The University of New Mexico College of Nursing

Transcription

1 The University of New Mexico College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN to BSN Option Admission Advisement Guide Spring 2016 Application Cycle August 1- November 1, 2015 Updated 6/11/15

2 Table of Contents Program Information and Overview... 2 Contact Information... 2 Minimum Application Requirements... 2 UNM CON RN to BSN Option Prerequisites... 3 Before You Apply... 3 Admission Process... 3 New Mexico Residency... 3 Timeline for Spring 2016 Admission... 3 How to Apply... 4 Transcript Requirements... 4 NursingCAS Application and Checklist... 4 NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge II Information... 5 ACE II Exam Registration... 5 Non-Albuquerque ACE II Testing Locations... 6 ACE II Prep Materials... 6 Current UNM CON Tuition and Fee Schedule... 6 FAQs Regarding the NursingCAS Application... 7 UNM CON RN to BSN Option FAQs... 7 UNM Core Sheet... 9 UNM CON RN to BSN Option Program of Studies P a g e

3 Program Information and Overview The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Nursing (CON) offers an online option to accommodate the special needs of registered nurses (RNs) who wish to return to school to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. On completion, students will demonstrate achievement of the outcomes expected of all CON baccalaureate students. The completion track is 24 credit hours in nine upper-division courses. Courses are offered during the first and second 7-weeks of each 14-week term. This allows students to progress through the curriculum in four terms when focusing on 3 credit hours at a time. Terms run fall, spring, and summer. Contact Information UNM College of Nursing (505) HSC-CON-StudentServices@salud.unm.edu NursingCAS (617) nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org Minimum Application Requirements To be considered for the UNM CON RN to BSN Option, applicants must: Achieve at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all college-level coursework. Have at least 26 hours of transferrable coursework. Have a valid RN license or eligibility for a New Mexico RN license. Complete the NursingCAS application from August 1-November 1, Send official college transcripts from all institutions attended to NursingCAS. Be eligible for admission to UNM. For information regarding eligibility, visit Failure to complete any of the above steps will result in ineligibility, and your application will not be processed. 2 P a g e

4 UNM CON RN to BSN Option Prerequisites Although not an admission requirement, all upper-division Nursing courses require ENGL 120 as a prerequisite. If you choose to enter the RN to BSN Option prior to successful completion of ENGL 120, you may not start the Nursing completion track courses until a grade of C or better is posted. Before You Apply Application to UNM s RN to BSN Option requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. If you are not sure of your cumulative GPA, please meet with an advisor. There may be benefits to starting general education classes before admission to the RN to BSN Option, such as reduced tuition. Please meet with an advisor to review all course requirements and options for when to start the program. International students should meet with the Global Education Office ( first. Admission Process Applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements, and only complete applications submitted by the application deadline will be considered. New Mexico Residency The UNM CON abides by the policies set forth by the UNM Office of the Registrar regarding all residency issues and decisions. For more information, visit Timeline for Spring 2016 Admission August 1, 2015: the UNM CON RN to BSN Option NursingCAS application period opens. November 1, 2015, by 9:59 MST: the Spring 2016 NursingCAS application deadline, meaning that applications must be completed and paid for by the indicated day and time. November 1, 2015: official transcripts must be received by NursingCAS. This is not a postmarked deadline. November 30, 2015: applicants will be notified of the UNM CON admission decision by the end of November via the they used on their application for the UNM CON RN to BSN Option. All admission decisions are final. January 14, 2016: classes start. 3 P a g e

5 How to Apply The UNM CON utilizes NursingCAS for all undergraduate RN to BSN Option applications. We require the applicant to submit all official transcripts to NursingCAS for processing. The UNM CON no longer accepts transcripts for applications. You will also be required to send official transcripts to UNM Admissions as part of the application and admission process to UNM. Information on UNM application is here: Transcript Requirements Transcripts must meet the following requirements to be considered official by NursingCAS: 1. A Registrar s seal and/or legible signature must be included on the transcript. 2. The transcript must be mailed directly to NursingCAS from the Registrar s Office of the school where the course was taken. 3. The transcript cannot be marked Issued to Student or Student Copy. 4. The transcript must reflect all relevant, correct information for the applicant identified on the application. 5. Transcripts cannot be gathered by the student and then mailed to NursingCAS. As stated above, they must come directly from the institution s Registrar s Office. All questions regarding transcripts must be directed to NursingCAS, as the UNM CON does not have access to them until they have been received and processed by NursingCAS. NursingCAS Application and Checklist Before starting your application, it is recommended that you gather all required information and materials: Check nursing.unm.edu for application deadlines and details. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the NursingCAS application. We do not require any information, including references, in the Supporting Information section. Materials submitted will not be reviewed; please do not submit them. You may need to upload documents, such as copies of course work you are currently enrolled in. 4 P a g e

