Nursing, B.S.N.

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is to offer a high-quality professional nursing education in a Christian-oriented environment. The BSN graduate functions as a generalist practitioner in a variety of healthcare environments. Alvernia’s BSN graduate is prepared to deliver healthcare to persons of all ages, families, and community groups with sensitivity to cultural and environmental factors.

The Alvernia University Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is fully approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The successful graduate is eligible to apply for RN Licensure by taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

The BSN program is designed to prepare the students for professional practice, summarized by the following nine outcomes expected of our graduates. Upon graduation, the nursing student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a solid base in liberal education - humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences - to inform generalist nursing practice.
2. Assume an ethical leadership role to improve quality and safety of clients’ care within a variety of healthcare settings.
3. Integrate reliable evidence to inform practice and make clinical judgments.
4. Demonstrate skills in information technology and client care technologies to facilitate ethical and safe care.
5. Recognize local, state, national, and global trends in health policy and regulation and their effect on nursing practice.
6. Use professional communication and collaboration skills to deliver safe and evidence-based, client-centered care.
7. Use evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion practices across the life span.
8. Demonstrate professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct.
9. Synthesize core knowledge and skills for generalist nursing practice across the life span in a variety of healthcare settings.

Graduates of the BSN program are expected to perform according to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Practice, The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN), The ANA Code of Ethics, and the Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act.

The Alvernia University Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org)

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Alvernia University Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is determined on an individual basis at each entry level. Applicants to the Nursing program are evaluated in a holistic manner, taking into consideration standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), high school GPA, and rigor and type of high school courses taken. The total number of students admitted to the program is based upon available facilities and faculty. Students are admitted throughout the calendar year until all spaces in the class are filled.

Admission Requirements for First Year Undergraduate Level

This level is for all first-time college students and for college students who have less than 29 credits of college level work or students who do not have prerequisite college level science courses.

• First-time college students must meet the general admission requirements of Alvernia University.
• First-time college students with less than 12 credits of college work must have a composite score (Math and Evidenced-Based Reading/Writing sections) on the SAT of 1030 or greater (if SAT taken) and a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher, with consideration given to college preparatory courses of study.
• Two letters of reference.

As required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, applicants shall have completed work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units, including 4 units of English, 3 units of social studies, 2 units of mathematics (1 of which is algebra) and 2 units of science with a related laboratory or the equivalent.

Transfer Students at the Sophomore Level

This level is for students who have completed at least 30 credits of college level work including the prescribed science courses for the freshman year. To be eligible for admission to and placement in the nursing program at the sophomore level (NUR 209 , NUR 210 ) applicants must:

• Meet the general admission requirements of Alvernia University
• Provide official transcripts of completed college work and courses in progress.
• College students must have a grade point average of at least a 2.5 with consideration given to individual courses. Science course grades of C or higher are ordinarily required for admission. Grades and credits from developmental courses are not considered.
• Not have repeated any required science course more than one time for a passing grade and may have repeated no more than three total required science courses at any/all previous institutions they have attended.
• Demonstrate successful completion of three of four of the required sciences (each including a lab), two of which must be Anatomy and Physiology I and II.
• Submit two letters of reference from academic or workplace contacts.

Students Transferring from Other Nursing Programs

Students wishing to transfer to Alvernia University from a nursing program at another institution of higher education must meet the general admission requirements of Alvernia University and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. A grade of C+ or higher is expected for transfer science courses. Students transferring from another nursing program may not have repeated any required science course more than one time for a passing grade and may repeat no more than three total required science courses at any/all institutions they have attended, including Alvernia. Transferability of specific nursing courses is judged in relation to the Alvernia University nursing courses and curriculum sequence. Evaluation of transfer courses, based on official transcripts and, when requested, specific course syllabi, is completed in the Registrar’s Office and will follow university policy. Students transferring from another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing from the dean/director of the program at which they were previously or are presently enrolled. The letter must indicate that the student can return to their prior institution of study if desired. Final decisions regarding transfer into the nursing major are made by the Chief Nursing Officer.

