Division of Nursing Mission Statement
The mission of the Division of Nursing at DeSales University is to prepare professional, caring, competent undergraduate and graduate nursing students who have the ability to improve domestic and global health outcomes in the Salesian tradition of Christian humanism. Graduates are prepared to assume clinical, leadership, and diverse healthcare positions to contribute to the advancement of nursing and other healthcare professions. Graduates are prepared to further their individual advancement through future academic endeavors and lifelong learning.
BSN Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from DeSales University with a major in nursing will be able to:
- exemplify Christian humanism through valuing and facilitating full human development;
- assist persons to make ethical and moral health care decisions;
- integrate best evidence into clinical practice;
- demonstrate intellectual curiosity, rational inquiry, problem-solving, and creativity when applying the nursing process to individuals, families, aggregates, communities, and populations with health needs;
- advocate for changes in the practice of nursing and the delivery of health care that promote improved health outcomes;
- coordinate and manage interdisciplinary and community resources to meet changing health needs of individuals, families, aggregates, communities, and populations;
- demonstrate leadership and flexibility by assuming multiple roles in order to facilitate the competent delivery of health care;
- safely and effectively integrate technological and scientific advances into cost-effective nursing care;
- provide culturally competent nursing care to persons with diverse backgrounds and needs;
- communicate effectively and therapeutically using a variety of media and methods.
Philosophically, the nursing program adheres to the University’s belief that there is a Christian way of being human. Nursing as a caring, comforting and nurturing art and as a science based on inquiry and established principles reflects Christian beliefs. Nursing courses are rooted in the tenets of Salesian Christian humanism in which persons are viewed holistically and nursing action aims to foster each person’s full physical, intellectual, moral, social, aesthetic, and spiritual/religious development. The goals of nursing include health promotion, maintenance, restoration, and palliation.
The undergraduate nursing major prepares the graduate for general practice at a beginning professional level in nursing and provides a knowledge base for graduate study and an awareness of the need for life-long learning. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate nursing program of study, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is granted. A four-year academic program is offered in a traditional day format and in an evening-weekend format. An Accelerated BSN Program is offered for students who have already completed a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing major.
Academically qualified traditional students may be eligible for direct admission into one of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs through the Nurse Scholars Program or Accelerated Direct Entry BSN + MSN Program (Accelerated BSN Plus). Traditional students must fulfill all requirements for the BSN degree before attaining status as graduate students. MSN programs prepare students to pursue advanced practice nursing specialties, including family nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist, or adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. MSN degree options also include forensic nursing with certification in investigative forensics, nursing informatics with certification in healthcare information management, and nurse executive via the dual MSN/MBA program (students interested in the dual MSN/MBA program must apply separately to the MBA program for admission consideration; acceptance into the MBA program is not guaranteed).
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at DeSales University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Admission into the nursing major from the freshman year assures placement in clinical nursing courses, provided that the student remains in “Acceptable Academic Standing ” as outlined in Section 2 of the Undergraduate Catalog.
Internal Transfer Policy: BSN to BSN Programs
The following guidelines are designed to provide smooth transfer between BSN programs for students, when necessary, for individual academic progression:
All students are accepted either into the Traditional day BSN program, the Accelerated BSN program, or the ACCESS Evening-Weekend BSN program.
- Students may take nursing courses only in the program to which they are originally accepted.
- Students desiring to transfer between BSN programs must be in acceptable academic standing as described under “Acceptable Academic Standing ” in Section 2 of the Undergraduate Catalog. For nursing students, acceptable academic standing also includes meeting the BSN progression policies.
- Students desiring to transfer between BSN programs will seek approval and advisement from their Division of Nursing academic advisor.
- The academic advisor will communicate the student’s plan and its rationale to the head of the Division of Nursing for transfer consideration.
- Student desiring to transfer will be advised by their academic advisor to formally apply to the desired BSN program.
- Acceptance into any nursing program will be contingent upon the availability of clinical sites and space in existing clinical groups.
- Applicants to the Traditional Day BSN, ACCESS Evening-Weekend BSN, or Accelerated BSN program will obtain the application guidelines online and formally apply.
- Students accepted into any BSN program as a result of the above process will continue to matriculate in that program for the remainder of their undergraduate nursing studies.
- Students will be charged the standard tuition associated with the specific BSN program they have transferred into.
- A student may be permitted to transfer BSN programs only one time during their undergraduate studies at DeSales; any transfer is up to the discretion of the head of the Division of Nursing.
