Academic Information

College and Career Success

The College and Career Success course (ADMN 110  and ADMN 111 ) is required for all first-time freshmen during the first two semesters of enrollment. These courses are also required for transfer students with less than 16 semester hours of transfer credit who have a TEAS-V Adjusted Individual Total Score of either Basic or Developmental. However, all entering students are eligible to participate in these courses. Class meets one hour each week during both the Fall and Spring Semesters and fulfills the required 2-credit humanities/social science elective requirement.

In this course, students will learn to apply physiological, social, and psychological principles to succeed in college, the world of work and life, and will explore personality, interests, and values to increase self-understanding in relation to a nursing career. They will discover strategies for lifelong learning by identifying their learning style and applying psychological principles of learning and memory to academic study strategies. Students will apply life management techniques such as time and money management to accomplish personal goals and examine adult stages of development to develop a plan for wellness and living a long and healthy life. Students will learn strategies for motivation and stress management and practice creative and critical thinking techniques.

The Pulse

“The Pulse” is a program designed for all new incoming Mount Carmel College of Nursing students to help them get a head start on the academic year. This program approaches nursing education methodically and energetically, with focus and a bit of humor. Topics covered include self-understanding, balance, stress management, relaxation techniques, test-taking strategies, and what to expect during your first year of college.

Technology Proficiency

All entering Mount Carmel students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of computer and internet competency. The student must demonstrate this competency by the end of week eight of the first semester of enrollment by successfully completing a technology proficiency assignment. A new student will not be permitted to enroll for the second semester until successful completion of the technology proficiency requirement.

Community Service Requirement

Pre-licensure nursing students must satisfactorily complete and submit for approval the required 20 hours of community service by the end of the semester before their planned graduation (i.e., by December 31 for May graduation). This is a requirement for graduation.

Any student failing to meet this deadline will be required to submit verification of 30 hours (20 required hours plus 10 additional hours) of community service in order to graduate. If the student is unable to complete the 30 hours prior to the date of graduation, he/she may participate in Commencement activities but will not receive a diploma or be eligible for NCLEX-RN testing until this requirement is met.

Registered nurses enrolled in the RN-BSN Completion Program must satisfactorily complete and submit for approval 10 hours of community service by the end of the semester before their planned graduation (i.e., by December 31 for May graduation). This is a requirement for graduation. Any RN-BSN student failing to meet this deadline will be required to submit verification of 15 hours (10 required hours plus 5 additional hours) of community service in order to graduate. If the student is unable to complete the 15 hours prior to the date of graduation, he/she may participate in Commencement activities but will not receive a diploma until this requirement is met.

Semester Load

The semester hour is the basis of college credit at Mount Carmel College of Nursing. To complete the degree in four academic years, a student must undertake 16-18 credit hours per semester. Semester loads of more than 18 credit hours require permission of the Director of Records and Registration.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status

Students are considered full-time when they carry at least 12 credit hours per semester; students enrolled in 6-11 credit hours are considered part-time. Those enrolled in less than 6 credit hours are not eligible for financial aid.

Class Level (Degree-Seeking Students)

Students are classified as freshmen until successful completion of all courses in the freshman curriculum plan. Sophomore status is achieved once students are eligible to enroll for the first nursing course in the sophomore curriculum plan. Students are classified as juniors when they begin the first nursing clinical course in the junior curriculum plan. Senior status is achieved once students have registered for the first nursing course in the senior curriculum plan, and this status is maintained until graduation.

Transfer Credit

Students who have attended other regionally accredited colleges and universities prior to enrollment at Mount Carmel College of Nursing may be entitled to transfer credit at Mount Carmel. Transfer credit is determined by the Transfer Credit Evaluator, in consultation with the Director of Records and Registration, The Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program, and/or the President/Dean. Only college level grades of “C” or higher are eligible for transfer.

Transfer Nursing Credit

New students with transfer nursing credit from other institutions and former MCCN nursing students being readmitted to the College must undergo evaluation of academic nursing credit after admission is completed and confirmed. In order to assure student success in the MCCN program, the Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program will evaluate previous nursing credit and determine, prior to registration in any MCCN nursing course, the need for prerequisite review. Examples of what may be required include: a computer documentation course or session, demonstration of nursing skill levels, auditing courses, independent study, and/or consultation with Academic Support Services.

