SCHOOL OF NURSING
Dean: Katherine P. Mason
The School of Nursing has been educating men and women for the practice of professional nursing since 1950. The school offers the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), the master of science in nursing (MSN) and master's in nursing (MN). For further information on the master of science in nursing program, see the Graduate Bulletin. The undergraduate program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, and both programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing. The mission of the School of Nursing is to develop professional leaders in nursing for practice in diverse settings.
At the completion of the program, the student will have met all requirements for the bachelor of science in nursing. The generic graduate of the nursing program will have met the academic eligibility requirements for taking the state licensing examination.
The program is an upper-division major with required sequential course offerings and elective courses in nursing. The nursing courses are based on concepts and principles from liberal studies, the supporting biological and behavioral sciences, and nursing theory. This theoretical base is used with the nursing process in the systematic development of care plans for providing nursing care to individuals and groups in a variety of health care settings. The School of Nursing offers traditional or on-line programs for registered nurses: RN to BSN. The program is designed to capitalize on prior learning and experience of the registered nurse. The goal of the program is to provide registered nurses with the opportunity to attain further nursing education. Upon fulfillment of the prerequisite courses, the BSN program may be completed by the registered nurse in one year of full-time study (or part time in convenient blocks of study). The program consists of thirty to thirty-three (30-33) semester hours of nursing courses at The Florida State University. Upon successful completion of the first semester courses, the student may receive up to thirty (30) semester hours of validated credit. The course work will include content that is unique to baccalaureate education. If the student desires to matriculate into the master's program, a maximum of three graduate courses may be included in the baccalaureate study.
Graduates with baccalaureate degrees in nursing, either generic or registered nurse, are prepared to provide quality nursing care to individuals, families, and groups in health care agencies in both urban and rural areas. These include general hospitals, health departments, nursing homes, and other community health centers. These graduates have the potential for assuming leadership roles in a variety of health care agencies and for pursuing advanced degrees in nursing.
The program objectives of The Florida State University School of Nursing undergraduate program are to educate students who will be:
- Critical thinkers who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, rational inquiry, problem-solving skills, and creativity in framing problems;
- Culturally competent people who provide holistic nursing care to a variety of individuals, families and communities;
- Knowledgeable coordinators of community resources who facilitate individual family and community access to those resources necessary to meet health care needs;
- Politically aware individuals who participate in the profession and the practice of nursing with a global prospective;
- Individuals who practice within the ethical and legal framework of the nursing profession;
- Effective communicators who are able to share accurate information;
- Competent caring nurses who assume the multiple role dimensions required in diverse health care settings;
- Professional role models who promote a positive public image of nursing;
- Responsible managers who balance human, fiscal and material resources to achieve quality health care outcomes; and
- Professional nurses who assume a leadership role within the scope of pracitice in diverse settings.
- [Adapted from IUSON, 1996.]
The nursing program is an upper-division major with required prerequisites and a sequential ordering of courses in terms I, II, III, IV, and V, and includes one summer term.
Facilities
There are a variety of clinical laboratory settings utilized for meaningful learning experiences. Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center, Florida State Hospital, Elder Care Services, Apalachee Community Mental Health Center, Leon County Public Health Unit, Tallahassee Community Hospital, Leon County Schools, Tallahassee Pediatric Foundation, Children's Medical Services, and other agencies in Leon and surrounding counties are used for the clinical component of the program. In addition, Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida is used for pediatric clinicals, and Florida Hospital in Orlando for some ICU experiences. All experiences are under the direction of the faculty of The Florida State University School of Nursing.
Opportunities
The School of Nursing offers honors work in the baccalaureate program. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Program and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Scholarships
Students requiring financial assistance should file an application with the Office of Financial Aid or confer with the academic adviser at the School of Nursing. Scholarships and loans from federal, state, and private sources are available.
