The Nursing Program educates individuals to become registered nurses at the associate degree level. It is designed to provide the foundation for further preparation in nursing and lifelong learning. The program prepares a nurse generalist for beginning professional practice to function in the roles of provider of care and manager of care within the healthcare profession. It incorporates knowledge derived from the liberal arts, biological sciences, physical sciences and behavioral sciences. Individuals will be prepared to practice in a variety of settings, and encouraged to continue personal and professional growth. The program emphasizes excellent teaching with a commitment to student-faculty interaction. Individual talents, background experiences, perspectives and insights are recognized and appreciated by faculty. Graduates are eligible to apply to write the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to receive licensure as a registered nurse.
Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing Program at Southern University at Shreveport, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate safety and quality when implementing holistic care using nursing judgments that are based on respect for preferences, values and needs and that promote positive outcomes for diverse individuals, families and groups.
- Demonstrate therapeutic communication, caring, and professionalism that fosters collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and working relationships with individuals, families, groups, and peers.
- Demonstrate use of legal and ethical standards of the nursing profession when incorporating current evidence-based practices and facilitating education that empowers individuals, families, and groups to develop behaviors which foster positive patient outcomes.
- Demonstrate lifelong learning by expanding nursing knowledge through the examination of evidence and best practices and the use of current technology to improve the quality of care for individuals, families, and groups.
Criteria for Selection
If the number of eligible students applying to the nursing program exceeds the number of available positions in the course, students with the highest overall grade point average will be selected. If there is more than one student qualifying for the last position (identical GPA’s) the student scoring higher on the NLN Pre-Admission Exam will be selected. If GPA’s and NLN Pre-Admission Exam scores are identical, then the person having completed more hours at SUSLA will be selected. No wait list will be maintained.
Other Criteria
- Persons who have previously been enrolled in a nursing program at another school or university and were not successful, were dismissed from the program or were not in good standing at the last enrollment are not eligible to apply until three (3) years after the semester of the last enrollment in the program.
- Students who were dismissed for academic reasons from the School of Nursing of Southern University at Shreveport are not eligible to re-apply until two (2) years or 4 regular semesters (spring/fall) after the semester of the last enrollment in the nursing program.
- Persons applying to enter the nursing program who have been arrested, charged with, convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to or been sentenced for any criminal offense in any state or foreign country, must contact the Director for guidance in obtaining Louisiana State Board of Nursing approval to enter the clinical practice area.
- Persons applying to the nursing program who currently have or have held licensure in any other discipline and were subject to disciplinary action must contact the Director in obtaining guidance and seeking approval from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing to enter the clinical practice area.
State Articulation
The School of Nursing is in compliance with a state mandate articulation model that recognizes the education and training of Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN). LPN’s/LVN’s will be able to advance their education with minimal duplication of knowledge and skills while maintaining the integrity of the educational process and the autonomy of practical/vocational nursing programs.
The LPN/LVN articulating into the Associate of Science in nursing program will be awarded credit hours in the professional component of the nursing curriculum upon successful completion of the transition course. Transfer of non-nursing courses will be according to the policy of the University.
Applicants are required to submit an application to NURS-135S: Role Transition to Professional Nursing and complete the National League for Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (ACE) I – PN to RN (Foundations to Nursing). The exam “assesses fundamental skills needed to meet physiological and psychosocial needs of clients who are in stable condition.”
Selection into the LPN-to-RN Track
If the number of eligible students applying to the LPN to RN track of the nursing program exceeds the number of available positions in the course, students with the highest overall grade point average will be selected. If there is more than one student qualifying for the last position (identical GPA’s), the student scoring higher on the NACE I PN to RN Exam will be selected. If GPA’s and NACE I – PN to RN scores are identical, then the person having completed more hours at SUSLA will be selected. No wait list will be maintained.
