Department of Nursing & Paramedic Science
The mission of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Nursing Program is to provide a value-added education that produces professional and advanced practice nurses who think critically, engage in lifelong leadership, and effect positive change in a spirit of service and social responsibility.
Nursing, as a specialized discipline, is centered on the major constructs of communication and collaboration, health promotion, safety, compassionate care, leadership, social justice, and professionalism. All nursing clients are considered sacred, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or lifestyle. Nursing clients include individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. Care is provided throughout the cycle of life from conception through a dignified death in a variety of healthcare and community settings. Nursing welcomes change, innovation, and technology supported by evidence-based research, while always striving to protect the rights and dignity of the client.
Nursing education is the dynamic, intentional partnership between students and faculty to successfully prepare a competent professional nurse. This is accomplished through achieving measurable program outcomes, integrating liberal arts courses, incorporating relevant support courses, and completing nursing courses designed to ensure safe nursing practice. The educational process takes into consideration students’ learning styles, teaching and learning theory, and effective education and remediation methods for both campus and online education. Clinical skills and reasoning are developed through presentations as well as multi-media sources, case-studies, concept maps, simulations, clinical instruction, and preceptored experiences.
Program Learning Outcomes
Rooted in the strong foundation of liberal arts, science, and Catholic education, graduates are expected to demonstrate the following outcomes:
1. Utilize effective communication and collaboration skills through oral, written, and technology media with patients, nursing colleagues, and interprofessional team members.
2. Promote holistic health, including spiritual well-being, through the support of wellness and health-related activities for self and patients.
3. Guard patient safety through critical thinking, information technology, data analysis, and risk management strategies.
4. Provide effective, culturally sensitive, and compassionate nursing care through the use of the nursing process that is supported by current, evidence-based research as indicated by educational preparation and scope of practice.
5. Demonstrate effective leadership and management abilities through the competent coordination of patient care across the health care continuum.
6. Advocate for social justice through the promotion of access, resources, quality health care, and prudent health policies.
7. Exhibit professionalism through upholding the values, ethics, and standards of nursing.
Nursing Course Transfer Policy
The design of nursing courses and curricula are unique to individual programs. In order for a nursing course to be accepted for course equivalence, a syllabus comparison will be conducted by an expert nurse educator in the subject area and the course content must be at least an 80% match for a course substitution with an earned grade of C or better. Transfer students must complete 30 credit hours at SMWC. Additional electives or a declared second major or minor may be needed to complete the 120 credit hours for the baccalaureate degree to be awarded.
Nursing Math Requirements
Nursing students must complete MA 117 and MA 253 as a part of the required courses. However, if students test out of MA 117, they will receive credit by waiver, and be eligible to place directly into MA 253.
BS in Nursing
This traditional campus track is designed for the individual who is entering a profession or who has decided on a career change. Nursing courses are offered during a 16-week format and are delivered face-to-face in classroom settings. Clinicals are arranged for small groups of students and are supervised by a faculty instructor. Students are advised by the Program Support Specialist during their first year. Students may apply to the nursing major after the completion of the pre-nursing courses and successfully fulfilling the program admission requirements as listed on the nursing department website. Students are assigned a nursing faculty member as an academic advisor to guide the student through the program of study. Students completing the program are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN examination and are encouraged to consider graduate education. Requirements consist of pre-nursing courses, nursing courses, cognate non-nursing courses, and general education courses.
Program Admission Requirements:
- Graduated from a state approved high school or its equivalent, such as a general equivalency degree (GED).
- Successfully completed the prerequisite course work with a grade of C or better including:
- BI 231 Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab
- BI 232 Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab
- Passed the ATI TEAS exam with a score of 58% (“proficient”) or better with a maximum of 2 attempts in the last 12 months.
- Overall gpa of 2.5 or higher.
- Incoming college freshman and transfer students are eligible to apply for direct admittance into the nursing major if they have successfully completed the requirements listed above. Transfer students must be in good standing if already admitted to a nursing program. The admissions committee has the right to deny entry to students with a pattern of poor academic performance.
- Students who are not admitted into the program may apply the following year, but if denied for two consecutive admission cycles, the student cannot reapply for a period of three years.
- Acceptance is pending a clean criminal background check and negative 10-panel drug screen. Students are also required to submit immunization records, including COVID-19 and annual flu, CPR/BLS certification, negative TB test, and proof of personal health insurance.
Grades
A nursing student may only repeat one nursing course. After the second nursing course below a C, the student is dismissed from the major. Students must earn a C or better in all required non-nursing courses.
Leadership Opportunities
Nursing students are encouraged to participate in student organizations and experience leadership roles. Student volunteers are also selected to serve on Nursing Faculty Search Committee, and the Department of Nursing Curriculum Committee. Additional organizations are the SMWC Student Nurses Association, and if inducted, the Omega Pi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International.
Programmatic Accreditation
Our program is accredited by the following organizations:
- Indiana State Board of Nursing
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The department offers the following majors and minors: