NEW FAQs for students: COVID-19 response
On Apr. 13, Dr. Kate Vincent, associate dean for academic affairs, issued this list of frequently asked questions for UIC Nursing students.
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How have the grading policies changed for College of Nursing students for the spring 2020 semester?
- Separate announcements about grading policies for the Spring 2020 semester have been sent to BSN, graduate (MS and PhD), and DNP students either directly to students from UIC administration or from the College of Nursing via their listservs. These announcements will also be posted on the college’s “COVID-19 and UIC Nursing” page.
- Please note that these COVID-related grade policies do not change the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Policies (Student Handbook, pp.5-7) or College of Nursing Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Policies (Student Handbook pp. 7-9). Link to Student Handbook.
Do I have to maintain my mandatory student compliance (i.e., TB Renewal, CPR Certification, Td/TDAP) now that all my classes are online?
- Yes, per the Student Handbook 2019-2020 (page 18): “All students in the College of Nursing, regardless of degree and/or clinical practicum status” are to maintain compliance while in their respective degree programs.
- While mandatory student compliance deadlines will not be extended in CastleBranch, students may request that their ‘Compliance College-Specific” hold be briefly lifted to allow for summer and fall registration. Students should email Heather Sadilek (hsadilek@uic.edu) for more information.
- Once stay-at-home restrictions are lifted, and resources again become available, students are expected to complete their mandatory student compliance requirements as soon as possible.
- Please note the following extensions:
- The AHA has extended March and April ‘BLS Provider’ CPR card expiration dates for 120 days. The College of Nursing will notify students with May and June expiration dates if their CPR card due date has been extended.
- The IDFPR granted an automatic extension to renew Illinois RN licenses to September 30, 2020. Students will have until October 9, 2020 to upload their 2020-22 Illinois RN license to CastleBranch.
Will I still be able to graduate on time?
- It is the college’s sincere hope that anticipated graduation dates will not be delayed. For pre-licensure students, undergraduate students will graduate this spring semester as planned. Likewise, AGMS/GE students are anticipated to graduate in December 2020. RN to BSN and Post-licensure AGMS students’ program plans should not need alteration unless desired by the student. DNP and PhD students may have a delay in their program completion due to requirements for in-person clinical experience, DNP project completion, or PhD dissertation completion. Students concerned about their program completion date should contact their advisor.
- However, as we all have learned, the coronavirus has dictated many unexpected changes and we do not know what the future holds. Furthermore, students may choose to adjust their program plans based on their own personal needs at this time which could delay graduation.
Are classes at UIC Nursing cancelled?
NO, classes are not cancelled. The College of Nursing has moved to entirely online class and lab delivery as well as virtual clinical course experiences for the rest of this spring semester. We have been directed by UIC administration to provide all virtual class and lab experiences for the summer semester. We will also be planning virtual clinical experiences for summer.
Are there any restrictions on travel?
- All university-supported international and domestic travel for students and faculty remains banned.
- Private international and domestic travel is discouraged.
How will students and faculty be updated about the ever-changing status of COVID-19 as it pertains to UIC Nursing?
- The chancellor, provost, vice chancellor for health affairs, and other key administrators at UIC meet regularly to make decisions about necessary changes for students, staff, and faculty during this pandemic. Likewise, in the College of Nursing, the dean meets regularly with associate deans, department head, directors, and other key stakeholders to determine how to best implement the necessary adjustments in the college.
- As these groups make decisions, faculty, staff, and students will receive email announcements to keep everyone updated. Please regularly check your email.
We know this is a trying time and that this COVID-19 situation is unprecedented. None of us have experienced anything like this before. We care about your health and wellness. We also trust you to know what is best for you and your friends and families. Please follow current guidelines to stay safe and well.