Nursing Education

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 Department of Nursing Education’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 in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791
(http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation).

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 must 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 in their sophomore year 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. Completion of NURS 310 Lifespan Health Promotion in Nursing ;
3. Cumulative grade point average of 2.7.
4. Must achieve grade C or above in the following courses: BIOL 225 /BIOL 227 ; BIOL 226 /BIOL 228 ; BIOL 302 ;CHEM 120 /CHEM 120L ; CHEM 122 /CHEM 122L ; mathematics and statistics; and NURS 310 ;
5. Submit a Department of Nursing Education application for admission; and
6. 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. Attend annual nursing assembly as scheduled;
4. Adhere to the policies in the Department of Nursing Education Student Handbook;
5. Undergo a criminal background check and drug screen, according to the procedure specified by the Department of Nursing Education;
6. Complete all course work within three years of admission into the nursing program;
7. Pay a required special fee for standardized testing.
8. Maintain personal health and medical malpractice (liability) insurance each semester;
9. Have iTouch or Smartphone technology and access to a personal computer and printer; and
10. 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 department chair for clarification prior to admission. Details are requested when the graduate makes application for licensure.

R.N.-to-B.S.N. Track

The R.N.-to-B.S.N. track is designed to expand the registered nurse’s education. This program provides flexibility with a wide continuum of education and experience, based upon advisement and development of an individual growth plan. Previous education and experience are evaluated through the use of a professional portfolio. The expected competencies of R.N.-to-B.S.N. graduates are the same as those for graduates of the generic baccalaureate program.

R.N.-to-B.S.N. Admission Process

The following must be submitted to the department chair one month prior to beginning the first nursing course:

1.  Department of Nursing Education admission application;
2. Official transcript copy on file;
3. Admission interview with advisor;
4. Proof of:
   1. current West Virginia R.N. license
   2. American Heart Association Basic Cardiac Life Support for the the Health Care Provider CPR certification
   3. Health data information (including immunizations)
   4. Medical malpractice (liability) insurance
   5. Personal health insurance
   6. Criminal background check
   7. Drug screen 
5. A professional portfolio which includes: 
   1. Current resume
   2. Continuing education/certification
   3. Professional goals for completing the program
   4. Professional activities for the last three years (committees, professional organizations, etc)
   5. Community service in nursing/health-related activities
6. Required GPA of 2.7

Articulation: R.N.s who have graduated from a state-approved and nationally-accredited associate degree nursing program will receive 41 nursing credits. After completing NURS 442 , students may be given credit for NURS 330 , NURS 331 , NURS 332 , NURS 334 , NURS 340 , NURS 341 , NURS 342 , NURS 430 , NURS 431 , NURS 432 , NURS 438 , NURS 444 , and NURS 445 . Completion of NURS 510  waives the requirement of NURS 310 .

R.N. to B.S.N. Track Requirements
It is expected that RNs will complete most of the required Core Curriculum   courses before applying to the nursing program.  Please see your advisor for assistance in program planning.

R.N.s will be required to take 23 credits of nursing courses to include:

1. NURS 333 Health Assessment  
2. NURS 335 Nursing Informatics  
3. NURS 344 Human Genetics with Ethical Applications  
4. NURS 437 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice  
5. NURS 442 Patient-Centered Care: Population Health  
6. NURS 443 Leadership  
7. NURS 510 Health Care Delivery Systems: Political, Social, and Economic Influences  

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;
3. Satisfy pre- and corequisite requirements as scheduled.

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.