Nursing

Faculty

Mary Jane K. DiMattio, Ph.D., RN, CPNP, Chair
Michelle Boland, MSN, RN
Barbara Buxton, Ph.D., RN, PHM-CNS, BC
Dona Rinaldi Carpenter, Ed.D., RN
Laura Skoronski Chavez, Ph.D., RN
Teresa M. Conte, Ph.D.
Ann Culp, DNP, CRNA
Susan Elczyna, Ph.D., CRNA
Marian L. Farrell, Ph.D., PMH-NP, BC, CRNP, CS
Ann Feeney, Ph.D. CRNP, CNM
Kelly Filchner, Ph.D., RN, OCN, CCRC
Natalie J. Gilboy, MSN, RN, CRNP, PMHS
Anna Grippi, MSN, RN
Julieann Kane, DNP, FNP-BC
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
Laurie Valunas, MSN, CPNP
Cristen Walker, Ph.D., MSN, CRNP
Patricia Moyle Wright, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, CHPN, CNE

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 healthcare 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 an 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. 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/ BIOL 110L , BIOL 111/ BIOL 111L , BIOL 210 , CHEM 110-111 , NUTR 220 ). A minimum grade of C must be attained in the Social Behavioral course, PSYC 110 and 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 46 on the ALEKS Test must take a remedial math course MATH 005 in their first semester that would satisfy a free elective. The student must achieve a grade of C or better prior to entering the sophomore year of the nursing program.

Final Grade for Nursing Courses with Concurrent Clinical Laboratory

Students must pass both the classroom and laboratory component of nursing courses with clinical laboratories to receive credit for both components. The clinical laboratory component of a Nursing course shall be graded based on 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

All first-year students are required to complete health information requirements, as outlined by the university. This required information must be submitted to the student health center. There are no clinical requirements for first year students.

All second-year students are required to obtain and submit:

FBI background check
Pennsylvania criminal background check
Child abuse background check
Urine drug test
Complete health history and physical exam administered by a physician or qualified advanced nurse clinician of the student’s choice.
Tuberculin Test: Two-step PPD skin test. If the PPD is positive, or the student has a history of a positive PPD, a chest x-ray is required with a completed “Tuberculosis Symptom Screening Questionnaire” that can be obtained from the Director of Nursing Clinical Operations.
Evidence of receiving the primary series of four (4) immunizations for poliomyelitis.
Evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella by providing documentation of receiving the series of two (2) MMR immunizations, OR laboratory evidence of immunity as indicated by positive IgG titers for measles, mumps, and rubella. If the student was never immunized and provides evidence of a negative or equivocal IgG titer to measles and/or mumps, the student must provide documentation of having received two (2) doses of the MMR immunization 28 days or greater apart. If the student is not immune to rubella, one documented dose of MMR is required or one dose of live rubella vaccine.
Evidence of receiving the primary series of five (5) immunizations for diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT). In addition, evidence of an initial tetanus booster (Tdap) is required. If the initial tetanus booster (Tdap) was administrated greater than 10 years ago, a second tetanus booster is required.
Evidence of immunity to Varicella by providing documentation of receiving two (2) doses of the varicella vaccine OR submitting a positive IgG titer for varicella.
Evidence of initial Hepatitis B vaccination series (3 doses) and a Hepatitis B surface antibody titer to prove current immunity. If the results of the Hepatitis B surface antibody titer indicate lack of immunity, the student is strongly encouraged to discuss with the healthcare provider and repeat the vaccination booster series. If the student refuses the Hepatitis B vaccination booster series, the Immunization Exemption Policy will be enacted.
Influenza vaccine is required each year for the current flu season. The deadline date to receive the influenza vaccine is October 15th.
Additional vaccines, including Covid-19, may be required throughout the student’s enrollment in the nursing program. These requirements will be communicated as needed. Clinical agency requirements may supersede the University’s requirements.
Evidence annually of qualified health care insurance coverage that is accepted in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, while enrolled in the nursing program.
CPR Certification from the American Heart Association (2-year certification). Certification from any other organization WILL NOT be accepted.
An N-95 Mask Fit Test Evaluation is required annually. The fit test evaluation form is available from CastleBranch and the student is required to present this form to their healthcare provider for completion.
Each of these requirements (as listed above) must be submitted to Castle Branch no later than July 1st.

