Division of Nursing

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Vision

The Division of Nursing at Winston-Salem State University is a national premier nursing school based on excellence in education, research and public service, as well as diversity in student population and program offerings.

Mission

The Division of Nursing consistent with the WSSU 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 and nurse educator. The undergraduate curriculum provides experiences needed for students to develop effective communication and critical thinking while executing therapeutic intervention, health promotion and disease prevention, and evidence-base practice strategies. These experiences include theory, clinical practicums and public service essential for delivery of professional nursing care in a variety of settings and to diverse 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 health care experiences. The Division provides an environment conducive to personal and professional growth and lifelong learning for students and faculty. Faculty and students engage in mutually beneficial relationships with the community and other health care 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. 

Values 

The School places a high priority on encouraging its students to adopt the following set of values:

• Sensitivity to a patient’s culture, race, religion and other personal factors;
• Compassion for a patient’s physical, emotional and social issues;
• Sympathy with a patient’s suffering;
• Willingness to provide health care for all individuals regardless of their race, religion, creed, sex, national origin, health insurance status, socioeconomic status or place of residence;
• Determination that avoidable errors and omissions in health care must not occur; and
• Dedication to assuring patient satisfaction with their health care.

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 and patient centered care 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 for persons, families, groups and communities in all economic levels.
7. Implement evidence-based practice through interpretation, utilization, and participation in research.
8. Demonstrate professional responsibility and accountability in the practice of nursing.
9. Assume responsibility for continuing professional and personal growth. The undergraduate program prepares a graduate who will:

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. Meeting the minimal admission criteria as listed below, does not guarantee admission into the Upper Division of Nursing. Factors that are considered in admission decisions include but are not limited to: 

• Grades received in science courses
• Grades received in Lower Division Nursing courses
• Overall academic profile

Applications for admission to the upper division may be obtained from the Division of Nursing.

Minimum Admission Criteria

Traditional Students (this includes transfer students)

• Cumulative GPA 2.6
• Critical Reading SAT score 470 or ACT English score 19
• Reading score 74 (11^th grade reading level)
• Grade of C or better in required Life and Physical Sciences
• 71 SH general education core and nursing pre-requisites

Paramedic (EMT-P) 

• Cumulative GPA 2.6
• Critical Reading SAT score 470 or ACT English score 19
• Reading score 74 (11^th grade reading level)
• Grade of C or better in required Life and Physical Sciences
• 71 SH general education core and nursing pre-requisites
• Current certification by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services and/or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as an EMT-P. The certification must be maintained throughout course of study. 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

• Cumulative GPA 2.6
• Critical Reading SAT score 470 or ACT English score 19
• Reading score 74 (11^th grade reading level)
• Grade of C or better in required Life and Physical Sciences
• 71 SH general education core and nursing pre-requisites
• Current unrestricted license to practice as a practical nurse in North Carolina. The license must be maintained throughout course of study.

Second-Degree Student

• Evidence of a bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) or other accredited institutions.
• Evidence of an Associates in Arts or Associates in Science Degree from a North Carolina community college.
• Complete pertinent support courses or requirements established by the Nursing Department with a cumulative GPA of 2.6

Registered Nurse (RN)

• Current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina. The license must be maintained throughout course of study.
• A grade of C or better for all courses transferred.
• 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. The decision will be made on an individual basis.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Special Consideration 

1. Students are admitted into the program 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. 

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).

Special Note: In addition to the above criteria, all students must meet health requirements (as outlined under health policy). Criminal background check will be required for students admitted into the Upper Division and progressing to the first Upper Division course is contingent upon a favorable criminal background check.  Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, paramedics and Associate Degree transfers may be granted advanced placement by challenge examination(s).

Progression Policy 

Applicable to students in the traditional option, 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. Students in the accelerated option who make a D or F in any lower division or upper division nursing course will not continue in the accelerated option and may request transfer to the traditional option. Two failures will result in dismissal from the Program.

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 128 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. 42 of the lower division semester hours are core requirements. Also within the 71 semester hours are support courses and pre nursing 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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