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Academic Catalog

Nursing (Traditional Track)

A strong liberal arts and sciences foundation is integrated with nursing academic preparation to ensure scholastic breadth and quality. Students complete the liberal arts and science foundational courses prior to entering nursing courses in the junior year. A student may enter the nursing program:

  1. as a qualified high school graduate in the Freshman year to pre-nursing and a declared intent to major in nursing - Traditional Track;
  2. as a transfer student in the sophomore year to pre-nursing and a declared intent to major in nursing - Traditional Track;
  3. in the junior year after acceptance into the nursing program - Traditional Track; or
  4. as a second-degree student in the Accelerated Track (AT) option.

Foundational courses may be taken at the University of Saint Mary or at another accredited institution of higher learning and transferred. Transfer students from other nursing programs who are eligible for advanced standing are evaluated individually.

Majors in nursing will complete all the requirements for general education for the university. In addition, nursing majors will complete 61 credit hours of professional nursing coursework and 31 credit hours of supporting courses. A minimum of 125 credit hours is required for graduation. Student education includes both classroom and clinical experiences. The remaining credit hours required for graduation (33) will be met through completion of mandatory prerequisite courses for nursing.

The material presented in this section applies to students desiring the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree who do not currently have a license as a Registered Nurse (RN). For students already licensed as an RN who desire degree completion please see the RN-BSN section of this catalog.

Program Mission

Committed to the mission and values of the University, the mission of the nursing program is to educate students to become, and grow as, professional nurses who value excellence, provide leadership, and show caring attitudes in all endeavors, foster community, and embrace lifelong learning. Graduates are prepared to provide outcome-focused, client-centered, evidence-based, holistic nursing care to individuals, groups, and communities of diverse backgrounds.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Saint Mary is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Information related to this accreditation may be obtained by contacting CCNE at 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001 Phone: (202) 887-6791.

Student Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the nursing program will:

  1. Use clinical reasoning, clinical judgment, and evidence when providing and directing safe, holistic, patient-centered care.
  2. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills and interprofessional collaboration.
  3. Integrate professional role responsibilities in the areas of provider, designer, manager, coordinator of care, and member of a profession.
  4. Utilize data and information science to measure and improve client outcomes within a variety of systems.
  5. Demonstrate professional value integration of the five Cs of caring: competence, compassion, commitment, conscience, and confidence (Roach, M. (1992). The Human Act of Caring: A Blueprint for the Health Professions. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Hospital Association.)

Traditional Track

General admission Academic Requirements for all students are the same as those listed under Admissions section of this catalog.

Formal admission to the Nursing Program is completed at the point in a student’s education when all prerequisites are addressed. Admission decisions for all applicants are competitive and based on combined qualifications of the applicant in each of the following areas:

  • Completed Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) application
  • Indications of academic success:
    • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale in all previous college coursework.
    • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale for science prerequisite coursework (nutrition, chemistry with lab, microbiology with lab, anatomy with lab, and physiology with lab).
    • Minimum grade of “C” in each foundational/prerequisite course required for the major
  • Completion of 56 credit hours including all nursing prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the nursing major.
  • Official transcripts for all college or university courses.
  • Personal Statement.
  • Two letters of professional or academic reference speaking to individual’s ability to complete the rigorous program of study and demonstration of the qualities to be a professional nurse.
  • Achievement of designated benchmark on program-specified externally prepared entrance exam (example: TEAS).
  • Minimum TOEFL score if English is not the native language and/or most recent degree is from a college or university outside the United States. Minimum writing and speaking scores as outlined in International Admission section of catalog.
  • Additional application directly to the University of Saint Mary through the Admissions Office is not required.
  • Highly qualified high school students may apply for direct entry to nursing through the aSpire to Nursing Program. Students must have a high school GPA of at least 3.5 and an ACT composite of at least 24, and maintain a 3.5 GPA throughout all pre-nursing coursework.

Conditional acceptance is based upon successful completion of any outstanding prerequisite coursework with a grade of “C” or higher. Cumulative and science prerequisite GPA of 2.50 must be maintained.

Graduation Requirements

  • Completion of 125 hours of college level credit as indicated in this catalog.
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.
  • Other requirements for graduation are the same as the university requirements.

Academic Policies for the Nursing Major

  • Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.00 will be placed on academic probation and will be reviewed by the Nursing Admission and Progression Committee (APC).
  • A minimum grade of “C” (77%) must be earned in all nursing courses in order to progress in the nursing curriculum. Students (not on probation) who fail or withdraw from one course may be permitted to repeat that course without reapplication to the program. Courses are typically offered once each academic year. Failure of, or withdrawal from, a second course will result in dismissal from the program.

    Students not obtaining at least the minimum 77% test average will receive a grade of “D” or “F” for that course and on their transcript.

  • Students in the traditional track have three years from the time of admission to the nursing program to complete the entire nursing curriculum.
  • Students who fail to complete the nursing curriculum in this three-year period, or are dismissed from the nursing program, may request re-admission to the nursing program one time only and may be subject to complete the entire nursing curriculum that is current at the time of readmission to the nursing program.

Additional Requirements for Nursing Students

Nursing education takes place in both the college classroom and the clinical setting. Students must have access to a computer for the duration of the program. The student’s personal computing system must meet or exceed the published “Personal Computing Specifications” of the university. Computers are used during class time for research, note-taking, NCLEX-RN prep, and internal and external assessments. Outside of class, students are required to do research, practice with computer-based testing programs, navigate electronic health record systems, participate in various online activities and complete other computer-based assignments.

Additional requirements and expenses include (but are not limited to): health examinations, immunizations, uniforms, transportation to clinical agencies, computer programs, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, background checks, and fees for licensure, graduation, and externally prepared examinations. Students are required to be covered by a valid health insurance policy while enrolled in nursing courses. Clinical hours may be during evenings and weekends.