SON General Information

Career Services

The School of Nursing Career Services provides programs and services designed to empower students and alumni to actively explore, pursue, and implement career and education decisions. Through collaborative partnerships with academic departments and employers, SON Career Services provides the most current and innovative career resources and information.

Examples of Services provided:

• Job application preparation, including resume building and interview tips 
• Career Fairs 
• Resume coaching sessions 
• Mock interviews 

For more information about SON Career Services, go to www.ttuhsc.edu/nursing/career.

Change of Contact Information

Address(s) / Telephone Number(s) / Name

Students are required to:

• Maintain a current address(s) (i.e. permanent, local, billing, etc.) and telephone number(s) in the TTUHSC WebRaider Portal at https://webraider.ttuhsc.edu.
• Notify appropriate Enrollment Management Coordinator via email of changes made to WebRaider Portal.
• Contact the TTUHSC Registrar’s office at (806) 743-7347 for name change form to be completed and submitted with required documentation.

Confidentiality/Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

The School of Nursing is dedicated to ensuring each student is current in issues as they relate to nursing practice and research. One such regulation includes the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Annually, each student is required to provide proof of education in HIPAA training. The training requirements vary by the curriculum; the student will receive information regarding HIPAA training and will be asked to sign a Confidentiality Agreement during New Student Orientation (both face-to-face and virtual). All proof of training will be placed in the student’s advising file located in the Office of Student Affairs. Those who cannot show proof will not be allowed to attend clinical. In addition, release of confidential information (including verbal communications, written communications, or electronic communications with or about patients or involving patient health information to anyone who does not need the information for treatment, payment, or health care operation) is a cause for dismissal from the School.

Drug Free Schools and Communities Act

The unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs on any institutional property or at any of its activities is prohibited. Refer to the TTUHSC Student Handbook. Information on assistance programs may also be obtained from the TTUHSC Student Affairs office or the Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (RNs & LVNs).

Employment

The decision to work while enrolled as a student in the School of Nursing rests with the individual student; the school assumes no responsibility for student employment. 

A student employed in a healthcare agency has the responsibility, personally and professionally, to accept and engage in only activities falling within the position description for which qualified. Undergraduate students employed as patient care technicians, nurse assistants or nurse technicians should not practice outside the scope of such position set forth under the Nursing Practice Act.

Undergraduate students shall not complete clinical hours on the same unit or clinic where they are employed without prior permission from their Program Director. Additionally, undergraduate students are prohibited from simultaneously performing work for an employer during the hours for which they are completing clinical hours in their student role, sometimes referred to as “double-dipping” (for Undergraduate this includes employment such as patient care technician, nurse assistant, nurse technician, or licensed vocational nurse).

Students currently licensed as registered nurses assume the responsibility for clinical practice under their own professional license issued by the applicable Board of Nursing. All students should be thoroughly familiar with the Texas Administrative Code Title 22 Part 11, Texas Board of Nursing - Rules §224 (Delegation of Nursing Tasks by Registered Professional Nurses to Unlicensed Personnel for Clients with Acute Conditions or in Acute Care Environments) and §225 (RN Delegation to Unlicensed Personnel and Tasks Not Requiring Delegation in Independent Living Environments for Clients with Stable and Predictable Conditions). Texas Administrative Code Title 22: This information is accessible on the Texas Board of Nursing website at https://www.bon.texas.gov/index.asp.

Faculty Office Hours

Faculty should be accessible to students for consultation through various communication methods, with details on preferred methods and availability provided in the course syllabus. 

Incident/Injury Reporting and Investigation

Students are required to adhere to TTUHSC OP 75.14. Non-Employee Incident/Injury Procedures and Reporting. The purpose of this TTUHSC Operating Policy and Procedure (TTUHSC OP) is to establish procedures for responding to and documenting incidents involving and/or injuries incurred by persons on TTUHSC property including, but not limited to, visitors, patients, volunteers, and students in non-clinical areas.

