Dec 06, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing (B.S.N. Degree)


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Leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the program is committed to the undergraduate education of a professional nurse who integrates Christian values into the practice of nursing. The program offers a 1 + 3 curriculum approach for basic/generic students. With this approach, all basic/generic students who desire consideration for admission to the program must complete a specified number of credit hours from the liberal arts core curriculum, supporting and professional foundation courses during the prenursing year prior to making application to the School of Nursing and the nursing major/program. An RN-BSN Option for registered nurses with associate degrees and diplomas in nursing who desire to return to school to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is offered.

The baccalaureate nursing program prepares graduates for professional practice in a variety of health care settings and for continued professional development and graduate study. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurse practice (NCLEX-RN).

The baccalaureate nursing program has Full Approval of the South Carolina Board of Nursing. Information regarding the program is provided to the Board of Nursing. The phone number is 803-896-4550. The program is nationally accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Information regarding the program is provided to the NLNAC and is available from that organization at 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006. The phone number is 212-363-5555.

Applicants for registered nurse licensure in South Carolina are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination upon submitting evidence to the Board of Nursing that a course of study in an approved nursing program, such as Charleston Southern University, has been completed and that the applicant has not committed acts or misconduct that are grounds for disciplinary action. In accordance with the SC Code of Laws, Title 40 Professions and Occupations, Chapter 1 Professions and Occupations, Chapter 33 Nurses, and Chapter 91 Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation-State Board of Nursing, the SC Board of Nursing may deny licensure to an applicant based on the same grounds for which the board may take disciplinary action against a license.

The following information must be reported to the Board of Nursing at the time of licensure application with additional information requested by the Board of Nursing from the applicant:

  1. The applicant has been convicted, pled guilty, or pled nolo contendere for violation of any federal, state, or local law or have charges pending (other than minor traffic violations).
  2. The applicant has had any board of nursing take any action against nursing licensure in this or any state.
  3. The applicant has had any professional license disciplined in South Carolina or any state. 
  4. The applicant has been denied licensure as a health professional (RN, LPN, other) in any state.
  5. The applicant has been counseled or disciplined while in the nursing program due to problem(s) with a chemical (alcohol/drugs) and/or a mental or physical impairment.

False or incomplete information on the application will constitute cause for denial or revocation of the license to practice in South Carolina.

Applicants seeking initial licensure in a state other than South Carolina must meet all qualifications and policies of the Board of Nursing of that state.

The School of Nursing at Charleston Southern University is named for the late Derry Patterson Wingo of Kline, South Carolina. Both Mrs. Wingo and her husband, Henry, were strong supporters of the University.

The School of Nursing does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, or disability in the administration of admission and educational policies.

Mission, Purpose, and Program Objectives

The mission of the nursing major/program is to provide excellence in nursing and health care to individuals, groups, families, and society through its program of education and service while respecting cultural, ethnic, religious, and individual differences and commonalities.

The purpose of the nursing major/program is to provide a high quality baccalaureate nursing program that prepares graduates to:

  1. Practice professional nursing in a variety of health care delivery settings;
  2. Value lifelong learning for professional, personal, and spiritual growth
  3. Demonstrate commitment to service in the community;
  4. Contribute to the quality of nursing and health care services.
     

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will be able to:
 

  1. Synthesize knowledge built from the theoretical foundations of the arts and humanities, and the biophysical, psychosocial, and nursing sciences to provide comprehensive nursing care which uniquely emphasizes the human aspect;
  2. Promote health and provide goal-directed support through the use of the nursing process with culturally diverse individuals, groups, families and societies experiencing multiple and complex health stressors;
  3. Demonstrate leadership ability in the effective use of communication and collaboration with clients and other health care professionals in coordinating and implementing comprehensive health care plans;
  4. Demonstrate personal commitment to professional responsibility and accountability in the delivery of safe and knowledgeable nursing care to clients in multiple-settings;
  5. Utilize research findings and plan strategies for gathering reliable and accurate data for the improvement of nursing practice.
  6. Apply management knowledge and skills in multiple health care systems to direct and provide the delivery of nursing care to the individual, groups, or society;
  7. Characterize professional values and moral behavior within the legal and ethical boundaries of safe and comprehensive nursing care;
  8. Analyze effectiveness of multiple nursing roles required to meet the changing health care needs of a culturally diverse and complex society.

