BSN Degree

Marian Smith, DNP, RN, Chair, Division of Nursing
     Nursing Program Coordinator
Dr. Robert and Carol Goodin Nursing & Counseling Center, Room 126
(270) 384-7442  smithm@lindsey.edu

Full-time Program Faculty:  Elwanda Adams, MSN, RN; Emiley Button, MSN BC ARNP-BC; Ashley Hancock, MSN, RN, CNS-BC; Monica Kidder, MSN, RN-BC; Marian Smith, DNP, RN. 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Nursing Division is to provide quality undergraduate nursing education that prepares students for baccalaureate-generalist professional nursing practice.

The Nursing Program seeks to develop nurses who are:

• Leaders in providing client-centered, evidence-based health care to diverse clients;
• Lifelong learners who have a holistic perspective on the nursing profession; and
• Caring providers of health care in a variety of settings.

Lindsey Wilson's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares its graduates to achieve success on the National Council's Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Registered Nurses are licensed healthcare professionals who promote health and treat illness in a variety of healthcare settings. In collaboration with other disciplines, nurses are responsible for the assessment, planning, and safe administration of care to individuals and families. Nurses promote health and monitor disease in communities and populations through public health and perform a wide range of clinical and non-clinical functions necessary to the promotion of health and treatment of disease. Health care needs in the state and nation are increasing for BSN-prepared RNs. Nurses play a key role in meeting these health care needs. Registered nurses comprise one of the largest groups of health care professions in the United States with more than 2.5 million members of the profession. The BSN course of study at Lindsey Wilson College will prepare students to practice as registered nurses and to develop the skills that are critical to becoming leaders in the nursing profession.

Application Deadlines

Prospective students may apply to the BSN Program beginning February 1 of the calendar year for which admission is sought. For consideration of admission in the fall semester, the deadline for submission of the application and other required paperwork to the Nursing Division is March 1. In the event the March 1 deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline for application will be extended to the following Monday at 5:00 p.m. Correspondence to applicants regarding admission status will be sent to the address of record submitted to the Nursing Division. Applicants are responsible for notifying the Nursing Division in writing of any change of address.

All required paperwork must be completed prior to the March 1 deadline to be eligible for admission to the BSN Program in the fall semester.

Entrance Criteria

Students who are seeking admission to the Nursing Division must meet the following standards:

1. Submission of the completed application to the BSN Program by March 1 of the calendar year for which the student is seeking admission.
2. Overall minimum GPA of 2.75.
3. Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all Nursing Program required courses. This includes all science and prerequisite nursing courses. 
4. Completion of all prerequisite course work for admission to the Nursing Program:
   • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2614) - 4 hours
   • Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 1104) - 4 hours
   • Writing Studies I (ENGL 1013) unless waiver requirements are met - 3 hours
   • Freshman Seminar (FYE 1001) unless waiver requirements are met - 1 hour
   • Medical Communication (HLCA 2013) - 3 hours
   • Functions & Algebra (MATH 1013) unless waiver requirements are met - 3 hours (not required until Fall 2013)
   • Principles of Psychology (PSYC 1003) - 3 hours
5. At the time of program application, the applicant must have completed, be currently enrolled in, or have a written plan to complete all courses designated as prerequisites to admission by August 1 of the fall semester.
6. Submission of official transcripts for all previous college courses to the Registrar's Office at Lindsey Wilson College. Courses must be from regionally accredited institutions of higher education. All Nursing Program required courses must meet direct transfer equivalencies or have prior approval of the Chair of the Nursing Division before transfer credit is accepted. Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all Nursing Program required courses, including all transfer courses.

 Transfer Student Admission

Transfer students seeking admission to the Program must meet all LWC transfer requirements. Additionally, all transfer students must meet all admission criteria to the Nursing Program as stated above.

Students desiring to transfer from another accredited nursing program should complete the following:

1. Submission of all completed nursing course work and admission criteria (as stated above). Prior course work will be evaluated for equivalency with the LWC Nursing Program. Documents should include course name, course number, catalog description, syllabi, outline of content and skills, and other documentation as requested. Acceptance of course work is contingent upon theoretical and clinical congruence with the courses offered by Lindsey Wilson's Nursing Division.
2. A letter of good standing from the Chair of the nursing program from which the student is transferring. The letter must be included with the application.
3. Admission to the LWC Nursing Program will be contingent upon the availability of seats in the courses at the time of transfer.

