School Policies

The polices listed below are applicable to admitted students to the AMH Dixon School of Nursing, not applicants. Policies relating to student privileges and responsibilities are addressed in the student handbook, Steeple, which is distributed to all students annually. This informative handbook is available to any applicant who requests it prior to entrance into the School of Nursing.

Attendance
The faculty of Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing believe that in order to ensure excellence and professionalism in nursing, attendance and punctuality for class and clinical experiences are essential. Students are expected to attend all planned educational activities and must meet all course objectives. In the event of absences, the student’s ability to meet course objectives may be in jeopardy and may result in course failure. Further clarification is available in the student’s handbook, Steeple.

Certifications and Insurance
An American Heart Association approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification (BLS/CPR) must be maintained while enrolled.

Health Forms and Examinations
Prior to entrance into the clinical nursing courses, students must obtain a physical examination, including drug and alcohol screenings, and have completed all required immunizations. Students are responsible for obtaining and maintaining their own medical insurance and for meeting medical costs should they occur. Pre-entrance physical examinations are performed through the Employee Health Department. The Dixon School of Nursing reserves the right to request additional health screening if deemed appropriate.

Student Achievement
Evaluation of the student’s progress is based on the theoretical and clinical grades achieved at Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing. The grading system is as follows:

Theory Grade

Exceptions

• Nursing 100 (N100)- Perspectives in Nursing is a self study course for which a grade of (S) Satisfactory or (U) Unsatisfactory is earned.
• Courses which students challenge will be indicated on the transcript by the letter grade (CE).

Clinical Grade

If a nursing course includes theory and clinical content, the student must pass both the theory and clinical components in order to complete the course satisfactorily.

Status in the School
A student maintains satisfactory status in the School of Nursing by:

1. Maintaining a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
2. Meeting the current course objectives.
3. Maintaining satisfactory (S) clinical performance.

• Recognition of honor students or those who have exhibited clinical excellence will be made at graduation.
• Students must meet the course requirements of a course level before progressing to the next course level.
• Students must meet all financial and other obligations to the School of Nursing before progressing to next level.

Graduation and Licensure
To be eligible for graduation, the student must:

1. Successfully complete all curriculum course requirements, including satisfactory clinical performance.
2. Meet all financial and other obligations to the Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing.

• Students will be permitted three years from the start of Nursing 101 to satisfactorily complete all requirements within the curriculum.
• Awards will be presented at graduation recognizing students for academic, clinical and professional excellence.
• Graduates of the School of Nursing are eligible to take the NCLEX exam for licensure as a registered nurse. The State Board of Nursing determines this eligibility. Convicted felons may be denied the opportunity for licensure. For more information visit www.dos.state.pa.us for further clarification.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing is in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment) whereby students have the right to review their records that meet the Act’s definition of education records. Upon written request to the Chairman, Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing, students may review their records. No personally identifiable information from the student will be disclosed without prior written consent of the student except under certain defined conditions by the Act. Only school officials and authorized governmental and accrediting agencies may have access to student records. Requests to disclose information from the student’s records must be submitted in writing by the student to the Chairman, School of Nursing.

Campus Security Information
The "Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act," P.L. #101-542, requires all post-secondary institutions to collect, publish and distribute information on campus safety. The Abington Memorial Hospital Security Department/designee during student orientation addresses campus security information and law enforcement on campus. Campus security information is published in the student handbook, Steeple. You can also access this information on the hospital's Web site:
Click here to review the Annual Security Report for the AMH Dixon School of Nursing and the AMH Schools of Radiology

ReadyNotifyPA is a system that helps local officials in Southeastern Pennsylvania send emergency text alerts and other important notifications to you quickly. ReadyNotifyPA can send these to your cell phone, pager, BlackBerry, PDA and/or E-mail account. This is not mandatory, it is just a
helpful suggestion.

Substance Abuse
The administration of Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing believes that it is the professional responsibility of its students and employees to read and be knowledgeable about substance abuse, its consequences, and to be in compliance with the AMH Substance Abuse Policy # 804. The faculty at student orientation addresses substance abuse prevention. It is also addressed in the student handbook, Steeple.

Student Grievance
The objective of the Student Grievance Committee is to provide a means of handling complaints, disputes, or questions whatsoever which affect, directly or indirectly, the terms, or conditions of student education or student life. The Student Grievance Policy and Procedure is published in the student handbook, Steeple.