Third-Year and Fourth-Year Student Requirements: Prior to the beginning of each subsequent academic year in which the student is enrolled in the nursing program, students are required to obtain and submit:

FBI background check
Pennsylvania criminal background check
Child abuse background check
Urine drug test
QuantiFERON (blood test) or recent two-step PPD (within the past 3 months). If the PPD is positive, or the student has a history of a positive PPD, a chest x-ray is required with a completed “Tuberculosis Symptom Screening Questionnaire” that can be obtained from the Director of Nursing Clinical Operations.
An influenza vaccine is required each year for the current flu season. The deadline date to receive the influenza vaccine is October 15th each year. Agencies may require the Covid vaccine and boosters.
Tetanus immunization must be up to date. If the initial tetanus booster (Tdap) was administered greater than 10 years ago, a second tetanus booster is required.
Students may be required to obtain a Hepatis B antigen titer.
Evidence annually of qualified health care insurance coverage that is accepted in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, while enrolled in the nursing program.
CPR Certification from the American Heart Association (2-year certification). Certification from any other organization WILL NOT be accepted.
An N-95 Mask Fit Test Evaluation is required annually. The fit test evaluation form is available from CastleBranch and the student is required to present this form to their healthcare provider for completion.
Each of these requirements (as listed above) must be submitted to CastleBranch no later than July 1st of each year.

The student must upload their health record annually to CastleBranch by the deadline set by the Clinical Placement Director, which includes all above-mentioned requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to keep their account updated and in good standing.

The student WILL NOT be able to attend clinical if required documents are not completed in their entirety and/or not uploaded to CastleBranch by the due date communicated by the Clinical Placement Director. Health documents may be provided to clinical agencies upon request with student approval.

The Department of Nursing follows the current CDC requirements for all immunizations. Additional immunizations may be required by clinical agencies.

CPR Certification Policy

Prior to the initial clinical experience in the sophomore year, and continuously through graduation, students enrolled in the nursing program must be certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED for health care providers. All students must have a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support, “BLS Provider” CPR, and Automated External Device (AED) two-year certification card. Current CPR certification will be verified prior to initial clinical experience each year.

Background Checks and Drug Testing

A Pennsylvania criminal background check (Act 169) and child abuse background check (Act 34) are required prior to enrollment in Nursing 250. Additionally, out of state residents must also complete an FBI background check through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, and in-state residents must complete an FBI background check through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. All students must be fingerprinted in Pennsylvania. Afterwards, a yearly PA criminal background check, PA child abuse background check and FBI background check through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services are required prior to the start of the junior and senior academic school years.

Students will receive instructions from the Director of Clinical Operations to register online at CastleBranch. CastleBranch is a platform that allows students to order their background checks and drug testing and submit documentation online to meet clinical requirements. Further instructions on obtaining background checks will be provided to the student from CastleBranch. The results of some background checks are mailed to the student’s residence and need to be uploaded to CastleBranch by the student before the deadline. Students and the NESC staff can view results on CastleBranch’s secure website. Background check results may be shared with clinical agencies upon request. The University of Scranton cannot guarantee clinical placement to any student with a positive background check result.

Drug Testing is coordinated through CastleBranch and required by clinical agencies. Starting at the sophomore level, students will be tested prior to the start of each semester when enrolled in a course with a clinical component. Students will register and pay for each drug test through CastleBranch. CastleBranch provides information on obtaining a drug test and automatically posts the results to the student’s account to be viewed by the student and NESC staff.

A report of a dilute drug test result is not acceptable, and the student will need to repeat the test and the student will be responsible for the cost of the repeat test. A positive drug test may prohibit the student from participating in the clinical requirements for the course and may prohibit them from progressing in the major. Students may be randomly tested with or without cause for alcohol and/or drugs while enrolled in the Nursing Program.

Students are responsible for notifying the Director of Clinical Operations and the Chair of the Department of Nursing of any positive background check or drug test that occurs at any point during their enrollment in the Nursing Program. This notification needs to occur within 7 days following the positive result. Failure to follow this procedure will result in dismissal from the nursing program.

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/vaccines, comprehensive achievement tests, software programs required for simulation, coursework and NCLEX preparation, 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.