History, Accreditation and Organization

History, Accreditation and Organization

Learn about Elaine Marieb College of Nursing:

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History

History

History

At its founding in 1953, the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing offered the first baccalaureate nursing program in public higher education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Four years later, the College launched the first Master of Science degree program, and in 1994, the Commonwealth's first publicly supported Ph.D. program in Nursing in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Medical School Graduate School of Nursing. In 2005, the college offered its first Ph.D. program sponsored uniquely by the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing and in 2006 the first Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in the state.

Continuous accreditation first by the National League for Nursing, and currently by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), along with the success of graduates in passing both licensing and certification exams, testify to the enduring quality of the College's programs, faculty, and curriculum.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is one of eleven schools and colleges comprising the University of Massachusetts Amherst, founded in 1863. The University is a Carnegie Designated Research University Very High (RUVH) and the flagship campus of the five-campus public university system. Sponsored research now totals over $220 million a year, with increasing emphasis on the life sciences and biotechnology applications.

Embodying the university's commitment to high quality, accessible education, the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is committed to meeting the challenges faced by the nursing profession in the context of the changing dynamics of society, the global environment, and the delivery of health care.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is named in honor of distinguished two-time UMass Amherst alumna Elaine Marieb, who earned a Master of Science degree from the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing with a specialization in gerontology in 1985, and a PhD in zoology from the College of Natural Sciences in 1969. A trailblazing educator with an abiding belief in the power of education to change lives, Marieb earned six different higher education degrees in all, and connected deeply with the students she taught at Springfield College and Holyoke Community College. She reached countless more students in classrooms worldwide through her many best-selling textbooks and laboratory manuals, widely considered to be the gold standard for teaching anatomy and physiology.

The Elaine Nicpon Marieb Charitable Foundation made a transformational gift of $21.5 million to the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing in 2021. This gift enables the college to bolster student support; expand the simulation labs and other resources to provide a top-tier nursing education; and establish a Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation and an endowed professorship to attract outstanding researchers and educators.

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Accreditation

Accreditation

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The baccalaureate degree program is fully approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Number of Graduates from each class: 2023

  • Undergraduate Nursing Majors: 58
  • Accelerated Bachelor’s Nursing Program: 78
  • RN to BS Program: 9

Annual first-time NCLEX Pass Rate: 2022

  • 81%

Transferability of Credits Policy

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Admissions office evaluates transfer credits for students applying for their first undergraduate degree. No nursing courses are accepted for transfer credit.  

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Values, Vision, Mission, and Goals

Values, Vision, Mission, and Goals

Approved by the Faculty Assembly May 21, 2008; reviewed June 2018

Vision

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is a force for innovation, learning and discovery in preparing culturally proficient nurses for leadership in health for a global society.

Mission

To provide an affordable and accessible education to enhance health and healing through nursing leadership in teaching, scholarship, practice and service.

Values

We, the faculty of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, are committed to:

Caring and Collaborative Relationships

  • Caring and compassion as the heart of evidence-based nursing practice. 
  • Collaboration with clients, nursing, and interdisciplinary peers to enhance health and healing. 
  • Attending to the needs and input of vulnerable and underserved populations.

Leadership

  • Reducing health disparities and promoting health in a global society. 
  • Enhancing the social conscience and professional development of all. 
  • Environments are systems that interact with nursing practice, culture, and public policy. 
  • Developing student identity as agents for innovation in the world.

Excellence

  • The reciprocal relationships among teaching, scholarship, and engagement. 
  • Encouraging integrity and a high moral character in all members of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. 
  • Becoming reflective practitioners to increase the authenticity of our work (Boyer, 1990).

Innovation 

  • Creative ways of acquiring, managing, and sharing knowledge.

Diversity

  • Striving to design and provide culturally sensitive nursing care in a global society.
  • Promoting diversity in our college and in the profession.

Lifelong Learning

  • Arts, humanities, and sciences as a foundation for nursing education.
  • Learning as a dynamic, collaborative process that promotes mutual growth of students and teachers.

Goals

We, the faculty of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, are committed to the following goals:

Engagement Goals

Establish innovative scholarly engagement models that define and respond to the health of the public.

  • Search for answers to the most pressing social, civic, economic, and moral problems facing our profession and world today (Boyer, 1990). 
  • Facilitate an organizational culture of diversity that promotes collaborative partnerships, relationships, and affiliations within a global community.
  • Promote faculty practice, which reflects faculty expertise and needs of our communities of interest.
  • Promote faculty development and systematic understanding through a variety of mechanisms.
  • Contribute to systematic and structural improvement of the University systems.
  • Promote service to the underserved and vulnerable populations in our region.

We prepare professional nurses by creating an innovative environment for inquiry, discovery, and learning with diverse populations.

  • Ensure a flexible learner-centered environment that utilizes information technology to its highest potential to ensure collaboration and inclusiveness. 
  • Foster the advancement of students through graduate education. 
  • Ensure a comprehensive, cohesive curriculum which prepares students for leadership in a changing and diverse sociopolitical world.

Scholarship Goals

Enhance the art and science of nursing by creating, translating, and disseminating knowledge. Our goals are to:

  • Facilitate the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and teaching.
  • Foster a creative environment that supports scholarship activities.
  • Enhance mechanisms for interdisciplinary scholarship.

 

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Key Policies

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Admissions Policy

Admissions Policy

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing complies with the University of Massachusetts Amherst policies on admission. The University of Massachusetts Amherst “prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability or veteran status in any aspect of the admission or treatment of students or in employment.”

Undergraduate Nursing Major

Admission to the freshman Nursing class at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is contingent upon successful completion of required high school courses at a level consistent with the University’s and the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing’s admissions standards. The University of Massachusetts Amherst uses a holistic admissions review. Factors like personal experiences, strengths, and compatibility with the university are also considered.

Candidates must provide satisfactory evidence of secondary school graduation (official High School or GED/HiSET transcript), or its equivalent (e.g., Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree).

Candidates must include translations and evaluations of non-English transcripts. Candidates must also comply with the immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Applicants are notified about admissions decisions by the University's Undergraduate Admissions Office. More information about the admissions process is available on the Admissions website.

Accelerated BS

Admission to the Accelerated BS in Nursing is contingent upon successful completion of a first undergraduate degree (BA or BS) and the required prerequisites for the Accelerated BS in nursing program. Candidates must provide satisfactory evidence of secondary school graduation (official High School or GED/HiSET transcript), or its equivalent (e.g., Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree).

Candidates must include translations and evaluations of non-English transcripts. Candidates must also comply with the immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Accelerated BS in Nursing applications are submitted to the University Without Walls (UWW) Admissions Office and reviewed and approved by the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Applicants are notified about admissions decisions by the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. More information about the UWW admissions process is at the UWW admissions website.

RN to BS

Admission to the RN to BS is open to registered nurses who have completed required prerequisites and whose cumulative GPA is 2.5 or higher. Candidates must provide satisfactory evidence of secondary school graduation (official High School or GED/HiSET transcript), or its equivalent (e.g., Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree).

Candidates must include translations and evaluations of non- English transcripts. Candidates must also comply with the immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. RN to BS applications are submitted to the University Without Walls (UWW) Admissions Office and reviewed and approved by the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Applicants are notified about admissions decisions by the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. More information about the admission process is available on the Admissions website.

Revised and approved by FA 5/15/19; reapproved 9/21/22; 5/17/23
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Progression Policy

Progression Policy
  1. Students are advised to follow the recommended sequence of courses. The student carries the responsibility for ensuring that the prerequisites for coursework are met.
  2. The academic standard for students in the Elaine Marieb Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 or above, with no grade in a required prerequisite course below a C (2.0). Those courses include KIN 270 and KIN 272, any Human Nutrition course, PSYCH 100, and STATISTICS. Refer to the University policy in Academic Regulations document.

  3. Successful completion of the physical and biological science prerequisites, college writing, and the R1 and R2 Math Tier requirements are required before beginning clinical courses.

  4. The passing grade in all Nursing courses is a C (2.0) or higher.

  5. If the Cumulative GPA falls below 2.5 or the student has a grade below C in a required prerequisite or nursing course, the student is required to meet with the academic advisor.

  6. Each semester of required nursing courses MUST be successfully completed before progression to the next semester or to graduation, as outlined in the plan of study, with the exception of Preventive Care and Integrative Therapies, Introduction to Nursing Research, or courses designated as electives.

  7. Students who do not progress satisfactorily through the nursing curriculum in its regular sequence or who take a leave of absence are not guaranteed that the curriculum and courses from which they departed will be in place upon their return. They will be expected to complete the curriculum of their new graduation cohort. Continuation in the program is based on space availability.

  8. Nursing courses may be repeated once with no prior approval and a second time with the permission of the Academic Dean. Failure to pass an undergraduate nursing course with a grade of C or better by the third attempt will lead to dismissal from the nursing program. Repeating a nursing course is on a space-available basis and requires payment of course tuition and fees.

  9. Completion of standardized examinations is required for preparation for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing licensing examination (NCLEX-RN®).

  10. Students will be cleared for graduation and application for the RN licensure examination (NCLEX-RN®) when all graduation requirements of the College and University have been met.

  11. Students must abide by all university policies in addition to those of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing.

