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2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Nursing BSN (Pre-licensure)
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Students enter the university as declared nursing majors (pre-nursing), this eight-semester nursing program covers four academic years. The curriculum focuses on the provision of care and the promotion of health for individuals and families. Students gain proficiency through both class (theory) and laboratory (practicum/clinical) experiences in a variety of settings. The first year includes general education courses, cognate courses, and NRSG 215 - Introduction to Professional Nursing Concepts . Transfer students will take NRSG 215 - Introduction to Professional Nursing Concepts in the Spring Semester of their Sophomore year. An independent admissions process by the Department of Nursing is required for students who wish to enter the pre-licensure program (see admission requirements). The program is comprised of on-campus courses and clinical practica. Students will be charged a professional fee each semester. Students are encouraged to apply for entrance into the professional nursing program prior to completion of the spring semester of their freshman year. Nursing application needs to be submitted by May 15, of the admission year.
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Major: Core Requirements— 65
Major: Additional Requirements
Practicum
Undergraduate nursing practicum: In nursing classes with a practicum, a ratio of four clock hours will be required for each semester of clinical credit. For example, a 1-credit clinical course meets for 60 clock hours, a 2-credit clinical course meets for 120 clock hours. Undergraduate nursing laboratory: In nursing classes with laboratory hours, a ratio of two laboratory clock hours will be required for each semester of laboratory credit. For example, a 1-credit laboratory meets for 30 clock hours in the semester. Clinical hours are indicated in the bulletin in the course description. Experience
Program Completion Students who enter as Freshman, are expected to complete the BSN Pre-Licensure program within 6 years (maximum). Students who enter as Sophomores, are expected to complete the BSN Pre-Licensure program within 4.5 years (maximum), beginning with NRSG 216 - Fundamentals of Nursing Theory and Practice. Early Admission Requirements
The Early Admission track is available to incoming freshman students that have not attended college or university as a full-time student who meet the criteria below and complete the additional Department of Nursing requirements for acceptance into this track (medical requirements, background check & drug screen). This track ensures direct admission into the professional nursing program when progression criteria are met. Students must maintain cognate and overall GPA > 3.00 to continue in the program.
High School Cumulative GPA: 3.5
ACT Math, Science, and English & Reading Score: Individual scores of 22 or higher in each subject Regular Admission Requirements
Application for admission may require a minimum of six weeks for processing evaluation. The deadline for applications for May 15 to be considered for entry into the nursing program in the Fall Semester. - Minimal overall GPA of 3.00
- BIOL 221, 222, PSYC 301, FDNT 230, PSYC 101, CHEM 110
- Minimal combined GPA for cognates of 3.00. A grade of C or higher is acceptable for any cognate course.
- A math placement score of P2 or above; or successful completion of College Algebra MATH 145 or a higher level math class with a grade of C or better; or SAT 540/ACT 20 or above in math scores.
- If you are a transfer student, evidence of taking a college algebra class with a C grade or higher will satisfy the nursing program admission requirements. Whether a Math Placement Exam is needed or not needed is determined by the Department of Mathematics.
- Nelson Denny Reading Test score of 15 or SAT 540/ACT 20 or greater in Reading & English score.
- An acceptable criminal background check from company recommended by Department of Nursing— https://portal.castlebranch.com/NS39.
- A urine drug screen is required before admission and yearly after. Some clinical sites may require different drug screen times. Drug screens are completed by https://portal.castlebranch.com/NS39.
- Physical examination report that must include:
a. Tuberculin skin test (if positive a chest x-ray is required, will be evaluated individually) and yearly evaluation thereafter
b. Proof of immunization or serum immunity for MMR1 and MMR2 (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), T-dap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), and Hepatitis B
c. Proof of immunization or serum immunity for varicella-zoster
d. Annual flu shots taken October–December - All students are required to have BLS Healthcare Provider Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA).
- Depending upon the situation, a student may be required to have an interview
- Meeting the minimal requirements does not guarantee admission.
