Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/nursing/index.html

Petro Allied Health Center, Room 203
785-670-1525
Fax: 785-670-1032

Programs

Mission

To prepare professional nurse leaders to provide quality healthcare for everyone.

Philosophy

The nursing faculty believe each human being is a unitary, living open system and is continually engaged in a mutual dynamic process with the environment. Individuals are unique, have inherent worth, and strive to maintain system integrity while progressing through the life process from conception through death. Individuals, families, and communities are open systems engaged in a mutual dynamic process with the environment.

Nursing is a health profession which is concerned with promoting the quality of life in individuals, families, and communities. The deliberative and creative use of knowledge for the betterment of human beings is expressed in the science and art of nursing. The nurse, at all levels of preparation, is responsible for assisting the client in recognizing and coping with health needs throughout the life process. Through application of the nursing process, the nurse functions as a provider of care, a designer/coordinator/manager of care, and as a member of the profession.

Nursing is a practice profession that values clinical expertise and the application of scientific knowledge. Professional education in nursing begins at the baccalaureate level. The purpose of professional nursing education is to provide the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the student to become a professional nurse and to have the foundation for graduate education. General education in the humanities and in the natural and social sciences provides a broad foundation for understanding and augmenting nursing theory and facilitates the development and integration of the nursing student as a professional person.

The student who attains a graduate degree in nursing becomes a specialized practice expert who demonstrates expanded accountability and responsibility for the care of patients, populations, and systems. In addition to the direct practice role, the graduate also demonstrates expertise in the following competencies:

• Scientific underpinnings for practice.
• Organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking.
• Clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice.
• Information systems/technology for the improvement and transformation of health care.
• Health care policy for advocacy in health care.
• Interpersonal collaboration for improving patient and population health outcomes.
• Prevention of disease and promotion of population health.
• Advancing nursing practice.

Learning is a complex, mutual process of growth and development identified by changes in the behavior of the learner. Each student is unique in life experiences, motivation for learning, and scholastic aptitude. The educational process is designed to provide opportunities for students to meet individual learning needs. The role of the nurse educator is to facilitate the learning process. Students are responsible for learning.

The mission and philosophy of the School of Nursing are consistent with the mission of Washburn University. The School of Nursing is a major academic unit within the University and is responsible for determining its own professional curriculum and instruction. The richness of resources within the university and community provides opportunities for faculty and students to make significant contributions to health care delivery in a changing, multicultural society.

Accreditation

The Baccalaureate Degree program in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree program, and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program at Washburn University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

All graduate APRN Programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. The DNP program was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in 2012 and re-accredited in 2019.

SON Policies for Graduate Programs

Unrealized Admissions

A student who has been admitted and subsequently does not enroll in the first semester after admission or drops classes prior to the first day of classes will have his/her admission revoked. This student will not be counted in the admission or dismissal numbers for the respective academic year.

Advisement

Following acceptance to a graduate degree program, students participate in an orientation session to become familiar with the School of Nursing and the graduate program. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor. Faculty advisors work with the Director of Graduate Student Services to support student progression through the program. Students meet in person or virtually either with his/her faculty advisor or the Director of Graduate Student Services at the time of each enrollment period. The Director of Graduate Student Services notifies students of the dates during which registration is to occur, assigns students their enrollment personal identification number (PIN) for each enrollment period, and provides other assistance as needed. Any subsequent changes in enrollment (e.g., adding, dropping, or changing courses) must be approved by the faculty advisor. Additional advising may be requested at any time and is arranged between the student and the faculty advisor. If at some point during his/her period of study, a student wants to change advisors, he/she must submit the request in writing to the Chair of the Graduate Admission Progression Retention (GAPR) Committee. The student is expected to discuss this request with both his/her current advisor and the prospective advisor. Whenever practical, such requests will be honored; however, there may be times or circumstances when a request of this type will be denied.

Criminal Record

Students are advised that nursing licenses may be denied or disciplined by State Boards of Nursing (SBN). Possible grounds for such action may include being guilty of a felony or misdemeanor involving an illegal drug offense if the SBN determines that such person is not sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust. Also considered are patterns of practice and other behaviors exhibiting an apparent incapacity to practice nursing. All criminal history must be revealed to and will be evaluated by the SBN before advanced practice licensure is granted or denied. Admission to the School of Nursing does not guarantee that a student will be eligible for licensure. Students are asked to refer to their state nurse practice act for specific information regarding their state.