Requirements
Students desiring to enter nursing should indicate their major preference on the University application and seek guidance from the academic adviser in the School of Nursing. A separate application to the School of Nursing is required for admission to the nursing program and should be filed during the sophomore year. Students applying to the nursing major must be able to speak, read and write English proficiently. The School of Nursing reserves the right to interview applicants at its discretion. Students who do not have the necessary proficiency will have their nursing enrollment discontinued. Application deadline for Fall is February 1st and for Spring is September 1st.
Admission to the School of Nursing is contingent upon the following:
- Completion of liberal studies at The Florida State University and attainment of junior standing or completion of an associate of arts degree from a Florida community college or an institution of higher education within the State of Florida, Division of Colleges and Universities; and
- Completion of the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites (see the 'Nursing' entry in the "Academic Departments and Programs" section of this General Bulletin).
The School of Nursing is a limited enrollment program and admission is competitive based on previous academic performance and an applicant questionnaire. The Florida Board of Nursing and several state and/or private agencies require the disclosure of conviction records for misdemeanors and/or felonies; therefore, this information will be required at the time of application. Recent legislation aimed at protecting the public has made it necessary to require a level II criminal background check (this includes FDLE and FBI) for all applicants to the School of Nursing. The Level II report must be on file at the School of Nursing before students can enroll. If the background check reveals violations resulting in students being denied admission to a clinical agency and/or access to patients in the agency, and if a comparable assignment cannot be made to meet course objectives, the student will be denied admission to/progression in the School of Nursing. Applicants will be provided with fingerprint cards and waiver forms at the time they apply to the School of Nursing. Completion of the curriculum does not guarantee the Florida Board of Nursing (or any other licensing body) will allow students with criminal records to take the licensing examination to become a registered nurse. The cost for the background checks is approximately $50.00 and must be paid by the student. The required cumulative grade point average (GPA) for entrance into the program is 3.0, with a 3.0 in the required sciences.
While enrolled in the nursing major, the student is expected to exhibit behavior that conforms with the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Florida. The School of Nursing reserves the right to refuse or discontinue enrollment of any student if the student violates the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Florida or in the judgment of the faculty the student does not meet the school's standards.
A student who is passing a nursing course but has not completed all the required work for the course at the end of the term may, with the permission of the instructor, be assigned a grade of "I", or Incomplete. Students may not carry an "I" grade in a prerequisite course through the next term. If the "I" or incomplete is not removed by the end of the drop/add period at the beginning of the next term, the student will be dropped from the requisite course.
A student must achieve a grade of 2.0 in each nursing theory and clinical (both elective and required) course. Any course in which a grade below 2.0 is earned must be repeated. Students who do not receive a 2.0 in a clinical course must repeat that clinical course prior to progressing to the next level clinical course. Students who earn three (3) final course grades below 2.0 (including a grade of "U") in theory and/or clinical nurse courses, whether repeated or not, will not be permitted to continue in the School of Nursing. Students may repeat a course only one time. Students will not be permitted to repeat a clinical course in the same semester in which the course was originally taken. Students must complete successfully all clinical and theory courses in each semester prior to progressing to clinical and theory courses in the nest semester. Students will not be permitted to take two different level clinical or theory courses at the same time.
Nursing majors are responsible for transportation expenses related to clinical experiences. They are advised to carry the University health and accident insurance. To safeguard the health of clients, nursing students are required to submit proof of health examination and immunizations upon entry into the nursing program. Students must submit proof of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification (American Red Cross) and malpractice/negligence insurance in required amounts prior to enrollment in the School of Nursing. This CPR certification and malpractice/negligence insurance should cover the period of enrollment in the major. Students are required to submit proof of annual tuberculin skin testing.
Candidates for the bachelor of science degree in nursing must comply with University regulations governing baccalaureate degrees and must complete the following:
- Liberal studies requirements and specific prerequisites as outlined above;
- Required nursing courses; and
- Testing is required throughout the program. A one-time nonrefundable fee of $225.00 (subject to change without notice) must be paid at the time of admission.
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