Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2014-2015 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing


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Nursing

Faculty

Dona Rinaldi Carpenter, Ed.D., RN, Chair
Barbara Buxton, Ph.D., RN, PHM-CS, BC
Theresa M. Conte, Ph.D., CPNP
Ann Culp, DNP, CRNA
Mary Jane K. DiMattio, Ph.D., RN
Susan Elczyna, Ph.D., CRNA
Marian L. Farrell, Ph.D., PMH-NP, BC, CRNP, CS
Ann Feeney, Ph.D., CNM
Bernard Gilligan, DNP, CRNA
Linda R. Lewis, M.S.N., RN-BC
Mary Jane S. Hanson, Ph.D., CRNP, CNS, RN
Sharon S. Hudacek, Ed.D., RN
Mary Kovaleski, MSN, RN, SCNE-BC, CCRN
Lisa Ann Lesneski, Ph.D.
Catherine Lovecchio, Ph.D. RN
Wendy Manetti, M.S.N., CRNP
Kimberly Subasic, Ph.D., MS, RN
Annette Tross, M.S.N., RN, CRNP, NP-C
Cristen Walker, RN, MSN
Patricia Moyle Wright, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, CHPN, CNE
Margarete Lieb Zalon, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN

Overview

The mission of the Department of Nursing at The University of Scranton is to provide excellence in the education of men and women desiring to become registered professional nurses and advanced practice nurses.  The faculty prepare nurses grounded in Jesuit ideals, who are prepared to grow in competence, conscience, and compassion as they deliver safe, evidence-based, patient centered care to individuals, families, communities and populations. The professional development of students includes responding to the health care needs of society through integration of service to others, development of a realistic knowledge of the world they live in and particular concern for the poor and marginalized in society.  Through evidence based practice, clinical expertise and professional development graduates provide leadership in health care, social justice and health care advocacy for all.

The Nursing program reflects a curriculum that is responsive to health-care needs of society. The purpose of the baccalaureate program is to prepare beginning professional nurses, who as generalists possess clinical competence to function in various settings. Maintaining the integrity of the profession and its practice is developed through experiences that emphasize principles of leadership, professional ethics, social justice and health-care advocacy. The baccalaureate program provides a foundation for graduate education in nursing.

High school graduates are admitted as freshmen into the program, which leads to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing. Total class enrollment is limited in consideration of educational and clinical resources. The curriculum can be completed in eight regular semesters of full-time study or four academic years.

Accreditation and State Approval

The University of Scranton’s Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, (202) 887-6791. The program has full approval of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Applicants and students should be aware that Pennsylvania law prohibits licensure of individuals convicted of felonies related to controlled substances, and may prohibit licensure if there is a conviction for any felonious act. For details, see the admissions materials and the Student Handbook of the Department of Nursing. Prior to clinical courses during the second semester of sophomore year, all Nursing majors are required to submit a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check to the Nursing Department. Students whose primary residence is out of state must also submit an FBI background check. These clearances are maintained on file in the Department of Nursing. Copies will be provided to clinical sites upon request.

Upon graduation the student is eligible for admission to the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination).     

Academic Requirements

The curriculum is based on a planned progression of courses that develop and build upon knowledge and skills at levels of increasing complexity. Therefore, all required courses must be taken in sequence. For progression through the Nursing program, a minimum grade of C must be attained in each of the prerequisite Natural Science courses (BIOL 110-111 , BIOL 210 , CHEM 110-111 , NUTR 220 ). A minimum grade of C must be attained in the prerequisite Quantitative course, PSYC 210 , and in each Nursing course. Students who score less than a 13 on the Math Placement exam must seek individual advising from the Department of Nursing.

A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher and a GPA of 2.70 or higher in nursing courses is required for progression to the junior level. To maximize success in the national licensure examination (NCLEX), senior students are required to complete an NCLEX review course prior to taking the exam.

