Department of Nursing

https://www.ucmo.edu/nursing/

The Department of Nursing
University Health Center 106
660-543-4775
ucmo.edu/nursing

Department of Nursing Statement of Policy

Program
UCM’s Department of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The nursing program is unique with its focus on rural nursing practice in smaller community and suburban hospitals in the junior year and urban nursing practice in the senior year.

Accreditation
The nursing program is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Contact numbers for the Nursing Department’s accrediting agencies are: Missouri State Board (573) 751-0681; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (202) 887-6791. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is located at One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036.

Student Learning Outcomes
The graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing will use the knowledge, skills and attitudes obtained in the program to:

• Demonstrate caring and goal directed relationships with all members of the health care team including patients/clients and their support systems.
• Demonstrate use of data and technology to monitor outcomes, promote safety, and continuously improve patient centered care and health care systems.
• Demonstrate intellectual skill based on the use of theories and principles guided by logic and sound judgment to allow for the provision of safe quality nursing care. (See handbook for more.)
• Actively engage in interaction based on mutual respect with collaboration toward goal achievement.
• Internalize and demonstrate ethically grounded behaviors reflective of the ANA Nursing’s Social Policy Statement, Scope and Standards of Practice (2010) and ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses (2015).

Admission
Students entering UCM as freshmen or by transfer should indicate a pre-nursing major. Admission to the nursing program is conditional upon completion of a minimum of sixty semester hours, completion of all prerequisites necessary for admission to the first semester in the nursing program and the requirements for admission listed below. Admission to the nursing program involves competition between all eligible candidates. The Department of Nursing reserves the right to select among all qualified candidates. Students are selected in March for Fall semester nursing classes and in October for Spring. The necessary application is available through MyCentral and the student is responsible for submitting all hard copy materials to the nursing department.

Admission Criteria to the Undergraduate Nursing Program

1. Evidence of good moral character as determined by the Missouri State Board of Nursing in the Nurse Practice Act (1999) and by the American Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics for Nurses (2015).
2. All nursing prerequisites must be completed at the time of admission. Computer literacy is required to be admitted to the nursing program.
3. A minimum of a 2.75 cumulative grade-point average is required at the time of application.
4. Minimum grade of C in all nursing prerequisites and nursing courses. A student receiving a grade lower than C in any nursing prerequisite may repeat that course only one time. If the course was taken at UCM, it must be repeated at UCM.
5. A student receiving more than one D and/or F in a course or courses with a nursing prefix will not be eligible for admission into the program.
6. Students will not be permitted to withdraw more than one time from a nursing prerequisite course without permission of the Department of Nursing.
7. Science prerequisites, as identified in NURSING Major, Bachelor of Science Degree, must have been taken within 10 years of requested semester admission.
8. Applicants for the nursing program must have completed the university GEA requirement (score 425) and must achieve a “mastery level score” (based on percentile) on the designated nursing admission examination.
9. Completion of additional requirements such as speech and hearing exam, assessment(s), etc. at the time of application deadline. The student is responsible for making sure all materials are submitted in MyCentral and to the nursing department.
10. Nursing applications are completed online and a $30 application fee applies. January 1 is the deadline for Fall Admission to the nursing program and July 1 is the deadline for Spring Admission to the nursing program. Additional forms are to be supplied to the nursing department by the application deadline.
11. Official transcripts-it is the student’s responsibility to request ALL official transcripts from other universities and colleges be submitted to the Admissions Department of the University to be posted as part of the student’s official transcript by 5 p.m., December 31 for Fall admission and June 30 for Spring admission.
12. Required immunizations, a satisfactory background check, CPR for healthcare providers, and a drug screen must be complete and validated before the first day of clinical.
13. English as second language students (any student whose primary and secondary education was in a country where the native and official language was not English excluding native American citizens who attended American high schools in another country) must successfully complete the University requirements:
    1. TOEFL - A score of 600 with a minimum of 55 on each subscore.
    2. Test of Spoken English - A minimum score of 250.
    3. Test of Written English - A minimum score of 5.

Any student not obtaining these scores can receive assistance in the English Department through the English Language Institute.

14. Additional considerations given to the following:

• Academic history with patterns and trends indicating potential for academic success.
• The functional abilities required to be successful in the nursing program, with reasonable accommodation. See Core Performance Standards.
• Eligibility for licensure. Completion of the nursing program does not guarantee eligibility to take licensure examination. Refer to the Nurse Practice Act in the state in which you anticipate licensure. In Missouri refer to Sections 335.046 and 335.066 at ecodev.state.mo.us/pr/nursing.
• Number of credit hours taken at The University of Central Missouri. Students will be categorized in two classifications for consideration for admission to the nursing program:
  1. Students who have taken all nursing prerequisite courses at UCM; and
  2. Students who have transferred credit for one or more nursing prerequisite course(s) from another institution.

