General Information for All Students

Dear Students,
We have prepared some information that you will need to know prior to the start of the new term. Please take note of the new information.

Please contact Student Services located in room 239 Victoria Building if you have questions or concerns at (412) 624-4587 or you can reach us by email at sao50@pitt.edu.

Best Wishes,

Linda S Holden, MSN, RN
Associate Director of Student Services,
Undergraduate Program

Fall Term Dates to Remember

AUGUST 2008
August 19 (Tuesday)	Residence Hall Opens
August 25 (Monday)	Fall Term Classes Begin Spring Term Registration Ends
SEPTEMBER 2008
September 1 (Monday)	Labor Day — University Closed
OCTOBER 2008
October 13 (Monday)	Fall Break (Monday classes will be held Tuesday)
NOVEMBER 2008
November 26-30	Thanksgiving Recess for Students
November 27-28	Thanksgiving Recess for Faculty & Staff
DECEMBER 2008
December 8-13	Final Exam Period
December 14-January 4, 2009	Winter Recess for Students
December 17 (Wednesday)	Grades are Due
December 24-January 1, 2009	Winter Recess for Faculty and Staff

Visit our Web site at http://www.pitt.edu/calendars.html

Requirements for Clinical Sites

Basic Requirements for Clinical Sites (Sophomore, Junior, Senior Students Only)
Please remember that you will not be permitted to participate in the clinical portion of your courses until all documents required by the clinical sites have been submitted to the Student Services Office (health forms are to be submitted to Student Health Services in the Medical Arts Building).

Note: Please remember to only submit copies to the Student Services Office by July 1. Keep the original of each document in your possession and make additional copies as needed.

Forms and Clearances for Clinical Sites (Sophomore, Junior, Senior Students Only)
The types of forms, clearances, and documents you are required to complete are determined by our clinical sites who allow our students’ access to their clinical units and their patients. In the past, they have been the standard ones, with which you are familiar.

Copy of CPR Certification card
Copy of Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse clearances
Copy of your HIPAA certification forms (Module #8 & #15)
Copy of an up-to-date record of all immunizations, TB testing, or other verifications required by the clinical site
Copy of your Health Insurance card

However, some of the clinical sites that the school utilizes will require you to obtain and carry with you additional permits, clearances, and various forms of identification. Some of the new requirements apply generally across the curriculum, while others may be “facility-specific”, and apply only to the students who will have their clinical experience there.

Listed below are some of the possible documents that may be required by our clinical facilities. All must be current and valid. All students should have these documents, as required by the clinical site, available to show the clinical agency if requested:

Copy of OSHA and JCAHO certification in Fire and Safety Procedures
Copy of certification in care of “Vulnerable Adults”
Copy of “Consent of Student to Provide Information”.
RN License wallet card (RN Options students only)

In addition to the lists above, some facilities may require the student to agree to a Drug Screen Test for Chemical Dependence. Other facilities may require the student to be fingerprinted prior to the clinical placement. This list is subject to change. Your instructor will inform you at the start of the term, where your clinical placement will be, and what will be specifically required for your current placement.

This List Is Subject To Change.

In order to facilitate organization and safety of your documents, the School of Nursing will provide you with a portfolio in which to store your documents. Contact your advisor for more information.

General Reminders
Please be aware that copies of all required certifications and clearances must be received in the Student Services Office by July 1. Students are expected to carry the original certifications and clearances with them, at all times, in the clinical setting. A portfolio will be provided to each student at the beginning of the fall term. The original Initial Health Appraisal Form must be returned to the Student Health Service by October 1.

Items To Be Returned To The Student Services Office

Submit Copies by July 1

American Heart Association – BLS - Healthcare Provider Course CPR Certification (submit every two years)
HIPAA Privacy Awareness for Faculty, Students, Health Professionals, and Trainees (Formerly RPF Module 8) Certificate (submit only once at the end of your freshman year).
HIPAA Security Awareness for Faculty, Students, Health Professionals and Trainees (formerly RPF module 15) Certificate (submit only once at the end of your freshman year).
Child Abuse History Clearance (update and submit every year)
Criminal History Clearance (update and submit every year)

Items To Be Returned To The University Of Pittsburgh - Student Health Services

Submit Original Forms by

School of Nursing Initial Health Appraisal Form (October 1) (submit once)
School of Nursing Update Form (March 1) (submit original document every year)

CPR Requirements

School policy requires all sophomore, junior, and senior students to have a course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) before they enter clinical experiences. You will be asked in September to verify successful completion of such a course.

