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Nursing

University Park (NURS)

PROFESSOR PAULA MILONE-NUZZO, Dean, School of Nursing

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing prepares students to become professional practitioners in areas of health promotion and maintenance, illness care, and rehabilitation. After earning this degree in Nursing, students are qualified to take the registered nurse examination for licensure by the State Board of Nursing. The Nursing major is accredited by The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326 (404-975-5000), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036 (202-463-6930), and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

B.S. Nursing majors will choose one of the following options:

General Nursing Option: This option admits students to the major either as freshmen or in the sophomore year through a review process as a change-of-major or transfer student. Clinical experiences occur at local clinical facilities surrounding Penn State's Univeristy Park Campus or at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, which requires students to reside at that location.

Second or Additional Degree Option: This option admits students, who have successfully completed a bachelor's degree in another discipline, to the major through a review process. All students must have met all general education and prerequisite course requirements. This option is only available at Penn State Altoona. Clinical experiences occur at facilities surrounding Penn State Altoona.

For Both Options: All transportation and expenses related to clinical are the responsibility of the student. All students must carry professional liability insurance; complete an annual health examination, criminal background and child abuse history clearance; maintain CPR certification and adhere to any additional requirements of the clinical facilities.

Undergraduate Academic Progression Policy

The Academic Progression policy delineates the academic standards for pre-licensure students (students without an RN license). Failure of two nursing courses results in dismissal from the Nursing major. Details of the academic progression policy are available in the student handbook. (http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/nurs/Handbooks/index/html).

For the B.S. degree in Nursing, a minimum of 120 credits is required. The Second or Additional Degree Option requires the completion of 60 credits of general education and prerequisite courses in the first degree program (prior to admission) and 60 credits of nursing courses completed after admission.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(20-22 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

(Second or Additional Degree Option: First-Year Seminar not required since students accepted into this program are required to have earned a bachelor's degree in another discipline)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

ELECTIVES: 5-7 credits

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 88-92 credits[1] [2]
(This includes 20-22 credits of General Education courses: 3 credits of GHA courses; 7-9 credits of GN courses; 4 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GS courses.)

COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR (ALL OPTIONS): 31-32 credits

PRESCRIBED COURSES (25 credits)
BIOL 129 GN(4), BIOL 141 GN(3), BIOL 142(1), HD FS 129 GS(3), MICRB 106 GN(3), MICRB 107 GN(1), NUTR 251 GHA(3), PSYCH 100 GS(3), STAT 200 GQ(4) (Sem: 1-4)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (6-7 credits)
CHEM 101(3); or CHEM 110 GN(3) and CHEM 111 GN(1) (Sem: 1-4)
SOC 001 GS(3) or SOC 005 GS(3) (Sem: 1-4)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPTION: 57-60 credits

GENERAL NURSING OPTION: (57 credits)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (54 credits)
NURS 215 US(3)[38], NURS 225(3)[38], NURS 230(4)[38] (Sem: 3-4)
NURS 200W(3)[38], NURS 205(3)[38], NURS 301(4)[38], NURS 302(4)[38], NURS 310(4)[38], NURS 320(4)[38], NURS 351(3)[38] (Sem: 5-6)
NURS 400(3)[38], NURS 405(4)[38], NURS 406(4)[38], NURS 415 US;IL(4)[38], NURS 420(4)[38] (Sem: 7-8)

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (3 credits)
Select 3 credits from School-approved list in consultation with adviser, 3 credits of which must be at the 400 level (Sem: 7-8)

SECOND OR ADDITIONAL DEGREE OPTION: (60 credits)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (60 credits)
NURS 205(3)[38], NURS 215 US(3)[38], NURS 225(3)[38], NURS 230(4)[38], NURS 351(3)[38] (Sem: 1)
NURS 200W(3)[38], NURS 301(4)[38], NURS 302(4)[38], NURS 310(4)[38] (Sem: 2)
NURS 320(4)[38], NURS 406(4)[38], NURS 415 US;IL(4)[38], NURS 420(4)[38] (Sem: 3)
NURS 400(3)[38], NURS 405(4)[38], NURS 495(6)[38] (Sem: 4)

[1]A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
[2] Completed prior to admission for students taking the Second or Additional Degree Option.
[38] Due to restricted enrollment, the School of Nursing assigns the semester in which students enroll in these courses and all course prerequisites must be successfully completed.

Last Revised by the Department: Fall Semester 2009

Blue Sheet Item #: 37-02-030

Review Date: 10/7/08

(R&T 2/28/06)

UCA Revision #1: 8/9/06

Address update, accrediting agency: 10/2/09

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HH