Nursing

Angela Albright, Cynthia Bostick, Judith Chodil, Mary Cruise, Linda Goldman, Gay Goss, Roger Green, Patricia Harvard-Hinchberger, Cynthia Johnson, Kathleen Johnston, Barbara Kennedy, Young-Shin Lee, Kimberly McClane, Dale Mueller, Kathleen O’Connor, Susan Roberts, Margaret Wallace, Jo Ann Wegmann, William Whetstone

School of Nursing (SON) Office

(310) 243-2523

For more complete information about all aspects of the SON and the nursing programs, go to the SON web site at: www.csudh.edu/hhs/son.

Program Description

Open only to registered nurses, the School of Nursing’s (SON) Nursing Program began in spring of 1981 with two major commitments: (1) to make quality higher education in nursing more accessible to employed registered nurses and (2) to ultimately improve health care in California.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S. degree) in Nursing (BSN) Program and the Master of Science (M.S. degree) in Nursing (MSN) are designed for registered nurses who wish to expand their career opportunities and leadership roles. Both programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The curriculum is responsive to the needs of adult learners whose time, lifestyles or work schedules make it difficult to complete a traditional course of study in residence at a campus. The program provides nursing professionals with varying interests and backgrounds with unique advantages such as:

• classes designed to meet the needs of the adult learner.

• opportunities to meet students with similar goals.

• access to faculty with a strong track record in clinical practice, education, research and management.

• courses offered online through the Internet and at geographically convenient locations throughout the state.

• credit and course work transferable statewide.

• professional skills development and networking with a diverse group of nursing professionals.

A. Program Features

1. Online Courses

All BSN and MSN courses, including clinical role performance courses, are offered online through the Internet to deliver the curriculum wherever and whenever the student is ready to learn. The courses must be completed within the semester, but students have the flexibility of accessing the courses at the time and place most convenient to them for completing assignments by the due dates. Some online courses may require students to take part in an on-site class, either on campus or at selected sites throughout California. On-site classes are usually limited to 1-2 days in a semester.

2. Classroom-based Courses

Some BSN and MSN courses are also offered as classroom-based seminars that meet several times during the semester in the evening or on weekends at sites in local communities scattered across California.

3. Access and Flexibility

The BSN and MSN curricula maximizes access and flexibility by allowing students to choose the kind of course delivery that suits their learning style - online, classroom-based, or a combination of both. The curricula have few prerequisites and co-requisites so that students can progress through the programs with ease.

4. Preceptorships/Clinical Affiliations

Numerous health care agencies and other institutions throughout California are affiliated with the program for student field experience. Students are able to participate in performance courses (clinical laboratory/field experience) with the assistance of preceptors (adjunct faculty) as well as the course instructor.

B. Continuing Education (C.E.) Units

All BSN and MSN courses are approved for C.E. units by the Board of Registered Nursing at the rate of 15 contact hours per unit of credit. (BRN Provider Number 03594.) Your transcript is your certificate of completion.

C. National Site: BSN and MSN Program

There are many RNs in the rural and urban areas of other, as in California, who cannot advance their education and practice due to life-style and geographic constraints. The School of Nursing has expanded its programs nationally through online technology to offer BSN and MSN degrees. For more information call (800) 344-5484.

D. Professional Growth to Meet Goals and Standards

The Nursing Programs are designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of registered nurses in these key areas:

• Integration of knowledge from physical and behavioral sciences and humanities into professional nursing practice.

• Application of nursing theories and research findings to nursing practice.

• Development of knowledge and skills in administration, education and research.

• Enrichment of conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities.

• Strengthening of behavioral and social attributes, emphasizing ethical standards of integrity, compassion, and concern for others.

Academic Advisement

The School of Nursing Program places a high premium on student advisement, beginning with general information sessions for prospective students and newly admitted students. Special advisors in the College of Health and Human Services' Student Service Center (SSC) provide information and answer questions about the general aspects of the nursing programs, registration and enrollment, and the class schedule. The SSC advisors may be reached at 1-800-344-5484 (choose option #1) or sohadvising@csudh.edu. These advisors are dedicated to giving students the information and assistance they need to make a smooth transition into CSU Dominguez Hills and the SON programs.

