Nursing, Part-Time, B.S.

Nursing

Mission

In accordance with Neumann University’s Mission and Vision Statements, the purpose of the Nursing Program is to enhance professional nursing practice and to foster the provision of quality nursing education and care in the Franciscan tradition to persons of diverse populations and in varying circumstances and environments. By linking Franciscan values and tradition with a strong liberal arts and professional education, graduates of the Nursing Program will have the knowledge and skills that are required for competent, ethical, professional practice; for lifelong development of that practice; for advanced study in nursing; and for fulfillment of professional and social responsibilities.

Philosophy

Franciscan values and tradition not only strengthen the liberal arts and professional education essential for the professional nurse within contemporary society but also underscore the Neumann nurse’s dedication to the holistic care of the human family. Hence, Neumann University students learn within a caring educational community where responsibility, ethical behavior, respect for persons, and self-growth are emphasized. Through the educational process, students develop critical thinking, professional accountability, advocacy, leadership, and collaborative skills which are necessary for their strategic roles in health care. Franciscan values reflect a central focus of care for clients within their environments and with consideration of the global community.

The Neuman Systems Model, developed by nursing theorist Dr. Betty Neuman, serves as a guiding curricular principle of the Nursing Program. By incorporating the physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, developmental, and spiritual variables which interrelate to create a unique person, this Model provides an organizing structure for holistic nursing care. As students are taught to apply this Model throughout the Nursing curriculum, evidence-based care for clients (individuals, families, or communities) is provided in order to maintain a state of health, which is constantly subject to change along a continuum of wellness to illness.

Nursing Policies 

Students are responsible for policies and requirements related to the Nursing major that appear in this Catalog and the Undergraduate Nursing Student Manual. 

Bachelor of Science Options

Qualified students of all ages with a high school diploma, college or university credits, degree in another field, licensed practical or vocational nursing (LPNs) are encouraged to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing.    

The degree may be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. 

The Full-time Day Nursing Course Sequence Option (12 or more credits per semester, fall and spring): 

The Full-time Option is available to recent high school graduates, students transferring from another college or university, students with a baccalaureate degree in another field, or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). By successfully completing all required courses in a prescribed sequence of study, students who are enrolled as full-time (e.g. registered for 12 - 18 credits per semester), may complete the Nursing Program in four years (eight academic semesters). Classes are conducted during the week. Clinical and laboratory experiences may be scheduled weekdays or weekends, days or evenings, depending on site and faculty availability. 

The Part-time Evening Nursing Course Sequence Option (less than 12 credits per semester, fall, spring and summer): 

The Part-time Option is available to available to high school graduates, students transferring from another college or university, students with a baccalaureate degree in another field, or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). After completing all required courses in a prescribed sequence, students following the part-time nursing course sequence may finish the nursing courses in seven semesters, including summer.  Nursing classes are conducted during the week beginning at 5:30 PM. Clinical and laboratory experiences may be scheduled weekdays or weekends, days or evenings, depending on site and faculty availability.   

Students may elect to switch or change between the two nursing program options (course sequences) with faculty and/or administrative approval.   

The time for program completion for transfer students will depend on whether the student elects full-time or part-time study, the number of credit hours accepted in transfer from a regionally accredited college or university, CLEP Examinations, and/or Challenge Examinations that measure specific subject knowledge learned through previous study. 

Accreditation

Neumann University’s Baccalaureate Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing [ACEN] , Inc., 3390 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; Telephone: 1-404-975-5000; Fax: 1-404-975-5020, or www.acenursing.org. 

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. 

The Baccalaureate Nursing Program is apporvedapproved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105; Telephone: 1-717-783-7142; Fax: 1-717-783-0822 or https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing. 

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will earn a Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing and will be able to: 

• Integrate the art and science of nursing into the care of persons from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan.    

• Integrate evidence-based knowledge and clinical judgement into the provision of nursing care.  

• Integrate information systems and technologies into the provision of nursing care.  

• Advocate for equitable care for persons from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan. 

• Incorporate health promotion, disease and/or injury prevention when providing nursing care for persons in varied settings.  

• Implement leadership strategies in the provision of nursing care for persons in varied settings.  

• Demonstrate a professional identity consistent with professional nursing practice.   

Admission Criteria

Freshman/First-Year Students who intend to apply for admission to the Nursing major are required to:

• FreshmanFreshman/First-Year Students who intend to apply for admission to the Nursing major are required to: 

• Have earned a high school grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. 

