Nursing, B.S.
Program Coordinator: Judy L. Gregg, M.S.
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree-completion program provides registered nurses with the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science degree that will prepare them for leadership positions within an increasingly complex health care market. This faith-centered program explores new, innovative approaches to improving community-based health care and prepares students to enter graduate schools to pursue additional, advanced degrees. Designed for non-traditional learners, the RN-BSN program features a relevant and challenging curriculum in nursing education guided by a Christian worldview, instructors with professionally-relevant teaching experience, a cohort-based learning model that fosters mutual support and provides ongoing networking resources, as well as the ability to complete all degree requirements in as little as 18 months (depending upon prior college experience).
The RN-BSN program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the baccalaureate degree program in nursing at MVNU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Program Objectives
The courses and curriculum of the nursing program are designed to achieve the following student outcomes. Graduates from the program will:
- apply biblical principles to professional nursing practice;
- provide holistic nursing care based on evidence gained through empirical testing, and personal, ethical, and aesthetic knowledge;
- analyze subjective and objective data for scientific merit;
- demonstrate academic responsibility in current curriculum;
- view each person as created in the image of God, and therefore, worthy of respect and dignity;
- recognize the influence of the environment on the health of individuals and communities;
- convey a Christian worldview of health as the ability to function in harmony with God, self, others and the environment;
- deliver nursing care aimed at assisting persons and communities in their response to actual and potential health problems;
- provide compassionate care for the whole person with the aim of promoting the healthcare team through verbal, nonverbal, and written communication; and
- affirm spiritual care as primary to the health of individuals and society.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the RN-BSN program are selected on the basis of their academic background and professional experience. Admission requirements include the following:
- submission of RN license verification confirming an active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN) in Ohio from the Ohio Board of Nursing;
- submission of official transcripts of all previous college or university coursework completed to date, showing successful completion of a nationally accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program;
- Note: applicants with an associate degree or diploma from a college with accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, but with a non-accredited nursing program, will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
- an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) for all previous college or university coursework completed to date (applicants with a cumulative GPA less than 2.50 may apply for probationary admittance);
- American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR certification;
- submission of a complete immunization record;
- completion of an online application and Registration Agreement Form.
Applicants from countries and US territories in which English is not the primary language must also provide recent evidence of proficiency in English by scoring 80 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL with subscores in writing, reading, speaking and listening of at least 20; or scoring 550 or above on the written TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with subscores in writing and reading of at least 50. All tests of English proficiency must have been taken in the last two years to be considered for acceptance.
Program Policies
Once admitted to the RN-BSN program, students must continue to follow the policies included both in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies section of this Catalog and the RN-BSN Student Handbook. The following minimum standards must be met in order to remain in good standing in the RN-BSN program:
- Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.00 scale) and a grade of "C" or better in all Nursing courses. A student who receives a grade below "C" in any Nursing course will be required to repeat that course until a grade of C or better is earned. All repeated coursework to replace grade of C-, D+, D, F, W, or X is at the student's expense.
- Students may not repeat any required cognate course more than two times, and may only repeat a required Nursing course once.
- Students are responsible for maintaining professional standards congruent with accepted nursing practice and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences written guidelines.
Students must also satisfy each of the following conditions prior to participation in practicums (these items will be arranged through the School of Nursing and Health Sciences):
- criminal background check with no record that would prohibit participation in practicum;
- drug screening if required by practicum site facility;
- malpractice insurance.
Program Curriculum
The RN-BSN program provides registered nurses with an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree that prepares them for the challenges faced by the nursing profession in the 21st century. Candidates for the RN-BSN degree completion program are registered nurses with a desire for expanded practice opportunities. The program offers a flexible schedule that allows students to complete the degree, in most cases, in as few as 18 months.
Required Nursing Courses
Credit Hours: 34
Required Cognate Courses
| BIBL-3093 | Biblical Perspectives for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| BIOL-4033 | Environmental Science for RNs | 3 |
| MATH-2063 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 43
Graduation Requirements
The student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours (with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00) including:
- Successful completion of the GPS General Education Core (39 hours):
- 15 credit hours in Arts and Humanities (Minimum of 3 credit hours in an English composition course with a research writing component; minimum of 3 credit hours in Bible/Theology)
- 15 credit hours in Natural and Social Sciences, and Mathematics (Minimum of 3 credit hours in Mathematics; minimum of 3 credit hours in Social Science; and minimum of 3 credit hours in Natural Science with laboratory)
- 9 credit hours in Liberal Arts electives
- Completion of at least 39 credit hours of upper division course work (3000 level or higher);
- Successful completion of the 43 credit hours of the RN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. A student who receives a grade below "C-" in any Nursing course will be required to repeat that course until a grade of "C-" or better is earned. All repeated coursework to replace grades of D+, D, F, W, or X is at the student's expense.