COLLEGE OF NURSING

Dean: Amanda S. Baker (434-3410)
Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies: Debra C. Davis (434-3410)
Professors: Baker, Carlson, Clements, deGruy, Davis, Doolittle, Rhodes
Associate Professors: Bradley, DeWitt, Ross, Vande Waa, Wiggins
Assistant Professors: Barkley, Bohannon, Broadus, Daniels, Fruh, Godfrey, Jones, McGuinness, Swint, Ward
Clinical Assistant Professors: Azok, Britten, Buchholz, Ercums, Estrada, Fox, Frey, Gordy, Green, Gropp, Hamilton, Holloway, Holmes, Hulett, Jenkins, Leonard, Morrissey, Myers, Ramsey, Sanford, Surline, Temple, Weitzel
Clinical Instructors: Raber, Hyatt

Department Chair, Adult Health Nursing
and Director of Undergraduate Studies: Rosemary Rhodes
Department Chair, Community Mental Health Nursing: M. Candice Ross
Department Chair, Maternal/Child Health Nursing: Alice Bohannon
Director of Admissions and Advisement: Bettye Odom (434-3410)
Academic Advisor: Katherine Parker (434-3410)

UNDERGRADUATE
The College of Nursing is dedicated to the education of professional nurses who will provide the highest quality health care to the communities they serve. The practice of nursing is both an art and a science; the focus of nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems.

The College of Nursing is located at USA Springhill on the corner of Springhill Avenue and Catherine Street. The resources of the University, the USA Hospitals and clinics, and selected clinical agencies throughout the community provide excellent opportunities for students to acquire the knowledge and skills essential for professional nursing. Students are responsible for their own transportation and travel costs.

The program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and fully accredited by the National League for Nursing. Upon completion of requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, the graduate is eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination to become a registered nurse (RN).

ADMISSION
Admission to the College of Nursing is selective and competitive. Students are admitted without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or qualified disablement. Applications must be submitted a quarter in advance of desired admission. Application forms are available in the Admissions and Advisement Department of the College of Nursing.

Applications are reviewed to determine that students have satisfied all pre-nursing requirements of conduct, health, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. Requests for transfer credit must comply with College of Nursing policies. Students are selected based on the following factors:

1. Submission of an application by deadline date.
   
2. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on all prerequisite courses.
   
3. A minimum grade of "C" on all science, professional nursing, and health science courses.
   
4. Completion of all remedial work recommended by the student's advisor.
   
5. Submission of a health record and required immunizations.
   
6. One letter of professional reference.
   
7. Satisfactory completion of the College of Nursing dosage calculation test.
   
8. Evidence of CPR certification.

The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean select the students and reserve the right to select those applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number that can be accommodated in clinical courses, students are admitted according to priority based on GPA. Admission requirements may change and will be published as far in advance as possible.

In keeping with dynamic changes in the nursing and health field, the baccalaureate curriculum may undergo change. Faculty advisors are available to help students adapt to curricula changes and plan the student's program accordingly.

Information regarding tuition and fees and length of the program are provided to the NLNAC on an annual basis (350 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014; 212/989-9393).

PROMOTION
Students will progress to clinical nursing courses according to the established sequence. The College will recommend for promotion only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, satisfy the requirements of health, conduct, scholastic achievement, and aptitude for nursing. Students continually in adjustment difficulties may be dismissed from the nursing program.

Students enrolled in clinical courses must maintain current CPR certification and must keep all immunizations current. Students are responsible for all personal health care expenses including expenses resulting from injury or accident, etc. while the student is engaged in learning experiences required by the College of Nursing. Therefore, all students are required to have adequate health care insurance. All students are charged once a year for professional liability insurance. Students are responsible for all travel expenses to clinical sites.

If a student's progression is interrupted for any reason, it is the student's responsibility to contact the Admissions and Advisement Department and apply for readmission. Because of limited spaces in clinical courses, any alteration in usual progression may lengthen the student's program.

A grade of "C" or higher is required for all professional nursing courses. A student may repeat only one professional nursing course in the curriculum. A second "D", "F", or "U" will result in academic dismissal from the nursing program. A minimum GPA of 2.0 at the University of South Alabama is required to continue in the program and for graduation. Failure to comply with legal, moral, and legislative students required for licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Alabama merits immediate dismissal from the program.

