Nursing

Faculty

Patricia Harrington, Ed.D., Chair
Barbara Buxton, M.S.
Dona Rinaldi Carpenter, Ed.D.
Mary Jane K. DiMattio, Ph.D.
Marian L. Farrell, Ph.D.
Ann Feeney, M.S.N.
Mary Jane S. Hanson, Ph.D.
Sharon S. Hudacek, Ed.D.
Lisa Ann Lesneski, Ph.D.
Catherine Lovecchio, Ph.D.
Paula Roe-Prior, Ph.D.
Kimberly Subasic, M.S.
Patricia Wright, M.S.N.
Margarete Lieb Zalon, Ph.D.

Overview

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. Education for the role of the nurse includes an emphasis on patient-centered care, preparation to function as members of an interdisciplinary health-care team, the use of evidence in practice, quality improvement and informatics. The graduate is prepared to deliver nursing-care services to individuals, families, communities and populations as well as participate in the advancement of the nursing profession through contributions to practice, education and administration. 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 average grade of C must be attained in the prerequisite Natural Science courses (BIOL 110 -BIOL 111 , BIOL 210 , CHEM 110 -CHEM 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 2.5 or higher and a GPA of 2.7 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

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.

CPR Certification: Prior to the second semester of the sophomore year, students enrolled in the Nursing program must present a certificate as evidence of having completed the cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and AED Basic Life Support course for health-care providers by the American Heart Association or CPR for the Professional Rescuer by the American Red Cross.

Health Insurance: Proof of current health insurance coverage is required by clinical agencies. Students must provide copies of health insurance prior to enrolling in clinical courses.

Criminal Background Checks: A Pennsylvania criminal background check (Act 169) is required prior to enrollment in Nursing 251 and yearly thereafter. This will include an FBI background check and Pennsylvania Child Abuse background check. Drug Testing is required by clinical agencies and students will be tested every six months while enrolled in clinical courses.

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. Senior status in the program is defined as completion of at least 100 credits, including cognate and prerequisite courses for NURS 450 and NURS 452.

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 3.0 at the end of the freshman year is required to be eligible for study abroad.