Nursing B.S.
Degree Requirements
A major in Nursing is achieved by the completion of the following requirements, as well as the General Education courses and electives required for a degree:
Required Core Courses
| NUR 341 | Essential-Hlt Assess & Nurs I | 1 Course Credit |
| NUR 342 | Essential-Hlt Assess & Nurs II | 1.5 Course Credits |
| NUR 350 | Nursing of Children & Adults I | 1.5 Course Credits |
| NUR 351 | Nur Child/Adult-Psy/Mntl Hlt | 1 Course Credit |
| NUR 352 | Research in Nursing | 1/2 Course Credit |
| NUR 353 | Nursg of Children & Adults II | 1.5 Course Credits |
| NUR 354 | Pharmacology | 1 Course Credit |
| NUR 355 | Pediatric Nursing | 1 Course Credit |
| NUR 447 | Nurs Women & Childbearing Fam | 1.5 Course Credits |
| NUR 448 | Community Health Nursing | 1 Course Credit |
| NUR 449 | Nursing Leadership | 1 Course Credit |
Required Capstone Course
| NUR 450 | Synthesis in Nursing Practice | 2 Course Credits |
Required Collateral Courses
| BIO 101 | Human Anatomy & Phys I | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 102 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 207 | Pathophysiology:Altered Health | 1 Course Credit |
| BIO 222 | Microbiology | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 221 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 1 Course Credit |
| CHM 113 | Allied Health Chemistry | 1 Course Credit |
| PSY 100 | General Psychology | 1 Course Credit |
A student may repeat only one of the following courses: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 207, BIO 222, and CHM 113. If students are not successful on the second attempt, they are dismissed from the Nursing major and will be encouraged to seek another major.
A student may repeat only one NUR-designated course. If students are not successful on the second attempt, they are dismissed from the Nursing major and will be encouraged to seek another major.
Following withdrawal from the College, a student must apply to be readmitted into the Nursing major. Readmissions will be subject to space availability in the Nursing Program.
Exploring the Major— During the first term, students interested in this major should complete the Developmental Mathematics sequence, if not waived. As soon as MAT 010 is waived or completed, students should register for BIO 101. During the Spring Term of the first year, students should take BIO 102 and CHM 113. First-year students also should choose from the following courses: PEH 100 (1/2 credit), PSY 100, and any courses meeting Perspective Areas and other requirements in the General Education curriculum. NUR 341 is taken in the Fall Term of sophomore year. See Course Sequencing, below, for additional considerations.
Admission to the Major— Prior to admission to the Nursing Program, a student must have: Earned a minimum Science GPA of 2.5 based on successful completion of BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 207, BIO 222 and CHM 113 with a grade of C or better, (NOTE: A student may repeat only one of the above listed science prerequisite courses.), submitted a written application to the major, obtained a positive recommendation from assigned nursing faculty advisor; and completed a personal interview with the Program Chair and/or the faculty.
Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)— In addition to course sequencing mentioned above under Exploring the Major, students wanting to take a foreign language should fulfill this option in the International Perspective of the General Education curriculum during their first year to avoid conflicts with Nursing clinical experiences in the sophomore, junior, or senior years. CFS 221 and PSY 100 must be completed prior to enrolling in the Fall Term of the junior year. It is important to fulfill as many General Education requirements as possible during the first two years. NUR 341 meets the Active Learning Experience (ALE). NUR 342 is taken in Spring Term of sophomore year. BIO 207 (Pathophysiology) is taken concurrently with NUR 341. NUR 354 Pharmacology is taken concurrently with NUR 342. NUR 350 and NUR 351 are taken in the Fall term of the junior year. NUR 352, NUR 353, and NUR 355 are taken in Spring Term of junior year. NUR 447 and NUR 448 are taken in Fall Term of senior year. NUR 449 and NUR 450 are taken in Spring Term of senior year.
Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major— Students must demonstrate skill proficiency (including skill demonstration, principles of safe medication administration and mathematical drug calculations) each term beginning in the sophomore year. In addition to completing specified course requirements, in order to earn a degree in the Nursing major, each student must: 1) earn a grade of C or higher in each required Nursing Program course including each collateral course; 2) demonstrate appropriate qualities of judgment, disposition, and respect in the classroom and clinical setting; 3) obtain current immunizations or proofs of immunity and annual TB skin testing; and 4) maintain current CPR training for the adult, infant, and child with AED training for the healthcare provider. All nursing students must complete a criminal background check prior to taking their first clinical nursing course and again in the last semester of nursing coursework as required by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Nursing majors also must satisfy program standards for effectiveness in written and oral communication. NOTE: Students need to complete 20 earned course credits outside the major, in addition to the 14 1/2 major course credits, which means a minimum of 34 ½ earned credits are needed for graduation. Students whose major credits include transfer credits may need to adjust accordingly.
Other Considerations or Recommendations— The Nursing Program incorporates standardized testing and remediation throughout the program. Students not meeting the minimum level of proficiency as established in the course syllabi are required to complete remediation of course content prior to progression to the next nursing course. Practice exams are taken during the last semester to prepare students for taking the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).