Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, B.S.


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Nursing, B.S. - Traditional  (4 years)

Nursing, B.S. - Accelerated Second Degree  

Nursing, B.S. - RN to B.S. Multicultural Health Track    


Mission statement

The Department of Nursing educates students for all levels of nursing practice by building on a firm foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. The mission promotes the growth of the whole person in a caring environment and fosters strong ethical values, intellectual curiosity, personal integrity and a commitment to the health and well-being of society. The goal is to prepare graduates to practice the art and science of Nursing, be effective leaders and use evidence-based resources to improve the health of persons, families and communities.

Traditional B.S. (4 years)

Students in the traditional program are high school graduates or transfer students who have had no previous education for professional nursing. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensing Examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

The baccalaureate programs in Nursing at the University of Saint Joseph are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202.887.6791.

Program outcomes

The student will:

  1. Integrate the aesthetics and empirics of Nursing with the natural/behavior sciences, the humanities and inter-professional education to provide holistic care for individuals, families, groups, communities and populations
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in leadership that promote quality improvement and patient safety
  3. Implement an evidence-based and theoretically guided framework for Nursing practice including the five patterns of knowing in Nursing and transition theory 
  4. Use data from diverse sources with knowledge and skill in informatics and patient care technology to promote safety and optimal patient outcomes
  5. Appraise and respond to the economic, legal, political and social issues that impact health and wellness of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations through emancipatory knowing
  6. Communicate and collaborate with other members of the health care team to advocate for high quality and safe patient care
  7. Deliver culturally appropriate nursing care through health promotion and disease prevention to populations on a local and global level
  8. Assume responsibility and accountability for ethical professional behavior and nursing care
  9. Demonstrate competent nursing practice in diverse settings caring for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations

Admission to the Nursing major

  • Students who are admitted directly into the Nursing major must meet the requirements for continued progression in the major as noted below. There is no secondary application process.

Admission to Pre-Nursing

Criteria for progression in the Nursing major

  • Grade of B minus (B-) or higher in all science courses and Nursing courses and a Nursing GPA of 2.67 or higher. 
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for sophomore progression into the spring semester
  • Students must have achieved a B minus (B-) or better in any science courses to be transferred in to the program
  • If a student earns less than B minus (B-) in any science or Nursing course, one repeat of a science and one repeat of a Nursing course is permitted. Students must repeat the course before they can progress.
  • A student may only withdraw once from a Nursing class over the course of the Nursing Program
  • A student who does not meet the above requirements to progress in the Nursing major will be dismissed from the program

Health requirements

  • Physical examination and vaccination form needed upon entering the program, and every two years thereafter
  • Immunization against: Rubeola, Rubella (or titer), Mumps, Poliomyelitis; Tdap booster within 10 years
  • Two-step Tuberculosis skin test 1-3 weeks apart and renewed annually while in the Nursing program
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) titer or two vaccines
  • Hepatitis B vaccine series or positive titer
  • Evidence of health insurance, submitted yearly
  • Seasonal Influenza vaccine yearly

Uniforms and equipment for clinical experiences

Students are responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and several specific items of equipment necessary for clinical experiences. Students are also responsible for arranging their own transportation to clinical agencies. For details on these requirements, see the Student Handbook for Nursing Majors.

Criminal background investigation and drug screening

All undergraduates must have a Criminal Background Investigation and drug testing completed and on file during the spring of their sophomore year. A letter will be provided to each student accepted into the major with instructions. The background investigation may need to be updated throughout the program.

CPR course requirement

All students must provide annual evidence of completion of a CPR course for health care providers prior to starting clinical courses. The CPR course must be the AHA health care provider course good for two years.

Degree requirements


Suggested plan of study


State law on Nursing licensure


Regarding eligibility for licensure as a professional nurse at the completion of the educational program in nursing, Public Act 86-365, an Act Concerning the Licensure and Discipline of Health Care Professionals Regulated by the Department of Health Services (July 1, 1986), allows the State Department of Health Services to perform the following functions:

  • To determine the eligibility of any applicant for licensure, registration, certification, or a permit

  • To deny any applicant’s eligibility for a permit or licensure by examination, endorsement, reciprocity, or for the reinstatement of a voided license if the Department of Health Services determines that such applicant has committed or has been found guilty of committing acts which are contrary to public health and safety 

  • The Department of Health Services has authority to deny nursing licensure to an individual who has committed or been found guilty of committing a felony or an act that does not conform to the accepted standards of the nursing profession. This would apply whether the individual is seeking licensure by examination or endorsement

The Department of Health Services has the discretionary power to determine whether Public Act 86-365 applies to the individual applying for licensure. Individuals seeking licensure would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Some factors that could be considered by the Department of Health Services in reviewing licensure applications are:

  • The nature of the act and its relationship to professional practice

  • The time frame in which the act was committed

  • The extent of rehabilitation demonstrated by the applicant

Note:  This information pertains to Connecticut. Please check with the state in which you wish to be licensed, as requirements vary.

Nursing comprehensive exam


The comprehensive examination is a University-wide requirement for all graduating seniors and is given to determine basic competence in their area of study. Nursing students do not meet this graduation requirement until they have successfully passed the Nursing comprehensive examination.

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