PROGRESSION INTO CORE NURSING �

Tempe Campus

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

To advance from the general education courses into the core nursing curriculum (Semester 5), the student must meet the following GPA and grade requirements:

• Complete all science and math courses within five years prior to admission to the program • Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in the required general education and science courses (semesters 1-4) • Achieve a “B” or higher in the six required science courses (Fundamentals of Biology, Chemistry,

Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Pathophysiology) • Achieve a “B” or higher in Math • Achieve a “B or higher in Statistics • Achieve a “C” or higher in all other general education courses

BACKGROUND CHECK & SUBSTANCE SCREENING AS A CONDITION OF PROGRESSION

A Pass Status background check (in some states this may include fingerprinting due to state regulations) and negative urine substance screen (as described subsequently) are required to progress to the core nursing component of the curriculum. These requirements must be completed no earlier than 3 months prior to beginning nursing courses (Semester 5).

If both these conditions are not met, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program.

Students are required to cover the cost of both requirements.

BACKGROUND CHECK & FINGERPRINTING

Students are required to provide and maintain a passing background check including valid fingerprint clearance in some states. The type of fingerprint clearance required varies by state and students will receive information regarding specific state requirements during health and safety orientation.

Pass Status is defined as no reported activity on any database that is part of the background clearance process regardless of the activity’s effect on a student’s ability to be approved to take NCLEX-RN® or their eligibility to be licensed as an RN. In the state of Texas, Pass Status also includes obtaining a Blue Card from Texas Board of Nursing.

There are no exemptions to the requirement of a Pass Status for background checks. Students who believe their background results are in error must work with the background check company and, if necessary, appropriate local, state and national officials to obtain a Pass Status.

Students who receive a Fail Status on the background check will be withdrawn from the program but will be able to complete any general education courses in which they are currently enrolled.

The following information provides further explanation regarding Pass and Fail status of the background check:

What constitutes Passing Criteria

• Non conviction leading to charges being dismissed • Nolle Prosse, Nolle Prosequi • Expunged • Not Guilty Verdict • Acquittal of defendant

What constitutes Failing Criteria

• Any disposition resulting in a

Conviction or Non Conviction that has NOT led to the case being dismissed or expunged • Non conviction could be adjudication deferred/withheld • Any disposition resulting in conviction

Crimes, Events & Issues that will lead to a fail

• Social Security Search-Social

Security number does not belong to applicant • Any inclusion on any registered sex offender database • Any inclusion on any of the FACIS exclusion lists or Homeland Security watch list • Any conviction of felony no matter what the age of the conviction • Any warrant in any state • Any misdemeanor conviction for the following (no matter age of crime) - violent crimes - sex crime of any kind including non-consensual sexual crimes and sexual assault - murder, attempted murder - abduction - assault - robbery - arson

- extortion - burglary - pandering - any crime against minors, children, vulnerable adults including abuse, neglect, exploitation - any abuse or neglect - any fraud - illegal drugs - aggravated DUI • Any misdemeanor controlled substance conviction last 7 years • Any other misdemeanor conviction within last 3 years exceptions:

Any misdemeanor traffic (DUI is not considered traffic)

SUBSTANCE SCREENING

Students must complete an initial random urine substance screening as directed.

• Only students receiving negative results can remain enrolled in the

BSN Program. In some cases, students may have a positive result due to a prescribed medication. In these cases, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) evaluation will be necessary. - Prescribed medications can alter a student’s functional capabilities.

Students whose results are determined to be negative from an MRO review must meet with the Dean of Nursing or designee to determine ability to participate in clinical. • Substances screened for include:

Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines,

Opiates, Propoxyphene, Oxycodone

Oxymorphone, PCP, Barbiturates,

Benzodiazepines, Methadone. • Students may not use any substance or drug screen other than that authorized by the college, regardless of how current it is, who ordered it or for what purpose. • Students who have positive results on the substance screen will be withdrawn from the program but will be able to complete any general education courses in which they are currently enrolled.

Tempe Campus

STATE REGULATIONS & CLINICAL AGENCY REQUIREMENTS

State regulations and clinical agencies where students may be placed for clinical practicum may have additional screening requirements. For example, all students in Arizona must screen negative for both nicotine and alcohol due to the requirements of a health system where all students will do some clinical practicum. As such, the requirements in this section should be considered minimum screening requirements for progression to core nursing. Campus specific information will be given to students in writing in preparation for progression to core nursing courses to ensure adequate time for compliance.