Learning Management System 

The School of Nursing utilizes an electronic Learning Management System (LMS) to provide online courses. The LMS platform provides exams, assignments, messages, and other communication tools. In addition, the LMS is used to provide orientation content, coordinate activities, and make announcements. The LMS is a full-featured system that supports technology-enabled teaching, learning, communication, research, and collaboration.

Locker Information (Lubbock Campus) 

Lockers are located on the first floor of the Academic Classroom Building for student use. If a student is interested in a locker, please contact Classroom Support at (806) 743-2288. (Office located on the second floor of the Academic Classroom Building). Locker assignments are made on a first-come first-served basis. All lockers must be cleaned out upon graduation. TTUHSC is not responsible for items left in lockers.

Online Access

All School of Nursing programs must access the School of Nursing websites. Access to TTUHSC email, class schedules, course syllabi, and other essential school and health related links are necessary to proceed through the School of Nursing.

Professional and Academic Conduct

TTUHSC has a responsibility to maintain order within the University community and to discipline any person or people violating the standards, rules, and/or policies. Enrollment requires students to share the responsibility. Students agree to abide by the standards, rules, and/or policies set forth in the TTUHSC Student Handbook, the TTUHSC Operating Policies and Procedures, School of Nursing Catalog, and School of Nursing Student Handbook, as well as any other official University publications.

Reference Letters/Recommendation Forms

Professional reference letters can be requested from individual faculty members. Such requests should be submitted in writing directly to the faculty member along with a resume/CV for faculty referral; at least two weeks’ notice should be given. Reference letters are not maintained by the School of Nursing. Reference letters requested after graduation should be requested in the same manner. Letter of Recommendation for Students form is located under http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/forms/.

Relocation (Moving) to a State Other Than the State of Texas 

In order for the TTUHSC School of Nursing to offer online courses and/or to supervise clinical experiences in a state other than Texas, TTUHSC must comply with other state requirements. The requirements differ from state to state and will require state authorization as well as Board of Nursing authorization. Notification prior to relocating to another state is mandatory for all graduate online students, regardless of track, in order to ensure TTUHSC has authority to provide online education and/or clinical experiences in other states.

Students are required to submit the mandatory notification form to the TTUHSC School of Nursing a minimum of 60 days prior to the proposed move. The mandatory notification form can be found at Grad Central and/or Forms for Current Students. Upon submission, the form will be submitted to all necessary parties and the student will be contacted, either by phone, or email, as to whether the proposed state is an approved state for TTUHSC to deliver online education and/or to supervise clinical experienced.

TTUHSC School of Nursing cannot guarantee the student’s continuation in the program if the student moves to a state where TTUHSC has no authorization to provide educational services. Participating states may not require authorization for courses on military instillations (limited to active and reserve military personnel, dependents, and civilian employees of the military instillation). Board of Nursing approval is attained on a case-by-case basis contingent upon the proposed clinical placement. Graduate students should contact their Program Director as soon as they are aware of a pending move.

Research

Research proposals requiring access to the School of Nursing student population must be made to the School of Nursing Faculty Council and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for approval prior to conducting research. Potential investigators must meet TTUHSC IRB mandated training requirements prior to submitting proposals to the IRB.

Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor (SHPR) in accordance to Texas Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act{[NPR§303.005(b) and (e)]; [Texas Administrative Code Rule 217.19(a) (15) and Texas Administrative Code Rule 217.20 (a)(15)]}, may be initiated by a RN prior to accepting an assignment or engaging in requested conduct that the nurse believes would place patients at risk of harm, thus potentially causing the nurse to violate his/her duty to the patient(s). Invoking safe harbor in accordance with rule 217.20 protects the nurse from licensure action by the BON as well as from retaliatory action by the employer. In the event during a clinical placement, a nurse assigned to a student(s) invokes Safe Harbor, the student is to immediately notify the faculty.

