4.9 Progression and Retention Policy: BSN Programs

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at UT Tyler School of Nursing consists of
three different tracks.

The Traditional BSN track requires successful completion of two years of prerequisites and then
four consecutive semesters of nursing program courses. Students graduate in less than 18
months in this year-round program. The curriculum begins with simple concepts and progresses
to complex learning that builds during each level.

he Concurrent track is designed for students currently enrolled in an accredited ADN program
in the state of Texas as an alternative to the traditional BSN. Students complete 30 hours of
BSN level coursework at the same time they are enrolled in ADN courses. These courses are
offered primarily online to accommodate the class schedules of the ADN program. Individual
plans vary depending on the student’s ADN program and will be determined jointly by advisors
at the ADN program & UT Tyler SON advising office.

The RN-BSN track offers ADN and Diploma RNs the opportunity to attain a BSN degree. The
track has three admissions a year, offers all online curriculum, delivered in 7-week blocks.

Grading Requirements

The UT Tyler School of Nursing (SON) has established the following criteria for progression and
retention:

1. Final grades for nursing courses (except NURS 3303 Pathophysiology) will be
   determined based upon the following point assignments:
   1. A: 90-100
   2. B: 80-89
   3. C: 75-79
   4. D: 60-74
   5. F: Below 60
      
      Final course grades less than 75 are not rounded up
      The simple average of all exam grades, including a final, must first be at or above 75%
      to pass the course. Once the student has achieved a simple exam average of 75% or
      higher, course grades will be determined based on the weighted calculation of exams
      and other required course work.
      
      
2. A minimum grade of 75 or higher is required in all upper-division nursing (NURS or
   RNBS) courses (excluding pre-nursing course NURS 3303 Pathophysiology). This
   includes the simple exam average of 75% and the final course grade.
   
   
3. Students will be notified in writing via their Patriot*email through Navigate (EAB) at mid-
   clinical if they have made unsatisfactory progress in a nursing course's theory,
   laboratory, or clinical component.
   
   
4. When nursing courses have a theory and clinical component, the student must pass
   both components to successfully complete the course and progress to the next level in
   the program.
   
   
5. If the failed course is a clinical course the student must repeat both theory and clinical
   components.
   
   
6. All clinical courses required for each level must be successfully completed before the
   student can progress to the next level.
   
   
7. All students are expected to maintain enrollment in a full-time or part-time status once
   admitted into the nursing program. Enrollment must be continuous, and one status
   change can be made while actively enrolled in the program (i.e., full-time to part-time). A
   status change must be approved by the student’s Academic Advisor. Exceptions will be
   considered due to extending circumstances on an individual basis.
   
   
8. Students accepted into the BSN program are not allowed to take a course more than two
   times. If the student is unsuccessful on the second attempt, the student will be dismissed
   from the program (i.e., A student failing a course and repeating it will be dismissed if
   they withdraw from the course during the second attempt. A student who withdraws from
   a course and fails it on the second attempt will be dismissed from the program).
   
   

4.9.1 Withdrawing (dropping) a Required Nursing Program Course

Students accepted into the BSN program are allowed one (1) course withdrawal (drop) while
completing the nursing upper-division curriculum. View withdrawal procedure.

Students accepted into the UT Tyler BSN program are required to withdraw from any co-
requisite course(s). The course withdrawal is counted as a single withdrawal in the same
semester.

Students must consult with their academic advisor and course faculty before withdrawing; failure
to do so may jeopardize their continuation in the program.

Re-admission to clinical courses is contingent upon space available.

4.9.2 Failure of a Required Nursing Course

Students accepted into the BSN program are allowed one (1) course failure (scores below 75
are considered failures in the SON except NURS 3303) while completing the nursing curriculum.
Students who exceed this allowed number of failed nursing program courses will be denied continuance in the nursing program and notified in writing of this determination.

Students failing the same nursing course twice will be denied continuance in the nursing
program and notified in writing of this determination.

Transfer courses from another nursing program will not be accepted as a replacement for a
failed UT Tyler nursing course.

The UT Tyler School of Nursing will not accept appeals for continuation.

4.9.3 Withdrawing (dropping) or Failure of Required Pre-Nursing Courses

Students have two attempts to pass all pre-nursing sciences and pathophysiology to be eligible
to apply to the Traditional Track of the BSN program. This includes withdrawals, failures, or a
combination of the two.

If the student is unsuccessful on the second course attempt, the student is not eligible to apply
to the Traditional Track of the BSN program and will be denied admission to the UT Tyler School of Nursing Traditional Track program.

Failure of a required pre-nursing course will not count as a failure in item 4.9.2, failure of
required nursing courses.

4.9.4 Medical Withdrawals

A medical withdrawal is sometimes granted when a medical condition (e.g., surgery, accident, exacerbation of a chronic condition) interferes with a student's ability to successfully complete the semester. Medical withdrawals are considered and granted by a university committee. If a student is granted a medical withdrawal, the following policies apply to School of Nursing students:

1. To return to the program, the student must submit a healthcare provider's release, indicating the student is recovered and able to withstand the demands of nursing school.
   
   
2. Upon return, admission to clinical courses is contingent upon space available. Students may have an option to transfer to a different campus if space is unavailable on the home campus. The transfer would be a permanent reassignment to the new campus.
   
   
3. The medical withdrawal does not count as a failure or withdrawal from courses (i.e., it does not impact the total number of failures or withdrawals).
   
   
4. If the student had a clinical failure due to unsafe practice during the semester the medical withdrawal was granted, the medical withdrawal does not guarantee continuation in the program. Nor does it guarantee re-admission to the School of Nursing if the failure resulted in dismissal from the program.
   
   
5. Effective Spring 2022, a medical withdrawal may only be received for one semester. Students who have had a medical withdrawal prior to Spring 2022 are not eligible to receive a second withdrawal.
   
   
6. Exceptions to this policy will be considered on an individual basis.

4.9.5 Student Appeals

The UT Tyler School of Nursing will not accept appeals for continuation for students that have
been dismissed from the BSN program.

Students have the right to appeal to the University and/or to file a grievance. See the UTT policy
link:

1. UTT Academic Grievance Policy
2. UTT Appeals Procedure
3. UTT Medical Withdrawal Procedure
4. Refer to 9.4 Course Grade Appeal for the BSN program. For the BSN program, the
   student has 10 days once the grade has been posted to submit the Grade Appeal Form.