Required Minimum Skills for Eligibility to Participate in the Educational Program and Activities

The following skills are needed by applicants to the nursing major/program. Applicants and enrolled students should possess these abilities, or with the help of compensatory techniques and/or assistive devices, be able to demonstrate the ability to become proficient.

  1. Observational skills, for example: observing physical appearance, listening to heart and breath sounds, detecting odors, using tactile sense for palpation.
  2. Communication skills, for example: ability to interact with others to obtain information, describe situations, perceive nonverbal cues, interpret messages, convey caring and compassion.
  3. Motor skills, for example: perform technical procedures while delivering patient care such as helping with ambulation, positioning, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and oral medications, apply pressure to stop bleeding, open an obstructed airway, provide hygienic care.
  4. Behavioral/Intellectual skills, for example: ability to problem solve, tolerate stress, adapt to quickly changing environments, work as a team member, have compassion for others.

 

Admission Requirements for the Basic/Generic Program


Since enrollment in the nursing major/program is limited, admission is competitive. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the nursing major/program, and the School of Nursing is not obligated to admit every student who meets nursing major/program admission criteria. The School of Nursing is committed to admitting students who demonstrate a reasonable probability of academic and NCLEX-RN success and who possess the potential for excellent nursing practice. Therefore, every facet of the student’s academic record will be reviewed in making an admission decision. Preference for admission will be given to students who possess a 3.00 or higher GPA in prenursing courses (minimum of a 2.75 GPA is required), have not repeated any courses and who are a student of record in courses at the University at the time of application to the School of Nursing and nursing major/program. All students must complete an application by March 15 of the spring semester prior to the intended fall semester admission to the nursing major/program. Admission decisions will be made by May 31. Students may apply to the nursing program no more than three times. All applicants must:

  1. Complete at least 17 semester hours of the 34 semester hours of prenursing courses below including English 111 , Mathematics 105 , and two of the four required prerequisite science courses, and have completed or be enrolled in the remaining 17 semester hours at the time of application. All 34 semester hours of the prenursing courses must be completed prior to enrollment in the first nursing course.
  2. Earn a grade of “C” or better and have a GPA of at least 2.75 in the prenursing courses completed for admission consideration. Applicants must have a cumulative CSU GPA of 2.5. Acceptance will be conditional to the satisfactory completion of any remaining prenursing courses with at least a grade of “C” or better and maintaining a GPA of 2.75 in the prenursing courses.
  3. Submit minimum SAT scores of 480 Verbal/Critical Reading and 440 Math or ACT scores of 20 English and 18 Math. The SAT/ACT requirement is waived for students who have earned, through transfer credit and/or enrollment at CSU, at least 34 semester hours towards the nursing degree or for students holding an associate degree or a baccalaureate or higher degree.
  4. A student whose GPA or SAT/ACT test score does not meet minimum requirements may be considered on an individual basis.
  5. International students must meet all of the above criteria and score 600 or above on the TOEFL.
  6. Complete the School of Nursing Application for Admission by March 15 of the spring semester prior to the intended fall semester admission to the nursing major/program. The nursing major/program admits only for fall semester. Admission decisions are made by May 31.
  7. Applicants may be invited to interview with the School of Nursing Admission, Testing and Progression Committee as part of the admission decision process.
  8. Applicants may be required to take a preadmission exam for the nursing major/program with the applicant incurring any expenses related to the exam.
  9. Applications that do not provide documentation of each of the above admission requirements by the deadline will be processed when all documentation is provided and acceptance may be offered to qualified applicants on a space available basis.
  10. Highly qualified high school seniors may be considered for early admission to the nursing major/program. Selection for admission will be based on a combination of the GPA requirements and SAT/ACT scores. Contact the School of Nursing for information.

