Basic BSN Student

Program Description

It is recommended that students interested in pursuing a BSN degree successfully complete, as a part of their secondary school education, a minimum of 4 units of English, 3 units of social studies, 2 units of mathematics, including algebra, and 2 units of science with related laboratories.

Students interested in a career in professional nursing may complete the course requirements for a baccalaureate degree in four academic years. Students admitted to the University enter the freshman year as “Exploring Nursing” students and are admitted as sophomores into the Department of Nursing as nursing majors when all prerequisites have been met.

First year students should follow the recommended sequence of required courses for the nursing major. Each student desiring a nursing career is assigned an academic advisor, who is a member of the nursing faculty, for guidance and consultation regarding academic progression.

Transfer Credit

1. Transfer credit is granted in a manner consistent with University policy. Each course is individually reviewed by the Registrar, the Director of the Nursing Program, and/or members of related University disciplines for judgment concerning transfer of credits. When transfer credit is evaluated, only those courses which fulfill degree requirements for the BSN degree will apply. Other credits may transfer to the University, but they will not be applied to the nursing curriculum.
2. College credit and/or advanced placement is granted if a student successfully passes the Advanced Placement Tests of the College Entrance Level Examination Program (CLEP), in accordance with University policy.
3. For some courses, departmental examinations for credit have been prepared to validate prior learning.
4. In some cases, other mechanisms to validate prior learning and to receive credit may be used.

Admission to the Department of Nursing: Nursing Major, BSN Student

1. Achievement of at least a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 (on a scale of 4.00) in the nursing major by the end of the second semester of the “Exploring Nursing” year.
2. Completion of 24 credits of required courses in the nursing major with a grade of C or higher in all courses.
3. Completion of anatomy and physiology with a grade of C or higher during the freshman year.
4. Completion of clinical requirements and criminal clearance background checks by July 31st.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) is an exam designed to measure English language proficiency among non-native English speakers in academic settings. The Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University has adopted designated TOEFL iBT scores as a component of the admission requirements for non-native English speakers who apply to the baccalaureate nursing program. The TOEFL iBT must be taken within two years prior to being considered for admission to the Department of Nursing. The following results are required for each area of the TOEFL iBT as an admission requirement:

Total Score	Reading Score	Listening Score	Speaking Score	Writing Score
84	17	17	26	24

All nursing students should be aware that satisfactory completion of the professional nursing program does not automatically entitle a student to apply for registered nurse licensure or to take the licensing exam. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing shall not issue a license of certificate to an applicant who has been:

1. convicted *(1) of a felonious act prohibited by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as the “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act”; or
2. convicted *(2) of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States of any other state, territory or country unless:
   1. at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
   2. the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure should not create a substantial risk or further violations; and
   3. the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in this act.

* A person convicted of any felonious act may be prohibited from licensure by the Board of Nursing at any time.

Act 33-34 Clearance (Criminal Record Check)

It is the responsibility of the student to obtain criminal clearances.

Transfer students wishing to apply for admission to nursing in a given year should do so by June 1st of the academic year in which they wish to enroll.

If a student fails to meet the requirements for admission, he or she may appeal the decision to the Department of Nursing Admission and Progression Committee. This appeal must be in writing. Note: The availability of educational and clinical resources influences the number of students admitted each year to the nursing program.

Progression Policy – Nursing Majors

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in the nursing major (on a 4.00 scale) in order to progress to the junior year (third level) and senior year (fourth level) of the nursing program. Admission and progression GPAs are not rounded. Students must satisfy all clinical prerequisites prior to enrollment in clinical courses.

All required courses in the nursing major must be completed with a grade of C (2.00) or higher and students may repeat only one nursing course. Students may repeat any one nursing course only once. All required courses in general education must be completed with a grade of C or higher and students may repeat any two general education courses only once. Additional nursing major course grades and general education course grades of C- or below (1.70 or lower on a 4.00 scale) will result in dismissal from the nursing program. Students can withdraw from only two required courses in the nursing major. A student cannot repeat any course the student has already completed and passed with a grade of C or above.

ATI Testing

At the end of NUR 202, 322, 325, 402, 415, 416, 419, and 426, students will take the proctored version of the ATI exam specific to each course. Designated proficiency levels are required for successful completion of each course and progression to the next level of the curriculum. Please see individual course syllabi for specific information related to ATI exams.

Math Competency Test

Students in all clinical courses (excluding NUR 201/202 and NUR 415) will take and pass a medication administration quiz the first week of the semester. Please see the BSN Program Guide and individual course syllabi for additional information.

All courses in the first and second years of the nursing curriculum must be completed before progression to the third year. All courses in the third year of the nursing curriculum must be completed before progression to the fourth year.

If a student fails to meet nursing requirements for progression, he/she may appeal the decision to the Department of Nursing Admission and Progression Committee. This appeal must be in writing.

Withdrawal (Voluntary) – Nursing Majors

Students wishing to withdraw voluntarily from the program or seeking a leave of absence must make an appointment to discuss the matter with the Director of the Nursing Program, and then write a letter verifying the resignation. Students also must follow University policy regarding withdrawal from the University. Non-attendance does not constitute official withdrawal from the program. The date of receipt of the letter becomes the official date of resignation from the program.

