Nursing

Faculty

Teresa M. Conte, Ph.D., CPNP, Chair
Barbara Buxton, Ph.D., RN, PHM-CNS, BC
Dona Rinaldi Carpenter, Ed.D., RN
Laura Skoronski Chavez, Ph.D., RN
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. CRNP, CNM
Natalie J. Gilboy, MSN, RN, CRNP, PMHS
Sharon S. Hudacek, Ed.D., RN, ACNS-BC
Mary Kovaleski, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN
Lisa Ann Lesneski, Ph.D.
Linda R. Lewis, MSN., RN, CCNS, BC
Wendy Manetti, Ph.D., MSN., CRNP
Julie Murphy, Ph.D., MSN, RN
Tracy Murray, J.D., MSN, CRNP, CRNA
Jo Ann Nicoteri, Ph.D., CRNP, FNP-BC
Laurie Valunas, MSN, CPNP
Cristen Walker, Ph.D., MSN, CRNP
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 prepare nurses at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels, who are grounded in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition, and committed to excellence in practice for the 21st century. Our graduates will have the knowledge and competencies to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, holistic person-centered care.

The Nursing program reflects a curriculum that is responsive to the 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. Patient-centered care, quality and safety, collaboration and teamwork, the use of evidence-based practice, informatics and ethics are emphasized. The program prepares graduates to deliver holistic nursing care to individuals, families, communities and populations, and to participate in the advancement of the nursing profession. The baccalaureate program provides a foundation for graduate education in nursing.

High school graduates are admitted as first year students 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 baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Scranton are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE). 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. By August 1st, prior to the beginning of the sophomore year, all Nursing majors are required to submit a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and a FBI background check. All records are maintained via castlebranch.com. Copies will be provided to clinical sites upon request. Students must also be able to perform the functions and meet the standards outlined in the Department of Nursing policy “Essential Functions and Safety Standards”. For details on the Essential Functions and Safety Standards policy and the implications of conviction for a felonious act see the admissions materials and the Student Handbook of the Department of Nursing.

Upon graduation the student is eligible for admission to the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) and upon successfully passing the NCLEX exam, the student will be licensed as a registered nurse.

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. For progression through the Nursing program, a minimum grade of C must be attained in each of the following courses: BIOL 110 , BIOL 110L , BIOL 111 , BIOL 111L , CHEM 110 , CHEM 111 , BIOL 210 , BIOL 210L , Statistics (EDUC 120 or PSYC 210 ) and NUTR 220 and in each major (NURS) course.

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.

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 sophomore, junior and senior levels. To maximize success in the national licensure examination (NCLEX), senior students are required to complete an NCLEX review course at the University of Scranton prior to taking the exam. Students who score less than 13 on the Math Placement DAT or less than 61 on the ALEKS Test must seek individual advising from the Department of Nursing.

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 Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Students are required to complete the clinical rotation with a Satisfactory evaluation. The grade recorded for the clinical laboratory component will be the same as the grade assigned for the lecture component of the course. If a student’s performance in the clinical laboratory of a Nursing course is unsatisfactory, a grade of F is recorded for both the laboratory and theoretical component of the course. If a student receives a grade of C-, D+, D or F in the theoretical component of the course, the same grade is assigned to the clinical component of the course. 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. Students may repeat only one nursing course.

Clinical Requirements

It is the policy of the University of Scranton that all first year students submit a history and physical exam to the student health center. Since there are no clinical requirements during the first academic year, a pre-entrance health history and examination is to be submitted to the Department of Nursing by the sophomore student nurse by the due date prior to the first day of classes of the fall semester of the sophomore year.

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 and a completed “Tuberculosis Symptom Screening Questionnaire” is required.
Evidence of receiving the series of three immunizations for poliomyelitis is required.
Students must also show evidence of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella by providing: a) laboratory evidence of immunity as indicated by positive IgG titers for measles, mumps, rubella or b) documentation of receiving the series of two vaccinations of MMR. If the student was never vaccinated and provides evidence of a negative or equivocal IgG titer to measles and or mumps the student must provide documentation of having received 2 doses of MMR 28 days or greater apart; if not immune to rubella one documented dose of MMR is required or one dose of live rubella vaccine.
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.
Immunity to varicella is required and proof of immunity is evidenced by: a) providing documentation of receiving 2 doses of the varicella vaccine or b) submitting a positive IgG titer for varicella.
Hepatitis B immunization is strongly recommended. Students are required to submit documentation of receiving the 3-dose series of the hepatitis B vaccine. In lieu of providing evidence of receiving the hepatitis B vaccine series the student can submit a hepatitis B surface antibody titer level indicative of immunity. If the student has not received the vaccine and/or is not immune to hepatitis B as indicated by their hepatitis B surface antibody titer level, it is strongly recommended that the student receive the vaccine series, if the student does not intend to receive the vaccine series, they must sign and submit a hepatitis B vaccine declination form to the department of nursing.
Evidence of health insurance coverage.
A drug screening test is required prior to each semester with a clinical component.
Influenza vaccine is required each year for the current flu season. The deadline date to receive the flu vaccine is October 15th.
Additional Vaccines, including Covid-19 vaccination, may be required in the course of a student’s enrollment in the nursing program.
Clinical agencies may have additional health requirements that must be met for clinical placement at their site.

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 two-step 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.

Failure to upload, by the due date, all appropriate completed physical exams, required evidence of immunity and/or results of screening tests to castlebranch.com for review by faculty and staff of The University of Scranton Department of Nursing will prevent student attendance in clinical courses. The inability to show proof of a required vaccination may delay or prevent placement of a student in clinicals required for degree completion. Refusal by clinical sites to accept a student placement may result in a delay of graduation or the inability for a student to graduate from the program. Health documents maybe shared with clinical agencies, per agency request and with student’s written consent.

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 the Provider Course” 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 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Students will register online at Castle Branch. Instructions on how to obtain background checks will be provided to the student from Castle Branch. Results of the Pennsylvania State Police Background Check will be automatically sent to Castle Branch. 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 Castle Branch.

Students will be able to view their own results on Castle Branch’s secure website as well as the Lab Director. Background check results may be shared with clinical agencies upon request and with a student’s written permission. 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 Castle Branch. Students will register and pay for a drug test at Castle Branch. Castle Branch 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 if 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.

Community-Based Learning: In order to graduate, Nursing majors are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of community-based learning during freshman the first and sophomore years, for a total of 40 hours.

Additional Expenses

In addition to the general University tuition and fees, students majoring in Nursing assume responsibility for the following: required background checks and drug testing, uniforms and other required clinical accessories, physical examinations, 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.

An accelerated track is offered for students interested in pursuing graduate education and who meet the admission criteria for this option.

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 required 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 first 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.