Nursing – Major
For information, contact Dr. Laurie Murray.
The nursing program at Cedar Crest prepares students to function as professional
nurse generalists committed to lifelong learning. It provides the foundation
for future graduate study in nursing and serves as the basis for a variety of
careers in health care. Successful completion of the National Council Licensure
Examination leads to licensure as a registered nurse.
The use of the nursing process in caring for individuals, families and
communities in diverse multicultural settings is emphasized. This includes
participation with colleagues on the interdisciplinary health-care team as well
as acceptance of responsibility and accountability for nursing actions in a
changing society.
The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is
accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61
Broadway, New York, NY 10006, 212-363-5555, ext. 153.
Grade Requirements
Assessment tests, for which each student is charged, are required prior to
entering NUR courses and graduation. A minimum overall grade point average of
2.500 is required to begin junior-level nursing courses, as well as a 2.700
grade-point average in these nursing prerequisite courses:
BIO 117 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology 4 credits
BIO 118 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
BIO 127 Fundamentals of Microbiology 4 credits
CHE 103 Concepts in Chemistry 5 credits
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 4 credits
NTR 210 Principles of Human Nutrition 3 credits
PSY 100 General Psychology 3 credits
PSY 250 Life-Span Development 3 credits
SOC 100 Introduction to Culture and Society 3 credits
Both a 2.5 GPA within nursing courses and a 2.5 overall GPA are required to
progress in the nursing program every semester thereafter until graduation. A
minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation.
• A minimum grade of C is required in all courses listed above.
• A minimum grade of C+ is required in NUR 309 and NUR 311. All other NUR courses
require a minimum
grade of C. A minimum GPA of 2.500 must be maintained in the NUR courses.
grade of C. A minimum GPA of 2.500 must be maintained in the NUR courses.
• Only one NUR science course can be repeated (BIO 117, BIO 118, BIO 127, CHE
103, NTR 210). That course
may be repeated only one time.
may be repeated only one time.
• NOTE: Transfer students must meet all requirements for admission to and
retention in the major.
Liberal Arts Curriculum Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the College,
students must have completed two years of laboratory science (biology and
chemistry). High school anatomy and physiology and microbiology are highly
recommended.
Prior to admission to the nursing major, all the requirements of the liberal
arts curriculum and the following courses must be met:
BIO 117 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credits
BIO 118 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits
BIO 127 Fundamentals of Microbiology 4 credits
CHE 103 Concepts in Chemistry 5 credits
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 4 credits
NTR 210 Principles of Human Nutrition 3 credits
PSY 100 General Psychology 3 credits
PSY 250 Life-Span Development 3 credits
SOC 100 Introduction to Culture and Society 3 credits
Requirements for the Nursing Major
Students majoring in nursing must be accepted, matriculated and complete at
least six credits at Cedar Crest College the semester prior to her/his intended
clinical start. In order to declare Nursing as a major, the student must meet the current
overall and nursing pre-req GPA requirements, as well as, submit a clear FBI Criminal Background Check and a clear Child Abuse History
Clearance.
Priority of placement for clinical start date is based on the date of
matriculation. Students must complete the following requirements for the Nursing major:
• Clearance from Health Services
• FBI criminal background check
• Child abuse history clearance
• CPR certification – level C
• Proof of health insurance
Due dates for these clinical requirements are determined by clinical start times
as follows:
• Fall clinical course(s): required documentation due by March 15.
• Spring clinical course(s): required documentation due by September 15.
• Summer clinical course(s): required documentation due by January 15.
Those who do not complete the clinical requirements by the due dates will not be
permitted to enroll in clinical courses. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all requirements are properly completed.
Students who remain in their program sequence are given priority placement in
clinical courses. Those who need to take a course out of their program’s sequence will be placed as space is available.
