Nursing
Lisa M. Rebeschi
CHAIRPERSON
Nursing 101
(203) 392-7129 – Fax (203) 392-6493
rebeschil1@SouthernCT.edu
Department Secretary: (203) 392-6475
Andrea Adimando, Assistant Professor
Barbara Aronson, Professor
Christine Denhup, Assistant Professor
Mary Ann Glendon, Professor
Cheryl Green, Assistant Professor
Maria Krol, Assistant Professor
Kimberly Lacey, Assistant Professor
Bernadette Madara, Professor
Elaine Martin, Assistant Professor
Cynthia O'Sullivan, Associate Professor
Frances Penny, Assistant Professor
Kimberly Petrovic, Assistant Professor
Lisa Rebeschi, Associate Professor
Cheryl Resha, Professor
Antoinette Towle, Associate Professor
Susan Westrick, Professor
BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM IN NURSING
The successful completion of this four-year, program fulfills the requirements of the Department of Nursing and the University. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council of State Boards examination in nursing (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as registered nurses. Application for licensure must be approved by the Connecticut State Department of Health Services.The State Department of Health Services may deny the application if it is determined that the applicant has committed or been found guilty of committing acts which are contrary to public health and safety. The baccalaureate program at SCSU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation.
Upon completion of the program graduates are prepared to: 1) use theoretical bases to guide nursing practice, 2) evaluate qualitative and quantitative research as a foundation for evidence based nursing practice, 3) provide culturally sensitive nursing care that reflects the worth, dignity, and uniqueness of individuals and groups, 4) use interpersonal and technological communication effectively, 5) apply leadership and management principles to facilitate change in health care practice, 6) provide nursing care that reflects analysis of diverse environmental factors that influence local, national, and global health care, 7) demonstrate behaviors that incorporate clients' rights, legal and ethical accountability, and professional codes and standards, 8) collaborate in providing care to clients, families, and groups in a variety of health care environments, and 9) use self-evaluation to promote professional growth and lifelong learning.
NURSING ADMISSION
Students interested in majoring in nursing must complete a dual admission process. Initially, students must be accepted into the University by the Admissions Office. Then, application is made for admission to the Department of Nursing at the beginning of the spring semester of the sophomore year. Applications are available once a year on November 1 on the Nursing Department website. All application materials are due no later than February 1. Admission is competitive with a GPA of 3.0 being the minimum considered for acceptance. Historically, students accepted into the program in recent years have had a GPA that has exceeded the minimum requirements. Qualified students may not be accepted because of a limit on the number of clinical placements and limited Department of Nursing resources. Typically, the number of students admitted in recent years has been limited to 60-85.
GPA, evaluation of overall academic record (i.e. number of course withdrawals, prerequisite course failures, and academic success at other colleges and universities), and entry admission testing are used in evaluating students for acceptance into the nursing program. Student performance on entrance testing may be a deciding factor in admission decisions. Consistent with SCSU admission requirements, preference is given to those candidates who, in the judgment of Department of Nursing admission members, present through academic and personal qualifications the greatest potential for program success.
Students are ineligible to apply for admission to the SCSU nursing program if:
--They have been dismissed for academic or clinical reasons from another nursing program.
--They have failed to meet benchmark scores on assessment testing in another nursing program.
During the freshman and sophomore years, students take Liberal Education Program requirements and course prerequisites to the major. During the junior and senior years, students take nursing courses and electives as needed. Throughout the program, students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 and receive a grade of "C+" or better in all nursing and prerequisite courses.
Students interested in the nursing major who have completed, or are close to completing, specified coursework for the first two years of the program should submit an application to the Department of Nursing by February 1. The application should be accompanied by the official transcript for all college credit being applied to the nursing degree. At least 7 of the 11 prerequisite courses must be completed at the time of application. These include BIO 110, BIO 111, BIO 120, CHE 120, CHE 125, PHY 103, ENG 112, PSY 100, PSY 219, MAT 107, and MAT 108.
Students newly accepted into the program must submit the following information regarding Health Policies to begin classes:
--Submit by June 15: current health form; results of either PPD skin test or chest x-ray for TB completed within previous 12 months; evidence of rubella, rubeola, mumps, and varicella vaccination and antibody titre; evidence of measles vaccination; and evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination and Hepatitis B titre or signed declination to receive vaccine; TD vaccine within 10 years.
--Submit by June 15 current CPR certification for professional rescuers. CPR certification must be renewed annually.
Students entering the senior year in the program must provide by August 1: results of either PPD skin test or chest x-ray for TB completed within previous 12 months and annual flu vaccination.
Students without documentation of health requirements and/or CPR certification will not be allowed to participate in clinical experiences.
Program Progression
--Continuation in the program is dependent upon satisfactory academic and clinical performance.
--Students must achieve a grade of "C+" or better in all nursing and prerequisite courses.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
All students accepted into the nursing program are required to take the Medication Test during the summer before entering the program. Students must pass the Medication Test with a grade of 100. Students are given three opportunities to achieve the passing standard. The Medication Test is offered prior to start of fall classes. All students are required to take this test at the initial offering. Students who fail to achieve 100 percent by the third Medication Test will not be able to enroll in clinical courses or laboratory courses in the fall or spring semester and must begin as a part-time nursing student. The exam may be repeated the following summer. Failure to meet the passing standard after three additional attempts will result in dismissal from the program. Information regarding this mandatory test is sent with the acceptance packet to students admitted to the program.
All students are required to take a comprehensive nursing exam and achieve the benchmark score of 850 set by the Department of Nursing to successfully complete program requirements. If students have not met the benchmark during the testing period, students are required to submit evidence of registration in a formal NCLEX-RN review course.