Safety

Exercise caution when traveling to and from cars, buildings, clinical sites, etc. Follow all safety instructions given by faculty members, listed in course syllabi, and contained in the TTUHSC Safety Handbook as well as those in clinical facility safety materials. Visit https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/safety-services/ for information regarding TTUHSC Safety Services and student safety training.

Semester Hours

The semester hour is the unit of measure for credit purposes. Didactic contact hours are measured on a one-to-one basis; clinical contact hours on a one-to-three basis or as designated in the School of Nursing Catalog for the specific program. Approximately two hours in preparation for each hour of didactic class and an appropriate amount of time for preparation for clinical activities are expected.

Social Media/Personal Websites and Web Logs 

Guidelines for Students

TTUHSC School of Nursing recognizes social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, etc., and personal Web sites, Web logs, or blogs, can be effective tools for exchanging information. The School of Nursing does not prohibit students from joining and participating in online communities as individuals. However, any online behavior violating the TTUHSC Student Handbook brought to the attention of school officials will be treated as any other violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Contact the Executive Associate Dean for questions regarding the interpretation of the “Student Code of Conduct.” In addition please reference TTUHSC OP 67.03 Use of Social Media. The policy discusses professional expectations as well as best practices while a student at the School of Nursing.

Standard Precautions

Students are responsible for adhering to standard precautions as governed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Information on the CDC standard precautions is disseminated to the students during new student orientation. Students have the responsibility to maintain compliance with the recommendations during all clinical settings. Refer to the CDC Standard Precautions at http://www.cdc.gov/.

During orientation to the School of Nursing, time is allowed for the following:

• Presentation and discussion of the CDC’s Recommended Standard Precautions; and
• An in-depth review of the School of Nursing’s policies dealing with communicable diseases.
  • Students will not be allowed into the clinical area until they have signed the Consent for Adherence to the CDC’s Recommended Standard Precautions. This consent form will be placed in the student’s file in the SON Office of Student Affairs.

Because the potential diseases in a patient’s blood and body fluids cannot be known, blood, body fluid, and substance precautions recommended by the CDC should be adhered to for all patients and for all specimens submitted to the laboratory. These precautions, called “standard precautions”, should be followed regardless of any lack of evidence of the patient’s infection status. Routinely use barrier protection to prevent skin and mucous membrane contamination with:

• Secretions and excretions, except sweat, regardless of whether or not they contain visible blood
• Body fluids of all patients and specimens
• Non intact skin
• Mucous membranes.

Environmental Control

Follow the clinical agency’s procedures for the routine care, cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces, beds, bed rails, bedside equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces.

Gloves

Wear gloves (clean, non-sterile gloves are adequate) when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items. Put on clean gloves just before touching mucous membranes and non-intact skin. Change gloves between tasks and procedures on the same patient after contact with material with a possibility of containing a high concentration of microorganisms. Remove gloves promptly after use, before touching non-contaminated items and environmental surfaces and before going to another patient. Wash hands immediately to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients or environments.

Gown

Wear a gown (a clean, non-sterile gown is adequate) to protect skin and prevent soiling of clothing during procedures and patient care activities (splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions or cause soiling of clothing) are possible. Select a gown appropriate for the activity and amount of fluid likely to be encountered. Remove a soiled gown as promptly as possible and wash hands to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients or environments.

Hand Hygiene

• Wash hands after touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items, whether or not gloves are worn. Wash hands before touching a patient, even if gloves will be worn. Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed, between patient contacts, and when otherwise indicated to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients or environments. Washing hands between tasks and procedures on the same patient may be necessary to prevent cross contamination of different body sites.
• Use plain (non-antimicrobial) soap for routine hand washing.
• Use an antimicrobial agent or waterless antiseptic agent for specific circumstances (e.g., control of outbreaks or hyper endemic infections) as defined by the infection control program.

