Program Description
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. Consistent with the WSSU mission and the mission of the School of Health Sciences, the division provides professional nursing education that prepares a baccalaureate degree nurse generalist. The undergraduate curriculum provides experiences needed for students to develop effective communication and critical thinking skills 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.
Student Learning Outcomes
The undergraduate program prepares a graduate who will:
- 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.
- Utilize the nursing process and patient centered care to promote wellness through illness prevention, supportive and restorative care.
- Perform nursing roles of caregiver, teacher/counselor, collaborator, client advocate, leader/manager, designer and research consumer to enhance the quality of client care.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Implement evidence-based practice through interpretation, utilization, and participation in research.
- Demonstrate professional responsibility and accountability in the practice of nursing.
- Assume responsibility for continuing professional and personal growth.
Major Requirements
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.
Minimum Admission Criteria
Undergraduate Students
- Cumulative GPA 2.6 or better
- Verbal/Critical Reading SAT score 470 if taken prior to march 2016; 500 if taken after march 2016 or ACT English score 19
- Grade of C or better in lower division nursing courses on the first attempt
- Satisfactory completion of core curriculum in general education and pre-requisite course requirements.
Priority admission will be given to students with a grade of C or better in required life or physical science courses on the first attempt. A student who receives a failing grade in 2 or more required life or physical science course will be denied admission. Only required science courses taken within the past 7 years will be considered.
Specialized Admission Requirements for the Major
In addition to meeting the undergraduate student admission criteria, students applying to the Accelerated, and Paramedic- BSN options must meet and provide evidence of the following criteria.
Accelerated (ABSN)
- Evidence of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
LPN
- Possess and maintain an unencumbered, active license as a practical nurse from the state of North Carolina
- Have 1 year of direct patient care experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of North Carolina and have worked a minimum of 1,560 hrs as a Licensed Practical Nurse within the past calendar year. Employer verification of this employment is required.
Paramedic (EMT-P)
- Current certification by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services and/or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as EMT-P. The certification must be maintained throughout course of study.
RN-BSN
- Registered Nurse with an associate degree or diploma in nursing and current unrestricted license to practice in the state of North Carolina.
- 8 hours required in the sciences with at least 5 credit hours in Anatomy and Physiology I and II
Advanced Placement
Paramedics and LPN 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 specified by clinical agencies). Criminal background checks and drug screens will be required for students admitted into the Upper Division. Admissions into the nursing major is contingent upon a favorable criminal background check and drug screen.
Policies and Procedures
Students must follow policies, guidelines and procedures in the University Catalog, University Student Handbook and Division of Nursing Student Handbook.
Progression Policy
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 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, division and the university; and whose continuation in the program would be detrimental to their health and the health and safety of others.
Courses
Pre-Requisite Courses
BIO 1331 General Microbiology
BIO 1131 Microbiology Lab
BIO 2311 Anatomy & Physiology I (prereq BIO 1313 )
BIO 2111 Anatomy & Physiology Lab
BIO 2312 Anatomy & Physiology II (prereq BIO 2311 )
BIO 2112 Anatomy & Physiology Lab
CHE 1311 General Chemistry for Health Sciences Majors
CHE 1111 General Chemistry for Health Sciences Majors Lab
MAT 2326 Elementary Statistics or PSY 2326 or SOC 2326
PSY 2336 Lifespan Development
Major Courses
NUR 2312 – Dynamics of Professional Nursing (RN-BSN Only)
NUR 2313 – Introduction to Professional Nursing
NUR 3102 - Adult Health Nursing I
NUR 3117 – Clinical Reasoning
NUR 3303 - Nursing Research
NUR 3312 - Health Assessment
NUR 3314 - Clinical Nursing Foundation
NUR 3316 – Pharmacology for Nurses
NUR 3318 – Introduction to Pathophysiology for Nurses
NUR 3502 - Child Health Nursing
NUR 3511 - Mental Health Nursing
NUR 4103 - Adult Health Nursing II
NUR 4201 – Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice I
NUR 4202 – Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice II
NUR 4203 – Care of the Older Adult
NUR 4304 - Leadership and Management of Care
NUR 4502 - Community Health Nursing
NUR 4511 - Maternal Newborn Nursing
NUR 4000 - Independent Study-Elective
Electives only for RN-BSN
NUR 3305 Financial Management for Nurses OR
NUR 3307 Global Health Nursing
Major Course Sequence
Freshman Fall Semester
NUR 2312 Dynamics of Professional Nursing (RN-BSN Only)
Sophomore Fall or Spring Semester
NUR 2313 Introduction to Professional Nursing (See catalog entry for course enrollment requirements.)
Summer
NUR 3316 Pharmacology for Nurses
NUR 3314 Clinical Nursing Foundation
NUR 3312 Health Assessment
Junior Fall Semester
NUR 3102 Adult Health Nursing I
NUR 3318 Introduction to Pathophysiology for Nurses
NUR 3117 Clinical Reasoning
Junior Spring Semester
NUR 3303 Nursing Research
NUR 3511 Mental Health Nursing
NUR 3502 Child Health Nursing
Senior Fall Semester
NUR 4502 Community Health Nursing
NUR 4511 Maternal Newborn Nursing
NUR 4203 Care of the Older Adult
NUR 4201 Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice I
Senior Spring Semester
NUR 4103 Adult Health Nursing II
NUR 4202 Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice II
NUR 4304 Leadership and Management of Care
Electives only for RN-BSN
NUR 3305 Financial Management for Nurses OR
NUR 3307 Global Health Nursing
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