The School of Nursing requires that you must successfully complete the American Heart Association (AHA) – BLS - Healthcare Provider Course Certification (Policy #363) before beginning clinical rotations. This course certifies students in adult, infant/child, 2-rescuer CPR, and in the use of the AED. This Basic Life Support course consists of a written test in addition to hands on training. An on-line course will not be accepted. As you may be required to perform CPR on an actual patient, you CANNOT take this course online. The AHA—Healthcare Provider Course Certification is valid for two years.

Contact the following agencies to see when courses are offered:

Center for Emergency Medicine, 230 McKee Place in Oakland
Refer to website for class schedules at www.centerem.org
Carnegie Mellon University EMS, 5032 Forbes Avenue in Oakland
Refer to website for class schedules at www.cmuems.org or call (412) 268-1025
Community College of Allegheny County, 808 Ridge Avenue (Northside) Refer to website for class schedules at www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=145703 or call (412) 237-2500

Clearances

Child Abuse History and Criminal History clearances are required of all nursing students by the clinical institutions. Clearances are valid for one year and must be updated annually. Therefore, it is advisable to submit the applications to ensure the clearances are valid throughout the entire year. If clearances expire during the program, you will be required to submit updated clearances.

Students are advised that it can take between 4-6 weeks to obtain the child abuse clearance. You can do the criminal clearance online if you have a credit card. Both forms can be found by clicking on the following links: http://www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/cwp/view.asp?A=4&Q=48275
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Resources/Documents/pdf/FillInForms/DPWchildabuse.pdf

HIPAA

Nursing students are required by the clinical sites to complete the following modules:

Course 490 - formerly RPF module 8
Course 492 - formerly RPF module 15

The modules present patient privacy and information security, summarized HIPAA policies, and document the clinical responsibilities of the nursing student and the strategies that can be utilized for maintaining patient privacy.

You should have completed this in the spring term of your freshman year in Introduction to Professional Nursing. If you did not, you must complete Course 490 and Course 492. Please click on the links above and follow the directions. Download a copy of both certificates verifying that you completed the modules and return a copy to Student Services. You must have this completed to be in clinical.

Health Forms

Undergraduate students must have a health evaluation upon admission and annually until completion of the program. Students will not be permitted to register or participate in clinical activities until the completed health form has been submitted. POLICY NO. 20

New students admitted to the School of Nursing will submit the INITIAL HEALTH APPRAISAL FORM, which you received in your packet, to University of Pittsburgh-Student Health Services Office. The Initial Health Appraisal form must be completed and returned to the Student Health Services office prior to the start of the first Undergraduate level term for the Nursing School. You must submit your health form to the following address (keep a copy for your records):

University of Pittsburgh-Student Health Services
3708 Fifth Avenue
Medical Arts Building
Suite 500
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Current students admitted to the School of Nursing will submit the ANNUAL UPDATE HEALTH FORM to University of Pittsburgh -Student Health Services Office. The Annual Update Health form must be completed and returned to the Health Service prior to March 1 on a yearly basis for all continuing Nursing Students. You must submit your health form to the following address (keep a copy for your records):

University of Pittsburgh-Student Health Services
3708 Fifth Avenue
Medical Arts Building
Suite 500
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Uniforms

All students are required to wear a University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing student uniform during clinical rotations unless specified by the instructor.

Uniforms should be ordered and received prior to the first day of classes. Please note, newly admitted internal and external students who are admitted at sophomore status, should order a uniform during the summer before the start of fall clinical.

Uniforms are purchased through American Discount Uniform Inc., 109 New York Ave., Lower Burrell, PA 15068. American Discount Uniform is a mail order company that ships directly to the student. You can download an order form here. If there are any problems with your order, please contact the company directly by calling 724-339-5177. You are reminded to review Policy 91, Dress Code for Students. You are expected to comply with the regulations.

Transportation to Agencies

Students must assume responsibility for all transportation to clinical practice sites, community health agencies, and field trips.