Credit by Examination

Advanced Placement Examination Credit

Mount Carmel College of Nursing recognizes the Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Program of The College Board as an excellent way to earn college credit toward the baccalaureate degree. MCCN will award equivalent course credit for the following AP examinations with a score of ‘3’ or higher.

In addition, MCCN will award equivalent course credit up to a maximum of 3 courses (9 semester hours) with a score of ‘3’ or higher on AP examinations in the subject areas of humanities or social sciences. This credit will be applied toward the humanities/social science elective credit at MCCN. Contact the MCCN Transfer Credit Evaluator for specific AP examinations covered under this policy.

Evaluation of AP credit is handled by the MCCN Transfer Credit Evaluator. Official confirmation of AP scores must come directly from The College Board to the MCCN Admissions Office. Notation of AP work on a high school transcript will not suffice.

A student requesting evaluation of AP credit must contact automated service or write to the address below, indicate the specific AP test and year it was taken, and request the score report be sent directly to the Admissions Office at Mount Carmel College of Nursing. The MCCN Ceeb code is 1502

AP Services
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
Phone: 888-308-0013
AP Automated Service: toll free 888-308-0013

Proficiency Examination Credit

Some academic areas within the College have developed subject-based proficiency exams leading to the award of “EM” credit if passed with a grade of “C” (73%) or higher. Science exams are available to students who have not completed a science course within the past five years or those whose knowledge was gained from experience or training. Students must have completed college-level course work in the subject area. Exams are administered with permission of the course lead instructor and the Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program or the College President/Dean.

There is a non-refundable fee for each proficiency exam that must be paid prior to taking the exam. Refer to the “Educational Costs ” section of this Catalog for proficiency exam fees.

Credit by Examination is not an option for nursing clinical courses.

Non-Degree Students

An applicant may request enrollment as a non-degree student by contacting the Director of Records and Registration. Non-degree students may register for up to 12 credit hours of non-nursing coursework. A non-degree student who wishes to enroll in a non-clinical nursing course must obtain permission from the Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program or the Director of Records and Registration.

Non-degree students will be held to the same academic progress policies as degree-seeking students. Students enrolled in the College on a non-degree status must achieve a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA by the time 12 credit hours are completed or be dismissed from the College. Non-degree students who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students must apply for reinstatement. Following completion of 12 credit hours, the student must apply for degree-seeking status.

Attendance

Class and clinical attendance is required at Mount Carmel College of Nursing. Each course syllabus includes faculty requirements for specific class and clinical attendance. A student listed on the class roster who has not attended class or clinical by the second class or clinical day and has not been excused will be administratively withdrawn from the course.

A student who becomes ill or injured during class or clinical time will notify the instructor who will initiate an appropriate plan of action based on the circumstances and in accordance with related College policies.

All missed clinical experiences must be made up. Clinical make up is determined by the course coordinator. Students with two (2) clinical absences may be withdrawn from the course by the Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program.

Students who have been admitted as a hospital inpatient or seen for treatment in a hospital Emergency Department must submit a signed release in order to return to class and/or clinical. This signed release must be submitted to the Student Health Nurse prior to the student’s returning to class and/or clinical. The release must clearly identify all restrictions. Additionally, the length of time the restrictions apply must be clearly stated.

Registration

A registration period is scheduled prior to the beginning of each semester. Students register online via CARMELink. Nursing courses with clinical components and seminar courses have specific, predetermined enrollment limits. Students may attend classes only after they have completed registration and have made satisfactory financial arrangements. In registering, the student subscribes to all the regulations, terms, and conditions – academic and financial – set forth by the College. Late registrations will be processed only if there is space available in each requested course.

Schedule Changes

Adding a Course

A student must submit an Add/Drop Form to add a Mount Carmel course after initial registration for the semester. To add a non-nursing course after the course start date, a student must obtain the instructor’s signature on the Add/Drop Form prior to submitting the form to the Office of Records and Registration.

In every case, a student must obtain the instructor’s signature on the Add/Drop Form in order gain admission to any non-nursing course that has closed due to maximum registration.

Signature of the Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program is required to add any nursing course after the class start date.

