Mar 29, 2024  
Mansfield University 2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing


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Offered by the Department of Health Sciences
Professor Wright, K.
Associate Professors Maisner
Assistant Professors Bach, Decker, Feeney, Klesh, Lanzara, Oakes, Reynolds, Zaparzynski
Instructors Carapella, Dziuba, Ferrito, Greer, Korgeski, Kotchka, Marsiglio, Merrill, Powers, Runyan, Srendenschek, Sullivan, Varner


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 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. The overall objectives of the program 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 program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326.  (404-975-5000; www.acenursing.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

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: Prelicensure (Students who are not yet licensed RNs)

Criteria for admission shall be the same as that for general admission to the University with the following 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 1060 on the 2016 or later version of SATs.

In cases where a student does not meet the minimum admission criteria for the prelicensure BSN program for one or two of the criteria by a close margin (e.g. combined SAT score of 1000-1050 on a 2016 or later SAT exam or a “C+” in chemistry instead of a B), the student may elect to take the TEAS test.  If the student earns the minimum recommended score (“proficient”), he/she will be considered for a seat in the prelicensure nursing program.  The cost to each student is approximately $66.00.  The TEAS test would be offered once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester by a nursing faculty member either at the MU main campus or at the Sayre site.

Minimum Academic Requirements for Prelicensure 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. The number of nursing students admitted to the program is limited. A maximum of 40 seats are available at the junior level.
  2. Required courses for the B.S. degree in Nursing (BSN) are not included in the University Pass/Fail policy.
  3. Students must be enrolled as a nursing major to enroll in NUR prefix courses.
  4. Program Progression:
    1. A grade of C or above must be earned in all nursing (NUR) courses.
    2. An unsatisfactory grade in the clinical component of a nursing course results in an F grade for the course.
    3. A grade of C (C) or above in CHM 1110, BSC 1121, BSC 1122, BSC, 3271 (or equivalent courses) is required to progress in the nursing program.
    4. A cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher is required to enroll in the following nursing courses: NUR 3270, NUR 3271, NUR 3370 or NUR 3371 (depending on which semester the student moves to the Sayre site); and NUR 1100, if the course is being repeated.
    5. Students must have successfully completed BSC 1121 and BSC 1122 (or equivalent course) with a grade of C or above to progress to NUR 3270.
    6. Once a student reaches upper division nursing courses (NUR 3300 to 4999), he/she may progress if his/her cumulative average falls below 2.7 providing the student has earned a grade of C or above in all nursing prefix courses.
    7. If a first year student has not met nursing program standards by the end of the spring term, he/she is dropped from NUR prefix courses in which he/she has registered. All other students not meeting nursing standards are dropped from nursing courses at the end of the semester during which they do not meet standards. The student will be notified in writing by the nursing program at the end of each semester if he/she has not met nursing program 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.
    8. If more than 40 students meet the standards for progression to the junior level, students who have consistently met program standards are given priority. For those who have not consistently met the standards for progression, decisions are based on grade point averages.
  5. Program Academic Dismissal:
    1. Students who fail to achieve a C grade or above after taking a nursing (NUR) course or anatomy and physiology course (BSC 1121 or BSC 1122) for the second time are automatically dismissed from the nursing program.
    2. Only one nursing (NUR) course or anatomy and physiology course (BSC 1121 or BSC 1122) can 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 course and one anatomy and physiology course, the student is dismissed from the program.
    3. Students are not 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.
    4. If a student is dismissed from the nursing program because of grades, he/she will not be readmitted to the nursing program.
    5. Students dismissed from the nursing program are still Mansfield University students unless they are officially dismissed from the University.
  6. Other Program Policies:
    1. If a student withdraws from the University for any reason, he/she is not guaranteed re-admission to the nursing program. If a student is not registered for at least one course during any semester, he/she is considered a “no-show” and must reapply to the university. If a nursing student drops all nursing courses, but is still an active University student, the student can progress in the nursing program only if a seat is available when he/she wishes to resume nursing courses (providing the student has met all the academic standards).
    2. A student is only re-admissible to the nursing program if it has been less than two (2) years since taking his/her last nursing course. If it has been greater than two (2) years since the last nursing course was completed, the student must repeat the entire level from which they withdrew. (Example: if a student withdraws from the University during the junior level, he/she must repeat the entire junior level.) Note: Students who have not met nursing program academic standards are not re-admissible to the nursing program.
    3. Students wishing to transfer from other schools/nursing programs who do not meet the standards stated above will not be admitted to the MU nursing program.
    4. Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical experiences. Clinical experiences begin at the sophomore level. If a student cannot attend clinical experiences because of a lack of own transportation, he/she is at risk of not meeting clinical course student learning outcomes, possibly resulting in failure of the course.
    5. Each senior nursing student is required to take the ATI Comprehensive Predictor Examination during the semester in which the student is expected to graduate. The Comprehensive Predictor examination is not associated with a particular course but is still a program requirement for graduation. In addition to having to take the examination, students will also be required to engage in 2 hours of remediation through ATI.
  7. Registration Restriction:
    1. All students who have consistently met all nursing program academic standards and have made continuous progression in the nursing program will take precedence over those students who have not met nursing program standards or who have not continuously progressed in the nursing program.
    2. A maximum of 40 students will be permitted to register for junior and senior level nursing courses each semester. If more than 40 students are eligible to enroll in junior or senior level nursing courses, student selection is based on students’ grade-point-averages (GPA).
  8. Online Nursing Courses:
    1. The only online nursing courses prelicensure BSN students are allowed to register for are nursing elective courses. Other online nursing courses are for RN to BSN students only. Prelicensure BSN students will not be allowed to enroll in these courses.
  9. Program Health/Background Requirements:
    1. Students must meet all clinical agency health and background check requirements. Drug tests are required. American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support CPR certification; specific background checks; specific immunizations; PPD testing; malpractice insurance; proof of health insurance; and education regarding Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting are required. Students are 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 are 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 patients 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.
  10. Nursing Program Attendance Policy:
    It is imperative that students attend clinical experiences so that they can meet student learning outcomes of the course. 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 the student learning outcomes of the course. 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.
  11. Students are required to purchase the ATI testing package that is used across the nursing curriculum.
  12. 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.
  13. The only online NUR prefix courses prelicensure BSN students are allowed to take are nursing elective courses.  Other online nursing courses are for licensed RN/BSN students only.  Prelicensure BSN students will not be allowed to enroll in these courses. 
  14. 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 the academic/clinical 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.

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