Preparation for Class
The following information has been prepared as a quick reference for academic policies and procedures for nursing courses. Specific requirements for each course can be found in the syllabus.
Lecture/Discussion
It is the recommendation of faculty that students prepare for classes by reviewing the required readings and/or learning activities PRIOR to attending a class or seminar. Assignments are included in the syllabus provided for each course. Students are held responsible for all required reading material as well as lecture materials.
NOTE: Time constraints or other considerations may result in the deletion of an assigned topic from lecture/discussion in a scheduled class. This DOES NOT excuse the student from responsibility for all content listed in the syllabus.
Clinical Practicum
Students are expected to demonstrate sufficient preparation for a clinical practicum that they may contribute to the delivery of safe, high quality patient care. Specific requirements for clinical preparation will be delineated in the syllabus for each course. Clinical preparation may include the review of relevant information regarding the patient’s major health problems and/or treatments as well as the review of the appropriate psychomotor skills required to provide safe care. Information regarding the patient’s potential psychosocial needs (e.g., learning needs, growth and development tasks, etc.) is also expected. Students who do not demonstrate sufficient preparation for their clinical experience will be required to leave the clinical area until sufficiently prepared. A student will jeopardize their ability to progress if he/she continues to demonstrate a lack of clinical preparation.
Attendance at Class
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all scheduled learning activities, such as orientation, lectures, seminars, laboratories, observations, clinical practica, evaluation conferences and other comparable activities.
- Neither vacations nor any other activities should be planned that conflict with learning activities. Students are responsible for resolving any conflicts that may arise.
- Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical practice sites.
Tardiness
Students are expected to attend all scheduled learning activities on time. Every effort should be made to notify the appropriate faculty member when unavoidable circumstances will cause lateness.
- Since late arrival is disruptive to a class/clinical setting, the faculty member has the option to exclude the student from the learning activity.
- Exclusion from class/clinical learning activity due to unexcused tardiness results in absence and will be treated as such.
Absence
When absence from a scheduled learning activity cannot be avoided due to illness, injury, or other mitigating circumstances the student must notify the appropriate faculty member.
- Notification of faculty prior to the absence is expected but when that is not possible, notification should be carried out as soon after the absence as possible.
- The decision regarding the make-up of missed learning activities will reside with the course director and/or clinical instructor.
- Absences from any scheduled learning activity may delay the student’s progress in the program. Two or more absences from a clinical practicum put the student at risk of not meeting the course’s terminal objectives and, thus, not passing the course.
Other
Students should always seek clarification from the instructor and/or course director when any information about the course and related matters is unclear.
Online Courses
I am taking my first online class… What can I do to make the experience a success?
Many universities offer alternatives to the traditional classroom format as a way for students to take courses and complete their degrees. Observation of students who have succeeded in these new formats has shown that these students demonstrate specific behaviors that are thought to contribute to their success. These behaviors include:
Being an independent learner – these students like to gather information by reading or viewing instructional media. They can seek information from multiple sources to answer their questions.
Being self-directed – these students can meet deadlines effectively. They are able to set study plans and keep to them. They meet course deadlines and avoid procrastination!
Communicating effectively – these students actively seek information from instructors and fellow students. They write clearly in course assignments and discussion groups. These students ask for help when their usual methods of information seeking do not answer their questions or solve their problems.
Reading course materials and readings carefully.
Enjoying the pursuit of new knowledge and information via nontraditional sources –the ability to learn supersedes any technical difficulties or additional time necessary to learn new skills.
What should I do before the term starts?
These steps need to be taken BEFORE the term begins. Reverting to that old habit of waiting till the second week of class to visit the bookstore will not be a good choice here! To maximize your opportunities for success, you should:
- Go to RULearning Student Support link to review requirements and recommendations for students taking web-based courses and related FAQs.
- REGISTER DURING THE PRIORITY REGISTRATION PERIOD. The earlier you register the more time there is to create your course permissions on the web server.
- Obtain your books and course materials prior to the first week of class. You can do so either in person or online from the Rush University Bookstore.
During the term, what should I do?
Set a study schedule that fits into your busy life and keep it!
Don’t wait until the last minute to meet deadlines. With any technology, there can be unforeseen complications. If you encounter technical problems with the course page, passwords, etc., there is online support for you to access.
Plan to invest the corresponding amount of time you would spend if you were taking a class on campus. If your course is structured so that you are not sitting in a lecture hall for 2-3 hours a week, you will be spending at least that much time reviewing instructor notes and assignments as well as posting your discussion comments in the course folders. You will still spend the same amount of time doing background reading and preparing your papers as you would in an on campus course. Most of the students who complete our online courses say that the workload in online courses is equal to or greater than an on-campus course. Just remember – you will probably be saving a great amount of commuting time to campus!
