Students in UMKC's School of Nursing and Health Studies (SoNHS) are expected to be familiar with the contents of the UMKC General Catalog and UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies Policies & Procedures Manual and comply with the provisions pertaining to their level of study.  The UMKC General Catalog outlines the minimum academic regulations and degree requirements. The UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies may adopt additional and/or more stringent requirements for admission, retention and degrees that take priority over the Catalog’s minimum regulations to provide students with the best possible preparation for successful completion of licensure examinations. All policies are reviewed annually. Policy changes become effective the fall following the approved change. Students will be notified via UMKC e-mail if there are exceptions to the effective date.  These policies and procedures can be found in the School of Nursing and Health Studies Policies and Procedures Manual.

Performance standards may be influenced annually by various regulatory agency requirements and subject to change.  Students will be notified in writing within 24 hours of mandated changes.  Students admitted the BSN program prior to any mandated change will not be held to the new requirements.

Academic and Professional Behavior

Students in the School of Nursing and Health Studies abide by the University of Missouri Student Conduct Code (listed in the appendices of this catalog) and by the School of Nursing and Health Studies Honor Code. The Standards of Professional and Ethical Behavior detailed in the honor code have been developed to guide students who are enrolled at all levels with the UMKC SoNHS, including undergraduate and graduate students, and are designed to assure accountability for the professional and ethical standards of the nursing profession.

STUDENT CONCERNS – ALL PROGRAMS

During the semester, if a student has concerns about their course, the student should follow the steps listed below:

1. Contact the instructor directly to set up a meeting.  This meeting should be in person or by telephone.
2. If the issues are not resolved satisfactorily for the student, the student should then consult with the course coordinator if the course is a team-taught course.
3. If the issues are not resolved satisfactorily for the student, then the student should first make an appointment with the program director.
4. If issues are not resolved, the student may meet with the Associate Dean for Students.
5. If the issue remains unresolved they may meet with the Dean for the School of Nursing and Health Studies.  The Dean’s decision is considered final.    
6. If the student’s concerns are related to perceived discrimination, the student should refer to UMKC’s Student Grievance Process. If the student’s concerns are related to grades and those are not resolved upon completion of the course, the student may pursue a Grade Appeal. See the School of Nursing Policy and Procedures for Grade Appeal located on the School of Nursing webpages at http://sonhs.umkc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/policy-procedure.pdf.
7. No other sequences, procedures or avenues of discourse are acceptable for consideration or issues arising in individual courses.

TIME LIMIT ON SCIENCE COURSES – UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

BSN Pre-Licensure (PL) & Accelerated Track (AT): Students applying to the BSN pre-licensure and accelerated track must have science course requirements completed within the past five academic years prior to beginning courses within the nursing major.  For example, if students begin Nursing course work Fall Semester 2010, then science courses completed Fall Semester 2005 or later will be accepted.  Pre-requisite science courses include Chemistry or Bio-Chemistry; Anatomy & Physiology; and Microbiology with a grade of B- or better.

RN-BSN:  Students applying to the RN-BSN program and working as RN’s do not have a time limit on their science courses.

Bachelor Health Studies:  At the time of graduation, Anatomy & Physiology and Nutrition must be no more than 10 years old.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND DRUG SCREENING – ALL CLINICAL PROGRAMS

• Once students are admitted into a School of Nursing and Health Studies clinical program, they are required to satisfactorily complete a criminal background check through an authorized vendor.  If the results of the criminal background check show the student has a pending charge or recent (within the last three years) criminal conviction for an offense involving narcotics, alcohol, crimes against persons or abuse/neglect, the student will be dismissed from the program.
• Participation in a School of Nursing and Health Studies clinical program is contingent on completion of a drug screen, which tests for prohibited and controlled substances, including marijuana metabolites.  The drug screen must be completed through an authorized vendor, and a “negative” result is required for satisfactory completion.  A student who has a “positive” drug screen will not be allowed to participate in clinical activities but may be permitted to remain in didactic (lecture) courses.  Students may not appeal this decision.  Inability to participate in clinical activities will prevent students from progressing through the nursing program and may result in dismissal.

CLINICAL DRESS & PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE – ALL PROGRAMS

School of Nursing and Health Studies has a clinical dress and professional appearance that is located in the SoNHS policy and Procedure. Standards for dress and appearance are more conservative so that it is acceptable in all clinical, community, and professional settings. Dress code standards apply to all clinical, laboratory, simulation, and UMKC sponsored events where the uniform is worn.

Undergraduate and graduate programs have specific and different requirements. Please refer to the School of Nursing and Health Studies Policy and Procedure Manual.