Acceptance to the nursing program will be conditional to the satisfactory completion of any remaining required prenursing courses and maintaining the required minimum GPA before beginning nursing courses in the fall semester of admission to the nursing program. Accepted students who fail to satisfactorily complete all required prenursing/nonnursing courses and/or do not maintain the required minimum GPA will lose their admission status.

Transfer students must meet all published university admission criteria and residency requirements as well as School of Nursing criteria. No more than 68 semester credit hours may be transferred from an accredited junior, community, or technical college. No more than 89 semester credit hours may be transferred from accredited senior colleges. The maximum number of semester hours that can be transferred in from all sources is 89.

Students who have science and mathematics courses more than seven years old at the time of application to the nursing major/program and who have no recent experiential application in the subject areas should consider: (1) retaking the course/s; (2) taking a remedial course/s; or, engaging in a review program recommended by the School of Nursing. Students with older credit are advised to consult with the Dean of the School of Nursing.

Prenursing Courses (34 hours)


 

Admission Requirements for the RN-BSN Option


The RN-BSN Option is designed for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing who wish to complete a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The RN-BSN Option is designed to enable registered nurses to achieve a higher degree with minimal loss of credit or duplication of knowledge and skills. 

The registered nurse student must be accepted for admission by Charleston Southern University. In order to be considered for admission to the RN-BSN Option in the nursing major/program, the registered nurse student must complete an application to the School of Nursing by March 15 and must meet the following admission requirements for the RN-BSN Option of the nursing major/program:

  1. Complete at least 34 hours of prerequisite non-nursing coursework from the list below.
  2. Earn at least a grade of “C” or better and a 2.75 GPA in the 34 semester hours of non-nursing courses required for admission. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirement will be considered on an individual basis.
  3. Hold a current, nonrestrictive active license as a Registered Nurse in South Carolina 
  4. Prior Work Experience:
    No prior work experience is required. However, it is recommended that students have six months full-time or one year part-time clinical experience as a registered nurse within the previous three years to the enrollment in the first nursing course in the nursing major/program. For new Associate Degree or Diploma graduates without prior clinical experience as a registered nurse, it is recommended that the student work part time as a registered nurse while enrolled in the program on a part-time basis.
  5. Submit documentation of graduation from a state approved associate degree or diploma program.
  6. Submit completed Charleston Southern University application and Application for Admission to the School of Nursing. A copy of current active nursing license must be submitted with the Application for Admission to the School of Nursing.

Choose (13 hours) from the following:


The remaining 13 semester hours of the 34 hours required for admission may be chosen from any of the nonnursing courses (prenursing, core, supporting) required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree: (see below)

Note:


*The nutrition requirement may be met through a nutrition course or free elective course. **NURS 102  Foundations of Health Care required for basic students is waived for RN-BSN students. The credit may be met through a free elective course. There is no time limit on prior completion of science and mathematics courses.

Validation Requirements for RN-BSN Option:


Graduates of Associate Degree and Diploma nursing programs in South Carolina and NLNAC Accredited Associate Degree and Diploma nursing programs outside of South Carolina are not required to submit documentation for validation of prior nursing knowledge and skills.

Graduates of non-NLNAC accredited Associate Degree and Diploma nursing programs outside of South Carolina may be required to validate prior nursing knowledge and skills. The applicant may submit complete documentation, including all course syllabi of all nursing courses taken, for review by School of Nursing faculty to determine a common core of knowledge and skills. If not submitted or acceptable, students will be admitted on a provisional basis to the nursing program and will be required to complete NURS 209  and NURS 360 prior to enrolling in the senior 400 level nursing courses. 

