Bachelor of Science Degree – Major in Nursing

The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing meets the standards for and has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, leading to the California RN license. Mount Saint Mary’s is in the process of researching program professional licensure standards in other states.

BSN Objectives

At the completion of the baccalaureate nursing program, the graduate will have met the following objectives and will:

Integrate critical thinking, knowledge, and skills from the liberal arts and nursing courses to provide care that is safe, and ethical.
Use the Roy Adaptation Model which guides the steps of the nursing process, as a scientific method to deliver nursing care to persons, families, groups, and populations.
Implement holistic, evidence-based patient-centered care.
Demonstrate the application of psychomotor skills for the efficient, safe, and compassionate delivery of patient care.
Communicate and advocate effectively with all members of the healthcare team, including the patient and patient’s support network.
Provide health education that reflects variances in individuals, groups, and/or populations.
Implement patient and family care around palliative and end-of-life care issues.
Apply clinical judgment and accountability for patient outcomes when delegating to and supervising other members of the healthcare team.
Create a beginning understanding of complementary and alternative modalities and their role in health care.
Create a culture of respect for the diversity among the client continuum (patient, family, groups, global population).
Apply leadership concepts, skills, and decision making in the delivery of high quality nursing care in a variety of settings.
Incorporate ethical and legal principles to safely manage care of individuals, families, groups, and populations.

Upon the completion of the Bachelor of Science Degree: Major in Nursing, the student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and is also qualified to apply for the Public Health Nursing Certificate issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

BSN Program Academic Policies

The BSN program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The faculty of the BSN Program has the right and the responsibility for evaluating the quality of the student's achievement, both in the mastery of theoretical content and in clinical competence. Mid-term warning, probation, or dismissal is used when deemed necessary. The following academic policies apply:

A grade of C- or below in a required course or a nursing theory course is not accepted. If the grade of C- or below is in a nursing theory course, non-progression in the program occurs.

A student may repeat a nursing theory course required for the nursing major, including pre-nursing/pre-health prerequisites, no more than once.

A grade of no credit in a nursing clinical course or failure (C- or below) of any two or more required nursing courses, including pre-nursing/pre-health prerequisites, results in dismissal from the nursing program.

If a student's level of clinical practice is unsatisfactory or unsafe, the student may fail before the end of the semester. Readmission may be granted by special action of the BSN Admission Committee.

Once admitted and enrolled in the University, all BSN nursing students will be required to successfully complete PHI 168A or PHI 168B or RST 149 at MSMU.

Departmental policy statements regarding grading, mathematical competence, clinical progression, incomplete grades, probation, absences, dismissal, and readmission to the program are provided to the student at the beginning of the nursing major. During the clinical portion of the program, students must:

Ordinarily be enrolled full-time (see Tuition and Fees).

Carry malpractice insurance.

Have a current CPR card (AHA Health Care Provider BLS).

Have a fire and safety card.

Complete a criminal background as outlined in clinical policies.

Drug screening prior to start of course work, and annually thereafter.

Complete a First Aid Course prior to beginning senior level coursework.

Nursing classes are held at multiple sites. Transportation is the responsibility of each student. Students who drive are required to have a current driver's license and auto insurance. Information on all policies and procedures can be obtained from the Traditional BSN Coordinator or the Accelerated BSN Program Coordinator.

Certain health requirements must be met prior to clinical experiences. The requirements are provided to students in admission packets and in the BSN Student Handbook.

In addition to the University Baccalaureate degree requirements, students who re-enter the BSN program after an absence of five (5) years or more must complete all requirements of the BSN Program and the level to which they are re-enrolling.

Membership in the National Student Nurse Association, highly recommended.

For up to date polices and procedures refer, to the current MSMU Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student handbook.

Clinical Agencies/Scheduling

Multiple agencies are used for clinical practice and include the following: private and public acute and subacute health care facilities, community health sites, and public and community health care agencies.

Schedules for clinical and class times are subject to change and may include evenings and weekends.

