CATALOG • 2009-2010

Nursing – Major

For information contact Nancy Dalpezzo.

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:

BIO117 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology 4 credits

BIO118 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credits

BIO127 Clinical Microbiology 4 credits

CHE 103 Concepts in Chemistry 5 credits

MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 3 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 2.5GPAwithin 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 2.500must be maintained in the NUR courses.

• Only one NUR science course can be repeated (BIO117, BIO118, BIO127, CHE 103, NTR 210). That course may be repeated only one time.

• NOTE: Transfer students must meet all requirements for admission to and retention in the major.

In addition to meeting the above requirements, acceptance into the program is based on nursing pre-requisite course GPA, Basic English Composition grade, Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS) English score, TEAS total score, number of credits taken at Cedar Crest College, and the available number of positions in the program. Students should contact the Nursing Department for a copy of the admissions rubric.

If a student’s score is 60.9 or less for the English component of the TEAS, the student will have the opportunity to re-take the TEAS one time after taking the required remediation course offered by Cedar Crest College. If the student retakes the TEAS and scores 60.9 or less on the English component, the student will be denied admission to the nursing program. If the student re-takes the TEAS and scores 61 or greater on the English component of the TEAS, the student will be reconsidered for admission to the nursing program.

For calculation of pre-requisite GPA, students must have completed a minimum of 24 of the 32 nursing pre-requisite course credits. Twelve of the 24 credits must be in the required sciences (BIO 117, BIO 118, BIO 127, CHE 103, NTR 210). If more than 24 credits of the nursing pre-requisite courses are completed, then all credits are used to calculate the GPA. Please visit the Nursing Department website for more information: http: //www2.cedarcrest.edu/academic2/nur/bsn_admissreq.shtm

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 3 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 – American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer OR American Heart Association Basic Life Support of Healthcare Providers

• 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 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 5 credits

NUR 335 Leadership in Nursing 5 credits

NUR 341 Complex Health Problems 4 credits

NUR 342 Independent Practicum 4 credits

*Students must achieve a grade of C+ or better.

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, the academic readiness exam (Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS), references, conferences, travel, professional and scholarly activities.

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: NUR309, 311, 313, 320, 321, 330, 331, 333, 335, 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 333Health Promotion of the Community or NUR 335 Leadership in Nursing:

• Clearance from Health Services

• FBI criminal background check

• Child abuse history clearance

• CPR certification – American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer OR American Heart Association Basic Life Support of Healthcare Providers

• 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

Please refer to the information found in the School Nurse Certification Program section.