Ambria College of Nursing

Faculty

Program Director: Catherine Schlosser

Christine Arms, Georgine Berent, Patricia Bowman, Jennifer Buraga, Malina Campos, Mia Chapple, Susan Cimino, Mariela Colbert, Mayra Correa, Laura Daniels, Cecilia Escamilla, Ja-Cobi Ewing, Stephanie Figueroa, Aleksandra Flakowicz, Kyle Goldberg, Nery Granillo, Richelle Hofilena, Lirong Hou, Amy Jorgenson, Kathleen Joyce, Andrea Kilroy, Malwina Kyczynska, Megha Mody, Margaret Neish, Monsurat Ogunleye, Eileen Pirela, Cynthia Rayford, Renee Spacapan, Mardy Wiedelman, Natalie Winters

Mission

To provide seamless nursing education in an environment of academic rigor that is based on the liberal arts and sciences to produce nurses who
are critical thinkers, lifelong learners and leaders in the profession.

Vision

The goal of Ambria College of Nursing is to become the premier provider of private nursing education for working adults in Illinois by
transforming students into caring, critical thinking, clinically competent nurses who are committed to excellence in practice and life-long learning.

Values

Ambria College’s values are manifest through:

• Faith
  Grounded in our Christian faith while valuing the religious freedom of others, we believe that God has a plan and purpose for each person to fulfill; and that a quality education provides the opportunity for each to reach their full potential.
• Respect
  We are dedicated to fostering safe educational environment where respect for each unique individual is demonstrated, where dignity is valued, and diversity is celebrated.
• Perseverance
  Firmly rooted in the belief that perseverance produces character, we are committed to supporting students through any struggles they may face while working to achieve their educational goal.
• Integrity
  Guided by strong moral principles, we believe that everyone has a responsibility to know and do the right thing. We are committed to the equitable treatment of all individuals by consistently applying the same established policies and procedures.
• Honesty
  We believe that maintaining honesty on campus, in clinicals, and within the nursing profession is a responsibility shared by all members of the Ambria community, including students, faculty, and staff.
• Dedication
  We uphold the value of dedicating oneself wholeheartedly and doing whatever it takes to complete a task or purpose. 
• Compassion
  We embrace compassion by demonstrating genuine concern for the needs of others in our community and taking the time and effort to serve a purpose greater than ourselves.

Student Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of a nursing certificate or degree program offered by Ambria College of Nursing, students will be able to

1. Develop problem solving and critical thinking skills
2. Develop intra- and interpersonal skills
3. Demonstrate effective written, oral, and social communication skills
4. Communicate ethical standards and legal guidelines associated with the nursing field

Accreditation

Ambria College of Nursing is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) for its PN and AASN programs.
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314 N. Falls Church, VA 22043
Phone: (703) 917-9503
Fax: (703) 917-4109
Email: info@abhes.org
Website: http://www.abhes.org

Ambria College of Nursing is an Education Agency Member of the National League for Nursing.
Website: http://www.nln.org/

Ambria College of Nursing’s associate nursing program is accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Website: http:// www.acenursing.org

Essential Functional Abilities

Nursing education is a rigorous program of study that will challenge students intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Students must be able to fully participate in both the academic and clinical setting in order to successfully complete the nursing programs. Based on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s (NCSBN) Validation study: Functional abilities essential for nursing practice, Ambria College has adopted the following essential functional abilities for nursing practice, which include but are not limited to:

Motor Functions/Sensory Abilities

• Mobility/gross motor skills including the ability to: maintain balance while sitting and standing; bend, twist, stoop/squat, climb; reach above shoulders and below waist; move within confined spaces.
• Fine motor skills including the ability to: use manual dexterity and use hands repetitively.
• Physical strength and endurance including the ability to: push, pull, lift, and support up to 50 pounds of weight; exert up to 100 pounds of push/pull force; walk and stand for long periods of time.
• Sensory capabilities including:
  • Hearing: Hear faint and normal speaking level sounds, faint body sounds, and auditory alarms.
  • Visual: See objects both close and distant; use depth perception and peripheral vision; distinguish both color intensity and color.
  • Tactile: Feel vibration and differences in surface characteristics; detect temperature.
  • Olfactory: Detect odors and the smell of smoke.

Cognitive Abilities

• Arithmetic skills including the ability to: read and understand charts/graphs; perform algebraic calculations; use measuring tools; calibrate equipment
• Analytical thinking skills including the ability to: process information and transfer knowledge from one situation to another; problem-solve and evaluate outcomes; prioritize tasks; exercise good judgment; address questions/concerns to the appropriate persons at the appropriate time.
• Critical thinking skills including the ability to: sequence information; identify cause-effect relationships; synthesize knowledge and skills.