TRANSIENT COURSE CREDIT
Any courses taken at another institution to meet degree requirements must have prior approval of the College of Nursing Dean or Director of Admissions and Advisement. Failure to obtain prior approval may result in loss of transfer credit for the course work.

TRANSFER CREDIT FOR PROFESSIONAL NURSING COURSES
Nursing course work taken at other institutions prior to admission to the University of South Alabama will be evaluated on an individual basis. Courses determined by the appropriate department chairs to be equivalent to USA courses will be accepted based on the following data:

1. Only course work taken at NLN accredited programs will be considered.
   
2. Only courses with grades of "C" or above will transfer.
   
3. An NLN test will be required in the appropriate area with a score at or above the 50th percentile.
   

ADMISSION OF REGISTERED NURSES
The College of Nursing has a track designed especially for registered nurses pursuing the baccalaureate in nursing degree. Each applicant's educational credentials are individually evaluated and a program of study is designed. Registered nurses must submit evidence of current unencumbered registered nurse licensure to be admitted to the RN to BSN track. Up to 66 hours of nursing and health science courses may be challenged or validated. A maximum of 96 hours may be transferred in from a junior college.

CURRICULUM MODEL FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING

GRADUATE STUDIES
The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares graduates for advanced nursing practice and doctoral study. Graduates of the program are able to synthesize and apply advanced knowledge, theories, and research to a specialized area of nursing practice and function as leaders in practice and to contribute to the advancement of the profession. The Master of Science in Nursing program is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing. The objectives for the program are:

1. Integrate advanced knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines into a specialized area of advanced nursing practice.
   
2. Demonstrate competence in selected advanced nursing roles to meet current and emerging health needs of a changing society.
   
3. Use scientific inquiry to identify researchable problems and participate in nursing research.
   
4. Apply advanced knowledge of leadership, management, and teaching to improve nursing practice.
   
5. Influence the improvement of health care delivery and the formulation of health policy.
   
6. Contribute to the focus and direction of the nursing profession

A common core of courses includes concepts, theory, research, and issues related to advanced nursing practice is required of all students. Several concentration areas are offered to meet the career goals of students. Students may prepare for advanced nursing practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health, Woman/Child Health or Community /Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. Concentrations are also available for students pursuing careers in Executive or Mid-level Nursing Administration or Nursing Education. Full-time or part-time study is available with classes offered on a convenient weekend format to facilitate the working nurse returning to school. The College offers a special track for registered nurses who have bachelors degrees in a field other than nursing.

Information regarding tuition and fees and length of the program are provided to the NLNAC on an annual basis (350 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014; 212/989-9393).

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO REGULAR M.S.N. PROGRAM
Students are admitted each quarter. Fall admission is recommended for applicants who wish to pursue full-time study. The following criteria supplement the Graduate School admission criteria (see Categories of Admission):

REGULAR ADMISSION

1. Graduate of an approved bachelor's program with a major in nursing.
   
2. Verification of a course or equivalent in research and health assessment.
   
3. Score of at least 45 on the Miller Analogies Test.
   
4. Current unencumbered registered nurse licensure.
   
5. Two letters of professional reference: preferably, one from a faculty member and one from an employer.
   
6. Submission of Health Data Form and verification of Health Insurance.
   
7. An earned graduate degree from any accredited institution of higher education may qualify the applicant for regular standing.
   