Assigning Clinical - Exceptional Circumstances Justification Request

When clinical assignments are being made, the School of Nursing will take into consideration a student's exceptional circumstance that would justify being placed into a specific clinical or skills lab assignment. Such circumstances include but are not limited to: taking a course in the Honors College or student athletes. Requests that will not be granted include but are not limited to: having a friend in clinical with you, wanting a specific instructor or specific facility, etc.

You must submit your form to the Associate Director of Student Services, Undergraduate Programs in the Student Services Office by the following date.

The deadline is as follows:

Fall Term Deadline is February 1
Spring Term Deadline is September 1
Summer Term Deadline is January 1

Exceptional Circumstance Justification Request Form

Specialty Examinations

The Undergraduate Program will incorporate Specialty Examination results into a weighted part of the final course grade in nursing courses where those are given. The weight the examination will carry in the final grade will be stipulated in the course outline. The instructor will provide further information at the start of the term.

NOTE - FOR SENIORS STUDENTS ONLY: Part of the educational package that includes your “Specialty Exams” and the BSN Comprehensive Exam also includes a “Mid-Curricular Examination” which should be taken during the first semester of the students’ senior year. This examination is also a requirement of the school’s assessment and progression system, which will be used by students and their advisors to evaluate each student’s individual progression through the program.

BSN Comprehensive Exam

The School of Nursing will require all Senior-level Traditional Undergraduate and Accelerated 2nd Degree students to take the BSN Comprehensive Examination in their last academic term prior to graduation. The student must achieve a passing score on the examination in order to graduate. Failure to achieve a passing score on the first attempt will require the student to register for and take subsequent examinations until a passing score is achieved. A student may take the examination up to three times within an academic term, including the initial attempt. The cost of the initial attempt is included in the University-School of Nursing fees.

Grading System

Grades for School of Nursing courses will incorporate plus and minus according to the following scale. All undergraduate students should be aware that the minimum passing grade for all “NUR” and Core Science courses will be a “C-“. (See Policy #60)

Students Taking Summer Courses at Another College or University

Students planning to take summer courses at another college or university must complete the following form and have approval from the Undergraduate Associate Director for credit transfer.

Summer Courses at Another College or University Form

Independent Study

Guidelines for NUR 1061 Independent Study

An independent study is a student-initiated experience planned to permit undergraduate students to pursue an area of interest in nursing with the guidance of a faculty preceptor. Before registering for the Independent Study Course, stop by the Student Services Office and pick up the Independent Study Information Sheet along with an Enrollment Form. You and the faculty preceptor must fill out the Independent Study Information Sheet and the Enrollment Form in order to be registered for the course. Please make sure the Enrollment form has been signed by your advisor before registration.

Peoplesoft

Student Self Service (PeopleSoft)

Students can check their grades, view class schedules and more by using the PeopleSoft Student Self Service feature of the my.pitt.edu Web portal. To use this feature, log in to my.pitt.edu and click the Student Services tab.

Getting Started with the PeopleSoft Student Center

The PeopleSoft Student Center is the central online location to access your student information. Student Center enables you to view your academic history, update contact information, view your class schedule, search for University classes, and more from one location.

StudentCenter features include:

Clickable links and drop-down menus provide easy navigation and quick launch views
Schedules which include your registered classes, exam dates, and University registration enrollment dates
The ability to update personal information such as addresses and phone numbers

Accessing PeopleSoft Student Center

Log in to my.pitt.edu with your University Computer Account username and password. Next, click the Student Services tab at the top of the page, and then click the Link to Your Student Center. Next, click Self Service and then click Student Center.
For more instructions, click on the following links.

Student Health Services

The Student Health Service is a modern, comprehensive ambulatory care center continuing to serve the University of Pittsburgh students from the Medical Arts location. Our services are designed to promote a Healthy Lifestyle philosophy to our students. Adopting this philosophy will help to prevent many problems while allowing them to lead a fuller, richer and longer life.

On-Site Services

Lab Work
General Medicine
Nutrition Counseling
Gynecology
Orthopedics
Health Education Programs
Pharmacy

Student Health Services offers the following: stress management programs, recovery groups, Q.U.I.T. smoking program, nutrition consultations, weight loss seminars and sexual health education. Call (412) 383-1830 for more information or to schedule an appointment or visit the Website at www.studhlth.pitt.edu.