FA 3/8/19; Updated 5/15/19; reapproved 9/21/22; 5/17/23

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Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy

For any absences, students must still meet all course requirements and learning objectives. The university policy may be found here: https://www.umass.edu/registrar/students/policies-and- practices/class-absence-policy. Further Elaine Marieb College of Nursing information includes:

Excused Absences and Attendance

Attendance in class, clinical, simulation, and lab is mandatory for all students. See attendance policy in Academic Regulations for further information about excused absences. https://www.umass.edu/registrar/sites/default/files/academicregs.pdf

Students who anticipate military and religious absences should notify the faculty at the beginning of the term so accommodation can be made to complete the learning objectives in a timely way.

Students with communicable illnesses should not attend regularly scheduled clinical sessions.

Students are required to communicate an unexpected absence no later than two hours before class or clinical in the method requested by the course or clinical faculty.

Clinical Attendance and Make-up Policy

Purpose

The University of Massachusetts (UMass), Amherst College of Nursing (CON) is committed to preparing student nurses who are caring, collaborative and innovative leaders. This policy informs faculty and students of the steps to follow in the event of an absence from clinical.

I. POLICY STATEMENT

The clinical experience (on campus lab and off campus clinical sites) is critical to
prepare students for professional responsibilities. Missed clinical experiences represent
a missed opportunity to meet the clinical objectives. All clinical objectives must be met for successful completion of the nursing program. The completion of all clinical hours is essential to meeting clinical objectives. Failure to complete these hours will require clinical makeup days to meet the course objectives. Clinical makeup days are determined by the clinical instructor and the course coordinator.

II. PROCEDURE:

  1. Faculty, in conjunction with the course coordinator, will inform students at the start of the

    semester the process for reporting an absence.

  2. All clinical and lab hours are required as assigned. Any absence from clinical or lab must be

    reported by the student to the faculty member and the clinical site, as appropriate, one

    hour prior to the start of the clinical or lab experience.

  3. The clinical and lab faculty will notify the course coordinator of all absences and makeup

    assignments within 48 hours.

  4. If the student’s absence exceeds one clinical day, the clinical instructor and course

    coordinator will meet to determine the student’s standing in the course.

  5. Clinical or lab makeup days are assigned by the clinical instructor and course coordinator

    to ensure that the course objectives are met. Due dates for the makeup days are determined by the clinical instructor and course coordinator. Clinical and lab makeup hours must be completed prior to the last day of class. Students with more than 2 clinical absences will be unable to meet course objectives.

  6. Acceptable clinical make up hours consists of ONLY the following activities:
    a. Clinical make up day at assigned clinical site.
    b. High fidelity simulation
    c. Unsafe practice issues: If the student is sent home from clinical for unsafe practice

    refer to the unsafe practice policy.

Unexcused Absences and Attendance (Pending vote of the Faculty Assembly September 2023)

Attendance is critical to successful progression. Students who have an unexcused absence in clinical courses will receive deductions on their Clinical Evaluation Tool and/or documentation as a violation and will receive a reduction in the final course grade.

FA 3/8/19; 9/21/22; 5/17/23

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Academic Integrity Policy

Academic Integrity Policy

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing follows the University of Massachusetts Amherst Academic Honesty Policy as written in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations.

All members of the University community must participate in the development of a climate conducive to academic honesty. While the faculty, because of their unique role in the educational process, have the responsibility for defining, encouraging, fostering, and upholding the ethic of academic honesty, students have the responsibility of conforming in all respects to that ethic. Intellectual honesty requires that students demonstrate their own learning during examinations and other academic exercises, and that other sources of information or knowledge be appropriately credited. Scholarship depends upon the reliability of information and reference in the work of others. Student work at the University may be analyzed for originality of content. Such analysis may be done electronically or by other means. Student work may also be included in a database for the purpose of checking for possible plagiarized content in future student submissions. No form of cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or facilitating of dishonesty will be condoned in the University community.

Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to:

  • Cheating - intentional use, and/or attempted use of trickery, artifice, deception, breach of confidence, fraud and/or misrepresentation of one's academic work.

  • Fabrication - intentional and unauthorized falsification and/or invention of any information or citation in any academic exercise.

  • Plagiarism - knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own work in any academic exercise. This includes submitting without citation, in whole or in part, prewritten term papers of another or the research of another, including but not limited to commercial vendors who sell or distribute such materials.

  • Facilitating dishonesty – knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty, including substituting for another in an examination, or allowing others to represent as their own one’s papers, reports, or academic works.

    Sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Formal definitions of academic dishonesty, examples of various forms of dishonesty, and the procedures which faculty must follow to penalize dishonesty are detailed on the Academic Honesty website.

    Appeals must be filed within ten days of notification by the Academic Honesty Office that a formal charge has been filed by an instructor that they suspect dishonesty. Contact the Academic Honesty Office for more information on the process. The Ombuds Office is also available to support individuals engaging with the Academic Honesty process. The Provost’s Office is where appeals are processed and filed.

