Academic Advising
Lisa Flairty, Academic Advisor & Retention Specialist
Certificate Students
Because the NMC certificate programs have a lock-step schedule, the program coordinators will meet with the class as a group to explain the courses that are required for each subsequent term. Registration forms are filled out and returned to the program coordinator during the group advising. Students may make individual advising appointments with the program coordinator to discuss issues that are particular to that student such as transfer of credit and future educational opportunities including the associate degree.
Nursing Students
Traditional BSN students will work with an academic advisor within Student Developmental Services for their entire curriculum. This person will help students register for courses that meet their degree requirements, and design a long-range plan for their entire education. After the first year, undergraduate students will be assigned a nursing advisor and will work closely with their nursing advisor to achieve their academic goals. NMC offers a freshman/sophomore advisor to help transition students into the educational climate as well as a junior/senior advisor to help students in their transition through graduation.
Allied Health Students
All undergraduate allied health students will work with a program faculty member in their major area of study for their academic advising. Students will meet with their advisor on a regular basis to design and update long-range plans for their entire education at NMC and register for courses.
Allied Health students continuing on for a bachelor's degree will be assigned an advisor within Student Developmental Services.
RN to BSN
All RN to BSN students will have a specific BSN nursing program advisor who will aid in their orientation to the college and the online program. The nursing program advisor will work with each student individually to develop a full time or part time schedule to allow flexibility with the student's professional career goals.
LPN to BSN
All LPN to BSN students will be assigned an advisor within Student Developmental Services when they are accepted into the BSN program. This advisor will help the students in their progression through the BSN program.
Deadlines
Registration for summer and fall courses occurs in March and April. Registration for spring courses occurs in October and November. Students will receive a letter from the registrar's office indicating the deadline for registration dependent upon class level (i.e. sophomore, junior).
FAQ's
What if I haven't registred yet?
Once you have made your deposit, you should have received a packet explaining Registration Day and the assessments included. It is essential that you complete this process in a timely fashion. If you have not attended Registration Day, please contact Lisa Flairty, lisa.flairty@methodistcollege.edu , to make plans for the next available date.
Academic Integrity
All NMC students get a copy of our Position Paper on Higher Education during the Orientation process. This includes not only where we stand on academic honesty, but also classroom behavior. We take great pride in providing an environment where faculty, staff and students are respected and take stock in quality education. In order to ensure that our health care students become safe clinicians, their record must reflect knowledge and skill gained through honest efforts. Any student whose actions are inconsistent with the NMC's academic expectations will receive disciplinary action.
FAQ's
What are some examples of academic dishonesty?
Plagiarism from any source, cheating in any exam or outside assignment, alteration of grades, submitting work that is not your own, falsification of participation or documentation in clinical are all considered a form of academic dishonesty. In this age of technology, be especially careful of how you cite sources found on the Internet.
Who can I speak with if I have questions about whether or not something is in accordance with NMC's academic honesty policy?
If you question about something you have done or what to do, you should go to anyone you are comfortable with and ask for guidance — instructors, advisors, program directors, counselors, etc. If you believe you witnessed an instance of academic dishonesty, we urge you to report it. Both your safety as a healthcare practitioner and the safety of patients may be seriously affected. You can report academic dishonesty confidentially. Go to any faculty or staff with whom you are comfortable or the dean of students and they can help you figure out the best way to approach the situation and offer you support.
Related Links
Academic Progression
Molly Atherton, Counselor
Most programs of study require that you take courses in a specific sequence, with each course building upon the previous course. This means that students must be successful in each semester in order to be ready for the one that follows. Certificate students must receive a "C" or better in each course in order to move on to the next. Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) of 2.0 or better in order to have a satisfactory academic status.
FAQ's
What if I fall below the grade/GPA needed for progression?
Certificate students will be placed on academic probation or suspension depending on their program. Undergraduate students will be placed on probation when their GPA is under 2.0. Academic suspension and dismissal are possible if a student fails to demonstrate adequate progression.