Linen

Handle, transport, and process used linen soiled with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions in a manner preventing skin and mucous membrane exposures and contamination of clothing and avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients and environments.

Mask, Eye Protection, and Face Shield

Wear a mask, eye protection, and face shield to protect mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures and patient care activities (splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions) are possible.

Occupational Health and Blood-borne Pathogens

• Take care to prevent injuries when using needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments or devices; when handling sharp instruments after procedures; when cleaning used instruments; and when disposing of used needles. Never recap used needles or otherwise manipulate the needle with both hands and any other technique that involves directing the point of a needle toward any part of the body; rather, use either a one-handed scoop technique or a mechanical device designed for holding the needle sheath. Do not remove used needles from disposable syringes by hand and do not bend, break, or otherwise manipulate used needles by hand. Place used disposable syringes and needles, scalpel blades, and other sharp items in appropriate puncture-resistant containers located as close as practical to the area where the items were used. Place reusable syringes and needles in a puncture-resistant container for transport to the reprocessing area. Refer to SON OP 60.095.
• Use mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices as an alternative to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation methods in areas where the need for resuscitation is predictable.

Patient Care Equipment

Carefully handle used patient care equipment soiled with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposures, contamination of clothing and transfer of microorganisms to other patients and environments. Ensure reusable equipment is not used for the care of another patient until appropriately cleaned and reprocessed and single use items are properly discarded.

Patient Placement

Place a patient contaminating the environment or who does not (or cannot be expected to) assist in maintaining appropriate hygiene or environmental control in a private room. If a private room is not available, consult with infection control professionals regarding patient placement or other alternatives.

State Privacy Policy

When TTUHSC “collects information about an individual by means of a form the individual completes and files with the governmental body in either a paper format or an electronic format”, the paper forms or the Internet site used in connection with the electronic form must state:

• With few exceptions, the individual is entitled on request to be informed about the information the state governmental body collects about the individual;
• The individual is entitled to receive and review the information;
• The individual is entitled to have the state governmental body correct information about the individual that is incorrect.

If TTUHSC collects information about a website user on its Internet sites, including the identity and computer network location, TTUHSC must post what types of information collected about the website user on the Internet sites. Finally, TTUHSC must establish a reasonable procedure to correct information about an individual.

Student Advisory Councils for both Undergraduate and Graduate Departments

For purposes of promoting the TTUHSC School of Nursing, student advisory councils exist to maintain open communication between students and administration/faculty/staff: the Undergraduate Department Advisory Council and the Graduate Program Student Advisory Council. Through the Department Advisory Councils, student representatives advise the administration on ways to improve the educational process while enrolled in the School of Nursing. Student representatives volunteer or are selected by the applicable Associate Dean/Department Chair to serve on the Department Advisory Councils and are expected to represent their fellow students by bringing forth issues of importance to be addressed by the Council.

SON Student Affairs

The mission of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Student Affairs Office is to assist students, across all service regions, in successfully accomplishing their academic goals. The Student Affairs Office serves as the central “hub” for current and prospective students by providing timely and accurate information, quality customer service, personal guidance and advocacy. A student-centered philosophy confirms our commitment to student learning and development; creates focus and meaning in our work and is the driving force of the Student Affairs Office.

The Student Affairs Office carries out its functions through two collaborative departments - the Office of Admission and Enrollment and the Office of Student Advising and Support - and takes an active role in building a supportive and respectful community across all campuses and the online classroom. Programs and services are designed, in collaboration with School of Nursing faculty members, to contribute to student development and support academic achievement. Examples include advising, co-curricular activities promoting education, social and cultural opportunities and community engagement. To ensure highly skilled Enrollment Management Coordinators serve our nursing students, continuing education activities like Green Zone and Ally trainings are provided to them. In addition, Coordinators attend presentations focusing on student development and current topics in Student Affairs. These presentations are made available by experts in Higher Education. The Student Affairs Office is dedicated to the growth and development of all students in the School of Nursing. For more information on the School of Nursing Office of Student Affairs, please visit https://www.ttuhsc.edu/nursing/student-affairs/.

