of our affiliate institutions and clinical agencies. Therefore, the purpose of this policy is to establish clear expectations regarding student psychological and/or physical fitness for duty in the clinical setting and to outline the consequences of unsafe or unethical student behaviors. Every student in the Orvis School of Nursing program is expected to act in a safe and ethical manner consistent with the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses.

Policy & procedure:
The rights of patients and the public to safe professional practice supersedes students’ learning and skill acquisition needs. Faculty have an obligation to assess and make professional judgments with respect to each student’s fitness for safe practice during clinical hours. Combined with the Orvis School of Nursing policies, “Fit for Duty” policies and requirements of our clinical agencies provide the framework and expectations for student participation and behaviors at the individual sites.  Each student will be provided with a link to the appropriate agency policy as an additional reference.

In circumstances where a ‘Fitness for Duty’ evaluation may be initiated, the faculty will proceed appropriately according to this policy.  If the clinical agency has a different policy of fit for duty the most restrictive policy will supersede but not exclude this policy.

• In the event that a faculty member makes a professional judgment that a student’s psychological and/or physical condition impairs the student’s ability to perform safely, the student will be asked to leave the clinical area. The student must immediately comply with this request.
• Students with a fever over 100.4^o F, frequent diarrhea, vomiting, cough, visible rash of infectious nature, conjunctivitis, open wound that cannot be adequately covered, or inability to control bodily secretions may not participate in clinical activities of any kind. Students with minor upper respiratory infections may be required to wear a face make while providing patient care.
• Students must be able to meet the physical requirements of the clinical agency where they are assigned for clinical practice. If a student requires an assistive device for either a temporary or long term medical reason that does not meet the ADA requirements of reasonable accommodation related to a qualified disabling condition the device may not be allowed. The ability to maintain patient safety by providing safe patient care cannot be compromised for any reason. Patient care is integral to learning the nursing role and light duty and / or non-patient care tasks or alternative assignments are not available. 
• Students demonstrating signs or symptoms of chemical impairment will be required to submit to drug and alcohol testing. When requested by faculty, the student must report for testing within one hour of leaving the clinical site.
  • Signs of chemical impairment for which a student may be required to undergo drug and/or alcohol screening include, but are not limited to: labile mood, disheveled appearance, reddened eyes, dilated or constricted pupils, tremor, decreased coordination, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, confusion, paranoid thinking, impaired perception of reality, slurred or rapid speech, unstable gait, odor of alcohol or other chemical substance, syncope, or needle marks.
  • A student who is required to undergo drug and/or alcohol screening pursuant to this policy, must arrange for transportation to an approved testing site. Students being sent for chemical screening may not operate a motorized vehicle to report for required drug and/or alcohol testing.
  • A student must undergo drug and/or alcohol testing at South Reno Concentra located at 6410 South Virginia Street. Reno, NV, 89511. The student must report to this facility within one hour of leaving the clinical site.
  • Drug and alcohol testing results must be provided to the Associate Dean for undergraduate or graduate programs before the student may return to clinical. Results provided by the student must be signed by a representative of the testing facility, and enclosed in an envelope that is sealed at the testing site in a tamper-evident manner.

A student who refuses to submit to drug and/or alcohol screening when requested pursuant to this policy will be excluded from further clinical activities.

• A faculty member may remove a student from the clinical area because of failure to adhere to the OSN dress code, inadequate preparation, or unsafe or unethical practice
  • Examples of unsafe or unethical clinical practice include but are not limited to:
    • Negligent patient care
    • Patient abuse, either physical or verbal
    • Excessive sleepiness
  • unsafe performance documented by the clinical faculty member
    • Refer to the OSN Safe/Unsafe Clinical Practice Policy
  • In the event that a student is asked the leave the clinical area because of signs or symptoms of physical, emotional, psychological or chemical impairment, or unprofessional behavior prohibited by this policy, including unprofessional behavior the Orvis School of Nursing absence policy will apply to any clinical time missed for any reason.
  • If a student is excluded from clinical due to illness, impairment, or injury, faculty may request medical documentation that permits a student to participate in direct patient care. If requested, this documentation must be provided before a student will be permitted to return to the clinical setting. 
  • Prior to return to the clinical setting, the student must meet with the clinical faculty and course coordinator

Consequences:
Before being permitted to return to the clinical area, the student may be mandated by OSN to obtain a Fit for Duty assessment, which may include but is not limited to physical exam, psychological exam, and/or drug /alcohol testing. If recommended, the student must comply with treatment and further monitoring to continue in the clinical course.  If the student refuses this assessment, treatment, and/or further monitoring the student may not be permitted to return to the clinical site, resulting in failure of the course. If dismissal is due to unethical, unprofessional, or unsafe clinical practice, then a clinical improvement plan will be initiated prior to returning to the clinical setting.  If the student has been referred for medical or psychological treatment, the student will be permitted to return to clinical practice if the treatment provider has deemed the student fit for duty.  Information will be shared with the treatment provider(s) and OSN designated reporting party, with the student’s written consent.