- All nursing students must be accepted into the nursing program by the Andrews University Department of Nursing Admissions, Progressions, Retention and Grievance (APRG) Committee before entering into any nursing class. Students must apply for admission to the nursing program by May 15. Typically this process is begun while taking NRSG 215: Introduction to Professional Nursing Concepts. Early admission students meeting progression requirements will automatically progress to sophomore year of the nursing program without additional application process
- All students must complete the following cognate courses prior to entering the nursing program:
- NRSG 215 - Introduction to Professional Nursing Concepts —needs to be completed during the freshman year at Andrews University or during the first year of residency as a transfer, LPN, or 2nd degree student.
- Cognates (Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Human Development, Nutrition, Psychology and Statistics) older than five (5) years will not be accepted as credit and will need to be retaken as a class for credit or take a standardized challenge exam, such as the CLEP as approved by the Department of Nursing.
- ADA Accommodations: Andrews University accepts and appreciates diversity in its students, including students with learning and other disabilities.
If you feel that you have a learning, psychological, emotional disability it is mandatory that it be formally documented by the Andrews University Counseling & Testing Center, Berrien Regional Education Service Agency or other source recommended by the above two agencies. This document is required for accommodation to be granted. Less obvious physical disability requires documentation by University Medical Specialties.
If you qualify for accommodations under the American Disabilities Act, please see your instructor and advisor as soon as possible for referral and assistance in arranging such accommodations.
NOTE: Students have the right to reapply to the program one time. Progression
- A GPA of at least 3.00 overall must be maintained throughout the nursing program.
a. Should the GPA fall below 3.00, the student will be placed on departmental academic probationary status and may not be allowed to progress based upon a decision by the Andrews University Department of Nursing Admissions, Progressions, Retention and Grievance (APRG) Committee.
b. If probationary status is granted by the committee, student will continue to progress, but the probationary status is valid for only one academic year and not renewable.
c. Students not meeting the 3.00 GPA requirement after the one-year probationary status will be dismissed.
d. Probationary status will not be granted for students going into the senior year.
- Before progressing to senior year, all courses on the curriculum guide through junior year must be completed. Only senior level general education courses per nursing curriculum can be completed in the senior year
- Only a grade of C and higher is accepted in cognate courses and a grade of B- or higher in nursing courses. Students may be allowed only one C+ grade in nursing courses before dismissal.
- To better enable all nursing students in the continual pursuit of excellence in nursing, all students must: a. Pass each nursing class with a grade of 80%, equivalent to a “B-” or higher, and b. Have a test grade average of 80% or higher. The test average of 80% is applicable to all nursing classes, except NRSG 215 Introduction to Professional Nursing Concepts and NRSG 445 Nursing Research. nursing_handbook_20170815_2.indd 14 8/21/17 8:56 AM 15 The grading system for each class will be: 100–93 A 90–92 A- 83–86 B 80–82 B- 77–79 C+ 75–76 C 70–74 C- 60–69 D Below 60 F Nursing courses with a practicum component will require the student to successfully pass both the theory and practicum sections in order to receive a passing grade for the course.
- When a student fails the clinical portion of a course, the student has failed the entire course. If a student withdraws from a nursing course, or changes from credit to audit due to potential failure, the student must understand that withdrawal is considered failure of the course.
- Repeating courses:
a. Required cognates may be repeated only once
b. Nursing courses:
i. Only one (1) C+ grade in nursing courses is permitted in the program. This policy does not apply to courses with clinical failure. The second C+ grade or below will result in dismissal from the program. Students have the option to reapply one (1) time to the program. Reapplication does not guarantee readmission.
ii. Readmission is considered on an individual basis only by the APRG Committee. The application should be accompanied by a letter from the applicant showing evidence of professional growth achieved during the time out of the program (i.e. Nurse tech/CNA, mission work, improving cognate, remedial study skills with student success) and employment.
iii. The student may be interviewed by the APRG Committee before a final decision is made. If a student is readmitted and he/she fails one more nursing course or voluntarily withdraws from any nursing course they will be dismissed from the program.
iv. May be repeated only once if the student is readmitted to the program.
- A medication dosage calculation test is required at the beginning of each clinical course beginning with NRSG216 Fundamentals of Nursing Theory and Practice. All medication calculation and remedial tests must be completed within the first three weeks of course start date. The passing score is 90%. Students are not permitted to attend clinicals until a test is passed. Students will have three opportunities to pass a medication dosage calculation test. If two failures occur, the student must demonstrate evidence of remedial training before attempting a third test. Failure to pass the test after the third try will result in clinical failure, which translates to course failure. (See course syllabus.) Students then have the option to withdraw from the course.
