Undergraduate Programs

• Nursing (B.S.N.)

The specific purposes of the baccalaureate nursing program are the following:

• To prepare practitioners for the beginning practice of professional nursing
• To provide a base for the continuing development of the students as individuals, as citizens and as professional practitioners of nursing
• To provide a foundation for graduate study in nursing

The College of Nursing is committed to the education of professionals in nursing within the perspective of today’s society. The faculty believes that the foremost aim of such education is the acquisition of knowledge and unique specialized skills of the nursing profession. Professional education for nursing lays a foundation for the proficient and competent performance of nursing practice, based on scientific principles and entailing self-directed activities and discriminative judgments. The faculty also believes that professional education in nursing stresses the development of high ethical standards and moral values, which enable future practitioners to make essential contributions to public welfare and social progress. Professional education in nursing strives to develop communication skills and personality traits for effective interpersonal relationships and provides a base for continuing study and for personal, social and professional development.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree stresses the application of physical, biological and social sciences to professional nursing practice. Throughout the program, students learn to give professional nursing care to children and adults of various age groups in acute care, home and community settings.

ADMISSION TO AND PROGRESSION IN THE TRADITIONAL NURSING SEQUENCE

1. Students are eligible to make application during the semester in which they anticipate completing, or have completed, 30 credit hours. Students must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA, and a 2.75 GPA in the required sciences (BSCI 20020, 20021, CHEM 10050, 10052, or CHEM 10054) to be eligible for admission.
2. Students must earn a 2.0 (grade of C) in each of the prerequisite science courses (BSCI 20020, 20021, CHEM 10050, 10052, or CHEM 10054) to be eligible for admission.
3. Transfer students can apply if they have completed 30 credit hours. In addition, students must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA in all coursework, and a 2.75 GPA in the required sciences (BSCI 20020, 20021, CHEM 10050, 10052, or CHEM 10054 – including a grade of 2.0 or better in each course). Transfer students who have successfully completed 12 or more hours at Kent State University will be evaluated on their cumulative Kent State GPA only along with the previously described admission criteria.
4. Two recommendations, either academic or professional, are also required for admission.
5. The admission process is competitive; acceptance is never guaranteed. The Dean may review the students’ educational files to determine if adequate progression has been made.

Associate degree nurses seeking admission:

1. Students who are currently enrolled, or were previously enrolled in the associate degree of nursing (ADN) program at Kent State University, and are seeking admission into the B.S.N. program will apply to the sequence per part A “Admission and Progression into the Traditional Nursing Sequence.”
2. ADN students who meet criteria and are admitted and have successfully completed NRST 10001 will receive credit for NURS 20020 and NURS 10050. This credit is applicable to only associate degree students of the Kent State system.

Licensed Practical Nurses seeking admission:

1. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) seeking admission to the Traditional Nursing Sequence must completed 30 credit hours with a a 2.75 cumulative GPA, and a 2.75 GPA in the required sciences (BSCI 20020, 20021, CHEM 10050, 10052, or CHEM 10054) to be eligible for admission.
2. Students must earn a 2.0 (grade of C) in each of the prerequisite science courses (BSCI 20020, 20021, CHEM 10050, 10052, or CHEM 10054) to be eligible for admission.
3. LPN students, who meet these requirements, will be eligible to complete the LPN Transition program.
   1. Students who successfully pass the LPN Transition Program (grade of C or better) will receive credit for NURS 10050 and NURS 20010.
   2. Students who successfully pass the LPN Transition Program (grade of C or better) will be permitted to complete Credit by Exam for NURS 20020, NURS 20030, and NURS 20950.
4. The semester prior to the student is enrolled in the LPN Transition Program, the student must officially apply to the Sophomore Nursing Sequence per the guidelines above.
5. Upon completion of the LPN Transition Program and the Credit by Exams, LPN students will be placed into the Traditional Nursing Sequence on a space available basis following the guidelines established for assigning students who are out of sequence.
6. Due to space availability LPN students are not guaranteed their campus of choice.

ADMISSION TO AND PROGRESSION IN THE ACCELERATED NURSING SEQUENCE

1. Students are eligible to make application after having achieved a bachelors degree with a 2.75 cumulative GPA from their accredited degree granting institution and a 2.75 GPA in the required sciences (BSCI 20020, 20021, CHEM 10050, 10052, or CHEM 10054)
2. Students must earn a 2.0 (grade of C) in each of the prerequisite science courses (BSCI 20020, 20021, CHEM 10050, 10052, or CHEM 10054) to be eligible for admission.
3. Consideration for admission to the Accelerated Program is given to students who:
   1. Have work or volunteer experience in a helping profession or healthcare/patient contact related experience.
   2. Completed any of the following courses: BSCI 30030, BSCI 30050, NUTR 33512, NURS 20950 and a  qualifying statistics course.
   3. Submitted an essay.
4. Two recommendations, either academic or professional, are also required for admission
5. The admission process is competitive; acceptance is never guaranteed. The dean may review the students’ educational files to determine if adequate progression has been made.

