REQUIREMENTS

All candidates for degrees from Helene Fuld College of Nursing must meet the following requirements:

	Completion of 36 quarter-credits of course work in nursing at Helene Fuld.
	Completion of 42 quarter-credits in specified general education courses.
	Achievement of a passing grade in each required course.
	A cumulative GPA of 2.4.
	Recommendation by the Faculty to the Board of Trustees.
	Compliance with all financial and other obligations to the College as announced in this catalog.

Commencement and the official awarding of degrees takes place semi-annually in fall and spring. However, students may complete requirements for graduation at the conclusion of any quarter and will receive their degrees following completion.

Graduates at the commencement exercises wear academic attire. The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees presents the degrees and the President presents the nursing pins.

GRADUATION WITH DISTINCTION recognizes students who have a cumulative GPA of B+ (3.5) or higher at completion of the program. Students will be publicly acknowledged at graduation.

The SUZANNE I. ULLMAN AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE is given at graduation to the student who achieves the highest academic average. ACADEMIC HONORS awards are presented to the students who attain second and third place.

The SUZANNE I. ULLMAN AWARD FOR CLINICAL EXCELLENCE is given at graduation to students who achieve Clinical Recognition in each of the four clinical nursing courses. CLINICAL HONORS awards are presented to the students who achieve Clinical Recognition in any three of the four clinical nursing courses.

The AYISHA BABWAH AWARD is given to a member of the April graduating class who is exceptionally helpful and supportive of fellow students.

The STEPHEN C. FRAUENTHAL AWARD is given to a graduating student in recognition of outstanding leadership.

The MARGUERITE HAGGERTY MEMORIAL AWARD is given to a graduating student for excellence in Medical-Surgical Nursing.

The MARCIA LEVINSON-SOLOMON MEMORIAL AWARD is given to a member of the November class who is exceptionally compassionate in caring for patients.

The CAROL A. THOMPSON MEMORIAL AWARD is given to a graduating student in recognition of perseverance in pursuing a nursing career.

Students who are not able to attend the graduation exercises should inform the President in writing, explaining the reason.  A student who graduates “in absentia” is responsible for contacting the Office of Student Services to arrange to pick up their diploma and nursing pin.  No part of the graduation fee will be refunded.

In order to meet licensure requirements in New York State, applicants must be at least eighteen years old, have graduated from a program approved by New York State, and pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing examination (NCLEX-RN).  Graduates of Helene Fuld College of Nursing are qualified to take the licensing examination.  Applicants are required, as stated in the Nursing Application Packet, published by The University of the State of New York, The State Education Department, to answer whether you (the applicant):

Have ever been found guilty after trial, or pleaded guilty, no contest, or nolo contendere to a crime (felony or misdemeanor) in any court?

Have criminal charges pending against you in any court?

Have ever had any licensing or disciplinary authority refuse to issue you a license or ever revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew a professional license or certificate held by you now or previously, or ever fined, censured, reprimanded or otherwise disciplined you?

Have charges pending against you in any jurisdiction for any sort of professional misconduct?

Have had any hospital or licensed facility restricted or terminated your professional training, employment, or privileges or have you ever voluntarily or involuntarily resigned or withdrawn from such association to avoid imposition of such measures?

If the answer to any of the above is "yes", you must submit a letter giving a complete detailed explanation, copies of any court records, including a Certificate of Conviction.  See Application for Licensure for additional details (Rev. 12/11).

The New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Division of Professional Licensing Services requires a fee of $143 for the license application and the first registration period.  The National Council of State Boards of Nursing requires a fee of $200 for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Most Helene Fuld College of Nursing students come from the metropolitan New York City area, and remain in this area to work after obtaining their licenses in New York State. The College, however, numbers among its graduates, nurses from New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Indiana, Minnesota, Utah, Tennessee, California and Florida.

Graduates of the College are generally accepted for examination in the state of their choice. The majority, however, prefer to remain in New York State for the examination before seeking licensure elsewhere.

Graduates report employment in a variety of healthcare settings, which include medical-surgical, obstetrical, emergency, psychiatric, geriatric, pediatric, and ambulatory and home care clinical areas. Supervisory ratings of graduates are generally strongly positive.

The Student-Right-To-Know Act requires all colleges to report graduation rates as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.  These rates are based on the percentage of students who enter the College full-time (Fall quarter only), who have never attended another college.  The definition of graduation is that students graduate from the program within 150% of the normal time for graduation.  At Helene Fuld, 150% of normal time for graduation is one and a half years.  Currently, approximately 2% of Helene Fuld students are full-time and have never attended another college.  The graduation rate of this limited number of students is:

Year Admitted	% Graduated
2007 (14)*	50%
2008 (6)*	100%
2009 (7)*	86%
2010 (2)*	100%

* total number only of first-time, full-time students admitted

Completion rates are based on the total numbers of students who graduated from the program, and include both full- and part-time and transfer students who were admitted in both the Fall and spring quarters.

Approximately 98% of students have attended other colleges before enrolling at Helene Fuld College of Nursing. Completion rates for all students are:

Year Admitted	% Graduated
2006	77%
2007	72%
2008	71%
2009	65%

Students have three years in which to complete the program.

The College has articulation agreements with the following baccalaureate nursing programs: College of Mount St. Vincent, Riverdale, NY; College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY; Dominican College of Blauvelt, Blauvelt, NY; Herbert H. Lehman College, Bronx, NY; Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, Brookville, NY; Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, NY; Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Pace University, NYC and Pleasantville, NY; and SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica, NY.