School of Nursing & Health Professions

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Undergraduate School of Nursing & Health Professions

In classrooms or the clinic, our students take a hands-on approach in training for an evolving health care system.

Courses in the School of Nursing and Health Professions combine a rigorous examination of theory with real-world clinical experience for a comprehensive approach to health care education.

The curriculum designed for nursing majors at the University of San Francisco is based on a conceptual framework and reflects the philosophy that a professional nurse needs a liberal background for professional development and personal growth. The program prepares students for beginning positions in nursing, provides the means for personal and professional advancement, and qualifies them for progression into programs that offer advanced degrees.

Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Students who graduate from the program are also eligible to receive the California Public Health Nursing Certificate.

Each DNP degree concentration (Family Nurse Practitioner, Population Health Leadership, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) is included in the accreditation of the DNP degree program in the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Graduates meet the outcome competencies and practice standards of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for the DNP. In the program, students complete 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, complete the DNP qualifying examination, and complete an evidence-based practice project.

State Authorization
Please check our State Authorization Status List for the states and territories from which we can enroll students in specific online degree programs.

Overview of the University and the School of Nursing and Health Professions

The University of San Francisco is the city’s first college founded by Jesuit priests in 1855. Over the years, the university has made numerous contributions to the civic, business and educational leadership of the times (e.g., educators, a Pulitzer Prize winner, business executives, members of Congress, college presidents and scientists). Today, the USF graduate is grounded with a liberal education, named for enlightened leadership in the professions, and fortified with the ideals of a Jesuit education. The university’s principal mission is the liberal education of students in Arts & Sciences, as well as the preparation of professionals for education, nursing, business and law. The University of San Francisco is made up of five colleges and schools that include the School of Nursing and Health Professions (SONHP), College of Arts & Sciences, School of Law, School of Management, and School of Education. A wide variety of ages, cultures and religions are represented in USF’s richly diverse multinational student population.

The University of San Francisco’s School of Nursing began in the 1940s as a cooperative effort with the Sisters of Mercy, so that registered nurses from nearby St. Mary’s Hospital could earn their baccalaureate degrees. The school became the first private nursing program in California, formed in 1954 and accredited by the National League for Nursing when the first students graduated in 1958. Since then, the school has been continuously committed to preparing professional nurses within the Jesuit academic tradition, with strong liberal arts and science preparation coupled with professional knowledge in the discipline of nursing. The school began offering a Master of Science in Nursing in the fall of 1984, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in the fall of 2007. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at the University of San Francisco’s School of Nursing and Health Professions are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Our nursing programs are also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Vision, Mission, and Values

Mission

The mission of the School of Nursing and Health Professions is to improve the health of all populations through equitable and compassionate service, value-driven research, and innovative nursing and health professions education, preparing learners to use their hearts, minds, and souls to change the health of the world.

Vision

The School of Nursing and Health Professions will eliminate health inequity and promote health justice locally and globally while preserving human dignity.

Values

In harmony with the core values of the University of San Francisco, the School of Nursing and Health Professions embraces:

• Courage to challenge existing paradigms to advance health equity and achieve health justice.
• Community that fosters collaborative action for positive change.
• Diversity, in all its forms, to ensure inclusivity and belonging.
• Excellence that instills responsibility, accountability, professionalism and a desire for personal growth and lifelong learning.
• Ethical practice that reflects humanistic ideals, and upholds the inherent dignity and worth of each individual.
• Scholarly inquiry that seeks the best evidence and promotes the highest levels of scientific integrity.

Admission

Click here for School of Nursing and Health Professions Admission & Aid

As a practice, the School of Nursing and Health Professions takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications. We look at every applicant’s story - academic and personal - to select students who are eager to develop the skills to take on the challenges of modern health care systems.

Admissions Information & Application Guidelines by Program

Whether you’re interested in applying to one of our bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree programs, you’ll need to follow admission guidelines specific to that program. Select an academic degree and program to explore their program opportunities and application requirements.

• Public Health, BS  
• Nursing, BSN  
• Nursing (4+1), BSN/MSN   
• Nursing (4+1), BSN/Public Health, MPH  
• Public Health, MPH  
• Clinical Nurse Leader (4+1), MSN  
• Clinical Nurse Leader (ME), MSN    
• Nursing, MSN  
• REGISTERED NURSES (RN-MSN)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN/RN), DNP   
• Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/RN), DNP   
• Health Systems Leadership, DNP      
• Public Health, Community and Public Health Practice Concentration, MPH/Family Nurse Practitioner, DNP   
• Public Health, MPH/ Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN), DNP  
• Clinical Psychology, PsyD  

Click here for the full list of all School of Nursing and Health Professions programs

Transfer Student Admissions

Click here for School of Nursing and Health Professions Transfer Student Admission

Every year, we welcome nearly 500 new transfer students to the University of San Francisco. As a transfer student, you’ll get the best of a Jesuit liberal arts education and launch your career in the thriving, diverse, entrepreneurial city of San Francisco.

Interested in nursing? Make sure to review our specific nursing transfer requirements.