6 NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge II Information The Nursing Acceleration Challenge II (ACE II) is a timed, computer-based, standardized test offered to facilitate the educational mobility of RN to BSN students. When appropriate, it is a means to earn up to 34 hours of academic credit toward the UNM CON RN to BSN Option. It is not required in the RN to BSN Option for students starting Fall 2015 or later. However, some students may need elective hours, and this test is an option to complete some or all elective hours. Each academic situation is different. It is best to speak with an advisor before scheduling any part of the exam. The ACE II was normed on students in baccalaureate nursing programs. There are four content areas, each with its own exam. Integrated throughout each of the four tests are questions about nutrition, pharmacology, patient teaching, and interpersonal relations. Questions are presented in case situation and are written in the framework of the nursing process. The exam is given four times a year: January, June, July, and November. Taking all four exams requires a full day of testing on Day 1 and a half-day on Day 2. Students may complete any combination of tests depending on needs: 1. Care of the Adult Client 4 hours to complete the test; earns 14 credit hours. 2. Care of the Client With a Mental Disorder 2.5 hours to complete the test; earns 6 credit hours. 3. Care of the Child 2 hours to complete the test; earns 6 credit hours. 4. Care of the Client During Childbearing 2 hours to complete the test; earns 6 credit hours. 5. Successfully passing all four tests earns an additional 2 credit hours. You will receive immediate feedback after each exam; however, full results will be ed by a CON advisor approximately 2 days after the exam. Each exam is scored separately on a pass/fail basis. If the student is unsuccessful on any of the four exams, he or she may re-take it up to three times, for a fee. A pass/fail grade will be sent to UNM Records and added to your transcript. The ACE II cannot be used toward required UNM residency hours. ACE II Exam Registration Please visit to pre-register. You must pre-register and pre-pay for the exam; no walk-ins are allowed. Please contact CON Advisement for the fee, as it varies per test. 5 P a g e

7 Non-Albuquerque ACE II Testing Locations For more information regarding ACE II Distance Testing, please contact Nissane Capps, at It is the test-taker s responsibility to find a testing location. ACE II Prep Materials Most students use an NCLEX-RN study guide to prepare for the ACE II. Current UNM CON Tuition and Fee Schedule Estimated Cost of Attendance Effective Fall 2015 Spring 2016 (Subject to Change) Baccalaureate Level Resident Tuition and Fees Up to 14 credit hours per credit hour $ credit hours per credit hour $ credits $2, credits $6, credits $6, credits $6, credits $6, credits $6, Non-Resident Tuition and Fees Up to 11 credit hours per credit hour $1, credit hours UNM tuition: $10,654 + Nursing differential of $197/credit hour $12, Required Fees Per Term Library $ Needle Stick Insurance (students with clinical courses) $30.00 Varies from Estimated Course Fees $200-$350 HSC Student Council Fee $1.00 $360 part time Estimated Fee Total Per Term $500 full time 6 P a g e

