BSN Student Handbook

The RN to BSN program at Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) serves to support and assist in implementing the philosophy and objectives of the college through the promotion of the professional registered nurse utilizing the innovative learning principles of imagine, believe and achieve. Faculty interact with students by incorporating creative technologically advanced interactive environments to facilitate learning outcomes. 

The program is delivered in an online environment with two required Immersive Practice Experience. Health promotion, teaching and learning, community and global parameters, research concepts and leadership skills are interwoven into the curriculum to help develop the multifaceted role of the professional nurse. Graduates of the program will be able to demonstrate clinical judgment, critical thinking exemplars, organizational/leadership management, research and content-specific nursing discipline knowledge. 

The RN to BSN program will:

1. Improve content-specific nursing discipline knowledge base of the professional nurse.
2. Continue to reinforce the professional nurse’s pathway towards lifelong learning.
3. Provide a rich comprehensive liberal arts background to support professional nursing practice.
4. Provide opportunities for further professional growth in areas related but not limited to: clinical judgment, critical thinking exemplars, organizational/leadership management and research.

The philosophy of the RN to BSN nursing faculty is based on the belief that the nursing faculty is here to provide a learning environment that looks to support and build on a student's strengths and imagination to help foster a student's professional development. By working together, faculty and students can imagine, believe and ultimately achieve educational learning goals.

The nursing faculty believes that nursing education is constantly transforming as a result of increased technology, advances in scientific theory and clinical practice, and the ever-changing attributes of the student-teacher/student-learner relationships. With the emergence of evidence-based practice methods, clinical standards have been amended, leading to a more rigorous standard of clinical practice and expectation of professional practice. Nursing education continues to feel this transformational change as both faculty and students participate in the shared learning environment.

The nursing faculty believes that the delivery method of online instruction is suitable and applicable to the attainment of the RN to BSN degree as it seeks to expand the development of professional nursing practice. Faculty and student learners must take an active role in the shared online community, working collaboratively to foster interdependent practice. The online learning environment represents an active/interactive community and, as such, all participant members are able to share, build on and develop professional relationships that will exist beyond the computer screen.​​​

The nursing faculty believes that Immersive Practice Experiences will help students organize learned didactic information by applying it to management/organizational models in a variety of practice settings. Through the mentoring process of a defined preceptor relationship, the nursing faculty believes that RN to BSN students will realize improved critical thinking exemplars in conjunction with improved clinical judgment. Thus, the RN to BSN graduate will be able to imagine, believe and achieve using the foundational framework of the program to further advance their professional nursing practice. ​​​​​​

The nursing faculty believes that by working in a collaborative, interdependent relationship with its RN to BSN students, professional nursing practice can be demonstrated as a model of excellence. The commitment of the nursing faculty to their students will help them to apply, analyze and synthesize information to support not only their individual nursing practice but also to promote and strengthen the professional role of nursing practice.

The efforts whereby an individual or group of individuals applies learned knowledge in order to promote the professional growth of a discipline. The efforts (activities) include but are not limited to: clinical practice; writing for professional journals; participating in the review, edition and writing of textbooks; attending conferences to engage in critical thinking/learning activities; participating in community, national and international associations; and participating in the research development of educational engagement/mentoring activities to improve learning outcomes.

Furthermore, the nursing faculty believes that it is imperative to provide learning opportunities for both faculty and students to participate in the pursuit of nursing scholarship activities to improve both student and professional outcomes. 

Scholarly writing is a requirement of the RN to BSN program. Students are expected to submit writing reflective of the scholarship method that incorporates the use of research and planning to arrive at a well thought-out logically driven analysis of the discussion of content. As students proceed through the program, focus will be directed on building and improving their individual ability to produce scholarly writing examples.  

