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• Health
• Nursing Program Essential Functions
  (pdf document) download time at 56k is approximately 5 secs
• Drug Screening
• Legal Limitations
• Registration Requirements

• Grading System/Evaluation
• Clock-Hour to Credit-Hour Ratio
• Transfer Requirements
• Graduation Requirements
• Additional Expenses

All students admitted to programs of study in the Health Sciences Division are required to receive the Hepatitis B vaccines (or sign a waiver). The vaccines are a series of three injections. The student must have the first injection prior to the first term of registration. The second injection must be received one month after the initial vaccination; the third injection must be received six months after the first vaccination.

Students entering any program in the Health Sciences Division must be aware that they may be exposed to various contagious diseases during their clinical education and career. Precautions to be taken are outlined in the introductory patient care courses. Additional information may be provided by each clinical facility. Students are required to use available protective devices and to use standard (universal) precautions.

Students, upon diagnosis of communicable disease(s) (i.e., chicken pox, measles, flu, etc.), must contact the clinical instructor immediately. Based on current medical knowledge, the instructor will make judgment of communicability and advise the student regarding attendance.

Students in all health care programs must comply with Public Law #102-141, Section 633 and "The Alabama Infected Health Care Worker Management Act." The law requires that the HIV or HBV infected health care worker report to the State Health Officer his/her condition within 30 days of the time s/he is aware of his/her infection. The infected health care worker must realize that any physician providing care to an infected health care worker must notify the State Health Officer of the infected status within seven days of the time s/he diagnoses or provides such care.

Students who give birth or experience an illness or injury which requires, but is not limited to, hospitalization, surgery, or more than one week's absence may be required to provide a physician's statement which verifies:

1. That returning to routine class, lab, and clinical activities does not pose undue risk or harm to the student or others with whom the student will come in contact.
2. Compliance with the Technical Standards established for the program of study.

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Students may be asked at any time to submit a specimen for drug testing while enrolled in the nursing program. Drug screens are to be performed by an outside laboratory contracted by Southern Union. A positive drug screen will result in dismissal from the program.

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Criminal History Record Checks: Eligibility for Clinical Rotations

Southern Union is contractually obligated to comply with requirements set forth by agencies used for clinical rotations. All nursing students are required to have background checks completed to meet the requirements of clinical agencies in accord with the Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards. Background checks will be conducted by one private vendor approved by the Division Chair and/or Dean of Health Sciences. Background checks done by any vendor or agency that is not approved will not be accepted. Background check results should be completed before newly admitted or returning nursing students will be allowed to register for courses.  Students contract directly with the approved vendor and results are confidential. The clinical agency (ies) will make the decision to approve or deny the student for clinical privileges. The course coordinator will have access to an approved/denied list, not specific results of the background check. Refusal of an agency to accept a student will prevent a student from completing the nursing program. The students will be responsible for clearing any denials reported with the clinical agency. Students who are unable to resolve any denials will be withdrawn from the nursing program. Some clinical settings may continue to require a separate background check, including fingerprints. The costs of the background checks are the responsibility of the student.

Clinical agencies may refuse access to an individual for conviction, or plea of nolo contendere, for felonies which include, but are not limited to, murder, kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, cruelty to children, sexual offenses, aggravated battery, criminal drug offense, or arson. In addition, access may be refused for convictions or prior employment history of child or patient abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.

Refusal to sign the "Consent for Release of Information" form or refusal of access to a clinical agency that is the sole resource for a clinical rotation which is mandatory for progression, graduation, and licensure eligibility will result in withdrawal or dismissal from the program.

Legal Limitations for Licensure and Employment
According to the Nurse Practice Act of Alabama, the Administrative Code of the Alabama Board of Nursing, the Alabama Department of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services Division, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, application for licensure in Alabama or national certification to practice as an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, and/or Radiographer may be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony, is guilty of a crime involving moral turpitude, and/or has displayed other grounds for denial as specified by law. Additionally, many health care facilities will not employ a person, even if fully certified and/or licensed, who has been convicted of a felony or who has unfit personal habits including alcohol or drug abuse.