Upon entering the program, each student is assigned a faculty advisor for specific program guidance and professional mentoring. Further, all faculty are available to help students become socialized to the nursing profession, successfully achieve their academic goals, and advance in their career development.

Students are urged to seek advice and communicate with faculty and Student Service Center advisors as soon as issues or problems arise.

Preparation

A. All students must be licensed as registered nurses. It is the student’s responsibility to immediately report in writing any change in licensure status to Director of the SON.

B. All students must maintain proof of personal professional liability insurance coverage. Coverage is verified at the beginning of each role performance course.

C. Students are responsible for obtaining any necessary health exams, immunizations, CPR and universal precaution training, etc., required by the University or an affiliating clinical agency.

D. Patient confidentiality and other professional ethics must be respected.

E. Students must obtain the course materials by downloading their syllabus from Blackboard by going to http://www.toro.csudh.edu.

F. All students must satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement: undergraduates prior to completing 84 units and graduate students before admission or during the first semester.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The BSN program prepares registered nurses as generalists in professional nursing practice. Graduates are equipped to function as leaders, managers and resource persons in a variety of health care settings. Critical thinking and decision making are informed through both general and discipline-specific education.

A. Program Objectives

Upon completion of the BSN program, graduates:

1. Design competent, caring professional nursing care for individuals, families, and populations across the health continuum in a variety of community based settings and institutions.

2. Integrate knowledge from the physical and behavioral sciences, informatics, and the humanities into professional nursing practice.

3. Demonstrate cultural competence in providing care and working with others.

4. Implement health promotion and disease prevention plans for individuals, families and populations.

5. Use theories and evidence-based research findings in professional nursing practice.

6. Form collaborative relationships to improve professional nursing practice and the quality of healthcare for all.

7. Demonstrate ethical and professional nursing values.

8. Participate in political regulatory processes to influence healthcare systems and policy.

9. Exhibit effective communication skills for professional nursing practice.

10. Demonstrate commitment to a lifelong learning plan.

B. Admissions Requirements

1. Minimum of 56 semester units of transferable college credit with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 (C) or better and all grades of C or better in all transferable course work (non-residents, 2.4) and have satisfied any high school subject deficiency in English and mathematics by equivalent course work (the maximum transferable credit accepted from a two-year college is 70 semester units.) English composition, Speech, GE Math and Logic/Critical Thinking must be completed prior to admission for new applicants.

2. Current RN licensure in the United States or equivalent or an RN interim permit. (RN licensure and personal professional liability insurance are required prior to enrolling in a nursing performance course.)

NOTE: Diploma Nurse Applicants who have not met the 56-unit entrance requirement may be considered for admission through the Undergraduate Preparatory Program.

C. Program Structure

The BSN program comprises classes and/or examinations that include content essential for professional nursing practice. There are three possible options:

1. Upper division courses may be completed online or in classroom-based sections to meet program degree requirements.

s. A combination of courses and assessments.

3. Three courses may be completed solely by successfully passing a written, proctored examination. The student receives a study packet and takes the examination.

D. Academic Regulations

A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is required in all courses taken to satisfy the degree requirements. A student will be placed on probation if, in any term, he or she has failed to earn a grade point average of 2.0 or higher for the work taken that term. During the subsequent probationary term the student must achieve a grade point average of 2.0 or better. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program.

All integrated nursing and support courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. A course may be repeated once according to University policy. Any student receiving a grade of “D” or lower must meet with an assigned advisor before proceeding to enroll in additional courses.

Courses must be successfully completed according to the sequence in the student's approved program of study.

E. Modules

Beginning with the Fall 2002 semester, students who have not completed all modular units of a BSN course will have to enroll in the whole course to satisfy the content and degree requirements.