Mental and Physical Qualifications for Professional Practice

The following are MINIMUM mental and physical qualifications for admission of applicants to a professional nursing program and to professional nursing practice:

• Frequently work in a standing position and frequent walking.
• Lift and transfer patients up to 6 inches from a stooped position, then push or pull the weight up to 3 feet.
• Lift and transfer patients from a stooped to an upright position to accomplish bed-to-chair and chair- to-bed transfers.
• Physically apply up to 10 pounds of pressure to bleeding sites, or in performing CPR.
  Respond and react immediately to auditory instructions/requests/monitor equipment, and perform auditory auscultation without auditory impediments.
• Physically perform up to a twelve-hour clinical practicum experience (shift).
• Perform close and distance visual activities involving objects, persons, and paperwork, as well as discriminate depth and color perception.
• Discriminate between sharp/dull and hot/cold when using hands.
• Perform mathematical calculation for medication preparation and administration.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary and word usage.
• Make appropriate and timely decisions under stressful situations.

All students of the SONHP are expected to meet these qualifications and successfully complete other course requirements. Individuals applying for admission to the SONHP should consider their eligibility in light of these qualifications and assess their ability to meet these qualifications. In carrying out the nondiscrimination policy of the SONHP with regard to students and applicants with disabilities, the school will endeavor to make reasonable modifications and otherwise reasonably accommodate students and applicants with disabilities.

Students with disabilities should consider their ability to meet the above qualifications with reasonable accommodation. Any requests for accommodation will first be evaluated by USF’s Student Disability Services (SDS) and may also be evaluated by nursing faculty, and/or with representation from outside the USF SONHP, as appropriate.

Health and Safety Requirements

All students entering a clinical practicum setting must submit a series of health and safety requirements and be “cleared” by the SONHP each semester. All students must provide proof of acceptable status of immunizations/titers, and CPR-BLS (Healthcare Provider course), Background Check and Drug Screening to the SONHP via Castle Branch and any clinical site-specific systems (if applicable) by the date specified. These health and safety requirements must be valid throughout the entire semester in which the clinical practicum experience is to be completed. Many health requirements submitted before the first clinical practicum rotation are only submitted one time, but clinical site-specific requirements may necessitate repeat or additional vaccines, training, drug tests, background check screenings, etc. Continuing students are required to submit proof of an annual TB test, COVID booster and CPR re-certification prior to expiration dates for those documents. Specific information and directions for completing Health and Safety Requirements/Background Check and Drug Screening may be found on the SONHP Student Portal; and in Appendix 3: Health and Safety Requirements/Background Check and Drug Screening. Changes may be made to these health and safety requirements at any time at the request of the agency being used for the clinical practicum experience by the nursing student; if applicable students will be notified.

All students are required to have a Background Check and a 10-panel drug screening completed before the beginning of the first clinical practicum course. Information about these two requirements will be sent to students as part of the Health Requirements communications. See Appendix 3: Health and Safety Requirements/Background Checks and Drug Screening and Appendix.

Completion of health and safety requirements by due dates are essential as our affiliating clinical agency venues mandate compliance as part of their contracts with the SONHP. Students must have all health and safety requirements completed and verified before they will be permitted to begin clinical practicum course work; all health and safety requirements must not expire within the semester in which students are enrolled in clinical practicum courses. Student who do not provide this information by due dates will receive Unprofessional Conduct Advisories (UCAs).

CPR Certification

CPR certification MUST be Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association. No other trainings will be accepted. You must sign your certification card and then scan both the front and back, and upload that to Castle Branch.

Liability Insurance (Students)

All students in the SONHP must carry personal professional liability insurance in order to enter the clinical practicum agencies with which the SONHP has contractual arrangements. The fee for liability insurance is paid by the student at the time of registration each semester in which a clinical practicum course is taken, along with other student fees.

CDC Guidelines for Standard Precaution for all Patients

All USF nursing students are expected to follow Standard Precautions as established by the Centers for Disease Control. Information and skill practice will be reviewed with students at the beginning of each clinical rotation and students will be asked to acknowledge in writing that they have reviewed these standard precautions.

Nursing Drug Screen Requirement

A negative drug screening result is required to matriculate and remain in the nursing degree programs. Please review the USF Student Code of Conduct as well as the USF Alcohol and Drug policies, which includes the Marijuana Policy. As USF is required to follow federal policy, marijuana use remains prohibited on campus and at university-sponsored events. Thus, students who test positive for marijuana will be considered to have a positive drug test. If a positive drug test result is produced during the SONHP drug screening requirement, the following steps are required prior to approval to matriculate (register and start courses):

• Interview with the Associate Dean to discuss circumstances, and implications for matriculation, placement, and eligibility for licensure;
• Repeat the urine screen after a failed one, to provide a negative result prior to starting the program; and
• Depending on drug screening result(s), the Associate Dean may request medical leave or other actions short of dismissal.

Health and Safety Requirements/Background Checks and Drug Screening

All students are required to have a Background Check and a 10-panel drug screening completed before the beginning of the first clinical practicum course. Information about these two requirements will be sent to students as part of the Health Requirements communications. See Appendix 3: Health and Safety Requirements/Background Checks and Drug Screening and Appendix.

Conviction of a Crime

Students must be aware that to be eligible to take the NCLEX RN Exam, they are required under law to report ALL misdemeanor and felony convictions. “Driving under the influence” convictions must also be reported. Convictions must be reported even if they have been expunged under Penal Code 1203.4 or even if a court ordered diversion program has been completed under Penal Code Section 1000.

Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX RN exam is determined by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Consideration is given to the nature and severity of the offense, additional subsequent acts, recency of acts or crimes, compliance with court sanctions, and evidence of rehabilitation.

Conviction of a crime also may impact the ability for a student to participate in clinical and thus, may delay or prevent degree progression.

Confidentiality

Students as well as other healthcare workers are required to maintain as confidential all matters pertaining to the patient. Discussion of the patient with friends in public places (cafeterias, elevators) or at home is inappropriate and unprofessional. When nursing students are referring to the patient in written work as part of clinical practice, they are instructed to use only the patient’s initials.

Students are accountable for maintaining confidentiality for all personal/health information they become aware of during learning experiences. All persons have legal rights to privacy and breaking confidentiality may result in legal actions. Registered nurses are expected to know applicable laws and professional ethics standards for confidentiality. When information must be provided, the registered nurse is responsible for investigation of legal requirements pertaining to authorization prior to release of information. The United States Department of Health and Human Services offers a summary of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) webpage for healthcare professionals for your review.

Prior to each clinical practicum course the nursing faculty will review with students the principles of confidentiality and specific agency-related policies and practices. Students are reminded that use of photography and social media, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. to photograph or discuss clinical issues or comment on patients or their care is not permitted. HIPAA and USF SONHP regulations regard the use of this media for such purposes as a breach of patient confidentiality (See Appendix 8: Social Media Use Policies).

Transportation to Clinical Practicum Agencies

The SONHP reserves the right to place students in clinical practicum sites up to sixty miles away from the USF Main Campus and the USF Sacramento Campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical practicum agencies. Students who car pool are responsible for knowing whether or not the driver of the car pool has car insurance and are urged to car pool only with those who are covered by insurance, as USF does not provide insurance coverage for travel to and from clinical practicum placements. Students are not permitted to transport clients and /or client’s family in their car. Prior to each clinical practicum course the nursing student will read and sign a form acknowledging understanding of this policy.

Preparation for Practicum, Safe Practice Standards and Policies

Psychomotor Skills Learning and Validation Process

• The Psychomotor Skills Inventory (PSI) provides an overview of pre-licensure psychomotor skills instruction, study resources, skills demonstration options, and persons authorized to validate the first performance of skills that require validation. The PSI document for the BSN program is found on the Student Portal (Canvas). Course syllabi indicate the required skills, due dates for performance validation for the current semester; and validation methods/venues (Skills Lab, Skills Clinics, Simulation Center, or Student-Directed Video Validation).
• Individual skills “cards” are found in the Virtual Skills Stack document, accessible on the Student Portal. Please be sure you are viewing the most recent, updated version of the Skills Stack Virtual Edition (it may be updated each semester).
• Students read appropriate sections of the Virtual Skills Stack, textbooks, and view media and other resources provided by the faculty BEFORE beginning practice of a skill.
• Initial demonstrations for selected skills may be conducted by assigned media, in the classroom as part of a course, in Skills Clinics, in Skills Lab sessions, or in the Simulation Center.
• Students practice performance of the skill in the Skills Lab or Simulation Center.
• After student preparation and practice, skills may be validated in the Skills Lab, Simulation Center, or by Student-Directed Video Validation as the course syllabus directs.
• Skills performance validation is conducted either during Skills Clinics, or during validation “appointments” which are reserved by students using the process designated by the Skills Lab Manager.
• When a skill is validated in the Skills Lab or by Video Validation, the Skills Lab staff will enter into the online Clinical Performance Portal the performance outcome ( for successfully demonstrated; X for unsuccessful and must remediate and re-perform the skill).

Student Refusal to Provide Patient Care

Should a student refuse to care for a client, the situation will be addressed on an individual basis. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the faculty member of any special circumstances they may have which would affect clinical practicum assignments. Students may be excused from the care of these clients under the following circumstances:

• Students with a documented NEGATIVE titer of chicken pox will be excused from the care of a client with Varicella Zoster.
• Students with a documented immune disorder, which would make the student more susceptible to opportunistic infection, will be excused from the care of a client with known communicable disease.
• Students who have been exposed to HIV and are currently undergoing serologic testing will be excused from care of the HIV positive client.
• Pregnant students may be excused from selected client assignments based on treatment modalities (i.e. ribavirin therapy) or the presence of opportunistic infections on a case-by-case basis.

HIV-Positive Nursing Students

Students diagnosed as HIV positive shall be protected from discrimination according to institutional policy see the Fogcutter Student Handbook. In the clinical practicum setting, students who are diagnosed as HIV-positive may be restricted from certain nursing care situations in accordance with current Centers for Disease Control guidelines for exposure-prone procedures. A multi-disciplinary committee determines restrictions of student activities. The committee may consist of the representatives from the health care agency involved, academic administration, University legal counsel, and selected nursing faculty. The antibody status of the student will be maintained in strict confidence.