Traditional BSN Program

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements, acceptance into the BSN Program is determined by the BSN Admission Committee. Admission is based upon a consideration of the student's academic achievement. There is a formal review of the student's high school achievement record, grade point average, University Entrance Examination scores, previous college experience (if any). Students who intend to major in nursing are advised to take high school chemistry. A student may repeat a course required for the nursing major no more than once. Failure (C- and below) of any two required science or pre-requisite courses results in non-admission.

In order to be eligible for review, applicants must be admitted to the University and then fulfill the nursing admission requirements. Admission to the sophomore nursing courses is considered for the fall semester only and is based on:

Cumulative GPA
Science GPA
English GPA
Social Science GPA
Entrance Exam

LVN to BSN Admission Policy

LVNs that have been accepted by the University and have completed the general studies requirements of the first two years may challenge sophomore level nursing courses and move directly into junior level nursing courses.

LVN to RN Non-Matriculation 26 unit Option

A non-degree R.N. option is available for applicants licensed as LVN’s in California. After completing 26 units of prescribed courses, the student is eligible to take the California examination for the R.N. Licensure. The student is not a graduate of the BSN Program and does not receive a Degree. This option is available in any of the pre-licensure programs at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Practice as a Registered Nurse with a CA license outside the State of California may be limited.

RN to BSN Admission Policy

Registered Nurses who apply to the BSN program may be given transfer credit for previous nursing courses equivalent to the sophomore and junior level nursing courses. Validation of clinical competence and completion of a Roy Adaptation Model theory course are required prior to entry into the program. In addition, applicants need to meet university admission requirements and BSN program admission policies for RN to BSN applicants.

Criteria for Guaranteed Admission for High School Students

Mount Saint Mary’s University Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Program extends eligibility, to be reviewed for admission at the end of freshman year, to high school student applicants who qualify for guaranteed admission consideration by meeting the following requirements. Meeting the following requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing program.

Complete two science advanced placement courses with AP or IB test scores of four or five or complete three years of science in high school with a GPA of 3.5 or greater on a four point scale or 4.25 or greater on a five point scale. Of these three years of science requirements, the student must complete at least one year of chemistry and one year of biology.
Achieve an overall high school GPA of 3.8 or greater on a four point scale or 4.25 or greater on a five point scale.
Complete three years of math with pre-calculus as the minimum attainment.
Achieve a total score greater than 1170 on the new SAT, including a minimum score of 600 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (SAT-EBRW) and a minimum score of 570 in Math (SAT-M) OR an ACT composite score of 24 or greater. For applicants submitting old SAT scores, they must achieve a total score greater than 1650, including a minimum score of 550 in Critical Thinking (SAT-CR), a minimum score of 550 in Math (SAT-M), and a minimum score of 550 in Writing (SAT-WR).

Once the student is accepted and enters the University under the direct to nursing admission consideration program, the student will declare nursing as their baccalaureate major and be considered a part of the Department of Nursing. To progress into nursing courses in the sophomore year, the student must do all of the following:

Complete and pass (C or higher) all nursing prerequisite courses at the University during the first (freshman) year.
Maintain an overall Science GPA of 3.2 and Cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Obtain a minimum score of 70 or above on the Kaplan evaluation taken during the freshman year.

Once a direct to nursing admission student has completed nursing pre-requisites and achieves the above requirements, the student will move into the sophomore nursing courses.

Should a guaranteed admission student fail to meet the minimum requirements above in the freshman year, she or he will not progress to the sophomore nursing courses. The student will then be eligible to be added to the general pool of pre-nursing admission candidates for that academic year, provided they meet the Traditional BSN admission requirements.

If a student does not meet the Traditional BSN admission requirements, they have an option to do a second year as a pre-nursing major and reapply to the program the following spring.

