Changing Nursing Course or Program Progression

Progression in the Nursing Major

A student‘s progression through the nursing program requires maintaining appropriate grades and the approval of nursing faculty that a student is qualified in all relevant aspects to practice nursing safely, ethically and competently. The nursing department reserves the right to review at any time the student‘s ability to practice safely and competently and will do so automatically when the student:

• Receives a grade of C- or below in a nursing course
• Has earned a cumulative major GPA of below 2.5
• Is reported by a nursing faculty member or supervising nurse as having practiced unsafely, unprofessionally, unethically, or engaged in illegal behavior.

Progression is contingent upon satisfactorily completing the prescribed nursing curriculum. A grade of C- or below in a required nursing major core or support course is considered an unsatisfactory completion (failure). There are five typical circumstances that interrupt normal progression:

1. an incomplete grade (I) in a prerequisite nursing course
2. withdrawal from a required nursing course
3. failure of a required nursing course for the first time
4. cumulative BSN GPA below 2.5
5. academic probation with the college (cumulative Linfield GPA below 2.00)

 There are five typical circumstances that stop progression:

1. unsafe clinical nursing practice
2. unethical behavior
3. unprofessional behavior
4. illegal behavior
5. failing the same required nursing course twice or failing two required nursing courses

Progression Scenarios

Incomplete Grade

A grade of Incomplete (I) in any prerequisite nursing course will make the student ineligible for enrollment in succeeding nursing courses until the incomplete course is completed with a satisfactory passing grade.

Course Withdrawal

A student may withdraw from a required nursing course with a clinical component, but must be passing the clinical at the time of withdrawal. A student cannot withdraw from a course to avoid failing clinical due to unsafe clinical nursing practice, unprofessional behavior, illegal behavior and/or unethical behavior. Once the student withdraws from a required nursing course, s/he must petition to the Admissions, Progressions, Honors and Graduation Committee (APGH Committee) to re-establish a revised progression plan.

Course Failure

When a student receives a grade of C- or below in a required nursing course, the APHG Committee will review a student petition for continuation and progression in the nursing major.  A student who receives a grade of C- or below in a required nursing course must meet with her/his advisor and submit a petition to the APHG Committee within seven work days after the last scheduled final exam of the term.   Please refer to the bottom section of this page for further petitioning procedures.

Unsafe Clinical Nursing Practice, Unethical, Unprofessional or Illegal Behavior

When faculty identifies unsafe clinical nursing practice or unethical, unprofessional or illegal behavior by a student in any School of Nursing activity, the faculty will notify the student by means of the academic alert.  A student whose clinical practice has been documented to be unsafe or who has demonstrated unethical, unprofessional or illegal behavior will follow the APHG Committee petitioning procedures at the bottom of this page.  The following may constitute sufficient grounds for denying progression and continuation in the nursing major:

• Unsafe clinical nursing practice
• Unethical behavior (violation of the ANA Code of Ethics for nurses)
• Unprofessional behavior with administration, faculty, peers, agency staff, clients or family members of clients
• Illegal behavior contrary to applicable Federal law or state statutes, including the Nurse Practice Act.

Two Failures

Any student earning a grade of C- or below in the same required nursing course on two separate occasions or a grade of C- or below in two required nursing courses will be dismissed from the nursing program.

Withdrawal from the Nursing Major

If a student wishes to withdraw from the nursing major and Linfield College, the student must notify the Assistant Director of Registration and Records in the Enrollment Services Office and complete a Linfield College withdrawal form. Where applicable, the student must participate in a Student Loan Exit Interview with the Financial Aid Office. The student should also confer with their academic advisor.  Should the student wish to return to the nursing program, the student must reapply for admission to Linfield College and the School of Nursing.

If a student wishes to withdraw from the nursing major but not Linfield College, the student must notify the Assistant Director of Registration and Records in the Enrollment Services Office. The student should also confer with their academic advisor.  Should the student wish to return to the nursing major, the student must reapply for admission to the School of Nursing.

Readmission to the Nursing Major

Re-entry to the nursing major depends upon:

1. Approval of the Readmission Application and the Nursing APHG Academic Petition.  Forms can be found on the Registration and Records Forms Page or obtained from the Enrollment Services Office.  Submit both forms to the Assistant Director of Registration and Records in the Enrollment Services Office.
2. Available space in the course(s). Students progressing as scheduled through the program will have first priority in filling courses.
3. If the student has been enrolled in another nursing program, the student must be in good standing in that program and would have been allowed to progress in the program.  This must be documented by a letter of recommendation from the Dean/Director of that program.

The APHG Committee will evaluate each applicant for readmission on an individual basis.  For example, a student requesting readmission after an extended absence may be required to retake and successfully pass a particular course or courses.

Petitioning and Appeal Procedures

Petitioning the APHG Committee

To petition:

1. Obtain the Nursing APHG Academic Petition Form from the Registration and Records Forms Page or Enrollment Services Office. The student and their advisor should collaborate in completing the form. Submit completed forms to the Assistant Director of Registration and Records in the Enrollment Services Office.
2. If the student is petitioning to retake a failed course, the petition must include a detailed description of the reasons for the low grade, a plan for future success, and a new curriculum plan/schedule.
3. The faculty member teaching the course that the student failed must submit a letter to the APHG Committee describing why the student did not pass the course and a recommendation to allow or not allow the student to repeat the failed course.
4. The APHG committee will review the petition and the additional information provided in order to recommend approval or denial of the petition.

If the petition is approved, the student may retake the course as space is available during fall or spring semesters. A student who has failed a course will not be allowed to enroll in a clinical nursing course during summer term.

If the petition is denied, the student is given a summary of the committee findings and may review written materials used in making the decision.  The student may write an appeal petition to the Dean of Nursing in writing within one month after the APGH decision, should they choose to do so.

Appealing the APHG Committee Decision 

Students wishing to appeal a progression decision made by the APHG Committee should consult with their academic advisor, and submit a detailed petition letter to the Dean of Nursing. If the matter is still not resolved after appealing to the Dean of Nursing, the student may appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Faculty on the McMinnville campus.

Source: Linfield College, School of Nursing Student Handbook