General Education

For Nursing students only the scheduled courses are approved to fulfill upper division General Education requirements as specified:

GE Semester

Course Title Category Units

BSN 305 Human Diversity

and Health Care D & G 4

BSN 315 Life Cycle E 3

BSN 325 Complementary and

Alternative Health

Care Modalities D 1

BSN 335 Biochemistry B 4

BSN 345 Pathophysiology B 4

BSN 405 Statistics B 3

BSN Degree Requirements (66-70 units)

A total of a minimum of 120 semester units are required for the degree. In addition to the major, students must complete general education requirements. Students transferring from a community college can transfer a maximum of 70 units and students from a four year institution may transfer a maximum of 96 units.

A. Support Courses (15 units)

BSN 301. Technology for the Information Age (1)

BSN 305. Human Diversity and Healthcare (4)

BSN 315. Life Cycle (3)

BSN 345. Pathophysiology (4)

BSN 405. Statistics (3)

B. Integrated Nursing Courses (36 units)

BSN 310. Professional Nursing Horizons (2)

BSN 340. Professional Collaboration in Nursing Practice (3)

BSN 380. Health Assessment (3)

BSN 381. Health Assessment Skills Laboratory (1)

BSN 400 Health Promotion and Teaching (3)

BSN 410. Community Based Nursing I (3)

BSN 411. Home Health Role Performance (2)

BSN 420. Community Based Nursing II (3)

BSN 421. Public Health Role Performance (2)

BSN 430. Health Care Systems, Policy and Finance (3)

BSN 440. Professional Nursing Roles (3)

BSN 450. Principles of Leadership & Management in Nursing (3)

BSN 451. Leadership & Management Role Performance (2)

BSN 460. Research in Nursing Practice (3)

C. Electives (15-19 units)

BSN 325. Complementary and Alternative Health Care Modalities (1)

BSN 335. Biochemistry (4)

BSN 416. Continuous Quality Improvement in Health Care (1)

BSN 426. Nursing and Telehealth (2)

BSN 436. Principles of Healthcare Budgeting (2)

BSN 446. Introduction to Nursing Case Management (2)

BSN 456. Health and the Global Village (1)

BSN 494. Independent Study (1-3)

BSN 495. Special Topics/Colloquia (1-3)

Public Health Nurse Certificate (Postbaccalaureate)

This program satisfies the State of California Department of Health academic requirements to be eligible for the state Public Health Nurse (PHN) Certificate. Current regulations for public health nurse certification require that the nurse be a graduate of a BSN degree program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Recognizing the fact that other groups of nurses should be eligible, the School of Nursing and the State of California, Department of Health Services, have jointly developed the program described herein.

A. Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this certificate program, applicants must:

1. Hold a current RN license from the California Board of Registered Nursing; and

2. Hold a bachelor’s degree under one of the following conditions:

a) As a BSN graduate from a nursing program not accredited by NLNAC or CCNE, but offered by an accredited college or university; or

b) As a baccalaureate graduate with a degree from an accredited institution; or

c) As a graduate of a BSN program from an accredited foreign institution. Foreign transcripts need to be evaluated by the Board of Registered Nursing who will advise the student directly.

B. Preparatory Workshop for non-NLNAC , non-CCNE, or non-BSN bachelor's graduates

Each student applying for the certificate program is required to attend a preparatory workshop. Previous nursing and related course work will be assessed for possible course substitution. Each student will receive guidance on optional completion of a BSN or MSN through the School of Nursing if a degree objective is desired.

