Student Policies

A. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to delineate the actions required to process a request for deferment.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to undergraduate and graduate students.

C. Definitions

• Deferment is defined as a formal request to delay admission to a later time.
• Deferment is defined by the School of Nursing as a single occurrence within the length of the program.

D. Policy

This policy outlines the procedures, statutes, regulations, rules, and standards related to deferment requests.

E. Procedures

1. The program of study is provided on the course schedule and forwarded by email to the applicant.
2. A student who has been accepted into a program and agrees with the offer is expected to enroll for the selected term.
3. The student will continuously enroll each semester as outlined in the course schedule.
4. A student who does not accept the offer must officially request a deferment (see Deferment Request Form).
5. A student requesting deferment will be advised that a seat in the next admission cycle is not guaranteed.
6. Exceptions to deferment include:
   • Excused medical condition(s)
   • Serious illness or death of an immediate family member
   • Legal proceedings
   • Military deployment
7. Financial or employment circumstances are not considered exceptional reasons for admission deferment.
8. A student who qualifies for deferment will be granted only one deferment at the time of acceptance.
9. A student must request deferment within 30 days of receiving the acceptance letter.
10. A student who is not granted a deferment may reapply.

F. Related Statutes, Regulations, Rules, and Policies

• Generic BSN: All procedures required other than those for graduate programs.
• Second Degree BSN: All procedures required other than those for graduate programs.
• RN-BSN: All procedures required other than those for graduate programs.
• Graduate Programs:
  • Policies available at: UTRGV Graduate College – Deferral of Admission
  • A request form is required and accessed through the provided link.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP):
  • Policies available at: UTRGV Graduate College – Deferral of Admission
  • A request form is required and accessed through the provided link.

G. Attachments

Deferment Request Form

H. Dates Reviewed, Approved, or Amended

• Date sent to SONFO: April 8, 2024
• Date approved by SONFO: April 8, 2024
• Date approved by Dean: April 8, 2024
• Due for revision: April 8, 2025

A. Purpose

This policy provides guidelines for parental leave and accommodations.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to students enrolled in the UTRGV School of Nursing curriculum.

C. Definitions

• Parental Leave: Time off requested for the birth of a child or placement of a foster/adoptive child under the age of three.
• Parental leave will not extend beyond two calendar weeks.
• Accommodations: Adjustments to schedules or requirements to support temporary conditions (e.g., medical emergency, pregnancy, urgent childcare, or foster/adoptive placement).

D. Policy

Due to the rigor of the nursing education program, extended leave may require a student to take a full semester leave and return the following semester. If more than two semesters are required, the student must apply for readmission.

The School of Nursing will:

1. Support all students in completing their nursing education.
2. Comply with all applicable federal and state laws.
3. Accommodate the immediate perinatal period and its demands on parents and newborns.
4. Provide realistic options for student progression toward program completion.
5. Advise that accommodations beyond two calendar weeks may impact the ability to meet course requirements and could result in withdrawal.
6. Require readmission if parental leave extends beyond 12 months.
7. Evaluate medical extensions on a case-by-case basis.

E. Procedures

1. Contact the course coordinator.
2. Develop a detailed plan with the course coordinator:
   Submit Leave/Accommodation Request Form
3. Work with the Associate Dean for Student Success & Engagement to schedule the leave. The plan must be completed and approved at least three months before the leave begins.
4. The request is submitted to the Program Director for pre-approval.
5. The Dean reviews and provides final approval.
6. The Dean forwards documentation to the Accessibility Office for confirmation.

F. Related Statutes and Resources

• Accessibility Glossary
• Pregnancy and Parenting FAQ
• Student Accessibility Services

G. Dates Reviewed or Amended

• April 10, 2023 – Draft
• April 28, 2023 – Approved by SONFO with corrections
• May 15, 2023 – Reviewed and approved by Interim Dean, Dr. Lilia A. Fuentes

A. Purpose

This policy provides guidance on the process of readmission and reinstatement for students in graduate and undergraduate programs.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students.

C. Definitions

• Readmission: A request from a student to be considered for reentry into a previously enrolled program.
• Reinstatement: A formal request submitted by a student following the required process.

D. Policy

This policy outlines procedures and related standards for the readmission and reinstatement of students.

