Satisfactory Standing: For promotion, a student must pass all courses and obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Whenever a student receives a grade of F, D, D+ or C- in a nursing course, the student’s total academic and clinical performance in the program is reviewed at the end of each term and considered in determining continuation in the program.

Unsatisfactory Standing: A student with a GPA of less than 2.0 must withdraw from the Faculty.

Fresh Start Program: Year 1 Collaborative and Bilingual BScN students who have completed less than 40 and who have achieved a GPA of between 1.3 and 1.6 may be permitted to continue at the University of Alberta in the Fresh Start program providing they have not previously been required to withdraw from any postsecondary program. Normally, students who have committed an academic offence under the University of Alberta Code of Student Behavior will not be recommended for the Fresh Start Program.

The Faculty will determine whether to recommend a student for participation in the Fresh Start program and will notify the student of that option. Successful completion of 18 with a GPA of at least 2.7 will be required for readmission. Further detailed information can be found in §§14.5, 23.6.2 and §220.5.

If successful in the Fresh Start program and all conditions specified by Open Studies and the Faculty have been fulfilled, students may apply for readmission to the Faculty.

First-Class Standing: First-class standing is awarded in a given year to students who receive a GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a minimum of 24 taken during the Fall/Winter.

Health Status: All students admitted to undergraduate nursing programs must be capable of completing responsibilities and activities required in clinical practice. In order to successfully pass clinical practice courses students must consistently demonstrate the essential skills and abilities required to safely provide nursing care to their assigned patient/client. The requirements for Registered Nurses are applicable to students in the Faculty of Nursing. To review a summary of these requirements see the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca.

The University of Alberta recognizes its duty to minimize the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens to/by individuals studying or working at this University. The Bloodborne Pathogens policy limits the possibility of transmission of bloodborne pathogens within the educational setting. The University recognizes, however, that it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of infection (see §20.5 University Bloodborne Pathogens Policy).

Immunization: To ensure, insofar as possible, both student and patient safety, the Faculty requires immunization against, or proof of immunity to, poliomyelitis, diptheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B. As well, varicella screening and a two-step tuberculin skin test is required in the first year of the program and should be performed by the University Health Centre. Students in the BScN Collaborative Program, the BScN-After Degree Program, the BScN Post RN Program, and the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) to BScN Program must have their immunization status reviewed by the University Health Centre upon acceptance to the nursing program. Students in the BScN Bilingual Program must have their immunization status reviewed by the University Health Centre during Spring Session of Year 1.

CPR certification: Undergraduate nursing students must provide evidence of CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider Level to participate in clinical practice courses. Refer to the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca for program-specific deadlines. A CPR-Healthcare Provider certificate is valid for one year from the date of the course. Evidence of recertification in each subsequent year is required.

Standard First Aid Certificate: Undergraduate nursing students must provide a standard first aid certificate to participate in clinical practice courses. Refer to the Faculty of Nursing website at www.nursing.ualberta.ca for program-specific deadlines.

Criminal Record Check: Under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, a criminal record check may be required by any site providing clinical practica. The clinical practice site will determine the criteria for acceptance/denial of a placement. Students are responsible for having a criminal record check completed prior to commencement of clinical practica. Students who have concerns related to their ability to satisfy a criminal record check should consult with the Faculty of Nursing, Undergraduate Nursing Office, immediately upon being admitted to the program. The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that required placements can be made lies with the student. A fee may be charged by the police department or RCMP detachment for the criminal record check. That fee is the responsibility of the student. Other background checks may be required by a clinical agency such as a child intervention record check. Students will be advised if any additional background checks are required by a clinical agency. For more information see §23.8.3.

Language Competency: Besides demonstrating overall English language proficiency, students entering the Faculty of Nursing in an Undergraduate BScN Program need a further level of spoken English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. Speech competence is a prerequisite for enrolment in clinical courses. Students who have not achieved the necessary level of competence may not register for these courses. See §§13.3.1 and 13.3.2. Students in the BScN Bilingual Program have additional requirements about proficiency in French (see §§15.11.5 and 183.1.2).

Students must complete theory and practice components of nursing courses to receive credit. Students who have not received a pass in the clinical/laboratory portion of a nursing course are not given credit for the course and must repeat both the clinical and non-clinical portions of the course. The clinical component, explained in the course outline, must be completed for credit to be granted.

