College Catalog

This major is designed to prepare individuals with the opportunity to provide professional holistic nursing care to clients in a variety of health care settings. Courses in the biological sciences, social sciences, and liberal arts will provide a sound balance with the nursing classes and clinical experiences to enable the graduates to function at a generalist level. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination for Registered Nursing.

Career Opportunities

The degree can lead to clinical and administrative positions in the traditional field of nursing, as well as opportunities in nontraditional settings which include but are not limited to: home health nursing, public health nursing, nursing education, the armed services, and health care case management. In most cases, nursing within the federal government requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited nursing program.

Recommended High School Subjects

It is recommended that the applicants complete the following while in high school: English - four units, minimum one in composition, one in literature; foreign language or social studies - five units of any combination; science - three units of natural sciences; mathematics - three units including algebra.

Special Admissions Requirements

Students seeking admission to this major will meet the admission standards as described in the College Catalog. Students must also meet the admission standards and the technical standards established by the School of Health Sciences and the Nursing Program. Refer to http://www.pct.edu/schools/HS/nursing/ for more admission details.

Special Equipment Needs

Students in this major are expected to purchase a dual head stethoscope ($80-$100); a custom nursing kit (must be purchased at the College Bookstore - $115); uniform, white lab coat, white shoes, student nurse patch ($100-$300, depending on the number of uniforms purchased); and various smaller items ($50-$140 combined, depending on brands purchased). Prices are estimates and subject to change.

Remediation Strategies

Students will not be eligible for acceptance into the program with any developmental deficiencies.

Transfer Procedures

Students who apply to the four-year program as transfer students will be evaluated on an individual basis. Acceptance of transfer students may be determined by available seats in the program.

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• engage as a generalist, synthesizing knowledge from nursing, liberal arts, and sciences to provide consumer-centered care that is evidence-based, theory-guided, holistic and culturally competent (Consumer-centered Care & Evidenced-based Practice).
• facilitate the teaching-learning process to promote health and prevent disease in populations across the lifespan (Teaching and Learning).
• use therapeutic communication to partner with and advocate for the health care needs of clients of all ages, families, and communities in a variety of health care settings (Communication).
• utilize informatics to analyze research findings and identify research problems related to the nursing care of diverse consumers (Informatics).
• apply leadership and management skills in developing collaborative, professional relationships with multidisciplinary health care providers to improve the delivery of health care (Professional Behaviors).
• establish ethical, political, and legal accountability and take responsibility for one's own practice, professional growth, life-long learning, and the development of the profession in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding (Professional Behaviors).
• direct and facilitate the use of the nursing process to optimize patient outcomes throughout the lifespan and across the continuum of health care environments (Nursing Process).

Performance Standards

Students enrolled in the major must earn a minimum final grade of 'C' in each of their nursing courses, in BIO 115 and BIO 125, and in the CHM elective (CHM100 or higher). Failure to do so will result in termination from the major.

Curriculum

Notice of Conviction

Child abuse clearance and criminal background checks are required by some agencies involved in fieldwork and/or capstones. Agencies can bar students from their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Penn College students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to gain clinical or fieldwork or intern education experiences results in inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. For additional clarification, students can speak with their program director. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing advises that a drug-related conviction and/or conviction of a felonious act might result in denial and/or revocation of a license to practice nursing. In accordance with The professional Nurse Law, Act of 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69, as amended, The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing shall not issue a license to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the Act known as "The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act" or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless at least 10 years have elapsed from the date of the conviction.

Accreditation

The bachelor's degree in Nursing is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. For further information, contact the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission at 3343 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 850, Atlanta GA 30326; 404-975-5000.