A bulletin for students in the part-time - St. Francis Xavier University

All arrangements for the X-ring ceremony onDecember 3, 2011 are made by the Students’ Unionand will be made available in early fall. The 2011 X-ring ceremony is for students for fall or springgraduates.Credit Card PaymentAnnouncementCredit Card Payment AnnouncementCURRENT RN REGISTRATIONAs of September 2011 university regulations requireall students registered in the post RN Bachelor ofScience in Nursing, Certificate in Gerontological,and Certificate in Continuing Care programs toprovide photocopies of their current RN registration.Please fax or mail a photocopy of your current RNregistration to the Program Office prior toregistration for September courses.June 2, 2010AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDINGSTUDENT ACCOUNT PAYMENT OPTIONSPlease be aware that St. Francis Xavier Universityhas discontinued the use of credit cards forpayments on student accounts effectiveSeptember 30, 2010. This measure is one way theUniversity is minimizing costs while continuing tosupport the high quality of its academic programsoffered to our students.St. Francis Xavier University offers a number ofoptions to make payments on student accounts,including:24/7 online banking;telephone banking;direct transfer of funds for internationalstudents; andpayment by mail, in person, or viaCanada Student Loan.Cheques or money orders also acceptedCredit cards will continue to be accepted forapplication fees, confirmation and housing deposits,Bookstore purchases, and Registrar’s Officeservices.Details on all these options, including step-by-stepinstructions for online banking, are available on theAccounting Services website at:http://www.mystfx.ca/campus/admin/accountingservices/Web online registration is now open!Web registration for the upcoming academic yearscommences on July 11, 2011 for all courses startingin September 2011.Please note that students whose accounts are not ingood standing with the university will experienceproblems registering online. If you wish to checkyour account status, you should contact Pati Myettein Students Accounts directly at 902-867-3719, oryou may contact the Program Office to betransferred and to avoid long distance charges.For web registration, please note the lateregistration fee of $25 will be appliedautomatically to those students who registerafter the deadline date of August 23, 2011.If you have not completed the prerequisite for acourse, you will also receive an error message.To register online for courses you will requirethe CRN (course reference number) for eachcourse. This number will be posted in the mostXCHANGE 2

current copy of our E-Newsletter which will besent directly to your StFX Web Mail accountapproximately every two months. It is veryimportant for all students to read the newsletterclosely for current information/changespertaining to the program curriculum,upcoming courses, awards, etc. A current copyof the newsletter will also be posted to theDistance Nursing website at:www.stfx.ca/academic/continuinged/nursing.htmlInstructions for Web Registration:1. Go to www.stfx.ca (StFX Home Page) andClick MyStFX located at the top right of thepage. Next, click on STUDENTS on the lefthand side of the screen.2. Click on Banner / mesAMIS.3. Click on the Students link on the left side,and then click on Log into mesAMIS.4. Enter your User ID (eg: S00935007 or201101234) and PIN (eg: 934291, a numberyou have received from the Distance NursingProgram Office in a letter which provides youyour ID, PIN, Web FX email account, andemail password). If you do not have a copyof this letter please contact The ProgramOffice at (902) 867-5190 or 1-800-565-4371or 1-800-588-2246 (toll free). Click on Log in.5. The first time you log onto the Web Server,the next screen will ask you to enter aSecurity Question and Answer (you will onlyhave to do this once you will be asked foryour answer to the Security Question in theevent that you lose your PIN and need toreset it). Click Submit.6. Click on Register in Courses.7. Enter your User ID and PIN number againand click on Log in.8. Click on Registration and then onRegistration on the next page.9. Click Step 1 – Select Term. Click on thecurrent academic term (full academic yearfor courses running from September –March; Spring – April – May courses; andSummer for June – August courses.) ClickSubmit.10. Click Step 2 – Add / Drop Classes.11. Enter the CRN (Course Reference Number)of the course(s) for which you wish toregister (CRNs are available via the XchangeNewsletter). Click Submit Changes. Thecourse(s) you have registered for will appear(you may have to scroll down to view them).If you receive error messages that preventyou from registering, refer to the CommonRegistration Error message link on theImportant Notice to Students page.12. Click on the Return to Menu button at the topright of the screen.After registering online, print a copy of “myGrades”(above) to confirm your registration. Should yourequire assistance, please call the Distance NursingProgram Office at toll-free 1-800-565-4371 or 1-800-588-2246. Please have your student ID numberavailable.For your convenience the CRNs are listed witheach course offering for September.Please Note:Although there are nolab components with anydistance nursingcourses, some coursesrequire students to entera CRN for the course aswell as a CRN for thelab.These courses are BIOL 251 and CHEM 150.SEPTEMBER COURSESBIOL 251 Anatomy & Physiology ICRN 48997 + CRN 48998 (Lab)(V. Karunakaran)Sept. 6 – Nov. 11, 2011(all degree students)CHEM 150 Fundamentals ofGeneral & Biological ChemistryCRN 48991 + CRN 48992 (Lab)(M. Aquino)Sept. 6, 2011 – March 23, 2012(all degree students)NURS 135Contemporary Issues in NursingCRN 48993(A. Gillis)Sept. 6 – Nov. 11, 2011(17 th cycle degree students &Certificate in Continuing Care)XCHANGE 3

