The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program is derived from the institutional mission statement of the College. The mission of the Notre Dame College Nursing Program is to prepare a professional nurse who is responsive to the health needs of a diverse global society.
This mission is implemented through fostering personal, professional and social responsibility within the context of a values based faith environment. Liberal arts and the sciences serve as the foundation for the professional education and the development of core competencies. The baccalaureate nursing program provides unique opportunities for service to meet the health needs of society, especially the vulnerable and underserved. International educational opportunities are also integrated throughout the program to prepare students for practice in a rapidly changing global health care environment. The baccalaureate nursing program prepares individuals for practice in a variety of health care settings and serves as a foundation for further graduate education.
Tracks
Multiple entry levels for the program are designed to meet the needs of the lifelong learner. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program has two tracks. The Pre- Licensure track is designed to prepare the student to become a professional nurse. Upon completion of the program the graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse.
The second track is the RN to BSN Post-Licensure track. This track is designed for the registered nurse (RN) who has a diploma in nursing or an Associate of Science degree with a major in nursing and who wants to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the BSN Program will:
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Synthesize concepts and theories from the liberal arts, sciences and the discipline of nursing to promote the health and well being of individuals, groups, communities and populations.
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Communicate effectively using oral, written and other forms of information technology.
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Demonstrate competence in technological skills in professional nursing practice.
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Apply critical thinking to evaluate alternatives and make decisions that affect the health and well-being of self and others.
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Integrate personal and professional values to practice within the legal and ethical standards of the profession.
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Respect human diversity in the provision of health care to populations of different gender, socioeconomic, religious or cultural traditions.
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Demonstrate leadership and management in the delivery of health care within complex adaptive systems.
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Support a commitment to lifelong learning for personal and professional development.
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Use evidence-based practice in the provision of health care services for individuals, groups, communities and populations in a variety of settings.
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Participate in political processes that influence the economic, legal and social direction of health care policies.
ADMISSION TO THE BSN PROGRAM
Nursing Program admission is open to all students who demonstrate that they have the intellectual ability, emotional stability and personal qualifications needed to be a professional nurse. Students wishing to apply to the BSN Program must first be admitted to the College. This is a separate application process conducted through the Admissions Office.
Prerequisites needed before students may apply for admission to the BSN Program include:
EN100/101 Basic Principles of Expository Writing (6 cr.) OR
EN 110 Advanced Composition: Expository Writing (3 cr.)
CH 106/107 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry/ Lab (4 cr.)
CH 116/117 Principles of Organic and Biological Chemistry/Lab (4 cr.)
MA110 Intermediate Algebra (3 cr.)
BI 204/BI 205 &
BI 206/BI 207 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II/Lab (8 cr.)
PY 201 General Psychology (3 cr.)
The nursing application process is competitive with preference given to current Notre Dame students and graduates of the Notre Dame Associate of Health Sciences Program. Not all qualified students may be accepted into the program.
Current Notre Dame College students may apply to the Pre-Licensure track of the BSN program Spring semester for entry beginning the following academic year. Students applying to the nursing program must: 1.) have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher (grades earned over 10 years ago will not be used to calculate the GPA), 2.) complete the course prerequisites for the nursing program with a grade of C or greater, 3.) submit ACT or SAT scores (students who have not taken SAT or ACT scores must take the Nursing Entrance Test (NET), 4.) submit a 1-2 page essay describing their personal/ professional goals, and 5.) meet physical capabilities of the program, as documented in the applicant’s physical exam from their health care provider.
Registered Nurse (RN) students in the Post-Licensure BSN completion track must also show evidence of graduation from a pre-professional nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and evidence of unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Ohio. RN students must meet the same requirements as traditional students in the generic track, with the exception of the ACT/SAT requirement.