    FA 02/19; 9/21/22; 5/17/23

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Course Exemption Policy

Course Exemption Policy
  • Course exemptions are allowed through Advanced Placement, university testing, or military transcripts during the undergraduate admissions process.

  • The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing policies for undergraduate course exemption are consistent with the University policy.

  • All Nursing courses must be taken according to the plan of study for the specific student’s track.

  • For more information, please see the University Exemption Policy in the Academic Regulations.

FA 1/21/19; 9/21/22; 5/17/23

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Advanced Placement Policy

Advanced Placement Policy

Advanced Placement Credit Policy

Undergraduate Four-Year Nursing Majors who are awarded advanced placement credit based on a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or an Advanced Placement (AP) examination administered by the College Board, or based on a local exam, will be granted no grade for these credits. These credits, if appropriate, may be counted toward satisfaction of the University's requirements. CLEP and AP are transfer credits.

Official copies of AP and/or SAT Subject Test scores should be sent electronically to UMass Amherst. Our CEEB # is 3917.

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Transfer Policy and Transfer of Credits

Transfer Policy and Transfer of Credits

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Admissions office evaluates transfer credits for students applying for their first undergraduate degree. No nursing courses are accepted for transfer credit.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing does not accept transfer or change-of-major students. There is no minor in Nursing.

Veterans can apply for transfer on a case-by-case basis as space allows.

Transfer of Military Credit Policy

UMass Amherst and the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing adhere to the VALOR Act Academic Credit Evaluation Policy. We use the American Council on Education (ACE), CLEP, and DSST guidelines and apply the same standards to credits for military education as those applied to coursework from accredited colleges and universities. The JST military transcript is available in electronic format only and may be requested via the Joint Services Transcript (JST) website.

More information about advanced placement is provided in the University Registrar’s Academic Regulations (https://www.umass.edu/registrar/students/transfer-information/transferring-credit ) and on the Registrar website (https://www.umass.edu/registrar/students/transfer- information/transfer-credit).

Training or Service for a Military Health Care Occupation Policy

The Elaine Marieb College of nursing accepts relevant education, training and service completed by an applicant as a current or veteran member of the armed forces or military reserves toward credit for completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

FA 5/17/23

 

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Educational Mobility Policy

Educational Mobility Policy

The University of Massachusetts Elaine Marieb College of Nursing supports the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Educational Mobility Statement.

The RN to BS track in the undergraduate program is designed to promote education mobility and continue the development and education of the nursing workforce by recognizing and building on knowledge and skiils attained by learners prior to their matriculation in formal education programs. The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is committed to using flexible approaches that are incorporated into curricula and reflect consideration in individual student learning needs.

EA 1/31/19; 9/21/22; 5/17/23

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Withdrawal Policy

Withdrawal Policy

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing policy is consistent with the University procedure for withdrawal from a course or from the University. See the Dean of Students website on the policy for withdrawal.

Withdrawing from a Course

To withdraw from a course, students can drop the course in SPIRE or enlist the assistance of an  Undergraduate Advisor, Reggie Lamothe at rllamothe [at] nursing [dot] umass [dot] edu (rllamothe[at]nursing[dot]umass[dot]edu) or Amy Sliwa at asliwa [at] umass [dot] edu (asliwa[at]umass[dot]edu).

  • During the add/drop period, students may drop the course in SPIRE with no record.

  • After the add/drop period and until the mid-semester date, "W" drops are accepted and can be done in SPIRE.

  • After the mid-semester date, students must petition the Academic Dean.

    NOTES:

  • Withdrawing from a course will affect the program of study and may affect the student’s graduation date.

  • If a student withdraws from courses that bring their total enrollment below a full-time load of 12 credits, it may affect financial aid package. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid (www.umass.edu/umfa).

Withdrawing from the University

  • Students withdrawing DURING the semester should visit the Dean of Students Office website for information regarding withdrawing from the University.

  • Students withdrawing from the University AFTER the current semester ends but before the first day of classes of the next semester must fill out an End of Term Withdrawal request in SPIRE.

    FA 1/31/19; 9/21/22; 5/17/23

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Readmission Policy

Readmission Policy

Readmission after Withdrawal

Students in the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing in good standing at the end of their most recent semester of enrollment are eligible for reentry to the University after a withdrawal.

Undergraduate nursing students must request to re-enter the undergraduate program of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing after a lapse of one year or longer and if accepted for re-entry must follow the current program of study. Readmission is contingent upon available space.

In order to enroll and be entitled to pre-register, students must follow the procedure delineated by the Registrar. Returning students must also process their bill payment on time. If the student's academic status after their last semester of enrollment is suspension or dismissal, the student's eligibility for readmission is based on the guidelines described under Academic Status in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations.