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REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS - these must be current for the entire semester.

(After admission to a program and prior to registration each semester)

1. Current student malpractice insurance.
   
   
2. Annual Health Questionnaire specific to the program of study verifying
   
   
   • a state of physical and mental health such that the student is able to complete all program requirements without presenting undue risk/harm to the student or other persons;
   • skin test for TB within the past year;
   • ability to meet Essential Functions requirements as specified in the program of study; and
   • current immunizations, including Hepatitis B vaccinations. (The first Hepatitis B vaccination is due prior to the first term of registration; the second Hepatitis B vaccination is due one month later; and the third Hepatitis B vaccination is due six months after the first vaccination.)

   
   The College will provide, for a fee, Hepatitis B vaccinations to students enrolled in the Health Sciences Division. Contact the Health Sciences Secretary for information.

3. Verification of current CPR certification at the Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer level.

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1. Clinical laboratory performance. Refer to individual departmental/program requirements printed in the program's Student Handbook and each course syllabus. Students will be dismissed from clinical and/or a program of study for unethical, immoral, illegal, or unsafe clinical practice.
   
   
2. Theory
   A - Excellent (90 - 100)
   B - Good (80 - 89)
   C - Average (70 - 79)
   D - Poor (60 - 69)
   F - Failure (below 60)

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Theory. One hour of theory instruction under the supervision of an instructor plus an average of two hours of out-of-class study per week. 1:1

Laboratory. Two hours of experimental laboratory under the supervision of an instructor plus an average of one hour of out-of-class study per week. 2:1

PED Activity. Two hours of physical education class activity/practice under the supervision of an instructor with out-of-class assignments per week. 2:1

Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice. Three hours of skills laboratory or clinical practice under the supervision of an instructor. 3:1

Preceptorship. Five hours of clinical experience per week under the supervision of a health care professional who is currently licensed, has expertise in the selected clinical area, and serves as a facilitator of learning. 5:1 (EMS Clinical Preceptorship is 3:1)

Internship. Ten hours of experimental internship per week under the control and supervision of the employer on the job with coordinated employer/college representative planning. 10:1

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1. Unconditional admission to the College with clear academic status.
2. Ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
3. Successful completion of prerequisite courses and program requirements.
4. Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
5. Official transcripts verifying a minimum grade of "C" earned in courses which represent collegiate coursework relevant to the degree with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies at least equivalent to those of "native" students.
6. Eligibility to return to the previous program in good standing.
7. Maximum of one grade of "D" or "F" earned in a clinical course.

Transcripts are evaluated on an individual basis for application of program specific credit. Verification of knowledge and/or skills may be required. Individual programs may have additional requirements.

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Associate in Applied Science Degree:

1. Earn a minimum of 25% of all credits applied to the degree at Southern Union.
2. Complete at least 18 semester hours in discipline-specific courses required in the program of study at Southern Union.
3. Successfully complete an exit examination, if required by the program.
4. Earn total credit hours (including transfer and native) equal to the minimum number of credit hours required in the program at the time the degree is granted.
5. Demonstrate competence in the basic use of computers.
6. Complete all requirements for graduation at Southern Union within a calendar year from the last term of attendance.
7. Comply with all formal procedures for graduation in accordance with College policy.

Occupational or General Certificate:

1. Earn a minimum of 25% of all credits applied to the certificate at Southern Union.
2. Complete the final term or a minimum of 12 credit hours (if transferring from another institution) of discipline-specific courses at Southern Union.
3. Successfully complete an exit examination, if required by the program.
4. Earn total credit hours (including transfer and native) equal to the minimum number of credit hours required in the program at the time the certificate is granted.
5. Complete all requirements for graduation at Southern Union within a calendar year from the last term of attendance.
6. Comply with all formal procedures for graduation in accordance with College policy.

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Students enrolled in health-related programs should anticipate additional expenses such as malpractice insurance, immunizations, uniforms, transportation to clinical sites, lab supplies, and achievement and licensure examination fees.

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