ADMISSION TO AND PROGRESSION IN THE B.S.N. FOR REGISTERED NURSES CONCENTRATION

Registered nurses who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree must first meet Kent State University requirements for admissions. Registered nurses must also meet the following criteria:

1. Evidence of graduation in good standing from a state-approved associate degree or diploma nursing program. 
2. A minimum GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for all college course work completed.
3. A current registered nurse license.

PROGRESSION TO JUNIOR AND SENIOR COURSEWORK

Calculation of averages for progression to junior and senior sequence nursing courses once a student is admitted into the nursing sequence:

1. Traditional and Accelerated B.S.N. students  must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 each semester to continue in the Nursing program, failure to achieve this GPA each semester will result in dismissal from the College
2. Traditional and Accelerated B.S.N. students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA (grade of C) in each science course required in the College of Nursing B.S.N. curriculum. All required chemistry and biology courses must be successfully completed with a 2.0 (grade of C) or better in order to graduate.
3. Traditional and Accelerated B.S.N. students must have a minimum 2.0 (grade of C) in each of the sophomore nursing courses (N20010, N20020, N20030 and N20950) to progress to the junior Nursing Sequence; a 2.0 (grade of C)  in each of the junior nursing courses (NURS 30010, 30020, 30030, 30040, 30050 and 30060) to progress to the senior Nursing Sequence. Seniors must have a 2.0 (grade of C) in each of the senior nursing courses (NURS 40005, 40010, 40020, 40030, 40045, and 40872).
4. Accelerated B.S.N. students may take NURS 30000 junior and NURS 40000 senior level courses concurrently as specified by the Accelerated B.S.N. curriculum.
5. Traditional B.S.N. students may take no more than two (2) clinical courses per semester. Accelerated B.S.N. students are permitted to take three (3) clinical courses per term.

REPEAT OF CLINICAL NURSING COURSES

1. A student who does not attain a GPA of 2.0 (grade of C) in a nursing clinical course cannot proceed to the next academic level. A student who does not attain a 2.0 (grade of C) in a nursing course must repeat this course based on seat availability.  A student can repeat a single course only one time. A student who earns below a 2.0 (grade of C) in a second (or is repeating a failure) nursing course will be dismissed from the College (see Dismissal Policy below)
2. Accelerated B.S.N. students who fail a course will no longer continue in the Accelerated program but can continue in the Traditional B.S.N. program

ASSIGNING OUT-OF-SEQUENCE STUDENTS TO CLINICAL NURSING COURSES

1. Students are responsible for contacting Student Services, Room 216, Henderson Hall to make arrangements for repeating a nursing course.
2. Readmission to the B.S.N. sequence for any reason is on a “space available” basis.  Students already progressing in sequence have priority in placement over those requesting re-enrollment. Accelerated B.S.N. students have priority in summer scheduling.
3. Students are enrolled in courses using the following guidelines in order:
   1. Are in good standing but lost a semester with verified illness or military service.
   2. Licensed Practical Nurses who have just successfully complete the LPN Transition Program. Once admitted to the Traditional Program, LPN transition students will be considered under traditional status for the remainder of their education.
   3. Have failed and successfully repeated a clinical course.
   4. Have withdrawn from one course.
   5. Have withdrawn from a course more than once.
   6. Cumulative grade point average at the time of registration.

CHANGING CAMPUSES

1. Traditional and Accelerated B.S.N. students are admitted by campus and are required to complete the B.S.N. program at their admitted campus of origin.
2. Students wishing to change campuses during their program must comply with the following guidelines in order:
   1. Once campus rosters have been set based on the procedure for assigning students, students who are in-sequence and approved to switch campuses by BRCC may be placed.
   2. Students who are out of sequence may switch campuses in order to repeat courses based on the order established for assigning out-of-sequence students (see above) once all students have been placed. No approval by BRCC is needed in this instance. Students will be directed to return to their campus of origin, once they have successfully repeated their course at another campus.

DISMISSAL POLICY

1. Students who fail any two nursing courses, or any single course twice will be dismissed from the College of Nursing. NURS 10050, NURS 20950, or approved NURS special topics courses are exempt from this rule. Students will have their major switched to Pre-Nusring in this situation.
2. Traditional and Accelerated B.S.N. students  must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 each semester to continue in the Nursing program, failure to achieve this GPA each semester will result in dismissal from the College. Students will have their major switched to Pre-Nursing in this situation.
3. The College of Nursing retains the right to dismiss from the program any student who is deemed to violate the policies and procedures of the College of Nursing or of affiliating facilities.

REINSTATEMENT INTO THE COLLEGE OF NURSING

Applications for readmission to the College of Nursing following dismissal will be met with great scrutiny. Students wishing to appeal their dismissal should contact the Office of Student Services in Henderson Hall for the detailed procedure related to such an appeal.