RN to BSN program learning outcomes:

• Build a content-specific knowledge base relative to the nursing discipline for application to professional nursing practice inclusive of cultural awareness, life cycle continuum and focusing on patient safety at individual, family, groups and population levels.
• Enhance therapeutic communication skills via a variety of modalities, resulting in the attainment of informational literacy and technological fluency.
• Incorporate and apply information obtained from General Education courses (Liberal Arts background) to support professional nursing practice.
• Utilize critical thinking skills to enhance content analysis and interpretation of clinical/didactic findings that are reflective of scholarly work.
• Develop an organized pathway towards the assessment of research (methodology and findings) that is inclusive of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), qualitative and quantitative reasoning.
• Be aware of the changing dynamics of healthcare and economic policies as they apply to health promotion measures and the delivery of healthcare services on individual, family, community, national and global levels.
• Apply and display leadership skills to enhance recognition of professional nursing practice through the completion of preceptor/mentor learning experiences.
• Maintain professionalism by demonstrating regard for legal and ethical standards as they apply to the standards of care and scope of practice.
• Reinforce one’s commitment to life-long learning to enhance professional nursing practice as a provider in the delivery of care to all patients who are placed under your care.

Students must satisfy all general education requirements prior to graduation. Students should meet with an advisor to determine if acceptable substitutions may satisfy some or all of PHSC’s general education requirements.

General education course requirements are subject to change based on Florida Department of Education (FDOE) policies.

Area I: Communications (9 credit hours)

• ENC 1101 - English Composition I
• ENC 1102 - English Composition II
• SPC 2608 - Introduction to Public Speaking

Area II: Mathematics (6 credit hours)

• MAC 1105 - College Algebra (or any Area II mathematics course listed in the Associate in Science degree program requirements)
• STA 2023 - Introduction to Statistics (Prerequisite for NUR 4164 Nursing Research and Informatics)

Area III: Natural Sciences (6 credit hours)

• BSC 1085 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BSC 1085L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
• BSC 1086 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II and BSC 1086L - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory

Area IV: Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credit hours)

• PSY1012 - Introduction to Psychology
• AMH 2020 - History of United States I or POS 2041 – American Federal Government

Must Pass College Assigned Competency Test

Area V: Humanities (6 credit hours)

Select two courses from Category A or one course from Category A and Category B or select two courses from General Education Core Courses or one course from General Education Core Courses and one course from General Education Non-Core courses.

Area VI: Information Literacy and Technology Fluency (3 credit hours)

• CGS 1100 - Microcomputer Applications

Technical Courses from AS Nursing Degree —Students will also need the following additional courses if not previously taken:

• PSY 1012 - Introduction to Psychology
• MCB 2010 - Microbiology (3 credits) and
• MCB 2010L - Microbiology Laboratory (1 credit)​​​​​
• HUN 2201 - Science of Human Nutrition (3 credits)

This information is also listed in the college catalog.

Students must meet the provision of Florida Statute 1007.262 regarding the statewide foreign language requirement as an exit requirement for the baccalaureate degree. Students must have completed two sequential foreign language courses in high school or at the postsecondary level. American Sign Language I and II are approved sequences per Florida Statute 1007.2615.

Students who have earned an Associate in Arts degree from a Florida Community College or State University System (SUS) institution before the fall term of 1989, or who have maintained continuous enrollment in a Florida community college or SUS institution before the fall term of 1989 are exempt from the requirement.

All RN to BSN students should perform a degree audit upon admission to the program and before the end of the first semester.  Subsequently, all RN to BSN students should continue to perform a degree audit prior to the end of each semester. Students should make sure that general education areas I-IV, foreign language, that Lifespan, Microbiology and Nutrition have been met and that credit has been given for all lower-level nursing courses. Students should also review their grades for accuracy. 

If you have taken courses at a previous college and require a course substitution, you must submit a request to a PHSC Academic Advisor. Please be sure to review your degree audit. To do so, sign in to the Bobcat Portal, go to the Degree Works Dashboard card and you will see your Degree Audit. Two consecutive semesters of foreign language are required.

Nursing courses in the RN to BSN program at PHSC are offered as individual BSN courses and courses offered may vary during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. In order to progress in the program, the RN to BSN student must pass the NUR 3065C course with a C or higher. Students who do not meet this requirement will need to reapply to the program. For more information, see our policy for re-admission to the RN to BSN program procedures for students. 

Students must start the program by taking NUR 3065C, Examination and Assessment. NUR 3065C is the first course to be taken upon enrollment. Then students can proceed through the BSN program to select courses as long as they have the required pre-requisite for NUR4164 (Statistics) based on the provided course offerings. NUR 4636C, Community Nursing, is the pre-requisite course to be completed before one can register for the Nursing Capstone class.

BSN Courses

NUR 3065C - Examination and Assessment (Term A)

Course order is based on student enrollment needs and whether the prerequisite has been met as well as what course offerings are available per semester/term. Each fall and spring semester have both Term A and B. Each BSN course is instructed over a 7.5-week term. Selected BSN courses may be offered during a 7.5 week summer session.

• NUR 3119 - Nursing Theoretical Concepts (Term A)
• NUR 3826 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing (Term A), Prerequisite: PHI1630 Ethics
• NUR 4128 - Pathology/Pharmacology Principles for Nursing (Term A)
• NUR 3655 - Cultural Health Issues (Term B)
• NUR 3895 - Teaching Learning for the Healthcare Professional (Term B)
• NUR 4837 - Health Care Policy and Economics in Nursing (Term B)
• NUR 4164 - Nursing Research and Informatics (Term A and Term B), Prerequisite: STA 2023 Stats
• NUR 4827 - Principles of Leadership and Management in Nursing (Term A)
• NUR 4636C - Community Nursing (Term A)
• NUR 4945C - Nursing Capstone Experience (Term A and Term B), Prerequisite: All BSN courses

Depending on enrollment in NUR 4164 and NUR 4945C, more sections and/or courses may be offered in Term A and Term B of a semester.

Students may elect to go full-time or part-time. Full-time students will take four BSN courses, two in Term A and two in Term B, in both the fall and spring semesters. Part-time students can take one or three courses total in Terms A and B. If there is a Summer session, students can take one to two courses based on enrollment and course offerings.

Each student who is admitted into the RN to BSN nursing program will be assigned to a full-time faculty member who will serve as a faculty mentor during the time the student is enrolled in the program. The establishment of a mentor relationship between the student and faculty member will allow for the exchange of information, serve as a resource for directional clarification and provide the student with guidance in helping the individual meet their professional program goals.

NUR3065C contains a clinical lab component of 15 hours that must be completed and submitted by the student as specified by the course instructions in order to pass the course. The clinical lab component consists of a video demonstration that provides evidence of the student performing physical examination techniques as correlated to specific course content. Proper attire and demeanor required in the video demonstration.

Specific courses in the RN to BSN program (NUR 4636C and NUR 4945C) have assigned Immersive Practice Experience (IPE) hours as part of the course requirement. Students have to fulfill the specified hours as designated by the individual course. The RN to BSN student, working in conjunction with their faculty and designated preceptor, will proceed to develop individualized IPE goals. Specific information relevant to the development, implementation and evaluation of the IPE goals at the individual course level. In order to satisfy completion of the respective IPE courses, all calculated hours must be completed and validated by the nursing faculty, student and designated preceptor. As noted in The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing (2008), the IPE experience allows the student to incorporate clinical reasoning, management and skills evaluation. As noted in the AACN White Paper – Expectations for Practice Experiences in the RN to Baccalaureate Curriculum (2012), practice experiences can include both direct and indirect care that extends beyond the physical confines of individual patient care experiences and is aimed at promoting positive health outcomes as part of an interprofessional collaborative healthcare team model.

Upon acceptance to the RN to BSN program, students are required to submit a completed physical examination form with a checklist in order to proceed. Additionally, when enrolled in NUR 4636C Community Nursing, the student will have to complete a consent for release of personal information form, a clinical background check and statement, and a disclosure of criminal convictions. The drug/alcohol screen and background check testing are placed through CastleBranch. CastleBranch access starts after drop date. This information (results) and insurance will also carry over to NUR 4945C Nursing Capstone, provided the IPE course is taken within a one-year time frame; otherwise, they will need to be repeated.

RN to BSN students cannot start IPE hours until all requirements are satisfied. The physical examination and drug/alcohol screens are reviewed by the RN to BSN Program Director and may affect the placement of the RN to BSN student to be allowed to progress in the IPE course. Failure to submit drug/alcohol and physical screens or positive results may prevent progression in the program.