Student Injury, Needle Sticks/Sharps Injuries, Infectious Diseases Exposure

Every attempt is made by the SONHP and faculty to minimize the potential for risk and harm to patients and providers through didactic and clinical skills instruction, policies, and procedures. In the event of student injury, needle stick or sharps injury, or exposure to a potentially infectious disease, the procedure as outlined in Appendix 11 must be followed exactly and completely.

Academic Progression Policies

Nursing students must earn a grade of “C” (75%) or better (or “S” in clinical courses) in all nursing courses and nursing support courses (anatomy and lab, physiology and lab, microbiology and lab, general psychology, rhetoric and composition, and statistics) in order to progress in the BSN Program. Any student who earns less than a grade of “C” in any of the above nursing and nursing support courses on his/her first attempt must repeat the course and earn a grade of “C” or better in order to progress. A core nursing course in the SONHP may be repeated only once. If a student fails a clinical practicum course or the corequisite theory course, the student must retake both the clinical practicum course and the co-requisite theory course. Corequisite theory/clinical courses are: NURS 222/225; NURS 272/275; NURS 320/325; NURS 420/428; NURS 421/428; NURS 471/478.
A student may not take ANY nursing major course for a future semester until he/she has passed all courses at current level (i.e. Sophomore 2 students cannot take any Junior 1 courses until all Sophomore 2 courses have been passed). Students should contact the SONHP Director of Undergraduate Student Services and/or their Academic Advisor regarding registration assistance for repeat coursework.

All students must demonstrate competency at the mastery level (100% score) for calculation of medication dosages and intravenous infusions as a requirement for passing all clinical practicum courses. Didactic instruction and practice for calculation skills are provided in theory courses and within online and print instructional resources. Standardized exams are based on content and methods contained in the required textbook; performance requirements are matched to that semester’s authorized scope of clinical practice; and are administered at the start of each clinical practicum course (schedule details are provided on the Student Portal). Students are provided three attempts to demonstrate mastery; students who are unsuccessful on the first two attempts are provided remediation materials and must re-test until mastery is demonstrated. Students who are unsuccessful on the third attempt may not continue with the clinical practicum course and must withdraw from both the clinical practicum course and the co-requisite theory course.

Part of the required California Board of Registered Nurses curriculum includes public speaking, written communication, psychology, and sociology. The USF BSN faculty require that students pass courses with a grade of “C” or better. Any student who earns less than a grade of “C” in any of these courses on his/her/their first attempt must repeat the course and earn a grade of “C” or better on his/her/their second attempt. Repeating public speaking, written communication, and/or sociology does not limit progression in the BSN Program. However, time-sensitive pre-requisite courses are identified in the BSN Curriculum Pattern (e.g. written communication and statistics must be completed prior to the Junior 1 semester).

The Sophomore Progression Policy exists to promote nursing program excellence. Evaluation data are used to inform policies related to the BSN Curriculum with the goal of achieving consistently high NCLEX-RN pass rates. Hence, the Sophomore Progression Policy was developed by the SONHP Academic Standards Committee and approved by the faculty. Students will complete two Fundamentals HESI Specialty exams (two weeks apart) towards the end of the sophomore 2 course “NURS 272 Applied Assessment & Nursing Fundamentals.”

Effective Fall 2023, progression to Junior 1 requires successful completion of Sophomore 2 nursing courses as evidenced by student attainment of final grades of “C” or better in theory courses and “S” in the clinical course:

• The Fundamentals HESI is administered twice to all students in NURS 272.
• Completion of HESI remediation modules is required for all students after HESI #1 and for students who score <850 on HESI #2 in order to pass NURS 272.
• Students must achieve 100% on their assigned Evolve case studies as part of their individual remediation plans.

The Senior Progression Policy exists to promote nursing program excellence. A requirement for successful completion of the Senior Seminar Course (N472) is earning a minimum score of 850 on the HESI Exit Exam. Administration of the HESI Exit Exam is scheduled three times during the course. Students who do not earn a passing score of 850 on the first exam must repeat the examination a second or third time until they pass. If a student does not achieve a score of 850 on any of the three mandatory Exit HESI Exams, the student must enroll in UWorld or Kaplan NCLEX preparation course. The student must show proof of purchase to N472 instructor with name clearly identified. Additionally, a student must achieve a minimum passing grade of 75% for the N472 course. Here are the full policy and procedures on HESI Exit Exams and N472 grading:

• Exit HESI Exam: 50% of the grade (If a student scores ≥ 850 the student does not need to retake the exam. It can be taken up to 3 times).
• Weekly Evolve case studies and practice questions: 35% of the grade
• N 472 Senior Seminar Leadership/Facilitation/Participation: 15% of the grade
• If a student does not achieve a score of 850 on any of the 3 mandatory Exit HESI Exams, the student must enroll in UWorld or Kaplan NCLEX preparation course. The student must show proof of purchase to N472 instructor with the students name clearly identified.
• A student must achieve a minimum passing grade of 75% for the N472 course.

Enrollment, Add/Drop

Students should consult the University Academic Calendar or the Online Schedule of Classes regarding the last date for adding or dropping a course during the semester with or without fees being returned. Students must notify their Academic Advisor before adding or dropping any course after the drop date, since this process requires an Advisor’s signature. Nursing courses that are canceled will be posted on myUSF and the SONHP Student Portal. To the degree possible, nursing students will be informed of the cancellation of a course via e-mail. See registration add/drop forms on Registration and Student Records Resources and Forms webpage.

