Mar 28, 2024  
Mansfield University 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing


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Offered by the Department of Health Sciences


The Bachelor of Science Program in Nursing is designed to blend the resources of a public university and multiple clinical affiliates, leading to a program that is both academically and clinically strong. Students spend their first two years at the Mansfield University main campus completing general education and introductory nursing courses. The last two years of the program are completed in Sayre, Pennsylvania at the Guthrie-Mansfield Education Center. Students have the opportunity to learn in regional medical centers and community settings, such as long-term care facilities, public schools, correctional facilities, and occupational, mental health, pediatric, and other outpatient clinics. Students also have clinical experiences in home health, hospice, and public health agencies.

Completion of the Nursing Program prepares graduates who possess the knowledge and skills to be proficient in beginning nursing practice and leadership.

This program provides a strong background in nursing as well as the liberal arts and sciences. 

The Mansfield University B.S.N. program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

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 Mansfield University’s 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

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)
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 and a high school GPA of at least 3.25.

Transfer into the Nursing Major:

Nursing program admission standards for college transfer students:

 

Students will be considered for transfer into the nursing major at either freshman or sophomore level, based on the students’ GPA, science course grades, and availability of seats. Meeting program standards does not mean students will be automatically admitted to the nursing program, as seats must be available.

 

  • 2.7 cumulative GPA or higher.  (Grades in ENG 0090 and MA 0090, or any remedial courses, will not be included in GPA calculation for admission to the nursing program).
  • Grades of C or above in:
    •  BSC 1121, BSC 1122 or equivalent anatomy and physiology courses
      • Students must earn a C or higher on the first attempt in these courses to be considered for transfer into the Nursing major.
    • CHM 1110 (Survey of Chemistry, Introductory, Organic, and Biological) and  BSC 3271 (Microbiology for Health Sciences), or equivalent courses
      • If the student earns less than a C in either of these courses, the course may be repeated. The student will be considered for transfer upon successful completion of the course, earning a C or above.

 

Please note the following:

  • Students who have not completed BSC 1121 and BSC 1122 (or equivalent courses) will be considered for admission into freshman level.  This will add a minimum of 4 years for program completion.
  • Students who have completed BSC 1121 and BSC 1122 (or equivalent courses), meeting the grading criteria listed above, will be considered for admission into sophomore level.  This will add a minimum of 3 years for program completion. 

If a student meets requirements for admission at the sophomore level but no seat is available, the student will be offered a seat at the freshman level, if seats are available.

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.

·  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. A “C” grade in the nursing program is 78%.
  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 1100, NUR 3270, NUR 3271, NUR 3370 or NUR 3371 (depending on which semester the student moves to the Sayre site).
  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 1100 and 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 did 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.
  • Academic Probation Policy for All Nursing Students
  1. Students with an overall GPA below 2.7 at the end of a single semester are placed on academic probation by the nursing program. 
  2. Students on academic probation are required to meet with their advisor, and either/or the Chairperson of the Academic Progression and Retention Committee (APRC)/Nursing Program Director at the beginning of the next semester, preferably during the first week.  At that mandatory meeting, the Chairperson of APRC or Nursing Program Director will review any previously developed plans for success and make additional recommendations, if necessary.
  3. Students whose overall GPA is 2.7 or above at the conclusion of their probationary semester are removed from probation. 
  4. Students whose overall GPA is below 2.7 for a second consecutive semester are academically dismissed from the nursing program. Dismissals are processed through the Academic Progression and Retention Committee (APRC).

 

·  Program Academic Dismissal:

  1. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 is the minimum required for continuation in the BSN program. Students will not progress to junior-level nursing courses in Sayre if their GPA falls below a 2.7.
  2. Students whose overall GPA is below 2.7 for a second consecutive semester are academically dismissed from the nursing program.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. If a student is dismissed from the nursing program because of grades, he/she will not be readmitted to the nursing program.
  7. Students dismissed from the nursing program are still Mansfield University students unless they are officially dismissed from the University.
  8. Students dismissed from the program must complete a change of major form and seek academic advising from that department.
  • 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 he/she 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 a NCLEX Predictor Examination during the semester in which the student is expected to graduate. The specific NCLEX predictor exam will be determined by the nursing program. The predictor exam will reside in the NUR 4411 Case Studies in Nursing course, with one exception. Any students expected to be December graduates, will be guided through the process by the nursing program director during the students’ last semester. In addition to being required to take the examination, students will also be required to engage in a minimum of 2 hours of remediation.
  6. In order to attend a nursing pinning ceremony and receive a pin, students must have completed all nursing program requirements.

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).

Program Health and Criminal History/Background Check Requirements:

  1. Program health requirements, criminal history/background checks, and any other affiliate requirements are necessary for all NUR prefix courses, starting at the sophomore level in NUR 3270. If any of the requirements are not completed, students will not be permitted to attend nursing lab or clinical experiences and will receive a failing grade for the NUR course. See the undergraduate nursing student handbook for program-related health and criminal history/background check requirements.
  2. Students must meet all clinical affiliate health and criminal history/background check requirements. Drug tests are required. A positive drug test may result in dismissal from the nursing program. American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support CPR certification; specific criminal history/background checks; specific immunizations; 2-step PPD or other TB testing (e.g. Quantiferon Gold); 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Requirements of clinical affiliates can vary by semester and the nursing program must comply with them in order to conduct clinical experiences at those affiliates. Students will be notified by the nursing program if/when any of those requirements change. Students are expected to comply with any updated requirements in order to attend clinical experiences.
  5. Students should refer to the most current version of the BSN Program Nursing Student Handbook for information on any clinical requirement updates.

Nursing Program Attendance Policy:

  1. It is imperative that students attend clinical experiences so that they can meet student learning outcomes of the 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.
  2. Health requirements and criminal history/background check information will be shared with clinical affiliates. If affiliate personnel deem a student unfit for clinical experience in that agency the student will fail the nursing course.

Americans with Disabilities:

The Mansfield University Nursing Program endeavors to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with University Policies regarding students with disabilities. The nursing program provides reasonable accommodations to all students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements as outlined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, equipment, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to fulfill the requirements necessary for graduation from the nursing program. To be eligible for accommodations, a student must have a documented disability of (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or, (c) be regarded as having such a condition.

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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