The designation of an experientially and academically qualified individual to function in a preceptor role during the student’s Immersive Practice Experience (IPE) course is a critical part of the RN to BSN nursing program. The preceptor must be experientially qualified in their respective clinical practice with a minimum of 3 years of experience. Their level of education must include a minimum of a BSN degree. If the preceptor is experientially qualified, the minimum degree level may not apply. The selection of a preceptor should be aligned with the nature of the course content and the congruent interests of the student and preceptor. Students working in a clinical setting may initiate seeking a preceptor for the experience. It is highly recommended that a student initiates the preceptor query process prior to the semester in which they will be taking a IPE course.

Individuals who wish to function in the preceptor role will be provided with relevant program information from the College that is inclusive of but not limited to program mission, goals, and expected student outcomes. Verification and validation of a preceptor’s background will be established by the assigned course faculty. The designated role of the preceptor is to provide the student with a learning environment that allows for the exchange of ideas, the utilization of interprofessional collaborative in a practice/management organization and the promotion of critical thinking and clinical judgment leading to enhanced professional growth. Students are responsible for submitting all preceptor information as required by the BSN Program Director.

Please refer to the college website (scroll down to the bottom of the page), as PHSC is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), which allows for reciprocity agreements in all states except California, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for distance learning.

The chart below depicts the organizational structure of the RN to BSN programs, which are listed in order. The RN to BSN program at PHSC is composed of a BSN Program Director, full-time BSN faculty and adjunct BSN faculty (as needed). Additionally, there is a senior office assistant who works in a supportive clerical position. The BSN Program Director reports directly to the Dean of Nursing and Health Programs. The BSN Program Director is responsible for evaluating adjunct RN to BSN faculty. The BSN Program Director is also involved in direction and decision making relative to student issues.  

• Dean of Nursing and Health Programs
  • Full Time RN to BSN Faculty
  • BSN Program Director
    • Adjunct RN to BSN Faculty
  • Senior Office Assistant (works with Dean, Program Director and Adjuncts)

Nursing faculty may consist of both full-time and adjunct members. The distribution of faculty is based on course offerings. Nursing faculty and staff assistant are present on the West campus.

With regard to a nursing student issue of concern, the chain of command is as follows: (1) course faculty, (2) BSN Program Director and if needed (3) Dean of Nursing and Health Programs. You may contact:

• Karen Lotz MSN, RN BSN, Interim Program Director, Associate Professor, BSN Faculty; lotzk@phsc.edu
• Billie Gabbard Ed.D., MSN, RN, PHSC Dean of Nursing and Health Programs; gabbarb@phsc.edu

Honesty, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Ethics (HIRRE)

As a PHSC RN to BSN student, the following code is established to maintain academic and clinical integrity:

As a PHSC RN to BSN nursing student, you are expected to conduct yourself with honesty and integrity in both the academic and clinical immersion experience (CIE) courses.

• Academic honesty and integrity involve refraining from lying, cheating, plagiarizing or doing anything to gain an unfair academic advantage. Honesty and integrity also include reporting unethical behavior that is being conducted by other RN to BSN students. 
• Honesty and integrity at each level of interaction during your CIE course involving faculty, preceptor, interdisciplinary team members and patient populations.

As a PHSC RN to BSN nursing student, you will demonstrate respect for your instructors, peers, and preceptors.

• Respect for your instructors includes maintaining appropriate boundary levels cognizant of their professional scope of practice.

• In class, demonstrate respect for your peers by maintaining a level of netiquette, thus allowing for open communication that is free of bias and fosters engagement.

• In CIE, respect for your preceptor and acknowledgement of the professional role that you are fulfilling as a RN to BSN nursing student.

As a PHSC RN to BSN nursing student, you will demonstrate responsibility for your actions. 

• Academic responsibility includes submitting assignments on time and not representing the work of others as your own. All submitted work should be based on individual student effort, unless a group project is specified.
• With regard to CIE, the RN to BSN student is responsible for maintaining the role of a professional nurse in all clinical practice settings.
• Inappropriate use of social media is not permitted and can result in HIPAA violations.

As a PHSC RN to BSN nursing student, you will demonstrate ethics as an integral part of your professional conduct. Ethics involve the following principles:

• Nonmaleficence - not inflicting harm; the duty to do no harm to others
• Beneficence - benefiting others by doing good; the duty to do good, not harm to others
• Justice - involves treating others fairly
• Fidelity - faithfulness, means that RN to BSN students keep the promises they make to their instructors, peers and preceptors and involves the duty to be true and loyal to others.