Conditional acceptance for students in the Pre-Licensure track may be given for those students who are currently enrolled in nursing program prerequisites at the time of application, based on mid-term grades. All nursing course prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better and all other requirements must be met for full acceptance into the program. Students in the Pre- Licensure track will be notified of final acceptance into the program once grades are received for Spring semester and the cumulative GPA is determined. Students in the RN to BSN Post-Licensure track may be given provisional acceptance pending completion of nursing program prerequisites.
Physical capabilities required for applicants to the
Nursing Program include (but are not limited to):
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Visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to read small print on medication labels and/or physician’s orders, calibrate equipment, perform physical assessment and recognize when a patient is in imminent danger.
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Hearing ability with or without auditory aids to understand the normal speaking voice without seeing the person’s face, hear emergency alarms, student/patient’s calls for help, call bells, and stethoscope sounds originating from body systems.
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Physical ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pulling, pushing, stooping and kneeling.
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Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
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Manual dexterity and fine motor skills, including the ability to draw up medication in a syringe.
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Emotional stability to function in stressful situations and to accept personal responsibility and accountability for his/her actions.
Notre Dame College will make reasonable accommodations to assist a student with a disability to advance through the program.
Transfer and Advanced Standing
Faculty of the Notre Dame Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program will evaluate content of nursing courses to determine if the course is comparable to one offered in the Notre Dame Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Students may be asked to submit course syllabi or other evidence for evaluation of transfer credit. Nursing courses completed more than five years before admission may not transfer and may need to be repeated. Students may be required to take proficiency tests in identified subjects.
The transfer policy for students enrolled in the Notre Dame College Associate of Health Sciences Program that wish to transfer into the Notre Dame College Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is provided in the BSN Student Handbook.
Transfer students must submit a nursing application to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and must meet all prerequisites for entry into the Program. The best qualified applicants will be selected each year based on the number of seats available.
Any student admitted to the Nursing Program with advanced standing must meet current college and nursing program curriculum and graduation requirements at the time of admission to the program.
Grading
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for all students in the baccalaureate nursing program.
A minimum grade of “C” is required in the following pre-requisites and support courses for the nursing major: BI 204/205 Human Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab; BI 206/207 Human Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab; CH 106/107 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry; CH 116/117 Principles of Organic and Biological Chemistry; MA 110 Intermediate Algebra (or equivalent); EN 100/101 Basic Principles of Expository Writing or EN 110 Advanced Composition: Expository Writing; PY 201, General Psychology; SC 201, Introductory Sociology and BI 240/241, Microbiology/Lab.
A minimum grade of “C” is required for satisfactory completion of each nursing course. Students must achieve a minimum exam average of 73 percent in each nursing course and complete all course requirements, as specified in the syllabus, in order to satisfactorily pass the nursing course with a grade of “C” or greater.
If a nursing course has a clinical component, students must achieve a satisfactory rating in the clinical component, as well as meet all other course requirements, in order to successfully pass the course. Prerequisite courses, support courses and nursing courses may be repeated only once if a grade less than “C” is achieved.
Pre-Licensure Track Requirements
Prerequisites (25-28 Credits):
BI 204/205 Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
BI 206/207 Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
CH 106/107 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
CH 116/117 Principles of Organic & Biological Chemistry with Lab
EN 100/101 Basic Principles of Expository Writing
OR
EN 110 Advanced Expository Writing
PY 201 General Psychology
MA 110 Intermediate College Algebra
Support Courses (16 Credits):
BI 240/241 Introductory Microbiology with Lab
HP 215 Nutrition for Sports, Fitness & Health
MA 221 Statistics I
PY 251 Lifespan Development
SO 201 Introduction to Sociology
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NURSING MAJOR
61 Credits
NR 200 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
NR 215 Foundations of Nursing I
NR 216 Foundations of Nursing II
NR 225 Pharmacology
NR 310 Evidence Based Practice
NR 320 Adult Nursing Practice
NR 330 Mental Health Nursing
NR 340 Family Nursing
NR 410 Health Care Policy in Complex Adaptive Systems
NR 420 Community/Populations Nursing Practice
NR 430 Nursing Care of Adults/Families with Complex Multisystem Health Alterations
NR 440 Professional Issues
NR 450 Gerontology
NR 460 Health Care Leadership/Management
NR 461 Professional Practicum
Nursing Elective (3 Credits), Choose one:
NR 470/471 Complementary/Alternative Health
NR 472/473 Selected Topics in Nursing NR
474/475 International Nursing in a Developing Country
Post-Licensure RN to BSN Requirements:
A Registered Nurse (RN) student who is a graduate of a nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) will receive a minimum of 31 semester credits for previous nursing courses. These credits will be awarded upon completion of the NR 300 Professional Transitions course.