NURS 201Community Mental Health Nursing ICRN48994(TBA)Sept. 6 – Nov. 11, 2011(16 th cycle degree students)NURS 415Nursing of Adults IICRN 48995(C. MacDonald)Sept. 6 – Nov. 11, 2011(15 th cycle degree students)NURS 488 Challenges in Aging:Implications for Nursing (ONLINE)CRN48996(B. Seplaki)Sept. 6 – Nov. 11, 2011(Certificate in Gerontological Nursing andoptional for degree students)** Requires a prerequisite of N245**TEXTBOOK ORDERSPrinted Textbook Order Forms:Textbook order forms for Fall 2011 courses may bedownloaded at www.stfx.ca/campusstore/, printed,completed and faxed/mailed to the Bookstore or youcan call the Bookstore directly with their new toll-freenumber: 1-888-867-2450.Once logged on to www.stfx.ca/campusstore/ clickon Students Information at top left of page; on nextpage click on Off Campus and On-Line CourseTexts; then click on Distance Nursing. On the nextpage a list of course textbooks will appear.RECEIPTS FORREIMBURSEMENTIf you make payments electronically, you mustcontact the Business Office to request receipts.Please call the Program Office to have your calltransferred or email slmacdon@stfx.caNOTE: Receipts will ONLY be issued uponpayment for courses.SCHOLARSHIP & AWARDINFORMATIONThelma May Kempffer EntranceScholarshipTo be eligible, students must be accepted into thePost RN, BScN Program commencing studies in2011. Applications are individually evaluated withattention to evidence of professional competence,commitment to continuing education, andinvolvement in professional activities.Open to all BScN students with preference givento applicants from Ontario.Five awards of $1,000 eachForward a resume with a letter of application to:Patsy MacDonald, Program DirectorDistance Nursing ProgramsSt. Francis Xavier UniversityPO Box 5000, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5Application deadline: September 30, 2011COURSE WITHDRAWALTo drop a course without incurring academic orfinancial prejudice, students are required to notifythe Program Office in writing (via fax or email) bycompleting and submitting a withdrawal no laterthan three weeks from the start date of thecourse. Written notice must contain the signatureof the student and can be faxed or mailed to theProgram Office. Students must return the coursemanual and materials (with the exception oftextbooks) for courses dropped during this timeframe. Similar notification is required to withdrawfrom a program of study.It is important to observe the formalities ofwithdrawal to avoid academic penalty. Withoutproper notification, a student remains on the officialclass and program lists. Thus, absence from examsand other requirements will result in a failure on thestudent’s university transcript.XCHANGE 4

