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. Purpose of the Program

Nursing offers a 30 credit hour upper-division program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for licensed registared nurses. The mission of the program is to provide educational mobility for associate degree and diploma prepared nurses and to provide preparation for graduate education in nursing. The curriculum, designed to build on the students' previous education and experience, prepares nurses for professional nursing practice. Major areas of emphasis include family nursing, community health, leadership, and research. Graduates are prepared to provide primary health care in diverse settings; to provide education to individuals, families, and community groups; and to continue lifelong learning.

The minimum time required to complete the program is one (1) academic year (one 8 week semester and two 16 week semesters), provided the student meets all other Nursing and University graduation requirements. Students working full-time typically complete the program in 4-6 semesters (two academic years). Students may take a maximum of five (5) academic years to complete the program after enrolling in nursing courses with field experiences. On-site and video-conferenced nursing classes meet every two weeks (3-4 clock hours) with instructor directed learning activities during the interim weeks (3-4 clock hours), originate at the Muskogee campus, and are offered at select distant sites through various distance education means. All nursing courses may be completed through a web-based option. The class schedules address the needs of many RNs who work full-time and attend school part-time. Four courses contain one credit hour arranged field experiences (64 clock hours). Arranged field experiences are usually scheduled during the weekday and conducted in the general area of the students' residences. Independent nursing studies (1-2 credit hours) are available to address specific interests and elective hour needs.

Northeastern State University is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 800-621-7440. All programs offered by the University are approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, 212-363-5555, Ext. 153. The NLNAC is a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The tuition costs published in the semester course schedules and/or university catalog are generally less than those of comprehensive state and nearby out-of-state universities. Membership in Zeta Delta Chapter-At-Large of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing, is available to eligible students.

Program Goals

1. Provide the diploma and associate degree nursing graduate with a broadened educational base for improvement of nursing practice.
2. Offer a baccalaureate program in nursing that instills lifelong learning and provides basic preparation for graduate education in nursing.
3. Provide a nursing program designed to meet the needs of the state, region and nation by preparing RNs at the baccalaureate level to practice professional nursing in diverse rolls and settings.
4. Facilitate students' mastery of knowledge and skills essential for professional nursing.
5. Enable students to broaden their knowledge base through selected general education, prerequsite and support courses.
6. Provide an educational environment that will foster professional development and personal growth of students and faculty.
7. Promote faculty and student involvement in activities relating to the promotion of health of individuals, families, communities and society.

Philosophy

Northeastern State University is strongly committed to excellence in instruction, to appropriate basic and applied research, to educational outreach and service, and to cultural activities that enhance the quality of life in the region and state. The university's mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate education leading to bachelor degrees, master degrees in selected areas, and a doctoral degree in Optometry. The philosophy and objectives of the Nursing Program are in accord with the mission and purposes of the University. The nursing faculty shares beliefs about the person, environment, society, health, nursing, learning, professional nursing education, and professional role development that form the philosophy of the Nursing Progam.

The person is viewed as a unique, holistic, individual worthy of respect and dignity. Each person is an interrelated physical, mental, social, and spiritual system. The person is an experiencing and perceiving individual, family, community, or population who interacts with the environment and is the focus of nursing . Each person, during the dynamic process of development, strives for well-being, is responsible for individual health, and exercises the right of choice regarding health needs.

The Environment reflects two interrelated components. First, the internal environment comprises all the dimensions of the person. Second, the external environment, or everything outside the person, comprises multiple dimensions that affect the person. Patterns of interaction between the internal and external environment make each individual, family, and community unique.

Society, the context of nursing, is dynamic and pluralistic. It is made up of persons who live together as families and communities with their own value systems. Society is characterized by diverse groups and populations. Within groups, the family is the fundamental and most significant unit and is self defined. Patterns of interaction within the family affect the health of individuals, families and communities.

Health is a dynamic state of well-being in which the potential of a person is realized to the fullest extent possible. It is a continually evolving and varying process and state. Health is "an experience that is often expressed in terms of wellness and illness, and may occur in the presence or absence of disease or injury" (ANA scope & standards of practice, 2004, p. 48). Persons are active participants in achieving health. The professional nurse is a role model and seeks to empower individuals, families, and communities to accept self-responsibility and accountability for their own well-being.