Library Resources

www.hsls.pitt.edu/guides/students/nursing
http://www.pitt.edu/libraries.html

HSLS librarians have created Information Resources for Nurses, a Web portal to help nurses and student nurses locate relevant, authoritative health information.

Academic Resource Center

The University of Pittsburgh Academic Resource Center (ARC) offers programs to help students develop the skills, strategies and behaviors of confident, independent and active learners.

Most of our services are offered during the week. Call us at 412-648-7920 for current program schedules.

University Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center is staffed by mental health professionals who, as part of the University community, are committed to the personal, academic, and career development of all University students.

The staff is guided by a spirit of respect, honesty, acceptance, and trust toward each other and those they serve.

The center offers Counseling and Psychotherapy; Group Counseling; Workshops; Sexual Assault Services; Consultation; Referrals; and most of all Confidentiality.

Call 412-648-7930 to make an appointment or stop by in 334 William Pitt Union Monday – Friday between 8:30am – 5:00pm.

Tutoring Services

Tutoring at the ARC is available to all students of the University of Pittsburgh in an effort to support their adjustment to the college learning environment, meet the challenges of rigorous academic standards, to achieve educational as well as personal goals and to prepare for a lifetime of learning. The tutoring services consist of group or individualized instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles and skill levels of the student population.

Please call the ARC at 412-648-7920 to make an appointment.

Would you like to be a Tutor?

The ARC recruits academically successful (QPA 3.0 or better) students by soliciting referrals from faculty, asking for recommendations from current student employees, and by advertising for student self-referrals. Applicants are assessed for interpersonal skills, trainability, course content knowledge, and ability to commit to the training program. Students accepted into training are admitted into the six-week tutor workshop offered every semester by the ARC. Most students begin training in their sophomore year and many remain with the tutor program through graduation and sometimes through graduate school if enrolled at Itt. If you are interested, please call 412-648-8129.

Math Assistance Center

A variety of math tutoring services are available for students enrolled in introductory mathematics courses through the first-level scientific and business calculus courses.

Math 0010, 0020, 0025, 0031 and 0032

Tutoring is widely available through Math Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) office hours. No appointment necessary. Drop in during scheduled hours.

Math 0100, 0120, 0125, 0126, 0200, 0220, 0230, 0240, 0250, 0400, 0410, 0420, 6000

Two options are available. Make an appointment for a one-hour individual tutoring session or come in without an appointment during scheduled walk-in hours. Days and times vary from term to term.

Individual Math Consultation

Not sure about the best way to study math? Feel anxious about your ability to learn math? Make an appointment to consult with an ARC Math Specialist to learn about study strategies for math and how to reduce math anxiety.

TI-83 graphics calculators, with instruction booklets, can be checked out for a period of one semester on a first-come-first-serve basis. A $20 deposit is required. This money is refunded upon the return of the calculator and booklet.

Becoming a Math Tutor or Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Undergraduate students from all majors are encouraged to consider this valuable and rewarding experience and student employment opportunity. Math tutors conduct individual tutoring appointments and walk-in tutoring sessions. Math Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTA) conducts recitations/problem-solving sessions for introductory algebra and trigonometry courses. Candidates for the program must successfully complete a three-credit training course prior to employment. Call 412-624-4179 for more information.

Study Tips

Establish a routine time to study for each class
For every hour you spend in class, you will probably need to spend two hours outside of class. Study for each subject at the same time every day/week and in the same place if possible.
Studying includes more than just doing your homework
You'll need to go over your notes and making sure you understand them. Look at your syllabus to see where you are going and where you've been. Be sure to do reading assignments and read ahead whenever possible. Prepare for class as if there will be a pop quiz that day.
Establish a place to study
You should have a comfortable place to sit with good lighting, all the supplies you need, and of course, it should be free of distractions. It should not be a place where you routinely do other things.
Do as much studying in the daytime as you can
What takes you an hour to do during the day may take you an hour and a half at night.
Schedule breaks
Take a ten-minute break after each hour of study. If possible, avoid long blocks of time for studying. Spread out several short study sessions during the day.
Make use of study resources on campus
Use the tutors, find out about labs, videos, computer programs, and alternative texts. Get to know your professors and other students in the class so you can feel comfortable asking questions.
Study the hardest subjects first
Work on your hardest subjects when you are fresh because putting them off until you're tired compounds the problem.
Be good to yourself
Studying on four hours of sleep and on an empty stomach or a junk-food diet is a waste of time. Avoid food and drinks containing caffeine just before or after studying.

