Student Handbook
Armenian College of Nursing & Health Sciences — the authoritative reference for student rights, academic standards, clinical policies, and institutional governance.
Table of Contents
1.1 Mission
The Armenian College of Nursing & Health Sciences (ACNHS) is committed to preparing competent, ethical, and practice-ready nurses through academic rigor, clinical excellence, and structured institutional governance.
1.2 Institutional Status
ACNHS operates under the educational laws and regulatory framework of the Republic of Armenia and maintains institutional oversight consistent with national academic standards.
2.1 Program Description
The Pre-Licensure Registered Nursing Program provides structured theoretical instruction, laboratory practice, simulation training, and supervised clinical education designed to prepare students for professional nursing practice.
2.2 Graduation Requirements
Students must satisfy all of the following to qualify for graduation:
- Successfully complete all required nursing and general education courses
- Achieve minimum passing grades in all nursing courses
- Satisfy clinical competency requirements
- Fulfill attendance standards
- Meet all financial obligations
Student Rights
Students have the right to:
- 1Fair and impartial academic evaluation.
- 2Clear communication of course requirements and academic expectations.
- 3Written notification of all academic decisions affecting their standing.
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for:
- 1Adhering to all institutional policies and published academic standards.
- 2Maintaining professional conduct in all academic and clinical settings.
- 3Demonstrating ethical behavior consistent with the nursing profession.
- 4Complying with clinical safety standards at all times.
Academic dishonesty — including cheating, plagiarism, falsification of records, or unauthorized collaboration — is strictly prohibited and subject to immediate disciplinary action.
Professional misconduct, including unsafe clinical behavior or ethical violations, may result in disciplinary action, course failure, or program dismissal.
Academic dishonesty or professional misconduct may result in immediate course failure or program dismissal.
5.1 Purpose
This section establishes standards governing grading, attendance, clinical performance, appeals, remediation, and academic progression within the nursing program.
5.2 Grading Standards
The minimum passing grade for all nursing courses is 75%. A final grade below 75% constitutes course failure. Grades are reported to one decimal place.
| Percentage | Letter Grade | Academic Status |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | A | Excellent |
| 80–89 | B | Satisfactory |
| 75–79 | C | Minimum Passing |
| Below 75 | F | Failing |
5.3 Components of Evaluation
Final course grades are calculated using the following weighted components:
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Examinations & Tests | 40% |
| Assignments & Assessments | 15% |
| Clinical, Skills & Simulation | 25% |
| Attendance & Professionalism | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
(Exams × 0.40) + (Assignments × 0.15)
+ (Clinical × 0.25) + (Attendance × 0.20)
5.4 Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory for all didactic courses, skills laboratories, simulation sessions, and clinical rotations.
More than two (2) unexcused absences within a single calendar month may result in administrative course removal. Students will receive written notification of any administrative removal.
Attendance policies are strictly enforced to protect academic integrity and patient safety.
5.5 Clinical Performance & Patient Safety
Students must demonstrate safe and competent clinical practice at all times. Failure to meet clinical safety or competency standards may result in course failure regardless of the calculated numeric grade.
Clinical determinations may be reviewed for procedural fairness but are not subject to appeal based on academic judgment. Patient safety supersedes numeric grading in all circumstances.
Clinical safety overrides all other grade components. Patient safety is non-negotiable.
5.6 Grade Appeals
A grade appeal may be submitted only on the following grounds:
- Mathematical or calculation error
- Data entry or recording error
- Misapplication of a published institutional policy
Appeals must be submitted in writing within five (5) calendar days of grade posting. Decisions are issued in writing and are final.
5.7 Remediation Policy
Remediation is an academic support process. It does not replace earned grades and is offered at faculty discretion.
Eligibility requires all of the following:
- Final course grade between 70.0% – 74.9%
- Clinical performance deemed safe by supervising faculty
- Attendance requirements fully met
- No active professional conduct violations
Remediation limitations:
5.8 Course Repetition & Dismissal
Re-entry into the program following dismissal requires formal academic review and institutional approval.
Failure in two nursing courses constitutes automatic program dismissal.
Students are required to comply with all of the following at all clinical placements:
- Clinical site regulations and facility-specific protocols
- Uniform and identification requirements as specified by the program
- Patient and institutional confidentiality standards
- Professional appearance guidelines
Failure to adhere to clinical requirements may result in removal from the clinical placement and course failure.
Prior to and throughout clinical participation, students must maintain:
- All required immunizations as specified by the program and clinical sites
- Current CPR/BLS certification
- Health clearance documentation as required by institutional policy
Students are solely responsible for maintaining compliance with all health and safety requirements. Non-compliance may result in removal from clinical placement.
Electronic devices may not be used during examinations unless explicitly authorized by the presiding faculty member.
Academic dishonesty during any examination — including unauthorized use of AI tools, electronic devices, or external materials — may result in course failure or program dismissal.
Use of AI-assisted tools in academic work must comply with all institutional academic integrity policies.
Unauthorized use of technology during examinations is treated as academic dishonesty and subject to the full range of disciplinary measures.
Students may request voluntary withdrawal from the program by submitting a written request to the program administration.
Re-entry following voluntary withdrawal or academic dismissal is not guaranteed and is subject to formal institutional review and approval prior to readmission.
Students must satisfy all tuition and fee obligations in accordance with institutional payment deadlines and financial agreements.
Refund eligibility is governed by the institutional financial policy in effect at the time of withdrawal or dismissal.
Outstanding financial obligations may result in the withholding of academic records, transcripts, or graduation credentials until resolved.
Graduation from the Pre-Licensure Registered Nursing Program requires:
- Successful completion of all required program coursework
- Verified clinical competency as determined by program faculty
- Financial clearance from the institution
Completion of the program does not guarantee licensure in any jurisdiction. Licensure eligibility is determined solely by the applicable regulatory authority.
This handbook governs all students enrolled in the Pre-Licensure Registered Nursing Program at the Armenian College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
The College reserves the right to amend, supplement, or revise any policy contained herein as required by regulatory, legal, or institutional needs. Amendments are communicated to students in writing and take effect upon publication.
Students are responsible for remaining current with all published institutional policies and handbook updates.
All official identification documents, enrollment files, and student records require a passport-style photograph meeting the specifications below.
Figure A.1 — Official Photo Specification Diagram, Armenian College of Nursing & Health Sciences