E. Procedures

1. Dismissal Conditions:
   • Receiving a grade of “D” or “F” in more than one course or in a repeated course due to a prior failing grade.
   • Receiving written notification of dismissal for failure to adhere to School of Nursing policies.
2. Guidelines for Dismissed Students:
   • Dismissed students are no longer eligible to progress or enroll in the nursing program.
   • Dismissed students are not eligible to receive a Letter of Good Standing.
3. Students who drop or withdraw twice from the same course may not re-enroll in that course or continue in the School of Nursing.
4. Readmission requests submitted after 12 months require reapplication to the program.
5. All reinstatement applications must include typed documentation with:
   • Date
   • Full name
   • Address
   • UTRGV email
   • Phone number
6. Reinstatement Requirements:
   • Meet with an Academic Advisor to review contributing factors and receive support referrals.
   • Meet with the program coordinator.
   • Submit a formal letter requesting readmission to the APG Committee (using the required form).
   • Meet all program deadlines and submit the application on time.
   • Address factors contributing to failure, withdrawal, or leave of absence.
   • Explain progress made in addressing those factors.
   • Submit all required documentation (e.g., immunizations, CPR, insurance) prior to returning.

F. Process

1. The process is managed by the Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committees.
2. Students must apply for readmission or reinstatement.
3. Students must use the required form to submit requests.
4. Committees evaluate requests using an established rubric.
5. Approval to repeat a course may be granted based on space availability.

G. Related Statutes and Policies

• Undergraduate Handbook
• Graduate Handbook

H. Attachments

• Rubric: Admission and Reinstatement
• Form: Request for Readmission or Reinstatement

I. Dates Reviewed or Amended

• December 28, 2023
• January 26, 2024 – Approved by SONFO
• January 26, 2024 – Approved by Dean, Dr. Lilia A. Fuentes

Overview

The School of Nursing prepares graduates for entry-level and advanced practice roles in diverse healthcare settings. Students must develop the knowledge, skills, and professional integrity required to ensure patient safety and improve health outcomes.

To successfully complete the program, students must meet course and program objectives and demonstrate competence in the following technical standards:

• Observation
• Communication
• Motor
• Intellectual, Conceptual, and Integrative Abilities
• Behavioral and Social Attributes
• Stress Management

Students who are unable to meet these competencies will not be able to complete the program and may be advised to pursue alternative career paths.

Observation

Students must be able to use their senses (vision, touch, hearing, and smell) to gather, analyze, and interpret patient data. This includes recognizing pain, pressure, temperature, and movement, and accurately documenting observations.

Students must respond promptly in urgent situations and not hinder patient care provided by the healthcare team.

Communication

Students must communicate effectively both verbally and nonverbally. This includes reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English to interact with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.

Students must maintain accurate records and present information clearly and professionally.

Motor Ability

Students must perform physical examinations and clinical procedures requiring coordination, dexterity, and strength. This includes patient care activities such as lifting, mobility, and operating medical equipment.

Students must demonstrate sufficient stamina for extended periods of standing, moving, and physical exertion, including performing CPR if necessary.

Intellectual, Conceptual, and Integrative Abilities

Students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize information. They must make sound clinical decisions, often in time-sensitive environments, using critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Behavioral and Social Attributes

Students must demonstrate emotional stability, sound judgment, and the ability to build effective relationships with patients, families, peers, and healthcare teams.

Students must adapt to changing environments and maintain professionalism in clinical settings.

Ability to Manage Stressful Situations

Students must be able to function effectively in stressful environments, including emergency situations. Stressors may include personal, academic, clinical, or interpersonal challenges.

Students Requesting Reasonable Accommodations

Students who are unable to meet technical standards due to a disability may request reasonable accommodations in accordance with federal law and university policy.

Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal funding. A qualified individual with a disability must meet academic and technical standards, with or without accommodations.

• Students must provide appropriate documentation supporting the disability.
• Evaluations are based on individualized assessments of functional limitations.
• Determinations consider performance, history, and impact on major life activities.

Requesting Accommodations

1. Disclose the disability at admission or when it is identified.
2. Meet with Student Accessibility Services to determine appropriate accommodations.
3. Meet with the School of Nursing Program Director to evaluate whether accommodations are feasible while maintaining student and patient safety.
4. Students unable to meet technical standards with accommodations may be advised to pursue alternative career paths.

Students Not Requesting Accommodations

Students who do not request accommodations will be evaluated based on standard course and program objectives.