HEALTH POLICY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

For admission and progression in the College of Nursing, undergraduate students must be immunized and follow the health requirements, as outlined below. Prospective students should make an appointment with a licensed clinician for a general physical. Once the clinician has administered immunizations or drawn blood for titres as needed, he/she must complete, sign and date the Immunization Compliance Form, available on the College of Nursing website.

The student is responsible for submitting the following to the College of Nursing:

1. Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Student must provide a copy of current CPR card. Certification must be Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider through the American Heart Association ONLY.

In accordance with HIPAA rules and regulations, these records will be maintained.

1. Mantoux tuberculin (Tb) skin test using the two-step method. Two-step method means that student will receive a first Tb skin test and, one week later, will receive the second Tb skin test. Results of EACH step must be submitted.
   1. Results of a one-step Mantoux Tb skin test must be submitted each year thereafter while the student remains in the nursing program.
   2. If the student has a positive reaction to Tb, he/she is required to have a chest X-ray, or indicate date of last CXR if it was completed within the past one year. Each year, thereafter, the student will be required to complete an Annual Mantoux/TB Screening Form.
2. Rubeola (Measles), Mumps and Rubella (MMR). Two vaccinations are required after one year of age and at least one month apart, or one MMR vaccination within the last six years. Titre-indicating immunity is also acceptable. Those born before January 1, 1957, are age deferred.
3. Adult Diphtheria Tetanus within the last 10 years, or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis). Tdap is also highly recommended within the following parameters:
   1. Can be received only after at least two years of receiving the Adult Diphtheria Tetanus
   2. Can be received only one time as an adult
   3. If the student chooses not to receive the Tdap, the waiver section must be signed and dated
4. Hepatitis B vaccination is highly recommended. Dates of all three injections are required. A titre-indicating immunity is also acceptable. If the student chooses not to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination, the waiver section must be signed and dated. Since Hep. B is a series of three injections over the course of several months; it may not be completed before the deadline. Students should start the series immediately and submit documentation once future injections are completed.
5. Varicella: date of immunization, date of disease or titre are acceptable.
6. Physical examination within one year prior to admission to the program.

It is the students’ responsibility to maintain their Tb annual one-step date/results, and Adult Diphtheria Tetanus or Tdap as needed. Students will also be responsible for providing copies of updated CPR cards to the College of Nursing. If a student's records indicate that information is not valid for the entire subsequent academic year, the student will not be approved to participate in the clinical setting.

UNIFORM FOR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

1. The uniform consists of a white tunic top and pants embroidered with the Kent State University College of Nursing logo.
2. Students are required to purchase two sets of the official embroidered uniform, an embroidered white scrub jacket, and the required College of Nursing name tag, which must be worn at all times during each clinical experience (per Ohio Board of Nursing rules). Uniforms may only be purchased from the uniform company authorized to sell the official Kent State University College of Nursing uniforms.
3. Female students who need a maternity uniform should contact the official Kent State University College of Nursing uniform company to purchase a maternity uniform embroidered with the Kent State University College of Nursing logo, similar to the typical tunic and pants.
4. Students requiring a uniform dress to meet religious guidelines should contact the official Kent State University College of Nursing uniform company to purchase a uniform embroidered with the Kent State University College of Nursing logo dress similar in style to the tunic top.
5. In selected areas such as obstetrics, community health, and psychiatric/mental health, scrubs or street clothes are worn. Specific apparel requirements for these areas are provided by the affiliating clinical agencies, the course syllabus and/or the faculty.
6. It is required that baccalaureate nursing students dress in a professional manner at all times in the clinical area. In order to maintain a professional appearance, a limited number of accessories may be worn with the uniform:
   1. A watch with a second hand, a single pair of plain gold or silver posts worn in the lower ear lobe of pierced ears and a wedding band are acceptable in most settings.
   2. A chain that does not show when worn may also be acceptable, depending on the clinical agency.
   3. Not permitted in the clinical area are visible piercings with jewelry in places other than the lower ear lobes (e.g. upper ear, nose, tongue, eyebrows, etc.).
7. While at the clinical agency, tattoos must be covered with a long sleeve top, white or neutral undershirt, socks or dressing/band aid.
8. If nail polish is worn, only a clear or light, neutral shade is permitted. Nails should be trimmed to avoid extending beyond the end of the fingers. Per OSHA rules, artificial nails may not be worn in any clinical facility.
9. Hair should be neat and worn above the collar in a style becoming to the person. Established beards are to be neatly trimmed. Males without beards are to be clean shaven.
10. Shoes should be clean and in good repair. With the official Kent State University College of Nursing uniform, students may wear white nursing shoes; white, closed front clogs with backs; or white, leather athletic shoes, without large or colorful logos.
11. At all times during clinical experiences, students must adhere to the uniform code of Kent State University College of Nursing. Clinical agency policies may be more restrictive and require further or additional accommodations by students.