Nursing prerequisite courses are CHEM 1104 , BIOL 3401 , BIOL 3402 , BIOL 3610 , PSY 1100 , SOC 1800 , D&N 3340 , NUR 1700 , NUR 2710 , and NUR 3200 . Grade point averages are a determining factor in selection.

• Additional assessments may be required.

Direct Admission Policy:
Upon admission to the University, a student who meets the following criteria may be given the opportunity of direct admission to the nursing program:

1. Admitted to UCM as freshmen with ACT 24 or higher and a high school CGPA of 3.00.
2. Declared nursing as a major.
3. Maintains a 3.50 GPA at UCM at the end of sophomore year.
4. Achieves a “mastery level score” (based on percentile) on the designated nursing admission examination.
5. Achieves a proficient level of performance on personal interview.
6. Meet criteria published in the UCM undergraduate catalog and Department of Nursing Undergraduate Handbook as of the date of formal application.

• Direct admission is limited to 40 students per semester based on admission date to UCM.
• Students who are directly admitted have the same period of time to complete their degree program as other UCM students.
• Direct Admission nursing students complete the nursing application by the set deadlines like all other nursing students.
• A Direct Admission nursing student may lose his/her place in the nursing program if he/she falls below the specified standards.
• Students must complete all prerequisites successfully on their first attempt.

Student Veteran Policy:
For students who are U.S. Military Veterans, transfer credits for military courses, based on the recommendation of the American Council on Education (ACE)’s Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experiences in the Armed Services, will be considered when evaluating nursing prerequisites courses and student’s overall GPA. Elective and/or direct course credit will be awarded based on ACE recommendations.

To be eligible for Student Veteran consideration for admission to the nursing program, the student must:

• Be admitted to the University of Central Missouri.
• Meet the criteria for admission to the undergraduate nursing program, allowing consideration of military transfer credits.
• Be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
• Submit acceptable forms of documentation such as: CCAF Transcript (Community College of the Air Force Transcript) JST Transcript (Joint Service Transcript - Army, Navy, Marines).

Special Expenses

1. Additional expenses for nursing majors include: uniforms, shoes, picture ID badge, watch with second hand, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, health insurance, background check, drug screen, vaccinations and blood tests, selected books and testing expenses. Testing experiences apply across the entire nursing program.
2. Nursing students must have access to transportation upon admission to the nursing program.
3. Nursing students must be certified in 2-person cardiopulmonary resuscitation for health care providers according to CNE orientation manual.
4. During the semester of anticipated graduation, licensing expenses, university graduation expenses, invitations, and more are additional expenses.

Kansas City Experience
Theory and clinical learning occur in the Kansas City area during the last year. This experience makes it possible for exposure to nursing practice in urban settings allowing students exposure to urban nursing practice in large medical centers and diversity with various communities.

Core Performance Standards for Admission and Progression
FUNCTIONAL ABILITY : STANDARD : SOME EXAMPLES OF NECESSARY ACTIVITIES (Not Inclusive)

Thinking skills: Critical thinking ability sufficient for sound clinical judgment. Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations, develop nursing care plans to integrate data from different sources and decide whether to initiate action or report, ability to interpret variations in vital signs, lab values, among other skills.

Interaction: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Establish rapport with patients/clients and colleagues. Works as a team member.

Communication: Communication abilities sufficient for productive interaction with others in verbal and written form and other formats. Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and interpret nursing actions and patient/client responses.

Motor skills: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care. Move around work area and within confined spaces. Calibrate and use equipment, position clients, insert catheters, injections.

Sensory/Perceptual: Auditory/visual and tactile ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Hear monitor alarm, (IV alarm, etc.), emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, cries for help.

Re-Application for Admission
A student re-applying for admission to the nursing program within 6 months to a year of the initial application is not required to obtain a new speech/hearing exam.

A student re-applying for admission to the nursing program over 18 months from the initial application is required to obtain a repeat speech/hearing exam, background check and drug screen.

Students in non-compliance with these requirements will be referred to the Health Committee.

It is the responsibility of the applying student to provide documentation of compliance with these health requirements by the time of admission. Students not in compliance with these requirements will be referred to the Health Committee.

The Health Committee recommends that each student assume responsibility for personal health maintenance. An annual health assessment is strongly encouraged. Students are required to maintain insurance coverage for illness and accidents throughout their time in the program.