• Pursued a high school program of study which includes, at a minimum: 

  • 4 years of English 

  • 3 years of Social Studies 

  • 2 years of Mathematics (including 1 year of Algebra I and 1 year of Geometry or Algebra II) with a grade average no less than 80%. 

  • 3 years of Science (including 1 year of Biology with a laboratory component, and 1 year of Chemistry with a laboratory component with a grade average no less than 80%). 

  • SAT and ACT testing is optional. 

Transfer Students who intend to apply for admission to the Nursing major are required to have a minimum cumulative 2.7 grade point average on a 4.0 scale from all colleges or universities attended. 

Whether completed at Neumann University or fulfilled through college/university transfer credits, required completion of the Allied Sciences includes: 

• Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab

• Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab&

• Microbiology with Lab 

• Chemistry Inorganic/Organic/Biochemistry with Lab 
    

Specific requirements of the Allied Sciences:

Prior to enrollment in the pre-major course, NUR 205: Fundamentals of Professional Nursing Practice: 

• Please note that the required chemistry course or courses must provide content in general chemistry (inorganic, organic, and biochemistry). 

• Courses must be taken within a period no greater than 7 5 years 

• A cumulative Science GPA equal to and no less than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 

• The minimum accepted grade for science courses is a C+ 

• Quality points must equal 48 quality points per 16 credits, or 60 quality points per 20 credits 

• Grades are reviewed per the first-graded attempt.  Student may request an exception to Science GPA policy to consider permitting a student to repeat & replace one (1) Allied Science course and its associated lab.  This permits the repeated grade to replace the first-graded attempt in the allied science GPA calculation.  In certain circumstances, further review may occur with proficiency in ATI TEAS version 7.  Meeting these requirements needs to occur prior to enrollment in the pre-major course NUR 205: Fundamentals of Professional Nursing Practice.

Students ordinarily remain in the nursing option (Day or Evening) to which they are initially admitted. Students may petition the Admission and Progression Committee of the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences to be considered for an exception to this policy.

Nurses must be able to function safely and effectively in a wide variety of clinical situations. To become a licensed nurse, certain types of training, including clinical training, are required; and specific legal standards must be met as well. The threshold for admission to the Neumann University Nursing Program, then, is whether the prospective student can meet both academic and technical standards, and can qualify under licensing law and other applicable laws, rules, and standards.

“Technical standards” refers to all non-academic criteria that are essential to participate in the Nursing Program. A prospective nursing student with a current documented disability must also be able to meet these requirements with or without reasonable accommodations. Non-academic essential competencies, as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (1993) include, but are not limited to:

• The sensory competence to see and distinguish colors; hear; touch; and smell.
• The communication skills that are needed to speak and write with accuracy and clarity.
• The physical competence which is critical to perform gross and fine motor skills with strength and endurance.
• The cognitive competencies to learn, think critically, analyze, assess, solve problems, and reach judgments.
• The emotional stability to maintain responsibility and accountability in high-stress environments.
• The interpersonal skills to interact positively and treat others with compassion and respect.

Students with a current documented disability may apply for reasonable accommodations to help them meet the essential competencies, i.e., technical standards, which are enumerated above. Students requiring reasonable accommodations should contact Neumann University’s Disabilities Services Coordinator (610-361-5471) prior to admission into the Nursing Program and/or registering for any Nursing course(s). The Dean of the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences, in conjunction with designated Nursing faculty and the Disabilities Services Coordinator, reviews all requests for reasonable accommodations prior to determining if such requests can be provided. For additional information, contact the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at 610-558-5561.

Limitation on Transfer Credit

In addition to the University requirement of a grade of “C” or better, college courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and nutrition must have been taken within five years of application to the University for those students who do not hold a current RN license and who are not practicing professional nursing.

Progression Criteria/Degree Requirements

Progression in the Nursing major is based on academic achievement, clinical performance, and professional behavior.

As students of Neumann University, Nursing majors are expected to comply with the “Student Code of Conduct,” as presented in the Student Affairs Handbook. This Code includes, but is not limited to, respect for others in all interactions, whether on or off campus.

The Code of Ethics for Nurses (American Nurses Association, 2008) identifies the ethical values, duties, and commitments of professional nurses. It is expected that Nursing majors will adhere to the provisions of this Code. Any violation of the Code constitutes grounds for course failure or dismissal from the Nursing Program.