If the student is removed from a clinical setting due to documented chemical impairment, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program. Failing to present for a chemical impairment evaluation within allotted time period, failure to report for specimen collection, tampering or attempting to tamper with a specimen or the results, will result in dismissal from the program. 

Fit for Duty Safety Analysis Form

Orvis School of Nursing social media policy

Orvis School of Nursing recognizes the vital role that social media plays in communicating, collaborating and interacting with students, faculty, staff and the general public. We encourage you to use social media to connect with the University of Nevada, Reno and Orvis School of Nursing community at large in order to foster a place for vibrant and thoughtful engagement as it relates to the university.

These guidelines apply to the Orvis School of Nursing students. Best practices to help guide your participation in Orvis School of Nursing social media efforts include:

Definition of terms:

Social Media: The term social media defines activities that integrate technology, social interaction and the construction of words, symbols and pictures. Internet-based or electronic applications and person websites that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content such as but not limited to: profiles, opinions, insights, pictures, videos, experiences, perspectives and media itself. All social media sites are trackable, traceable, and once posted on the Internet things live forever.

Social Media Communications: Examples of social media applications include but are NOT limited to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Craig’s List, YouTube, LinkedIn, BlogSpot, Second Life, Upcoming, Flickr, Wikipedia, Instagram and Snapchat. Examples of symbols include Emoticon.

Content: Including but not limited to: text messages, files, profiles, concepts, opinions, images, photos, videos, sounds or other materials that can be transmitted, communicated, shared, or posted on form of social media communication.

Nevada State Board of Nursing social media guidelines
The use of social media and other electronic communication is expanding exponentially as the number of social media outlets, platforms and applications available continue to increase. The very nature of this medium however can pose a risk as it offers instantaneous posting opportunities that allow little time for reflective thought and carries the added burden that what is posted on the Internet is discoverable by law even when it is long deleted.

Social media guidelines for nurses video

Policy:
Orvis School of Nursing student handbook delineates adherence to the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA) code of conduct. All students must comply to school policies and regulations related to academic and clinical performance. As a student you are responsible for representing the University of Nevada, Reno, the Orvis School of Nursing, and clinical institutions. As a student you are also responsible for representing the nursing profession and is essential to maintain a professional work environment and maintaining professional boundaries.

Expectations:

• The student will maintain effective electronic communications that are consistent within this policy.
• The student will abide by the law and respect copy rights.
• The student will be compliant with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) policies as set forth and will not use or disclose any patient identifiable information, or any patient scenarios of any kind on any social media.
• Logos from institutions may not be utilized without written consent from that institution.
• The student is obligated to report suspected violation of this policy to faculty and utilize the chain of command.
• Be compliant with policies in the Orvis School of Nursing handbook including, but not limited to, provisions concerning discrimination, harassment, and professionalism.
• Students utilizing approved video or audio recording through the University of Nevada, Reno, Disability Resource Center, will comply with the alternative media service agreement.
• It is not appropriate to establish relationships on social media with patients, families or faculty outside of the Orvis School of Nursing and the University of Nevada, Reno curriculum.

Procedures:
Inappropriate use of the internet and social media may result in:

• Academic remediation
• Loss of privileges at the institution where the violation occurred
• May result in failure to progress in the nursing program

Authors: Demitropoulos, S., Hasty, S. and Olguin, S. Created: December 15, 2015

Resources:
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. (2015). Social media guidelines. Retrieved on April 24, 2015 from http://nursing.jhu.edu/life-at-hopkins/connect/social-media/guidelines.html
Nevada State Board of Nursing. (2015). Social Media Policy. Retrieved on November 23, 2015 from http://nevadanursingboard.org/practice-and-discipline/www-ncsbn-org2930-htm/
Renown Regional Medical Center. (2011). Code of conduct: Social and emerging media.
Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. (2015). Social media policy.
UC Davis. (2014). Join the UC Davis social network. Retrieved on April 24, 2014 from http:/ucdavis.edu/social-media/guidelines.html
University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNSOM). Use of social media. Retrieved on May 6, 2015 from http://medicine.nevada.edu/Documents/unsom/gme/handbook/ Resident_Social_Media_Policy_051614.pdf

Student feedback

Communicating student concerns

The student has the obligation to express concerns by utilizing the following order of communication guidelines set forth by the Orvis School of Nursing.

1. Conference with instructor involved.
2. Conference with Course Coordinator (if course does not have a coordinator skip to step 3).
3. Conference with Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs.
4. Conference with the OSN Dean.