Participate in the online discussion activities. Find out how easy it is to contact other online students via email or chat sessions. Many excellent projects have been completed by students living hundreds of miles apart! Students also report that they have experienced a great deal of support by connecting with fellow online students.
Communicate with your instructor. If you have questions or need clarification, you can email your instructor right from the online class page. Faculty check their courses and private e-mail frequently during the week.
Uniforms/Practice Attire for GEM Students
It is necessary for Rush College of Nursing students to comply with the uniform regulations of a variety of health care agencies and the College of Nursing.
General
- University - issued picture ID worn at all times.
- Dress in Rush uniform for clinical practicum, unless otherwise directed by the clinical instructor.
- Student uniforms should be worn only while engaged in activities related to the clinical practicum.
- Students in the Community Health and Psychiatric Nursing rotations wear professional dress and may receive additional guidelines from their clinical instructor.
- Students will follow professional dress guidelines whenever on clinical units (e.g., to pick up assignments) if not in Rush uniform.
These guidelines are subject to modification by the clinical instructor, based on their best judgment, individual students’ religious or cultural practices, the sensibilities of the client population, and the dress code of the particular clinical unit/agency in which the students are practicing.
Rush Uniform Clothing
- Green scrub top with Rush logo and green scrub pants. A white or black turtle-neck or t-shirt may be worn underneath the scrub top.
- Shoes - Shoes may be white or black and have closed toes and heels. Leather athletic-style shoes are allowed as long as they are clean and used solely for work purposes. Shoes and shoelaces must be clean.
- White or black socks are worn with scrub pants.
Professional Dress Clothing
- Laboratory coat as appropriate. The College of Nursing patch is worn on the left shoulder of the sleeve. Shirt, sweater, and/or blouse with pants or skirts, dresses.
- Inappropriate clothing would include: Sweatshirts, sweat pants, tight or sleeveless shirts; tops with lettering, pictures or hoods; stirrup pants, leggings, Capri pants, shorts, skorts or blue jeans; tight or revealing clothing; visibly worn or faded clothing; belly shirts, low-cut necklines; open-backed clothing or visible cleavage.
- Clothing should be clean and wrinkle free. Clothing should not reveal undergarments.
- Dresses and skirts must reach the top of the knee; culottes are acceptable if they reach the knee.
Shoes
- Sturdy, clean shoes with closed toes and heels. Inappropriate shoes would include platform shoes, high heels, or high top athletic shoes and sandals with skirts, culottes, or dresses.
Hair
- Hair is styled so that it does not interfere with patient care or safety.
- Hair must be clean, and well groomed. Facial hair must be well trimmed and maintained.
Jewelry
- Conservative jewelry may be worn if it does not interfere with patient care or safety. Wear a watch with a second hand. No visible body piercing may be worn with the exception of earrings and/or one small discrete stud worn in the nose.
- Inappropriate jewelry would include buttons, pins or jewelry with provocative messages.
Cosmetics
- Conservative make-up. No perfume or cologne is preferred. Lightly scented personal care products may be used if necessary.
- Conservative nail polish.
Hygiene
- Acrylic or false fingernails are not allowed. Nails are to be a length (no longer than ¼ inch) that will not cause accidental injury to patients.
- Clean personal hygiene.
Tattoos
- To the extent possible, tattoos should be covered if they are perceived as affecting the student-client interaction and, thus, delivering effective, safe care.
Clinical Unit Behavior
Non-clinical patient contact: Visits or contacts with patients and/or their significant others outside of clinical laboratory and/or unrelated to the learning objectives are unacceptable behavior.
Clinical instructor and unit appreciation: If students wish to express gratitude or appreciation to their clinical instructors and/or clinical unit regarding their clinical experiences, please express gratitude/appreciation with a card, note or letter. Material gifts including food items are neither expected nor condoned.
Academic Improvement
The purpose of the Academic Improvement Success Plan is to document the processes used to address concerns that could lead to unsuccessful completion of a course.
The Academic Improvement Success Form is to be used to document an academic improvement plan for all students at risk enrolled in a clinical course but, at the discretion of faculty, may be used for other courses at all levels (prelicensure to PhD). The Academic Improvement Form should be initiated as soon as the clinical instructor and/or course director recognize that a student’s performance may jeopardize the successful completion of a clinical practicum, course, or progression in a program of study. The form can be initiated at any time during a term, though it is suggested that it be done as early as possible, so the student has time to implement the plan of action to improve their performance.
Testing
Examinations are designed to assess a student’s progress in learning and managing the material presented in a course. Thus, an examination should reflect a student’s own work. There will be no sharing of information or use of notes or electronic devices during examinations unless expressly authorized. Failure to follow the guidelines established for an examination may result in penalties as outlined by the course instructor and college/university policies.
Test Reviews
Tests are used to evaluate student performance in a course and are usually not returned to the student. If a test is not returned, the course director may schedule an opportunity for students to review student performance on the test. The exact procedure for the test review will be determined by the course director.
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