TBSN Curriculum Requirements

Nursing Requirements

Freshman Year (Pre-requisite Requirements)

CHE 3	Foundations of Chemistry	3
	or
PHS 1	Scientific Concepts	3

BIO 50A	Human Anatomy	3
BIO 50AL	Human Anatomy Laboratory	1
BIO 50B	Human Physiology	3
BIO 50BL	Human Physiology Laboratory	1
BIO 3	General Microbiology	3
BIO 3L	General Microbiology Lab	1
PSY 1	Introduction to Psychology	3
SOC 1	Introduction to Sociology	3
ENG 1A	Freshman English	3
	and
ENG 1B	Freshman English	3

SPE 10	Introduction to Communication	2
PSY 12	Child/Human Development	3
FYS	FYS 1 and FYS 2

Sophomore Year

NUR 12T	Nutrition and Health	2
NUR 13T	Pharmacology I	1
NUR 14T	Pharmacology II	2
NUR 55T	Adaptation Nursing: Foundations of Nursing and Roy Adaptation Model	7
NUR 55TP	Adaptation Nursing: Foundations of Nursing and Roy Adaptation Model	0
NUR 56T	Pathophysiology	3
NUR 57T	Adaptation Nursing: Fundamental Nursing Skills Lab	1
NUR 62T	Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I	7.5
NUR 62TP	Adaptiation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I	0

PHI 21	Moral Values and Ethical Decisions	3
	or
RST 41	Introduction to Christian Ethics	3

GS VA	Religious Studies Requirement	3
GS IIIA	Art/Music requirement	3

Junior Year

NUR 168T	Integrative Theory and Practices	1.5
NUR 169T	Pallative Care	1.5
NUR 170T	Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical II	4.5
NUR 170TP	Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical II	0
NUR 171T	Adaptation Nursing: Childbearing Families and Women's Health	4.5
NUR 171TP	Adaptation Nursing: Childbearing Families and Women's Health	0
NUR 172T	Adaptation Nursing: Children and Families	4.5
NUR 172TP	Adaptation Nursing: Children and Families	0
NUR 173T	Adaptation Nursing: Mental Health	4.5
NUR 173TP	Adaptation Nursing: Mental Health	0

PHI 168A	Contemporary Moral Problems	3
	or
PHI 168B	Bioethics	3
	or
RST 149	Biomedical Issues in Christian Ethics	3

GS IIIB	Literature Requirement	3
GS IIIC	History Requirement	3

Senior Year

NUR 134T	Evidence-Based Practice	3
NUR 184T	Adaptation Nursing: Leadership and Policy	4.5
NUR 184TP	Adaptation Nursing: Leadership and Policy	0
NUR 185T	Adaptation Nursing: Gerontology	4.5
NUR 185TP	Adaptation Nursing: Gerontology	0
NUR 186T	Adaptation Nursing: Transition to Professional Practice	5
NUR 186TP	Adaptation Nursing: Transition to Professional Practice	0
NUR 187T	Adaptation Nursing: Community/Public Health	4.5
NUR 187TP	Adaptation Nursing: Community/Public Health	0
NUR 188T	Adaptation Nursing: Advanced Health Assesment	2
GS IIIG	Economics/Political Science Requirement	3
GS VB1	Philosophical Ideas Course	3
	and
GS VA	Religious Studies Requirement	3
	or
GS VB	Philosophy Requirement	3

AccBSN Program

AccBSN Application Procedure

AccBSN applicants must submit the following documents:

Completed admissions application
Personal statement of intent
Official transcripts of all college work
Two recommendations by those acquainted with the applicant's ability to succeed in an accelerated curriculum.
Personal interviews may be scheduled.
Complete the ABSN Math Test with a score of 100%. Remediation through the MSMU Learning Resource Center (LRC) will be required for those students who have been accepted into the ABSN option but did not score 100% on the math exam.

AccBSN Program Admission Requirements

The AccBSN program is open to persons who have previously completed a Baccalaureate degree and who meet specific admission requirements. Admission to the program is open twice a year. Please see the website for specific deadlines.

To be considered for admission, students must be graduates of an accredited four-year college or university with an earned cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

AccBSN Entrance Requirements

Before admitted students begin the program, they must:

Complete the necessary health forms and immunizations (See Health Policies, Department of Nursing.).
Be current in CPR (Healthcare Provider BCLS/Professional Rescuer CPR).
Carry malpractice insurance.
Complete a First Aid Course.
Submit a successful completion of a Criminal Background check as outlined in clinical policies
Drug Screening
Have achieved a score of 100% on the ABSN math test. Remediation through the MSMU Learning Resource Center (LRC) will be required for those students who have been accepted into the ABSN option but did not score 100% on the math exam.

LVN to RN Non-Matriculation Option (26 unit option)

See option under the Traditional BSN option.

