Theory Examinations

• All test questions correlate to unit/course outcomes.
• Questions are derived from required student learning activities.
• The student is responsible for material from prerequisite courses.
• A student must notify the instructor of record prior to the examination if absent.

• Make-up examinations will be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor of record.
• If the student is unable to take the examination at the scheduled time and fails to make arrangements for postponement of the examination, he/she will receive a "0" (zero) for the examination grade.
• The "0" (zero) will be averaged with the student's other exam grades for the course grade.

• Examinations are timed. Each course designates the time limit for the particular exam/quiz.
• The guideline is 40 to 60 items per unit exam.
• Each nursing course will have a final comprehensive exam. [College Policy]
• Examination grades will be available from the instructor of record one week following the examination date.
• A key room may be provided.

• Courses determine how to conduct key room.
• If the student wishes to review the exam, an appointment must be made with the instructor within one week of the exam.

Selected Departmental Grading Policies

• Clinical course grades will be derived from both clinical performance and projects.
  The percentages should be decided within each course. Clinical performance is to be 75-90% and Projects may be 10-25%.
• The Rating Scale for determining level of performance on the Clinical Evaluation tool is located here.
• Each clinical course is to establish the number of nursing care plans / projects required.
• Students absent from clinical receive a grade of "0" (zero) for clinical performance. There will be no make-up exercises for student absences.
• Students in nursing courses must pass theory and clinical with a minimum of 70% in order to pass the course.

• Rounding of grades should only be done if the student has a 0.5 or higher and should not be done until the final grade has been calculated.

• The final grade in the theory courses will be derived from unit exams, quizzes and a final exam. Unit exams should average between 60-80%; Quizzes 10-20%; final exam 15-20%.
• Skill proficiency testing to include math and psychomotor may be evaluated in either clinical or theory courses.
  • Departmental policy: failure to pass the Math or Skill Proficiency exams results in a clinical grade of F.

Final Exam

• Each nursing course will have a final exam. (College policy)
• The weight of the final examination be determined by each individual course.
  • Guideline is: [40 to 60 items per unit exam]; 75-100 items per comprehensive final exam.

Nursing Care Plans

• An alternate care plan or assessment sheet may be made for any additional patients assigned during any one week.
• Nursing Care plans / assessment worksheets are expected to be submitted on time, but when extenuating circumstances occur that the instructor considers valid, the nursing care plan may be accepted late.

Regrading

The Department of Nursing Education will not accept requests for second grading of written assignments.

Course Grade and Withdrawal

Students can not petition to withdraw from the course once the final exam has been taken.

Written Assignments

• Students must follow published criteria.
• To ensure confidentiality, client names or identifiers should be removed from submitted work.
• Written work should be submitted in a protective envelope.
• Journal articles used for written or oral assignments should meet this criteria:

• no more than four years old or identified as a classic
• contain a bibliography
• length of 3 or more pages
• published in the United States.

Skills Performance Evaluation

Clinical skills (related psychomotor skills) must be demonstrated for the student to progress. 

• Lack of achieved standards of competency will preclude the student from successful completion of this course and progression to the next course.
• Clinical skills testing will be conducted in the Nursing Skills Lab.
• Dates will be posted.
• Evaluation of skill performance will be graded according to identified critical criteria. 

Refer to the specific clinical course requirement for Clinical Skills testing.

Math Proficiency is described on Standards page.