Who should I talk to if I have concerns about my grades/GPA?
Your advisor or program director is available to speak with you if you have questions or concerns about whether or not you will be able to progress. There is also an array of student services available for you as well.
Counselor, Molly Atherton, molly.atherton@methodistcollege.edu or (402) 354-7213
Academic Skills Specialist, Carol Moore, carol.moore@methodistcollege.edu or (402) 354-7214
Related Links
Computer Access
Matt Stockfeld, Director of Education Technology
FAQ's:
How do I get access to the computers on campus?
Students can use their student ID to enter the computer lab. The computer lab & individual study rooms are available to students during regular building hours.
The computer lab is located on the second floor of the Clark Center. Students also have access to eight individual study rooms, and twelve computers in the library, all located on the second floor of the Clark Center. In addition to these, we also have four computers in the student center next to the bookstore. Otherwise you are free to use your laptop and connect to our open wireless network, GUESTCARE. Each NMC student has a login and password that will give you access to the systems on campus as well as your College email address, IQ Web and access to ANGEL (the online learning management system).
Who can I contact if I have problems?
Technical questions can be directed to the NMC Help line at (402) 354-7008 or nmchelp@methodistcollege.edu . If you are unable to login to the network, ANGEL or Outlook you'll need to contact the Health System Help Desk at (402)354-2280 and ask them to reset your NETWORK password.
When will I get my login and password so I can use the computers?
You will receive your login and password at new student orientation.
How do I print from a computer on campus?
NMC has implemented a print solution on campus called GoPrint. The goal is to prevent the unnecessary wasting of paper as part of our Going Green initiative. When a student prints from any of the public computers, they will have to log in to the go print pop up window with their network ID and password. They are then able to check the documents they want to print. The fee is 5 cents per side of paper and each student is given a minimum of 150 free prints a semester. These prints do carry over if unused.
Drop and Add Policy
Courses in almost any program may be dropped from or added to a student's schedule. Dropping a course may affect your progression in your program of study just as a course you wish to add may have prerequisite or co-requisite courses attached to it. Always consult your advisor or program director before either dropping or adding a course.
Deadlines Regular Semester: Courses may be dropped or added within the first week of classes.
Summer Session: Courses may be dropped or added on the first day of classes.
FAQ's
What paper work do I need to complete in order to drop or add a course?
You must meet with your advisor or program director and fill out a change of schedule forms.
How will dropping or adding a course affect my financial aid?
Ultimately your financial aid is determined by how many hours you are enrolled. It is always best, especially in a situation where the number of hours you will take in a given semester is going to change, that your speak with the financial aid office before you drop or add a course.
Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
Melinda Stoner, Registrar
FERPA guidelines affect all students. FERPA is a set of regulations that were created in 1974. These regulations relate to student privacy and educational records. This involves everything from a student's right to review his/her record to the institution's right to release information.
FAQ's
Who can receive my information?
Certain information can be released to any third party. Any institution has the right to release information to a third party regarding a student's name, address, phone number, date and place of birth, field or program of study, dates of attendance, email address, class rosters, class schedules, advisor, academic awards and degrees, previous schools attended, achievements in campus organizations, graduation date (anticipated and official), academic class (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), enrollment status (full-time/part-time, undergraduate/graduate). This is considered to be directory information.
Can the College release information about my financial aid or academic status?
No. Financial and academic information cannot be released to anyone but the student. This includes parents, spouses, etc. Should you want your parent or spouse to have access to your financial aid information or academic record, you must give written permission to the NMC Financial Aid Office and Registrar.
Can I request that none of my information be released to anyone?
Yes. Any student can contact the NMC Registrar and request that NMC withhold the disclosure of information. There are other considerations, however, when one withholds this information. The Registrar can give you the most complete information.
