2017-2018 College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, A.S.


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Dean School of Nursing - Dr. Julie A. Luetschwager, Ph.D., M.S.N, RN

Department Chairperson - Kelly A. McAdams, MS, RN, RD, LDN, CCRN, CNE

The Associate of Science Degree curriculum at Mount Aloysius College provides an education to prepare graduates as professional nurses, qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses following graduation. A blending of theory classes, campus laboratory & simulation experiences, seminars, and clinical agency experiences enable students to achieve established program and student learning outcomes. The general education and professional components of the curriculum are designed to provide graduates with knowledge, skills, and competencies to function effectively in acute, long-term, and community-based settings.

The following program outcomes will be achieved by the Mount Aloysius College Associate Degree Nursing Program graduates:

  1. Patient- Family Centered Care: Engage in partnership with the patient or designee to plan, advocate for and provide care that is consistent with the patient’s and family’s culture, values, beliefs, and needs.
  2. Teamwork & Collaboration: Engage in effective communication and collaborative practice to provide coordinated and integrated patient care.
  3. Evidence Based Practice: Evaluate the plan of care using best available evidence, patient values, preferences, and clinical judgement.
  4. Informatics: Utilize health information and communication technologies to support safety, decision making, outcome/data analysis and the promotion of health literacy.
  5. Quality Improvement: Formulate care practices that incorporate quality improvement measures to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
  6. Safety: Create a culture of safety that minimizes harm to patients and providers and increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes.

The Associate of Science Degree in Nursing Program can be completed in four (4) semesters, provided the pre-requisite course of BL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I  has been satisfactorily completed with a C grade. In addition, the student must have satisfactorily completed EE 091  and EE 098  if required by SAT or College Placement Exam scores. Students may also opt to complete the program in five (5) semesters. During the first semester of studies: in the 5 semester curriculum plan, the student is considered a “Pre-Nursing Student” until the required pre-requisite course requirements have been met.

Accreditation/Approval

The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3343 Peachtree Road, Suite 850

Atlanta, GA 30326

 404-975-5000 

www.acenursing.org

Admission Requirements

Students requesting admission to the Associate of Science Degree Nursing Program must meet the following admission requirements:

  1. Applicants who have graduated from high school within the past five years must submit a SAT combined Critical Reading and Math score of 900 on the 2005 SAT or 980 on the 2016 SAT or an ACT composite score of 19.
  2. Applicants, who have graduated from high school more than five years from the date of application, must obtain a s satisfactory score on the designated pre-entrance exam (ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills - TEAS). A composite score of 66% is required. The applicant has a maximum of two attempts on the exam to achieve a satisfactory score.
  3. Transfer applicants from other post-secondary institutions, or current MAC students who wish to transfer into the nursing major, must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 overall as verified on official transcript in addition to meeting all other admission requirements.
  4. Transfer applicants who have had previous nursing education courses may apply to take a challenge exam(s). To begin the challenge exam process, the applicant must submit a course syllabus and calendar to the Department Chairperson at least three (3) weeks prior to the start of the semester or earlier. An applicant wishing to challenge a course must have successfully completed a comparable course (including clinical if applicable) at an accredited school within the past three (3) years. The following Associate Degree nursing courses may be challenged -
  5. Applicants who are re-admitted at a later date to the Mount Aloysius College Associate Degree Nursing Program are not required to challenge or retake nursing courses that were successfully completed at Mount Aloysius College within the past three (3) years prior to re-admission. Any nursing courses taken at Mount Aloysius College between three (3) and five (5) years prior to re-admission may be challenged, excluding NU 260 , NU 300  and NU 330 . Courses taken more than five years prior to readmission cannot be challenged.

Pre-Enrollment Requirements

Students who have met the admission criteria and who have been accepted into the Associate of Science Degree Nursing Program must complete the following requirements prior to enrolling in the first nursing course. Students are considered a “Pre-Nursing Student” until the following requirements have been met:

  1. completed work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units, including four units of English, three units of social studies, two units of mathematics (one of which is Algebra) and two units of science with a related laboratory. (Biology and Chemistry recommended) The two units of science with a related laboratory and Algebra must be completed with a minimum grade of “C”;
  2. completion of BL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I  with a minimum grade of “C”. All sciences courses must have been completed within the past seven (7) years; and
  3. completion of EE 091 - College Reading I  and/or EE 098 - Introduction to College Writing I , if required by SAT or College Placement Exam scores.