Progression in the Nursing Program


  1. After acceptance and prior to enrollment in the first nursing course, all basic/generic and RN-BSN students must provide evidence of a level of health that protects the well-being of persons receiving nursing care and allows for the performance of essential functions included in the delivery of nursing care as identified by the School of Nursing. Students must submit a completed Health Form provided by the School of Nursing which documents the level of health, required immunizations, and a recent PPD (Tuberculosis) test. The PPD (TB) test must be updated each year. All students must provide evidence of CPR certification through the American Heart Association (Level BLS for the Healthcare Provider), professional liability insurance, and personal health insurance prior to enrolling in the first nursing course and must provide yearly evidence of renewal. The professional liability insurance will be issued through the University with the yearly cost added to the student’s fee bill.
  2. Criminal background checks and drug screens will be required for all students prior to enrolling in the first nursing course. Failure to pass a criminal background check may prevent a student from enrolling and/or continuing in the program. A student with a significant criminal background check will be required to withdraw from the program. A significant criminal background check means an act or misconduct for any matter (a) listed in the Laws Governing Nursing in South Carolina that would be grounds for disciplinary action against a license; (b) noted by the program accrediting agency; and/or (c) identified by a clinical affiliate as unacceptable for clinical practice. A nonnegative/positive drug screen with evidence of drug abuse will require the student to be withdrawn from the nursing program and will prohibit the student from enrolling and/or continuing in the program. Disciplinary action may be taken by the University in accordance with the Charleston Southern University Student Handbook.
  3. To remain in and progress in the Nursing program, students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each nursing course and maintain a University GPA of at least 2.0. A student who earns less than a “C” in a required nursing course will be allowed to repeat the course only once. Grades of D, F, W, WP, WF, FD, and FA constitute one attempt. Upon successful repeat with at least a grade of “C,” the student will be allowed to progress in the program. The student may not earn a grade of less than “C” in any other required nursing course without academic dismissal from the nursing program. If the repeat attempt is unsuccessful on the first nursing course in which a grade of less than “C” is earned, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program. All program requirements must be completed within 6 years of initial enrollment in the nursing major/program.
  4. BIOL 345  Nutrition, NURS 260  Life Span Development, and PSYC /SOCI 301  Introduction to Behavioral Statistics are support courses for nursing courses. A grade of at least “C” is required in these courses in order to meet the Prerequisite requirements of specific nursing courses. See Course Descriptions  for details.
  5. Students must achieve a minimum required score on Drug Dosage Competency Examinations and other required computerized content-area examinations in order to progress to nursing courses in the next semester or level. 
  6. Students who leave the University and/or nursing major/program in good standing and are seeking readmission to the nursing major/program must initiate readmission through the University Office of Enrollment Services and the School of Nursing. Students who withdraw voluntarily from the nursing major/program should submit a new application for admission to CSU, if needed, and to the School of Nursing, accompanied by a typewritten letter stating (1) the circumstances that resulted in the student’s withdrawing from the major/program, and (2) reason(s) that readmission to the major/program is justified. Students will be considered as part of the total applicant pool, and readmission is not automatic. The requirement for completion of the program/major requirements within 6 years of initial enrollment will be in effect. 
  7. Students dismissed from the nursing major/program for any reason are not eligible for readmission.
  8. Once admitted into the nursing major/program, basic/generic students must maintain full-time enrollment. RN-BSN Option students may attend full-time or part-time. 
  9. Since a variety of clinical sites will be used throughout the program, students are responsible for providing their own transportation to assigned clinical experiences.
  10. If a student has completed a baccalaureate level nursing course at another institution, a request may be made for transfer of the course to the School of Nursing and Charleston Southern University. The following conditions apply:

    1. The nursing course to be considered must have been completed at the baccalaureate level in a nationally accredited program within three years of admission to the nursing major/program. A grade of “C” or better must have been achieved in the course.
    2. After acceptance to the nursing major/program and no later than one month prior to matriculation and enrollment in the first nursing course, the student must submit a transcript and course outline/syllabus of the course to be considered for transfer to the Dean of the Derry Patterson Wingo School of Nursing. The materials will be reviewed by the appropriate course coordinator for equivalence to the appropriate nursing course and a recommendation will be made to the Dean. The student will be notified in writing of the decision by the Dean and the decision will be considered final.
    3. Transfer credit is not granted automatically.
       
  11. All degree requirements must be completed within six years of initial admission and enrollment in the nursing major/program. 
  12. RN-BSN Option students must maintain a current South Carolina RN license throughout enrollment in nursing courses.
  13. Refer to the School of Nursing Student Handbook for all policies and procedures related to the nursing major/program.