Dismissal Policy – Nursing Majors

All required courses in the nursing major must be completed with a grade of C (2.00) or higher and students may repeat only one nursing course. Students may repeat any one nursing course only once. All required courses in general education must be completed with a grade of C or higher and students may repeat any two general education courses only once. Additional nursing major course grades and general education course grades of C- or below (1.70 or lower on a 4.00 scale) will result in dismissal from the nursing program. Additionally, if the faculty finds that a student does not meet standards considered necessary for successful performance as a professional nurse, the student will be dismissed. These standards include, but are not limited to, level of achievement, health, and personal conduct.

Reinstatement – Nursing Majors

Students who withdraw from the nursing program must apply for readmission in a matter consistent with University policy. Additionally, students who have been admitted to the nursing program and then withdraw from the program must apply for reinstatement in writing to the Department of Nursing. A student applying for reinstatement must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) in order to be eligible for reinstatement. A student who has stepped out of the nursing program for one or more semesters will be required to take a course to validate maintenance of prior learning to ensure safe standards of care.

Graduation Requirements – Nursing Majors

Nursing students are eligible for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree upon completion of all nursing and University requirements and successful completion of 125 credit hours within seven years of initial program enrollment.

Expenses – Nursing Majors

Additional costs by students will include uniforms, books, required health examinations, diagnostic tests, immunizations, costs related to clinical requirements, including first-aid, CPR certification, liability insurance, transportation costs to and from clinical agencies, and criminal clearance fees. Additionally, there are costs associated with required standardized testing, requirements for licensure and a licensure review course, simulation, and clinical laboratory fees as established by the University.

Nursing courses may not be taken without admission into the Department of Nursing except in special circumstances with the permission of the Director of the BSN Program and the faculty member teaching the course. For a more complete description of all policies and procedures in the Department of Nursing, please refer to the current BSN Program Guide.

Required Courses

Under “Recommended Sequence” below, a number indicates the year during which it is recommended that the course be taken (i.e., 1-first year; 2-second year, etc.); a letter indicates that the course should be taken during a particular semester (i.e., F-Fall; S-Spring). This is a recommended sequence which will be individualized based on the course rotation schedule and in consultation with the faculty advisor.

Department	Course Number	Credits	Course Title	Recommended Sequence Year/Semester
BIO	215	4	Microbiology	2F
MAT	215	3	Applied Statistics I	3
NUR	105	2	Orientation to Professional Nursing (This course satisfies LSK 101 requirement)	1
NUR	201	3	Fundamentals of Nursing	2F
NUR	202	3	Fundamentals of Nursing	2S
NUR	206	3	Pharmacology	2S
NUR	207	3	Pathophysiological Foundations for Nursing Care	2F
NUR	209	3	Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice	2S
NUR	225	1	Issues in Aging	2F
NUR	228	1	Health Care Policy, Finance and Regulatory Environment	2S
NUR	305	3	Physical Assessment of the Adult	3F
NUR	321	9	Nursing Care of the Adult Patient with Chronic Illness	3F
NUR	322	8	Nursing Care of the Adult Patient with Acute Illness	3S
NUR	325	4	Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing	3S
NUR	401	1	Advanced Critical Thinking I	4F
NUR	402	1	Advanced Critical Thinking II	4S
NUR	408	1	Professional Issues in Nursing	4S
NUR	415	5	Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family	4
NUR	416	5	Nursing Care of the Childrearing Family	4
NUR	419	4	Clinical Prevention and Population Health (This course satisfies SLR 105)	4
NUR	425	3	Advanced Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice	4F
NUR	426	7	Leadership in Professional Nursing Practice	4
PSY	107	3	Human Development: A Life Span Perspective	2

Required Courses which Meet General Education Requirements

Department	Course Number	Credits	Course Title	Recommended Sequence Year/Semester
___		3	Any Art, Music, or Theatre course	2
BIO	206	4	Human Anatomy	1F
BIO	207	4	Human Physiology	1S
BMS	105	3	Introduction to the Old Testament or BMS 106 Introduction to the New Testament	2
CSC	105	3	Introduction to Computer Science or BUS 142 Business Foundations II or COM 126, Principles of Design	1
COM	228	3	Business and Professional Speaking	3
ENG	101	3	College Composition I or ENG 187 Honors College Comp. I	1
ENG	102	3	College Composition II or ENG 185, Introduction to Literary Studies or ENG 188 Honors College Comp. II	1
ENG	___	3	Any Literature course	3
HIS	___	3	Any History course	1
MAT	106	3	Beginning Algebra (Or any elective if Math Placement scores are sufficient)	1
PHL	205	3	Ethics or PHL 216 Health Care Ethics	3
PSY	105	3	Introduction to Psychology	1
SOC	105	3	Principles of Sociology or SOC 106 Societies	1
WBE	108	1	Fiat Lux	1

There are 125 credits required for this major.