Department of Nursing

Kathleen M. Rayman, Chair

Mission

The mission of the BSN program at Appalachian State University is to advance our students’ cultural, intellectual, and personal development in order to prepare them for professional practice as registered nurses. This mission is achieved through the efforts of faculty committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. A broad in-depth curriculum is built on the study of arts, humanities, mathematics, natural and social sciences, and standards for professional nursing practice. Graduates serve their community by applying research and principles of education in their practice of nursing.

Goals

The goals of the BSN program are to:

Provide a quality program in nursing based on a liberal education and professional nursing values, competencies, and knowledge
Facilitate the development and implementation of professional nursing roles in caring for individuals, families, groups, and communities from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds through the application of knowledge, theory, and research from nursing as well as other related disciplines
Instill in students an appreciation for and commitment to lifelong learning, scholarship, and service in order to promote their personal growth, advance the profession of nursing, and meet the health needs of society
Prepare nurses who can practice as generalists in any health care setting
Provide a foundation for graduate nursing education

Program Outcomes

The following educational outcomes are based on the mission, goals, and philosophy of Appalachian State University’s Department of Nursing. The program graduate will:

Provide holistic nursing care to individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations across the lifespan based on professional nursing standards
Engage in evidence-based practice through the utilization of critical thinking skills and state-of-the-art knowledge for persons with varying health promotion, health maintenance, and health restoration needs across the lifespan.
Demonstrate accountability for formal and informal experiences that promote both personal and professional growth and lifelong learning.
Employ competent communication skills (listening, verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic) with individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations as well as members of the interprofessional health care team facilitating a culture of quality and safety.
Competently utilize technology and health information resources for self, colleagues, individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Exhibits leadership skills such as coordinating, collaborating, delegating, and supervising nursing care provided by others.
Collaborate with individuals, groups, communities, and populations through mutual goal setting, advocacy, and education to promote health and wellness.
Exhibit a patient centered approach that reflects the professional values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice.
Adhere to economic, ethical, legal, and professional nursing standards in nursing practice.
Appraise the continuum of care and resource utilization based on the liberal arts foundation and nursing knowledge.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) (809A/51.3801)

[This program is for students who have the educational goal of obtaining the Bachelor of Science in
Nursing degree in order to be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse (RN).]

The Appalachian State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The BSN program is designed to provide an undergraduate student the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, leading to licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Admission Criteria

The application deadline for admission is the first day of the spring semester. Acceptance into the prelicensure BSN program is based on the student’s application, earned GPA, and academic performance on selected preliminary course work. Scores from standardized tests and other methods of evaluation may also be considered when evaluating applicants.

Specific guidelines on admission requirements and application forms are available on the Department of Nursing website at nursing.appstate.edu/students/admissions.

Students must apply for admission to Appalachian State University prior to admission to the BSN degree nursing program. Acceptance to the University, completion of preliminary course work, GPA, and standardized tests do not guarantee admission to the BSN program. Admission of students is a competitive process. Not all applicants who meet the requirements can be accommodated; therefore, applicants whose credentials present the best qualifications of those meeting requirements will be selected.

Progression in the BSN Program

To progress from one semester to the next in the BSN program, a student must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in each nursing (NUR) course, and achieve a grade of “Satisfactory” in each clinical nursing course. If a student receives a grade of “Incomplete” for a nursing course, the “Incomplete” must be satisfied with a grade of “C” or higher before a student may progress to the next semester of nursing courses. Students must also maintain a cumulative nursing GPA of at least 2.5 at the end of the junior spring semester and each semester thereafter; maintain current CPR certification at the healthcare provider level; maintain yearly tuberculosis screening; meet all current health and immunization requirements of the Department of Nursing; and adhere to all policies of the University, the Nursing Department, and the clinical agencies where assigned for clinical experiences.

Students may be allowed to repeat one nursing course one time if they earn a grade below “C.” Failure to achieve a grade of at least a “C” in a nursing (NUR) course results in dismissal from the nursing program. Students should refer to www.nursing.appstate.edu for complete policies and procedures regarding progression in the BSN program, dismissal from the BSN program and possible readmission to the BSN program following dismissal.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) (563A/51.3801)

[For students who have already earned an associate degree in nursing, AAS (Associate of Applied Science) or a Diploma in Nursing, and have passed the national licensing exam (NCLEX) for registered nurses (RN).]

The Appalachian State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing online RN to BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).The RN to BSN program is designed to provide a registered nurse (RN) the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). This program recognizes prior learning and clinical competencies as part of the undergraduate curriculum. The undergraduate program reflects a transition to professional nursing practice. Courses in the RN to BSN program are offered in an online format.

Admission Criteria

Criteria for admission to the RN to BSN program include: submission of an application; admission to Appalachian State University by meeting the general requirements for admission as a transfer student; provision of evidence of an earned associate degree in nursing, AAS (Associate of Applied Science) or a Diploma in Nursing from an accredited institution; possession of a current unrestricted and unencumbered RN license from North Carolina and/or compact state; and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale calculated over all college coursework. Admission to the RN-BSN program is contingent on completion of all required core, elective and/or cognate courses with a minimum grade of “C” in each course. All required core, elective and cognate courses must be satisfactorily completed prior to beginning the RN-BSN program.

Progression in the RN to BSN Program

In order to progress through the RN to BSN program, the student must maintain a current unrestricted and unencumbered RN license from North Carolina and/or compact state; achieve a grade of “C” or higher in each nursing course before proceeding to the next nursing course; maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and an overall GPA of 2.5 in nursing courses; maintain current CPR certification, annual TB screening, Hepatitis B vaccinations; and adhere to all policies of the University, the nursing program, and clinical agencies. Only one nursing course may be repeated (one time) during progression through the nursing curriculum. Failure to achieve a grade of at least a “C” in a nursing (NUR) course results in dismissal from the nursing program. Students should refer to www.nursing.appstate.edu for complete policies and procedures regarding progression in the RN to BSN program.

Transfer Credit

All students who receive a baccalaureate degree graded by Appalachian State University are required to complete a minimum of 50 semester hours at a senior college or university. All nursing courses must be take at Appalachian State University. The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) with North Carolina community colleges and other relevant university policies will be followed in evaluating non-nursing credits from North Carolina community colleges.

Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Courses

Nursing