NUR 309* Health Promotion I 5 credits
NUR 311* Health Assessment 3 credits
NUR 313 Mental Health Promotion 4 credits
NUR 314 Pharmacology 3 credits
NUR 323 Concepts in Nursing 2 credits
NUR 320 Family Health Promotion I 4 credits
NUR 321 Health Promotion II 4 credits
NUR 322 Research I 2 credits
NUR 323 Concepts in Professional Nursing 2 credits
NUR 330 Family Health Promotion II 4 credits
NUR 331 Health Promotion III 5 credits
NUR 332 Research II 3 credits
NUR 333 Health Promotion of the Community 4 credits
NUR 335 Leadership in Nursing 5 credits
NUR 341 Complex Health Problems 4 credits
NUR 342 Independent Practicum 4 credits
Expenses (in addition to comprehensive and special fees)
Nursing students are responsible for any fees involved when obtaining the
required health insurance, physical exam, personal background checks,
immunizations, CPR training, ID badges, clinical laboratory supplies, textbooks
and references, conferences, travel, professional and scholarly activities.
*Students must achieve a grade of C+ or better.
Clinical Nursing Fee
A student will be charged a clinical fee for each clinical course (please refer
to the Academic Fees section for the current rate). The fee is used for
required conferences, seminars both on and off campus, trips, lab supplies, and
related clinical expenses. The fee applies to the following courses: NUR 309,
311, 313, 320, 321, 330, 331, 333, 334, 341, 342, and is non-refundable after
the drop-add period.
Travel Policies
Transportation to, from and within clinical agencies is the responsibility of
the student.
Clinical Agencies
A variety of clinical agencies, including but not limited to, Good Shepherd
Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, KidsPeace, Lehigh Valley Hospitals, St.
Luke’s Hospitals, and Sacred Heart Hospital are utilized.
RN Students
Registered Nurses must meet all the curriculum requirements for the nursing
major. An RN may be awarded academic credit for previous non-nursing studies.
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Articulation Model, 32 nursing credits may
be awarded upon completion of the Professional Nursing Seminar (NUR 324), which
facilitates progress toward degree completion.
Cedar Crest will accept RNs directly into the nursing program without testing,
provided the applicant has graduated from an NLNAC accredited and state
approved program; is licensed to practice as an RN; obtained a 2.5 GPA in their
previous course of study; and graduated within three years of application to
the school or worked 1,000 hours within the last three years. (See the Nursing
Department for specific criteria)
All RNs must have RN licensure from the state of Pennsylvania. RNs must also submit the following requirements prior to entering NUR 333 Health
Promotion of the Community or NUR 334/335 Leadership in Nursing:
• Clearance from Health Services
• FBI criminal background check
• Child abuse history clearance
• CPR certification – level C
• Proof of health insurance
LPN Students
The LPN has the option of, either taking NUR 309 Health Promotion I, or auditing
it. Additionally, NUR 314, Pharmacology, for three credits is awarded to the LPN who
has successfully demonstrated competency by passing the National Association
for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES) exam. (See the Nursing
Department for specific criteria)
Admission Credentials—Registered Nurses
Graduates of NLNAC-accredited diploma or associate degree programs in nursing
may apply to Cedar Crest to continue their education toward a bachelor of
science degree with a major in nursing. Candidates must submit an application
along with official transcripts from secondary schools, nursing school and any
other post-secondary institutions to the center for lifelong learning.
Applicants for the bachelor of science degree with a major in nursing are
required to have an interview with the academic coordinator located in the
Nursing Department.
Accepted students may be awarded advanced standing in nursing, depending on
prior educational experiences.
Registered Nurses are required to take six nursing courses as part of their
degree requirements, including NUR 324, a Professional Nursing Seminar,
facilitating entry into the nursing program. The credentials of registered
nurses who have graduated from a nursing program other than an NLNAC-accredited
program will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Departmental Review for Field Placement
Students majoring in Education, Nuclear Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition or Social
Work are required to complete a field practicum or clinical experience. Because this requirement necessitates working with the public in a professional
setting, it is important that the student has advanced interpersonal skills,
mature judgment, and appropriate professional demeanor. Thus faculty in these programs will review students prior to the practicum and
make appropriate recommendations up to and including removal from placement.
School Nurse Certification
Refer to School Nurse Certification Program on page 143.