You have an obligation to report RN to BSN students that are violating the HIRRE principles. If you wish to report a violation of these principles, please obtain a Student Situation Report form and submit it to the RN to BSN nursing office.

Consequences for violations of these principles will depend upon the severity of the infraction. Specific information regarding cheating and plagiarism can be found in the RN to BSN Program student handbook. Violations may result in disciplinary procedures.

The College does require health program students to purchase liability/malpractice insurance for CIE. The required liability insurance fee is incorporated annually into tuition fees and is subject to change.

The College does not carry health or accident insurance for RN to BSN students or family members. Even though the RN to BSN student is not performing any “direct patient care” during the CIE, the RN to BSN student still must maintain the required health insurance coverage as specified by the college. The insurance cost for accidents and injury in the clinical setting is $8.00 per year.

PHSC is an equal access college and does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. PHSC, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendment Act, makes every reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities. Students requiring any special services or accommodations because of a disability should contact the Student Accessibility Services staff at the PHSC campus most convenient to them to schedule an appointment and complete a Self-Identification and Authorization form. The College requires documentation, based on Student Accessibility Services guidelines, of a student's disability before providing accommodations. More recent documentation must validate the need for services based on the candidate's current level of functioning in the educational setting. A school plan such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan is insufficient documentation in and of itself but can be included as part of a more comprehensive assessment battery. However, Student Accessibility Services staff can determine if this can meet a provisional status for one term. If temporary status is approved, the student will be required to return with documentation to meet Student Accessibility Services guidelines. Confidentiality of student files in Student Accessibility Services is maintained by law.

Guidelines for the documentation of a disability are available online and through the Student Accessibility Services office at any campus. Students requiring accommodations should meet with the Student Accessibility Services staff every term, no later than the first two weeks of class, to discuss their needs and concerns. Those students with hearing or vision impairments requiring special accommodations related to interpreters or assistive technology must contact Student Accessibility Services at least six weeks in advance of the first class. Failure to provide this notice may result in a delay in services for the student. Dual enrollment students requesting accommodations are required to meet PHSC documentation guidelines and must go through the same process as non-dual enrollment students.

Students who have a documented disability may be eligible for a reasonable course substitution for any requirement for admission or graduation. Students must be able to document that their failure to meet the requirement is directly related to the disability and that the substitution does not constitute a fundamental alteration in the nature of the program. To initiate the process, students must provide the necessary disability documentation and request a course substitution at a scheduled appointment. A course substitution form should be completed with the ODS staff in consultation with an academic advisor. The appropriate academic dean will review the request and recommend action. If the academic dean recommends approval, the vice president of academic affairs/college provost must review the request for final approval. Denials of course substitution requests by the dean may be appealed to the vice president of academic affairs/college provost, who will make a final decision about the request. Students will be informed of the course substitution request results in a timely manner.

Active participation is expected. It is only with active participation that your instructor can guarantee that every effort is made so that your success can be achieved. Students are responsible for assignments and any changes in assignments, test dates, etc. These changes will be announced on Canvas or by email.

BSN nursing students must follow required college policies related to attendance verification for courses. It is the responsibility of the RN to BSN student to contact faculty responsible for the class to clarify any questions related to course content or submission process.

Academic attendance in an online environment includes:

• Academic assignment submission
• Taking an exam, interactive tutorial, or a computer-based instruction
• Participating in an online discussion that is academically related to the course.
• Interacting online with faculty with course related questions.

Academic attendance does not include:

• Logging into an online course without active participation.
• Participating in academic counseling or advisement.

Attendance will be monitored online by the instructor through the submission of an academic assignment, taking an online exam and/or the participation in a required online discussion that is academically related to the course.

If you miss the submission of a required assignment during the first week of class, you will be removed from the online class and receive a “W2” (Withdraw) from the instructor. When an assignment is submitted late, the last date of attendance/participation will be recorded as the date the assignment submitted.

