The Nursing degree program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006; 1-800-669-1656) a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. In addition, the program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

• Required major courses: NURS 101, 102, 103, 104, 301, 302, 303, 304, 307, 308, 320, 321, 322, 400, 421, 422, 423, 424, 481.
  
• Corequisite courses: BIOL 111, 112, 424, 461; CHEM 115, 117; CMST 111; ENGL 103; MATH 110; PSY 100, 225; SOC 111.
  
• Please see the university requirements in the universitycatalog.

Graduates of this degree program are eligible to write the National Council of State Boards of Nursing examination for licensure to practice as Registered Nurses.

• Required major courses: NURS 102, 103, 104,301, 302, 304,307, 308, 320*, 321*, 322*, 323, 324, 400, 421*, 422*, 423, 424, 481.
  
• Corequisite courses: BIOL 111, 112, 424, 461; CHEM 115, 117; CMST 111; ENGL 103; MATH 110; PSY 100, 225; SOC 111.
  
• Please see the university requirements in this catalog.

Graduates of this degree program are eligible to write the National Council of State Boards of Nursing examination for licensure to practice as Registered Nurses.

• Required major courses: NURS 103, 104, 301, 302, 304, 307, 308, 309, 320*, 321*, 322*, 400, 421*, 422*, 423*, 424, 481.
  
• Corequisite courses: BIOL 111, 112, 424, 461; CHEM 115, 117; CMST 111; ENGL 103; MATH 110; PSY 100, 225; SOC 111.
• Please see the university requirements in this catalog.

Registered nurses with the baccalaureate degree in nursing are eligible to apply for admission into the School Nurse Certification program. For program requirements, please see the Graduate Catalog.

All requirements for the degree in the nursing program must be completed within seven years from the date students begin their studies. Exceptions to this requirement may be approved by the department if extenuating circumstances exist.

Applicants and students enrolled in the Department of Nursing must possess the necessary behavioral, intellectual, physical, interpersonal, and communication skills to provide nursing care that is safe for the clients, for themselves, and for other health care providers. They must be able to provide safe nursing care in a wide variety of settings with diverse clients. Students must meet these core performance standards to qualify for and remain in the nursing program. Where possible, reasonable accommodations will be provided for those individuals with disabilities to enable them to meet these standards and ensure that students are not denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in this program.

The core performance standards for this program are identified below. These examples are not inclusive of all expected abilities and should be used only for simple comparative purposes by applicants to the program and students currently enrolled in the program.

1. Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment

2. Ongoing capacity to learn new information and skills to provide safe nursing care. This includes the ability to comprehend, measure, calculate, analyze and evaluate diverse forms of information.

3. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.

4. Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.

5. Physical abilities sufficient to move oneself from room to room, along hallways, and in small or confined spaces. The ability to meet the physical demands of providing nursing care.

6. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.

7. Tactile dexterity sufficient for physical assessment.

8. Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care.

9. Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.

10. Maintains personal behaviors consistent with the American Nurses' Association Code for Nurses.

The admission policies for the nursing program are consistent with the university policies found in this catalog with the following exceptions.

Students admitted to the university as non nursing majors are not guaranteed future admission into nursing due to QPA requirements and/orspace limitations.

Internal Transfer Students

Current ESU students will be considered for admission to the nursing program on a space available basis. The student must provide evidence of a minimum cumulative point average of 3.0, along with a letter of intent, two academic or professional references and transcript which should be sent to the Admission, Progression & Graduation Committee, Department of Nursing, 202 DeNike.

Transfer students will be considered for admission to the nursing program on a space available basis. The student must provide evidence of a minimum cumulative point average of 3.0 along with 2 letters of recommendation and a letter of intent. The Department of Nursing will only review prospective transcripts of those who have formally applied for admission. If the application meets the basic criteria it will be forwarded to the Department for a decision. Undergraduate GPA and the number of prerequisite science courses are weighed heavily in the decision process. For further information please call the Admissions office. 

Registered Nurses Admission Criteria

• Minimum cumulative point average of 2.75.
  
• Graduation from an NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) Program; Current PA License.

a. Minimum cumulative point average of 2.75.

b. Current PA License.

c. Eligibility for advanced placement for Licensed Practical Nurses is reviewed using the following criteria:

• Nurses graduating less than 3 years from the time they apply are eligible for advanced placement.
  
• Nurses who graduated 3 or more years prior to application must have 1000 hours of nursing practice within the last 12 months.
  
• Completion of the NLN Mobility Profile I & II standardized tests with a passing score on all tests.

Minimum academic criteria have been established for all students in this degree program. Students are evaluated at the end of each semester based on the following criteria:

1. Cumulative quality point average below 2.25; Removal from the program.

2. Cumulative quality point average between 2.25 and 2.74 at the conclusion of the fall or spring semester: Probation. Student will be considered on probation for an additional semester on a full-time basis. If a cumulative point average of 2.75 has not been attained, dismissal from the program will occur.

3. A grade of C or above is required in all prerequisites to nursing courses.

4. A grade of C or above is required in all nursing courses.

One month prior to beginning a clinical nursing course, students must submit evidence of current Act 34 clearance and Act 151 child abuse clearance, current CPR certification, professional liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate minimum coverage), appropriate immunizations and titers, and verification of good health, including a negative Mantoux test, or chest x-ray. Immunizations and titers include DT, measles, mumps, Hepatitis B, Rubella vaccine or titer showing immunity and a serology test (VDRL, RPR or STS). University Health Services offers health examinations and the Mantoux test as a service to students who are enrolled in classes at the university and have a health form on file at the Health Center. The Mantoux test is required annually, and a health examination is required every other year. The basic nursing student will pay for malpractice insurance, which can be processed by the Nursing Department office. LPN and RN students must purchase their own insurance and present evidence prior to enrolling in a clinical nursing course. LPN and RN students are also required to present evidence of current licensure in PA. Act 34 and Act 151 clearance forms can be obtained in the Nursing Department office.

Additional expenses required of students as they progress through the Nursing Program are: uniform costs, travel expenses to clinical sites and application fees for licensure.

Credit for some of the nursing courses may be earned through credit by examination. Other methods of earning credit are explained in the Advanced Placement section of this catalog.

Graduates of the BS program are eligible to write the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Examination for licensure to practice as Registered Nurses. Prospective students should note that there are restrictions on licensure due to felony convictions related to controlled substances. For additional information, contact the Nursing Department at 570-422-3474.

Students are encouraged to join their professional organization, the Student Nurses Association. This is the local chapter of the National Student Nurses Association.

The university's grievance procedure can be found in the university's Student Handbook.

Senior students who have achieved a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and who rank in the highest 35 percent of their class are eligible to apply for induction into the Xi Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the nursing honor society.