RN students who submit evidence of current certification in critical care from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses or who have certification in emergency nursing from the Emergency Nurses Association may obtain credit by examination for NR 430 Nursing Care of Adults/Families with Complex Health Alterations. This credit will be applied upon completion of the program.
Prerequisites (25-28 Credits):
BI 204/205 Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
BI 206/207 Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
CH 106/107 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
CH 116/117 Principles of Organic & Biological Chemistry with Lab
EN 100/101 Basic Principles of Expository Writing
OR
EN 110 Advanced Expository Writing
PY 201 General Psychology
MA 110 Intermediate College Algebra
Support Courses (16 Credits):
BI 240/241 Introductory Microbiology with Lab
HP 215 Nutrition for Sports, Fitness & Health
MA 221 Statistics I
PY 251 Lifespan Development
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NURSING MAJOR
30 Credits
NR 200 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
NR 300 Professional Transitions
NR 310 Evidence Based Practice
NR 410 Health Care Policy in Complex
Adaptive Systems
NR 420 Community/Populations Nursing
Practice
NR 430 Nursing Care of Adults/Families with
Complex Multisystem Health Alterations
NR 450 Gerontology
NR 460 Health Care Leadership/Management
Nursing Elective (2-3 Credits), Choose one:
NR 470/471 Complementary/Alternative Health
NR 472/473 Selected Topics in Nursing
NR 474/475 International Nursing in a
Developing Country
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COURSE OFFERINGS
NR 200 Health Assessment Across the Life Span 3cr.
Didactic and lab with 2 hours/week of class and one three hour lab per week.
A systems approach is used to provide students with a comprehensive approach for basic health assessment of the individual. Cross cultural approaches for interviewing and communication principles are presented. Collection of data and identification of patterns and relationships provide a foundation for personal health assessment and the nursing care planning process. Developmental theories across the lifespan serve as a framework for assessment of normal growth and development. Prerequisites: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program; BI 240/ 241, Introductory Microbiology/Lab (or concurrent); PY 251, Lifespan Development (or concurrent).
NR 215 Foundations of Nursing I 4 cr.
Didactic, lab, clinical with 2 class hours/week, one 3-hour lab/week and 45 hours clinical/semester.
Introduction to the theoretical foundations of nursing and conceptual framework of the curriculum. Concepts presented include critical thinking and the nursing process, basic health care needs of the individual, diversity, systems theory, communication, and evidence based practice. The process of values clarification is discussed. Legal, professional and ethical standards of the profession are introduced. Prerequisites: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, BI 240/ 241, Introductory Microbiology/Lab (or concurrent)
NR 225 Pharmacology 3 cr.
Didactic with 3 class hours/week.
Pharmacokinetics and clinical applications of a variety of classes of drugs based on body systems and clinical concepts are presented. Drug interactions with living systems are examined. Role of the nurse is discussed, including legal and ethical issues related to medication administration. Opportunities to develop skill in drug calculations are provided. Prerequisites: Admission to the Baccalaureate Nursing Program, BI 240/241, Introductory Microbiology/Lab, NR 215, Foundations of Nursing I.
NR 216 Foundations of Nursing II 4 cr.
Didactic, lab, clinical with two class hours/week, one 3-hour lab/week and 45 hours clinical/semester.
