Affiliation: School of Health Sciences & Education
The curriculum is designed to prepare beginning practitioners of professional nursing who provide safe, effective nursing care to patients and clients of all ages in a variety of health care settings—hospital, home, community. It is characterized by a liberal education foundation at the lower level on which the upper division Nursing major is built. Lower division courses are foundational and are drawn from the sciences and humanities disciplines. The upper division courses provide knowledge of the theory and practice of nursing. Concomitant to them are opportunities for courses which enhance the nursing component, add depth and scope to the core curriculum, and/or promote a global-minded individual. The baccalaureate nursing graduate is prepared to function as a generalist in beginning positions in all areas of nursing practice, including maternal, child, mental, adult, and community health nursing. The curriculum provides a foundation for graduate study in nursing. Graduates who meet the requirements of section 335.066 of the State of Missouri Nursing Practice Act are eligible to apply for the registered nurse licensing examination. The Nursing program is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Truman State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation).
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Truman State University Department of Nursing is to offer an exemplary community-based baccalaureate nursing education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences to support and prepare caring nurse scholars to practice in a diverse and rapidly changing health care environment.
VISION STATEMENT
The vision of the Truman State University Department of Nursing is to be an exemplary baccalaureate nursing program in a public liberal arts and sciences environment.
GOALS
The Department of Nursing has two goals:
1. To prepare baccalaureate graduates who are able to function as generalists in entry level positions in all areas of nursing practice.
2. To provide graduates with the basis for life-long learning and graduate level study.
EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES
At the completion of the program of study, the graduate:
- Utilizes the human care nursing process to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate culturally competent care of individuals, groups, and communities in a variety of health care settings with a diversity of clients;
- Integrates knowledge from the discipline of nursing and the liberal arts and sciences to provide a basis for clinical decision-making;
- Collaborates with individuals from a variety of disciplines to improve client care and health care systems;
- Advocates for health care that is sensitive to the needs of patients, with particular emphasis on the needs of vulnerable populations;
- Demonstrates leadership to design, coordinate, and manage nursing care;
- Develop an awareness of nursing within the context of global health;
- Utilizes nursing research and the research process in evaluating and improving current practices for health and healing and for evidence-based practice;
- Values life-long learning and scholarship; and
- Acts accountably, ethically, and responsibly in personal and professional activities.
ADMISSION TO NURSING
Only a limited number of nursing applicants are accepted into the program. The Nursing Admissions Committee seeks to select the most qualified applicants for admission.
Applicants to the Nursing program must be accepted by Nursing in addition to being accepted to the University. A special “Application to Nursing” and a summary of career goals must be completed and sent directly to Nursing. The application deadline for admission to the Nursing major is January 15 of each year.
Transfer or change of major students must meet current nursing academic requirements as part of the admission process (minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA). Qualified students may petition for advancement on a space-available basis.
As a part of the admissions process, the Admissions Committee reviews transcripts and test scores, and places applicants at the appropriate level in the program based on the student’s qualifications and space availability. See the most recent Nursing Student Handbook for current policies and the suggested program; see http://nursing.truman.edu.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program of study accepts applications from prospective students who have a strong and sincere desire to become a baccalaureate-prepared Registered Nurse but might have an academic background outside of Nursing. This program of study is highly intense and, once all prerequisite courses are completed, only 15 months in duration. The ABSN priority review of applications begin July 1 for entry into Nursing courses the following summer; therefore, prospective students are highly encouraged to apply before July 1. Additionally, prospective students are highly encouraged to contact a Nursing faculty member/advisor as far ahead of time as possible.
NURSING ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
The following policies apply to all students who have been accepted to the Nursing program of study (hereinafter referred to as program).
CUMULATIVE AND NURSING MAJOR GPA
In order to remain in the program and progress within the Nursing major, the student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or above at the END OF THE FRESHMAN YEAR and EVERY SEMESTER THEREAFTER. (See Progression Policies.) An exception to this policy would be students admitted to the program with prior college work and a cumulative GPA of less than 2.75. These students’ GPAs would be based on courses currently being taken for a BSN degree and these students must maintain at least a 2.75 semester GPA.
At the END OF THE SOPHOMORE YEAR and EVERY SUCCESSIVE END OF SEMESTER the student:
MUST have a Nursing major course cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above (Nursing major course cumulative GPA is computed using all courses completed with NU prefixes).
By May of sophomore year achieve a “C” or better in the following prerequisite courses: BIOL 100, BIOL 204, BIOL 214, BIOL 215, BIOL 353, CHEM 100, NU 250, MATH 156 or MATH 186, TRU 113, NU 210, NU 240, NU 240L, NU 280, NU 280L, NU 311, PSYC 166.
Please refer to the Department of Nursing Student Handbook for further information regarding the following items:
- Progressive Policies: Policy Regarding Required Grade Point Average
- Policy Regarding Withdrawal or Failure of Nursing Major Courses
- Junior and Senior Examinations
- Special Circumstances
- Request for readmission
- Special Equipment
- Health Policy
- Missouri State Board of Nursing Licensure Information
- Additional Expenses
- Additional Requirements
- Registered Nurse Application
- Suggested Course Sequence
GRADUATION
a. Must have a Nursing major requirements cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above.
b. Must have a total cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above.
c. Must have a “C” or better in all nursing courses.
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN NURSING
Eligibility:
1. Maintain a cumulative GPA and a nursing GPA of 3.50.
2. Produce a scholarly paper or project to be presented in a public seminar.
3. Achieve above the 50th percentile on the program comprehensive examination.
4. Receive approval of a majority of the nursing faculty.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
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