Competency in the use of the computer to access information, communicate by email, use Excel, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint is a requirement of the Graduate Nursing Program. It is to your advantage to have your own computer, modem and access to the Internet. All graduate courses have distance education components which require reliable Internet communication.
To participate in required course work, you will need access to a computer, the Internet and an email account. On the USI campus, internet and email access is available in all computer clusters, the University Library and the CNHP Day Learning Resource Center. Instructional technology assistance is available at IT@usi.edu.
Specific information regarding operating systems and software and requirments can be accessed through the USI Online Learning's website.
Courses in the MSN, Post MSN APRN Certificate and BSN-DNP programs may require online exams.
Dates and times for online exams have been clearly identified in the course syllabus and calendar. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari (Mac users) are the recommended internet browsers for use with Blackboard. Students should use one of these browsers for online exams and take a practice exam within the course prior to an actual examination. It is the student’s responsibility to become familiar with all online Platforms used in the program. There are no adjustments of exam scores based on computer concerns. It is the student’s responsibility to have a reliable internet connection and computer for examinations. Remote exam proctoring may be required in courses with online exams.
Students must take the exam at the designated time. It is the student’s responsibility to notify faculty prior to the exam. Failure to notify the faculty prior to the exam start can result in a “0” grade on the exam or quiz. If an unforeseen circumstance occurs, such as a medical or personal emergency, faculty may require proctored or alternate forms for examination. Alternative exams may include short answer, essay, and alternative question formats. Students may be asked to provide supporting documentation of said non-elective circumstance.
All online exams are closed-book unless otherwise designated. Downloading, copying, or printing any exam or part of an exam is considered academic dishonesty and will result in disciplinary action. An oral review of frequently missed concepts may be provided with the exception of final semester exams. The purpose of the review is to clarify concepts evaluated in testing. Students will be informed of the length of time allowed for the exam and the time when the exam will be available. It is the student’s responsibility to adjust their schedule to take exams during the scheduled time. Assignments and exams will be graded as originally submitted.
Courses in the MSN, Post MSN APRN Certificate and BSN-DNP programs may require proctored exams. Information concerning exam proctoring software requirements may be found under Exam Proctoring and Techinical Support/System Requirements on the USI website.
For students in the MSN, Post MSN APRN Certificate and BSN-DNP programs:
After completion of NURS 617, NURS 622, and NURS 618, advanced practice provider students are required to complete the "3-P Diagnostic Exam" during the Summer semester prior to the first clinical course.
Nationally normed "predictor exams" for nurse practitioner specialties, including Post MSN Certificate students, will be required in the final semester of the program.
Self-remediation is an expectation for poor performance on the 3-P exam or certification predictor exams in order to improve clinical performance and promote certification pass rates.