Enrollment Requirements

Prior to the start of the first semester clinical nursing course, the student must submit the following:

  1. A completed health form, physical exam and required titers and immunizations.
  2. Two-Step PPD or agency accepted equivalent.
  3. Urine Drug screen from the start of the first clinical course. Additional urine drug screens may be required.
  4. PA Criminal Background*, FBI Fingerprinting* and Child Abuse History Clearances; and
  5. CPR Certification (American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer which includes Adult, Child, Infant and AED) within 30 days
  6. Students who withdraw from the program must submit new PA Criminal Background Check, FBI Fingerprinting and other documentation required by the college or clinical agencies.

Students must have health requirements confirmed by Health Services prior to participation in clinical experiences. The MAC School of Nursing Prohibitive Offense Policy guides decisions related to background check findings. Healthcare agencies have the right to deny employment or clinical experiences based on background checks.

*Students enrolled in the School of Nursing must comply with the requirement of the Professional Nursing Law of Pennsylvania (Act of April 14, 1972, P.L. 233, No 64) known as “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

General Information

Information related to progression throughout the Associate of Science Nursing Program includes the following:

  1. annual One-Step PPD is required after the initial 2-Step PPD;
  2. CPR re-certification if a student’s CPR certification expires prior to program completion;
  3. completion of all nursing and pre-requisite courses with a minimum “C” grade;
  4. students enrolled in the nursing program are expected to adhere to the Policies and Procedures set forth in the MAC School of Nursing Student Policy and Procedure Manual; and
  5. the ratio of credit hours to contact hours is as follows: Theory (1:1), Clinical (1:3), Seminar (1:3);
  6. Clinical site availability is dependent on many factors and varies from semester to semester. no guarantee can be made to students regarding placement at any particular clinical site. Placement in a nursing course that is being repeated is on a space-available basis. Transportation to clinical sites is not provided by Mount Aloysius College. Each student is required to provide his or her own transportation to and from clinical sites.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, the student must demonstrate completion of all core requirements in the current College Catalog for the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing.

Students must complete their final thirty (30) semester hours before graduation in residency.

Fees

  1. Students are assessed a one-time nursing clinical education fee to cover expenses connected with the clinical education requirements. This fee is included in the NU 130 - Adult Nursing I  and  NU 115 - LPN to RN Transition  courses. Included in this fee is one urine drug screen, PA Criminal Background, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and CPR certification. If additional criminal background checks, child abuse clearance or urine drug screens are required, the student is responsible for the costs. The clinical education fee also includes the purchase of a Nurse Pak which includes equipment needed for skill performance.
  2. The ATI Comprehensive Assessment and Remediation Program, Modules and Tutorials are utilized in the Associate of Science Degree program. Students are assessed a competency testing fee for the program at the beginning of each semester.

Articulation Criteria for LPN Advanced Standing

Candidates articulating into the nursing program as an LPN must meet the admission criteria and complete all preenrollment and enrollment requirements as stated for the Associate of Science Degree Nursing Program. In addition, applicants must submit official transcripts and LPN license as a requirement for admission.

LPN applicants may be granted a maximum of twelve (12) credits in nursing, seven (7) credits following successful completion of Fundamentals Skill Challenge and five (5) credits for Nursing of the Family Challenge.

In order to receive the seven (7) credits , the student must have graduated within the past three years from an LPN program or have work experience as an LPN equivalent to 1000 hours in the past three years, or have completed a refresher course. Students must submit employer verification of work experience. If the student meets this criterion, seven (7) credits will be given after successful completion of NU 115 - LPN to RN Transition  and successful completion of the Fundamentals Skill Challenge. If the student does not meet the articulation criteria, the student must take the NLN PN-RN Nursing Accelerated Challenge Exam (NACE I) Foundations of Nursing and obtain a passing score of 79%, complete NU 115  with a grade of C or better, and successfully complete the Fundamentals Skill Challenge to receive the seven (7) credits.

In order to receive the five (5) credits, the student must take the NLN PN-RN Nursing Accelerated Challenge Exams (NACE I) Nursing Care during Childbearing and Nursing Care of the Child. Both of these exams must be taken prior to taking NU 115  and both require a 79% passing score.

The NLN (NACE I) required for LPN Advanced Standing placement require fee payment prior to taking each exam.

Prior to enrolling in Level III Nursing courses, NU 260 - Adult Nursing II  and NU 275 - Mental Health Nursing , the student must have completed the following:

* Requirments/Fees are applicable to Associate of Science/Bachelor of Science (2+2).

Core Course Requirements


Communication/Writing


Art/English/Music/Theatre/Social Science


History/Political Science


  • HS or PS 3 Credits

Science/Math


Information Communication Technologies


Religious Studies


  • RS 3 Credits

Cultural Diversity


Total Credits in Core: 23 Credits


Major Course Requirements


Total Credits in Major: 34 Credits


(Includes 3 credits for the Cultural Diversity requirement)

Other Required Coursework


Total Credits for Other Coursework: 11 Credits


Total Credits for Degree: 68 Credits


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