HELP 2009-2010 University Catalog Nursing, BSN Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code:  HH-BSN-NURS

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program is accredited by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The undergraduate nursing program prepares students to deliver superior nursing care and provide leadership in nursing in the increasingly complex and challenging field of modern health care. Graduates are in demand as professional nurses in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health and other health care agencies. The program emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention, capitalizing on early detection of potential health problems, health maintenance in ambulatory services, and preparation for the managerial responsibilities of nursing.

The School of Nursing offers four pathways to complete the BSN, all of which lead to completion of the objectives of the undergraduate program. The traditional pathway is a two-year curriculum following the completion of general education and prerequisite requirements. The LPN-to-BSN pathway is offered for students holding current LPN licenses and is also a two-year curriculum following completion of general education and prerequisite requirements. An accelerated RN-to-BSN pathway for students holding current registered nurse (RN) licenses can be completed in one year (full-time) following completion of general education and prerequisite requirements. The accelerated, second degree pathway is a 15-month, full-time pathway for students holding a baccalaureate degree outside of nursing. The nursing programs must be completed on a full-time basis. Students who are interested in pursuing a major in nursing, with the exception of those currently licensed as RNs, must make an additional and separate application through the School of Nursing and are encouraged to contact the nursing program for advising prior to applying to the nursing major.

Clinical nursing begins at the junior level. Students must complete a prenursing curriculum and be admitted to junior standing or one of the accelerated pathways. These conditions do not apply to students who are already RNs.

Attendance at the first meeting of all nursing courses (lectures, on-campus laboratories, and agency laboratories) is mandatory.

Writing Intensive Requirement

Mason requires all students to complete at least one course in their major’s designated “writing intensive” at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in nursing fulfill this requirement by successfully completing HHS 465.

Academic Grade Standards

After Admission to junior-standing and the nursing program, students who get a grade lower than a C in a required nursing (NURS or HHS) course must repeat the course and earn a grade of C or higher to resume progression in nursing coursework. This may alter or halt further progression in the nursing program and affect the expected graduation date. Students may repeat a nursing course in which they earned a grade lower than C only one time. Those who fail to earn a C or higher after repeating the course are dismissed from the BSN program. Those who earn a grade of c or higher may resume progress in required coursework. Earning a grade of less than C in a second nursing course results in dismissal from the nursing program.

Dismissal from any one one of the nursing pathways constitutes dismissal from the undergraduate (BSN) nursing program in the School of Nursing. The student has the right to appeal.

Professional Conduct Policy

All students in the School of Nursing are expected to adhere to the Professional Conduct Policy of the College of Health and Human Services.

Appeal Process

Faculty members in the nursing program are generally the best judges of a student’s professional performance; however, some students may feel that the faculty member’s judgment of readmission or dismissal is unfair. Students in the School of Nursing wishing to appeal a grade are expected to follow the GMU guidelines for grade appeals, found in the Academic Policies  section of the GMU University Catalog.

Students wishing to appeal a dismissal must submit a letter of request to the Director of Nursing and provide rationale for the appeal.

NCLEX Readiness Preparation and Testing

Throughout the BSN program, all students with the exception of RN-to-BSN students, participate in preparation for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam through opportunities provided during nursing courses. These opportunities are included as integrated components of select courses and include practice NCLEX-style exams and content specific testing. A finial cumulative assessment exam is given towards the end of the program to provide guidance to the student concerning their chance for success on the licensing exam. A finial critical thinking and test-analysis course is required for the senior year and remediation in select content areas may be required as a component of this course.

Special Requirements

Fees and expenses related to the nursing program include: skills laboratory fee, NCLEX-readiness preparation, uniforms, stethoscope, name pin, books, CPR certification, health forms, immunizations, and criminal background check fees. The availability of personal transportation to and from clinical agencies is expected of all students. For a summary of all current fees and estimated expenses, see the School of Nursing web site.

All BSN students are required to obtain a health clearance and complete the immunizations required by GMU as listed in the Student Health Services, Immunization Requirements in the GMU catalog. In addition , the School of Nursing, in meeting the requirements of its clinical agency partners requires that two out of three injections of the series of hepatitis B immunizations must be completed before beginning the first clinical course, with the third immunization completed as it is due. Students are not allowed into any clinical setting without the completed immunization series as prescribed by GMU or the School of Nursing and may have an offer of admission withdrawn for inability to meet these requirements. Students must also have an annual tuberculosis screenings by PPD or as determined by a health care provider in the case of past positive tests. All immunizations and expenses of screenings are the responsibility of the student. The School of Nursing reviews health records and reserves the right to refuse admission or continued enrollment to the School of Nursing to any student who is unable to comply with these requirements. 

All students must have CPR certification before entering the first clinical nursing course and maintain it through the remainder of the program. Either the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer or the American Heart Association Basic Life Support - Health Care Provider is required. On-line renewal of CPR certification is not accepted. Any cost incurred is the responsibility of the student.

No student or faculty member will be discriminated against or denied admission to the nursing program for the sole reason that the student or faculty member has been exposed to, infected with, or diagnosed with HIV or HBV. All student are expected to practice Universal Precautions with all clients and failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program. In the event that a student has a clinical experience or practicum exposure to body fluids of a client, procedures and appropriate reports are completed according to institutional and nursing policies. Information related to exposure or infection is confidential, and dissemination of such information is based on the need-to-know criteria that apply in health care situations. HIPAA and FERPA regulations apply. A complete and detailed HIV/HBV policy is available in the CHHS Office of Student Affairs.

RN and LPN Requirements

RN and LPN licensed students enrolled in those pathways are required to submit a copy of their current license prior to entering the first nursing course. RN and LPN-licensed students must maintain current licensure throughout the academic program.