BSN-Nursing

INTERIM DIRECTOR: CAROL A (HEALD) AMANN, PhD, RN-BC, CDP, FNGNA

FACULTY: Associate Professors: Carol Amann, Lisa Quinn. Associate Teaching Professor: Melissa Robertson. Assistant Professor: Shannon Scully. Assistant Teaching Professors: Patricia Hemshrodt, Emilee Rotko. Instructors: Kathryn Denison, Stephanie McElhaney, Amber Mecca, Jane Riley

The Villa Maria School of Nursing undergraduate and graduate programs and certificates are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) http://www.ccneaccreditation.org.

Applicants to Gannon University Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, Villa Maria School of Nursing are admitted to the undergraduate nursing major based on established admission criteria. The study of professional nursing starts in the freshman year with clinical nursing courses beginning at the sophomore level. The curriculum is composed of three distinct but interrelated elements: (1) a common liberal core, which is the same for all baccalaureate students in the University, and which reflects the parent institutions’ concepts concerning a liberal education; (2) supportive courses, which are required prerequisites for the development of the major; and (3) professional nursing courses, which prepare the student to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Of the total 123 credits required for graduation at Gannon University, the nursing field of concentration comprises 60 credits or 48.8% of the total program of study.

All students must meet the Liberal Core requirements as well as prerequisite, support and required courses as established by the Villa Maria School of Nursing faculty to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The nursing curriculum is arranged in three sequential levels that build in complexity from simple to complex.

All nursing curriculum level one courses (Freshman and Sophomore year) must be completed before the student progresses to level two of the nursing curriculum. The level one support courses include: BIOL 106, 107, 115, 116, 117, 118, 122 and 123 or their equivalents; CHEM 105 and 108 or their equivalents; DIET 202 or its equivalent; PSYC 222 or its equivalent; SOCI 110 or its equivalent; statistics (e.g., PSYC 211 or MATH 213) or its equivalent. Level two courses (Junior year) must be successfully completed prior to student progression to level three courses (Senior year). Exceptions in progression will be reviewed by the Director (See Villa Maria School of Nursing Handbook for complete listing of Policies and Procedures).

Upon successful completion of the prescribed program of study, Gannon University awards the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The student is eligible, upon certification by the Villa Maria School of Nursing, to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Upon successfully passing the NCLEX-RN licensing exam the title Registered Nurse (R.N.) can be used.

The purpose of the professional nursing program is to prepare students for entry into professional practice and provide an academic foundation for graduate study. The community- based baccalaureate program helps students acquire competencies, knowledge, values and roles that prepare them as professional nurses who provide safe, high quality care to diverse populations, in and across all environments. The program also prepares students for advanced study and to value life-long learning. The baccalaureate program in nursing provides for a balanced study of natural and social sciences in addition to humanities within the context of professional education to promote critical thinking, effective communication, caring, respect, and concern for individuals, groups, and communities.

The State Board of Nursing shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act as identified in the Nurse Practice Act No. 1985-109. See complete policy in Villa Maria School of Nursing Handbook.

Proof of current health records including a physical and specific healthcare provider testing and required immunizations, health insurance, child abuse clearance, criminal clearance, finger printing, American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification, and the ability to meet the nursing student performance standards are required.

Policies specific to nursing standards and the Villa Maria School of Nursing are published and distributed annually in the Villa Maria School of Nursing Handbook.