Undergraduate Catalog 2015-16 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2015-16 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing: Bachelors (BS.NUR)


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This baccalaureate program, designed for students who wish to pursue pre-licensure baccalaureate education, is approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students are admitted directly into the major and enroll in their first nursing course in the fall of the second year. Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, graduates are eligible to complete the National Council Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN) and to seek advanced study in the discipline. Full-time enrollment will result in a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing in four years.

Admission Criteria: In addition to the university's general admission requirements, admission to the BS.NUR program is selective and based on the following criteria:

1. Minimum SAT scores of 500 in each of the critical reading and math sections. (ACT=21).

2. Graduation from high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

3. Evaluation of prior post-secondary course work.

4. Nursing faculty approval.

Students matriculating into any nursing program are required to undergo a criminal background check and drug screen after acceptance into the program and prior to enrollment. Final acceptance to the program is conditioned upon a satisfactory check. Additional checks and/or screenings may also be required by a specific clinical affiliation site. The cost of any background check will be paid by the student.

Students who complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will:

  • Synthesize knowledge from liberal education, contemporary nursing science, health-related science, and the humanities in the practice of professional nursing.
  • Apply theories and principles of leadership and management to provide safe, quality, evidence-based care for patients across the life span and continuum of care as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
  • Apply the best current evidence, coupled with clinical expertise and consideration of patients' preferences, experiences, and values to make practice decisions.
  • Use current patient care technologies and information systems to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making in the delivery of quality care to individuals, families, groups, and populations.
  • Integrate knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, regulatory agencies, and healthcare trends with professional role behavior.
  • Interact effectively with patients, families, and colleagues, fostering mutual respect and shared decision-making to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
  • Advance the use of the nursing process to promote health, prevent disease, and enhance the holistic health and well-being of diverse individuals, families, groups, and populations.
  • Provide patient-centered care based upon ethical principles, behaviors, and values that include altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice in the professional practice of nursing across the continuum of health care.
  • Promote the resolution of complex health problems by serving as advocates, leaders, managers, and members of the nursing profession when working with individuals, families, groups, populations, and health team members across the continuum of healthcare.

And complete the university's Gen Ed requirements


Click here  to review the Gen Ed requirements

Total credits:


Total General Education requirements to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree:  42 cr
Less: General Education requirements already satisfied by the BS.NUR program -19 cr
Remaining General Education requirements:  23 cr
Plus: subtotal of credits required by the BS in Nursing degree +99 cr
Total credits required to obtain a BS in Nursing degree: 122 cr

Program Notes


Internal Transfer

Students enrolled in other academic programs within the university are eligible for consideration for internal transfer into nursing. Details regarding the application process are available from the Nursing Department upon request. The selection process takes place at the end of the fall semester. The most qualified applicants will be accepted on a space available basis. The following criteria must be met in order to be considered for admission into a nursing program:

  1. A minimum GPA of 2.8
  2. A minimum 9-credit load in the prior semester, or semester of the application
  3. Submission of a complete application prior to the designated deadline
  4. Approval by the Nursing Department student affairs committee

Fees

Some nursing courses require payment of a laboratory fee. For a summary of these fees please consult individual course descriptions. All nursing students are required to buy an identification badge. Generic nursing students are also expected to have a working watch with a second hand and to purchase uniforms, a lab coat, nursing shoes, stethoscope, and bandage scissors.

Clinical and Lab Requirements

Several nursing courses require clinical and lab components taught by nursing faculty either on campus in the Virtual Hospital or in hospitals and other health agencies.

The BS clinical capstone course includes the use of practice-based preceptors who partner with faculty to facilitate learning. Faculty have ultimate responsibility for the evaluation of student learning.

All nursing students are expected to cover the cost and provide their own transportation to assigned clinical agencies.

Unsatisfactory Health, Performance, or Behavior

The Nursing Department reserves the right to request that the Chief Academic Officer require withdrawal from the nursing program of any student whose health, academic record, performance, and/or behavior in nursing is judged unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory performance in the clinical environment negates academic grade performance.

Licensure


According to the Vermont State Board of Nursing: (State of Vermont Board of Nursing Title 26 V.S.A.): The Board may deny an application for registration, licensure or relicensure; revoke or suspend any license to practice nursing issued by it; discipline or in other ways condition the practice of registrant or licensee upon due notice and opportunity for hearing in compliance with the provisions of chapter 25 of Title 3, if the person:

  1. Has made or caused to be made a false, fraudulent or forged statement or representation in procuring or attempting to procure registration or renew a license to practice nursing;
  2. Whether or not committed in this state, has been convicted of a crime related to the practice of nursing or a felony which evinces an unfitness to practice nursing;
  3. Is unable to practice nursing competently by reason of any cause;
  4. Has willfully or repeatedly violated any of the provisions of this chapter;
  5. Is habitually intemperate or is addicted to the use of habit-forming drugs.
  6. Has a mental, emotional or physical disability, the nature of which interferes with ability to practice nursing competently; or
  7. Engages in conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.

Accreditation


The baccalaureate program at Castleton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation)

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