Withdrawing from a Course

For the purposes of this policy, there are two types of courses: non-nursing courses and nursing courses. Nursing courses include all courses with a prefix of NURS (with the exception of nursing seminars). Non-nursing courses include all other courses taken in the academic program (including nursing seminars).

Students must first notify the course instructor and obtain his/her signature prior to submitting an Add/Drop Form to the Office of Records and Registration. Submission of the form to Records and Registration is required for official withdrawal from a course. Non-attendance in a course after the withdrawal deadline is considered as being absent from the course. Failure to submit a faculty-signed Add/Drop Form will result in a grade being assigned at the conclusion of the course. All course withdrawals are subject to the “Refund Policy ” section of the Student Handbook.

The “end of week” shall be understood as the Friday, or in the case of a holiday or other College closure, the last business day of the week in question.

• A student may withdraw from any course by the end of week 1 and the course will not appear on the transcript.
• A student may withdraw, without academic penalty, from a 16-week semester course by the end of week 12 of the course. A grade of “W” will be posted to the student’s academic transcript.
• A student may withdraw, without academic penalty, from an 8-week term course by the end of week 6 of the course. A grade of “W” will be posted to the student’s academic transcript.
• A student may not withdraw from any course after week 12 of a 16-week semester course or week 6 of an 8-week term course.
• Summer courses operating on a modified schedule will follow deadlines equivalent to the proportional requirements stated above.
• A student may withdraw from only one nursing course during the program of study.
• A student may withdraw from a total of two different non-nursing courses during the program of study.
• A student who is retaking a course from which he/she has previously withdrawn may not withdraw from that course a second time; a course grade will be assigned at the conclusion of the retake.
• Withdrawing from a course does not force the student to also withdraw from a co-requisite course.

Administrative Withdrawal

• A student listed on the class roster who has not attended class or clinical by the second class or clinical day and has not been excused will be administratively withdrawn from the course.
• A student’s attendance must be evident by the end of week 1 in an online course or the student will be administratively withdrawn from the course.
• The faculty of the course will notify the Office of Records and Registration with the name of the absent student.

By approval of the President/Dean or Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program, a student will be dropped from a nursing clinical course if patient/client safety is at risk, and a grade of “W” will be posted to the student’s academic transcript. A student wishing to withdraw from a course for reasons of illness or crisis after the specified deadline may seek approval from the President/Dean or Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program.

Transient and Affiliated Course Credit

Once enrolled at Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN), degree candidates are required to complete all degree course work at MCCN. Exceptions to this policy include only those selected general education courses included in the affiliation with Columbus State Community College and The Ohio State University (see below).

General Education Courses

A few general education courses required for the BSN degree are not offered on the MCCN campus. Students complete three required courses and one or two elective courses at one of the two affiliated institutions. The choice of institution is made by each individual student. Transfer students may already have credit awarded for some, or perhaps all, of these courses.

• English Composition
• Introduction to Sociology
• Cultural Anthropology
• two humanities/social science elective courses

Students will be required to sign an Affiliation Agreement and be given a Registration Instruction Checklist. Only those courses listed above are included in the affiliation. A student enrolled in an affiliated course must provide to the Office of Records and Registration a printed copy of the approved course schedule from the affiliated institution.

Credit hours for these affiliated general education courses are added to the student’s Mount Carmel schedule and financial aid load hours, and final grades are transcripted as part of the student’s Mount Carmel academic record.

Science Courses

Students in good academic standing who are required to repeat a science course due to a poor grade may seek permission to repeat the course at another institution only if repeating the course at Mount Carmel will delay progress toward the degree. Permission will not be granted if the course is available at Mount Carmel and can be repeated without causing a delay in the student’s progress. Credit hours for science courses repeated at another institution are not counted toward the student’s MCCN financial aid eligibility.

Students seeking permission to repeat a science course at another institution must:

• Submit the appropriate paperwork to the Director of Records and Registration, preferably 3-4 weeks prior to the start date of the repeated course.
• Within 3 weeks of the completion of the course, request an official transcript to be forwarded to the Director of Records and Registration. Transfer credit will be posted to the student’s academic record, assuming a final grade of “C” or higher.

Permission to transfer credit to Mount Carmel may not be granted if a student fails to seek permission prior to enrolling at another institution.

