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

Department Chair, Adult Health Nursing: Sherry Daniels
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 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.

Upon completion of the Baccalaureate Program, graduates should be able to:

1. Deliver professional nursing care that assists individuals, families, and communities with changing needs across the life span for health promotion and maintenance, illness care, and rehabilitation.

2. Use theoretical and empirical knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to think critically, communicate effectively, and provide professional nursing care in a variety of health care settings with diverse populations.

3. Assume responsibility and accountability for one's own nursing practice.

4. Evaluate research findings for use in nursing practice.

5. Participate in the improvement of the nursing profession, the health care delivery system, and the formulation of health policy through leadership, management, and teaching skills.

6. Collaborate with health care providers and consumers in promoting the health of individuals, families, and communities.

7. Incorporate ethical, moral, legal, and economic values into professional nursing roles designed to meet current and emerging health needs of a changing society.

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.

The program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and fully accredited regionally and nationally. 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 CRITERIA
Enrollment into the pre-professional component as a nursing major does not assure the student admission to the Professional Component. Enrollment in the Professional Component is limited and competitive. Students are admitted without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or qualified disablement.

Applications must be submitted for admission to fall semester by March 15. All pre-professional courses must be successfully completed by the end of the spring semester in which application is submitted.

Applications must be submitted for admission to spring semester by June 10. All pre-professional courses must be successfully completed by the end of the summer semester in which application is submitted.

Applications must be submitted for admission to summer semester by October 15. All pre-professional courses must be successfully completed by the end of the fall semester in which application is submitted.

Application forms are available in the Admissions and Advisement Department in the College of Nursing.

Students are selected for admission to the Professional Component based on the following factors:

1. Submission of a completed application by the deadline date.

2. A minimum GPA of 2.50 on all prerequisite courses. Please note that although a 2.50 GPA is the minimum to be considered for admission a much higher GPA is normally required to be competitive. When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number that can be accommodated in clinical course, students are admitted according to GPA ranking.

3. A minimum grade of "C" in all pre-professional courses.

4. Submission of a health record and required immunizations.

5. Evidence of CPR certification.

Students are expected to have basic computer skills. The College of Nursing Admissions Committee and the Dean of the College select the students and reserve the right to select the applicants best qualified for and most likely to succeed in the study of nursing. Failure to comply with legal, moral, and legislative standards for licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Alabama merits immediate dismissal from the nursing program.

In keeping with dynamic changes in health care and nursing, the baccalaureate curriculum may undergo change. Changes in curricula and/or admission requirements will be published as far in advance as possible. Advisors are available to assist students in adapting to those changes and planning their course of study 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.

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 clinical course or clinical theory 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 standards required for licensure to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Alabama merits immediate dismissal from the program.

EXPENSES
Students enrolled in the 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.

All nursing courses have a $23.00 course fee except for the clinical practicum courses for RN to BSN students which have a fee of $60.00. Students are responsible for purchase of uniforms and required clinical equipment and supplies.

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 accredited programs will be considered.

2. Only courses with grades of "C" or above will transfer.

3. Standardized tests will be required in the appropriate areas with a score at or above the 50th percentile to receive credit.

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. Six (6) hours of nursing and health science courses may be challenged or validated. A maximum of 64 semester hours may be transferred in from a junior college.

CURRICULUM MODEL FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING
FRESHMAN YEAR
1st Semester

2nd Semester

SOPHOMORE YEAR
1st Semester

*Must have a 2 semester sequence in either history or literature.

2nd Semester

JUNIOR YEAR
1st Semester (Clinicals Begin)

2nd Semester

SENIOR YEAR
1st Semester

2nd Semester

Total Credits 132

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 program outcomes 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 in a merged nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist role in one of seven specialty tracks. Available dual role NP/CNS tracks include Advanced Family Nursing, Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Advanced Child Health Nursing, Advanced Infant/Neonatal Nursing, Advanced Women's Health Nursing, Advanced Gerontological Nursing, and Advanced Adult Acute Care Nursing. Concentrations are also available for students pursuing careers in Executive Nursing Administration or Advanced Community Health Nursing. Course work in nursing education is offered for students preparing for careers as nurse educators.

The College of Nursing is responsive to the unique needs of nurses and has developed strategies to facilitate students achieving the MSN. For example, 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. Individualized programs of study are also developed for BSN prepared nurses who hold national certification as a nurse practitioner and for MSN prepared nurses who are interested in returning for preparation in a new specialty area.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO REGULAR M.S.N. PROGRAM
Admission to the Graduate program is limited and selective. Students are admitted each semester as space is available in the selected specialty track. Applications must be received by March 15 for consideration for fall admission. Applications received at other times will be considered on a space available basis. It is recommended that prospective students contact the Director of Graduate Studies for more information. Students are admitted to a specialty track and may not change their track without prior permission. 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).

9. A minimum of two years experience in an area appropriate to the specialty track selected.

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 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).

8. A minimum of two years experience in an area appropriate to the specialty track selected.

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.

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

Undergraduate Nursing Courses

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE
A minimum of 41 semester credits is required for preparation in a merged nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist track. Preparation in community health or executive nursing administration requires 34 semester credits. Individualized programs of study are developed for baccalaureate prepared nurses with national certification as a 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 one credit for a research project experience. Students who do not complete the thesis in the allocated time must register for additional thesis hours 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.

If a student's progression is interrupted for any reason, it is the student's responsibility to contact the Director of Graduate Studies. Because of limited spaces in the advanced clinical courses, any alteration in progression may lengthen the student's program.

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. Failure to comply with legal, moral, or legislative standards required for RN licensure merits dismissal from the program.

EXPENSES
All nursing courses have a $23.00 course fee except the practicum and internship courses which have a $60.00 course fee. Students are responsible for purchasing equipment and supplies to be used in the clinical courses. Transportation costs to the clinical sites is the responsibility of the student. Students are charged a fee for professional liability insurance the semester they enter the program and then every fall semester thereafter. Students are responsible for all personal health care expenses including expenses resulting from injury or accident 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.

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).

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.

PROGRAM OF STUDIES
Students choose from the following options:
OPTION I
Advanced Community Health Care Nursing

OPTION II
Executive Nursing Administration

OPTION III
Dual role Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist:
Advanced Gerontological Nursing
Advanced Adult Acute Care Nursing
Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Nursing
Advanced Family Nursing
Advanced Women's Health Nursing
Advanced Child Health Nursing
Advanced Infant/Neonatal Nursing

CURRICULUM
OPTION I Advanced Community Health Care Nursing
A.  Core Courses

B. Research Courses (4 to 6 credits)

C. Support Courses (3 credits)

D. Speciality Courses (18 credits)

OPTION II Executive Nursing Administration
A. Core Courses (9 credits)

B. Research Courses (4 to 6 credits)

C. Support Courses (3 credits)

D. Specialty Courses (18 credits)

OPTION III Dual Role Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist
A. Core Courses (9 credits)

B. Research Courses (4 to 6 credits)

C. Support Courses (6 credits)

D. Specialty Courses ( 22 credits)
Advanced Gerontological Nursing

Practicum

Advanced Adult Acute Care Nursing

Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing

Advanced Family Nursing

Advanced Women's Health Nursing

Advanced Child Health Nursing

Advanced Infant/Neonatal Nursing

Optional Nursing Education Courses (9 credits) - Credits over degree requirements:

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)