Address
School of Nursing
P.O. Box 800782
McLeod Hall
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22903-3395
(434) 924-2743
www.med.virginia.edu/nursing

Nursing is both a profession and a discipline that is responsive to changing health needs. It is concerned with human experiences and responses to birth, health, illness, and death within the context of individuals, families, groups, and communities (ANA, 1995). Nurses, often in collaboration with other health care professionals, promote the optimal health care and comfort of individuals and groups through the systematic application of nursing knowledge.

The faculty believes that education is based on humanistic approaches that foster critical thinking and promote awareness of social and cultural diversity among individuals. The faculty views each student as a unique person with special talents, abilities, needs, and goals. Cultural diversity, varying life experiences, and changing socioeconomic factors affect each student differently. To this end, faculty endeavor to provide an environment to assist students in realizing their full potential. The acquisition of professional knowledge and the development of clinical competence occur through active involvement of the student in the learning process. Students assume primary responsibility for learning, while faculty provide educational opportunities for knowledge acquisition and professional role development. We believe that an atmosphere of shared growth and inquiry offers the maximum potential for development.

Baccalaureate education in nursing is the basic preparation necessary for the practice of professional nursing. This education provides the foundation for the development of professional knowledge, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, leadership skills, and the independent and interdisciplinary pursuit of high standards of health care. Master's education, with its emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, primary care, and the management of acutely and chronically ill persons prepares the nurse for advanced practice (Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing, 1994). Doctoral education prepares the nurse scholar to influence health care through leadership in education, policy, practice, research, and knowledge development.

Implicit in the practice of professional nursing is accountability for professional growth and practice, demonstration of leadership, and commitment to the development and application of nursing theory and research. Life-long learning leads to the optimal development of both the individual practitioner and the discipline of nursing.

The Nursing Major
The health care delivery system is currently evolving at an accelerated rate; and, since people want health as well as illness care, faculty members at the University of Virginia School of Nursing have developed a curriculum to respond to changing societal needs. We believe that a nurse prepared at the baccalaureate level shares with other health professionals the primary goals of promoting, maintaining, and restoring health, caring for the ill, and assisting individuals and families through the dying process.

Courses in the School of Nursing are composed of two discrete but interrelated elements: Interprofessional and Core. Interprofessional courses are designed to facilitate transition to the role of health care provider; they include social science and natural science content with special application to health care. Selected interprofessional courses are open to all students within the University.

Core courses include basic knowledge and skills needed to practice professional nursing at a beginning level. Clinical and classroom experiences and academic work provide a broad basis for nursing practice related to both acute and chronic illness and health promotion. The emphasis is on individuals, families, and groups with varying levels of health and at all points in the life cycle. Issues related to professional nursing are also included.

Purpose and Objectives of the Undergraduate Program
The purpose of the undergraduate program is to prepare leaders in health care to meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities. Graduates of the program:

· communicate effectively;

· incorporate knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention into professional nursing practice;

· demonstrate knowledge of the structure, organization, and financing of the U.S. health care delivery system, and the role and importance of nursing within that system;

· understand the development and implementation of national and international health care policy from social, economic, political, legislative, and professional
perspectives;

· manage and coordinate patient care across health care settings and client
populations;

· employ critical thinking in the provision of professional nursing care;

· effectively use current and changing health care and information technologies;

· provide health care that demonstrates professional values and standards of practice, and includes moral, ethical, and legal concepts;

· ensure holistic and culturally sensitive care based on an understanding of the norms and health care beliefs/practices of various racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, gender-specific, and age-related populations;
· accept increasing professional responsibility, provide professional leadership, and participate in activities for professional growth and development.

Facilities and Resources
Located in the eastern part of the University Grounds, near the University of Virginia Medical Center, the school occupies McLeod Hall, a modern five story building with classrooms, laboratories, video-taping facilities, seminar rooms, and a computer laboratory.

The School of Nursing draws upon the resources of the 25 academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, on the facilities of the Schools of Education and Medicine, and on the clinical facilities and instructional materials of the University of Virginia Health System.

In addition to the academic resources of the University, nursing students receive clinical experience at the University of Virginia Medical Center, public health agencies, community agencies, private and state hospitals, nursing homes, and industrial settings.