Cross Registration

Mount Carmel College of Nursing participates in a cross registration program with other colleges/universities in Columbus: Capital University, The Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus State Community College, DeVry University, Ohio Dominican University, The Ohio State University, Otterbein University, the Pontifical College Josephinum, and Franklin University.

Cross registration permits full-time Mount Carmel students to register for enrichment classes at other Columbus institutions and permits full-time students at other eligible Columbus institutions to enroll in Mount Carmel classes, on a space available basis. Students register, pay tuition, and receive grades at their home institutions.

To participate, Mount Carmel College of Nursing students must have earned at least 24 credit hours at Mount Carmel and be in satisfactory academic standing. Course selection is limited to one class per semester and a total limit of three classes per student during the entire program of study. Students may not cross register for a course which is taught at Mount Carmel. Cross registration is not permitted during Summer Session.

Approval and arrangements for cross registration are coordinated by the Director of Records and Registration.

Grading Policies

The College uses a 4.0 grading system:

Grading in Clinical Nursing Courses

A final grade of “F” will be assigned in a clinical nursing course if the clinical component of the course is not satisfactory and/or if the theoretical component is less than a grade of “C.”

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average (GPA) determines a student’s academic status. Mount Carmel College of Nursing reports both the semester and cumulative GPAs on the grade report. The grade point average is obtained by dividing the sum of the “points earned” by the sum of the “hours attempted.”

Grade Reports

Official reporting of student grades is through the Office of Records and Registration at the completion of each semester.

Students without “holds” on their accounts can view and print their grade reports for any completed term via CARMELink. Students who require official hard-copy grade reports must contact the Office of Records and Registration in Marian Hall, Rm. 201.

Incomplete Grades

After discussion, faculty may issue an Incomplete (“I”) grade to a student who is unable to complete all course requirements due to illness or other serious problems. Under normal circumstances, students must submit completed coursework no later than the end of the sixth week following the end of a semester, or the “I” grade reverts to a failing grade.

Auditing a Course

A student may audit a course with the understanding that the course is taken for information only and that academic credit is not granted and cannot later be claimed as a result of the audited course. The course may be taken at a later date for college credit.

Permission to audit a course must be obtained from the Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program prior to the beginning of the class. Nursing courses may be audited only by those students enrolled in a Mount Carmel College of Nursing program.

The approved, written request for audit must be submitted to the Director of Records and Registration. Students granted permission to audit a course will be charged 50% of the normal cost of the class.

Academic Standards

Freshman Level GPA

A freshman with a grade point average (GPA) below 1.50 after the first semester will be academically dismissed from the College. A minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA and a minimum 2.00 cumulative science GPA must be achieved to progress from freshman to sophomore level.

Science GPA

Students entering Mount Carmel as freshmen:

• One science grade of “D” at the 100-level is permitted without repeat, provided the science cumulative GPA is at least 2.00 at the end of the freshman level. Students with less than a 2.00 cumulative science GPA are not permitted to advance to sophomore level.
• A minimum grade of “C” is required in all 200 and higher level science courses. Any science course in which a grade less than “C” is earned must be repeated.
• A minimum 2.00 cumulative science GPA is required at the end of each academic year in order to move to the next academic level.
• A minimum 2.00 cumulative science GPA is required in order to graduate.

Students entering Mount Carmel as sophomores:

• • A minimum grade of “C” is required in all 200 and higher level science courses. Any science courses in which a grade less than “C” is earned must be repeated.
• • A minimum 2.00 cumulative science GPA is required at the end of each academic year in order to move to the next academic level.
• • A minimum 2.00 cumulative science GPA is required in order to graduate.

A student with a cumulative science GPA less than 2.00 will receive an official letter of warning.

Academic Probation

A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.00 is placed on academic probation. Probation is defined as the opportunity to continue conditionally in the program after failing to meet minimum academic standards. Students are also placed on probation for failure to achieve a minimum grade of “C” in any nursing course.

Students are advised of their probationary status through an official Notification of Probation Status letter issued by the Chair of the Academic Progress Committee. Following this notification, students are strongly encouraged to meet with the Coordinator of Academic Support Services to develop a plan for academic improvement.

Failure to meet terms of probation could result in the student’s dismissal from the College.