Nursing students may not drop a clinical practicum course because they are currently performing at an unsatisfactory level. The student and faculty will develop a learning contract and specific, measurable outcomes that specify behaviors evidencing improved performance to course standards.

Academic Honors

To be recognized for University Honors a student must have completed a minimum of 60 credits of academic coursework graded “A” through “F” see Academic Honors at Commencement. Transfer credit/courses are not included in the USF GPA. Clinical practicum courses which are graded as pass/fail are not included in the calculation of the GPA and are not counted as part of the 60 minimum credits required for Academic Honors.

School of Nursing and Health Professions Honors
School of Nursing undergraduates are eligible for SONHP Honors at graduation if they do not meet the 60-unit requirement but graduate with a GPA of 3.9 or above.

Dean’s Honor Roll (Dean’s List)
Due to the uniqueness of the SONHP curriculum, clinical practicum courses are not graded “A” through “F” as most courses are, but graded “S” (Satisfactory) or “U” (Unsatisfactory). Typically, only courses graded “A” through “F” are counted toward a student’s full-time status. However, clinical practicum courses in nursing will be counted toward student’s full-time status. To achieve the Dean’s Honor Roll designation a student must have both a semester and cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better; or a 3.7 or higher semester GPA for two consecutive semesters irrespective of the cumulative GPA. The Dean’s List designation only applies to the fall and spring semesters (not for summer semesters).

Unsafe Clinical Practice

Definition: Any act, practice or omission during clinical practice that fails to conform to the accepted standards of the nursing profession which may directly or indirectly cause physiological and/or emotional harm to others.

The acuity level of patients demands that the student enter the clinical area fully knowledgeable about the patients’ problems, the course of treatment and their responses during hospitalization, their past history, and the rationale for all nursing interventions. Students who enter the clinical area unprepared cannot remain in the clinical area.

If a student’s performance is deemed “unsafe” he/she may be removed from the clinical area or reassigned duties/supervision to protect the client. Students who are evaluated as “unsafe” may be required to develop and complete a performance improvement plan or may immediately be assigned an unsatisfactory grade for the course depending on the egregiousness of the event.

Integrity is absolutely essential to the practice of professional nursing. Evidence of deliberate dishonesty is unacceptable and will result in immediate failure of a course. Safe clinical performance may include, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:

• Preparation for clinical assignments according to course requirements.
• Assessment and evaluation of a patient’s physical and/or emotional status.
• Provisions of care which may be required to stabilize a patient’s condition or prevent complications.
• Prompt reporting of significant patient information to appropriate person(s).
• Provision of clear, accurate, and complete verbal and/or written information to the appropriate person(s) regarding the patient’s condition, treatment, or nursing care.
• Administration of medications and/or treatments in a responsible manner.
• Demonstration of the application of previously learned skills and principles in providing nursing care.
• Compliance with institutional policies and procedures in implementing nursing care.
• Practice within educational level, experience, and/or responsibilities while in the role of the student nurse.

Note: Students may not drop or withdraw from any clinical course if their performance has been deemed unsafe. They will receive an immediate grade of “unsatisfactory” for the course and be removed from the clinical settings.

Nursing faculty will utilize the following procedure related to unsafe practice in the clinical setting by a nursing student:

• Provide detailed, progressive, written evaluation on Academic Improvement Form, in a timely manner, share this with the student and encourage the student to sign the form.
• Clearly identify problems with failure to meet standards for safe practice as outlined in clinical syllabus.
• Document specific recommendations for achieving student improvement in collaboration with student.
• Provide definitions of expectations of the clinical that are not being met.
• Communicate with the Department Chair to inform them of potential student problems and seek consultation and support.
• Initiate a Learning Resource Center Student Referral Form (BSN Nursing Student Handbook - Appendix G) if the problem is related to skills weakness. This provides the student with the opportunity to improve psychomotor skills. In general, the skills deficiency should be corrected within one week of the initiation of the form.

Policy Changes

Change in any of the above policies and the addition of new policies are included in the nursing handbook available to the beginning of a student’s first semester.

The University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions reserves the right to add, amend, or cancel any of its programs, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures, in whole or in part, at such time as it may choose and for any reason. None shall be construed as, operate as, or have the effect of an abridgment or limitation of any rights, powers, or privileges of the University of San Francisco School of Nursing. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the publications. Students are advised, however, that such information is subject to change without notice and they should consult with the Office of the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions for current information. Information in this Publication does not constitute a contract between the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions and a student or an applicant for admission.

BSN Curriculum Pattern   
 

Graduate School of Nursing & Health Professions

Mission

The mission of the School of Nursing & Health Professions (SONHP) is to improve the health of all populations through equitable and compassionate service, value-driven research, and innovative nursing and health professions education, preparing learners to use their hearts, minds, and souls to change the health of the world.