The “W2” will be reported to financial aid and will impact your financial aid status. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor as soon as possible when you are informed that you have received a “W2” in this course. You may not be reinstated by the instructor but may request reinstatement through the Exception Memo process. A grade of “W2” will remain on the student’s record if the student does not gain reinstatement and resume class attendance.

All hours for a Clinical Immersion Experience (CIE) course will be verified by both the student, preceptor and faculty that is assigned to the student. All hours must be reported and validated to meet evidence for the required CIE course. The RN to BSN student will submit a CIE log to their designated faculty.  In order to satisfy specific course requirements, the CIE log must be completed with signature confirmation to earn course credit. If the RN to BSN student does not complete the required number of hours for the CIE course, then an incomplete grade may be given to allow for the student to make up the required hours, provided that the amount of hours is no more than 10% of the total hours required for the CIE course. If the RN to BSN student does not meet the required hours designated during the semester, then the student will not pass the CIE course. CIE hours include a combination of activities focusing on research, communication interactions and performance interactions. Students are not to observe the preceptor as this is a project-based assignment.

The student will maintain a professional demeanor when interacting with preceptors and/or interprofessional collaborative team members during all interactions. The PHSC RN to BSN student, as a representative of the college and as a member of the nursing profession, will demonstrate character and behavior that is congruent with professional practice standards while fulfilling their CIE. Students are not to observe the preceptor as this is a project-based assignment.

The evaluation process for the CIE course will be based on the designated course rubrics. The RN to BSN student will work in conjunction with their course faculty member and preceptor to establish and meet individualized nursing CIE goals. Conferences involving participant members (faculty, RN to BSN student and preceptor) may be required as needed to provide clarification.

1. All courses will have a course assignment page that will contain information relative to the type of assignment and submission process for that course.
2. All testing will be done in an online environment.
3. The expectation is that course work, unless specified as a group project, will be done on an individual basis.
4. Plagiarism on any assignment will earn a grade of zero. If there is repeated plagiarism in the course, then this may result in academic failure. If there is evidence of collaboration, the involved students will receive a grade of zero for the assignment. If there is continued evidence of collaboration, then this may result in an academic failure.
5. All assignments are to be submitted by the established deadline dates as indicated on the course syllabus. All assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. on the established date. Reminder announcements will be placed throughout the length of the course, identifying when assignments are due. There are no late submissions accepted for discussion board assignments.
6. If a student experiences a technical issue that prevents the submission of assignments, it is the responsibility of the student to establish contact prior to the deadline, following the forms of established communication. If there is a technical issue with Canvas that may affect the submission of assignments, students will be notified and the deadline date will be adjusted. A late submission, if accepted by the instructor, may receive a deduction. If a pattern of "late submissions" (more than 1) is established, the submission will not be accepted, and the grade will automatically be recorded as a zero.
7. Depending on the type of assignment submitted, the grading response will differ. For quizzes, the grade will be released upon submission. All submitted quizzes will be verified by the course faculty. A statement indicating grade verification in the submission comment box will indicate that the grade verification process has been done by faculty. For written assignments, grading response will be available within 7 business days of the submission deadline.

Grades will only be available via myPHSC on the Student Portal.

1. The required reference for written assignments in the RN to BSN nursing program is the APA Manual (7th edition) with resources available at the PHSC Writing Center website.
2. Scientific and scholarly health-related journals are acceptable references/sources of information. Textbooks can be utilized as references. The journal articles selected must be no older than five years. Students should check with the faculty regarding a source. References older than five years can be used if they are considered seminal works.
3. Written papers must include a properly formatted APA cover page, which may be required based on instructor preference, a reference page and an in-text citation as specified in the grading rubric.
4. The original written document is submitted to the faculty. Students are to retain a copy.
5. Students should ensure that written assignments are proofread before submission. If done carefully, this process nearly always results in identifying mistakes that could result in a grade reduction.
6. The grading of all written assignments is based on established grading rubrics. It is the RN to BSN student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific requirements for each assignment.

Students are held accountable for the policies regarding academic dishonesty as outlined in the College Catalog and RN to BSN Student Handbook.

PHSC's policy on academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism.

Cheating is defined as the giving or taking of information or material with the purpose of wrongfully aiding oneself or another person in academic work that is to be considered in determining a grade.

