Mar 28, 2024  
Mansfield University 2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing


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Offered by the Department of Health Sciences
Professors Sheehe (chairperson), Wright, K.
Associate Professors Evans, Maisner
Assistant Professors Decker, Feeney, Hicks, Klesh, Lanzara, Materese, Oakes, Zaparzynski
Instructors Carapella, Ferrito, Greer, Hanlon, Kotchka, Runyan, Vosburgh


Mansfield University’s Department of Health Sciences offers a nursing program that blends the resources of a public university and regional medical centers. This combination leads to a program that is both academically and clinically strong. The curriculum provides a solid background in nursing as well as the liberal arts and sciences.

Students who are unlicensed spend their first two years on the Mansfield campus taking courses in general education and nursing. The second two years are at the Sayre site where they engage in a wide range of clinical experiences at the Robert Packer Hospital and other community hospitals. Students also have opportunities to learn in community settings such as nursing homes, elementary and secondary schools, nursery schools, and outpatient clinics, in addition to traditional public health agencies. The use of simulation as a learning strategy is an integral part of the curriculum for unlicensed students. Students who are already licensed as professional nurses, take courses that build on their previous education and nursing background. The overall objectives for both licensed and unlicensed students are to enhance intellectual curiosity, build clinical judgment, improve communication skills, and develop therapeutic nursing skills which provide the foundation for successful careers in professional nursing as well as strong underpinnings for graduate study.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326.  (404-975-5000; www.nlnac.org)

Mission

The mission of the Mansfield University baccalaureate nursing program is to prepare graduates who demonstrate clinical judgment, nursing knowledge, and interpersonal skills necessary to perform as professionals in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings.

Vision

The MU baccalaureate in nursing program will produce graduates who are recognized for their excellence in practice.

Values

The Mansfield University nursing faculty value the Mansfield Creed, and interpret the characteristics of the Creed in nursing terms as:

  • Character: Demonstrating integrity and professionalism
  • Scholarship: Generating knowledge and engaging in lifelong learning
  • Culture: Demonstrating cultural competence and promoting social justice
  • Service: Caring for and improving the lives of individuals, groups, and communities.

Program Goals

  • Integrate nursing knowledge with the liberal arts and sciences
  • Provide an environment that promotes nursing excellence, professionalism, and a commitment to lifelong learning
  • Promote faculty development in teaching, nursing practice, and nursing scholarship

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

  • Demonstrate clinical judgment through the application of theories, concepts and research from the scientific, humanistic, and nursing disciplines.
  • Implement therapeutic nursing interventions in the care of individuals, families and com­munities utilizing the nursing process in ­compliance with the ANA’s Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (2010).
  • Integrate communication skills required for the role of a generalist professional nurse as a practitioner, educator, collaborator, leader and advocate in providing health care for individuals, families and communities
  • Demonstrate legal, ethical, and professional behaviors and accountability in all nursing roles.

Policies and Procedures specific to the nursing major:

Admissions: Unlicensed - (Students who are not yet licensed RNs) Criteria for admission shall be the same as that for general admission to the University with these exceptions: Applicants must submit satisfactory reports of medical examination with specific immunizations prior to the opening of the school term, and have completed the following subjects in high school:

English, four (4) credits
History or Social Studies, three (3) credits
Lab sciences, two (2) credits (Biology and Chemistry required) (LPNs and RNs with integrated curricula may meet this requirement.)
Math, two (2) credits, one of which must be algebra  
The nursing program is looking for students who have at least a combined math and verbal score of 1000 on the SATs.

Admissions: Licensed

Graduation from an accredited nursing program
Minimum 2.7 GPA required

Minimum Academic Requirements for Licensed and Unlicensed Students: Students are subject to all university academic requirements. The following academic requirements apply only to continuance in the nursing program at the University.

