SECTION II: Policies and Procedures for all Students
Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS)
The Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS) assists students in developing learning strategies and improving study habits, critical thinking skills, and career management skills required to be successful in academic performance and professional advancement. It does so within the context of promoting a healthy balance between personal and professional goals. CAPS services include assistance with writing and math skills, library and database searching, mentoring, resume writing and other career advancement services, and wellness services. These services are based on a belief that academic success and professional growth occur within strong mutual connections with peers and faculty. Students can self-refer themselves for any CAPS service on the SON website.
Counseling on Careers/Graduate Study: Link to section
Classes and workshops are offered on job search techniques, resume preparation, and interview skills. Following these sessions, students are encouraged to seek individual help with resumes, cover letters, etc., by meeting with their advisors and the CAPS Career Coach. Baccalaureate students contemplating graduate study are strongly urged to review the SON website for degree offerings, and discuss their plans with their advisors, members of the nursing faculty, Program Directors, and/or the Admissions Office Staff for their program of interest.
Writing Skills: Link to section
Faculty members expect that all required papers prepared by students will be carefully typed (double-spaced) and proofread prior to submission. Papers are expected to be well written in terms of logical composition, grammar, and spelling. Properly citing referenced material, paraphrased content, and direct quotations is essential to satisfactorily complete written assignments in the School of Nursing. Failure to follow these basic requirements may subject a student to censure. If a faculty member judges that a paper does not meet these basic writing standards, the paper may be returned to the student ungraded and the student may be required, at the faculty member's discretion, to rewrite the paper prior to it being graded for content. Additionally, at the faculty member's discretion, the final grade of the revised paper may be adjusted downward. Most importantly, a charge of academic misconduct for plagiarism may be made by a faculty member for failure to give credit to sources used (see the section Policy on Academic and Professional Integrity for details of the policy). Any policies about seeking ungraded critique, grading, and rewriting papers are determined by individual course faculty and described in each course syllabus.
Formatting, citations, and references for papers written for SON coursework must comply with the current APA format unless directed otherwise by course faculty. Students are encouraged to purchase a copy of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association: The Official Guide to APA Style (American Psychological Association [APA], 2020) for reference (see full reference below).
At a minimum, students are expected to adhere to the following APA guidelines for submitting papers at the SON:
The title page includes:
The full title of the paper (centered upper third of the page, upper and lower case [title case], bolded) followed by a blank line prior to the author’s name.
Author name (no degrees or titles) o Affiliation (i.e., University of Rochester School of Nursing).
Course number and title, professor’s name, and due date, all on separate lines, if desired.
Page number goes in the upper right-hand corner on all pages (title page starts with 1)
Abstract (only if required by faculty) goes on a separate page.
Repeat the full title of the paper at the top of the first page of text (centered, upper, and lower case [title case], bolded).
Headings and subheadings are used appropriately throughout the manuscript.
1” margins at top, bottom, right, and left on every page.
Left alignment for the body of the paper, including references; do not use justified margins.
Font should be 12-point Times New Roman unless directed otherwise by course faculty.
The manuscript is double-spaced throughout, including references.
Citations for all ideas, quotations, and references are used.
Citations in the correct format in the manuscript text (Author, date).
Direct quotations identified by quotation marks or indented blocks (if >39 words).
Citation and page number given for all direct quotations (Smith, 2006, p. 159).
Direct quotations are used sparingly; the focus is on paraphrasing and synthesis of ideas.
Language does not introduce bias (e.g., gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation).
References in the required format, on a separate page, labeled References (centered, bolded).
Tables, figures, and appendices follow the APA format.
Students are also advised to use a contemporary dictionary, thesaurus, and a manual on writing skills when preparing papers. For example, The Elements of Style (Strunk & White, 2000; see full reference below) is an excellent, classic resource that students may wish to use.
Other writing resources include:
Oxford English Dictionary -online version is available through the Edward G. Miner Library
Students who anticipate, or are experiencing, difficulty in writing should be encouraged to promptly discuss their concerns with their course faculty. Students may also consult their academic advisor or the CAPS program regarding available resources, including a writing tutor and additional course support.