FA 1/31/19; 9/21/22; 5/17/23

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Graduation Policy

Graduation Policy

Students may participate in the nursing Senior Recognition/Pinning Ceremony and receive a diploma only after successful completion of all nursing program requirements for the degree.

University Graduation Requirements Summary for 4-year Nursing Major

  1. Admission to Nursing major

  2. 120 credits

  3. A cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 overall

  4. Meet Elaine Marieb College of Nursing requirements

  5. General Education requirements (may not be taken pass/fail)

    a. Writing - 2 courses (6 credits): College Writing (CW) and Junior Year Writing course in major department
    b. Social World - 4 courses (16 credits), with at least two having a Social and Cultural Diversity component: Literature or Arts (AL/AT; 1 course), Historical Studies (HS; 1 course, Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB; 1 course), and a 4th course from any Social World except Historical Studies.
    c. Biological and Physical Sciences – 2 courses (8 credits), with 1 Biological Science (BS) and 1 Physical Science (PS) d. Basic Math Skills - 1 course (R1) or exemption by Tier 1 Math Exemption Exam.
    e. Analytic Reasoning - 1 course (3 credits); (Statistics may cover both Math Requirements)
    f. Integrative Experience will be fulfilled upon taking Nursing 438.
    g. Freshman Diversity Course (Nursing 212 fulfills this requirement)

Additional information about university graduation is provided in the Academic Regulations.


University Graduation Requirements Summary for Accelerated BS in Nursing

  1. Admission to the Accelerated 2nd Bachelor’s in Nursing track

  2. 58 credits of nursing courses

  3. Grade of C or higher in nursing courses

  4. Meet Elaine Marieb College of Nursing requirements

  5. Cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 overall in nursing courses

University Graduation Requirements Summary for RN to BS Online Track in Nursing

  1. Admission to RN to BS track

  2. Active unencumbered RN license

  3. 30 credits of nursing courses

  4. 120 credits total

  5. Grade of C or higher in nursing courses

  6. Cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 overall

FA 12/21/21; 9/21/22; 5/17/23

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Student Rights and Grievances Policy

Student Rights and Grievances Policy

Academic Grievances

The following Grievance Procedure applies to all undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Elaine Marieb College of Nursing faculty and students follow this procedure.

The Academic Honesty Office (www.umass.edu/honesty) is the process manager for grievances brought under the Grievance Procedure as outlined in Academic Regulations. The Academic Honesty Office is responsible for ensuring that only those matters properly defined as academic grievances are pursued through this procedure, for advising all concerned parties of their rights and obligations under this procedure, for convening hearing panels, and for scheduling hearings. For each formal grievance which proceeds to a hearing, the Academic Honesty Office shall maintain a confidential file open only to the student, the instructor, the provost or designee, and the Hearing Panel.

To help determine if a situation is an academic grievance and to understand the process, nursing students are referred to the Ombuds Office (www.umass.edu/ombuds). The Ombuds Office is a confidential and neutral place where students and instructors can receive help weighing their options, understanding relevant policies and available resources, and receiving referrals for more formal measures when circumstances warrant. It is sometimes the case that the issue of concern can be resolved through informal mediation and the Ombuds Office can provide informal mediation services.

Equal Opportunity and Access Office Grievance Policies and Procedures

Nursing students are directed to the Equal Opportunity and Access Office to file grievances alleging discrimination and a violation of the University's policies prohibiting such behavior.

The Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts and the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing are committed in policy, principle, and practice to maintain an environment which is divest of illegal discriminatory behavior and which provides equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or genetic information. This commitment is consistent with federal and state laws and University policy. A major responsibility emanating from this commitment is the provision of a fair, effective, and efficient mechanism that rectifies or eliminates policies, practices, and actions that are discriminatory, lack provision for due process, or mitigate against the Amherst campus's affirmative action efforts.

FA 02/19; 9/21/22; 5/17/23

 

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Common Clinical Placement Requirements Among Cooperating Agencies

Common Clinical Placement Requirements Among Cooperating Agencies

Health Requirements 

Students in the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing are required to adhere to certain health maintenance procedures in compliance with standards prescribed by affiliating clinical agencies and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 15C, entitled Immunization of college health science students. Students may use the services of their own family health care providers or the University Health Services. The policies are intended to protect the health and well-being of the client as well as the nursing student engaged in clinical practice. The health maintenance plan is as follows: 

All students need to set up an account with CastleBranch after admission to the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. You will be responsible for uploading evidence of your immunizations and required documents into the self-service system before your first clinical. Certified Background Check will also perform a national background check on all students, which is necessary before entering clinical placements. 

All students must carry health insurance at all times while registered as a student. 

CPR Requirement 

American Heart Association Course: BLS for the Healthcare Provider. This is the only course accepted by all of our affiliating agencies. Online courses are not acceptable. 