Failure of a Nursing Course

A student who fails to achieve a minimum grade of “C” in any nursing course is placed on academic probation and must repeat the course. This repeat privilege is permitted in only one nursing clinical course. A student who fails a repeated nursing clinical course or a second nursing clinical course will be dismissed from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.

Retake Policy

The Retake Policy allows a student to eliminate a grade of “D” or “F” in courses taken at Mount Carmel College of Nursing. When the Retake Policy is invoked and a course is retaken, the original course and grade remain on the transcript. However, the original grade is removed from calculation of the cumulative GPA and only the repeated grade is included in the calculation. The Retake Policy may be applied a maximum of three times throughout the nursing program.

Academic Dismissal

• A freshman with a grade point average (GPA) below 1.50 after the first semester will be academically dismissed from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
• A student who fails to achieve a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for two consecutive semesters will be academically dismissed from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
• A student who fails two nursing clinical courses (or a repeated nursing clinical course) will be academically dismissed from Mount Carmel College of Nursing. However, a student dismissed at mid-semester (end of Term 1) may continue through the end of the semester if also enrolled in 16-week non-clinical courses.

An appeals process is in place for students who are academically dismissed.

Disciplinary Dismissal

The President/Dean has the authority to dismiss a student at any time for unethical behavior. Unethical behavior includes, but is not limited to, academic dishonesty. A student who is dismissed due to unethical behavior will not be considered for reinstatement to the College.

Dismissal Notation

It is the policy of Mount Carmel College of Nursing to indicate on a student’s official academic record all academic and non-academic dismissals as “dismissed.” Details of the dismissal will be released to third parties only with specific written permission of the student.

Reinstatement

Students who are academically dismissed may apply for reinstatement after a minimum of one semester of non-enrollment. A student will be permitted to apply for reinstatement to the College only one time.

Dismissed students must request reinstatement, in writing, to the Chair of the Academic Progress Committee. A Petition for Reinstatement is available from the Director of Records and Registration. A current transcript of any academic work completed since the dismissal must be included with the Petition for Reinstatement.

The Academic Progress Committee will review the student’s petition and any supporting documentation of potential for academic success. Reinstatement is not an automatic process and the student’s request is subject to approval or denial.

If the request for reinstatement is granted, the Academic Progress Committee will determine any special learning needs which are required as conditions of reinstatement, and a student may be asked to meet specific study requirements prior to course enrollment.

• A student who has failed two nursing clinical courses and has less than a 2.00 cumulative GPA is not eligible for reinstatement.
• A student with less than a 2.00 cumulative GPA will not be considered for reinstatement.
• A student with less than a 2.00 cumulative GPA in non-nursing courses may enroll, with permission, as a non-degree student at Mount Carmel and must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA, or earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA from another institution, in order to be considered for reinstatement.
• A student will be permitted to apply for reinstatement to the College only one time.
• Reinstatement to the College does not necessarily indicate reinstatement to the nursing program.
• Following reinstatement to the College, enrollment in specific classes will be on a space available basis.
• A reinstated student must meet the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of reinstatement.
• A reinstated student will be placed on probationary status for one semester.

Program Completion Time

Pre-licensure students must complete the Mount Carmel Nursing Program within six years of the date of admission. Online RN-BSN students must complete the Program within five years of the date of admission.

Residency Requirements

Transfer students must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours, including all senior level nursing courses, to be granted a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.

Online RN-BSN completion students must complete 44 semester credits at Mount Carmel (14 in general education and 30 in nursing).

Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)

Mount Carmel College of Nursing administers the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) series of assessment tools to all pre-licensure nursing students.

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

As part of the first semester orientation process, all new pre-licensure students are required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) in the areas of Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English/Language Usage.

• All students classified by MCCN as first-time freshmen are required to successfully complete the College and Career Success courses (ADMN 110  and ADMN 111 ) during the first two semesters, regardless of their TEAS-V results.
• Transfer freshmen with less than 16 semester hours of transfer credit whose Adjusted Individual Total Score is Basic or Developmental are required to complete ADMN 110  and ADMN 111  during the first two semesters.
• Transfer freshman with 16 or more semester hours of transfer credit are exempt from ADMN 110  and ADMN 111 . However, any student in this category who scores at Basic or Developmental in Reading, English and Language Usage, or Science will be referred to Academic Support Services.
• All entering students, regardless of class level, who score at Basic or Developmental in Math are required to successfully complete an online remedial math course (MATH 090 ). Sophomores must take MATH 090  the first semester of enrollment; freshmen must take MATH 090  the first or second semester of enrollment.