A student who is absent more than one clinical day in any one clinical nursing course may need to make up the lost time before being allowed to continue in the program.

The Dean, or supervisor acting on behalf of the Dean, may immediately deny assignment of a student to, withdraw a student from, or vary terms, conditions or site of a practicum/clinical placement if the Dean or supervisor has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the public interest. (See §23.8.2 and Practicum Intervention Policy.) For unprofessional, incompetent or unsafe practice on the part of the student not directly related to medical issues, the transcript will reflect the practices and sanctions delineated in the Code of Student Behavior as outlined in Appendix A of the University of Alberta Calendar. The sanction typically includes a grade of F being assigned. The student has the right to appeal the Dean’s decision to the GFC Practice Review Board (PRB).

Students who fail the same clinical course twice will be required to withdraw from the program.

“Professional Codes of Ethics” means the current Canadian Nurses Association's Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, and all other relevant professional codes and practice standards for registered nurses.

It is the responsibility of each Faculty of Nursing student to obtain, and be familiar with, such Professional Codes of Ethics, and their amendments as may be made from time to time. (See §30.1 and 30.2 of the Code of Student Behaviour, Appendix A of the University of Alberta Calendar).

Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance in Context Based Learning (CBL) Tutorials in order to successfully complete the program. Students who have not received a pass in the CBL portion of a nursing course will not be given credit for the course and will be required to repeat the course. The CBL component, as spelled out in the course outline, must be completed for credit to be granted.

Attendance at CBL tutorials is required for successful completion of the course.

Students with advanced standing will still be expected to participate in all CBL activities and will be expected to apply knowledge from those courses in which they have advanced standing.

The notation “With Distinction” is awarded to a graduating student of the BSc in Nursing-Collaborative Program or the BSc in Nursing-After Degree Program or the BSc in Nursing-Bilingual Program who has obtained a GPA of 3.5 or higher on the last 60 taken (from the time of admission) for credit toward the degree and has incurred no failing grades throughout the program. Students who have taken part of their work at another university may be granted a degree “With Distinction” at the discretion of the Faculty Council.

The notation “With Distinction” is awarded to a graduating student of the BSc in Nursing-Post RN Program who has obtained a GPA of 3.5 or higher on the last 23 taken (from the time of admission) for credit toward the degree and has incurred no failing grades throughout the program. Students admitted before 2002 who have obtained a GPA of 3.5 or higher on the last 50 taken (from the time of admission) for credit toward the degree and has incurred no failing grades throughout the program will be awarded the notation “With Distinction”. Students who have taken part of their work at another university may be granted a degree “With Distinction” at the discretion of the Faculty Council.

The notation "With Distinction" is awarded to a graduating student of the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) to BScN Program who has obtained a GPA of 3.5 or higher on the last 36 taken (from the time of admission) for credit toward the degree and has incurred no failing grades throughout the program. Students who have taken part of their work at another university may be granted a degree "With Distinction" at the discretion of the Faculty Council.

For students in the BScN - Collaborative Program or the BScN - After Degree Program, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required on the last 60. (If 60 requires including another term or terms, the best results from this term or terms are included. Failing results are not included in the calculation of the graduation GPA.).

For students in the BScN - Post RN Degree Program, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required on the last 23. (If 23 requires including another term or terms, the best results from this term or terms are included. Failing results are not included in the calculation of the graduation GPA.). For students admitted to the program between 1995 and 2001, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required on the last 50. (If 50 requires including another term or terms, the best results from this term or terms are included. Failing results are not included in the calculation.).

For students in the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) to BScN Program a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required on the last 36 taken.

For students in the BScN - Bilingual Program a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required on the 129 credited toward the degree.

Students who wish to alter the course sequence of their program as laid out in the calendar, or who have withdrawn from or failed a course must see the Student Advisor immediately to discuss program completion options. Reregistration cannot occur without permission from the Faculty. Students will be competing for available space in nursing courses when returning. Students may be required to enrol in a refresher course prior to proceeding in clinical nursing courses in order to protect the public interest.

Reregistration in Courses – A student who has been assigned a grade of “W” or “F” in a course is entitled to a second registration in this course and must achieve a minimum grade of C. If a student receives a “W” or a grade less than C in the second attempt of a course, the student will normally be required to withdraw from the program (see §22.1.3).