Professional Liability Insurance 

Contact NSO. (Upload the one-page “Certificate of Insurance” for your file.) 

Students are required to acquire and submit proof of medical malpractice insurance before entering courses with a clinical component. Students are also responsible for ensuring that a copy of the one-page certificate of insurance is on file at least three weeks prior to the start of the semester. Students are not allowed to participate in clinical experiences until this documentation is on file. Students will upload this insurance certification to their CastleBranch.com account. 

Annual Update 

CastleBranch will send an email reminder for annual updates at least two weeks prior to their due date. 

Healthcare agencies will not allow students to begin clinical experiences until this information has been received. Timely submission will prevent a student’s clinical status from being in jeopardy. 

Students are required to notify the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing of any significant change in their health status that may affect clinical experiences. Examples include serious illness, accidents, injuries, or surgery which would require health care provider clearance prior to returning to the clinical setting. Students with significant health changes must provide documentation of clearance from their provider to return to clinical activities. The provider clearance note must specify any limitations. 

NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the University Health Services (UHS) or their private health care provider in a timely fashion in order to comply with the above policies. When applicable, the College of Nursing will publicize the availability of special clinics set up by UHS to assist with required immunizations or updates. 

STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE THE COLLEGE OF NURSING WITH THE REQUIRED APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION OF HEALTH STATUS TO PARTICIPATE IN EACH CLINICAL PRACTICUM. 

A delay in returning the necessary documentation will prevent a student from attending clinical experiences. 

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) Checks and Fingerprinting 

CORI ([Massachusetts] Criminal Offender Records Index) and SORI ([National] Sex Offender Records Index) checks are required by most clinical agencies and will be completed on all students and faculty once they are admitted to the program and yearly thereafter. Progression and clinical placements in the nursing program may be contingent upon a satisfactory CORI/SORI investigation. Please review the website for more details on CORI checks. 

Note: Some clinical agencies may require a National Background Check and Fingerprinting; this process will be explained as necessary. 

Undergraduate Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Credentialing Policy 

As part of your professional role, nursing students are required to have very specific credentials in order to be present in hospitals, clinics, and community settings where we interact with the public. These are very similar, if not identical, to the requirements that you will have soon with an employer in the health care industry. Part of your education in nursing is learning to be prompt and meticulous about ensuring that all your documentation is on time and kept current to attend clinical. Please read this policy carefully to the end. 

It is the student’s responsibility to maintain their current credentials that may include CPR, a criminal background check, fingerprinting, immunizations, special training, etc. It is recommended that you begin a file with copies of all your documents, so you always have them at the ready for clinical agencies and employers. 

  1. At the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, we use an external company that assists us in assuring clinical agencies that our students are credentialed for clinical. CastleBranch (CB) is the name of the company that securely maintains documents for the College, and this is where you must submit your materials for credentialing. 
  2. Before you come to nursing school, you may begin the credentialing process by taking an American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR class, seeing your healthcare provider, undergoing TB testing, and getting immunized. 
  3. When you enroll, you will be directed by email to register with CastleBranch. 
  4. As soon as you register with CastleBranch, you will get an email to begin uploading your documents into their secure site. You must have everything uploaded into CastleBranch by:
    • Accelerated students - July 1 for fall clinicals, November 1 for spring clinicals and March 1 for summer clinicals. 
    • Nursing majors - May 1 for fall clinicals and November 1 for spring clinicals. 
    • All students- Between August 1-15th each year, you must upload modules to Centralized Clinical Placements at www.mcnplacement.org/orientation. 
    • All students – October 1 for flu immunization verification. 
    • You may from time to time receive an email from Castle Branch informing you that something has expired, and these must be attended to immediately. Never ignore reminders from CastleBranch, as it is likely you have a new requirement that has triggered a reminder email. 
  5. Anything marked INCOMPLETE in your CastleBranch account must be completed before you go to clinical. Anything marked REJECTED is incorrect documentation and the CastleBranch site will direct you how to correct the error. Anything marked OVERDUE must be completed immediately. 
  6. Students must attend to this in the term prior to a clinical course to have everything completed in a timely way and should not leave for vacation without ensuring that everything is complete. Some components must be completed in Massachusetts. 
  7. Each term, on the first day of class in any clinical course and before you go to the clinical site, we will check to make sure you have completed all the requirements for students on the CastleBranch site. 
  8. You may not attend clinical and will be sent home if you are not properly credentialed. 
  9. At that point, a better use of your time will be going to complete whatever you failed to complete, but you will be missing precious learning time in clinical, and it will be recorded as a 0.5 deduction in your clinical evaluation in the area of unprofessional behavior. This will also be an unexcused clinical absence and cannot be made up, potentially impacting your ability to be successful in the course. 