Final Grade for Nursing Courses with Concurrent Clinical Laboratory

Students must pass both the classroom and laboratory component of nursing courses with clinical laboratories in order to receive credit for both components. The clinical laboratory component of a Nursing course shall be graded on the basis of Credit Satisfactory (CS) or No Credit (NC). If the student’s performance in the clinical laboratory of a Nursing course is satisfactory and a grade of C or higher is achieved in the theoretical component of the course, a grade of CS is awarded for the clinical laboratory. If a student’s performance in the clinical laboratory of a Nursing course is unsatisfactory, a grade of NC is awarded for the laboratory and an F is recorded for the theoretical component of the course. If a student receives a grade of C-, D+, D or F in the theoretical component of the course, a grade of NC is recorded for the clinical laboratory component. Both lecture and clinical components of a course must be repeated if a grade of C-, D+, D or F is obtained in a Nursing course.

Clinical Requirements

It is the policy of the University of Scranton that all freshman students submit a history and physical exam to the student health center.  Since there are no clinical requirements during the freshman academic year, a pre-entrance health examination is to be submitted to the Department of Nursing by the sophomore student nurse prior to the first day of classes of the fall semester of the sophomore year. All RN and LPN to BSN students must adhere to the same clinical requirements as traditional undergraduate students.

The sophomore level pre-entrance health examination shall include:

  • A complete history and physical examination administered by a physician or qualified health care provider of the student’s choice.
  • A tuberculin skin test; the PPD or Mantoux test is the only acceptable test.  The initial PPD done prior to the onset of the sophomore level must be a two-step PPD. If the PPD test is positive or the student has a history of a positive PPD, a chest x-ray is required.
  • Evidence of receiving the series of three immunizations for poliomyelitis is required.
  •  Students must also show evidence of immunity to measles and mumps by providing documentation of receiving the series of two vaccinations or by providing documented evidence of immunity (IgG titer levels, only). If the student was never vaccinated or provides evidence of a negative or equivocal IgG titer, student must receive one booster vaccination. For persons born in 1957 or later see below.
  • Student must provide evidence of immunization for tetanus/diphtheria within the past ten years and must have received at least one dose of the Tdap (Adacel or Boostrix) vaccine.
  • A rubella and varicella IgG titer level must be submitted; if the rubella titer is negative or equivocal, the student must be vaccinated.  If the varicella titer level is negative the student can opt to be re-vaccinated or sign a declination form refusing to be re-vaccinated.
  • Hepatitis B immunization is strongly recommended.  Students are required to submit a hepatitis B surface antibody titer level. If the student’s titer level indicates that they are not immune or equivocal, the student is strongly encouraged to repeat the vaccination series and provide documentation.  If the student is not immune to hepatitis B and refuses to receive the vaccine series, a hepatitis B declination form must be signed and submitted to the Department of Nursing. 
  • Evidence of health insurance coverage.
  • A drug screening test is required prior to each semester with a clinical component through Certified Background.com
  • Influenza vaccine is required each year for the current flu season.  The deadline date to receive the flu vaccine is October 30th.

Persons born in 1957 or later are considered immune to measles and mumps if they meet one or more of the following requirements: a) physician diagnosed measles and mumps disease; or b)laboratory evidence of measles, or mumps immunity (persons who have an indeterminate level upon testing are considered nonimmune); or c) appropriate vaccination, administration on or after the first birthday of two doses of live measles vaccine separated by 28 days or greater, and at least one dose of live mumps vaccine. Adults born prior to 1957 are considered immune to measles and mumps, but if believed to be susceptible, can be vaccinated.

Prior to the beginning of each subsequent academic year in which the student is enrolled in the nursing program, the student will submit the following:  a recent Mantoux PPD test (within the past 3 months), and other diagnostic examinations which are deemed necessary for the promotion of health; evidence of completed immunizations as indicated previously; and health insurance coverage.  Students with a history of a positive PPD test must complete a “Tuberculosis Symptom Screening Questionnaire.”  If there are any positive findings on the questionnaire a repeat chest x-ray is required.  However, for those students whose PPD has converted to positive since their previous PPD test, a chest x-ray is required. 

The student WILL NOT be allowed to attend clinical if all appropriate completed physical exams, required evidence of immunity and/or results of screening tests are not submitted to the Department of Nursing by the due date.  Starting in the summer of 2014 the sophomore class and all subsequent classes will be required to upload all health documents to Certified Background.

