Nursing - Major

For information, contact Dr. Wendy J. Robb at wjrobb@cedarcrest.edu, 610-606-4606.

The undergraduate nursing program at Cedar Crest College prepares students to function as professional nurse generalists committed to lifelong learning. It prepares graduates to function as registered nurses within the rights and privileges of the Professional Code of Ethics for Nurses and in compliance with the State Nurse Practice Acts. It provides the foundation for future graduate study in nursing and serves as the basis for a variety of careers in the area of health care.

The Cedar Crest College undergraduate nursing program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, (ACEN), at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404.975.5000.

Graduation from Cedar Crest College's undergraduate nursing program does not guarantee licensure as a registered nurse. To obtain licensure, individuals must obtain approval from the State Board of Nursing and successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) leads to licensure as a registered nurse. To see the current pass rates for graduates of the Nursing Program at Cedar Crest College access the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website at https://www.ncsbn.org

Mission Statement

The mission of the Cedar Crest College undergraduate nursing program is to prepare professional nurses by building on a foundation firmly grounded in the liberal arts. A Cedar Crest College nursing education fosters development of the whole person while cultivating commitment to lifelong learning. Nursing graduates are empowered to assume leadership roles in a global society.

The Cedar Crest College Nursing Department is housed in the Hamilton Boulevard Building. The 36,500 square foot building includes: a maternal child health lab, 2 health assessment labs (undergraduate and graduate level), an adult acute care lab and a nursing fundamentals lab. The labs simulate a wide variety of nursing practice environments such as the hospital setting, doctor’s office and a client’s home environment for simulation in community and home care situations. Additionally, the simulation center contains 4 high fidelity acute care hospital rooms; 2 in a traditional medical surgical setting and 2 in a more contemporary high acuity style as well as a simulated operating room complete with anesthesia & emergency equipment. The labs and simulation areas boast state-of-the-art simulation technologies including numerous high fidelity manikins, an automated/computerized medication dispensing cabinet, technologies for computerized charting, and more. Classrooms are convertible for small and large groups. A computer room is available for student drop-in use and the building provides high speed wireless internet throughout.

Program Requirements

Students are admitted to the College as pre-nursing majors and begin the nursing curriculum upon completion of College-wide course requirements and nursing prerequisite courses (see College-wide course requirements below for nursing prerequisite courses). Students must have completed a minimum of 62 credits which includes general education requirements. Students must have achieved an overall GPA equal to or greater than 2.5 in all credits earned at Cedar Crest College. A minimum of six credits must have been taken at Cedar Crest College the semester prior to the intended start of NUR courses. Students must have achieved a nursing pre-requisite GPA of equal to or greater than 2.7. Additionally, students must have the ability to communicate in English in both written and spoken word.

To begin junior level courses, the student must have earned at least a grade of B- (B minus) in four of the five prerequisite science courses. ** A grade of C or C+ is permitted in only one prerequisite science course.

BIO 117 Human Anatomy & Physiology I**
BIO 118 Human Anatomy & Physiology II**
BIO 127 Clinical Microbiology**
CHE 103 Concepts in Chemistry**
NTR 210 Principles of Human Nutrition**

Only one nursing science pre-requisite course ** can be repeated due to a grade less than C (C- or lower). That course may be repeated only one time.

Additionally, prerequisite science courses (BIO117, BIO118, BIO 127, CHE 103) must be completed within ten years of starting NUR courses and NTR 210 must be completed within five years of starting NUR courses. Science courses that are more than ten years oldmust be repeated prior to beginning NUR courses.

All transfer courses are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to time limits as determined by individual academic departments.

In the remaining prerequisite courses, a grade of C or better is required while still meeting the 2.7 prerequisite GPA.
MAT 110 Probability & Statistics
PSY 100 General Psychology
PSY 210 Life-Span Development
SOC 100 Introduction to Culture & Society
All nine prerequisite courses form the basis of the nursing pre-requisite GPA.

In addition to meeting the above requirements, acceptance into the Nursing major is based on obtaining the minimum number of points in the Admission Rubric which includes the following components: nursing pre-requisite course GPA, Basic English Composition grade, Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores, number of credits taken at Cedar Crest College, and the available number of positions in the major The TEAS exam must be taken at Cedar Crest College. The cost for the exam is paid directly to ATI Testing at www.atitesting.com. Students are notified by the Nursing Department via email as to when they should register and pay for the exam. If a student does not meet the required scores on the TEAS exam, they will have one opportunity to re-take the TEAS exam for a second fee. Students may contact the Nursing Advisor for more information on the Admission Rubric.

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.

Nursing Program Credit Requirement

62 General Education Credits
58 NUR Major Credits
120 Total Credits
Transfer of Nursing Courses
Students seeking to transfer undergraduate nursing credits must meet the following criteria:

• Nursing GPA must be 2.5 or greater
• Only undergraduate nursing courses with a B or better may transfer
• Undergraduate nursing courses must have been complete within the last two years
• Only junior level undergraduate nursing courses will be transferred
• Courses must be equivalent to Cedar Crest College Nursing courses
• A maximum of 12 credits can be transferred

Clinical Requirements

• Report of Health Evaluation and Medical History
• Immunizations, Titers, Current PPD, and Influenza Vaccine
• Drug and Alcohol Screen
• CPR certification- Must be one of the following:
• American Red Cross CPR/AED for Health Care Providers
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers
• Proof of Health Insurance
• FBI Criminal History Clearance
• Child Abuse History Clearance
• PA Criminal History Clearance

Prospective and current nursing students must submit criminal background checks that meet the requirements of the nursing major before beginning nursing courses and annually thereafter.

Prospective and current nursing students with criminal records must disclose their record and schedule a meeting with the Nursing Department Chairperson upon admission to or throughout progression at Cedar Crest College.

Any student not clinically cleared for clinical courses by the last day of the add/drop period will be automatically dropped from the course. Late clearances cannot be accepted.

Nursing Courses

Nursing Courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing major
NUR 309 Health Promotion I 5 credits
NUR 311 Health Assessment 3 credits (didactic offered online; lab offered in an online or face-to-face format)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 Essentials of Nursing Research 2 credits (online)
NUR 323 Concepts in Professional Nursing 2 credits (online)
NUR 330 Family Health Promotion II 4 credits
NUR 331 Health Promotion III 5 credits
NUR 332 Evidence-based Practice for Nursing 3 credits (online)
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
SPS 173 Understanding and Using APA Editorial Style for Nursing 1 credit (online)
*Capstone Experience

Nursing Courses required for the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program
In addition to the general education requirements and nursing prerequisites, RNs are required to take the following nursing courses:
NUR 311 Health Assessment 3 credits (didactic offered online; lab offered in an online or face-to-face format)
NUR 322 Essentials of Nursing Research 2 credits (online)
NUR 324 Professional Nursing Seminar 3 credits (online
NUR 332 Evidence-based Practice for Nursing 3 credits (online )
NUR 333 Health Promotion of the Community 5 credits (offered in an online or face-to-face format)
NUR 335 Leadership in Nursing* 5 credits (offered in an online or face-to-face format)
SPS 173 Understanding and Using APA Editorial Style for Nursing 1 credit (online)
*Capstone Experience

Nursing Elective Courses
NUR 328 Nursing in the Global Community: A Study Abroad 2 credits

Fulfillment of LAC Requirements

Students fulfill the Technology, Oral Presentation, and Information Literacy requirements through successful completion of the required coursework for the nursing major. The Ethics requirement is fulfilled by successful completion of NUR 335 Leadership in Nursing. The Global Studies requirement is fulfilled by successful completion of NUR 333 Health Promotion of the Community.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Cedar Crest College has six end of program student learning outcomes Upon completion, graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will be able to:

• Synthesize knowledge from the physical and social sciences, humanities, and nursing in making nursing practice decisions involving culturally diverse individuals, families, and communities.
• Practice effective communication with individuals, families, and communities.
• Integrate all components of the nursing process in promoting optimal health of individuals, families, and communities.
• Collaborate with other members of the health care team in effecting the delivery of health care.
• Synthesize research findings into the practice of nursing and the delivery of health care.
• Demonstrate competency to assume a beginning professional nurse role.

Clinical Experience

Clinical practice occurs in a variety of settings. Transportation to and from clinical agencies is the responsibility of the student.

Expenses (in addition to comprehensive and special fees)

Nursing students are responsible for all fees involved when obtaining the clinical requirements, secured electronic file management, uniforms, equipment, books, Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS), ATI comprehensive testing fee, documentation software, professional and scholarly activities, clinical make-up fees, and licensure fees.

A student will be charged a clinical fee for each clinical course (please refer to the Academic Fees Assessments section for the current rate). The fee is used for required conferences, seminars, 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.

RN Students

For information contact Professor Sandra Axt at sdaxt@cedarcrest.edu or 610-606-4666 extension 3430.

Graduates of accredited diploma or associate degree programs in nursing may apply to Cedar Crest College to continue their education toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Registered Nurses must meet all the curriculum requirements for the nursing major. A Registered Nurse may be awarded academic credit for previous non-nursing studies. In accordance with the Pennsylvania Articulation Model, 36 nursing credits may be awarded upon completion of Professional Nursing Seminar (NUR 324), which facilitates progress toward degree completion. Cedar Crest College will accept RNs directly into the nursing program without testing, provided the applicant has graduated from an accredited and state approved program; is licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse; 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. RN students who have worked less than 1000 hours within the last three years must take the Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) administered by the National League for Nursing (NLN). More information about the NACE can be accessed via www.nln.org or provided by the RN-BSN Nursing Advisor.

Any student who has been dismissed from the undergraduate nursing program is not eligible for admission to the RN to BSN program.

All RNs must have an unencumbered active professional nursing licensee. RNs may be required to submit clinical requirements prior to entering NUR 333 Health Promotion of the Community or NUR 335 Leadership in Nursing.

Any student not clinically cleared for clinical courses by the last day of the add/drop period will be automatically dropped from the course. Late clearances cannot be accepted.

LPN Students

Cedar Crest College welcomes the student who possesses a license in Practical Nursing (LPN) to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The LPN must complete the general education requirements and nursing prerequisites, in addition to nursing courses at Cedar Crest College as described in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing major.

Departmental Review for Field Placement

Students majoring in Education, Nuclear Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition or Social Work are required to complete afield 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 clinical and make appropriate recommendations up to and including removal from placement.