Internal Transfer Policy: Non-BSN to BSN Program
Non-nursing major students desiring to transfer into a BSN program are encouraged to meet with the Chair of Undergraduate Nursing Programs. In addition to fulfilling all admission requirements of a nursing major, the internal transfer applicant must:
•Be in acceptable academic standing as described under “Acceptable Academic Standing ” in Section 2 of the Undergraduate Catalog.
•Earn a minimum cumulative GPA equal to 2.75 or higher at the end of the spring semester of the freshman year. Cumulative GPAs are calculated to three decimal places and are not rounded.
• Earn a grade of C or higher in each of the following courses:
o BI 263 : Anatomy & Physiology I (Fall)
oBI 264 : Anatomy & Physiology II (Spring)
o CH 107 : Physiological Chemistry (Spring)
The admission process is rigorous; demonstrating minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance or acceptance of transfer into a DeSales nursing program. Acceptance into any nursing program will be contingent upon the availability of clinical sites and space in existing clinical groups. Internal transfer students who are accepted into the Nursing major must abide by the progression requirements outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog that is in effect at the time of their acceptance into the Nursing major. As part of these requirements, students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment (fall and spring).
Protocol for Academic Due Process
Undergraduate students who feel that they have an academic grievance have the opportunity to appeal as described under “Academic Due Process ” in Section 2: Academic Regulations of the Undergraduate Catalog.
- The student will receive notification both via electronic mail (e-mail) and postal mail to their address recorded with the University of their program progression status. The student has one week from the dated e-mail to submit a formal written appeal. The appealing student must follow the Academic Due Process detailed in Section 2: Academic Regulations of the Undergraduate Catalog.
- The appealing student will not be allowed to participate in laboratory or clinical experiences until the appeal is finalized. If the appeal is accepted, the Division of Nursing will work with the student to get them back on track with the completion of program requirements.
BSN Clinical Requirements (Traditional Day BSN, Accelerated BSN, ACCESS Evening-Weekend BSN):
1. The Division of Nursing maintains a zero tolerance policy for all BSN clinical requirements. No student will be allowed to participate in clinical or laboratory experiences without documentation that he/she satisfactorily meets all of the following BSN Clinical Requirements (as determined by the Division of Nursing). Inability to satisfactorily meet one or more of the BSN Clinical Requirements will prohibit the student from attending required clinical and/or laboratory experiences. Inability to attend required clinical and/or laboratory experiences may result in course failure and/or dismissal from the nursing program. Some documents and clearances may need to be updated on a yearly basis.
- Completed health forms with evidence of specific immunity
- Nationwide Criminal Background Check+
- FBI fingerprinting+
- Child Abuse History+
- Drug testing
- CPR certification
- Automobile insurance document
- Medical insurance
- Any additional health documentation, criminal checks, drug testing, or certification requirements as set forth by the Division of Nursing and/or affiliating clinical agencies
- Orientation requirements specific to each affiliating clinical agency.
Appropriate forms and instructions are available through the Division of Nursing. Original documents must be submitted to the Division of Nursing each year. The student may be required to submit additional documentation, as deemed appropriate. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain these forms and submit the documentation to the Division of Nursing by the deadlines set forth for review.
2. Students are expected to notify the Clinical Liaison of the Division of Nursing Health immediately of any changes in the following while in the nursing program:
- Health Status
- Background Clearances+ (term inclusive of all clearances such as nationwide background, drug, FBI fingerprints, elder abuse, etc.)
- Child Abuse History+
All changes will be evaluated by the Clinical Liaison. These changes may jeopardize a student’s progression in the nursing program and may result in a student’s dismissal from the program. Failure to notify the Clinical Liaison of any changes may result in immediate dismissal from the nursing program. Pending court dates, pending charges, and arrests are considered a change to criminal history. Continued participation/acceptance in the DeSales University Nursing Program is dependent upon continuous negative results of all required documentation as outlined above. Admission or participation in the nursing program may be revoked upon receipt of any positive results. The Divison of Nursing maintains a zero tolerance policy.
3. Affiliating clinical agencies, utilized for required student clinical experiences, reserve the right to deny a student’s participation in any clinical experience/rotation because of a positive drug test, a positive criminal record+, a felony or misdemeanor conviction+, a record of child abuse+, pending charges, or the inability to produce appropriate documentation related to required health clearances. Inability to attend required clinical/laboratory experiences may result in course failure and/or dismissal from the nursing program.