RefundsIf a student withdraws from a course within threeweeks of the course start date, s/he is eligible toclaim a tuition refund, less a $50 processing charge.After the three-week deadline has passed, there isno refund issued. Your application for a refundmust be made in writing to the Program Directorpost-marked within the three-week period.PLEASE NOTE: Once you have registered for acourse you remain enrolled in that course until anofficial notification of withdrawal is submitted to theProgram Office. This includes courses that are notcompleted or no course work has been submitted.CURRICULUM CHECKLISTStudents are responsible for registering for, andcompleting, the required 63 credits for the Bachelorof Science in Nursing degree. It is stronglyrecommended that students use the curriculumchecklist to keep track of courses as they progressthrough their program. This form is included in theProgram Handbook, or upon request from theProgram Office.Requirements for the Part-time Bachelor of Sciencein Nursing Degree:21 credits required nursing courses12 credits nursing electives18 credits science courses12 credits humanities coursesDISTANCE NURSING PROGRAMHANDBOOKStudents are strongly encouraged to review theirstudent handbooks regarding program policies andregulations. This should be your main source forprogram information.If you require an updated version of thehandbook please contact the Program Officefor a new copy.IMPORTANT NOTESREGARDING EXAMS:Students are responsible for makingarrangements for a suitable proctor for theirexams and providing this information to theProgram Office in sufficient time to allow forshipment of exam materials. Please refer topage 42 of your Program Handbook whenselecting a proctor. If you have not already doneso, please have your proctor complete the formon page 43 of your Program Handbook andsubmit promptly to the Program Office. This formis also available upon request from the ProgramOffice.Students are reminded they must complete anexam waiver form if they are writing the examprior to the scheduled alternate exam date.Extensions to write after the exam date mustbe granted by the course professor.Students should request their proctor(s) to returnthe completed exams immediately to theProgram Office. Under no circumstances arestudents permitted to return to the exampackage(s).Upon completion of midterm and final exams fordistance nursing courses, it normally takes up totwo weeks for the Program Office to receivecompleted exams from off-campus locations.Examinations are then forwarded to courseprofessors for correction which can take up to aweek or more to finalize.Notification of change of proctor should besubmitted no less than two weeks prior to theexam date so that examination materials may beshipped in time for the exam.How do you fill in your computer card?Computer cards contain 9 digits to complete.Remember ONLY use PENCIL to fill in your card.Do not use pen.Place your name, name of course and date at thetop of the card. Next place your ID number verticallyaligned on the card. Then complete your answersby filling in the corresponding oval on the computerXCHANGE 5

card. Be careful not to write on any other part of thecard as this will interfere with computer correction.For students assigned ID numbers from 1998 orearlier, the ID number is completed as follows:Example: S00987062S S 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 90 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 80 S 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 99 T 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 98 F 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 97 X 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 90 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 96 I 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 92 D 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9For students assigned ID numbers in 1999 or later,the ID number is completed as follows:Example: 1999052311 S 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 99 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 99 S 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 99 T 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 90 F 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 95 X 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 92 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 93 I 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 91 D 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9ACCESSING STUDENTINFORMATION, E-MAIL, GRADES, &OTHER INFORMATIONUpon admission to StFX all students are assigned aStFX ID and personal identification number (PIN).Once new students register for their first course, aStFX email account and password are issued.The Program Office sends out PIN letters andinstructions how to access the StFX website tostudents. These letters contain ID number, PIN,StFX email (user name) account, and temporarypassword.New students are being sent their StFX ID and PINwith this issue of the Exchange newsletter. If youhave not received this information, please contactthe Program Office as soon as possible to obtainyour ‘PIN letter’. If you require assistance at anytime, please contact the Program Office via the tollfreelines 1-800-565-4371 or 1-800-588-2246.HINT:ID # + PIN # = Access Banner@XUser Name + Password = Web MailStudents are required to use their StFX emailaccounts and must ensure their accounts do notbecome full. Important messages from courseprofessors and the Program Office will be sentvia StFX email and not to personal emailaccounts.It is very important that you log into your StFX emailaccount periodically to clean up any non-essentialmessages to ensure that there will be ample room fornew messages. When deleting messages from yourInbox, please delete them permanently by selectingthe messages you want to delete and hitting SHIFT &DELETE simultaneously, otherwise your deletedInbox will continue to fill up your quota and you will beunable to receive or send any new messages.PROS of using a StFX email accountIf a student loses his/her password, please contactthe Program Office to have the password reset tothe original one included in the PIN letter.The CIS WebPortal is based upon StFX emailaddresses; therefore, if a professor chooses touse such features as “EMAIL CLASS LIST”,important communications may be lost (since aprofessor cannot edit the list for NON-StFX emailaddresses).If a student does not use the StFX assignedaccount, then access to professors/departmentpassword protected websites may be inaccessiblebecause these permissions are based on StFXdomain user accounts (i.e., user@stfx.ca).Mail quota is larger for our standard emailaccounts than for other “free-bee” accounts (suchas Hotmail, Yahoo, etc); therefore, there is less ofa chance that important email would be missed.The TSG support structure is based aroundefficiency and keeping costs low andstandardization of user accounts is one of theways we can accomplish this.XCHANGE 6

