 Section III: Being a Student Introduction Students who are enrolled at South Dakota State University must accept accountability and responsibility for their own success. Students have a responsibility to attend all classes and be knowledgeable about their own progression through the nursing curriculum. Pre-registering for classes every semester includes seeing the advisor and planning ahead to make the appointment a success through time and content. The advisor is available to give the student a resource to assist in navigating the academic system at SDSU. Students are responsible for their own progression. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Honesty Policy South Dakota State University has taken a strong and clear stand regarding Academic Honesty. The consequence of Academic Dishonesty ranges form Disciplinary Probation to Expulsion. The full policies are found in Chapter 1, Student Code (01:10:23:01 – 01:10:23:04) within the Student Policy Manual. A student charged with Academic Dishonesty who wishes to appeal that charge may follow the Appeals Procedure outlines in Chapter 2 of the Student Policy Manual, Academic Appeals and Classroom Standards or contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs office. The College of Nursing believes the student should work closely with the advisor during these processes. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Progesssion in the Program Students are ultimately responsible for their own progression. The Department of Nursing Student Services provides a copy of the current curriculum on request and at orientation. The Student must meet grade point average (GPA) requirements as listed in the bulletin/catalog. The Department of Undergraduate Nursing accepts no D’s or F’s for courses counted toward graduation. The advisor is provided to assist the student as necessary. The student is encouraged to use the current curriculum sheet that is given to them on entrance into SDSU as a guide for requirements, and is listed in the bulletin at admission to the university. If curriculum changes occur that will effect the student, the advisor should inform the student and provide the curriculum revision in writing. Students should retain the curriculum change in writing as proof of change to their program of study. Each semester the advisor receives that student’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) and other important information related to registration. The student must see the advisor to get the PIN number and to check on the progression expectations. If the student is having academic difficulties, the advisor is there to assist the student to develop a plan to resolve the academic difficulty. The College of Nursing allows students to repeat a course only once. Any student failing a course twice is considered ineligible to continue in the Nursing Program and should discuss this with the advisor. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Books to Keep Professors in the College of Nursing recommend that the student keep anatomy, physiology, nutrition, microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and all nursing books for reference as they progress through the Nursing Major. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
No D or F Grades Students must earn a C or better in all courses. The Undergraduate Nursing Program does not accept any D or F grades for completing a BS in Nursing. Students who have academic difficulty with a course are encouraged to discuss their difficulty with the professor of the course and their advisor in an effort to avoid getting grades below a “C.” Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Scholarships Scholarships during the pre-nursing semesters are those available to all SDSU students. Information about these scholarships can be reviewed on the Financial Aid bulletin board, located in the Administration building, room 106. Applications are available from the Financial Aid Office. Nursing Scholarships are available after admission to the Nursing Major. Applications are available in January at Nursing Student Services in NFA 131. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Calculating Your GPA There are two Grade Point Averages (GPA) you should be concerned about: 1. Semester Grade Point Average (SPGA) is the total
grade points earned for a specific semester divided by the total number
of credits attempted for the semester.
*Grade points are on a 4-point scale: A=4 points; B=3 points; C=2 points; D=1 point; F=0 points To Calculate your SGPA: 1. To determine the total grade points earned for a course, multiply the number of credits for the course by the grade points earned for the course. Course Grade Grade Points Credits Total Grade Points Earned Chem 106 A
4 x
3 =
12
2. Repeat this for all courses taken
3. Then the total number of Grade Points Earned
divided by the total number of credits:
To Calculate Your GPA 1. Add the total grade points earned for each semester and divide by the total credits attempted. Semester
Credits Total Grade Points
Earned
84/29=2.9 CGPA Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Student Honor Societies Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, Inc. Phi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, was established at SDSU in 1962, Membership is by invitation and is conferred upon faculty, community leaders, graduate and undergraduate students in their senior year who have demonstrated superior scholastic achievement, and who show evidence of professional leadership potential and/or marked achievement in the field of nursing. The goals of Sigma Theta Tau are to:
The South Dakota State University chapter
of Phi Kappa Phi, a national honor society, was established in 1949. Phi
Kappa Phi’s primary objectives are the recognition and encouragement of
superior scholarship in all academic disciplines. Membership in Phi Kappa
Phi is by invitation only.
Initiation occurs twice a year with the spring ceremony preceding the annual Phi Kappa Phi banquet. Those initiated into Phi Kappa Phi receive lifetime memberships and are considered active members while enrolled as students at SDSU. After graduation, member may maintain active memberships by paying dues and maintaining an association with the Society, or they may become inactive members. 3. Mortar Board, Inc. Mortar Board is a national union of senior honor societies united to form a single national society. The purpose of this society is to facilitate cooperation among senior honor societies, contribute to self-awareness of the members, promote equal opportunities among all people, emphasize the advancement of the status of women, support the ideals of the university, advance a spirit of scholarship, recognize and encourage leadership, provide service, and establish an opportunity for networking and meaningful exchange of ideas. The existing chapter holds election of new members once a year after fall grades are reported. Candidates must be in their junior year and are selected for distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service. 4. Golden Key Golden Key is an international academic honor society dedicated to scholastic achievement and excellence. Membership is by invitation only to those students who are the top 15% of their junior or senior class. Two scholarships are awarded at the chapter’s reception to the outstanding junior and senior initiates. More information is available by calling 1-800-377-2401. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Last Update: January 2006
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