Related Link
Peer to Peer File Sharing Policy
Methodist Health System (MHS) maintains the computer network that supports the academic and administrative needs of Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) students, faculty, and staff. MHS Internet Access Policy states that all users are responsible for using the network in a professional, lawful, and ethical manner. MHS will monitor the use of P2P file sharing and pursue all violations in accordance to current federal laws and NMC policies.
Downloading copyrighted music and movies from the Internet to a personal computer without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal, and may result in criminal and civil penalties. Civil penalties may include actual damages and profits, statutory damages (ranging from 30,000 per work that is infringed). The court can also award attorney's fees and costs. Criminal penalties can include fines and imprisonment. Sharing copyrighted works, as is easily done with P2P programs, also violates MHS Internet Access Policy and the NMC Code of Conduct Policy. Any NMC student, employee, or other individual will be subject to disciplinary action and elimination of internet access upon violation of this policy.
Sharing digital files (such as music, movies, television shows, games, computer software, text, and photographs) under any of the following conditions constitutes copyright infringement:
- You did not create the original work
- The work Is not in the public domain
- You do not have permission to share the work
Peer-to-peer file sharing connects users to a P2P client network that provides a platform for locating and sharing files. P2P users are typically required to install a software program on their own personal computers. Well known client networks include Bearshare, BitTorrent, eDonkey , Gnutella, Limewire, and Morpheus. Risks of installing P2P software include identity theft, damage to the computer and the files on it (pictures, documents, etc.), and the possibility that the computer could be used to send spam or attack other computers.
Beyond the personal risks of P2P file sharing, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) vigorously pursue infringements of copyrights owned by their individual members, as is their right under the Copyright Law of the United States . Under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA) , college administrators are required to cooperate in the pursuit of alleged violators. Colleges and universities are under no obligation to accept responsibility for, or to help defend, the activities of students engaged in illegal file sharing.
The following links are used by courtesy of the Wheaton College Department of Technology:
The Higher Education Opportunity Act requires all colleges and universities to offer legal alternatives to illegal file sharing . No endorsements or evaluations are implied. To remove P2P file sharing programs from a computer, consult directions for removing P2P software .
Graduation Candidacy
After confirmation of intent to graduate from the Academic Advisor, the Registrar will audit the academic record to identify variances from compliance with graduation requirements for certificate- and degree-seeking students. Students and advisors will be notified of any deficiencies. If all degree requirements are not completed before the anticipated graduation date, students must wait until the next semester to graduate.
Math Proficiency Testing
All nursing students, who are not already RNs, take a math proficiency exam as part of their initial registration. The areas of math included in this assessment are: integers, decimals, fractions, ratio & and proportions, percentages, metrics, and basic algebra. I f you are at this point, you have likely already done it. Students who do not pass all areas of the math assessment will have the opportunity to take a math course in their first semester. You will register for this at registration day, and the fee for the test is $25.00.
FAQ's
Why do I have to take a math test?
This assessment is necessary to ensure students' proficiency in medical math and patient safety.
What happens if I don't pass?
You will be enrolled in the specific area(s) of math as indicated by the results of your math assessment. All students enrolled in the math course are required to attend the first day of class to get information on assignments and class attendance. The number of days for class attendance for the remainder of the semester will be determined by the number of modules in which you are enrolled.
Background Checks and Drug Testing
Why are students in healthcare required to have a criminal background investigation?
Clinical agencies are required to meet certain federal, state and local laws, in addition to professional accreditation criteria to remain in operation. The state and local laws vary widely across the United States. Clinical agencies now require most health care providers to undergo a criminal background investigation. This requirement is extending to all individuals who may provide patient care, such as nursing and allied health students. The purpose of the background investigation policy is assure the safety and well-being of patients, students, faculty and staff in the clinical and academic environments and to attest to clinical agencies the students' eligibility to participate in clinical activities.
Are the requirements for criminal background investigation the same everywhere?
No. States vary in their laws, as do other regulations governing the health care agencies.
Is the criminal background investigation an admission requirement or a requirement for attending clinical courses?