Part-time and Full-time Study

Part-time and full-time study options are available for most graduate programs. Please consult your academic advisor. Full-time students are strongly discouraged from full-time employment due to the rigor of the program and the time required for practicum hours. The University’s requirement for full-time status as a graduate student is nine credit hours for any fall or spring semester, and five credit hours for any summer semester.

Grading Policies

Grades for School of Nursing graduate coursework are defined as:

Academic Progression by Program

Following admission to a graduate program in the School of Nursing, the GAPR Committee evaluates a student’s progress upon completion of each nursing course. To remain in good standing, graduate students must adhere to the academic progression policies as outlined below.

DNP Program:

1. Maintain a 3.0 GPA.     
2. Receive no grades below a B in designated foundational courses.  
3. Adhere to Washburn University’s Student Conduct Code (https://washburn.edu/student-life/services/files/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf)

PMHNP Certificate Program:

1. Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
2. Receive no grades below a B in designated foundational courses.
3. Adhere to Washburn University’s Student Conduct Code (https://washburn.edu/student-life/services/files/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf)

Foundational Courses by Program:

(grade of B or better required):

DNP Program

PMHNP Certificate Program

Progression after Failing Grade or Non-Achievement of Requisite Grade in a Designated Foundational Course

Students who do not achieve a grade of “C” or better in any required course or who do not achieve a grade of “B” or better in a designated foundational course will not be allowed to proceed to the next course in that sequence or to further clinical courses until the course has been successfully completed. Given the design and structure of the graduate program, this may mean the student must wait an entire year before resuming classes in the graduate nursing program.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

Faculty will notify the GAPR Committee Chairperson when a grade of “D” or “F” has been earned by a student (or below a grade of “B” in a designated foundational course). A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, calculated from grades received for Washburn courses taken to meet the requirements of the current degree program, will be placed on academic probation for a minimum of two semesters (when appropriate, summer semesters are included). The GAPR Committee will provide notification of probationary status to students in writing following review. Students are expected to raise their cumulative grade point average to 3.0 or higher during the probationary period. Students will be notified in writing if they are removed from academic probation based upon improvement in their academic standing.

DNP Program: Students who fail to raise their cumulative grade point average to 3.0 or higher in the two-semester period will be dismissed from the graduate nursing program. Academic probation is granted only one time. Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 a second time after being released from academic probation will be dismissed from the program.

PMHNP Certificate Program: Students who fail to raise their cumulative grade point average to 3.0 or higher in the following semester period will be dismissed from the graduate nursing program. Academic probation is granted only one time. Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 a second time after being released from academic probation will be dismissed from the program.

Grades of Incomplete

The course grade of incomplete is given under specific conditions as outlined in the University Graduate Catalog. Unless an earlier deadline is stipulated by the instructor of the course, incompletes in graduate courses must be completed by the last day of classes (and grades submitted to the University Registrar Office by the deadline of grade submission) of the subsequent Spring semester for Fall incompletes or the subsequent Fall semester for Spring and Summer incompletes otherwise a grade of F will be recorded.

Students receiving an incomplete in any course will not be allowed to proceed to the next course in that sequence until the work has been completed and a change of grade has been submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Given the design and structure of the graduate program, this may mean the student must wait an entire year before he or she can resume taking classes in the graduate nursing program.

Continuous Enrollment

Students pursuing a graduate degree who have completed all degree requirements except practicum or project will be required to maintain continuous enrollment until graduation (unless a leave has been approved). Continuous enrollment means that candidates must be enrolled in at least one credit hour until degree requirements are met.  If all other course work has been completed, students will be required to enroll in a 1-credit-hour class each semester until the program is completed.  Credit hours completed through the continuous enrollment course will not count toward the credit hours required for graduation and may be recorded as a pass on the transcript. This requirement also applies to the summer session for students whose degrees are being awarded at the end of the summer session.  Interruption of continuous registration due to a failure to follow this requirement will require readmission to the program.

Grade Appeal Procedure

Students wishing to appeal a grade must follow the School of Nursing policies and procedures for grade appeal as outlined in the University Graduate Catalog and the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.

Limits for Repeating Courses

If a student withdraws from or earns a letter grade of “D” or “F” in the same nursing course (or a letter grade of “C”, “D”, or “F” in a course that requires a grade of “B” or better) more than one time, the student will be academically dismissed from the program. Any combination of such grades that are received for the same course twice will result in academic dismissal.  At that point, the student may not progress further in the graduate nursing program.