Adapted from Practicing College Study Skills by Carolyn H. Hooper

More study tips from NSNA

www.nsna.org/pubs/imprint/septoct05/sept-oct-05_backtoschool_studytips.pdf

CHI ETA Sorority, INC.

http://www.chietaphi.com
National Professional Nurses’ Organization

The purpose of the organization is to develop a corps of nursing leaders, encourage continuing education, have continuous recruitment for nursing and health professions, stimulate a close and friendly relationship among members, and develop working relationships with other professional groups. Please visit the website for more information.

Nursing Student Association (NSA)

In 1989 the Nursing Student Association at the University of Pittsburgh was formed by merging a governance group known as the Nursing Student Organization with a professional development group called the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania. Since that time, NSA has served as guide for many bright young nurses as they transition from high school to college and from college to their professional careers. While providing a base for activities within the nursing school, NSA offers opportunities to experience the profession on a state and national level with participation in yearly conventions. This past April, the National Student Nurses Association celebrated fifty-five years of uniting student nurses from around the country at their annual convention entitled “The Wonderful World of Nursing”. In addition to speaking with recruiters from all over the country, participants were also invited to attend workshops ranging from finance to stories of personal triumph over illness and tragedy.

In addition to professional development, NSA is focused on several other activities. This past year the organization chose to partner with HEARTH, a non-profit organization that provides services to homeless mothers and their children in the greater Pittsburgh area. This organization also focuses on education, advocacy skills, and career resources. Throughout the year, NSA organized clothing, food, personal hygiene product, and Christmas decoration collections for HEARTH. Furthermore, during the holidays NSA takes time to make and deliver cards to the veterans at the VA hospital in Oakland. The organization is also committed to raising health awareness within the university through participation in health fairs and assisting representatives from Student Health Services.

Although the foundation of NSA is rooted in community, university, and professional affairs, it also provides an opportunity to expand one’s social horizons and meet new people. Every year the organization sponsors a Nursing Formal where students can enjoy a night of fun out on the town. In addition to this, NSA holds regular fundraising events such as bake sales, Pitt Nursing t-shirt/sweatshirt sales, and Sarris candy sales.

This coming year we are all very excited to continue the wonderful traditions of our organization. We hope that you will join us as we continue on our journey in one of the most respected and noble professions that any young man or woman can choose to be a part of.

Sincerely,

The Nursing Student Association at the University of Pittsburgh

Hail to Pitt!

Listed below are the names and contacts for the executive board of NSA. Please feel free to contact any of them with questions or ideas pertaining to the nature of their position or your desire to be part of their committee for this year. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!

President
Laura Cermignano
lmc54@pitt.edu
Secretary
Maria Falcone
mel43@pitt.edu
Treasurer
Jenna Straub
jas178@pitt.edu
Vice President of Professional Development
Katie Taylor
kat31@pitt.edu
Vice President of Fundraising
Latasha Kast
lck15@pitt.edu
Vice President of Service
Kaitlyn Deardorff
kat33@pitt.edu
Vice President Social Events
Amanda Botscheller
anb91@pitt.edu
Vice President Formal
Jenna Scutella
jes103@pitt.edu

Upon your acceptance into the nursing school, students automatically become members of the Nursing Student Association (NSA). It is strongly recommended that students become active members of NSA - this is your organization and we would love to see more involvement within the student body. Even if you cannot make it to meetings, copies of the minutes from the meetings, as well as information on activities will be posted on the communications board located on the first floor of the Victoria Building as well as NSA’s website

Student Lockers

Nursing students may reserve a locker in the Victoria Building. The lockers are available free of charge; students supply their locks. A sign-up book is located at the Student Services Office front desk. Please contact the Student Services Office at (412) 624-4587 for more information.