Requirements for Progression in the Nursing Program

1. Following admission to the nursing program, the student will follow the typical 4-year program for class enrollment. The courses in each semester are designed to be taken concurrently. Any changes in the courses taken must receive approval from the department chair prior to modifying enrollment.
2. A student must make a minimum grade of C in all nursing courses to progress in the nursing program.
3. A student who receives a D or F in a nursing course will be suspended from the program and is required to seek retention in order to repeat the course. The retention process is initiated by the student with the instructor whose course was failed. Completion and filing of the Request for Retention Form is the responsibility of the student. If a student is not retained within a year, that student may be required to repeat all courses within the major. Requirements for retention to the program are all contained in the current Undergraduate Student Handbook for the Department of Nursing.
4. A student receiving more than one D and/or F with a nursing prefix will not be allowed to apply or progress.
5. Students who withdraw from the nursing program must follow the Nursing Department’s Withdrawal Policy contained herein and compete with other students for retention into the program.
6. Students must be successful in passing each course in a particular semester in the program to progress to the next semester.

Withdrawal Policy
Students within the program who withdraw from any nursing course are automatically suspended from the program and must follow the Nursing Department’s Retention Policy in order to be retained. Students who withdraw from a nursing course and do not follow the requirements of the Nursing Department Withdrawal Policy as stated below will not be considered for retention.

Students who withdraw from any nursing course must compete with other students for retention to the program. Students may be retained only once to the nursing program based on the decision of the Admissions and Progression Committee.

Students who have been attending meetings of a nursing course and wish to withdraw should:

Clinical/practicum courses

1. Notify their instructor in writing of their desire to withdraw and their reason for this decision.
2. Meet with the chair.
3. Follow the University process for withdrawal (See UCM’s University Calendar  and Handbook or Catalog for information).

Theory courses

1. Notify their instructor in writing of their desire to withdraw and their reason for this decision.
2. Follow the university policy for withdrawal (See UCM’s University Planner/Handbook or Catalog for information). Students are not eligible to withdraw from a nursing clinical/practicum course when they have received their final grade from the instructor. Students who receive a final grade of D or F from the instructor and withdraw from the course will have their erroneous W changed to the appropriate failing grade by the Department of Nursing. Students who have not attended classes in the semester they wish to withdraw may withdraw from nursing courses by following the University Withdrawal Policy.

Transfer into the Nursing Major
Transfer of upper-level (3000/4000) nursing credit will be considered according to the following procedure:

1. Students will meet the General Education requirements as listed in the current University Catalog.
2. Only students in good standing at a nationally accredited baccalaureate nursing program are eligible for transfer. Credits will be evaluated and allowed in accordance with current UCM and Department of Nursing policy.
3. Evaluation of each transfer student will be made within the Department of Nursing on an individual basis.
4. Students will take a minimum of 30 semester hours of upper-level courses, with a minimum of 30 semester hours in the nursing major at UCM.
5. Students will apply for admission to the Department of Nursing and be subject to the regular program admission policy. In addition, the following evaluation process will be followed:
   Credit for nursing courses will be based on a review of content, course description, syllabi, and catalog description,
   1. If content is basically the same, the Nursing Department Transfer Committee may approve the course for nursing credit. The credit hours approved may be at the maximum credit hour allocation for the UCM nursing course.
   2. If the content is fairly similar, the Nursing Department Transfer Committee may approve credit and in addition require NUR 4000 - Special Projects in Nursing (1-3)  (2-6 credits).
   3. Only discrete courses in the content areas of research and ethics, pharmacology and observation and assessment will be considered for transfer as meeting the departmental required courses in these areas.
6. The student will have the chair or dean from the nursing school they are transferring from write a letter to the chair of UCM’s Department of Nursing stating they are a student in good standing.
7. All prospective transfer students will be interviewed by the department Chairperson.

RN-BS in Nursing Option for Students Holding the R.N.

1. Credits from accredited nursing programs will be evaluated and allowed in accordance with current UCM policy.
2. Students will meet the General Education requirements as listed in the current University Catalog for nursing majors.
3. Evaluation of each R.N. student will be made within the Department of Nursing to determine placement in the program.
4. Students will take a minimum of 30 semester hours of upper-level (3000/4000) courses, with a minimum of 30 semester hours in the nursing major through UCM.
5. Students will apply for admission to the Department of Nursing and be subject to the regular program admission policy. In addition, the following criteria will be followed:
   1. Applicants must have a current unencumbered RN license eligible to practice nursing.
   2. Credit for non-college nursing courses may be applied to the nursing major upon successful performance on challenge examinations. A maximum of 30 semester hours of special credit may be awarded by challenge.

Majors/Programs

• Nursing - Generic Option, BS (43-133)
• Nursing - RN-BS Nursing Option, BS (43-288)