Our Vision

Graduate Nursing Student Handbook

The Graduate Nursing Student Handbook published in the students and faculty/staff portal in CANVAS. The Graduate Nursing Student Handbook is designed to help you navigate through your graduate program. This handbook is a great place to start whenever you have questions about your academic program, the School of Nursing and Health Professions (SONHP), the University of San Francisco (USF) policies and procedures. This handbook is reviewed and updated each academic year congruent with changes related to the Graduate Nursing Department, the School of Nursing and Health Professions, the University, and nursing licensure and regulatory agencies. Every student is responsible for acknowledging and observing these policies and procedures.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to the Student Handbook
  • The History of the University and the School of Nursing and Health Professions
  • University and School Leadership
  • Nursing Department Leadership
  • Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program Leadership
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Leadership Vision, Mission, and Values Statement of USF
  • School of Nursing and Health Professions Philosophy of Nursing Education
  • Promoting and Sustaining a Community Which Represents Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Accreditation
• Program Descriptions, Outcomes, Competencies, and Completion Requirements
• Master of Science in Nursing (ME-MSN, RN-MSN) Program Overview
  • MSN Program Learning Outcomes
  • MSN Program Completion Requirements
  • NCLEX Licensure
  • CNL Certification
  • General Internship Placement Information (MSN)
• Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • DNP Tracks
  • DNP Program Learning Outcomes
  • Health Systems Leadership Program Learning Outcomes
  • Nurse Practitioner Program Learning Outcomes
  • Competencies of Doctoral Education for the Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP Program Completion Requirements
  • DNP Clinical/Practicum Hours Requirements
  • Clinical Hour Requirement
  • NP Student Responsibilities for Clinical Training
  • NP National Certification Requirements and Process
  • American Association of Nurse Practitioners Exam (FNP only)
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse
• Advising
• Professional Behaviors and Responsibilities of the Graduate Student
  • Student Conduct
  • Academic Integrity Policies
  • Student Attendance
  • Academic Progression
  • Changes in Academic Progression
  • Progression to Residency - Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Academic Title Use During Progression.
  • Leave of Absence Policy
  • Course Withdrawal Policy
  • USF Withdrawal Policy
  • Change of DNP Track
  • Time to Degree Completion
  • Graduation
  • Grievance Procedures
  • Academic Disqualification
  • CourseandInstructorEvaluations. Student Injury, Needle Sticks/Sharps Injuries, Infectious Diseases
• Academic and Student Resources
  • Student Support Services
  • Student Involvement.
  • Student Organizations
  • External Nursing Resources
• Appendices
  • Appendix A: Handbook/ Program Acknowledgment
  • Appendix B: Social Media Policy
  • Appendix C: Simulation Activities Confidentiality and Security Agreement
  • Appendix D: Academic Improvement Advising Form (AIF)
  • Appendix E: Unprofessional Conduct Advisory Form (UCA)
  • Appendix F: Student Injury, Needle Sticks/Sharps Injuries, Infectious Diseases
  • Appendix G: Incident Report - Safety Reporting Form
  • Appendix H: Skills Lab Referral Form
  • Appendix I:Student Absence from Clinical Course Policy
  • Appendix K: Academic Advising for ME-MSN Students
  • Appendix K: Health Requirements Guide

Graduate Nursing Handbook - Appendix K: Health Requirements Guide

As a graduate nursing student, here are some guidelines and helpful hints to assist you in completing your health requirements for the School of Nursing and Health Professions (SONHP) at the University of San Francisco. Note: Students are responsible for the cost and management of their CastleBranch accounts and health requirements. Additional requirements (i.e. updated background check, drug test, TB, etc.) may be required for some clinical agencies.

STEP ONE: Order your drug test, background check, and medical document manager through CastleBranch.

STEP TWO: Complete your specific health requirements.

