Undergraduate - Clarion University

pages i-viiiSchool of Nursingand Allied Health210 Clarion University of PennsylvaniaAssociate of Science in NursingClarion’s Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.)Program offers both a comprehensive and intensive formof nursing education in a balanced curriculum of nursingand liberal arts. Because nursing courses are offered oncea year and in a particular sequence, applicants are admittedonly in the Fall Semester. Although there is a recommendedcurriculum plan, only the nursing courses must be taken inan identified order. The general education courses may betaken prior to entrance into the nursing program accordingto the needs of the individual and the established universityprerequisites. In addition to the nursing and generaleducation courses at the university, students engage inconcurrent clinical practice at a variety of community healthcare agencies.The A.S.N. Program is designed to prepare technicalnurses to give client-centered care within structured settingsand to work effectively with other members of the healthteam. The two-year Associate of Science in Nursing programprovides the graduate with a foundation for further studyat the baccalaureate level. Upon completion of the A.S.N.program, the graduate will be eligible to take the statelicensure examination.Bachelor of Science in Nursing (on-line)Clarion’s on-line Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)program builds upon the background and knowledge attainedin an A.S.N. or diploma program and requires an additionalfour semesters of education. Applicants for the B.S.N.program may be admitted for either Spring or Fall semesters.Although the program is designed as a two-year curriculumfor full-time students, individuals have the option of takingcourses part-time after admission.The B.S.N. Program’s primary goal is to provideeducational experiences designed to promote scientificinquiry, creative thinking, critical judgment, and personaland professional development. The program affords studentsthe opportunity to expand their nursing knowledge at aprofessional level. This program prepares graduates forprofessional advancement in the health care system andprovides a basis for graduate study.Department of NursingPoliciesAcademic Requirements in NursingThe academic requirements of the university apply to allprograms in the School of Nursing, and the student must earna grade of C in each of the following nursing courses: NURS101, 102, 201, 202, 203, 131, 132, 340, 342, 346, 361, 357,376, 380, 445, 470, and 480. A passing grade is required in allclinical courses: NURS 111, 112, 121, 211, 212, and 481.All nursing students are graded P (passing) or F (failing)in each clinical practicum. The associate degree studentis evaluated by four critical elements that must be met inorder to receive a passing grade in the clinical area. Anevaluation tool based on program and course objectivesevaluates the baccalaureate student’s clinical performance.An unsatisfactory grade in any nursing course is regarded asa failure in the program, and the student is withdrawn fromnursing.TransferThe transfer policy for A.S.N. students is consistentwith that of Clarion University, however, nursing creditsare transferable only if received from an accreditedassociate degree or bachelor’s degree program within thepreceding two years and are determined to be equivalentto a Clarion nursing course. If the individual has been outof a nursing program for more than two years, the NLN-Accelerated Credit Exam must be taken for transfer ofcredits. Diploma students who wish to transfer must takethe challenge exams for transfer of nursing credits.Intercollegiate TransferA student presently enrolled in a program at ClarionUniversity may request admission into the Associate ofScience in Nursing program by filling out a Change of StatusForm and submitting it to the School of Nursing at VenangoCampus.1. A student must have the Change of Status Formcompleted and sent to the School of Nursing byDecember 15 to be considered for admission to theprogram in the next fall class.2. NLN pre-admission testing and information sessionswill be scheduled for prospective students.3. Students requesting intercollegiate transfer must meetthe general admission requirements of the nursingprogram.Associate of Science in NursingProgramSpecialized Admission RequirementsCandidates for admission into the Associate of Science inNursing Program must make application to the AdmissionsOffice at Clarion University. All candidates are required tomeet the following high school requirements:• four units of English• three units of social studies• two units of science: one year of chemistry with a gradeof C or better and one year of biology with a grade of Cor better within five years of date of entry (calculatedfrom the date of high school graduation).• two units of mathematics (one must be algebra witha grade of C or better and one course may be algebraII, trigonometry, geometry, or calculus). These coursesmust have been taken within five years of date ofentry (calculated from the date of high schoolgraduation).Candidates who do not meet all the high schoolrequirements or have not taken the equivalent college levelcourse(s) from a properly accredited institution and earneda grade of C or better must take the following courses.1. To satisfy the science requirement, an individualmust complete BIOL 111 Basic Biology or BIO 115