Note:   All students wishing to earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing must earn at least 50 percent of degree requirements at Lindsey Wilson College.

Once students are notified of admission to the Nursing Program, the letter of acceptance must be returned with signature to the Nursing Division office by the designated date. Non-compliance with this requirement will forfeit the seat allotted for the student in the Program.

Academic Standards for Progression

Students admitted to the Nursing Program are expected to attain the following minimum standards during the course of study:

1. Maintain cumulative grade point average (GPA) of C (2.0).
2. Achieve a minimum grade of C (77%) or higher in each nursing course before proceeding to the next sequential nursing course. Students should note that the Nursing Division's grading policy differs from the College's policy.
3. Achieve a pass (P) grade in the laboratory/clinical component of each nursing course. If a student receives a final grade of unsatisfactory in any laboratory/clinical component of a course, the unsatisfactory constitutes failure of the course.  
4. Maintain all clinical compliance requirements and adhere to all College, Nursing Division, and clinical agency policies, procedures, and standards.
5. Demonstrate successful completion of all nursing courses. After one nursing-designated course has been failed, students must reapply for readmission to the Program and may repeat the failed course dependent on seat availability. Two failures (grade below a C) in any nursing-designated courses will result in dismissal from the Program.

Grading Scale

The Division of Nursing uses a grading scale different from other academic units of the College.  Consistent with other nursing programs, the grading scale requires students to earn 77% or higher to be awarded a C or better. The Nursing Division uses the following grading scale:  A = 93-100%, B = 85-92%, C = 77-84, D = 70-76%, F = 69% or lower.

Degree Requirements

A.  General Education Requirements:  36-47 hours 

B.  BSN Program Prerequisite Courses:  14-21 hours

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2614) - 4 hours**
• Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 1104) - 4 hours*
• Writing Studies I (ENGL 1013) - 3 hours*
• Freshman Seminar (FYE 1001) - 1 hour*
• Medical Communication (HLCA 2013) - 3 hours 
• Functions & Algebra (MATH 1013) - 3 hours* (not required until Fall 2013)
• Principles of Psychology (PSYC 1003) - 3 hours*

*This course may satisfy general education requirements.
**This course may satisfy liberal arts elective studies in depth requirements. 

Note:   ENGL 1013, FYE 1001 and/or MATH 1013 may be waived if the necessary conditions are met.

C.  Program Requirements:  20-23 hours

• Clinical Microbiology (BIOL 2004) - 3 hours**
• Public Speaking (COMM 2103) - 3 hours*
• Writing Studies II (ENGL 1023) - 3 hours*
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 3624) - 4 hours**  
• Nutrition (NUTR 2103) - 3 hours
• Life-Span Development (PSYC/HS 3103) -  3 hours
• Introduction to Statistics (MATH 2203) - 3 hours** (not required until Fall 2013)

*This course may satisfy general education requirements.
**This course may satisfy liberal arts elective studies in depth requirements. 

D.  BSN Program Professional Nursing Courses:  57 hours

• Introduction to Professional Nursing (NURS 2002) - 2 hours
• Health Assessment (NURS 2013) - 3 hours
• Foundations of Professional Practice (NURS 2024) - 4 hours
• Pharmacology (NURS 3013) - 3 hours
• Adult Health Nursing I (NURS 3105) - 5 hours
• Pathophysiology (NURS 3203) - 3 hours
• Maternal/Newborn/Family Centered Nursing (NURS 3305) - 5 hours
• Pediatric/Family Centered Nursing (NURS 3355) - 5 hours
• Nursing Research (NURS 4003) - 3 hours
• Mental Health Nursing (NURS 4105) - 5 hours
• Community Health Nursing (NURS 4155) - 5 hours
• Leadership in Nursing (NURS 4205) - 5 hours
• Adult Health Nursing II (NURS 4307) - 7 hours
• Capstone Practicum (NURS 4402) - 2 hours

E.  General Electives:  0-22 hours

Exit Assessment

All students earning the BSN degree are required to take a standardized, comprehensive assessment prior to program completion.

TOTAL:  128 credit hours