Builds on concepts, knowledge and skills introduced in Foundations of Nursing I. Establishes a foundation for safe nursing practice in meeting basic care needs for individuals with common disruptions of body systems. Presents scientific principles and evidence base for skill development, including medication administration. Opportunities for self mastery and application of skills are provided in a variety of settings. Use of critical thinking in application of skills is stressed. Prerequisites: NR 200, Health Assessment Across the Lifespan; NR 215, Foundations of Nursing I; NR 225, Pharmacology (or concurrent)
NR 300 Professional Transitions 3 cr.
(For RN’s ONLY)
Didactic with 3 class hours/week.
Introduction to the philosophy and curriculum framework for BSN completion program. Theoretical foundations of nursing practice are presented. Systems theory and complexity theory are introduced. Process of values clarification is introduced. Current nursing issues are discussed. Prerequisites: Unencumbered license as a registered nurse; evidence of satisfactory completion of an accredited diploma or Associate of Science in Nursing program.
NR 310 Evidence-Based Practice 3 cr.
Didactic with 3 hours class/week.
Sources, levels and strength of evidence for best practice are reviewed. Process for critiquing evidence is discussed. Methods and tools for implementation of evidence-based practice to achieve optimal patient outcomes are examined. Relationship of health care policy to evidence-based practice is discussed. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level I nursing courses; MA 221, Statistics I (or concurrent).
NR 320 Adult Nursing Practice 7 cr.
Didactic, clinical with 5 hours class/week and 90 hours clinical/semester.
Study of health alterations of the adult through the lifespan. Application of critical thinking and the nursing process in the care of adults with short-term acute and/or chronic health alterations. Interrelationships of body systems are emphasized as well as interrelationships with other complex adaptive systems. Application of strategies for health promotion, maintenance and restoration of the adult. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Level I nursing courses; NR 310, Evidence-Based Practice (or concurrent).
NR 330 Mental Health Nursing 4 cr.
Didactic, clinical with 3 hours class/week and 90 hours clinical/semester.
Focus is on promotion and maintenance of mental health and care of individuals, and groups experiencing mental health alterations. Emphasis is placed on vulnerable populations and the context in which mental health alterations occur. Health care policy implications of mental health issues are discussed. Service-learning opportunities are provided with vulnerable populations experiencing or at high risk for mental health alterations. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Level I nursing courses; NR 320, Adult Nursing Practice.
NR 340 Family Nursing 6 cr.
Didactic, clinical with 4 hours/week class and 90 hours clinical/semester.
Family assessment and diversity of family styles. Issues related to providing health care services for vulnerable family populations are compared with issues related to healthy families. Strategies to minimize health risk and to promote health and well being of the family are discussed. Care of parents, including pregnancy, and children from newborn through adolescence are presented in the context of a childrearing family as a complex adaptive system. Service learning opportunities are provided with vulnerable family populations. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Level I nursing courses; NR 320, Adult Nursing Practice.
NR 410 Health Care Policy in Complex Adaptive Systems 3 cr.
Didactic with 3 hours of class/week.
Analyses of economic, legal and social factors impacting health care policies. Discussion of relationship between emerging social issues/trends and health care disparities. Discussion of social justice and equity in access and delivery of health care services. Opportunities are provided to participate in political processes impacting nursing and health care policy. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Level II nursing courses. NR 300, Professional Transitions, (or concurrent) for students in the RN to BSN Track. Open to non-nursing majors with permission of instructor.
NR 420 Community/Populations Nursing Practice 5cr.
Didactic, clinical with 3 hours class/week and 90 hours clinical/semester.
Introduces concepts and strategies to promote culturally sensitive care for communities and populations. Diversity and culture are examined in relation to social context and patterns of interconnected relationships. Epidemiological concepts are integrated throughout. Examines the role of the nurse in caring for communities. Emergency preparedness and bioterrorism are introduced. Collaboration and coordination with community members and agencies is emphasized. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Level II nursing courses; NR 410, Health Care Policy (or concurrent). NR 300, Professional Transitions (or concurrent) for students in the RN to BSN Track.