4. Students who experience a change in their health status, including but not limited to an illness or injury, are required to obtain a healthcare provider’s note prior to the student’s return to class and clinical/laboratory. The healthcare provider’s note must specifically state the date(s) excused and state the date the student is cleared to return to normal class and clinical/laboratory experiences. In addition, the provider’s note must specifically state that the student has either no restrictions or specify the current restrictions. Students may be withheld from class or clinical/laboratory experiences if appropriate health clearance is not provided to the Division of Nursing by the deadlines set forth and must adhere to the Clinical and Laboratory Attendance Policy.
5. Students must meet the functional abilities essential for nursing practice as outlined in the Pre-licensure BSN Student Handbook.
6. Students will be assigned to clinical sites and rotation times according to clinical site availability and concurrently running nursing courses. Specific clinical site placement and rotation times cannot be guaranteed to any student. All clinical site placements are made at the discretion of the Division of Nursing. It is the responsibility of the student to provide their own form of transportation to clinical sites.
7. The financial costs associated with clearances, immunizations, and examinations are the responsibility of the student.
+Regardless of whether or not a student graduates from DeSales University, individuals who have a positive criminal record, a felony or misdemeanor conviction, pending charges, or a record of child abuse may be denied licensure as a health professional.
Computer and Equipment Requirements
All undergraduate nursing students are encouraged to have a portable laptop computer (PC or Mac) that uses a Windows and/or Apple operating system with internet connectivity in order to receive the best compatibility and functionality when taking nursing courses at DeSales University. Tablets and iPads can be used as supplemental technology but will not have the same capabilities as a laptop computer. Students should refer to “Computers ” and “Distance Education and Instructional Technology ” information described in Section 1 of the Undergraduate Catalog. Additional University technology requirements can be located on the DeSales website Distance Education: Technical Requirements webpage and in the Pre-Licensure BSN Student Handbook.
All undergraduate nursing students are encouraged to own and use a privacy screen for all computer-based testing administered on personal devices. The privacy screen attaches over the device’s display to make information visible to only the user and will only be used during computer-based testing sessions. Students should refer to the 3M Privacy and Screen Protectors webpage for examples.
In addition to technology equipment, all undergraduate nursing students are required to purchase the healthcare provider equipment. Appropriate order forms and instructions are available through the Division of Nursing, and are distributed to students upon and/or prior to program matriculation.
- Stethoscope
- Blood Pressure Cuff
- Stop-watch or wrist watch with a second hand
- Pen Light
- Medical Scissors
- Shoes, all white with smooth antimicrobial finish
- Scrub Top, wine color with DeSales logo
- Scrub Pant, navy blue color with DeSales logo
- Lab Coat, white with DeSales logo
- DeSales nursing student patch for scrub top
- Any additional equipment set forth by the Division of Nursing and/or affiliating clinical agencies.
The financial costs associated with equipment are the responsibility of the student.
Leave of Absence from the Nursing Program
All students accepted into the nursing major, whether they are full-time or part-time undergraduate Traditional Day BSN students, Accelerated BSN students, or ACCESS Evening-Weekend BSN students completing their degrees, must continue to enroll in courses every fall and spring semester until they are awarded their degrees. A student who wishes not to register for courses must apply to take a “Leave of Absence.” These forms must be signed by the student’s nursing faculty advisor and a “Program Plan” must be completed by the student’s nursing faculty advisor that clearly notes when the student plans to take required courses and plans to graduate. This policy ensures that clinical placement for all students can be adequately planned in advance. Should a student not file a “Leave of Absence” and “Program Plan” by the mid-term period for the absent semester, he/she will no longer be enrolled in the nursing program and must reapply for admission. “Program Plan” and “Leave of Absence” forms are available through the Division of Nursing. The student must also follow University guidelines for a leave of absence according to University regulations noted in the Undergraduate Catalog.
A student must reapply for a “Leave of Absence” if he/she wishes to take more than one semester break from the program of study. An application for a “Leave of Absence” does not guarantee that the student’s request will be granted. Students must additionally be in compliance with the “Leave of Absence ” policy detailed in Section 2 of the Undergraduate Catalog under Separation from DeSales University.
It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Bursar and/or the Financial Aid Office for additional information about the implications of a leave for their tuition or financial aid. Questions about housing should be addressed to the Residence Life Office.