Interpersonal/Communication Abilities

• Interpersonal skills including the ability to: develop therapeutic relationships with clients and family; establish professional relationships with diverse members of the educational and healthcare team; resolve interpersonal conflict respectfully; function effectively under supervision.
• Communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively in English, both in writing and speech, express feelings and ideas in a professional manner; provide/accept feedback respectfully; use computer technology proficiently.

Emotional/Behavioral Abilities

• Emotional stability including the ability to adapt to unexpected changes and function effectively in stressful situations; monitor and manage own emotions; empathize with the feelings and situations of others.
• Behavioral skills including the ability to follow policies and procedures required by academic and clinical settings; adhere to academic/professional policies/codes of conduct; abide by HIPAA guidelines.

Students are required to be able to perform the functional abilities and activities/tasks with or without reasonable accommodations as required by law. In order to be considered for an accommodation, the student must notify the Student Services Coordinator of his/her special needs and provide the required medical documentation during the admissions process.

Health Records

Students must notify the school of any changes to their health record. Students who have a change in health status during the nursing program (i.e., injury, illness, pregnancy, childbirth) must submit an updated Health Clearance Form in order to continue or resume participation in clinical experiences. Furnishing false information, misrepresentation, or failure to disclose required information at any time is a violation of Ambria College of Nursing policies and will result in disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

All students seeking to enroll in the Ambria nursing programs are required to undergo the following background checks: criminal record, health-care fraud and abuse, Patriot Act terrorism check, as well screening through the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) performed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Program acceptance is contingent upon the results of the background checks. Background checks completed prior to enrollment at Ambria College of Nursing are not valid.

The student shall provide authorization to Ambria College of Nursing for the required background checks to be performed. It is the responsibility of applicants to know if there is a possibility of any convictions on their record, and to seek any legal counsel in sealing or expunging the record(s). Once the background check results are reported, students with any records of criminal conviction(s) or DCFS finding(s), will be dismissed from Ambria College without eligiblity for readmission.

Background checks must be updated annually for continued eligibility. Students with any records of criminal conviction(s) or DCFS finding(s) reported on the updated background check will also be dismissed from Ambria College without eligibility for readmission.

Graduation from Ambria College of Nursing programs does not guarantee licensure. A graduate who applies for an Illinois license as a practical or registered nurse may be denied licensure for the following reasons:

• Conviction for a criminal offense in a state or Federal court (other than minor traffic violations)
• Physical impairment or disability that could interfere with the ability to practice nursing
• Addiction or excessive use of alcohol, narcotics, barbiturates or other habit-forming drugs
• Present or past diagnosis and treatment for chronic physical, mental, or emotional illness, including substance abuse

Alcohol and Drug Screening

All students seeking to enroll in any of the Ambria nursing programs are required to undergo an alcohol and drug screen. Program acceptance is contingent upon the results of the alcohol and drug screen, which must be updated throughout the program as required by affiliating agencies. In addition, “for cause” testing may be required. Students with any positive alcohol or drug results will be be dismissed from Ambria College.

Outside Work Expectations

Nursing is a rigorous program of study that requires participation inside the classroom as well as work outside the classroom. Discussion and class activities are central to learning in the classroom. To fully participate in the course, you are expected to have completed each reading assignment PRIOR to the class meeting for which it was assigned. For each hour of lecture/laboratory instruction, students are expected to spend three (3) hours a week on average, completing out-of-class work (i.e. reading, assignments, studying, etc.). In addition to the published hours in the course, outside preparation hours are also specified on the syllabus based on the time required for students with an average adult reading rate and average college writing skills. A slow reader or weak writer will need more preparation time. These are the minimum expectations. If you are putting in these hours and are still struggling academically, you will need to devote even more time to your studies.

Academic Requirements

ACADEMIC PROBATION

You must pass the lecture, lab, and clinical component concurrently in order to pass the course. If you must repeat a course, you must repeat all of its components. Students who fail a course will be placed on academic probation and restricted to part-time enrollment. Enrollment in the failed course must take place the next time the course is offered, based on the availability of and space in the course. (Priority placement will be given
to students progressing in the program as scheduled).

The same course may be repeated only once. If a passing grade is not achieved in the second attempt, the student will be dismissed from the program. No more than two courses may be repeated. Students who fail a third course will be dismissed from the program.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

Students may be dismissed from Ambria College nursing programs for the following reasons:

• Failure to satisfy requirements while on Academic Probation
• A second failure in a repeated course
• Failure in three courses
• Three unsuccessful attempts of the same course
• Failure to achieve a 2.0 GPA after completion of the first semester at Ambria (only applies to students admitted into the program on probationary status)