Progression in the Nursing major leading to a Bachelor of Science degree requires students to:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
• Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in every Nursing course.
• Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in every required Allied course.
• Complete a minimum of 128 credits.
• Complete standardized Nursing examinations at intervals during their baccalaureate program. Students earning below the required minimum score must complete remediation to progress to the next Nursing course or to graduate.

The Division of Nursing and Health Sciences has determined that all Nursing majors are to be assessed according to the following grading scale for all Nursing courses for which they have registered.

The application of theory in practice is integral to learning in all Nursing major clinical courses. Hence, course grades are based upon the assessment of two components:

• The theory component - the student’s knowledge of theory.
• The laboratory and/or clinical practicum component - the student’s ability to apply theory to practice.

The student must successfully meet the requirements of these two components in each clinical course; that is, earn a minimum grade of “C” in the theory component and a “satisfactory” rating in the laboratory and/or clinical practicum component.

• An “unsatisfactory” rating in any given laboratory and/or clinical practicum and a grade of “A” to “D” in the theory component results in a grade assignment of “D” for the course.
• A “satisfactory” rating in any laboratory and/or clinical practicum with a “D” grade assignment in the theory component results in a “D” grade for the course.
• A “satisfactory” rating in any laboratory and/or clinical practicum with an “F” grade assignment in the theory component of any course results in a course grade of “F” for the course.

Required Nursing and Allied courses may be repeated only one time, whether the repetition is a consequence of student withdrawal from a course, institutional withdrawal from a course, or a course grade of less than “C.” The student must successfully complete the repeated course with a minimum grade of “C.” If the student withdraws, is withdrawn by the University, or does not earn a minimum of “C” in the repeated course, the student is not eligible to enter, or remain in, the Nursing Program.

Failure to earn a minimum grade of “C” in a repeated Nursing course, or failure to earn a minimum grade of “C” in any other Nursing course, will result in the student’s dismissal from the Nursing major.

Students seeking to repeat a course will only be enrolled after all students registering for the first time are accommodated. Enrollment of students repeating the course is dependent upon the availability of clinical facilities and staffing, and cannot be guaranteed.

All degree requirements must be completed within five years after beginning the first Nursing major course (NUR 206 ).

Exception to Policy Process

The Nursing Program adheres to the grievance procedure of the University; however, there are unique situations in the Nursing Program for which a student may request review and/or exception to a specific academic policy. Students are directed to meet with their Nursing academic advisor to discuss the procedure for submitting their request for a hearing by the Admissions and Progression Committee. The Committee meets regularly during the academic year; meetings are scheduled as needed during the summer.

Clinical Practice Requirements

Inasmuch as it is possible, clinical experiences are scheduled during the day for full-time Nursing majors and during weekday evenings or on weekend days for part-time Nursing majors. All students are advised, however, that agency and faculty availability may require clinical attendance during weekdays, weekends, and/or evenings to assure that all who are registered for a specific course meet the course/clinical objectives during the semester of enrollment. Failure to meet clinical practice requirements will prevent laboratory and/or clinical participation and will result in laboratory or clinical failure.

Professional License

RNs who are pursuing the Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing option must provide evidence of a current Pennsylvania RN license. In the event that student clinical placement is in Delaware or New Jersey, the RN must request licensure by endorsement from either of these states.

Basic Life Support Certification

Prior to the first clinical Nursing major courses, NUR 305  and NUR 330 , each student is required to present proof of certification in Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider (American Heart Association). Thereafter, evidence of current recertification must be presented to the Dean’s office. Failure to provide evidence of certification will prevent participation in clinical experiences.

Health Standards

Health evaluations must be completed and the reports submitted to the University Health Services Office prior to application to the Nursing major and, thereafter, updated annually. Students are to obtain the health forms from the University Health Services Office.

The student is responsible for maintaining current medical insurance and for notifying the Dean’s office immediately of any changes in his/her status of medical insurance coverage. Failure to maintain medical insurance or health standards will prevent participation in laboratory and clinical experiences.

These Health Standards policies apply to all students, both full-time and part-time, who have been accepted into the Nursing Program.

