Program of Study

The junior/senior level program in nursing studies is five semesters long and provides learning experience in a variety of clinical settings, including community health agencies, clinics, hospitals and homes. Nursing courses include classroom and laboratory activities correlated with supervised clinical experiences.

Courses in the first two semesters focus on various states of wellness and illness, including experiences with adult clients in hospital and community settings. Courses in health assessment, pharmacotherapeutics and pathophysiology provide theoretical content for the application of the nursing process. Students have the opportunity to analyze a variety of issues in professional nursing practice and health care.

The senior year courses focus on nursing in the areas of maternal-newborn, child health, mental health and family/community health. The conceptual courses for each area are accompanied by laboratory courses in a variety of clinical settings. Students are also introduced to the research process in nursing.

The final semester focuses on complex nursing care with clients across the life span. The practicum is the culminating laboratory experience in the program and provides opportunity for integration and synthesis of professional role behaviors. A course in the structure and finances of health care delivery systems supports the practicum.

Progress

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all required nursing courses. Students earning less than a C in any required nursing course may repeat that course only once and on a space-available basis. Students may repeat no more than four semester credits of required nursing courses. Students who receive below a C grade in the same required nursing course twice or who receive below a C grade in more than four semester credits of required nursing courses must withdraw from the program.

Students who withdraw may petition for readmission on a space-available basis upon completion of a prescribed remedial curriculum, provided they also meet the admission standards of the class to which they seek admission. The student's academic adviser, department chair and the associate dean for academic and student affairs develop the remedial curriculum plan.

Students in the health professions are held to standards of conduct that exceed those usually expected of university students. Consequently, nursing students are required to demonstrate safe practice in the care of patients and to exercise appropriate judgment as beginning level professionals, including appropriate demeanor and appearance. Students must adhere to the standards of conduct outlined in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and the Florida Nurse Practice Act. Students can be removed from the nursing curriculum, and/or any college sponsored programs or organizations, based on violation of professional conduct.

Curriculum Plan

The following recommended course list enables students to satisfy the university-wide general education requirement (refer to the Academic Advising section of this catalog) and required preprofessional courses. The plan includes the courses and academic standards (overall GPA and preprofessional GPA) required each semester for continuation in the nursing major.

The curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) follows. Critical tracking courses appear in bold and must be completed in the semester indicated. Preprofessional courses are preceded by an asterisk (*) and require a C or better grade. Nursing courses followed by a double asterisk (**) are offered S/U only.

Nursing

To remain 'on track' for this major you must meet the following critical tracking criteria. The critical tracking courses appear in bold.

Semester 1:

• 3.0 GPA on work from all institutions
• Complete CHM1020 with a grade of "C" or better

Semester 2:

• 3.2 GPA on work from all institutions for sem 2-5
• Complete CHM1021 with a grade of "C" or better

Semester 3:

• Complete PET2320C and MCB2000 with a grade of "C" or better

Semester 4:

• Complete PSY2013, (DEP3053 or EDF3110), STA2122, HUN2101, PET2350C, and any SYG* course with a grade of "C" or better
• 3.2 GPA on all critical tracking courses

Critical Tracking Criteria for Semesters 5-9:

• You must maintain a 2.0 semester GPA

Critical Tracking Criteria

• Must complete 4 courses from Semester 7

Critical Tracking Criteria

• Must complete all courses in Semester 8

Programs of Study for Registered Nurses

The College of Nursing offers a course of study for registered nurses wishing to pursue a baccalaureate degree (as well as those desiring a master's degree). RN/BSN students meet college graduation requirements through credit by examination, classroom attendance and clinical experiences. A class schedule that considers the needs of working RNs is available.

Course work focuses on development of professional nursing practice and includes content that will broaden and strengthen the registered nurse student's repertoire of knowledge and skills. Content includes health assessment, professional socialization, finance, health care delivery, research and family/community nursing. Clinical experiences are with individuals, families and groups in community settings.

The practicum is the culminating clinical experience and provides an opportunity for integration and synthesis of professional role behaviors. Electives permit students to pursue individual interests and to avail themselves of knowledge from other disciplines.

A current Florida registered nurse license and one year of nursing experience are required in addition to the criteria for enrollment in the college's undergraduate nursing courses.