8 FAQs Regarding the NursingCAS Application It is asking me for references. Do I need to include references or other information in the Supporting Information section? References are not required and will not be considered. Please do not include them in your application. If I have already sent my official transcripts to UNM, do I still need to send them to NursingCAS? Yes, you still need to send all official transcripts to NursingCAS for processing. The UNM CON will not accept application transcripts under any circumstances. Do I have to submit my high school transcript? No, we do not require high school transcripts. The only transcripts we require are official college transcripts sent directly to NursingCAS for processing and verification. See above for the official transcript requirements. I am taking a class during the Fall 2015 term. When should I send my transcript to NursingCAS? Admission decisions will already be made by the time Fall 2015 grades post; thus, there is no need to send transcripts to NursingCAS when grades post. If the course is not being taken at UNM, please send official transcripts to UNM Admission to be added to your academic record once the grade is posted. Please note, however, that you will be asked to upload a copy of your Fall 2015 schedule to your NursingCAS application. UNM CON RN to BSN Option FAQs What makes a successful RN to BSN student? 1. Communication with instructors is vital! 2. Proactive planning: Don t wait until the last minute to address an issue you are having. 3. Utilize resources! We are here to help you succeed. Use IT for technical support, Student Support for advisement and financial aid, and Student Success for assistance with learning, just to name a few resources. How many spots does the UNM CON RN to BSN Option have? Cohort capacity is 50 students for Spring P a g e

9 Do classes ever expire? No, classes do not have an expiration date in regard to admission and application cycles or toward graduation requirements. If you are using courses toward other requirements, such as a minor, please check with that department to inquire about course expiration. I was previously admitted to the RN to BSN Option. Do I still send all transcripts to NursingCAS? Yes. As an applicant, you must submit transcripts for evaluation. Past applications and transcripts are not stored at the CON. I was previously admitted to the RN to BSN Option. How will the new curriculum impact me? That will vary from student to student, and you are encouraged to meet with an advisor for details on your exact circumstance. Some classes have direct equivalents, others do not. I was previously admitted to the RN to BSN Option and took the ACE II as part of those requirements. How will that apply toward new requirements? The ACE II will apply toward elective hours. It does not apply toward UNM residency. What is the current tuition and fee schedule for the CON? Please see page 6 for more information. How long does the UNM CON RN to BSN Option take to complete? The RN to BSN Option is designed to be completed part time, with students completing 6 hours per term. At that rate, the 24-hour Nursing completion track can be completed in four terms. The actual length of time to complete all requirements varies from student to student. Factors include previous coursework applicable to requirements and hours successfully completed per term. How many hours are required for graduation from UNM? The UNM CON RN to BSN requires at least 128 credit hours. Of these, UNM requires that at least 30 hours be taken at UNM, which includes branches. Is the UNM CON accredited? The baccalaureate and master s programs at the UNM CON are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202) , through December 31, P a g e

10 UNM Core Sheet 9 P a g e

11 UNM CON RN to BSN Option Program of Studies CORE CURRICULM 31 Hours REQUIRED COURSES 12 Hours Writing & Speaking 6 Hrs ENGL 102*/120 (Prerequisite to all Nursing 300+ courses) 3 Hrs ENGL 101*, 112, 113, or 110 Nursing 239 Pathophysiology I 3 Hrs Additional Course Nursing 240 Pathophysiology II 3 Hrs Physical & Natural Sciences 7 Hrs Statistics 145 Intro to Probability & Statistics 3 Hrs (or other approved course) Social & Behavioral Sciences 6 Hrs BSN COMPLETION TRACK 24 Hours First Term/ First 7 Weeks Required: Humanities 6 Hrs (Prerequisites to all Upper-Division Nursing courses) Nursing 301 Professional Communication 1 Hrs Nursing 302 Advancement of Professional Nursing 2 Hrs Foreign Language 3 Hrs These May Be Completed in Any Sequence as Offered: Fine Arts 3 Hrs Nursing 404 Research and Evidence-Based Practice 3 Hrs Nursing 405 Genetic Literacy Across the Lifespan 3 Hrs Nursing 406 Nursing in the Community 3 Hrs LOWER-DIVISION ELECTIVES 21 Hours Nursing 407 Care of Vulnerable Populations 3 Hrs Courses Numbered : Nursing 408 Leadership and Management 3 Hrs Nursing 409 Health Policy, Economics and Systems 3 Hrs Last Term/ Second 7 Weeks: Capstone Practicum Nursing 410 Foundations of Leading Change and Advancing Health 3 Hrs ANY-LEVEL ELECTIVES Courses Numbered : 34 Hours UPPER-DIVISION ELECTIVES Courses Numbered : 6 Hrs Total Hours 128 UNM Residency Hours 30 Upper-Division Hours 30 Core Curriculum Hours P a g e