1. Required Courses (37 units)

BSN 305. Human Diversity and Healthcare (4)

BSN 345. Pathophysiology (4)

BSN 380. Health Assessment (3)

BSN 381. Health Assessment Skills Laboratory (1)

BSN 400. Health Promotion and Teaching (3)

BSN 405. Statistics (3)

BSN 410. Community Based Nursing I (3)

BSN 411. Home Health Role Performance (2)

BSN 420. Community Based Nursing II (3)

BSN 421. Public Health Role Performance (2)

BSN 430. Health Care Systems Policy and Finance (3)

BSN 440. Professional Nursing Roles (3)

BSN 460. Nursing Research Utilization (3)

For additional information, call the Student Services Center at (800) 344-5484 (option #1) or www.csudh.edu/hhs/son/index.htm.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The MSN program prepares leaders for advanced practice in the roles of Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Family Nurse Practitioner. Courses are based on advanced knowledge and the critique and application of theory and research as a scientific base for nursing.

A. Program Objectives

Upon completion of the MSN Program, graduates will be able to:

1. Integrate knowledge, theory, research and skills in planning and evaluating comprehensive plans of care for individuals, families and populations.

2. Design culturally sensitive programs and systems of care that meet the needs of diverse and vulnerable populations.

3. Provide evidence-based, clinically proficient care using critical thinking skills in advanced nursing roles.

4. Adapt oral, written and technological communication skills to be effective and appropriate in clinical, educational, and professional contexts and systems.

5. Integrate ethical theory and principles into nursing theory, research and practice in advanced nursing roles.

6. Advocate for healthcare policies and financing to promote, preserve and restore public health.

7. Provide leadership in collaborative efforts with other disciplines to influence improvement in healthcare systems.

8. Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning to enhance the nursing profession.

B. Role Options

The curriculum allows the student to choose one of five role options: Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, Parent-Child Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist, Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Family Nurse Practitioner. Through a personalized program of study the curriculum is individualized to reflect the student’s learning needs and professional goals.

C. Admission Requirements

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree program with a NLNAC- or CCNE- accredited upper division major in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent as determined by the SON Student Affairs Committee.

2. Overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a four-point scale) or higher in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units of upper division course work attempted. Students not meeting this grade point average requirement may be admitted to Conditionally Classified status on the recommendation of the faculty.

3. Current RN licensure in the United States.

4. Satisfaction of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) prior to entry into the program.

5. Completion of a statistics course including probability and inferential; and introductory research course or equivalent; a pathophysiology course; and a basic health assessment course, including a skills lab.

6. Part B of CSU Graduate Application including a 100-200 word statement describing the congruence of the applicant's educational goals with the resources of the CSUDH School of Nursing MSN Program.

7. Submission of a professional resume.

8. An interview may be required by the faculty or requested by the applicant.

D. Nurses with Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degrees

Registered nurses who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another field may be eligible for the Pathway to the MSN degree upon completion of designated courses. Contact the Pathway advisor for further information cshea@csudh.edu.

Registered nurse applicants who have earned a master’s degree in a major other than nursing should contact the graduate program coordinator to arrange for preadmission advisement at rwelch@csudh.edu.

E. Program Structure

All students complete 17 units of core courses and then begin role-emphasis courses. Students may request role preparation in the following options:

q Nurse Educator (with advanced clinical focus)*

q Nurse Administrator

q Parent-Child Clinical Nurse Specialist

q Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

q Family Nurse Practitioner

All students conclude their 33-53 units of master’s preparation with comprehensive examination.

Courses must be successfully completed in sequence. Any deviation in course work requires prior written approval by the Coordinator of the Graduate Nursing Program.

*Nurse educators develop expertise in a nursing clinical practice area by selecting a three-unit elective in an advanced clinical focus related to parent-child or gerontology nursing. The choice of clinical focus is made in consultation with the advisor. The course should be taken prior to role-emphasis courses.

F. Modules

Beginning with the Fall 2002 semester, students who have not completed all modular units of a MSN course will need to enroll in the whole course to satisfy the content and degree requirements.

G. Academic Regulations

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and a grade of "B" in each course is required to satisfy the requirements for the degree. A student will be placed on probation if, in any term, he or she has failed to earn a grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the work taken through that term. During the subsequent probationary term the student must achieve a grade point average sufficiently high to bring the cumulative grade point average to 3.0 or better. Failure to do so may result in dismissal f