Test Proctoring and Expectations

TTUHSC School of Nursing is committed to academic integrity of fully online and hybrid-based courses. Exams and quizzes in fully online and/or hybrid-based courses may require online proctoring through Proctorio. Such proctoring tools used during remote exams may include, but are not limited to, the utilization of video and/or audio capabilities to examine, scan, evaluate, and/or monitor you, your work station, associated areas, and surroundings (“Exam Conditions”). Additionally, students may be required to take examinations remotely or at a TTUHSC-authorized location with the assistance of proctoring tools and/or live proctor used to preserve academic integrity and fairness during exams. By continuing to remain enrolled in the School of Nursing and enrolled in your coursework, you consent to these Exam Conditions. If you do not consent or wish to withdraw your consent, please notify your faculty and contact the School of Nursing Office of Student Advising and Support and other arrangements may be made, such as onsite testing.

Transfer Between Campuses

Transfer requests from one campus to another are only considered in extenuating circumstances according to SON OP 30.865. Transfer Between Campuses is only applicable to students in the Traditional BSN Undergraduate Program who are in good standing and have completed their first semester (Level 1) of their program. 

Withdrawal from School of Nursing

Undergraduate Nursing Students

Withdrawal from all courses or non-registration/non-enrollment during any semester constitutes withdrawal from the School of Nursing unless a Leave of Absence form has been filed. (See Leave of Absence section of Handbook and TTUHSC OP 77.21). A student MUST file a “Leave of Absence” (LOA) form if the intention of the student is to NOT officially withdraw from the School of Nursing. Lack of enrollment in a course without a LOA form constitutes withdrawal from the School of Nursing. If a LOA form is not filed, students are required to file the “Official TTUHSC Withdrawal” form, https://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/forms/. Withdrawal from the program does not affect the policy regarding incomplete (“I”) grades. Grades of “I” at the time of withdrawal will automatically convert to an “F” if not resolved in the originally stated time frame. Contact must be made with the applicable Undergraduate Coordinator and the appropriate Associate Dean/Department Chair for completion of required documentation.

Graduate Nursing Students

Withdrawal from all courses or non-registration/non-enrollment during a fall or spring semester constitutes withdrawal from the School of Nursing. A student not planning to register for any courses in the next fall, spring, or summer semester is expected to withdraw from the program or take a leave of absence (See Leave of Absence section of Handbook and TTUHSC OP 77.21) Students withdrawing from a graduate program are required to go through the full application process to return to the School of Nursing. Withdrawal for students enrolled in the School of Nursing is processed through the TTUHSC Registrar’s Office.

1. After talking with the applicable advisor and making the decision to withdraw, the student accesses the School of Nursing withdrawal form from the School of Nursing website: http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/forms/.
2. Student completes and signs the form and submits the withdrawal form to the School of Nursing Office of Student Advising and Support. Attention: Enrolled Stduent Advisor at 3601 4th Street, STOP 6264, Lubbock, TX 79430 or fax to (855) 282-5826 for MSN/Post-Graduate and (855) 285-4063 for DNP.
3. The staff in the applicable program office processes the form by having it signed by the appropriate Associate Dean/Department Chair and/or Program Director and submitting the form to the TTUHSC Registrar’s Office.
4. In the event the student withdraws during a current semester of enrollment, the grade of “W” or “WF” are recorded in keeping with the Grading Practices Policy based on the student’s standing on the last day of enrollment in each enrolled course.

Withdrawing from the program does not affect the policy regarding incomplete (“I”) grades. Grades of “I” at the time of withdrawal will automatically convert to an “F” if not resolved in the originally stated time frame, (one year). Contact must be made with the Graduate Coordinator and the appropriate Associate Dean/Department Chair and/or Program Director office for completion of required documentation.