Nursing: "is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations" (Nursing's social policy statement, 2003, p. 6). Central to the practice of professional nursing is the value of altruism reflected by concern for the welfare of persons. Nursing is a scientific discipline validated through research. The art of nursing encompasses caring and partnering with individuals, families, communities and populations as they strive toward meaningful health. Nursing employs the nursing process with persons in their environments. Nursing assists in the mastery of developmental tasks, knowledge, and skills necessary to promote, attain, and maintain health.

Teaching/Learning: Teaching is a reciprocal exchange of knowledge, beliefs, values, attitudes, and skills that promotes lifelong learning. Teaching is the facilitation of mutual learning that requires partnering, sharing experiences, and creating a collaborative eduacational environment that fosters critical thinking. Learning is the outcome of teaching that can be reflected in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Teaching/learning seeks to advance growth through experiences that promote a sense of excitement, curiostiy, creativity, and discovery.

Professional nursing education: is the integration of liberal, science and nursing concepts and theories to facilitate acquisition and refinement of knowledge, beliefs, values, attitudes, and skills reflected in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Based on a philosophical foundation of valuing student success and supporting professional role development, the concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines form the structure of the nursing curriculum. Professional nursing education prepares students to practice as a professional nurse in diverse roles and settings.

Professional role development is evaluated throughout the nursing educational program. The use of theory and research based knowledge in direct and indirect nursing care and in the formation of partnerships is evaluated. Other skills essential to the development of the nurse as manager and coordinator of care include: autonomy, accountability, critical thinking, decision making, collaboration, collegiality, communication, and advocacy. Experiences are designed to provide an understanding of the nurse as a professional, encourage lifelong learning, incorporate professionalism into practice, and identify with the values of the profession.

American Nurses Association. (2004). Nursing: Scope & standards of practice. Washington, DC: nursebooks.org The publishing Program of ANA.

American Nurses Association. (2003). Nursing's social policy statement (2nd ed.) Washington, DC: American Nurses Publishing.

Terminal Program Objectives

At the completion of the program, the student will:

1. Partner with patients and other health care professionals to provide primary health care through health promotion, protection, and restoration, and end of life care.
2. Apply the nursing process, based on current knowledge and theory, to provide holistic care directly or indirectly to diverse patients across varied environments.
3. Mobilize and manage information, technology and other human resources effectively.
4. Respond to and initiate change by leading, advocating, and partnering with professionals, community, and populations to improve health care.
5. Contribute to the professional development of colleagues.
6. Build skills in critique and use of research.
7. Assume responsibility and accountability for professional practice and lifelong learning.

Admission Requirements

In order to qualify for admission to the upper-division major in nursing, the student must:

1. Be graduated from a state-approved associate degree or diploma nursing program.
2. Be currently licensed as an R.N. (Graduate nurses may be admitted on the condition that they must achieve R.N. status by the end of their first semester).
3. Have professional liability insurance with limits of $1,000,000/incident and $3,000,000 aggregate.
4. Submit a physical examination report which includes Tetanus immunization, either a negative PPD tuberculin test or chest x-ray, either rubella immunization or a positive screen for rubella, and either Hepatitis B series vaccine or a signed declination and either influenza vaccine or a signed declination (some clinical agencies may require further verification of health status). If born after 1956, Rubeola immunity is needed.
5. Have a current CPR Healthcare Provider card.
6. Have an overall GPA of 2.0 with no grade below a "C" in nursing support (upper and lower-division) and lower-division nursing courses.
7. Diploma graduates must have successfully completed a battery of nursing proficiency tests. Credits for lower-division nursing content will be awarded to those who successfully pass the tests and the first semester of the nursing program.
8. A background check for abuse, violence, and substance abuse is required.
9. It is recommended that students have at least one year of nursing practice within the last three years, or have completed a refresher course in nursing within the last year.
10. Have completed lower-division requirements with credit hours distributed as follows below.