Criteria for Selection in Subsequent Nursing Courses When an Interruption Occurs
The number of students in each nursing clinical course may vary according to the resources available to the nursing program. If progression in a clinical nursing course is interrupted for any reason, the student must apply to re-enroll in the course(s) where the interruption occurred. The following will apply:
- Course placement will be dependent upon resources available. If the number of students applying to re-enroll in a nursing clinical course exceeds the position available, overall grade point average will be used as the criteria for selection. Highest overall GPA’s will be selected until all available positions are filled.
- If the interruption is for more than two consecutive regular semesters (spring/fall), the student will be responsible for meeting the requirements of the current curriculum.
- If the interruption is for more than 2 years (4 regular semesters: spring/fall), the student will be required to repeat all courses in the professional component of the nursing major. The student must re-apply to the nursing program and complete all admission/eligibility requirements. Students will be considered with all other applicants.
Progression in the Nursing Program
To progress in the nursing program, students must:
- Maintain a Southern University at Shreveport overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a grade of “C” or better in each required course in the professional component of the nursing curriculum.
- Achieve a satisfactory evaluation in the clinical area of each required course in the professional component of the nursing curriculum. Unsatisfactory performance in the clinical area will result in a course grade of “D or F”; even though the student may have earned a grade of “C” or better in the didactic component of the course.
- Earn a grade of “C” or higher in each course in the nursing curriculum. If a grade of “D” or below is earned in any non-nursing required course, the student may progress; provided that the course is not a prerequisite to a course in the professional component of the nursing curriculum. However, the course must be repeated.
- Completed annual health form.
- Show evidence of current CPR certification before the start of class.
Probation
A student may be placed on probation when failing to comply with the academic and professional conduct standards of the School of Nursing. A violation has occurred when:
- A lack of professional compatibility is demonstrated when the standards described in the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics are not met
- Earning a first grade of “D”, “F”, or “W” in any required clinical nursing course
- There is a criminal arrest or charge in any state or foreign country
Suspension
A student, who is arrested, charged with, convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to a criminal offense in any state or foreign country will be immediately suspended from all clinical nursing courses. Suspension will remain in effect until the Louisiana State Board of Nursing grants approval to continue in clinical nursing courses.
Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from the School of Nursing (and subject to University sanctions) for reasonable suspicion of any of the following:
- Academic cheating
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized possession of examinations
- Falsification of patient or agency records
- Falsification of Southern University at Shreveport documents
- Illegal possession, sale, use or distribution of drugs
- Illegal possession of weapons
- Theft
- Any other activity that is incompatible with professional behavior as delineated by The Louisiana Nurse Practice Act, The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, or Southern University at Shreveport
- Earning a grade of “W”, “D”, or “F” in a required clinical nursing course after enrolling for the second time
- Earning two grades of “D”, or “F” in the nursing curriculum
- Withdrawing from a clinical nursing course after having previously withdrawn from two other clinical nursing courses. Only two withdrawals are permitted in the professional component of the nursing curriculum. A student withdrawing for a third time will be dismissed from the nursing program. This policy applies only to courses following the NURS-125S: Basic Principles of Nursing course and NURS-135S: Role Transition to Professional Nursing. Students earning a first “W”, “D”, or “F” in Basic Principles of Nursing or Role Transition to Professional Nursing will be dismissed from the nursing program. Students are eligible to apply to the nursing program at the next regular semester in which applications are accepted. Students will be considered with all other applicants and must meet eligibility criteria.
- Continuing to demonstrate a lack of professional compatibility while on probation
- Being denied approval by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing to continue
- Failing to declare criminal charges, arrests or convictions that occur while matriculating in the program
- Deemed ineligible to continue by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing
Exceptions
Students have the right to request an exception to any of the School of Nursing policies. Letters of exception are submitted to the School of Nursing’s Committee on Academic and Professional Standards. After consideration, the Committee submits its recommendation to the Nursing Faculty Organization for a final decision.