Claude Moore Health Sciences Library
The library primarily serves the faculty, students, and staff of the University of Virginia Health System, which includes the Schools of Medicine and Nursing and the University Hospital.

The library is a modern facility with small group meeting rooms, audiovisual viewing rooms, typing rooms, microcomputers, and photocopy machines. It maintains well-developed collections of books, journals, reference materials and audiovisuals in medicine, nursing, and related health fields.

The Health Sciences Instructional Resources Center, on the first floor of the library, maintains a substantial collection of videocassettes and other media. A variety of players, projectors, recorders, monitors, and a cluster of microcomputers are available for use in the center, and a small collection of equipment is available for use outside the center.

The resources in the Health Sciences Library are augmented by materials in the Clemons Library, the Science/Technology Information Center, various departmental libraries (e.g., biology/psychology, physics, chemistry, engineering, law), and the working libraries of the departments and clinics in the School of Medicine.

University of Virginia Health System
The School of Nursing is a part of the University of Virginia Health System, which serves as the referral center for central and western Virginia and was recently ranked among the nation's top 64 health care centers. The nursing program enjoys a special relationship with the University Hospital, a 673 bed teaching and research hospital. Clinical affiliations with the Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center, Martha Jefferson Hospital, and many community agencies and institutions throughout the state, provide opportunities for students to gain valuable experience in a variety of health care settings.

Special units in the medical center complex include a children's medical center, a cancer center, a clinical research center, cardiac, medical, and surgical intensive care units, and a burn and wound care center. The Pegasus Air Emergency Rescue Service can transport patients from up to 500 miles.

Cooperating Institutions and Agencies
The School of Nursing cooperates with other institutions and agencies to provide clinical learning opportunities for students. Utilizing health departments, community hospitals, out-patient facilities, home care agencies, industries, schools, geriatric care facilities, mental health care facilities, and rehabilitation centers, the School of Nursing provides varied clinical experiences for its students.

Counseling
Informal cooperation and personal attention mark the relations between faculty members and students. Students are urged to avail themselves of the opportunities to discuss their achievements and clinical experiences with the faculty. The Office of Student Affairs provides advice and assistance and serves as a source of information for other support resources. The Department of Student Health and the University Counseling Center are available to assist students through individual and group counseling sessions.

Student Activities and Honors
Nursing students are eligible for special nursing organizations and honors as well as for the general University activities and societies outlined in chapter 5. The School of Nursing is represented on the major student governmental bodies, the Student Council, the Honor Committee, and the University Judiciary Committee. Student representatives to the University Student Council and the Judiciary Committee report to the Student Council of the School of Nursing.

All students are members of the Student Association of the School of Nursing. The Student Council of the School of Nursing is composed of officers of the Student Association, the class presidents, the president of SNAV, and a chair elected by the student body. This council is responsible for all student functions within the School of Nursing.

Student Nurse Organizations
All University of Virginia nursing students are eligible for membership in the Student Nurses Association of Virginia and the National Student Nurses Association. Through the National Student Nurses Association, SNAV works to develop concerned, knowledgeable professionals.

Awards and Honors
Sigma Theta Tau Students demonstrating superior scholastic achievement (3.0 GPA or above), professional leadership potential, and desirable personal qualifications are eligible to apply for membership in Sigma Theta Tau, the national honor society of nursing.
Outstanding Senior Student Awards Annual awards have been established in recognition of excellence in academic and clinical achievement and outstanding service to the University and the School of Nursing. The names of the students so honored are engraved on a plaque displayed in the school. Students are chosen by faculty and student vote. The awards are presented at the pinning ceremony on graduation weekend.
Dean's List Full-time students who demonstrate academic excellence while taking a minimum of 12 credits of graded course work are eligible for the Dean's List of Distinguished Students at the end of each semester. Courses taken on a CR/NC basis may not be counted toward the 12-credit minimum. A minimum current grade point average of 3.4 is necessary to be eligible for the dean's list. Any student receiving an F, NC, or NG during the semester is not eligible to be on the dean's list.
Intermediate Honors Students who enter the University directly from high school or preparatory school and who, after four regular semesters have completed 58 credits of course work and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.4, are awarded a Certificate of Intermediate Honors. The notation "intermediate honors" is also placed on each student's official academic record. Beginning with the entering class of 2001, Intermediate Honors will be awarded to students who enter the University directly from high school and who, after four regular semesters, have completed at least 60 credits of course work and are in the top twenty percent of their class. The computation is based upon the cumulative grade point average at the end of the fourth semester.
Diploma with Distinction Diplomas inscribed "with distinction" are awarded to graduates who have earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 in courses offered by the School of Nursing.
Diploma with Honors Diplomas inscribed "with honors" are awarded to graduates who have earned a GPA of at least 3.75 in courses offered by the School of Nursing.
Shannon Scholar Award The Shannon Scholar Award is presented annually to a graduate in recognition of outstanding academic and clinical achievement.

Additional Expenses
Uniforms Prospective students receive information about uniforms with their welcome letters and registration materials.
School of Nursing Pin (purchased prior to graduation) Pins cost approximately $150 (10K gold), $60 (gold-filled), and $50 (sterling).
Hospital Insurance The Student Health Service does not provide for the expense of hospital care. The University requires that all students carry hospitalization insurance for year-round coverage. A preferred-risk group insurance program sponsored by the University is available. For an additional premium, the dependents of married students are included. Students or parents may substitute a plan comparable to that offered by the
University.
CPR Certification Students are required to obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adult, child, and infant prior to entering clinical courses. Certification must be maintained throughout the program and validation must be presented each year.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Requirement The School of Nursing requires documentation of hepatitis B vaccination from all students who practice in a clinical setting. No student will be allowed to register for clinical courses without providing this documentation. Information regarding the vaccine can be obtained from the student's local health care provider, Student Health, or the Office of Student Affairs. Students who do not wish to receive the vaccine must sign a disclaimer stating they understand the potential risks.
MMR, TD, and PPD Requirements Documentation of current measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization, and tetanus booster (TD) is required for all students in clinical courses. Tuberculosis testing (PPD) is required on an annual basis for all students enrolled in clinical courses.
Diagnostic Readiness Test Students are required to complete a standardized diagnostic test that evaluates their readiness to take the licensure examination. The test is administered in the spring of the fourth year and costs each student approximately $40.
Community Learning Experiences Students are responsible for transportation to and from clinical learning sites. Agencies in Charlottesville and neighboring counties are used for clinical experiences, and students must have a car available for individual use while studying in those agencies. Community learning experiences begin in the second year of the program.

Part-time Employment
Opportunities for part-time employment are available in the University of Virginia Hospital, particularly during the third and fourth years of the program.

Special Student Status
A special student is one who is permitted to take selected undergraduate courses in the School of Nursing without being a candidate for any degree. Enrollment is restricted to courses with the NUIP or NURS prefix. Non-degree students are not eligible to take courses with the NUCO (Nursing Core) prefix. Special students are permitted to enroll in courses only by permission of instructor and if there is space available. Special students must complete the required special student request form and return the form to the School of Nursing University Registrar at least two weeks prior to final registration for fall and spring semesters.

Academic Standing
Students in the Program's Pre-professional Component (First Year) First-year students in the pre-professional component of the program are considered to be in good academic standing if they have a semester average of at least 1.80 and no more than one grade below C-. Students who fail to remain in good academic standing will be placed on academic probation. A student is subject to suspension after two semesters on academic probation. A grade of D is included in the student's GPA and counts toward credits earned. An F grade is included in the student's GPA but does not count toward credits earned.
Students in Program's Professional Component Students in the professional component of the program are considered to be in good academic standing if they have a semester average of at least 2.0 and no grades below a C- in required nursing courses. Grades of D, F, and NC are failing grades for all required nursing courses in the professional component of the program. Students receiving a grade of D, F, or NC in a required course in the professional component will be placed on academic probation and must successfully repeat the course with a grade of C- or above for graded courses, or CR for CR/NC courses. This may alter the planned sequence of courses and may lengthen the time for completion of the program. Students will be placed on academic probation if their semester's average falls below 2.0. A student in the professional component of the program is subject to suspension if (1) the student receives a total of two Ds or one F in the professional component; or (2) the student's GPA is below 2.0 for two semesters.

Readmission after Suspension or Voluntary Withdrawal
Readmission to the School of Nursing is not automatic. A former student must apply for admission to the associate dean of the School of Nursing by December 1 for spring semester or by March 1 for fall semester.

The letter requesting readmission to the School of Nursing should include a description of the situation surrounding suspension or withdrawal; an explanation of the steps that the student has taken, or will take, to change the situation; and the reasons why readmission to the program is justified.

A student who has been readmitted following suspension will be permanently dropped from the school if she or he becomes subject to suspension a second time.

Leave of Absence
A student in good standing may request a leave of absence from the School of Nursing for up to two semesters. Requests for leaves of absence must be submitted in writing to the associate dean of the School of Nursing. Readmission following a leave of absence will be granted only if space is available. A leave of absence fee must be paid if the student wishes to keep his or her file active and take part in course enrollment for the semester in which he or she plans to return.

Course Load
Special permission from the associate dean is required to register for fewer than 12 credits or more than 18 credits each semester.

Substitution/Transfer of Courses
The University of Virginia School of Nursing accepts a maximum of 66 credits of transfer credit toward the baccalaureate degree. If a second degree student requests an exemption from a required nursing course because of having had similar content in prior course work, the prior course work will be assessed for relevancy and similarity. Upon approval, the student will receive advanced standing in the required nursing course and will not need to take the course if the course credit does not result in the student exceeding the School of Nursing's limit of 66 credits of transfer credit. If the course credit exceeds the School of Nursing's 66 credits, the student will have to substitute another course to make up the credits.

Changes in Class Schedules Students change their class schedules via ISIS (434-296-4747; www.virginia.edu/isis). If instructor permission is necessary for admission to a course, a form signed by that instructor is submitted to the dean's office. Students may add and drop full-semester courses through the deadlines stated in the Course Offering Directory.

Credit/No Credit Grades
Students have the option of receiving the grades CR (credit) or NC (no credit) in place of the regular grades, A through F, for a given course. This option is selected when students register for courses. Instructors may deny students permission to take courses on a CR/NC basis. If this occurs, students may either change back to the regular grading option or drop the course entirely. Courses taken for CR/NC may not be used for any major or basic area requirements.

School of Nursing students may take a maximum of twelve credits of CR/NC courses, including the synthesis practicum, nursing electives, and general education electives. The last day to change the CR/NC option is the same as the last day to add a course. Students may not use a CR/NC course to repeat a course in which a grade has already been given.

Professional Status upon Graduation
Prior to graduation, the student is expected to apply to the State Board of Nursing to sit for the state licensure examination in order to become licensed. Graduates of the School of Nursing are eligible for membership in the University of Virginia Alumni Association and the University of Virginia School of Nursing Alumni Association. Graduates are eligible for membership in the Virginia Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, the Virginia League for Nursing, and the National League for Nursing.

B.S. in Nursing
The University of Virginia offers a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The degree is awarded after satisfactory completion of a prescribed program of study. All students at the School of Nursing take courses in anatomy and physiology, growth and development, pharmacology, pathophysiology, administration, and nursing practice. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination.

Traditional Program Students are admitted to the School of Nursing as first-year students or as second-year transfer students after completing prerequisite general education courses at other institutions or in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Second Degree Option The traditional baccalaureate curriculum has been modified to provide a two year track leading to the bachelor's degree in nursing for non-nurses with a bachelor's degree in another field. With the exception of a course in anatomy and physiology and an undergraduate statistics course, specific general education courses are not required for admission; admission requirements are based on prior satisfactory completion of a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution. At the end of the second year, students are awarded
the Bachelor of Science and are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination.

R.N. to B.S.N. Option The baccalaureate curriculum has been modified to provide a one academic year (30 credit) program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree for registered nurses with diplomas or associate degrees. Students must meet prerequisite general education requirements prior to admission as outlined in chapter 2. Students enroll in a series of theory and clinical courses designed specifically for registered nurse students. Thirty-eight (38) advanced standing credits will be awarded for prior nursing education and experience, following the completion of the required course work and the successful evaluation of a portfolio of validating assignments and projects produced during the two transition seminar courses. Part-time study is available.