Examples of online cheating include, but are not limited to, students collaborating in the research, development and submission of individual assignments; collaborating while taking an online test; exchanging relevant course information to students who are either within the same course; and/or providing information about a course to a student who will be taking the course at a future date. Refer to the current PHSC catalog or handbook regarding academic dishonesty.

Plagiarism, or literary theft, is defined as appropriating the literary composition of another person, including parts, passages, or language of that writing, and passing off the appropriated material as one's own. Plagiarism is the failure to give proper credit or citation to one's source(s) of information. It includes the failure to use conventional methods of documentation for material quoted or paraphrased. Additionally, plagiarism includes allowing someone else to compose or rewrite an assignment for a student.

Examples of plagiarism include: copying in total or in part of someone else’s work without the benefit of quotation marks and author; failure to identify references used (e.g., internet resources; personal interviews; articles or texts); and/or two or more students collaborating on a graded assignment that is not a group project. Refer to the current PHSC catalog or handbook regarding academic dishonesty.

Any form of plagiarism on a written assignment will result in a grade of zero on the assignment and may result in a failing grade in the course. If this is a first offense, then the student will be referred to the RN to BSN embedded librarian for clarification and review of the citation process. Students will provide written documentation of the meeting and submit it to the faculty. Following this process, the grade for the assignment will be changed to a passing grade (75%). This policy is in effect only once in the program.

A course grade is determined at the end of each nursing course based on the calculation of all weighted graded assignments. If a CIE is part of a course, then completion and validation of all required hours. The course grade is from a letter grade in all nursing courses. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all nursing courses and must be achieved to progress in the program. 

• Grade A - 90 and above
• Grade B - 80 to 89
• Grade C - 75-79
• Grade D - 67 to 74
• Grade F - 66 and below

Students must maintain a grade of "C" or higher in all RN to BSN nursing and pre- and co-requisite courses in order to continue in the program. The selection of BSN courses is based on the provided course offerings and the student's meeting the required pre-requisite classes.

Additionally, RN to BSN students are responsible for monitoring their required general education course work. Upon admittance to the program, all BSN students should meet with an advisor to determine their general education course status relative to a degree audit. RN to BSN students must complete a degree audit check prior to entry in their terminal semester in order to make sure that they have met all requirements needed for graduation.

A BSN interdisciplinary team is available as a student resource consisting of individuals from various college departments, including but not limited to: admissions, advising, financial aid, RN to BSN Embedded Librarian, E-Learning Technology Specialist, BSN office staff, BSN faculty mentors and BSN Program Director. Students are provided with information related to their assigned BSN faculty mentor during their first course enrollment. Students are provided with information related to the members of the BSN interdisciplinary team upon acceptance to the program. Students are encouraged to work closely with their assigned BSN faculty mentor and contact the BSN office staff and/or BSN Program Director as needed throughout their online experience. Working closely with members of the BSN interdisciplinary team, the student is provided with additional support as needed in order to facilitate clarification of any college-related issues. 

The RN to BSN student must successfully pass NUR 3065C in order to progress in the program. A RN to BSN student may not fail more than two nursing courses throughout the program. Students must have a grade of "C" or higher to pass the course.

1. First Semester Repeats: Students who fail to successfully complete the NUR 3065C Examination and Assessment course in their first semester must reapply to the program. This is done by submitting a program application and application fee to the Admissions and Student Records office during the posted application time frame. Students must meet all admission requirements in effect at the time of their reapplication.
2. Second and Subsequent Semester Repeats: Students who do not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any program course sequence must request to repeat the course by submitting a Student Request to Repeat Nursing Program Course form (IIN-27). You will also need to include a written letter stating why completion of the previous course(s) was not accomplished. The form and letter are submitted to the director of the RN to BSN Program. Courses may be repeated only with the recommendations of the director of the RN to BSN program or the dean of nursing and health programs and the vice president of instruction/provost, West Campus. If the request is approved, students will be allowed to enroll online in the next available course. 
3. Multiple Course Repeats: This procedure applies to students who:
   1. Do not earn a grade of “C” or higher in the same course twice, or
   2. Do not earn a grade of “C” or higher in two different courses.

