Nursing B.S.N.

OSRHE Program Code: 104
CIP Code: 513801

Major Code: 7880

(For Registered Nurses)

Purpose

The Nursing, B.S.N. degree provides registered nurses (R.N.s) a 30-credit hour upper-division program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The mission of the program is to provide educational mobility for associate degree and diploma-prepared nurses and to provide preparation for graduate education in nursing. The curriculum, designed to build on the student’s previous education and experience, prepares nurses for professional nursing practice. Major areas of emphasis include family nursing, community health, leadership, and research. Graduates are prepared to provide primary health care in diverse settings; to provide education to individuals, families, and community groups; and to continue lifelong learning.

Accreditation

Northeastern State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org) located at 230 North LaSalle Street. Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411.  The HLC can be contacted at 800-621-7440 or by email at info@hlcommission.org.   All programs offered by the University are approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (655 Research Parkway, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-225-9100) and by the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (3555 N.W. 58th Street, Suite 320, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, 405-942-8817).

Specialty Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing (ACEN), (http://www.acenursing.org) located at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN may be contacted at 404.975.5000 or https://www.acenursing.org/contact-us/. The ACEN is a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. 

Credential Requirements

As a prerequisite for admission to the RN to BSN Program, applicants must be registered nurses or pending completion of the National Council State Boards of Nursing Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN).  Students who have completed general education courses and the first semester of an associate degree nursing program may be admitted as concurrent nursing students. Those who have completed the first semester of an associate degree nursing program and possess an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or non-nursing bachelor’s degree, may also be admitted as concurrent nursing students. 

Diploma-prepared nurses and those from non-Higher Learning Commission accredited nursing programs must successfully complete nursing proficiency tests.  Credit for lower-division nursing content will be awarded to those who successfully complete the tests and the first semester of the RN to BSN program. All applicants must provide immunization requirements, professional liability insurance, evidence of CPR training, and a completed national background check and drug test (see Admission Requirements below).

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Partner with patients and other health care professionals to provide primary health care through health promotion, protection, and restoration, and end of life care.
2. Apply the nursing process, based on current knowledge and theory, to provide holistic care directly or indirectly to diverse patients across varied environments.
3. Manage information, technology, and other resources effectively.
4. Initiate change by leading, advocating, and partnering with professionals, communities, and populations to improve health and health care.
5. Contribute to the professional development of colleagues.
6. Build skills in critique and use of research.
7. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional practice and lifelong learning.

Program Timeline

The minimum time required to complete the program is 10 months, provided the student meets all other Nursing and University graduation requirements. Students working full-time typically complete the program in 16 months. Students may take a maximum of five years to complete the program after enrolling in nursing courses. All nursing classes are online and originate from the Muskogee campus. The class schedules address the needs of many RNs who work full-time and attend school part-time. Two courses (NURS 4115 Community Health Nursing and NURS 4294 Professional Nursing Synthesis) contain one credit hour arranged field experiences (64 clock hours). Arranged field experiences are usually scheduled during the weekday and conducted in the general area of the students’ residences or employment. Independent nursing studies (1-2 credit hours) are available to address specific interests and elective hour needs.

Program Goals

1. Provide the diploma and associate degree nursing graduate with a broadened educational base for improvement of nursing practice.
2. Offer a baccalaureate program in nursing that instills lifelong learning and provides basic preparation for graduate education in nursing.
3. Provide a nursing program designed to meet the needs of the state, region, and nation by preparing RNs at the baccalaureate level to practice professional nursing in diverse roles and settings.
4. Facilitate students’ mastery of knowledge and skills essential to professional nursing.
5. Enable students to broaden their knowledge base through selected general education, prerequisite, and support courses.
6. Provide an educational environment that will foster professional development and personal growth of students and faculty.
7. Promote faculty and student involvement in activities relating to the promotion of health of individuals, families, communities and society.

Philosophy

Northeastern State University is strongly committed to excellence in instruction, to appropriate basic and applied research, to educational outreach and service, and to cultural activities that enhance the quality of life in the region and state. The university’s mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate education leading to bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees in selected areas, and a doctoral degree in Optometry. The philosophy and objectives of the Nursing Program are in accord with the mission and purposes of the University. The nursing faculty shares beliefs about the person, environment, society, health, nursing, learning, and professional nursing education that form the philosophy of the nursing program.

The Person is viewed as a unique, holistic individual worthy of respect and dignity. Each person is an interrelated physical, mental, social and spiritual system. The person is an experiencing and perceiving individual, family, community, or population who interacts with the environment and is the focus of nursing. Each person, during the dynamic process of development, strives for well-being, is responsible for individual health, and exercises the right of choice regarding health needs.