Evaluation of faculty by students

The University By-Laws require that faculty members be evaluated annually in order to assess the quality of professional performance of academically assigned responsibilities.

Students will be expected to participate in the evaluation process by objectively rating the faculty's teaching effectiveness in the classroom and clinical settings. Professional responsibilities are a requirement for tenure, promotion or merit recognition. Students should be aware of the importance of their role in this evaluation process.

General student resources

Statement for academic services: Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center (784-4433), Tutoring Center (784-6801), and University Writing Center (784-6030). These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign a responsible and successful student.

OSN Undergraduate Student Support Plan Policy

The mission of the Orvis School of Nursing is to “prepare the next generation of nurse leaders to promote the health and wellbeing of diverse populations in Nevada, the nation, and the world through excellence in nursing education, discovery, and engagement.”  This policy aims to provide individualized teaching strategies to undergraduate students and support their growth and development in the nursing program.

The Student Support Plan Policy will be implemented based on faculty assessment of student performance or at the request for additional support from the student. There are three levels of support: Student-Centered Goals, Structured Plan, and Course/Clinical Improvement Plan. Student-centered goals will be implemented at all levels. The level of support needed is based on faculty judgment. This policy can be implemented for both didactic and clinical courses. All levels of support will become part of the student’s academic record.

Levels of Support

1. 1. Student-Centered Goals- The student will reflect on performance in the course and develop 3-5 Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed (SMART) goals that will help them achieve the objectives of the course.
   2. Structured Plan - A structured plan will be implemented for students who need more support and guidance in the course but are either safe in their clinical practice or are not currently failing the course. The faculty member will write this plan and incorporate the student’s centered goals. This plan will be signed by the faculty, the student, and the course coordinator as needed.
   3. Course/Clinical Improvement Plan - A course/clinical improvement plan will be implemented for students with identified safety concerns in the clinical setting, a grade below 75% in any course or a structured plan has not produced sufficient improvement based on faculty evaluation. This plan will be written by the faculty member or course coordinator and incorporate student centered goals. This plan will be signed by both the faculty, the student, and the course coordinator as needed.

Approved by OSN Faculty on 3/30/2022

National Student Nurses Association

Code of Professional Conduct

As a member of the National Student Nurses’ Association, I pledge myself to:

• Maintain the highest standard of personal and professional conduct.
• Actively promote and encourage the highest level of ethics within nursing education, the profession of nursing, and the student nurses’ association.
• Uphold all Bylaws and regulations relating to the student nurses’ association at the chapter, state and national levels, reserving the right to criticize rules and laws constructively, but respecting the rules and laws as long as they prevail.
• Strive for excellence in all aspects of decision making and management at all levels of the student nurses’ association.
• Use only legal and ethical principles in all association decisions and activities.
• Ensure the proper use of all association funds.
• Serve all members of the student nurses’ association impartially, provide no special privilege to any individual member, and accept no personal compensation from another member or non-member.
• Maintain the confidentiality of privileged information entrusted or known to me by virtue of an elected or appointed position in the association.
• Refuse to engage in, or condone, discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, citizenship, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Refrain from any form of cheating or dishonesty, and take action to report dishonorable practices to proper authorities using established channels.
• Always communicate internal and external association statements in a truthful and accurate manner by ensuring that there is integrity in the data and information used by the student nurses’ association.
• Cooperate in every reasonable and proper way with association volunteers and staff, and work with them in the advocacy of student rights and responsibilities and the advancement of the profession of nursing.
• Use every opportunity to improve faculty understanding of the role of the student nurses association.
• Use every opportunity to raise awareness of the student nurses’ association’s mission, purpose, and goals at the school chapter level.
• Promote and encourage entering nursing students to join and become active in NSNA.
• Promote and encourage graduating seniors to continue their involvement by joining professional nurses’ associations upon licensure as Registered Nurses.

Adopted by the 1999 House of Delegates Pittsburgh, PA at the 47th Annual NSNA Convention

References: American Society of Association Executives and the National Society for Fund Raising Executives

ANA Code of Ethics

2015 Provisions of the Code of Ethics

Provision 1: The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.

Provision 2: The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.

Provision 3: The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.

Provision 4: The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal health care.

Provision 5: The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence, and continue personal and professional growth.

Provision 6: The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves the ethical environment of the work setting

and conditions of the employment that are conducive to safe, quality health care.

Provision 7: The nurse, in all roles and settings, advances the profession through research and scholarly inquiry, professional standards development and the generation of both nursing and health policy.

Provision 8: The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.

Provision 9: The profession of nursing, collectively its professional organizations, must articulate nursing values, maintain the integrity of the profession, and integrate principles of social justice into nursing and health policy.

Click to access the ANA Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements: 

American Nurses Association, Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, Washington, D.C.: American Nurses Publishing, 2015