  1. Required courses for the B.S. degree in Nursing (BSN) are not included in the University Pass/Fail policy.
  2. Students must be enrolled as a nursing major to enroll in NUR prefix courses.
  3. A grade of C or better must be achieved in all nursing (NUR) courses.
  4. An unsatisfactory grade in the clinical component of a nursing course will result in an F grade for the course.
  5. Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing must be completed within seven years.
  6. Program Progression:
    1. A student will not be allowed to register for NUR 3270, NUR 3271 and NUR 3370 if he or she has a cumulative GPA of less than 2.7
    2. Students must have successfully completed BSC 1121 and BSC 1122 (or equivalent course or instructor permission) with a grade of C to enroll in NUR 3270.
    3. Once a student meets the requirements of moving to upper division courses (NUR 3300 to 4999), he/she may proceed if his/her cumulative average falls below 2.7, if he/she has received a grade of C or above in all nursing prefix courses.
    4. If a first year student has not met nursing program standards by the end of the Spring term, he/she will be dropped from NUR prefix courses in which he/she has registered. All other students not meeting nursing standards will be dropped from nursing courses at the end of the semester during which they do not meet standards. When the student has met the nursing program requirements, he/she must contact the nursing program Academic Progression and Retention committee to see if a seat is available. The student can progress if a seat is available; a seat will not be saved for a student who has dropped below nursing program standards. If more than 40 students meet the standards for progression to the junior level, students who have consistently met program standards will be given priority. Decisions are made on grade point averages.
    5. A grade of C (C) or better in CHM 1110, BSC 1121, BSC 1122, BSC 3271 (or equivalent courses) is required to progress in the nursing program.
  7. Program Academic Dismissal:
    1. Students who fail to achieve a C grade or better after taking a nursing (NUR) course or anatomy and physiology course (BSC 1121 or BSC 1122) for the second time will be automatically dismissed from the nursing program.
    2. Only one nursing (NUR) course  or anatomy and physiology course (BSC 1121 or BSC 1122) may be repeated for the entire nursing program. If a student receives a C minus (C-) or below in a second nursing course, a second anatomy and physiology course, or one NUR prefix couse or one anatomy and physiology course, the student will be dismissed from the program.
    3. Students will not be readmitted to the nursing program after receiving a C minus (C-) or below in two nursing courses, two anatomy and physiology courses, or one nursing course and one anatomy and physiology course.
  8. Program Health/Background Requirements:
    1. Students must meet all clinical agency health and background check requirements. These may include specific background checks, urine drug testing, and a respirator fit test. CPR certification, specific immunizations, malpractice insurance and health insurance are required. Students will be expected to cover the cost of these items. If a student does not comply with any of these requirements, he/she will receive a failing grade in the clinical component of the course. Students’ academic and health information will be shared if requested in writing by clinical agency.
    2. Any new or existing health (or other) condition that may put the student, staff, faculty or patient in jeopardy must be reported to the nursing program faculty. Written documentation from a physician stating the student is safe to return to class and/or clinical must be submitted to the nursing program. If the nursing program faculty becomes aware that this policy has not been followed, program dismissal may result.
  9. Nursing Program Attendance Policy:
    It is imperative that students attend clinical experiences so that they can meet course outcomes. Make-up time is scheduled for each clinical course. If a student is absent from clinical experiences, there is no guarantee that he/she can meet course outcomes. If excessive time is missed, he/she may be in danger of not being able to meet course outcomes and may be asked to withdraw from the class.
  10. Students are required to purchase the ATI testing package that is used across the nursing curriculum.
  11. Background check information will be shared with clinical agency personnel. If agency personnel deem a student unfit for clinical experience in that agency and no other comparable experience can be found, the student will fail the nursing course.
  12. The Mansfield University nursing program endeavors to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and with University Policies regarding students with disabilities. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified students with disabilities who are able to perform the essential functions of our academic program in nursing. Students who are accepted into the program, and then discovered to be unable to perform these essential functions (with or without accommodation) may not be able to complete the program. Graduates who complete the program but are unable to perform certain competencies may experience significant roadblocks to, and in, the employment setting.


Licensure Eligibility in Pennsylvania: Applicants to nursing education programs in Pennsylvania should be aware of certain restrictions on obtaining a nursing license. Pennsylvania Public Law No. 317, No. 69, known as the Professional Nursing Law, places the following limitation on licensure eligibility.

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing may refuse, suspend or revoke any license in any case where the Board shall find that the applicant

  1. Has been convicted or has pleaded guilty or entered a plea of nolo contendere or has been found guilty by a judge or jury of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, or has received probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial or an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in the disposition of felony charges, in courts of this Commonwealth, the United States, or any other state, territory or county;
  2. Has committed fraud or deceit in securing his or her admission to the practice of nursing or to nursing school;
  3. Is unable to practice professional nursing with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of mental or physical illness or condition or physiological or psychological dependence upon alcohol, hallucinogenic or narcotic drugs or other drugs which tend to impair judgment or coordination, so long as such dependence shall continue

For a complete list of reasons why the Board may refuse a professional nursing license to an applicant, please see section 14 of the Professional Nursing Law, 63 P.S. § 224.

One semester hour of class = 15 clock hours; one semester hour of clinical experience = 45 clock hours.

Total Credit Hours: 93


Total Credit Hours: 101


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