Nursing (BS)

The Plymouth State University Nursing program is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. The Baccalaureate degree program in Nursing at Plymouth State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE).

Progression/Readmission Policy

Nursing Course Grading Policy

Students must earn a grade of a B- (minimum numeric score of 80) or higher in all nursing (NR) theory courses and a PASS in all nursing (NR) clinical courses in order to progress in the program.

Nursing Department Grading Criteria for all nursing (NR) theory courses is as follows:

Student Progression

• Students must earn a grade of a B- (minimum numeric score of 80) or higher in all required nursing prerequisite courses and required nursing (NR) courses and a PASS in all nursing (NR) clinical courses in order to progress in the program.
• Students must earn and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.67 (B-) in both the major GPA and the cumulative GPA in order to progress in the program.
• If a student receives a grade lower than a B- in a prerequisite course, they may retake that course one time to earn a grade of B- or higher. Only one prerequisite course may be retaken in the nursing curriculum.  If the student does not earn a B- in a second prerequisite course, they will be dismissed from the Nursing major.  
• If a student does not meet the required minimum grade in any nursing (NR) course, the student is dismissed from the Nursing major and may petition, in writing, for readmission if applicable (see Readmission Policy).
• Students must complete the program of all required nursing courses within five years of commencing nursing (NR) courses (barring significant extenuating circumstances such as medical issues, family issues, etc.).

Readmission

Nursing students requesting readmission to the PSU Nursing Program following dismissal for any reason are required to apply to the Admissions, Progression, and Retention Committee (APR) to be considered for readmission. Potential readmit students must reapply by submitting a letter to the Committee, formerly requesting readmission to the program, which should address the reasons(s) for their dismissal, and identify a plan(s) for successful completion of the program, should the student be readmitted. The Committee will then require an interview with the potential student to review their proposals and explore the potential for the student’s future success in the Program.

If the student is granted readmission to the PSU Nursing Program, certain conditions may apply. If the APR Committee deems it necessary for the readmitted student to audit previously taken courses to support future success, the student will be expected to complete the required audited courses(s) with a grade of at least an 80.00 (passing grade for nursing courses), with all course requirements completed as described in the course syllabus. Readmitted students will be required to agree to all terms of readmission as stated in their readmission letter, prior to readmission. Should the readmitted student fail to achieve a passing grade in any audited courses, including a clinical course, or fail to meet other stipulations for readmission, the student will be permanently excused from the Program.

In addition to the above, the following conditions must be met:

• A course in which the student does not meet the minimum progression grade (B-) must be successfully repeated with a B- or higher before enrolling in any subsequent nursing course.  Only one course may be retaken one time to earn a B- or higher. 
• Students who are granted readmission and subsequently fail to progress in the program will be permanently dismissed from the Nursing Program.
• A student reapplying to the Nursing Program may additionally need to reapply to the University. Please see University readmission policies found in the Academic Catalog.
• Students must enroll in both the theory and clinical components of all courses with identified corequisites as determined by Admission, Progression, and Retention Committee upon readmission.
• Students may reapply to the Nursing program one time.

Admission to the Nursing Program

Admission to the Nursing program is competitive and is not guaranteed. Students must be admitted to the University and to the Nursing program.

The following criteria must be met in order to be considered for admission into the Nursing Program:

• Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater.
• Completion of high school chemistry and biology.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater in High School science courses.
• Demonstration of math proficiency: courses in Algebra I, II, and Geometry.
• Average to strong writing skills, demonstrated in the application essay.

Clinical Practicum Nursing Requirements Policy

1. Student Fees:
   Students incur the costs associated with clinical requirements.  Please see the Nursing Student Handbook.
2. Clinical Requirements & Background Review:
   Please see the Nursing Student Handbook.

Completion Requirements

• The nursing courses are completed in sequence in a cohort model. A maximum of 57 transfer credits may be applied to the degree.
• Credits in the major: 89 semester hours, which includes 66 credits of nursing (NR) courses.
• 120 credit hours are required to complete the BS in Nursing, with a grade of a B- (minimum numeric score of 80) or higher in all nursing (NR) theory courses and a PASS in all nursing (NR) clinical courses.
• Students must earn and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.67 (B-) in both the major and the cumulative GPA in order to progress in the program.
• Once students begin their nursing courses at PSU [courses with the designation of NR preceding the course number], they have five years to complete their degree. This includes the degree requirements/completion of the degree.

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Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Nursing.

Pre-licensure BS in Nursing Option

This option is designed for those seeking to earn a BSN and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN upon successful completion of the program.  Pre-licensure students must earn a minimum grade of B- in all prerequisite courses. Students must earn a grade of a B- (minimum numeric score of 80) or higher in all nursing (NR) theory courses and a pass in all nursing (NR) clinical courses in order to progress in the program. Students must earn and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.67 (B-) in both the major and the cumulative GPA in order to progress in the program.

RN-BSN BS in Nursing Option

Students with an earned Associate Degree in Nursing and licensure as an Registered Nurse may apply to PSU to earn a BS in Nursing.  Once admitted, students must earn a grade of a B- (minimum numeric score of 80) or higher in all nursing (NR) theory courses and a pass in the nursing (NR) clinical course to progress in the program. Students must earn and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.67 (B-) in both the major and the cumulative GPA to progress in the program. 

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

• Demonstrate accountability for practicing nursing within established moral, legal, ethical, regulatory, and humanistic principles.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal quality and value.
• Use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
• Identify, evaluate, and use the best current evidence coupled with clinical expertise and consideration of patients’ preferences, experience and values to make practice decisions.
• Function effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, shared decision making, team learning, and development.
• Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both individual performance and system effectiveness.
• Use data to monitor outcomes and care processes and use improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care.
• Influence the behavior of individuals or groups of individuals within their environment in a way that will facilitate the establishment and acquisition/achievement of shared goals.
• Deliver holistic nursing care and advocate for health promotion and disease prevention strategies at the individual, family, community, and global levels.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills with clients that foster mutual respect and shared decision making to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes.

• Microbiology
• Nutrition
• Human anatomy & physiology
• Chemistry
• Statistics
• Variety of clinical experiences in different healthcare settings
  • Nursing care of women & children
  • Nursing care of the adults & elderly
  • Mental health nursing
  • Community and Public Health

BS graduates may go on to have successful careers in specialized fields such as:

• Emergency room care
• Home healthcare
• Mental health
• Critical care
• Oncology
• Geriatrics
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics
• International healthcare settings
• Military healthcare