Accelerated Program
The Department of Nursing offers an Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) option for individuals who hold bachelor's degrees in other fields and wish to pursue a nursing career.
Students interested in the ACE program must complete a dual admission process. Initially, students must apply to the University. Applications become available on April 1 and are accepted by the Admissions Office.Then, application is made for ACE admission to the Department of Nursing; applications are available once a year on November 1 on the Department of Nursing website. All application materials are due by January 15. Admission is competitive with a GPA of 3.0 being the minimum considered for acceptance. Historically, students accepted into the ACE program in recent years have had a GPA that has exceeded the minimum requirements. Qualified students may not be accepted because of a limit on the number of clinical placements and limited Department of Nursing resources. Typically, the number of ACE students admitted in recent years has been limited to 24–30. The ACE program is a rigorous and intensive academic program that requires a full-time commitment. Individuals who are accepted into the program are strongly encouraged not to be employed during the course of the program.
GPA, evaluation of overall academic record (i.e. number of course withdrawals, prerequisite course failures, and academic success at other colleges and universities), and two letters of recommendation will be used as a way of evaluating students for acceptance into the ACE program. An interview may be required following the initial screening of applicants. Consistent with SCSU admission requirements, preference is given to those candidates who, in the judg- ment of Department of Nursing admission members, present through academic and personal qualifications the greatest potential for program success.
The following prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C+" or better prior to entering the ACE program: BIO 110, BIO 111, BIO 120 or 233, CHE 120, MAT 107, MAT 108, PSY 100, and PSY 219. At the time of application due date (January 15) no more than 4 course prerequisites can be outstanding. All prerequisites must be completed and reported by June 30.
Students accepted must submit the following information by June: current health form, results of PPD or chest x-ray for TB completed within previous 12 months, evidence of rubella, rubeola, mumps, and varicella vaccination and titre, evidence of measles vaccination, and evidence of Hep B vaccination and titre or signed declination, and TD vaccine within 10 years. Additionally, evidence of current CPR certification must be submitted to the Department of Nursing by June 15. Students without documentation of health requirements and/or CPR certification will not be allowed to participate in clinical experiences.
All students accepted into the ACE program are required to pass the Medication Test with a score of 100 percent prior to entering the program. Students are given five testing opportunities to achieve the passing standard. Students who fail to achieve 100 percent by the fifth opportunity will be unable to commence the ACE program. Information regarding this requirement is sent with the acceptance packet to students admitted to the program.
All students are required to take a comprehensive nursing exam and achieve a benchmark score of 850 set by the Department of Nursing to successfully complete program requirements. If students have not met the benchmark during the testing period, students are required to submit evidence of registration in a formal NCLEX-RN review course.
RN Admission
The University offers a flexible admission policy for RN's who hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing and seek to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing. While RN students must meet the same graduation requirements as basic nursing students, the program takes into account RN's rich background in nursing. Once accepted by the University, RN students should submit a separate application for the B.S. degree program obtained from the Department of Nursing. Students must have at least a GPA of 2.7 for admission to the program. Applications are available throughout the year.
Admission into the professional nursing component of the program requires successful completion of selected prerequisite courses or their equivalent. Credits for prerequisites may be obtained through completion of the course, transfer credit, or examination (College Level Examination Proficiency). Additional information on RN transfer credit can be obtained by contacting the Nursing Department. The University accepts CLEP subject examination results within a specific score range. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and a grade of "C+" or better is required for the prerequisite and nursing courses.
Southern Connecticut State University participates in the Connecticut Articulation Model for Nurse Educational Mobility. Inquiries regarding this agreement should be directed to the RN coordinator in the Department of Nursing. Students must earn at least 30 credits from Southern Connecticut State University to be awarded a degree from the University.
At the time of admission to the Department of Nursing, each RN student must submit evidence of current CPR certification and current Connecticut license. In addition, at the time of admission to the nursing program, each RN student must provide a current health form with evidence of results of either a PPD skin test or chest x-ray for TB completed within the previous 12 months; evidence of rubella, rubeola, mumps, and varicella vaccinations and titres; evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination, a Hepatitis B titer or signed declination to receiving the vaccine; TD vaccine within 10 years.
RN students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree should contact the Department of Nursing and request an appointment with the RN program coordinator. Students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. RN-to-BS nursing courses are offered online.
Nursing Student Transportation
Students are responsible for their own individual transportation to and from all clinical agencies. Student learning experiences may be scheduled any time between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. during weekdays or on weekends.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
Clinical practice experiences in healthcare and other agencies are a required component of program completion and graduation with a pre-licensure credential or baccalaureate nursing degree. Students must meet all standards and requirements necessary to complete required clinical placements. Failure to do so will result in an inability to complete the program.
Many agencies providing clinical practice experiences are requiring that students undergo a criminal background check before commencing the clinical practice experience. The Connecticut League for Nursing (CLN) has engaged an outside contractor to perform criminal background checks on students pursuing clinical practice experiences. The results of the background check will be released to the agencies where clinical experiences are planned. Students must apply directly to CLN and pay all costs associated with the background check. CLN's contact information, as well as the costs associated with the criminal background check, can be found in the department's student policies.
It is important to understand that the results of a student's criminal background check may prevent a student from commencing or completing a clinical placement. Failure to complete all required clinical placements will prevent a student from graduating from the Department of Nursing.
The following is a partial list of crimes and offenses that may negatively impact a student's ability to complete required clinical placements: any sexual crime, any crime of violence, any drug crime, any weapons crime, property crimes, theft, robbery, burglary, embezzlement or fraud, public intoxication or substance abuse, and other felonies and serious offenses which would not be appropriate in a healthcare/patient care environment.
The department offers the following: