School of Nursing

Vision Statement
We will be a nationally respected community of nurse leaders where passion, purpose, and experience unite to inspire health in individuals, families, communities, and populations.

Mission Statement
Shepherd University’s School of Nursing’s mission is to enhance the health status of the world by educating professional nurses for practice in a rapidly changing health care environment. We are dedicated to the university core values of learning, engagement, integrity, accessibility, and community.

Program Goals
The goals of the BSN program are to prepare a graduate who is able to:

1.  Integrate a background of liberal arts with the knowledge, skills, and values of professional nursing in order to affect the health of the patient.

2.  Practice professional nursing utilizing skills in communication, clinical judgment, patient-centered care and professionalism.

3.  Engage in teamwork with members of the intra- and inter-professional health care team promoting safe, quality, cost-effective, patient-centered care.

4.  Engage in self-care, service, lifelong learning, and continued scholarship.

Accreditation
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses
101 Dee Drive
Charleston, WV 25311
304-558-3596

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Shepherd University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Admission to the B.S.N. Program

The generic student seeking enrollment in the B.S.N. degree program must meet the requirements for admission to Shepherd University, as stated in the University Catalog. Freshman and sophomore students will be designated as pre-nursing students and will be advised by nursing faculty. The B.S.N. program is a limited enrollment program (see section titled Admission to Limited Enrollment Programs).

Students become candidates for admission into the nursing program upon meeting the following criteria:

1. Eligible to complete the 59 lower-division course hours as identified in the pre-nursing curriculum prior to matriculation.
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.7.
3. Must achieve grade C or above in the following courses: BIOL 225 /BIOL 227 ; BIOL 226 /BIOL 228 ; BIOL 302 ; CHEM 125 /CHEM 125L ; mathematics and statistics; NURS 320 ; NUTR 318  ; PSYC 101 ; and SOCI 203 .
4. Submit a School of Nursing application for admission; and
5. Meet with academic advisor by March 1 for intended enrollment in the fall semester or October 1 for intended enrollment in the spring semester.

Special Requirements of Nursing Major

1. Submission of completed health data requirement prior to July 1 following acceptance into the program for fall semester and December 1 following acceptance into the program for the spring semester;
2. Submission of yearly PPD results (or chest x-ray, if appropriate) and evidence of American Heart Association Basic Cardiac Life Support for Healthcare Professionals CPR certification prior to July 1 of each year if admitted in the fall and December 1 if admitted in the spring;
3. Adhere to the policies in the School of Nursing Student Handbook;
4. Undergo a criminal background check and drug screen, according to the procedure specified by the School of Nursing;
5. Complete all course work within three years of admission into the nursing program;
6. Pay a required special fee for standardized testing.
7. Maintain personal health and medical malpractice (liability) insurance each semester;
8. Have iTouch or Smartphone technology and access to a personal computer and printer; and
9. Meet the core performance standards of the nursing program.

Graduation
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council of Licensure Exam (NCLEX) Registered Nurse (R.N.) exam.
 

Eligibility for Licensure
The nursing law of West Virginia addresses criteria for application for licensure. The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses has the power to deny opportunity to procure licenses through testing if the applicant has willfully committed a felony under the laws of West Virginia. Any student entering the nursing program who has committed any illegal offenses (felony or misdemeanor) is encouraged to discuss these matters with the school director for clarification prior to admission. Details are requested when the graduate makes application for licensure.

Progression
In order to progress and to graduate, the student enrolled in the B.S.N. program must:

1. Earn a minimum of C in each nursing course;
2. Maintain a minimum of 2.0 cumulative grade point average;

Ratio Clock to Credit Hour
The ratio of theory clock to credit hour is 1:1. A 2:1 ratio of clinical clock hours to credit hours in maintained. A clock hour equals 50 minutes.