Transfer Articulation for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science – Major in Nursing

Mount Saint Mary's University accepts completed Baccalaureate degrees from accredited colleges and universities as evidence of fulfillment of MSMU General Studies requirements with the exception of philosophy and religious studies. To fulfill these requirements, students must complete two courses in each discipline.

Costs/Financial Aid/Registration

Tuition for the AccBSN program is the same as the standard Mount Saint Mary’s University undergraduate tuition and fees for three semesters. There is a nursing fee for each of the three accelerated sessions. Please refer to the Fees and Expenses for exact figures and guidelines.

While AccBSN students are not eligible for Mount Saint Mary's grants or scholarships, students may be eligible for federal, state, or private grants or loans. In order to qualify, students must send the FAFSA forms to the processor no later than January 15. Information on financial aid eligibility will be sent prior to the deposit deadline. A non-refundable deposit fee of $400.00 is due on the date specified in the acceptance letter.

Nursing Pre-requisite Requirements (starting Summer 2016)

An eligible applicant entering the ABSN option Fall 2015 or thereafter, must have also completed the following requirements prior to beginning the program:

Nursing Pre-requisite Requirements:

*Chemistry or Physics	(4 units)
*Human Anatomy with Lab	(4 units)
*Human Physiology with lab	(4 units)
*Microbiology with Lab	(4 units)
Human Nutrition	(3 units)
General Psychology	(3 units)
Life-span Developmental Psychology (Infant through Older Adult )	(3 units)
Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology	(3 units)
Written Communication (ENG 1A or ENG 1B)	(3 units)
Oral Communication	(3 units)

*Must have been completed within five years prior to admission

General Studies Requirements

Philosophy	(3 units)
Philosophy	(3 upper division units, must be Bioethics)
Religious Studies Courses		(6 units)

AccBSN Degree Curriculum Requirements for Students Entering Fall 2015 and thereafter

The AccBSN program requires 127 units which includes 60 Nursing department units and 3 units of upper division Bioethics. Admitted students must complete their total curriculum plan at Mount Saint Mary’s University. They may not take required nursing courses at other institutions. A sample program is listed below.

Courses

1st Semester

NUR 13A	Pharmacology I	1
NUR 14A	Pharmacology II	2
NUR 55A	Adaptation Nursing: Foundations of Nursing and Roy Adaptation Model	6
NUR 55AP	Adapt Nur: Fnd of Nur/Roy Adap	0
NUR 56A	Pathophysiology	3
NUR 57A	Adaptation Nursing: Fundamental Nursing Skills Lab	1
NUR 62A	Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I	8
NUR 62AP	Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I	0

2nd Semester

NUR 168A	Integrative Theory and Practices	1.5
NUR 169A	Pallative Care	1.5
NUR 170A	Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical II	3.5
NUR 170AP	Adaptation Nursing: Adult Medical Surgical II	0
NUR 171A	Adaptation Nursing: Childbearing Families and Women's Health	3.5
NUR 171AP	Adaptation Nursing: Childbearing Families and Women's Health	0
NUR 172A	Adaptation Nursing: Children and Families	3.5
NUR 172AP	Adaptation Nursing: Children and Families	0
NUR 173A	Adaptation Nursing: Mental Health	3.5
NUR 173AP	Adaptation Nursing: Mental Health	0

3rd Semester

NUR 134A	Evidence-Based Practice	3
NUR 184A	Adaptation Nursing: Leadership and Policy	3.5
NUR 184AP	Adaptation Nursing: Leadership and Policy	0
NUR 185A	Adaptation Nursing: Gerontology	3.5
NUR 185AP	Adaptation Nursing: Gerontology	0
NUR 186A	Adaptation Nursing: Transition to Professional Practice	4
NUR 186AP	Adaptation Nursing: Transition to Professional Practice	0
NUR 187A	Adaptation Nursing: Community/Public Health	4
NUR 187AP	Adaptation Nursing: Community/Public Health	0
NUR 188A	Adaptation Nursing: Advanced Health Assessment	2

Please note, those courses with Practicum units above are the clinical courses in the new curriculum. They must be passed with a C or better. A C- or lower grade will result in program dismissal.