Insurance

Students enrolled in the nursing program are responsible to have health and accident insurance.  In addition, students are required to purchase professional liability insurance prior to the second semester of the sophomore year, i.e., prior to the first clinical nursing course, Nursing 251.  The University purchases this liability insurance and the student pays the premium, which is included in the Laboratory Fees.  Each student must then maintain liability insurance throughout enrollment in the nursing courses.  If an incident occurs, the University Report Form will be utilized and placed in the student’s file, with a copy sent to the Dean and the original sent to the Treasurer’s office.

CPR Certification Policy

Prior to the start of the sophomore academic year, and continuously through graduation, students enrolled in the nursing program must be certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED for healthcare providers.  All students must have a current American Heart Association “BLS for Healthcare Providers” with AED certification.  This is the only accepted CPR certification.  Current CPR certification will be verified prior to the initial clinical experience each year.

Background Checks and Drug Testing

Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check (Act 169) and PA Child Abuse Background Check (Act 34) are required by all students prior to enrollment in N250.  In addition out-of-state students must complete a FBI Background Check with the Department of Aging and in-state students must complete a FBI Background Check with the Department of Public Welfare.

Yearly background checks are required prior to the start of each subsequent academic school year and are to include: Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse Background Check and FBI Background Check with the Department of Public Welfare.

Students will register online at Certified Background.  Instructions on how to obtain background checks will be provided to the student from Certified Background.  Results of the Pennsylvania State Police Background Check will be automatically sent to Certified Background.  The results of the other background checks will be mailed to the student’s residence and will need to be uploaded by the student to Certified Background. 

Students will be able to view their own results on Certified Background’s secure website as well as the Lab Director. Background check results may be shared with clinical agencies upon request.  A positive background check may prohibit a student from participating in the clinical requirements for the course.

Drug testing is required by clinical agencies and students will be tested prior to the start of each semester with a clinical component starting at the sophomore level.  Drug testing will be coordinated through Certified Background.  Students will register and pay for a drug test at Certified Background.  Certified Background will provide instructions on how to obtain a drug test and will post the results so that they can be viewed by the student and the Department of Nursing Clinical Coordinator.  A positive drug test may prohibit the student from participating in the clinical requirements for the course.

Students should be aware that Pennsylvania law prohibits licensure of individuals convicted of felonies related to controlled substances, and may prohibit licensure of there is a conviction for a felonious act. 

A STUDENT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND CLINICAL WITHOUT SUBMITTING THE REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DRUG TESTING RESULTS BY THE DUE DATES.

Service-Learning: In order to graduate, Nursing majors are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service during freshman and sophomore years, for a total of 40 hours. College of Graduate and Continuing Education students will meet the service-learning requirement by completing major courses that have a service-learning component.

Additional Expenses

In addition to the general University tuition and fees, students majoring in Nursing assume responsibility for the following: uniforms and other required clinical accessories, yearly physical examinations, entrance eye examination, immunizations, comprehensive achievement tests, liability insurance, health insurance and any travel expenses incurred. Students must also provide their own transportation to and from agencies utilized for clinical laboratories and visits. Students must expect to be assigned to one or more weekend clinical rotations. Senior status in the program is defined as completion of at least 100 credits, including cognate and prerequisite courses for

  and  .

The Department of Nursing also offers a flexible program for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses interested in returning to school to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing. An accelerated track is offered for students interested in pursuing graduate education and who meet the admission criteria for this option. For B.S. requirements please see the section on the College of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Study Abroad for Nursing Majors

Nursing majors have an option to study abroad in the spring of the sophomore year. To stay on track in the curriculum, students are advised to complete the sophomore Nursing requirements prior to the study abroad experience. This provides students freedom to select from a variety of study abroad options. A GPA of 3.00 at the end of the freshman year is required to be eligible for study abroad.

Course Information

Courses for Nursing are listed under the prefix NURS.  For more information on these courses, visit our Nursing Department Courses  page.  For more information on all courses offered, visit our Course Descriptions  page.


Click here for information on the Accelerated Master’s Degree and Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Programs .


For more information about the Nursing department, visit its website.

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