Critical Thinking Assessment

All new pre-licensure students are required to complete the Critical Thinking Assessment ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills upon entrance to MCCN and again at the end of the nursing program. This non-nursing assessment helps the College document improvement in critical thinking skills as a measurable outcome for accreditation.

Content Mastery Series

The College also administers diagnostic assessments to students following classroom instruction in the sophomore, junior, and senior years. Where applicable, a percentage of the nursing course grade will be based upon ATI achievement level.

ATI Comprehensive Review

Beginning with the 2011-2012 academic year, students graduating from the traditional pre-licensure nursing program are required to participate in an ATI Comprehensive Review for NCLEX Preparation. Students on track to graduate from the traditional pre-licensure program are assessed a senior year fee that enrolls them in the ATI Comprehensive NCLEX Review arranged by the College.

The onsite review is offered in May the week following graduation for May and July graduates. The onsite format consists of a three-day comprehensive in-class review.

October, December, and March graduates are offered an onsite review session if there are a minimum of 25 students in attendance. If there are fewer than 25 students, graduates will enroll in the comprehensive review in a self-paced online format with an individually assigned ATI course instructor.

For Second Degree Accelerated Program students who wish to participate in a comprehensive review course in preparation for the NCLEX, the College offers the option of an onsite class with a minimum of 25 participants or the ATI Virtual Comprehensive Review. The ATI Virtual online format that is a self-paced review with an individually assigned ATI course instructor. Course enrollment information for the ATI Virtual Comprehensive Review is provided to the student prior to completion of the SDAP program. Students are assessed the appropriate fee for either the onsite or online format.

Honors

President’s List

Students completing a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester who have a semester GPA of 3.40 or higher are placed on the President’s List.

Graduation Honors

Latin honors are based on the final cumulative grade point average and indicate a consistently high level of scholastic achievement. Latin honors are awarded according to these established cumulative grade point averages:

A minimum of two years of full-time course work at MCCN is required to qualify for graduation honors.

Graduation with Distinction

Graduates completing degree requirements with less than two years (60 semester hours) of Mount Carmel College of Nursing course work and a minimum 3.40 cumulative GPA are awarded Academic Distinction.

Special Recognition

Several awards are given at the May pinning ceremony to recognize outstanding achievements of graduating students. Recipients of three of the awards are selected by the senior class during Spring Semester; two are selected by faculty and staff. These awards are:

• Humanitarian Award – for behavior demonstrating outstanding participation and leadership in promoting community service and a commitment to equity and diversity
• Lamp Award – for behavior which is most reflective of caring in the nursing profession, as described in the philosophy of Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
• Inspiration Award – for behavior serving as a consistent role model for motivation, positive influence, encouragement, and an inspiration to others to achieve at their highest level.
• Clinical Excellence Award – for consistent outstanding achievement of clinical objectives throughout the nursing program (nominated and awarded by faculty).
• Student Leadership Award – for demonstrating leadership in the College and community service (nominated and selected by faculty and staff).

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society

Sigma Theta Tau International is an organization committed to fostering excellence, scholarship, and leadership in nursing. The Honor Society also promotes the use of nursing research in health care and provides resources to communicate the latest knowledge in nursing care. Mount Carmel’s Rho Omicron chapter is one of 469 chapters around the world.

All candidates must meet the expectation of academic integrity. Undergraduate students must have completed at least one-half of the nursing curriculum and rank in the upper thirty-fifth percentile of the graduating class. RN-BSN students must have completed twelve credit hours at MCCN, at least one-half of the nursing curriculum, and rank in the upper thirty-fifth percentile of the graduating class. Graduate students must have completed a minimum of one-fourth of the nursing curriculum.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete the following requirements for graduation from Mount Carmel College of Nursing:

• Submit a Graduation Application to the Office of Records and Registration by the posted deadline.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 133 semester hours of credit. (Transfer students must complete a minimum of 32 semester hours, including all senior level nursing courses.)
• Complete all required courses with a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.
• Earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative science GPA.
• Make certain that official transcripts for all transfer and affiliated courses are on file at MCCN.
• Meet the Community Service Program requirement.
• Fulfill all financial and library obligations to Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
• Complete the required online graduation exit survey and the required exit interview with a designated staff/faculty member.
• Complete a Financial Aid exit interview (any student who received any type of loan).
• Complete the ATI Content Mastery Series of diagnostic assessments (pre-licensure students only).
• Order graduation cap and gown from authorized vendor (earliest order date and vendor will be announced to graduating students).