- For NCLEX success the recommended “time frame” for completing the undergraduate nursing degree is 3–4 years, beginning with the sophomore year. To this end students are provided a curriculum guide to follow as advised.
- Any student returning to the program that has been absent for one year must show competency theoretically and/or clinically with a standardized test passing score as determined by the nursing department in order to progress in the program. The primary nursing instructor for each class will make an evaluation and recommendation to the Admissions, Progressions, Retention and Grievance (APRG) Committee, who will then make the final decision. Please be aware of the following:
a. This will require a minimum of at least six weeks processing time.
b. If a student does not pass the evaluation, they are required to retake the class(es) before progressing in the program.
c. Competency may be evaluated only once.
d. Students will be responsible for the testing fees.
- Any student that is transferring from another accredited bachelor’s degree nursing program into the Andrews University bachelor’s degree nursing program, may have their Fundamentals, Pathophysiology and/or Health Assessment transferred. However, they must first undergo an evaluation of this class work to determine if the requested transfer of credits is adequate and/or appropriate. The primary nursing instructor for each class will make an evaluation of theoretical and clinical knowledge of the transfer course(s) and make a recommendation to the Admissions, Progressions, Retention and Grievance (APRG) Committee that will then make the final decision.
Methods of evaluation may include:
• NLN, Kaplan or other valid and reliable standardized tests
• Final grade for the nursing class (minimum score of 80% required)
• Course syllabus
• Clinical skill assessment (if determined by course content)
- Petitions may be submitted to the Admissions, Progressions, Retention and Grievance (APRG) Committee.
• A student may petition credit transfer to the APRG Committee through their advisor.
• Petitions are normally submitted for the purpose of accepting comparable credits earned previously or at another location.
• Petitions for exemption from prerequisites and specific departmental policies are not normally considered.
• Students should petition for unusual or uncontrollable circumstances, upon the advice and with the consent of their advisor.
• Petitions must include the student’s signature and their advisor’s signature, then be submitted to the chairperson of the APRG Committee. Petitions are placed in the student’s permanent file following the final decision.
- Students are allowed to pre-register for nursing courses pending admission into the program. Adding or dropping courses on time is the student’s responsibility.
- In order to progress in clinical courses, students must renew the following requirements:
a. Tuberculin skin test (if positive a chest x-ray is required, will be evaluated individually) yearly
b. Annual flu shots taken October–December
c. Annual background check and drug screen
d. American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification (every two years)
- Be expected to complete the BS Pre-licensure program within 3–4.5 years, beginning with NRSG 216— Fundamentals of Nursing Theory and Practice.
- A successful completion of the nursing exit examination is required in NRSG 416 (Comprehensive Overview) before graduation.
Maintaining Academic Standing
- Nursing courses must be taken in the required sequence.
- A percentage as stated in the Department of Nursing Handbook is required to pass each nursing course.
- A test average as stated in the Department of Nursing Handbook is required for identified nursing courses.
- No grade lower than a B- is accepted in any undergraduate nursing course.
- A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for cumulative cognate GPA (with no grade lower than a C in any cognate) and cumulative overall GPA.
- Independent study courses cannot replace required nursing courses.
- Maintaining a current certification of the American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR course.
- There is an annual review of required health care competencies. (Please see the Department of Nursing Handbook for specifics.)
- Class attendance is required: The Department of Nursing will uphold University Policy.
- Clinical attendance is required: Please see the Department of Nursing Handbook.
- Student will be asked to withdraw from the nursing program if one or more nursing courses are failed at any time.
- Student will be required to show competence via a standardized external exam and remediation before progressing to certain classes.
- Academic performance alone does not ensure completion of the nursing preparation. Students must also continuously meet acceptable professional ethics, disposition and safety standards as determined by the admissions and progressions committee.
- A urine drug screen must be completed 20-30 days prior to the start of the first clinical rotation and at the beginning of each academic year.
- Annual flu shots are required.
- Annual criminal background check is required.
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