Nursing

Chair: Dr. Rita Trofino; Vice-Chair: Ms. Cindy Drenning

The Nursing program prepares generalists in nursing to assist individuals, families, and aggregates toward the goal of health throughout life. A baccalaureate education in nursing provides each student with the knowledge base for practicing professional nursing. The curriculum is based on a liberal arts foundation in the Judeo-Christian tradition and utilizes a caring perspective for its organizing framework. Professional nursing is an art and a science which involves a commitment to human caring. Nursing is an interpersonal process that includes promoting, protecting, and restoring wellness, and helping persons to die a peaceful death, as well as caring for individuals and groups who are experiencing illness. Upon completion of the curriculum, the graduate possesses a foundation for graduate study. The baccalaureate nursing program at Saint Francis University has provisional approval by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, DC. 20036, (202) 887-6791. For more information regarding disclosure, please review pages 15-16 of the CCNE Procedures for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Degree Nursing Programs (amended December 2011) at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation/Procedures.pdf. A graduate is eligible to sit for the R.N. licensure exam, NCLEX-RN®.

Students enroll as freshman in the nursing major. In addition to general education requirements, incoming freshman nursing students should have a minimum of a 1,000 SAT score (not including written portion) and a high school GPA of 3.0 or greater (based on a 4.0 scale). A strong background in the sciences and math is required, including Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra. A limited number of transfer students are admitted to the program based on available space, and additional admission criteria. Transfer students are required to have an interview with a faculty member from the Nursing Department.

Progression and continuance in the Nursing program are based upon scholastic achievement, health maintenance, and adherence to Saint Francis University policies. In addition, nursing majors must adhere to the Nursing Department policies as stated in the current Department of Nursing Student Handbook.

A minimum grade of “C” in the prerequisite social and natural science courses must be earned by Nursing majors. Nursing students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 before taking the first laboratory/clinical nursing course (NURS 300). The student must maintain a minimum 2.6 cumulative GPA in the natural sciences, pass the math proficiency exam in NURS 200, and must meet all other requirements stated in the current Department of Nursing Student Handbook.

Progression within the Nursing major requires the Nursing student to earn a minimum of a “C” grade in each of the Nursing courses. The grading scale for the Nursing Department is as follows: A=92-100; B=86-91; C=80-85; D=75-79, and F=0-74. Students are required to satisfactorily achieve program outcomes. Therefore, consideration may be given to scholastic aptitude, academic achievement, personal qualities, and physical and emotional health necessary to fulfill the objectives of the program.

Students in the Nursing Program must comply with the requirements of the Professional Nursing Law of Pennsylvania. Students are required to submit to PA criminal clearances, FBI fingerprinting clearance, and child abuse history clearance. Healthcare agencies have the right to refuse clinical placement or deny employment based on background checks. The PA Board of nursing shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the Act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64) known as the “The Controlled Substance Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act” or convicted of a Felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless: (1) at least ten (10) years have elapsed from the date of conviction; (2) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrated to the Board that he/she has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violation (3) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act. As used in this subsection, the term “convicted” shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere. An applicant’s statement on the application declaring the absence of a conviction shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the absence of a conviction unless the Board has some evident to the contrary (Amended June 29, 2002, P. L. 651, No. 99).

Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites.