Nursing

The College of Nursing and Public Health admits two classes of students per year to each campus-based BSN programs. Application packets and deadlines are available on each campus. Fully completed application materials (including evidence of completion of all prerequisite courses) are due by the posted deadline, usually the first day of the quarter before admission (ex., first day of summer quarter for fall quarter program start). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

For the BSN degree program for initial licensure, progression is also contingent upon completion of required assessment examinations. These examinations include:

1. Standardized achievement tests in course subjects as assigned.
2. Final pre-licensure examination. Students are required to obtain a minimum score on the pre-licensure examination. Students who fail to achieve the required minimum score must perform remediation activities and retest. Failure to achieve the required score within three attempts will delay program completion.
3. Math Competency Examinations. Students in quarters 1-3 must receive a score of 80 percent or higher on all math examinations. Students in quarters 4-6) must receive a score of 90 percent or higher on all math examinations. Quarter 7 students must receive a score of 100 percent on the math examination. A maximum of three opportunities are allowed to pass the math requirement each quarter. Failure to pass the math requirement will result in course failure and prevent progression in the nursing program.

A student on provisional status who does not satisfactorily complete the requirements for removing provisional status will be dismissed from the nursing program.

All applicants to the RN to BSN program must hold a current and unencumbered license in the state in which they are completing program requirements. Additionally, all BSN and RN to BSN applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check and a drug screening. Clinical affiliation agencies may require additional testing.

Math Proficiency Examinations

Students will be tested at various intervals throughout the nursing program to assess math proficiency as a method to promote safe medication administration practices. Students are required to pass math examinations each quarter in order to participate in clinical practice courses and to remain in the nursing program. Students are encouraged to prepare for the math competency test using their textbook, the ATI dosage calculation programs or a South University tutor prior to the first day of each quarter.

Math Competency Examinations. Junior level students (Quarters 1-3) must receive a score of 80% or higher on all math examinations. Senior level (Quarters 4-6) students must receive a score of 90% or higher on all math examinations. Quarter 7 students must receive a score of 100% on the math examination. A maximum of three opportunities are allowed to pass the math requirement each quarter (see schedule below). Structured remediation will be offered to students who are not successful on the math competency test.

A student who is not successful on the third math competency attempt or students who do not test according to the schedule outlined below will earn a NCF in the associated nursing course.  In addition, the student will withdraw from the other nursing courses in which the student is enrolled (per the College of Nursing and Public Health Withdrawal Policy).  The student can request to be readmitted (per the BSN Program Reinstatement Policy), to the Nursing program the next time the courses from which the student withdrew are offered. Math competency examinations are administered in the following courses.

Assessment through Standardized Tests

Achievement Examinations and NCLEX-RN Preparation

The South University Nursing Faculty is committed to assisting students to achieve success on the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Successful completion of this examination is required for entry into the practice of professional nursing. In addition to faculty prepared examinations, nursing students take a series of achievement examinations upon completion of the various courses in the nursing program to prepare for taking the NCLEX-RN. The examinations are used to measure student nursing knowledge, acquired nursing skills and competencies. Students failing to achieve the national average on any achievement test must provide evidence of remediation to their faculty advisors.

South University provides students with ample educational resources including library resources, CDs, DVDs, computer software programs, videotapes, audiotapes and access to a variety of nursing education websites such as atitesting.com. Students are required to attend NCLEX-RN review courses during the final quarter of the program.

ATI Policy

The following policy describes the use of the Assessment Technologies Inc. (ATI) Comprehensive Assessment and Review Program (CARP) as a component of admission, progression, and graduation in nursing program at South University. This policy has been developed to establish guidelines to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and to identify at-risk students. All students have the opportunity for review and remediation to enhance their success in the program and on NCLEX-RN after graduation.

1. Admission

The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a requirement of the admission process. The TEAS is used to determine academic preparedness of pre-licensure nursing students in Reading, Math, Science, and English and Language Usage.  Students must achieve a "Proficient" level to be considered for admission to the nursing program. Applicants are limited to testing twice within a 12 month period with a minimum of one month between testing.

2. Comprehensive ATI Program

Students have access to and are assigned to utilize the comprehensive ATI package. ATI Resources are listed below along with corresponding courses.

3.    ATI Testing

A.   Content Mastery Series

The ATI review and remediation Content Mastery Series is used as a component of formative and summative academic assessment in the BSN program. Students must provide documentation of completion of assigned non-proctored ATI Content Mastery and/or Targeted Medical Surgical Assessment Series exams with a score of 85% prior to taking proctored examinations. Practice exam results are administered with rationales disabled.

Students are required to take the Proctored Assessments listed below. A minimum score of Level 2 is the goal.

ATI assessment activities are valued at 10% of the course grade in designated courses as indicated above.  Grades will be assigned based upon the results of Proctored Assessment, first attempt.

B.   Remediation

Remediation provides an opportunity for students to review, study and acquire additional knowledge. Remediation is intended to help students recover important information that was missed when taking the initial assessment.

Remediation is required for all ATI Practice and First Attempt proctored assessments. Remediation templates are available on the ATI student homepage. Students must utilize their test results to complete remediation. Content areas with a score equal to or less than 70% require remediation. Additionally, remediation may be completed on the ATI website under focused review. Faculty assign students with remediation activities based upon student test results.

Practice Assessments:

All practice assessments will be made available to students at the beginning of each quarter. Students are required to take both practice assessment tests and complete remediation for both practice assessments by the end of week seven in order to take the proctored assessment. Remediation will be completed based on first attempt on the practice assessments. Form B is to be completed by the end of week four and Form A is to be completed by the end of week seven, An overall score of 85% is required on both non-proctored assessments by the end of week seven. Rationales will be enabled after the first attempt for each practice assessment.

Proctored Assessments:

Proctored assessments will be administered at the end of the quarter (week 9 or 10 recommended). Remediation is required for the Proctored Assessment regardless of the level achieved for any areas with a score less than 70%. Students are required to complete remediation for the Proctored Assessment prior to taking the final examination.

Retesting is required for any student not achieving a minimum grade of Level 2 on the proctored assessment. Retesting will take place during the week of final exams. A different test version will be utilized for retesting.  Students who achieve a Level 2 or Level 3 on the second Proctored Assessment will receive an 80% for the ATI grade. A student not achieving a Level 2 on retesting is strongly encouraged to complete additional remediation. Remediation strategies may include but are not limited to the following:

ATI Active Learning Templates

• Review assessment results and determine appropriate template to use. Use the templates to perform detailed remediation of assessment content. Students may type into the template or print and handwrite. Completed remediation documents are to be submitted to the faculty member by the required due date.

Short Answer Remediation

• Individualized attention to those areas missed on a test can be addressed through short essays. To be considered remedial, a student must print out the ATI test results listing those items and topics missed.  Using the review manuals provided by ATI, the student must then address each of the areas with a score less than 70%, writing a short paragraph discussing the essential content, and identifying the appropriate reference area in the book.

C.  Comprehensive Predictor Exam

The proctored ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor Exam is a component of NSG4071. Students must pass the examination within two attempts during this course with a score commensurate with a 90% probability of passing NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. The first and second attempts must be completed by the scheduled deadline date. If student fails to achieve a 90% prediction to pass NCLEX on the first attempt, remediation will be required prior to the second attempt.

The faculty member will determine when the student is ready for re-testing.

The course grade assigned for meeting the 90% on Predictor (calculated as 10% of grade in NSG4071) is:

• First attempt meets 90% prediction level and submits any required remediation - 100% assigned as course grade
• Second attempt meets 90% prediction level and submits any required remediation - 80% assigned as course grade
• 90% prediction level not met and submits any required remediation - student earns the percentage scored on the mandatory ATI exam retake

4. NCLEX-RN Reviews

Two ATI NCLEX-RN reviews are provided for all nursing students.

1. ATI Live Campus Review

The Comprehensive Live NCLEX Review is an all-inclusive, live study session covering essential nursing content that aligns with the NCLEX test plan. Led by a master's-degreed nurse educator, the engaging, interactive format reviews all content areas and includes test-taking strategies, critical-thinking exercises and Q&A practice.

South University provides access to ATI live reviews on campus or students may be referred to an alternate location.

2. Virtual ATI Review

"The Virtual-ATI NCLEX review is an innovative, online partnership that provides a

12-week access to interactive online review resources to prepare nursing graduates for NCLEX success. The review is guided by a Master's-prepared nurse educator and is individualized to each graduate.  The program directly aligns with the current NCLEX ® test plan, and takes place in an online classroom that provides access to a variety of on-demand resources including online learning activities, NCLEX test-taking strategies, content-based case studies, concept maps, NCLEX subscale-specific quiz questions, and alternate item format quiz questions that are all accessible by computer, tablet, and mobile devices." (ATI website).

• Students will begin the VATI during WEEK 6 of Quarter 7
• Participation and successful completion of VATI from the Beginning of the Review through Stage 4 will represent 10% of the NSG4071 course grade.
• Ongoing engagement is expected for the 45 days prior to graduation and post-graduation until the Green Light is achieved.
• Students may pay for an extension if more time is needed to complete the review.
• Students are advised to take the NCLEX within 3 weeks of receiving the Green Light.

Failure to comply with the ATI testing policy may result in a course failure.