References for texts noted above:
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association: The 61 official guide to APA style (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2021). A writer’s reference (10th ed.). Bedford / St. Martin’s.
Strunk, W., Jr., & White, E. B. (2000). The elements of style (4th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
Libraries Link to section
All full and part-time students, faculty members, and staff of the University may use any of the University libraries. The University ID card serves as a library card. The major libraries are the Edward G. Miner Library (serving the School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Strong Memorial Hospital), and Rush Rhees Library (serving River Campus). Students also are welcome to use other UR libraries, including the Basil G. Bibby Library at Eastman Institute for Oral Health. Graduate students seeking literature to prepare theses are encouraged to use the Miner and Rush Rhees libraries.
Miner Library, 1-6220 (275- 3361), has a comprehensive collection and subscribes to thousands of electronic journals and hundreds of electronic books. Visit the Miner Library website to access all electronic resources or use the library tab in Blackboard. Miner Librarians are available on call Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Miner Library also has PCs and Macs available for use and includes various software and access to resources. Miner Library is available to all students 24/7 with swipe access located at the 1-6010 entrance by the Employee Pharmacy.
Darcey Rodriguez is the librarian who supports the School of Nursing. You can book an appointment with her here.
The School of Nursing Guide is a valuable tool to find answers to questions, view tutorial videos on searching, and learn more about available resources.
We can help you learn to search the literature quickly and effectively in databases like PubMed or CINAHL.
Explore library-supported citation managers: EndNote and RefWorks.
Learn about choosing Miner resources best suited to your specific research needs.
Tours of Miner Library are available for all new students and faculty and can be scheduled by contacting Darcey Rodriguez.
Interlibrary Loan & Digitization Services Link to section
Miner Library’s Interlibrary Loan & Digitization Services are available to UR nursing students via ILLiad, our resourcesharing management system. You can create or access your ILLiad account here.
Library staff will obtain books, book chapters, and articles that are unavailable from Miner Library’s collections from other libraries on your behalf. It generally takes 1 - 2 business days to fill a journal article or book chapter request and approximately 7 - 10 days to fill a book request. However, most requests are filled sooner.
Articles and book chapters available from Miner Library’s print collection will be scanned for you by library staff and have a general turnaround time of 24 hours, Monday - Friday.
You will be notified via email when a PDF of an article or book chapter has been delivered to your ILLiad account or a book is ready for pick up at the Miner Library Answer Desk.
Note: The link to Illiad gives a warning if you are using a VPN. You may receive a request to block or allow the site, once allowed, you can log in.
Interlibrary Loan and Digitization Services are provided free of charge.
For additional information, please visit the Interlibrary Loan & Digitization Services webpage or refer to the ILL FAQs. You may also contact us by calling (585) 275-3361 or emailing Miner ILL.
Printing and photocopying at Miner Library Link to section
To print or make photocopies, you can use your UR ID or purchase a print/copy card at the Library. $5 cards are available for purchase at the Miner Library Answer Desk (cash only). Preloaded $5 print/copy cards cannot be reloaded. Once the funds on the card are exhausted, you would need to purchase a new card.
To use your UR ID
You will need to have funds in your Rocky Bucks (formerly URos) account. Rocky Bucks accounts are automatically activated for incoming SON students and ready for funds to be added.
To add funds:
Log in to your Blackboard account.
In the Financial Services section, select Dining and URos eAccounts.
Click Sign In, enter your Active Directory and password.
Minimum deposit is $25.
For questions regarding Rocky Bucks accounts, contact River Campus ID Office, Susan B. Anthony Hall - Room 114A, at mealplans@services.rochester.edu or 585-275-8756.
In addition to printing and copying services, Rocky Bucks can be used for purchases at:
Campus-based dining facilities and coffee shops, including:
Medical Center: Café 601, Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters
All campus and ESM Dining Halls: Danforth, Douglass, The Pit, ESM
Convenience: Hillside Market, Common Market, Grab & Go, California Rollin
Coffee: Starbucks, Connections, Peets, The Brew
Vending machines
Barnes & Noble Bookstore at College Town and Eastman School of Music
Campus Mail Center for shipping and postal needs
Tickets for events
Some College Town Retailers