• COVID-19 Vaccination: Please note that our clinical partners no longer accept exemptions of any kind and you will not be able to continue in the program if you are not fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. For this requirement, students must upload their initial COVID-19 vaccination (either 2-doses of Pfizer/Moderna or 1-dose Johnson & Johnson) AND proof of booster to their respective tabs.
• Meningococcal Vaccine: This is the only optional requirement. If you have received the vaccine, please upload proof of immunization. If not, you must still click on the Meningococcal requirement in your to-do list and indicate that you are choosing not to obtain the Meningococcal immunization.71
• Physical: The physical must be administered within six (6) months prior to your entrance into the program. There is no USF-specific form for the physical. You simply need a note from your doctor (signed, dated, on letterhead and/ or with office stamp) stating that you (full name) were given a physical on (date) and are cleared to begin your undergraduate nursing studies.
• Tdap Booster: Documentation must specify that the Tdap (Combined Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccine was administered, and on what date. The Tdap booster must be renewed every ten (10) years.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis B: Titers (IgG), NOT proof of vaccination, are required for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B. Titers are blood results that test for the presence of antibodies against diseases. When we have vaccinations our immune system does not always convert the vaccination into immunity against that particular disease. Positive titer tests ensure that our body has actually converted the vaccination into immunity. This is important to ensure the continued health of our nursing students in the clinical setting and helps prevent the spread of diseases to the patients you serve. If a titer result is negative or equivocal, you’ll need to get either a booster or a new vaccination series (see what the doctor recommends). You should upload your negative titer to Castle Branch, and they will create new requirements for the subsequent necessary vaccine(s). Once the re-vaccination is done, you should wait one month and then get a new titer. (If the second titer is still negative or equivocal, you will need to submit a medical waiver along with the second titer results; waivers can be found in the “Forms and Waivers” section of the SONHP Health Requirements webpage. You will need to combine BOTH the second titer and declination form together, and upload). As long as you follow this process, you will be cleared.
• Repeat Titer Declination: The Repeat Titer declination is a student acknowledgement re: multiple negative titers needing a declination waiver post-vaccination. Simply press “received” and you will be cleared. This is not an action requirement for students.
• Tuberculosis Test: A 2-step PPD or QuantiFERON blood test is needed. A 2-step PPD test is when you have your 1st PPD skin test placed and read two days later. Then, you have a 2nd PPD skin test placed and read two days later. This process is completed within a two week period (skin tests must be a minimum of 7 days apart, but no more than 3 weeks between). The purpose is to ensure that you do not have a false negative. The timing is critical because more than two weeks between tests could results in a false positive due to the repeated exposure to the test. The results of both tests must be uploaded as one PDF. If you have a history of positive PPD, you must submit the results of your positive TB test, a clear chest x-ray, and a TB Symptom Review form, signed by a healthcare professional; combine both documents into one PDF and upload. You can find a downloadable version of the TB Symptom Review Checklist in the “Forms and Waivers” section of the SONHP Health Requirements webpage.
• CPR Certification: CPR certification MUST be Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association. No other trainings will be accepted. You must sign your certification card and then scan both the front and back, and upload that to Castle Branch.
• Seasonal Influenza Vaccine: Official documentation of the seasonal influenza vaccine (a.k.a. the flu shot) must contain your name and the date and location the vaccine was administered. Please note: You must receive the flu shot on a yearly basis; the deadline will be October 1 (deadline for influenza vaccine is set a bit later than other requirements due to seasonal availability).72
• Student Handbook Acknowledgement Form, SONHP Social Media Policy Acknowledgement Form, and SONHP Confidentiality Statement: The student handbook acknowledgement form, SONHP social media policy acknowledgement form, and SONHP confidentiality statement can all be downloaded by clicking on each of those requirements in your Castle Branch document account to-do list; there are downloadable files available there. You must print, sign and date, scan, and upload the completed forms. When filling out the SONHP Confidentiality Statement, list the location as “USF”.

STEP THREE: Check your CastleBranch account to verify that all documents have been reviewed and approved.

STEP FOUR: Print your results document. (note: this may be needed for your first day of clinicals).

Please note that some clinical placements may require clearance above and beyond the standard requirements as listed in this document. This may include one or more of the following: additional background checks (fingerprinting), drug testing, more frequent TB clearance. It is very important that you check your clinical site’s link via the Clinical On-boarding page on the Pre-licensure Canvas portal for any site-specific requirements.

C.P.R. Certification

All School of Nursing and Health Professions students are required to have a valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification without which they may forfeit their place in the program. The CPR certification must include prevention and recognition of cardiovascular disease, infant, child, and adult CPR, 1- and 2-person rescue, and foreign body airway management. In addition, each semester students must show the instructor current certification as this is a requirement for entry into the clinical laboratory experience. This means students are responsible for the annual renewal of their CPR certification. Only American Heart Association certification is acceptable. NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED ON A CLINICAL UNIT WITHOUT CPR CERTIFICATION THAT IS VALID FOR THE ENTIRE SEMESTER.

Liability Insurance (Students)

All students in the SONHP must carry personal professional liability insurance in order to enter the clinical practicum agencies with which the SONHP has contractual arrangements. The fee for liability insurance is paid by the student at the time of registration each semester in which a clinical practicum course is taken, along with other student fees.

CDC Guidelines for Standard Precaution for all Patients

All USF nursing students are expected to follow Standard Precautions as established by the Centers for Disease Control.

Information and skill practice will be reviewed with students at the beginning of each clinical rotation and students will be asked to acknowledge in writing that they have reviewed these standard precautions.

Professional Behaviors and Responsibilities of the Graduate Student

Nursing students are expected to adhere to standards of conduct, which reflect well on USF, SONHP, the nursing profession, and themselves. They are expected in particular to adhere to the tenets of the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)- Nurse Practice Act and the University Honesty Code. Any breach in professional conduct and/or the honesty/ integrity standards identified by the University or the California or local state BRN may lead to disciplinary action including, in appropriate cases, dismissal from the School.

Students are expected to demonstrate behavior consistent with professional standards as outlined in the Catalog, Fogcutter, nursing student handbooks, and course syllabi.
For more information, please visit the Honor Code website.

