BSN Degree

Marian Smith, MSN, Interim Chair, Division of Nursing;
     Nursing Program Coordinator
Bob and Carol Goodin Nursing and Counseling Center - Room 126
Phone 270-384-7442    smithm@lindsey.edu

Full-time Program faculty:  Elwanda Adams, MSN; Emily Button, MSN; Martha Hawkins, DNP;
Marian Smith, MSN                                           

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 that promote health and treat illness in a wide range of healthcare setting including those involving life-threatening emergencies. 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 RN. Nurses play a key role in meeting these health care needs. Registered nurses comprise the largest 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.

Entrance Criteria

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

1. Submission of official transcripts for all previous college courses that the student wishes to be reviewed for transfer credits.  Courses must be from regionally accredited institutions of higher education and meet the admission requirement minimum grade of a C for consideration.  Certain science courses must have been taken within the last five years in order to receive program credit. 
2. Successful completion of all first year College general education courses and the pre-nursing courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0) for each course.   Preference for admission to the Nursing Program will be given to student who have completed the pre-nursing (first year) curriculum with a 3.00 or higher and who earned a 2.75 or higher in the required science courses.
3. Demonstrate math proficiency by passing a math proficiency exam prior to submitting application to the nursing program. 
4. Physical, mental, and emotional health that enables a student to participate in and complete the program as described under Performance Standards for admission and progression.
5. Submission of the required application to the Division of Nursing by May 1^st of the freshman year or the year for which admission is sought.

Transfer Student Admission
Students seeking transfer from other programs of study at Lindsey Wilson or other institutions into the Nursing Program must meet all admission requirements of freshmen seeking entry to the program.  Admission to the major will be contingent upon the availability of space in the program.  Each application will be reviewed by the Chair of the Division of Nursing with decisions being made in a timely manner.

Students from another accredited nursing program may submit completed nursing coursework for review by the Division of Nursing Faculty Committee at Lindsey Wilson.  A letter from the Chair of the Division of Nursing the student is transferring from must state that the student was in good standing.  While the content taught in all nursing programs is essentially the same, the organization of the content varies from school to school. To determine whether the courses at your previous school are aligned with the courses at Lindsey Wilson, the program must have specific information about each class and the number of clinical hours required each semester/quarter. The information required includes: 

• Transcripts (official or unofficial) from all previous colleges or universities attended.
• Syllabi from all nursing courses completed.
• Course outlines from all nursing courses completed with specific content covered.
• List of skills completed in a laboratory setting.
• List of number of hours per week and weeks per semester spent in the clinical setting.

The acceptance of course work is contingent upon theoretical and clinical congruence with the course as offered by Lindsey Wilson's Nursing Program.

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.

Acceptance is also contingent upon availability of space in the program at the time of the request and is contingent upon the following:

1. Documentation of physical and emotional health that is indicative of the applicant's ability to provide safe nursing care to the public: health assessment completed by a licensed provider must be submitted prior to admission to the program, with annual assessment thereafter.  Information must include the following:  

• Immunization records that include: rubella, measles, polio, diphtheria/tetanus, and chicken pox.
• Physical and mental examination must include a statement of satisfactory physical and mental health, signed by a licensed health care provider (physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner) no more than six (6) months prior to admission in the nursing program.
• TB test with copy of results. A positive PPD requires documentation of a negative chest X-ray within the past 12 months.
• Hepatitis immunization is required. The students who have Hepatitis B contraindications must submit a written verification or official deferral.

2.  Drug screen: prior to a nursing student's first clinical experiences, students must obtain a drug screen at a NIDA certified laboratory.   Validated copies of test results shall be sent to the Chair of the Division of Nursing.  Results will be kept confidential in a locked file.  Students with positive results will be referred to the Wellness Center for assistance and will not be allowed to proceed in the Nursing Program at that time.

3. Current BLS (Basic Life Support):  American Heart Association certification for infants to adults must be submitted.

4. Proof of health insurance:  Student may purchase an insurance plan from information provided by the College.  Health insurance must be maintained throughout enrollment in the program.

5. Criminal background check:  To protect safety of clients, admission is also conditional upon results of a background check from an approved vendor.  Based upon the results of the criminal background check, students may not be able to complete certain clinical requirements or the graduate may not be able to be licensed.  Further information on approved vendors is available through the Division of Nursing.  For more information about licensure, contact the KY Board of Nursing (312 Whittington Parkway Suite 300 Louisville, KY 40222-5170), or visit www.kbn.ky.gov.

6. Liability insurance; malpractice insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000/$3,000,000 must be obtained.

  Academic Standards for Progression

 Students admitted to the Division of Nursing are expected to attain the following standards during their 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.
3. Achieve a pass (P) grade in the laboratory or clinical component of each nursing course with such a component. A grade of a fail (F) results in a failure of any lab or clinical component of a course for the entire course.
4. A student who receives a fail (F) in a nursing class may repeat the class only one time.  A second failure (F) will lead to suspension from the program. 
5. Only one nursing course, one time, may be repeated during progression in the program.
6. Maintain current CPR certification: TB skin testing (or x-ray), evidence of immunizations, yearly health assessment, health insurance, and malpractice insurance throughout enrollment.
7. Adhere to all College, Division of Nursing, and clinical agency policies, procedures, and standards. 

Degree Requirements

A.     General Education Requirements - 42-47 hours 

• Freshman Seminar - Health Care (FYE 1001) - 1 hour
• Principles of Psychology (PSYC 1003) - 3 hours 

B.     Pre-nursing Courses for BSN Program - 11 hours

• Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 1104 ) - 4 hours
• Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2614) - 4 hours
• Medical Communication (HLCA 2013) - 3 hours  

C.     Other Required Courses - 17 hours

• Nursing Success Series (NURS 2000) - 0 hours*
• Clinical Microbiology (BIOL 2004) - 4 hours
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 3624) - 4 hours    
• Nutrition (NUTR 2103) - 3 hours
• Life-Span Development (PSYC/HS 3103) - 3 hours
• Health Care Administration (HLCA 4203) - 3 hours 

D.     Professional Nursing Courses for BSN Program - 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

Note:  Freshman Seminar - Health Care (FYE 1001) may be waived for transfer and non-traditional students.
Note:  A course in statistics is recommended for elective credit.

*Note:  Students require access to a laptop for this and future nursing courses.

E.     General Electives: 0-3 hours

** This course may satisfy General Education Requirements 

Exit Assessment

All students earning this degree are required to take a comprehensive examination on the concepts and skills that are required to be successful on the NCLEX (RN), the professional licensing examination for registered nurses.

TOTAL: 128 hours