Clearances

Students are required to submit to substance abuse screening prior to clinical placement, during clinical experiences in selected health care agencies, or if there is reasonable suspicion of drug or alcohol abuse. Students testing positive will be referred to Counseling and Health Services for assistance with their substance abuse problem. Such referral, however, will not preclude the University from taking other disciplinary actions, up to and including removal from the clinical placement (which may result in failure to meet degree requirements) and/or expulsion from the program/University, depending upon the circumstances. RN students with a positive substance abuse screening will be reported to the State Board of Nursing, as required by state law. Students are responsible for costs incurred for these screenings. For additional information, please contact the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Students are also required to apply for, obtain, and present to the Dean of the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences a current FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a State Child Abuse and Elder Abuse Clearance, and Criminal Background Clearances, as required by clinical agencies, prior to their participation in clinical courses. A criminal record and/or a history of child or elder abuse may prohibit clinical placement and, subsequently, result in failure to meet degree requirements. All clearances must be updated annually.

State Boards of Nursing may deny or revoke licensure when the applicant “has been convicted, has pleaded guilty, has entered a plea of nolo contendere, or has been found guilty by a judge or jury of a felony or crime of moral turpitude; or received probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial or an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition in the settlement of felony charge.” Similarly, “possession, use, acquisition, or distribution of a controlled substance or caution legend drug for other than an acceptable medical purpose” may be cause for denying application for professional licensure (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Professional Nursing Law, Act 69, Section 14).

Transportation

Each Nursing student is responsible for transportation to and from clinical practice sites throughout the entire Nursing Program. Transportation requires that each student has personal access to a car.

Clinical Arrival

The student is responsible to arrive at the unit assigned in the clinical agency at the prescribed time. If the student anticipates being late, he/she must notify the instructor and/or agency according to course policy.

Clinical Absences

All clinical and laboratory experiences are important to student learning and, therefore, are required. Excessive absence prevents consistent demonstration of learning and skill mastery in the clinical and/or laboratory areas.

All clinical experiences are required. All clinical absences will be made up. There will be no fee imposed for the make-up of the first clinical absence. If there are subsequent clinical absences, a fee will be imposed at a rate set by the University.

For continuing students, this fee must be paid to the Business Office no later than the first day of class in the next semester. A clearance from the Business Office must be presented to the Dean’s Office in order to participate in the Nursing course(s). For seniors in their final semester, this fee must be paid to the Business Office in order to graduate.

The day and time of any clinical make-up is at the discretion of the faculty member. A Clinical/Laboratory Absence Contract must be completed by the student and faculty member for any make-up experiences. To return to clinical, a statement from the student’s health care provider and/or University Health Services will be requested by the faculty member when the student absence is related to illness or injury.

A course grade of Incomplete (“I”) will be assigned until all required clinical make-up experiences have been completed. Policies related to progression and graduation, appearing in this catalog, will apply.

Students who miss more than two clinical days, or the equivalent*, in any clinical rotation (e.g., adult health) or more than two days in any laboratory experience(s) will be withdrawn from the course.

* A 10-12 hour clinical experience constitutes the equivalent of two clinical days.

In a situation (such as a labor dispute, agency or program problem, and/or an act of God/natural disaster) whereby the clinical session becomes unavailable for the student experience, the Nursing Program becomes responsible for arranging the clinical experience which is needed. No fee is incurred by the student in such an instance. It is expected that the faculty-student group will arrive at an agreeable schedule for supplemental experiences.

Nursing Practice Settings

Agencies used for clinical laboratory experiences are contracted on an annual basis and may include, but are not limited to:

Delaware: Christiana Care Health Services; Nemours, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children; New Castle County Health Unit; Franciscan Health Care Center of Wilmington; HCA Rockford Center; Nurses ‘n Kids; and St. Francis Hospital.

Pennsylvania: Bayada Nurses Home Care Specialists; Bryn Mawr Hospital; ChesPenn Health Services, Inc.; Community Nursing Center of Chester and Vicinity; Crozer-Keystone Health System (Crozer-Chester Medical Center, all Community Divisions, and Delaware County Memorial Hospital); Fair Acres Geriatric Center; Granite Farms Estates, Skilled Care Facility; Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Lima Estates Medical Facility; MainLine Health Care System; Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital; Mercy Home Health Services; Methodist Hospital; Neighborhood VNA of West Chester; University of Pennsylvania Health System; Riddle Memorial Hospital; Health Department, Southeastern District; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Nursing Policies

Specific policies and requirements related to the Nursing major are contained in the Undergraduate Nursing Student Bulletin, distributed to students entering NUR 205 Fundamentals of Professional Nursing Practice .

Suggested Curriculum