Progression Policies for all Nursing Students

Following a student’s acceptance and enrollment in the pre-licensure BSN program, the student is responsible to take the ATI TEAS, an online standardized assessment of foundational knowledge and critical thinking ability. Information on how to register for and take the TEAS may be obtained from the Admissions staff or the Registrar. This requirement applies to traditional and transfer applicants, including “internal transfers” (change of major). Students who have previously taken the TEAS for application requirements at another program may request that ATI send those results to Alvernia. A minimum “proficient” score on the TEAS is required to progress into NUR 209 and NUR 210. Students with scores less than “proficient” must complete the ATI Launch program prior to progressing into NUR 209 and NUR 210. Students who receive a score of “basic” on the TEAS will need to complete the Launch program and receive the completion “Green Light” prior to registering for NUR 209/210. Students who receive a score of “developmental” on the TEAS exam must complete the ATI Launch program and retake the TEAS exam. Students scoring ‘developmental” must demonstrate at least a 10% increase in each subset on the TEAS exam prior to registering for NUR 209/210. Students who cannot meet the TEAS benchmark will be unable to register for NUR 209/210.

Once accepted to the University and the Nursing Program more information will be provided on taking the TEAS and the Launch program. Alvernia University must receive TEAS scores for all transfer students by July 30 (for fall semester) or December 10 (for spring semester). Transfer students must demonstrate an official report of “proficient” or higher on the ATI TEAS to progress into sophomore level nursing courses (NUR 209 /NUR 210 ) in the next semester.

Note- All students who take NUR 209 and NUR 210 in the Spring semester will be strongly encouraged to take NUR 218 and NUR 220 over the summer semester. Students who are unable to take NUR 218 and NUR 220 over the summer semester will need to wait to take these courses during the following spring semester.

Students needing to repeat NUR 218 and/or NUR 220 may register for these courses with prior approval and if space is available.

To confimue to progress in the Nursing Program,e ach student must demostrate:

• Achievement of a “C+” or better in each nursing (NUR) course. Students may repeat/delete only one nursing course throughout the nursing program.
• Students who receive a grade of less than a “C+” in a nursing course may not progress in nursing courses for which that course is a prerequisite.
• Achievement of a “C” or better in each required science course. Students may repeat no more than three required foundational science courses (including BIO 107 , BIO 117L , BIO 108 , BIO 118L , CHE 106 , CHE 109L , and BIO 220 ) in order to earn a passing grade of at least a “C” and may repeat no single science course more than one time.
• Students who receive a grade of less than “C” in a required science course may not progress in nursing courses for which that science is a prerequisite.
• Students may not withdraw from any single NUR course more than one time and may not withdraw (without receiving a grade) from more than two total NUR courses during the time they are enrolled in the nursing program.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.5 will be placed on Nursing Department academic probation for one semester and may be academically dismissed from the Nursing Program if the GPA does not meet the minimum standard by the end of the next regular semester.
• Successful completion of ATI Computer Assessments and NCLEX-RN preparation activities as specified in course syllabi.
• Students must display professional, ethical behavior in the classroom and clinical setting as outlined in the BSN Student Handbook.
• Adhere to policies found in the BSN Student Handbook, the Alvernia University catalog, and the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
• Students who fail to meet the BSN Program progression standards will be notified in writing by the Chief Nursing Officer of their dismissal from the program and referred to academic advising for assistance in selecting a new major. Students who are dismissed from the School of Nursing, will be dropped from all nursing courses, and assigned a general advisor. Students who do not drop any NUR courses from their class schedules within one month of this notification will be removed from these courses. Students who do not change their major within two months of such official notification Students will have their status changed to “Undeclared major” until they make a decision about their academic plan.

NOTE: All students who take NUR 209 and NUR 210 in the Spring semester will be strongly encouraged to take NUR 218 and NUR 220 over the summer semester. Students who are unable to take NUR 218 and NUR 220 over the summer semester will need to wait to take these courses during the following spring semester.

Students needing to repeat NUR 218 and/or NUR 220 may register for these courses with prior approval and if space is available.

Other Requirements

In addition to Alvernia University’s health policies, nursing students are required to adhere to clinical facility health requirements. Documentation of receiving all required and recommended immunizations is required. Prior to entering the first nursing clinical course (NUR 220 ), standardized health and safety training and all required background clearances must be completed. Students will receive further information about these requirements as they progress to the sophomore level. CPR instruction for student nurses is required and such instruction is incorporated into required nursing coursework using the RQI Program. Some clearances and related requirements must be completed annually while in the Nursing Program. Nursing students are expected to regularly check and respond to email from the School of Nursing during breaks and the summer, as time-sensitive information with firm deadlines may be communicated.

Drug Testing

Nursing students are required to undergo a substance abuse test for the presence of drugs or controlled substances immediately prior to clinical rotations. Policies regarding random drug screening and screening for cause are described in the BSN Student Handbook.

Additional Fees

Nursing students are responsible for additional expenses, which include, but are not limited to: lab fees, uniforms, child abuse clearance fees, testing fees, tuberculin skin test, college identification, transportation/parking associated with clinical practice and applications for NCLEX and licensure.