Note:

Some policies for the School of Nursing and the nursing major/program exceed the policies of the University. In each case, these policies are intended to insure the protection of persons receiving nursing care and facilitate the highest academic development of each student and to facilitate success in professional practice and performance on the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN).

Curriculum (Basic/Generic)


One hundred and twenty-five (125) semester credit hours are required for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Forty-four (44) of the credits meet the University’s liberal arts core (LAC) curriculum requirements and are designed to assure that graduates have achieved a capacity for competent leadership and community service. Three (3) credit hours is a prenursing professional foundation course designed to introduce students to the health care system in preparation for success in the nursing program. Seventeen (17) - eighteen (18) additional mathematics and social, behavioral, life, and natural sciences are required so that graduates practice nursing within a context of broad-based knowledge. Sixty-one (61) semester credit hours are required in the nursing major once admitted to the nursing major/program and are designed for the development of a sound theoretical base for the science of nursing and for sufficient clinical practice to develop competence and confidence in the skillful art of nursing built while integrating knowledge from the professional foundation, liberal arts core and supporting courses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) 1998 document, The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, provides the standards and framework for the nursing curriculum.

Since basic/generic students in the Nursing major are required to be full-time students, those who have significant transfer credit may wish to pursue a minor in a discipline that compliments their nursing career goals. Courses required to fulfill minors in each academic area are described in this catalog.

Nursing courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing are:


 

Prerequisite for Admission

  • (Prenursing professional foundation course)

Nursing Curriculum Plan and Suggested Sequencing


Basic/Generic

The following Nursing Curriculum Plan and Suggested Sequencing identifies all courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for basic/generic students:

Year One: Prenursing Courses

 

Year Two: Begin Nursing Program

 

Year Three:

 

Year Four:

 

Total Hours Required for Graduation:

Prenursing, core and supporting (nonnursing) (61- 62 hours)
Prenursing professional foundation (3 hours)
Nursing major (61 hours)
Total (125 - 126 hours)

 

# prenursing professional foundation course

* liberal arts core (LAC) requirement

^supporting course requirement

RN-BSN Option Curriculum


RN-BSN Option students must complete, either through transfer or enrollment, the same 64-65 credit hours of prenursing/prerequisite courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree as the basic/generic student. Once admitted to the nursing major/program, individual curriculum plans for completion of the nonnursing courses required for the degree will be developed between faculty and student.

Full-time and part-time plans will be offered. RN-BSN Option students must complete at least 52 of the required 64-65 semester hours of prenursing/prerequisite courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree prior to enrolling in the first nursing course. A full-time and part-time plan for completion of nursing courses will be available. Nursing courses required by enrollment may be completed in one year full-time or a two or three year part-time plan. All required nursing and nonnursing courses must be completed within 6 years of initial enrollment in the nursing major/program at Charleston Southern University in order to receive the degree.
 

Credit for Common Core Nursing Knowledge and Skills for RN-BSN Option

Upon entering the nursing major/program, registered nurse students will be awarded 34 semester hours of Common Core Nursing Credit based on the assumption of a common core of nursing knowledge and skills in all educational programs for registered nurses. The credits are held in escrow until the student completes the baccalaureate level nursing course NURS-365 Health Assessment in Professional Nursing Practice (RN-BSN students only course).

The 34 semester hours of validation credit are awarded for the following nursing courses:

 

Note:

Appropriate indications will be recorded on the CSU transcript for each course with the total credit hours indicated.

Note:

* RN-BSN option students will complete

  and  NURS 420 Senior Project  in lieu of NURS 412 Adult Health III  required for basic/generic students.

Total Semester Hours Required for Graduation:

Total Nursing Semester Hours Required (60 hours)

Common Core Nursing Credit

(34 hours)

Enrollment

(27 hours)
Total NonNursing/Prerequisite Semester Hours (64-65 hours)
Total Semester Hours Required for Graduation (125-126 hours)

 

RN-BSN Option students must meet the 36 semester hour Residency Requirements  of Charleston Southern University.

RN-BSN Option students are advised to study closely the CSU Transfer of Credit policy.
 

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