Undergraduate Catalog

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Nursing Science (NURS) Undergraduate Programs

228 BROWN HALL/(320) 308-1749
www.stcloudstate.edu/nursing

Also see College of Science and Engineering description and requirements.

Chairperson: Brenda Lenz
Faculty: Bagley, Bauerly, Bresser, Copley, Dinndorf-Hogenson, Herm, Hoenig, Lenz, Morrison-Sandberg, Simones, Warner, Wilcox

Mission
To educate caring nurse professionals committed to excellence, who will serve the health needs of diverse communities throughout Minnesota and the region.

Accreditation
The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

The B.S. degree with a major in nursing is offered through two tracks. One is the traditional four year program and the other is an accelerated 16 month fast-track program for those with previous baccalaureate degrees. Both options prepare caring professional clinicians equipped to practice in contemporary health care settings. An emphasis is placed on basic holistic nursing concepts and skills, wellness promotion, advocacy, proficiency for effecting and improving the health care system, and capability to address the changing needs of clients, families, and communities. The curriculum is student-focused and integrates the art and science of critical thinking, communication, ethics, health promotion, caring alternative healing methods and cultural expertise.

Bachelor of Science

Traditional Program (71)
A formal application is required for admission to the major. Admission to the nursing major is highly competitive. Application does not assure admission. Most current information may be accessed by contacting the department at 320-308-1749 or by reviewing department Web site at www.stcloudstate.edu/nursing. Information regarding applications, prerequisites, deadlines, etc. will be found at this Web site.

Admission Deadline:
The deadline for completed applications is June 1 for each year for admission beginning the following spring semester (January).

Students are considered for admission based on the following criteria:

1. Accepted as a student at SCSU.
2. Complete at least 30 credits of required coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (CHEM 140, 141, and BIOL 202, 204 must be completed before application is made.)
3. Completed application process; see department Web site for process details and forms (www.stcloudstate.edu/nursing).
4. Students with English as a second language are required to take the TOEFL with a passing score of 560 (paper) or 220 (CBT).

Prerequisite Courses:
ENGL 191, CMST 192, MATH/STAT 193, PHIL 194, PHIL 212, IM 204, PSY 240, SOC 160, BIOL 202*, BIOL 204, 206, CHEM 141*
*Placement test required. See department offering course for details.

In addition to the preadmission courses, there are other university requirements that students must complete including a Racial Issues course, a Democratic Citizenship course, and the university Diversity requirement-see University requirements.

Upon admission students will be required to:

1. Complete all 42 credits of the prerequisite courses before the major's January start date.
2. Complete a Minnesota Criminal Background Check, as required by Minnesota state law for professionals working with vulnerable populations.
3. Obtain American Heart Association CPR certification at the health care provider level for infants through adults, and to meet other health requirements.

Students are required to earn at least a "C" (2.0) in all prerequisite courses and all major courses. Students must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA in the major (all NURS, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology).  Any nursing course may be repeated once. A maximum of two nursing courses (once each) may be repeated before student is dismissed from the nursing major.

Courses required after admission:
BIOL 367, 368
NURS 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 314, 315, 401, 402, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 413

Elective courses are available: See advisor for elective information.

Completion of NURS 403 fulfills the university's upper division writing requirement.

Bachelor of Science

Accelerated Nursing Program (65)
The accerlerated nursing program is an intense 16 month option for students with baccalaureate degrees in disciplines other than nursing. Course sequences may vary. Most current information may be accessed by contacting the department at 320-308-1749 or by reviewing department Web site at www.stcloudstate.edu/nursing. Information regarding applications, prerequisites, deadlines, etc., will be found at this Web site.

Admissions deadline:
The deadline for completed applications is February 1 for each admission year. A class will be admitted every other year.

Students will be considered for admission based on the following criteria:

1. Completed bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
2. Accepted as a student at SCSU.
3. Completed application process; see department Web site for details and accessible forms.
4. Completed prerequsite courses.
5. Students with English as a second language are required to take the TOEFL with a passing score of 560 (paper) or 200 (CBT).

Preadmission Courses: Please see Web site at www.stcloudstate.edu/nursing.

Upon admission students will be required to:

1. Complete prerequisite courses before the Fall start date.
2. Complete a Minnesota Criminal Background Check, as required by Minnesota state law for professionals working with vulnerable populations.
3. Obtain American Heart Association CPR certification at the health care provider level for infants through adults, and to meet other health requirements.

Courses required after admission:
NURS 301, 303, 304, 305, 306, 308, 309, 311, 314, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 401, 403, 404, 405, 406, 408, 409, 413, 420, 421, 422. Elective course (see Web site for latest information).

Completion of NURS 403 fulfills the university's upper division writing requirement.