Useful Sources of Information forDistance Nursing StudentsThe Writing Centrehttp://www.mystfx.ca/resources/writingcentre/Phone: (902) 867-5221Email: writingc@stfx.caWriting Centre Website: Recently revamped website, http://www.mystfx.ca/resources/writingcentre/includes several new pages and links. One of themost informative pages is the Frequently AskedQuestions (FAQs) included with this newsletter.The Writing Guide: This booklet covers all aspectsof the writing process, from brainstorming a topic todocumenting sources. It is available at the CampusBookstore and at the Writing Centre for a cost of fivedollars.Academic Calendar Onlinehttp://www.stfx.ca/calendarProvides information on content and availability ofcourses, academic regulations, convocation, etc.Distance Nursing Websitehttp://www.stfx.ca/academic/continuinged/nursing.htmlThe Distance Nursing Program website providesstudents with access to program information such asthe Program Handbook, updated master schedule,the XCHANGE newsletter, brochures, applicationforms, and links to the Writing Centre and extendedlibrary services. Brochures and application forms tothe degree and certificate programs are alsoavailable on the website. Please note our website isunder revision.Distance Education / ExtendedLibrary ServicesWhether you are new to Continuing & DistanceEducation or an experienced student, doingresearch for an assignment can sometimes seemdaunting. Extended Library Services is a supportsystem to help you over that hurdle, so that you canlearn to find the library and information resourcesthat you need to complete your course work.Where do I begin?Normally, your local library (whether a university,college, hospital, or public library) should be yourfirst resource for locating research material. There isoften much more information available locally thanyou think!However, if the resources and services available arenot sufficient for your needs, Extended LibraryServices may be able to help.What support is offered?Depending on your situation, we may be able toprovide:advice on library proceduresolutions to problems with library cardsdocument delivery of books and journalarticlesrenewal of books on loan from StFXsupport for literature searchesassistance in locating specific materialstechnical support with the use of electronicresources such as online journalsSome cost recovery charges on services such asphotocopying will apply.If you are in a Continuing & Distance Educationcourse offered by StFX, please feel free to contactExtended Library Services to discuss individuallibrary needs and concerns.Pam MacLeanAngus L. Macdonald LibrarySt. Francis Xavier UniversityPO Box 5000Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5Phone: (902) 867-3890Fax: (902) 867-5153 Attn: Pam MacLeanEmail: pmaclean@stfx.caRESEARCH FROM HOMEOur distance Librarian, Pam MacLean, has providedus with a one-page quick reference guide to helpyou retrieve articles from Nursing Journals and otherelectronic media by using the Library’s ElectronicResources. See page 10 of this newsletter for thesehelpful hints and instructions.XCHANGE 7

SUMMER 2011PROFESSOR OFFICE HOURSTOLL- FREE LINE: 1-800-588-2246TENTATIVE MASTER SCHEDULEPleased be advised that there have been somechanges to the schedule. Nursing 490 will also beoffered in November of 2011 in place of its usualoffering in the spring. Please see attached revisedschedule at the end of this newsletter.Students often experience difficulty interpreting thetentative master schedule of courses. We hope thefollowing information will be helpful. Please contactthe Program Office at any time should you havequestions.• For students accepted to the 17 th cycle (intake)of students beginning studies in September2011, the pattern of courses is displayed in thecolumn entitled 17 th cycle. Students should readdown this column.BIOL 105 (V. Karunakaran)Introductory Cell & Molecular BiologyMay 30 – August 5, 2011Tuesday 1:00 – 3:00 pmWednesday 10:00 am – 12:00 noonBIOL 115 (V. Karunakaran)Microbes in Human HealthMay 30 – August 5, 2011Tuesday 1:00 – 3:00 pmWednesday 10:00 am – 12:00 noon• 17 th cycle students should register for the firsttwo core nursing courses which are shaded onthe schedule (N135 in Sept & N115 in Nov).• Upon completion of required core courses N135& N115, students should follow the coursepattern as shown. Students are permitted toregister for more than one course by selectingfrom courses shown under the science &electives to the left.• Students are responsible to ensure they havecompleted pre-requisites for courses prior toregistration.CHANGES IN PERSONALINFORMATIONIf you make any changes in personal information online(i.e., name, address, telephone number, etc.)please notify the Program Office of these changesto avoid delays in receiving materials. PLEASENOTE: The Program Office does not receivenotification of address changes if they are madethrough the MesAmis system on-line.SUGGESTIONS / COMMENTSStudents are encouraged to submit commentsand/or suggestions for the Exchange newsletter.Next issue of the Exchange newsletter will beSeptember 2010.XCHANGE 8

Enjoy your summer holidays….take time torelax and rejuvenate!XCHANGE 9

Research From HomeHere are five of the best databases to start looking for articles in Nursing. You can also see ourfull list of Electronic Resources.EBSCO CINAHL Central source for nursing and allied health literature. Includesinformation on audiology; nutrition and dietetics; occupational, physical and respiratorytherapy; speech-language pathology and consumer health.SAGE Full-Text Collections Full-text collection of multi-disciplinary databases such asCommunication Studies, Criminology, Education, Health Sciences, Management andOrganization Studies, Materials Science, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology andUrban Studies and Planning.SAGE Journals Online Full-text access to over 460 journals in Business, Humanities,Social Sciences, and Science, Technology and Medicine.ScienceDirect Full-text access to articles from 1,700 Elsevier journals covering thesubject areas of science, social sciences, arts, and humanities.SpringerLink Full-text access to articles from over 1,500 journals in the following subjectareas: life sciences, chemical sciences, geosciences, computer sciences, mathematics,medicine, physics & astronomy, engineering, environmental sciences, law, and economics.Accessing the Library’s Electronic Resources1. Go to the Library homepage: http://library.stfx.ca/2. From the right side of the page choose Electronic Resources3. Select the database you wish to search4. Respond to the Proxy Server when prompted, by using your WebFX User Name andPassword (You can also use these generics:Username: sfxcinPassword: nurseYour Password expires every three months and can be changed online:1. Go to the StFX homepage: http://www.stfx.ca2. Click on WebMail3. Log in using your WebFX User Name and last Password4. You will be told that your password has expired and given the opportunity to change it.For problems with off-campus library access please contact Pam MacLeanat 902-867-3890 or pmaclean@stfx.caXCHANGE 10

PART-TIME POST RN DISTANCE NURSING PROGRAMSTentative Master ScheduleDATESCIENCE & ELECTIVES15 thCYCLE16 thCYCLE17 thCYCLE18 thCYCLE19 thCYCLESept. 2011 N488▲ CHEM 150, BIOL 251 N415 N201 N135Nov. 2011 N494, N490▲ N300 N330 N115Jan./Feb. 2012 N483▲, BIOL 252, N473 ▲ N425 N205▲April 2012 N202, N405, N497▲ N245May/June 2012 BIOL 105, BIOL 115Sept. 2012 BIOL 105, BIOL 251, N488 ▲ CHEM 150D N415 N201 N135Nov. 2012 N494, N490 ▲ N300 N330 N115Jan./Feb. 2013 N483 ▲, Biol 115, Biol 252, N230, N473▲ N425 N205▲April 2013 N202, N494, N497▲ N245May/June 2013 Biol 105, Biol 115Sept. 2013 Biol 251, N488▲, Chem. 150D N415 N201 N135Nov. 2013 N494, N490 ▲ N300 N330 N115Jan./Feb. 2014 N483▲, BIOL 252, N473▲ N425 N205▲April 2014 N202, N497▲ N245May/June 2014 BIOL 105, BIOL 115Sept. 2014 BIOL 105, BIOL 251, N488▲ CHEM 150D N415 N201Nov. 2014 N494, N490▲ N300 N330Jan./Feb. 2015 N483▲, BIOL 252, N473▲N425April 2015N202, N497▲May/June 2015 BIOL 105, BIOL 115Sept. 2015 BIOL 105, BIOL 251, N488▲CHEM 150D N415Nov. 2015 N494, N490▲ N300•• Indicates Prerequisites for all other nursing courses▲ = denotes computer-based courses with BlackboardCertificate in Gerontological Nursing: N115, N425, N245, and N488Certificate in Continuing Care: N135, N115, N205, and N425Revised May 2011XCHANGE 11

Instructions for Students – Registration and BeyondTuition Tax Receipt InstructionsAttention GraduatesBANNER SelfServiceFACULTY• Enter Grades• Enter OverrideSTUDENTS• Register For Courses• Print T2202A receipt• Web Registration TutorialmesAMIS LoginFACULTY• Class Lists• Enrollment Stats• Transcripts, etc.STUDENTS• Important Notices• View / Print ...• Grades• Transcripts• Exam Schedules• Online Forms• View/Update Address• Enter Off Campus AddressSTAFF• Corporate InformationReportsREGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS1. Go to the StFX home page at www.stfx.ca2. Click on the BANNER/mesAMIS text link at the bottom of the page.3. Click on STUDENTS on the left side of the BANNER/mesAMIS portal page to enter the Info and Self-Service login page. Please click on the Web Registration Tutorial link located on the left-hand side of thescreen for a complete STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL for registering on line. SEE diagram on following page.IMPORTANT NOTE: Students should select FULL ACADEMIC YEAR 2011-2012 for registration in theSeptember coursesXCHANGE 12