Students who do not earn a grade of “C” or higher in two nursing program courses, either in the same course or in a combination of courses, will not be permitted to re-enroll in the nursing program. 

If a student wishes to take a semester off due to personal circumstances, he/she must request a student request for leave form. The form must be approved by the BSN Program Director and submitted to the RN to BSN nursing office.  The student will then need to complete a leave request form and a reentry form prior to their return the next semester. 

Students who have enrolled for courses within one year of the term in which they were admitted to the College and students who initially enrolled but did not register for one academic year must apply for re-admission to PHSC by submitting an online application for re-admission. No fee is required to apply for re-admission. All students reapplying to the College must also submit proof of Florida residency.

Students must satisfactorily complete all required RN to BSN nursing and general education courses and meet all college and state requirements in order to graduate. Transfer students must have satisfied a minimum of 15 semester hours in upper-level nursing courses at PHSC to be awarded the BSN degree.

Students must complete the graduation application and pay the fee per established dates. This is the student’s responsibility as well as a college requirement to ensure that the student’s degree has been verified.

Payment of the application fee and completion of the graduation application are required in order to be eligible to receive a diploma. The application is submitted online via the Student Portal.  

In accordance with Florida Statutes, no student attending Pasco-Hernando State College may participate in any activities that are disruptive to the normal, peaceful, and orderly operation of state institutions of higher learning. Certain actions are prohibited at or on any campus, or at any college-sponsored or college-affiliated activity or event. Violation of any of these regulations may result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may also be imposed for special circumstances as prescribed by law. For more information on student affairs, student conduct, academic dishonesty: cheating and plagiarism and hazing, see the College Catalog and Student Handbook.

Counseling sessions are confidential between the faculty and student. In order to maintain confidentiality with regard to these meetings, students should refrain from discussing any content with non-participant members. 

Students may be dismissed from any of the following programs or any other health-related degree, certificate, or diploma program at PHSC as authorized by District Board of Trustees (DBOT) Rule 6Hx19-6.15, “Dismissal from Health Programs”. These programs include Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, and RN to BSN Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedics, Radiography, Dental, Medical Coder, Medical Records Transcribing, Health Unit Coordinator, Patient Care Technician, Medical Secretarial/Examining Room Assistant, Human Services, Phlebotomy, Nursing Assistant, or any other college-related program. See the dismissal from the Health Programs policy in the PHSC Catalog/Student Handbook in the section under Student Services and Advising.

1. Submit a PHSC application for admission, an official high school transcript indicating graduation and receipt of a standard high school diploma, or an official transcript of GED scores indicating receipt of a high school equivalency diploma. Submit an official transcript from each U.S. college and university attended other than PHSC.
2. Contact an advisor for assistance with transfer procedures.
3. Once admitted to PHSC, submit an RN to BSN nursing application to the Admissions and Student Records Office. Upon review of the application, a letter of response will be sent to the student.
4. After receiving the notification letter from the Admissions and Student Records Office that all requirements have been met, make an appointment with the RN to BSN Program Director to determine if transfer status is feasible. Bring a syllabus from each nursing course completed within the last 5 years (courses older than 5 years cannot be used for advanced standing). If advanced standing is granted, the student must:
   • Provide copy of current CPR card (American Health Association)
   • Copy of unencumbered RN license
   • Provide all required information and forms relevant to the RN to BSN program as well as meet criteria relevant to course progression status.

Transfer applicants will be notified by the BSN Program Director once all applicant criteria have been met. Upon confirmation of findings, the applicant will be allowed to register for courses in the next available semester.

In order to receive the baccalaureate degree from Pasco-Hernando State College students must complete at least 25% (30 credits) of the RN to BSN program at PHSC and at least 25% (11 credits) of the upper-division courses required for the program at PHSC, including the capstone course, NUR 4945 - Nursing Capstone Experience.

Nursing students attending the College have access to all available college services, as do other non-nursing students. These include but are not limited to: student services, student accessibilities, Academic Success Center, Behavioral Health Counseling, etc. Please refer to college catalog for the full list of available services.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Pasco-Hernando State College is accredited to award degrees at the associate and baccalaureate level.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing program at Pasco-Hernando State College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.