La Roche College ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING / BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAM GUIDE Student Name First-Year Student Transfer I.D. Number Change of Major Readmit This is the (check one) official or unofficial evaluation of your credits to date including transfer credits (if applicable) in your chosen major. Update your progress each semester by printing a copy of your Academic Record (available through Project EASE). Take this guide to meetings with your academic advisor and update the guide accordingly. If you are a transfer student, this Guide shows previous coursework accepted toward this major. Evaluations are not official until official transcripts for all previous college work are received and reviewed for transferability by the Registrar s Office. ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program provides a pathway for students who want to become registered nurses. The Department of Nursing faculty has developed a curriculum that will give students the theoretical and practical knowledge they will need to work in a variety of heath care settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health care sites and other facilities. Advanced Standing for the Licensed Practical Nurse Licensed practical nurses (LPN) may apply for advanced placement by making formal application to La Roche College. Candidates must have graduated from an NLNAC approved practical nurse program and have worked in a clinical setting for at least one year prior to application for admission. A copy of the applicant s current license in good standing to practice in Pennsylvania and an official transcript from the practical nurse program must be submitted. Students must successfully complete NSG 205 LPN to RN Transition course. Legal Limitations for Nurse Licensure Admission to or graduation from the nursing program does not guarantee obtaining a license or certificate to practice nursing. Licensure and certification requirements and the subsequent procedures are the exclusive right and responsibility of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Students must satisfy the requirements of the Nurse Practice Act, statutes, rules, and regulations independently of any college of school requirements for graduation. The student who is convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, felonious act, an illegal act associated with alcohol, and/or an illegal act associated with substance abuse while enrolled in the nursing program may be prohibited by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing from taking the NCLEX. This action by the Board may be recommended regardless of the student s ability to complete the nursing program s educational requirements for graduation. If there is any question about eligibility for licensure, contact the nursing education advisor at: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 (www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa). Students who have graduated from high school within five years of application date must have an SAT minimum composite score of 1000 (a minimum SAT verbal of 500 preferred) or an ACT score of 23. A student who has graduated from high school over five years from the date of his/her La Roche College application will not be required to take the SAT or ACT. Mathematics and English classes will depend on placement testing scores and high school GPAs. Students who plan to enroll in the BSN completion program following graduation from the ASN program MUST take MT 110 College Algebra. Completion of chemistry is required prior to acceptance to the Nursing Program. Acceptable chemistry courses include one unit of high school chemistry with a lab and a grade of B or a grade of C or better in a four-hour college chemistry course (CH 101/103 or equivalent). Any chemistry course must have been taken within ten years of application date to La Roche College. If it has been more than ten years, a chemistry course must be taken prior to admission into the program. The prerequisite of chemistry may be waived for the applicant with a degree in science or health related fields, as determined by the Nursing Department. Testing of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is required prior to admission into the ASN program. This computerized exam can be scheduled by accessing www.laroche.edu/teas. Must meet scores: Composite 70 th percentile rank national and a math score; Math 60 th percentile rank national. Transfer credits taken in the sciences -- BL123 & 124 (Anatomy & Physiology I & II), BL115 (Microbiology for Health Sciences), and NS110 (Normal & Clinical Nutrition) must have been taken within the last five years at the time of application to meet the requirements for the Associate of Science in Nursing degree. If a student has taken A&P I and is interested in transferring the grade from another institution, then it is strongly advised that the student will take A&P II at the same institution at which A&P I was taken. This is advised based on the continuity of course content. Page 1 of 5 09/2009
