King College > Academics > Schools > School of Nursing > BSN > Academic Policies

Academic Policies

Before consideration as a nursing major, a student must first be approved for admission to King College. Transfer students from another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing from the Dean/Director/Chair of the previous nursing school.

Students wishing to declare their intent to proceed in nursing must complete the Declaration of a Major form. Students may declare their major at any time but no later than the spring term of their sophomore year. In order to complete this form, an advisor will review the student’s academic record and review with the student. If the student has maintained a minimum grade point average of 2.75/4.0 and C or better in natural science courses, he/she may apply for enrollment in clinical nursing courses. Both the faculty of King College and the Tennessee Board of Nursing strongly support maintaining appropriate ratios to ensure safe clinical practice.

Clinical ratios may limit class size or impact the student’s ability to progress in the program when the student is seeking readmission to the program or when the student fails to follow the proposed sequence of courses in the nursing major. If a student withdraws from the program or if a student fails to meet the course requirements, his/her designated place on the class roster may be lost. A student wishing to re-enter the program must complete a new application and meet all of the admission/progression requirements in place at that time. Students who leave the program because of a course failure may re-enter the program on a space available basis only.

All students in the traditional nursing curriculum are expected to be full-time students and to complete the program within eight semesters of study. By committing themselves as full-time nursing majors, students agree to complete all course requirements including clinical assignments as outlined for each designated semester.

All nursing majors in the traditional program are required to successfully pass a comprehensive exam in order to meet the requirements for graduation. The comprehensive exam is a required outcome statement for the Capstone course. Failure to achieve a passing score will result in a grade of "I" (Incomplete) and the student will be required to follow the ATI remediation process.

A sequence of study for the diploma or associate degree nurse (RN to BSN) is available to all qualified students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Special requirements for progression and retention in nursing are influenced by the student’s ability to provide evidence of satisfactory physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Prior to the beginning of the first clinical rotation (and annually thereafter), each student must present evidence of good health and freedom from communicable disease. (This requires a physical examination and immunizations.) Other requirements prior to a clinical rotation include demonstrated competency related to standard precautions and CPR certification.

* Nursing students are required to adhere to department policies as outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook.

** All clinical experiences associated with nursing courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.