All of our students are expected to follow the following:

• USF Student Conduct Code and Rights and Responsibilities
• Prohibited Conduct
• Student Fogcutter Handbook
• Expectations for Professional behaviors for Graduate Nursing Students at USF are further outlined below

• Ethical Behavior
  • Graduate students are expected to follow the American Nurses Association code of ethics. American Nurses Association Code of Ethics (click on Available online: E-Books (Ovid) to access).
• Communication
  • Graduate Students are members of USF’s scholarly community. Students are expected to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally. Communication should be sensitive, professional, and respectful. Communication should be clear and appropriate, expressive of thoughts and ideas, mindful of self and others’ feelings and demonstrate the willingness to provide and accept critical feedback.
• Cognitive
  • Graduate Students must use critical thinking processes with confidence, contextual perspective, creativity, open mindedness, perseverance, and reflection. Critical thinkers will utilize sound reasoning, analysis, integration, synthesis, and evaluation skills within their nursing programs.
• Behavioral/Emotional
  • Exhibit emotional stability that allows for the use of sound judgement and the ability to function and adapt under highly stressful situations within the classroom and clinical environments.
  • Demonstrate mature, sensitive, effective and empathetic relationships with the members of the USF community and its partners including agency personnel and their clients/patients.
  • Acknowledge and examine that personal values, behaviors, biases, sentiments and past circumstances affect relationships with others and be willing to change behaviors to maintain effective individual and team relationships.
  • Motor and Sensory Skills
  • Students should possess sufficient motor function and sensory skills to perform safe34 nursing assessments and interventions within the nursing field for their chosen degree of study.
• AI Policy
  • In consultation with the Provost’s Office and the Office of the General Counsel, Information Technology Services has published guidelines for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These guidelines, which will be regularly reviewed and updated as this technology evolves, have been developed as a resource for all members of the USF community– students, faculty, librarians, and staff. Developed as USF continues to embrace technological advancements in the field of AI, particularly in the form of Generative AI (GenAI), the guidelines cover the appropriate use of GenAI within the university community, framed within the context of university policy and risk mitigation. The guidelines are aligned with USF academic principles and core university values. The guidelines emphasize that students, faculty, librarians, and staff must also follow specific processes adopted by their individual schools, divisions, and units. Accompanying the guidelines is a list of materials and resources that can assist and enhance the community’s use of GenAI and related technologies. Review the Guidelines for Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at USF.

Background Check and Drug Testing

The University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions will require nursing students to submit to drug testing and to a criminal background check prior to clinical practice in some facilities. California Laws regulating the Department of Education, Department of Health Services, and the Department of Social Services require individuals to be fingerprinted and have criminal background checks completed prior to having direct contact with students in public and private schools and day care centers and with clients in adult day care centers. Should this affect nursing students in individual clinical settings, the students will be notified in advance to complete this process which will take up to three months.

Conviction of a Crime

Students must be aware that to be eligible to take the NCLEX RN Exam, they are required under law to report ALL misdemeanor and felony convictions. “Driving under the influence” convictions must also be reported. Convictions must be reported even if they have been expunged under Penal Code 1203.4 or even if a court ordered diversion program has been completed under Penal Code Section 1000.

Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX RN exam is determined by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Consideration is given to the nature and severity of the offense, additional subsequent acts, recency of acts or crimes, compliance with court sanctions, and evidence of rehabilitation.

Conviction of a crime also may impact the ability for a student to participate in clinical and thus, may delay or prevent degree progression.

Confidentiality

Students as well as other healthcare workers are required to maintain as confidential all those matters pertaining to the patient. Discussion of the patient with others not involved in the patient’s care is inappropriate and unprofessional. When referring to the patient in written work as part of clinical practice, use only the patient’s initials. Patient privacy and rights must be protected. Failure to maintain confidentiality may result in legal action from the patient and/or family.

Special Requirements for Masters Entry Option (M.E.O.) Degree Students

These requirements are based on what is required for generalist and advanced practice preparation. These requirements include:

Mental and Physical Qualifications for Professional Nursing 

Please be advised that there are minimum entry qualifications to professional nursing practice. Typically, all nursing employers set up minimal physical and mental standards for employment as a registered nurse. The University of San Francisco wishes to inform prospective students of the general nature of such qualifications, although qualifications may vary among employers. Further, the University of San Francisco wishes to assist applicants in meeting all essential qualifications. Applicants should assess their own capabilities for nursing prior to entering the profession of nursing as a graduate. Thus, the following are MINIMUM mental and physical qualifications for admission of applicants to a professional nursing program:

• Frequently work in a standing position and do frequent walking.
• Lift and transfer patient up to 6 inches from a stooped position, then push or pull the weight up to 3 feet.
• Lift and transfer patient from a stooped position to an upright position to accomplish bed-to-chair and chair-to-bed transfers.
• Physically apply up to 10 pounds of pressure to bleeding sites, or in performing CPR.
• Respond and react immediately to auditory impediments.
• Physically perform up to a twelve hour clinical laboratory experience.
• Perform close and distance visual activities involving objects, persons, and paperwork, as well as discriminate depth and color perception.
• Discriminate between sharp/dull and hot/cold when using hands.
• Perform mathematical calculation for medication preparation and administration.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary, and word usage.
• Make appropriate and timely decisions under stressful situations.

All students in the School of Nursing and Health Professions are expected to meet these qualifications and successfully complete other course requirements. Individuals applying for admission to the School of Nursing and Health Professions should consider their eligibility in light of these qualifications and assess their ability to meet these qualifications.

In carrying out the nondiscrimination policy of the School of Nursing and Health Professions with regard to students and applicants with disabilities, the school will endeavor to make reasonable modifications and otherwise reasonably accommodate students and applicants with disabilities. Students with disabilities should consider their ability to meet the previously listed qualifications with reasonable accommodation. Any requests for accommodation will be evaluated by nursing faculty, with representation from outside the USF School of Nursing and Health Professions as appropriate.

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