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Cross Registration: If you are a full-time student you may cross-register during the add/drop period for one course each semester at any one of the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) institutions, provided the course is open for cross-registration. Cross Registration is possible during Fall and Spring semesters only. The grade earned for a cross-registered course is calculated in the student s GPA and you pay La Roche tuition for that course. Students who have accumulated 60 credits are not permitted to register for courses at a community, junior college or other 2-year program. Cross-Registration Forms are available in the Registrar s Office. If a course is offered on campus it cannot be taken at another institution. Temporary Transfer: You may register for a total of 8 credits at another school during the summer if: (1) the course is not being offered at La Roche College during that summer; and, (2) you have a QPA of at least 2.0. Students who have accumulated 60 credits may not take courses at a community, junior college or other 2-year program. You may not take a course outside the College once you have earned 90 credits. You must earn a grade of at least a C for the course to transfer to La Roche. You may not take a course at another school with the intent of replacing a La Roche course in which you received an F. All nursing courses must be taken at La Roche College. Temporary Transfer Application Forms are available at the Registrar s Office. CLEP Students may complete the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) for the following courses: AM101Introduction to Administration and Management or AM118 Fundamentals of Management; SOC221 Introduction to Sociology; EN111 and EN112 College Writing I and II. CLEP exams allow the student who has experienced a subject matter through real life vs. a formal educational setting to earn college credits. EXCELSIOR COLLEGE EXAM Students may test out of the upper level elective by taking the Abnormal Psychology exam through Excelsior College Exam. Information for both the CLEP and Excelsior College Exam can be obtained through the student s academic advisor. Any CLEP or Excelsior College exams must be successfully completed prior to the last 30 credits taken for the BSN. ** See BSN guide. La Roche ASN Graduates: A Student may enroll in the BSN Completion Program on a provisional basis following the completion of the ASN program, but must successfully pass the NCLEX state board exam within six months of completing the ASN program. ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING FULL-TIME CURRICULUM SEQUENCE 1. Once accepted into the Associate of Science in Nursing Program, students must meet health requirements before enrolling in any nursing courses. (The health requirement forms will be sent to prospective students with their acceptance letter.) A physical examination is required. For patient safety, clinical facilities utilized by the Department of Nursing require proof of satisfactory physical and mental condition and current immunizations. For assurance of patient safety, a random drug screen may be required. 2. An FBI and criminal background check are required (information will be sent to student with acceptance letter). To successfully complete this degree the following course work is required: 15 credits in Science and Introductory courses; 15 CORE Curriculum credits (plus 4 credits satisfied through Required/Major courses); 39 Nursing Component credits. A minimum of 69 credits is required for the degree, the last 37 of which must be completed at La Roche College. All nursing courses must be taken at La Roche College. In order to advance in the program, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5: A grade of C or better is required in all nursing (NSG) courses (at least 73%). A grade of C or better is required in the following support courses: BL123 & 124 (Anatomy & Physiology I and II), BL 115 (Microbiology for Health Sciences), and NS 110 (Normal and Clinical Nutrition). Students can take no longer than five years to complete the program. YEAR I Fall Semester Comments BL 123 Anatomy & Physiology I 4 NSG 100 Introduction to Nursing 3 NSG 105/105L Foundations of Clinical Nursing 3 BL 115 Microbiology 4 IST 105 Practical Computer Applications 3 17 Page 2 of 5 09/2009