If you have questions or trouble uploading documents, please contact the Database Administrator, jheim [at] umass [dot] edu (Jennifer Heim) at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing,  phone # 413-545- 5049. 

University Health Services (UHS) collects state required immunization data through their New Student Immunization Office which is required for all UMASS students and a separate process.  

 Please also follow any instructions you receive from UHS 

Adopted by Faculty Assembly December 2016, edits approved 5/17, 5/18 

Sue Cassidy

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Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Deans, Program Directors, and Faculty, 2023–2024

Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Deans, Program Directors, and Faculty, 2023–2024

*Indicates Graduate Faculty Status 

Deans  

Allison Vorderstrasse, Dean (Professor) : BSN, Mount Saint Mary College, 1996; MSN (Adult Nurse Practitioner-Diabetes Specialty Concentration) Yale University School of Nursing 2002; DNSc (Chronic Illness Self-Management) Yale University School of Nursing, 2006; Certificate, NIH/NINR Summer Genetics Institute, 2011. Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Mary Ellen Burke, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; Clinical Associate Professor) - BSN., Rutgers, 1988; Frontier College of Midwifery and Family Nursing Community-Based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program, KY; MSN, Frances Payne Bolton College of Nursing, Case Western Reserve, 2000; Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education, Graduate School of Nursing University of Massachusetts Worcester, 2012; DNP, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2018. 

Michael J. Lepore*, Associate Dean for Research; BA, Philosophy & Psychology, Assumption University, Worcester, MA 1998; MA, Sociology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 2005; Graduate Certificate, Gerontology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 2005; PhD, Sociology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 2008; Postdoctoral training, Health Services Research, Brown University, Providence, RI, 2010.

Undergraduate Program Directors  

Celeste Surreira*, Undergraduate Program Director; Clinical Assistant Professor, Diploma in Nursing, Baystate Medical Center School of Nursing, Springfield, MA, 5/1985; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 5/1996; Master of Science in Nursing and Clinical Nurse Leader, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 5/2011; DNP/FNP, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 5/2014.

Simulation Director

Gina Grabowski, Simulation Director (Amherst/Springfield) Lecturer; BS in Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2001; MS in Nursing, Sacred Heart University, 2018.

Graduate Program Directors

Gabrielle Abelard*, Director Master’s program. Associate Professor, BS, University of Massachusetts Amherst Nursing, 1997; MS in Mental Health Nursing, Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, 2001; Post Master's Certificate, Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, 2013; DNP (Integrative Health), Regis College, Weston MA, 2014.

Karen Kalmakis*, Director DNP/CNL Programs, Associate Professor: RN. N.E., Baptist College, 1976; BSN., Elms, 1986; MSN., University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1993; PhD, Nursing, 2008

Rae Walker*, Director PhD Program, Associate Professor: BS Nursing 2007, PhD in Nursing 2013, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing

Full-Time Faculty, Elaine Marieb College of Nursing

Pamela Aselton*, Clinical Associate Professor, BSN., Southern Connecticut University; MPH, University of Massachusetts Amherst; MSN; Ph.D.; Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.

Ann Becker*, Clinical Associate Professor, BS in Nursing, Simmons College, 1984; DNP, Public Health Nurse Leader, 2017

Terrie Black*, Clinical Associate Professor, BSN, Pennsylvania State, 1988; MBA., Western New England, 1996; DNP, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2015. Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Carrie-Ellen Briere*, Assistant Professor, BS, University of Connecticut, 2009; MS, University of Connecticut, 2013, Ph.D., University of Connecticut, 2014.

Lucinda Canty*, Assistant Professor, Associate of Liberal Arts, Hartford College for Women, CT1989; BSN, Columbia University, NY, 1991; MSN Yale University, CT, PhD (Nursing), University of Connecticut, CT 2020.

Jeungok Choi*, Associate Professor, BSN, Seoul National University, Korea, 1983; MSN, 1987; MPH, Tufts, 1999; PhD, Boston College, 2001.

Joohyun Chung*, Assistant Professor, BS, Korea University, Seoul Korea, 1999; PhD Nursing Informatics, University of Utah, 2013; MS Statistics in Biostatistics, University of Utah, 2013.

Tracey Cobb, Clinical Instructor, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Samuel Merritt College & College of California, 12/1998, Master of Science in Nursing, Elms College, Chicopee, MA, 12/2013, PhD Candidate, University of Connecticut.

Christopher Diaz, Clinical Assistant Professor, BS in Nursing, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, DNP (Family Nursing Practice), University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2023.

Jessica Dillard-Wright*, Assistant Professor, BS in Science, Technology, and Culture, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004; MA, Women's History, Sarah Lawrence College, 2006; MSN (CNL), Medical College of Georgia, 2009, MSN (Community-based Nurse-Midwifery), Frontier Nursing University, 2015; PhD in Nursing, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 2020

Kimberly Dion*, Clinical Associate Professor, AS (Nursing), Holyoke Community, 1996; BS, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2001; MSN, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, 2006; PhD, University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Nursing, 2015; Fellow in International Academy of Addictions, Nursing, 2023.