Withdrawal from Nursing Courses

A student may withdraw from an academic course any semester with a grade of “W” up to and including the date of the “last day to withdraw” as specified in the published Washburn University academic calendar. The faculty advisor should be consulted prior to withdrawal. Information will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Graduate Admission, Progression, and Retention (GAPR) Committee. Withdrawal from a practicum course after the beginning of the semester requires the notification of the course coordinator, faculty advisor, and practicum preceptor.

If a student withdraws from or earns a letter grade of D or F in the same nursing course (or a letter grade of C, D, or F in course that requires a grade of B or better) more than one time, the student will be academically dismissed from the program. Any combination of such grades that are received for the same course twice will result in academic dismissal.  At that point, the student may not progress further in the graduate nursing program.

If an agency requests a student to withdraw from a practicum because of the quality of the student’s performance in the practicum, the course coordinator will investigate circumstances and take appropriate action.

The Dean has the authority to dismiss a student from the School of Nursing. Academic warning and dismissal shall not be recommended or imposed in the absence of compelling and substantial reasons.

Non-Academic Dismissal

To remain in good standing in the School of Nursing graduate programs at Washburn University, students must:

• Adhere to the nursing profession’s Code of Ethics.
• Adhere to the School of Nursing Code of Professional Conduct for Nursing Students located in the Graduate Student Handbook.
• Adhere to the School of Nursing Universal Clinical Outcomes located in the Graduate Student Handbook.
• Adhere to the professional conduct requirements outlined in the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act in the student’s state of licensure.
• Adhere to Washburn University’s Student Conduct Code and academic impropriety policy as described in the Washburn University Graduate Catalog and the Graduate Student Handbook.

Students are expected to exhibit professional behavior in all learning environments. Such behavior must reflect the values and ethics of the nursing profession. Should a student be able to perform academically and clinically, yet demonstrate behaviors, values, or attitudes inconsistent with professional nursing practice, non-academic dismissal from the graduate programs will be considered. This decision is governed by specific criteria, policies, and procedures as published in the University Graduate Catalog and the Graduate Student Handbook. The School of Nursing follows the reporting and disciplinary procedures as presented in the Washburn University Student Conduct Code.

Withdrawal from/Readmission to School of Nursing Graduate Programs

A student who wishes to withdraw from a graduate program should submit a written statement of intent to withdraw to their faculty advisor and the Chairperson of the GAPR Committee. Re-application to the School of Nursing will be necessary should the student desire to re-enter the program. Applicants must meet the current admission requirements of the School of Nursing. Requests for readmission are reviewed by the GAPR Committee. Consideration will be given to the length of absence, the student’s ability to be successful, and available spaces in courses. If readmission is granted, the remaining program requirements will be re-projected according to the student’s needs and the current curriculum.

Leave of Absence

Students who must interrupt their education due to personal or professional reasons should consult with their faculty advisor prior to submitting a request for a leave of absence to the Chairperson of the GAPR Committee. The request should be submitted as soon as the student realizes the need for a leave. The request should describe the reason for the leave and a projected return date. Leaves will be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the GAPR Committee and shall not exceed one academic year in length. If the time limit for completion of program requirements is exceeded, decisions about the student’s placement and progression will be made by the GAPR Committee.

Appeal Procedure for Students Dismissed or Denied Admission/Readmission to the Graduate Program

A student who has been dismissed or who has been denied admission or readmission to the graduate program and who wishes to appeal the decision of the GAPR Committee, may seek recourse through the following procedure. The student submits a request to the Chairperson of the GAPR Committee requesting reconsideration and stating his/her reasons for disagreement with the decision of the committee. A letter to the GAPR Committee supporting this request should include the following: an explanation for the situation in which the grade(s) occurred (if applicable), rationale for starting or continuing in the program, and a plan of action for future academic success. If the decision of the Committee is to deny the petition for re-admission, the student may seek mediation by the Dean of the School of Nursing. Should the student still feel dissatisfied with the results of these actions, he/she may request a review of the School of Nursing Graduate Education Committee, which is comprised of all faculty who teach in the graduate programs. The decision of that body is final.

School of Nursing Course Offerings

The following course may be taken by international graduate nursing students.