Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Students complete a curriculum that includes a combination of nursing, general education, and supporting courses. Laboratory and clinical practice, which is a part of the curriculum, begins in the first semester and extends throughout the program. A variety of health care agencies in the community are used for clinical experience. Clinical practice courses require a 3:1 ratio of contact hours per credit hour earned. Transportation to the clinical facilities is the responsibility of the student.

The BSN program is designed as a day program and is to be completed through full-time study over 3 years.

All BSN graduates are required to complete a minimum of 128 hours, at least 30 of which must be completed at College of Saint Mary. Graduates of the BSN program are eligible to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCLEX-RN) examination for registered nurses.

BSN Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the BSN program, the student will:

1. Apply theoretical and empirical knowledge, based on research and evidence-based practice, in order to provide culturally competent, patient-centered nursing care.
2. Utilize vigilance and appropriate interventions to promote a culture of safety.
3. Use effective and professional communication when interacting across the healthcare system.
4. Demonstrate role behaviors consistent with legal, ethical, and professional standards of practice.
5. Demonstrate leadership concepts, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning skills when working across the healthcare system.

Please refer to the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Student Manual for additional information, including the pre-nursing option.

Requirements for Laboratory/Clinical/Preceptorship Courses

1. Core Performance Standards: A profession’s essential functions, or performance standards, are considered to be the fundamental duties that one must be able to perform with or without a reasonable accommodation. A student who wishes to be considered for reasonable accommodations at College of Saint Mary must self-identify to the accommodations coordinator as a person who has a disability and is seeking accommodations. College of Saint Mary will make reasonable accommodations that will allow the individual student to perform the essential functions of class or profession unless it causes an undue hardship to the Nursing Program at College of Saint Mary. The applicant should consult with the Program Director to discuss any individual circumstance in which she may not be able to meet the essential functions.
   
   Core performance standards (Nursing Program Student Manual, Policy 1.2) for successful completion of program outcomes include the following topics: General Ability, Observational Ability, Communication Ability, Motor Ability, Intellectual-Conceptual Ability, Behavioral and Social Attributes, Ability to Manage Stressful Situations, and Background Check/Drug Screening.
    
2. BLS/CPR Certification: A current BLS/CPR card endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA), specifically for Health Care Provider with content including CPR for the adult, child, and infant, as well as AED training. This is required to participate in a lab/clinical course. Expense incurred by the student in connection with the CPR requirement is the responsibility of the student. (Nursing Program Student Manual, policy 1.3).
    

3. Health Clearance Requirements: All students must meet health requirements including, but not limited to, basic physical screening, immunizations, and drug screening. Expenses incurred by the student in connection with the health requirements are the responsibility of the student. (Nursing Program Student Manual, policy 1.3).

4. Background and Abuse/Neglect Screening Investigations: All students must complete a background check through Secured Data Services (SDS) and abuse screen through the state of Nebraska as partial fulfillment of clinical agency contracts. This process must be completed prior to beginning nursing courses. Background checks and abuse screens from other companies or organizations will not be accepted.

   Any expense incurred in connection with these requirements is the responsibility of the student.

The nursing program reserves the right of retaining only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, satisfy the requirements of scholarship, health, and personal suitability for nursing.

Progression in the Program

In order to progress from one semester to the next, the student must complete the program of study in the prescribed sequence. A student who fails a nursing course will be required to repeat that course before progression to the next level of the nursing curriculum. This may delay the anticipated graduation date. The student must maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0, earn a minimum grade of C in all natural and biological science courses, math, general psychology, moral reasoning, English, and earn a C or better in each nursing course. A grade below C or an unsatisfactory (UN) in a nursing course is considered failing. When a student is not successful in one component of the nursing course, both components are repeated. Any student who unsuccessfully completes (withdraws and/or earns less than a ‘C’) the same or any combination of two (2) math, program-required science, and/or nursing courses will be reviewed by the Nursing Student Committee and may be dismissed from the program. The student must comply with the nursing program policies and the ethical standards of the nursing profession.

The nursing program reserves the right of retaining only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, satisfy the requirements of scholarship, health, and personal suitability for nursing.

Graduation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is granted by College of Saint Mary to those candidates who have been recommended by the faculty of the nursing program and have completed the following requirements:

1. A minimum of 128 hours as prescribed in the curriculum.
2. A minimum of 36 of the last 45 hours at College of Saint Mary.

The nursing program reserves the right to change the curriculum as deemed necessary for the continuation of high quality education.