Progression and Graduation Requirements

Students progress through the program by earning a grade of "C" or better in all upper division nursing support and nursing courses. In combined theory and field experience courses, a passing grade of "C" or better in each component must be received in order to pass the course. In the case of unethical, illegal or unprofessional behavior, or violations found in the Unsafe Nursing Practice Policy, the Admission and Retention Promotion Committee will investigate, impose any sanctions, and determine retention in the program. Such violations may also be subject to disciplinary actions under the university conduct code and/or relevant Nurse Practice Act.

Graduation is dependent on attaining all hours required by the degree and the university, all minimum proficiencies required by the university, and a graduation/retention grade point average of 2.0 or better. Any elective hours must be completed by graduation.

Grades for lecture and field experience requirements are consistent with the university policies and follow a standard scale of: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), and F (0-59). Course graded materials and activities include, but are not limited to, scholarly papers, presentations, reports, exams, class participation, field experience, and evaluations. Grievance mechanisms for academic appeals usually begin with the instructor, and subsequently may involve the program chair and/or department Academic Appeals Board, college dean, academic vice-president, and finally, the university president. Grievances for other concerns may be referred to the university's student grievance committee for resolution.

The Nursing Student Handbook contains all admission, promotion, retention, and graduation requirements. Any student with a disability whose condition prohibits achievement of any admission, promotion, or retention requirement may petition for waiver.

General Education & Prerequisite Courses

Communications - 9 hours

English Composition I & II, and Fundamentals of Oral Communication.

Social Science - 9 hours

American History, American Federal Government, Fund. of Geography.

Humanities - 6 hours

General Humanities I, Humanities II, Global Humanities, World Literature, Intro to Philosophy, Early Western Civilization, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Film Appreciation, History of Theatare, Theater Appreciation, Comparative Religion, Native American Art, Intro. to Music, Music Theater Appreciation, Jazz Appreciation or 3 hours foreign language.

Quantitative Analysis - 3 hours

e.g. College Algebra.

Physical Education - 4 hours

Basic Nutrition or Personal Health and 1 hour PE Activity.

Computer Proficiency - 3 hours

IS/CS 1003 or test out.

Nursing Support/Prerequisite Courses (Lower-Division):

Natural and Behavioral Science courses also meet General Education Requirements. A grade of "C" or better is required.

Natural Science - 11-16 hours

Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and General Chemistry.

Behavioral Science - 3 hours

Intro to Psychology

Statistics - 3 hours

Nursing - 30 hours

Transfer credit or credit by examination.

RNs with an Oklahoma Associate of Science or Associate of Arts degree will have satisfied all General Education requirements; certain lower division prerequisites must be completed with a grade of "C" or better by all RNs. All other RNs must meet NSU General Education requirements, including required initial enrollment(s) in math deficiency removal courses if a deficiency exists.

Application Procedure

Applications for admission will be accepted through November 1 and January 1 prior to the fall and spring semester in which the applicant wishes to begin the field experience nursing sequence. Applications for admission will be reviewed in February of each year. Applications received after that time may be considered if spaces are available. Applications should be filed as early as possible. Applications and all supporting documents should be sent to: Department of Nursing, Northeastern State University - Muskogee, PO Box 549, Muskogee, OK 74402-0549. It is suggested that each candidate schedule an interview with the department chair. Specific information on admission procedures are available in the Department of Nursing Office. A complete application is composed of the following:

1. Completed application forms (University and Nursing).
2. Official transcripts from each school attended.
3. Three reference names provided on application to nursing program.
4. Completed health form including Tetanus, TB, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Influenza, and Rubeola (if needed) documentation.
5. Photocopy of professional liability insurance policy face sheet.
6. RN license number for verification.
7. Photocopy of both sides of current CPR card.
8. Completed background check and release form.
9. Meet all requirements for admission to the university as given in the Northeastern State University Catalog.
10. Tests for diploma nurse graduates (contact the program chair for information about nursing proficiency tests; all tests should be completed at least six weeks prior to the semester of admission to the nursing program).

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