School of Nursing

Traditional Undergraduate Program | Nontraditional Undergraduate Programs

The School of Nursing offers both traditional and nontraditional undergraduate programs and a graduate program. Information about the graduate program is found on the College Web site. All programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and are approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Traditional Undergraduate Program

The Traditional Undergraduate Nursing Programprepares students for entry-level professional nursing practice, including the health needs of underserved populations. This level of education is based on core knowledge and clinical competency applied through a unique blend of critical thinking, caring, communication and collaboration. Health promotion, illness management and population-based care are the focus of the traditional undergraduate curriculum. Students are prepared to practice holistically as leaders in healthcare delivery, with an educational foundation grounded in the Benedictine values. Throughout the curriculum simulation, technology and integrative therapies are blended to prepare students as healers of the mind, body and spirit. Graduates will have the skills and knowledge necessary for responsible living and meaningful work.

The program leads to a bachelor of arts degree with amajor in Nursing and qualifies the graduate to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Minnesota public health nurse and have the academic credentials to pursue master’s study in Nursing.

The following nursing program outcomes identify the depth and breadth of knowledge which graduates of both undergraduate programs are able to demonstrate. Upon completion of the undergraduate nursing programs the graduate will:

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing, the arts and sciences and the Benedictine values in the holistic practice of professional nursing.
2. Demonstrate professional values and behaviors consistentwith professional standards.
3. Demonstrate competence for entry-level professional practice.
4. Advocate for health care that is sensitive to the needs of clients including vulnerable populations.
5. Assume responsibility for ongoing professional development in an ever-changing healthcare environment.

Chair, traditional undergraduate program: Ann Leja, M.A., R.N.

Admission and Retention Procedure and Policies

New first-year students are eligible for the ENTER program,which is a criterion-based,early admission program. Eligible students who, upon admission to the College, declare their intent to pursue a baccalaureate degree in nursing will be guaranteed admission to the Nursing Program if they meet the ENTER program criteria (available on the Web and in the Nursing Student Handbook).

Students who do not meet the criteria will be able to apply to the Nursing Program through the following standard application process. Applicants should:

1. Submit a completed college application to the major form and plan of study work sheet to the Nursing Department during fall semester of sophomore year.
2. Complete a Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer CPR course for Adults, Infants, and Children.
3. Complete a CNA course, take the state exam and be registered with the state as a CNA.
4. Have a minimum St. Scholastica GPA of 3.0 with at least a C in all required prerequisite courses.
5. Obtain a physical exam from a health care provider the summer prior to applying.
6. Show evidence of meeting all immunization requirements.

The departmental Admission and Progression Committee reviews all applications. The department reserves the right to select those with the best qualifications from applicants who meet the minimum criteria. The department chair notifies applicants in writing of the committee’s action. Following acceptance to the major, students must maintain a minimum of a C grade in all nursing courses and required support courses.

Retention in the program is contingent upon compliance with academic policies stated in the College Catalog, the Student Handbook and in the Handbook for Baccalaureate Nursing Students. Since the healthcare delivery system is changing rapidly, revisions may be necessary in course requirements prior to the publication of a new Catalog. Any changes in requirements made prior to the student’s admission to the major are binding on the student.

Admission to the major:

DGN 1101, 1102, ENG 1110, SOC 1125 or SOC 2433, PSY 2208, 3341,CHM 1021 and CHM 1025 or demonstrate competency in the content via CHM placement test, BIO/CHM 1036 and CHM 1035 or demonstrate competency in the content via CHM placement test, BIO 2110, 2120, 2250, CTA 1102, PSY 2208.

Nursing requirements:

NSG 2200, NSG 3200, 3225, 3300, 3325, 3335, NSG 4200, 4225, 4235, 4240, 4343, 4500, and a Nursing elective, HSC 3020, PSY 3331 and an upperdivision Nutrition course.

Other requirements

The Handbook for Baccalaureate Nursing Students and other departmental publications detail specific requirements in regard to class attendance, clinical and laboratory responsibilities and uniformand equipment needs for students. Students provide their own transportation for offcampus learning experiences in Nursing courses.

Transfer

Students wishing to transfer from another college or university apply through the Admissions Office. Transcripts are evaluated by the Office of Transfer Admissions and the Department of Nursing. Students are then advised regarding the appropriate course of study.

Nontraditional Undergraduate Programs

RN to BA Program

The RN/BA Degree Completion Program is designed for the associate degree or diploma RN who seeks a bachelor’s degree in nursing. An online version of the program is administered through the Duluth campus;a traditional version is administered through the School of Extended Studies. This programis based on the same philosophy and outcomes as the traditional undergraduate nursing program. The BA degree includes general education courses,nursing prerequisite (statistics) and concentrated nursing courses. General education requirements of the College are waived if the student has a bachelor’s degree in another field including writing intensive. If the student has an associate of arts degree or has met the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, the majority of the general education requirements are satisfied. All additional education requirements and the prerequisitesmust be completed before the start of the nursing course.

Academic programs will be individualized based on previous educational experience. The student needs 128 credits to graduate. Of these, 44 must be taken in the RN/BA Degree Completion Program. Program administrators assist students with program planning.

The RN/BA Degree Completion Program is designed to build on the student’s experience as a registered nurse. Twenty semester credits, at $50 per credit, in nursing are credited toward the BA degree upon successful validation of prior learning by means of a nursing portfolio that documents the student’s RN experience. Upon completion of program requirements, the student will be eligible to be registered as a public health nurse.

Upper-division requirements for RN to BA:

NSG 3125, 3336, 3355, 3361, 4463, 4472, 4998; HUM 3340, and Statistics (Inferential & Difference)

Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program

The College of St. Scholastica’s Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program is a baccalaureate in nursing certificate option for college graduates with non-nursing majors. This program is based on the same philosophy and outcomes as the traditional undergraduate Nursing Program, incorporating an integrated approach to learning with a concentration in the nursing major. Upon completion of the program requirements, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and to be registered as a public health nurse.

The program follows a cohort model,with each new group beginning in May and completing the programthe following August. The program is accelerated and runs 15 months (four semesters), including two summer sessions. Students will work with nursing faculty and expert nurse preceptors in both urban and rural healthcare facilities.

Students pursuing this program are eligible to apply a year in advance of the anticipated start time to ensure completion of pre-requisite courses. Because the program is intense, it is expected that students will not be able to work while attending classes.

Prerequisites for this program include:

Baccalaureate or higher degree attained, chemistry 4 credits,anatomy and physiology 6-8 credits, microbiology 3-4 credits, developmental psychology 3-4 credits, statistics 3-4 credits, nutrition 2-4 credits. Course work must be completed prior to beginning nursing coursework with a grade of B or higher. Prerequisites over 10 years old must be repeated unless permission is obtained from the Non-Traditional Undergraduate Admission and Progression Committee. CLEP credits will be accepted. A CNA course followed by state registration as a CNA and current certification in CPR must be completed prior to entry into the Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program.