The Environment reflects two interrelated components. First, the internal environment comprises all dimensions of the person. Second, the external environment, or everything outside the person, comprises multiple dimensions that affect the person. Patterns of interaction between the internal and external environment make each individual, family, and community unique.

Society, the context of nursing, is dynamic and pluralistic. It is made up of persons who live together as families and communities with their own value systems. Society is characterized by diverse groups and populations. Within groups, the family is the fundamental and most significant unit and is self-defined. Patterns of interaction within the family affect the health of individuals, families, and communities.

Health is a dynamic state of well-being in which the potential of a person is realized to the fullest extent possible. It is a continually evolving and varying process and state. Health is an experience that is often expressed in terms of wellness and illness and may occur in the presence or absence of disease or injury (ANA scope and standards of practice, 2015). Persons are active participants in achieving health. The professional nurse is a role model and seeks to empower individuals, families, and communities to accept self-responsibility and accountability for their own well-being.

Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations (Guide to nursing’s social policy statement, 2015). Central to the practice of professional nursing is the value of altruism reflected by concern for the welfare of persons. Nursing is a scientific discipline validated through research. The art of nursing encompasses caring and partnering with individuals, families, communities, and populations as they strive toward meaningful health. Nursing employs the nursing process with persons in their environments. Nursing assists in the mastery of developmental tasks, knowledge, and skills necessary to promote, attain, and maintain health.

Teaching/Learning is a reciprocal exchange of knowledge, beliefs, values, attitudes, and skills that promotes lifelong learning. Teaching is the facilitation of mutual learning that requires partnering, sharing experiences, and creating a collaborative educational environment that fosters critical thinking. Learning is the outcome of teaching that can be reflected in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Teaching/learning seeks to advance growth through experiences that promote a sense of excitement, curiosity, creativity, and discovery.

Professional nursing education is the integration of liberal, science, and nursing concepts and theories to facilitate acquisition and refinement of knowledge, beliefs, values, attitudes, and skills reflected in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Based on a philosophical foundation of valuing student success and supporting professional role development, the concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines form the structure of the nursing curriculum. Professional nursing education prepares students to practice as professional nurses in diverse roles and settings.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope & standards of practice. Washington, DC.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Guide to nursing’s social policy statement: Understanding the profession from social contract to social covenant. Washington, DC.

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission to the upper-division major in nursing, the student must be a registered nurse or have successfully completed the first semester of an associate degree nursing program and have an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science, or Non-Nursing Bachelor’s degree.  Diploma prepared graduates and those from non-HLC accredited nursing programs must successfully complete nursing proficiency tests. Credit for lower-division nursing content will be awarded to those who successfully complete the tests and the first semester of the nursing program.

1. Complete NSU Undergraduate Application and Nursing Supplemental Form.
2. Submit official transcripts from each school attended to NSU Office of Admissions and Recruitment, 701 N Grand Avenue, Tahlequah OK 74464-2300. Electronic transcripts may be sent to admissions@nsuok.edu.
3. Have an overall GPA of 2.0 with no grade below a “C” in nursing (upper and lower-division) and lower-division nursing courses.

UPLOAD THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION IN THE DOCUMENT TRACKING SYSTEM:

4. Provide RN license verification as soon as available.
5. Supply immunization documentation including PPD, 2 MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, TDaP, and annual Influenza.
6. Submit both sides of current signed American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card or eCard.
7. Provide professional liability insurance policy face sheet with limits of $1,000,000/incident and $3,000,000/aggregate.
8. Complete national background check and drug test.

Progression and Retention

Students progress through the program by earning a grade of “C” or better in all upper division nursing support and nursing courses. In combined theory and field experience courses, a passing grade of “C” or better in each component must be received in order to pass the course. There is no minor in nursing.

In the case of unethical, illegal or unprofessional behavior, or violations found in the Unsafe Nursing Practice Policy, the Nursing Admission, Retention, and Promotion Committee will investigate, impose any sanctions, and determine retention in the program. Such violations may also be subject to disciplinary actions under the university conduct code and/or the relevant Nurse Practice Act.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation is dependent on attaining all hours required by the degree and the university, all minimum proficiencies required by the university, and an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better. Any elective hours must be completed by graduation.

Grades

Grades for lecture and field experience requirements are consistent with the university policies and follow a standard scale of A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), and F (0-59). Course graded materials and activities include, but are not limited to, scholarly papers, presentations, reports, exams, class participation, field experience performance, and evaluations. Grievance mechanisms for academic appeals usually begin with the instructor, and subsequently may involve the program chair, department chair, college dean, academic vice president, and finally, the university president. Grievances for other concerns may be referred to the university’s student grievance committee for resolution.

Handbook

The Nursing Student Handbook contains additional information specific to nursing students admitted to the program. Any student with a disability whose condition prohibits achievement of any admission, promotion, or retention requirement may petition for waiver.