Spring Semester BL 124 Anatomy & Physiology II 4 NS 125 Normal & Clinical Nutrition 3 NSG 220 Principles of Pharmacology 2 NSG 200 Medical Surgical Nursing of Adult 6 15 Summer Semester EN 111 College Writing I 3 PSY121 Introduction to Psychology 3 NSG 210 Mental Health Nursing 4 10 YEAR II Fall Semester EN 112 College Writing II 3 NSG 212 Childbearing/Women s Health 4 NSG 215 Nursing of Children 4 NSG 218 Community Health Nursing 4 15 Spring Semester PH 121 Introduction to Philosophy 3 NSG 225 High Acuity Nursing 6 NSG 230 Nursing Leadership 3 12 Completed Need Comments: Accepted in Transfer La Roche College Credit TOTAL Science / Introductory Courses Nursing Component Courses Core/Fundamental Courses Transfer Towards BSN Registrar s Signature Date BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM FOR REGISTERED NURSES The BSN Completion Program is intended for licensed registered nurses who have earned either a diploma or an associate degree. Requirements: To successfully complete the BSN program, the following is required: 24 prerequisite credits which must include 12 science credits 36 credits Nursing Mobility Profile II, Direct Articulation Agreement, or PA Articulation Agreement 30 liberal arts credits 30 nursing component credits (18 credits of required courses plus 12 credits of nursing electives). A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, the last 30 of which must be earned at La Roche College. Comments Nursing Mobility / Articulation 36 Prerequisites: 24 credits BL 123 Anatomy & Physiology I 4 BL 124 Anatomy & Physiology II 4 BL 115 Microbiology 4 CH 107 Principles of Chemistry 4 Page 3 of 5 09/2009
NS 3 EN 111 College Writing I 3 Can be completed through the CLEP program EN 112 College Writing II 3 Can be completed through the CLEP program PSY 121 Introduction to Psychology 3 SOC 121 Introduction to Sociology 3 Can be completed through the CLEP program Students entering the program with a previously earned bachelor s degree are exempt from the Liberal Arts Component courses but will be required to take the following courses if such courses were not completed at another institution as part of an undergraduate degree program: PH 121 Introduction of Philosophy, PH327 Biomedical Ethics, AM 101 Introduction to Administration and Management or AM 118 Fundamentals of Management, and MT 140 Probability and Statistics. Liberal Arts Component: 30 credits Lower-Division Courses (200-200 level): 15 credits AM 118 Fundamentals of Management 3 IST 105 Practical Computer Applications 3 MT 140 Probability & Statistics 3 Prerequisite MT 110 College Algebra PH 121 Introduction to Philosophy 3 Prerequisite for PH 327 Biomedical Ethics SELECT Aesthetics 3 Upper-Division Courses (300-400 level): 15 credits PH 327 Biomedical Ethics 3 Prerequisite PH 121 Introduction to Philosophy History 3 Literature 3 INTEGRATIVE 300 3 General Elective (300-400 level) 3 Nursing Component 30 credits Required Courses: 18 credits NSG 320 Health Assessment Nursing Practice 3 NSG 321 Leadership in Nursing 3 NSG 322 Health Teaching 3 NSG 323 Nursing Research I 3 NSG 420 Current Issues in Nursing 3 NSG 421 Community Nursing I 3 Electives: 12 credits required NSG 324 Nursing during Acute Illness 3 NSG 325 Nursing of the Adolescent 3 NSG 327 Mental Health Nursing 3 NSG 328 Overview of Gerontological Nursing 3 NSG 412 Introduction to Nursing Informatics 3 NSG 423 Nursing Research II 3 NSG 424 Healing in Nursing Practice 3 NSG 426 Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice 3 NSG 427 Health Care for Women 3 NSG 429 Community Nursing II 3 NSG 432 Nursing Practice with Fatally Ill 3 NSG 436 Family Health Nursing 3 NSG 437 Health Care for Men 3 NSG 430 Child Health & the School Nurse 3 Can only be taken as an elective if enrolled in the School Nurse Program. ED210 is a prerequisite or can be taken concurrently Page 4 of 5 09/2009
Completed Need Comments: Accepted in Transfer La Roche College Credit TOTAL Nursing Mobility/Articulation Prerequisites Liberal Arts Component Nursing Component Registrar s Signature Date ADDITIONAL NURSE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE: School Nurse Certificate Program: This program is offered in conjunction with the Teacher Education Department and is comprised of the following courses: (Required: 12 prerequisite credits and 8 required credits) Prerequisite credits (may either be taken at La Roche College or may be transfer credits) Course # and Title College English Comp (3 credits) English Lit. (3 credits) Math (3 credits) Math (3 credits) ED 210 Foundations of Education and Field Experience (4 credits); NSG 430 Child Health and the School Nurse (4 credits ) ** (which also requires a 100-hour practicum with a certified school nurse) Forensic Nurse: This program is offered in conjunction with the Criminal Justice Program and is comprised of the following courses: (Required 10 credits) CRIM 101 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (3 credits) CRIM 340 Crime Scene and Forensics & Laboratory (3 credits) NSG 410 Foundations of Forensic Nursing (3 credits theory and 1 credit clinical = 4 credits). The courses for this program must be taken in sequence. CRIM 340 and NSG 410 may be taken concurrently. All these courses must be taken at La Roche College. Page 5 of 5 09/2009