NR 430 Nursing Care of Adults/Families with Complex Multisystem Health Alterations 5 cr.
Didactic, clinical with 3 class hours/week and 90 hours clinical/semester.
Application of critical thinking and use of the nursing process with adults/families experiencing complex, multisystem health alterations. Role of technology in the assessment and management of acutely ill adults is discussed. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Level II nursing courses.
NR 440 Professional Issues 3 cr.
Didactic with 3 hours class/week.
Analyses of economic, legal, historical and social issues affecting the practice of nursing and health care within complex adaptive systems. Discussion of the role of the nurse as a provider of care, a designer/manager/ coordinator of care and a member of the profession. Examines scope and standards for the nursing profession and ethical issues related to the practice of nursing. Emerging trends in practice, education and delivery of care are discussed. Law regulating the practice of nursing is reviewed. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Level II nursing courses.
NR 450 Gerontology 3 cr.
Didactic, Clinical/Service Learning with 2 class hours/week and 45 clinical/service learning hours/semester.
Study of theories of aging and systems impacting older adults. Literature and art are used as a medium to examine issues related to aging. Discussion of end-of-life concepts and theories. Examines responses of the older adult in health and illness from an interdisciplinary perspective. Prerequisites: PY 251, Lifespan Development; satisfactory completion of Level II nursing courses; NR 300, Professional Transitions (or concurrent) for students in the RN to BSN track; or permission of instructor for non-nursing majors. Junior or senior status is required.
NR 460 Health Care Leadership/Management 5 cr.
Didactic, clinical with 3 hours class/week and 90 hours clinical/semester.
Exploration of leadership and management theories/ concepts applied to the role of the nurse as a leader, manager and coordinator of care. Examines concepts and theories related to negotiation, conflict management, and delegation. Legal implications of documentation and delegation are emphasized. Strategies to improve cost and quality of care, based on evidence-based practice, are applied within complex adaptive health care systems. Prerequisites: NR 430, Nursing Care of Individuals with Complex Multisystem Health Alterations. Must be taken concurrent with NR 461, Professional Practicum for students enrolled in the BSN Pre-Licensure Track; NR 300, Professional Transitions, for students enrolled in the RN to BSN Track.
NR 461 Professional Practicum 3 cr.
Seminar/Clinical with one hour seminar/week and 90 hours clinical/semester.
Role development of the professional nurse. Prepares students for transition to practice as a professional nurse. Students develop an individualized program of study to integrate concepts/theories of the nursing program into their professional practice. Includes discussion of strategies for organization and time management. Prerequisites: NR 410, Health Care Policy; NR 420, Community/Populations Nursing Practice; NR 430, Nursing Care of Individuals with Complex Health Alterations. Prerequisites: NR 440, Professional Issues; NR 460, Health Care Leadership/Management (or concurrent).
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NURSING ELECTIVES
NR 470/471 Complementary/ Alternative Heath 2-3 cr.
Didactic with 2 class hours/week.
May involve a service learning component. Introduction to use of complementary and alternative health modalities (CAM). Analysis of evidence base for selected CAM. Prerequisites: Junior or senior level status for nursing majors. Junior or senior status and HP 110 or 112 or equivalent, for non-nursing majors.
OR
NR 472/473 Selected Topics in Nursing 2-3 cr.
Focus is a special topic related to nursing. Course is taught in seminar format. Topic for seminar to be announced. May involve a service learning component. Prerequisites: Junior or senior level status for nursing majors.
OR
NR 474/475 International Nursing in a Developing Country 2-3 cr.
Didactic with 2 class hours/week.
May involve a service learning component. Comparison of health care systems in a developing versus developed country. Introduction to tropical and other diseases seen in developing countries. Cultural beliefs impacting health care are discussed. May include a travel abroad component. Prerequisites: Junior or senior level status for nursing majors.
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