Lindsay Dubois, Clinical Instructor, ADN, Springfield Community College, 2009; Bachelor of Science Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2011; MSN, American International College, 2015.

Lisa Duffy*, Associate Professor for EMCON/IALS, BSN Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT, 1996; MSN Boston College, Boston, MA, 2002; PhD Boston College, Boston MA, 2013; MPH Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 2015.

Brenda Fionte, Clinical Instructor, BS (Nursing) University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2015; MS (Nursing Education) Grand Canyon University, 2018.

Constance Flynn*, Clinical Assistant Professor, BS 1982/MS University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, 1987; DNP University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA. 2018

Karen Giuliano*, Associate Professor, BS in Nursing, Boston College, 1983; MSN, University of Rhode Island, 1989; PhD Nursing, Boston College, 2005. MBA, Global Management, Babson College, 2009. Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Gina Grabowski, Lecturer/ Simulation Lab Director, BS in Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2001; MS in Nursing, Sacred Heart University, 2018.

Katharine Green*, Clinical Associate Professor, BSN, University of Pennsylvania, 1982; MS, University of Minnesota, 1991; PhD, University of Massachusetts Amherst 2018.

Heidi Haghighi, Lecturer/ Simulation Lab Tutors, BA, Smith College, 2000, BS in Nursing (Accelerated), University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2001, MS in Nursing, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, 2018.

MaryAnn Hogan*, Clinical Assistant Professor, BS, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1976; MS, Anna Maria, 1985; PhD, University of Massachusetts Amherst 2022.

Favorite Iradukunda*, Assistant Professor, Diploma (Nursing and Midwifery), Ecole des Sciences Infirmières Sainte Elisabeth, Kabgayi, Rwanda 2007; BS (Nursing) University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Kigali, Rwanda, 2012; MS (Nursing) University of Cape Town Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Cape Town, South Africa, 2016; PhD (Nursing) University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2020.

Raeann LeBlanc*, Clinical Associate Professor, BA, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1989; MSN, Southern Maine, 1996; DNP, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2012; PhD (Nursing) 2018.

Maud Low, Clinical Assistant Professor, BSN, Simmons, 1983; MS, Boston College, 1987, PhD (Nursing) University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2021.

Lori Anne Lyne*, Lecturer, BS., University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Nursing, 1993; MSN, University of Massachusetts Worcester; DNP, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2018.

Julia McDougal Ronconi*, Clinical Instructor, BA (Biological Sciences) University of Colorado, Boulder (1992); BS (Nursing) University of Utah, Salt Lake City 1996; MS (Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing) University of Utah, Salt Lake City 2004; DNP, University of Massachusetts, Boston, 2021.

Yeonsik Noh*, Assistant Professor with a joint appointment in the College of Nursing and the Electrical Computer Engineering Department, BS (Biomedical Engineering), Yonsei University, South Korea, 2006; MS (Biomedical Engineering) Yonsei University, South Korea, 2008; PhD (Biomedical Engineering) Yonsei University, South Korea, 2013.

Hyeyoung Park*, Assistant Professor, BS Seoul National University College of Nursing, 2009; MS in Nursing, Seoul National University College of Nursing, 2013; PhD, Duke University School of Nursing, 2019.

Sheila Pennell, Clinical Assistant Professor, BS (Nursing), 2008, MS in Nursing, 2017, PhD, 2017, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Kristy Pereira, Clinical Assistant Professor, BS (Nursing), College of Our Lady of the Elms, 2002; MS (Nursing), American International College, 2012; PhD, Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2023.

Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar*, Associate Professor with tenure, CGM, Certificate in General Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, 1992; MPH 2001; BPH, 1997; MPHC, 2007, Flinders, Australia; PhD, Tokyo, Japan, 2007.

Memnun Seven*, Assistant Professor, BSN, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, School of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey, 2003; MSN, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Health Science Institute, Ankara, Turkey, 2008; PhD, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, School of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey; 2012; Postdoctoral Fellowship: University of Iowa, College of Nursing Iowa City, IA, USA (Genetics), 2015.

Leonora Thomas, Clinical Instructor, Placement Coordinator, BS, Boston College School of Nursing, 1985; MS, Boston College, 1990; Post-Masters Program, Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, 1996.

Lisa Wolf*, Associate Professor, BA, Anthropology/English, Amherst College, MA, 1988; MFA, Creative Writing and Literature, Emerson College, MA, 1990; Diploma – Nursing, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital School of Nursing, MA, 1996; MS, Nursing/Nursing Education, Molloy College, NY 2006; PhD, Nursing, Boston College, MA 2011.

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