Students may participate in the graduation ceremony if they have no more than two nursing clinical courses remaining and are eligible to complete the nursing program within the calendar year.

Transcript Request

A transcript is a copy of the student’s permanent academic record. All requests for official transcripts should be directed to the Office of Records and Registration using the Transcript Request Form available on the MCCN website. A student’s signature is required to release a transcript.

Transcripts will be denied to any graduate, current, or former student with a “hold” on their record.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

A Leave of Absence (LOA) from the nursing program may be granted to students in good academic standing (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00). LOA indicates a desire to interrupt, but not permanently discontinue, enrollment in the College. Normally, an LOA is granted for no more than one year.

Typically, a student must submit a completed Request for Leave of Absence (available from the Director of Records and Registration) within 30 days of the start of the semester in which the LOA is to begin. The student will be notified in writing of the approval status of the request. A student granted an LOA must also return the student ID badge to the Director of Records and Registration. It will be the student’s responsibility to notify the Director of Records and Registration prior to the deadline referenced in the approval letter of intent to return from the LOA. Failure to notify the College by the designated date will result in administrative withdrawal from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.

The returning student must submit a Petition to Return from Leave of Absence and fulfill all indicated requirements. A returning LOA student must pay any account balance in full before being permitted to return to the College. Late fees and any collection costs will be added to the student’s account. Enrollment in any course will be on a space available basis for a student returning from LOA.

It may be necessary for the College to request that a student take an LOA due to health reasons. Before returning to the nursing program, a student must submit a physician’s statement to the Director of Records and Registration indicating that the student is physically and/or emotionally able to return to the nursing program.

Withdrawing from The College

A student whose intent is to withdraw from the College must contact the Director of Records and Registration to submit a Notice to Withdraw. This form must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of a new semester. A student withdrawing from the College must also return his/her student ID badge with the written notice.

A student who has not requested a Leave of Absence and has not registered for classes by the first week of the semester will be administratively withdrawn from the College. All withdrawals are subject to the “Refund Policy” section of the Student Handbook.

Students who have withdrawn from the College and wish to return must complete a new application which will be reviewed for decision by the Admissions Committee (the application and confirmation fees will be waived). Transcripts for work completed at other institutions since the withdrawal must be included with the new application. Previously completed Mount Carmel courses will be accepted, as applicable.

Accommodation for Student Learning Needs

To provide an equitable learning environment for students:

• The College will provide accommodations for students with documented learning needs.
• The student is responsible for notifying faculty in each course as to their documented learning needs.
• Any provision for offering additional assistance in a course to students without documented learning needs will be made at the direction of the Academic Success Services Coordinator in conjunction with the Lead Course Coordinator.
• The College publishes the availability of support for learning needs. However, the College does not seek out students with learning needs. The individual student is responsible for providing documentation, bringing the needs to the College’s attention, and requesting accommodation.

A complete statement of the accommodation for student learning needs can be found in the Mount Carmel College of Nursing Student Handbook.

Academic Advising

To ensure timely resolution of problems and progression to graduation, the student must assume responsibility in the advising process.

Academic advising, available through the Center for Scholarship and Learning, includes:

• Assisting students in examining and improving study skills, time management skills, stress reduction, and test taking strategies
• Providing information about available College academic resources
• Assisting with resolution of academic problems
• Providing information and/or advice about career opportunities
• Maintaining confidentiality when advising students
• Interacting with students in a sensitive and caring manner
• Maintaining records of academic advising and placing appropriate information in a student’s file

The Office of Records and Registration provides advising services which include:

• Assisting in planning the student’s academic program
• Advising regarding course registration each semester
• Interpreting academic requirements, policies, and procedures
• Reviewing student progress toward fulfilling degree requirements and grade point achievement