Background investigations will be conducted as a condition of enrollment for admitted undergraduate and graduate students to participate in clinical courses. Enrollment in clinical courses and placement in clinical agencies are contingent upon successful completion of the background investigation. In addition, serious results of this investigation may affect candidacy for the licensure and certification examinations and employability in field of study.
What will the criminal background investigation include?
The investigation will include but may not be limited to, a combination of the following required screening for every state and county of residence:
- County Criminal Record Search
- Alias Name Search
- Found Wants and Warrants
- Found Protection Orders
- Residential History Search
- Social Security Number Search
- Abuse Registry
- Sex Offender Registry
- Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Cumulative Sanction Report
- General Services Administration (GSA) Excluded Parties Listing System
Who will have access to the information provided on the criminal background investigation?
This policy is guided by the overall requirements of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) that states student information is shared on a "need to know" basis. Please refer to the Background Investigation Policy and Procedure for additional information.
What if a student has completed a criminal background investigation prior to the point in time a healthcare education program requires a check; can the information obtained previously meet the current requirement?
Criminal backgrounds are not shared due to timing, content, and confidentiality of results.
What if a student does not comply with the requirements for a criminal background investigation?
If a student is to participate in a clinical education experience, and the student refuses to comply with these requirements, then the student would not be eligible to attend clinical and cannot progress in the program.
What are the potential consequences of having pending criminal charges or prior criminal convictions on my goal of becoming a practicing health care professional?
• As a nursing or allied health student . . . an individual having a criminal record (or pending charges) may either be ineligible for acceptance at a program or may be ineligible for enrollment in clinical courses.
• As a graduate of a program that requires or recommends licensure/ certification . . . a graduate who has a criminal record (or pending charges) may be ineligible for licensure or certification.
• As a health care provider seeking employment . . . As a member of a health care profession that requires or recommends licensure or certification an individual may have graduated from a program, obtained a license or certificate but may be considered ineligible for employment by individual health care agencies based upon either criminal convictions or pending criminal charges. Each employing facility will set their own policies regarding criminal backgrounds, which will be based upon the laws and regulations to which they must comply.
Is there a listing of crimes that make a student ineligible for clinical experiences?
There is no specific listing of crimes that make a student ineligible for clinical experiences. All students are reviewed on a "case by case" basis. In general, felonies or misdemeanors involving abuse, neglect, assault, battery, criminal sexual conduct, fraud or theft, and illegal drug use are convictions of concern for health care workers.
What factors are considered in reviewing criminal convictions and pending criminal actions?
Various factors are considered when reviewing individual case criminal background checks. The length of time elapsed from the activity and the current date is one such factor. For example, a criminal conviction occurring greater than 10 years ago may have much less meaning than a recent conviction. The specific type of conviction is also reviewed. Again, a felony is more serious than a misdemeanor. And the conviction is also reviewed to determine if the offense is something that has the potential to hurt others. For example, the selling of controlled substances would likely be considered a bigger problem than using controlled substances.
What should a student do if the student believes that the student's criminal background investigation includes false or inaccurate information?
If the student believes the background check contains false or inaccurate information they need to check with the program for the contact information of the agency that conducted the check. It is the student's responsibility to contact the agency and work to correct any errors that may exist in their records. Programs will have to work with the information provided to them by the criminal background check agencies, until such time as records may be formally corrected.
What if an applicant or student is charged or convicted of any criminal offense(s) subsequent to the date the student has obtained the criminal background check?
Students need to self-disclose to the appropriate individual in their program. This individual may be the Program Director. The program may have a policy that requires self-disclosure of both charges and convictions, which if not followed by the student, may result in the student's dismissal from the program.
Who do you ask if you have additional questions?
Questions regarding the program requirements should be asked of the program individually. Generally interest parties can call the Admissions Office of the particular program and ask to be referred to the appropriate individual.
Questions regarding potential licensure or certification issues and criminal backgrounds should be asked of the licensure and certification board of each individual profession.