8. A grade-point average of 3.0 on all undergraduate work (A=4.00).
   

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

1. Graduate of an approved bachelor's program with a major in nursing.
   
2. Verification of a course or equivalent in research and health assessment.
   
3. Score of at least 30 on the Miller Analogies Test.
   
4. Current unencumbered registered nurse licensure.
   
5. Two letters of professional reference: preferably, one from a faculty member and one from an employer.
   
6. Submission of Health Data Form and verification of Health Insurance.
   
7. A minimal grade-point average of 2.50 on all undergraduate work (A=4.00).

NON-DEGREE ADMISSION

1. Graduate of a Master of Science in Nursing program.
   
2. Verification of a course or equivalent in research and health assessment.
   
3. Current registered nurse licensure.
   
4. Two letters of professional reference: preferably one from a faculty member and one from an employer.
   
5. Submission of Health Data Form.
   

LIMITATIONS IN NON-DEGREE STATUS

1. A student who receives a second grade of C or lower in any work attempted for graduate credit will be dismissed.
   
2. Non-degree admission is selective and may be limited depending upon program resources.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXECUTIVE-LEVEL TRACK IN NURSING ADMINISTRATION
To be admitted to the executive-level track in nursing administration, the student must have at least two years of nursing administration experience in addition to the criteria above. Permission to enroll in executive-level track courses must be obtained from the Director of Graduate Studies.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSE
PRACTITIONER TRACKS
Admission to the nurse practitioner tracks is limited and selective. A separate application is required and may be considerably earlier than the Graduate School's deadlines. Prospective students should contact the College of Nursing Graduate Office for application due dates.
A minimum of two years experience in the appropriate area of nursing is required for the nurse practitioner tracks.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO
ALTERNATIVE TRACK M.S.N. PROGRAM
An Alternative Track for entering the Master of Science in Nursing degree program is available to persons who are registered nurses and have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in a discipline other than nursing. Students are admitted to this track as Provisional Admission; the admissions criteria are the same as for Provisional Admission to the Regular M.S.N. Program (above) except for #1 (bachelor's degree in nursing).

REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE
TRACK M.S.N. PROGRAM
The following undergraduate nursing and specific prerequisite courses must be completed with a GPA of at least 2.5 prior to enrolling in graduate nursing clinical courses. Students who have earned a GPA of less than 2.5 on all undergraduate nursing and prerequisite courses will be academically dismissed from the Graduate School.

Prerequisite Courses
Social Science 4 courses
Biological or Physical Science 4 courses
(including Anatomy/Physiology)
Humanities/Fine Arts 2 courses
Research 1 course

Undergraduate Nursing Courses
NU 410 Concepts of Professional Nursing
CMN 420 Aggregate Nursing Care
CMN 421 Aggregate Nursing Care Clinical
NU 325 Health Assessment

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
A limited number of graduate assistantships is available to students of full standing. Additional information and an application can be obtained by contacting the College of Nursing graduate office.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE
A minimum of 52 quarter hours of credit is required for preparation as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse administrator, or nurse educator. Preparation as a nurse practitioner requires 60 credits. Individualized programs of study are developed for baccalaureate prepared nurses with national certification as a neonatal or family nurse practitioner.

The program offers a thesis or non-thesis option. Students selecting the thesis option earn up to six credits for the thesis. Students selecting the non-thesis option earn two credits for a research project experience. Students who do not complete the thesis/project in the allocated time must register for additional thesis hours or NU 515 project advisement, respectively, until such work is completed. These additional hours will not apply towards the degree.

A student who receives a second grade of C or lower in any work attempted for graduate credit will be academically dismissed from the program.


Students must pass a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination may be taken no sooner than the last quarter of required course work. Students must apply to take the examination by the first Friday of the quarter in which they intend to take the exam. Students failing the examination may retake the examination at the next scheduled time. The comprehensive examination may be taken two times only, the original time and one repeat.

REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS IN PRACTICUM COURSES
All students must submit a completed health data form and provide evidence of required immunizations upon admission. Immunizations must be kept current. Students must also maintain current CPR certification, and RN licensure while enrolled in the program. Students are charged once a year for professional liability insurance. Students are responsible for all personal health care expenses including expenses resulting from injury or accident etc. while the student is engaged in learning experiences required by the College of Nursing. Therefore, all students are required to have adequate health care insurance. Failure to comply with legal, moral, or legislative standards required for RN licensure merits dismissal from the program.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES
Students choose from the following options:

OPTION I

1. Preparation in one of the following critical areas:
   Adult Health Nursing
   Woman/Child Health Nursing
   Community/Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
   and
   
2. Preparation in one of the following role areas:
   Nursing Education
   Mid-Level Nursing Administration
   Clinical Nurse Specialization
   

OPTION II
Preparation for executive-level nursing administration.

OPTION III
Preparation in one of the following areas:
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner

CURRICULUM
OPTION I Clinical and Role Combination

OPTION II Executive Level Nursing Administration

OPTION III Nurse Practitioner Tracks

DESCRIPTIONS OF NURSING COURSES ARE FOUND AS FOLLOWS:
Nursing (NU)
Adult Health Nursing (AHN)
Community Mental Health Nursing (CMN)
Maternal-Child Nursing (MCN)
Health Sciences (HSC)

College of Nursing

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