Division of Nursing

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Mission

The Division of Nursing consistent with Winston-Salem State University’s mission and the mission of the School of Health Sciences provides professional nursing education that prepares a baccalaureate degree nurse generalist, and a graduate degree advanced practice nurse. The curriculum provides experiences needed for developing effective communication and critical thinking used while executing therapeutic intervention, health promotion and disease prevention, and evidence-base practice strategies as well as personal and social interactions. These experiences include theory, clinical practicums, and public service essential for professional delivery of nursing care in a variety of settings and to multi-cultural populations. Prior learning experiences are considered in the criteria for admission of a student population diverse in age, gender, ethnicity, academic levels, life experiences and healthcare experiences. The division provides an environment conducive to personal, professional growth, and lifelong learning for students and faculty. Faculty and students engage in mutually beneficial relationships with the community and other healthcare providers in ways that complement the nursing division’s educational mission. These experiences foster the impartation of values such as kindness, compassion, justice, loyalty and also cultural competence and sensitivity.

Objectives

The undergraduate program prepares a graduate who will:

1. use critical thinking and technology in synthesizing knowledge from the biological, physical, and behavioral sciences, the humanities, and nursing in making nursing practice decisions about clients of all ages from diverse and multicultural societies;
2. utilize the nursing process to promote wellness through illness prevention, supportive, and restorative care;
3. perform nursing roles of caregiver, teacher, counselor, collaborator, client advocate, leader, manager, designer, and research consumer to enhance the quality of client care;
4. implement effective verbal, written, and computerized communication techniques with clients and other health care providers to promote a culturally sensitive holistic approach to health care;
5. provide nursing care that recognizes individual dignity and worth as well as rights and responsibilities with regard to quality of life issues and participation in decisions affecting well-being;
6. integrate ethics, caring, and safe nursing practice in providing accessible and cost-effective health care;
7. implement evidence-based practice through interpretation, utilization, and participation in research;
8. demonstrate professional responsibility and accountability in the practice of nursing; and
9. assume responsibility for continuing professional and personal growth.

Admission to the Nursing Program

Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Students must meet specific admission criteria and must apply for admission to the upper division of the major. Applications for admission to the upper division may be obtained from the Department of Nursing. In the event that the qualified applicants exceed the number of available slots, students will be selected randomly.

Admission Criteria

Traditional Students (Transfer Students)

1. Verbal SAT score of 470 or better. (Verbal SAT of 390 if taken before 4/1/95)
2. Eleventh grade reading level or above.
3. Cumulative GPA of 2.6.
4. Satisfactory completion of 71 hours of general education and support course requirements. The decision will be made on an individual basis.
5. Grade of C or better in all required Life Sciences and Physical Sciences courses, i.e., BIO 2311, BIO 2312, BIO 1431 and CHE 1411.

Paramedic (EMT-P)

1. Current certification by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services and/or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as an EMT-P. Certification must be maintained throughout the course.
2. The applicant who does not hold a bachelor or an associate degree must have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 before entering the Upper Division.
3. Verbal SAT score of 470 or better (390 if taken before 4/1/95), if unable to transfer 30 or more credits with a C average.
4. Grade of C or better in required Life and Physical Sciences courses.
5. Satisfactory progression must be demonstrated on the 71 hours of general education and prerequisites, including NUR 2310: Introduction to Professional Nursing I. Selected general education courses may be taken after admission to the upper division. This decision will be made on an individual basis.

Licensed Pratical Nurse (LPN)

1. Current unrestricted license to practice as a Practical Nurse in North Carolina. The license must be maintained throughout course of study.
2. The applicant who does not hold a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree must have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 before entering the upper division.
3. Verbal SAT score of 470 or better (390 if taken before 4/1/95), if unable to transfer 30 or more credits with a C average.
4. Grade of C or better is required in Life and Physical Sciences courses.
5. Satisfactory progression must be demonstrated on the 71 general education and prerequisites, including NUR 2310: Introduction to Professional Nursing I. Selected general education courses may be taken after admission to the upper division. This decision will be made on an individual basis.

Second-Degree Student

1. Evidence of a bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) or other accredited institutions.
2. Evidence of an associate in arts or an associate in science degree from a North Carolina Community College
3. Complete pertinent support courses or requirements established by the Nursing Division with a cumulative GPA of 2.6.

Registered Nurse (RN)

1. Current, unrestricted license to practice as a RN in North Carolina. The license must be maintained throughout the course of study.
2. A grade of C or better for all courses transferred.
3. Completion of 71 hours of general education and prerequisites, including NUR 2312: Dynamics of Professional Nursing. Selected general education courses may be taken after admission to the upper division. This decision will be made on an individual basis.
4. A cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Special Consideration

1. The program will admit a student on the basis of her/his overall academic record. If selected criteria are not met, the student’s case will be reviewed on an individual basis. The faculty reserves the right to make exceptions to admission when there is evidence of exceptional achievement on other criteria.
2. Students admitted to the nursing program may be required to participate in additional instructional activities to strengthen performance in areas identified as needing improvement.
3. Policies regarding admission of transfer students are found under the general guidelines for transfer of credits to Winston- Salem State University. Applicants who wish to transfer to the nursing program must follow these guidelines, in addition to a special policy regarding science credits. This policy is stated below under transfer credit for nursing majors.
4. All students must meet health requirements as outlined under the health policy.

Transfer Credit for Nursing Majors Science Credit Only

1. Transcripts of students who are classified as transfer, second degree, registered nurses, LPNs and paramedics will be evaluated by the nursing faculty to determine the required science credits. Based on the evaluation of the courses, which are equivalent or comparable in content, a recommendation will be initiated by the department chair for a curriculum adjustment of required courses when so indicated.
2. Semester hour deficits, which result from a curriculum adjustment of science course requirements, shall be made up in electives so that the student’s minimum graduation requirements of 126 semester hours will be met.

Advancement Placement

Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, paramedics and Associate Degree transfers may be granted advanced placement by challenge examination(s).

Progression Policy

Applicable to all students, a grade of D or F in an upper division nursing course constitutes failure. Any two final grades lower than C in upper division nursing courses will result in dismissal from the nursing major.

The Division of Nursing reserves the right to dismiss from the nursing program any student who fails to maintain satisfactory academic standing; whose conduct is a breach of ethics and standards established by the profession, department and the university; and whose continuation in the program would be detrimental to their health and the health and safety of others.

Policies and Procedures

Students must follow policies, guidelines and procedures in the University Catalog, University Student Handbook and Division of Nursing Student Handbook.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 126 semester hours are required for graduation. The student must complete 71 semester hours in the lower division and 55 semester hours in the upper division (nursing) courses. Fortytwo of the lower division semester hours are core requirements. Also within the 71 semester hours are support courses and prenursing requirements for the major.

Student Activities

As members of the student body of the university, students participate in those campus activities in which they have a personal interest. Nursing majors are strongly encouraged to become affiliated with the Winston-Salem State University Student Nurses Association (member of District #3 of the North Carolina State Student Nurses Association), Chi Eta Phi, Sigma Theta Tau, and Beta Sigma Nu Nursing Fraternity.

Special Costs for Nursing Majors

(Consult Nursing Advisors for current prices)

1. NCLEX-RN National Review
2. NCLEX Diagnostic and Predictor Exams
3. Nursing Pin
4. Nursing Uniform
5. Student Nurses Association Dues
6. Nursing Liability Insurance
7. Nursing Achievement Test
8. Challenge Exams
9. Skills Kit

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