The curriculum includes four years of study designed to provide the student with a foundation in the liberal arts as well as the knowledge and skills needed to function as a professional nurse upon graduation. Liberal arts courses are prerequisite to or concurrent with the professional studies and are arranged so that these two components are mutually supportive.
The nursing program is accredited by Indiana State Board of Nursing (ISBN) and The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The curriculum adopts the educational guidelines set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and have the educational background required to apply for graduate programs in nursing.
Consistent with College policy, intended nursing students petition for admission to the nursing major during the spring of the sophomore year. (See criteria for acceptance below.) Transfer students will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students who wish to transfer from other nursing programs must meet the standards required for regularly enrolled students.
Upon successful completion of the degree requirements, the student is eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered professional nurse. Students may choose to take the examination for registration in any state or territory in the U.S.
Nursing students are required to adhere to all policies and procedures as published in this Bulletin as well as those stated in the official Department of Nursing Science Student Handbook.
In order to maintain the quality and integrity of the nursing program, the Department of Nursing Science reserves the right to update and/or revise departmental policy.
Saint Mary’s has a long history of providing quality international programs as an essential part of our educational mission—forming women leaders who will make a difference in the world. As this world becomes increasingly interdependent, the College offers an expanding range of semester, year, semester break, and summer study and service programs in a wide variety of countries, and encourages students to take advantage of them. Learn more about the various Study Abroad opportunities.
Some professions (e.g. nursing, teaching, social work, speech therapy, accounting, etc.) require specific requirements for licensure and/or hiring (e.g. acceptable criminal background check, sex offender check, drug and alcohol testing, citizenship or permanent resident status documentation, valid immigration status for nonUS citizens, valid social security number, etc.). Such requirements may also apply to required clinical and fieldwork, or other outofclass room experience necessary to complete degree requirements in the majors related to these professions. These requirements are determined by laws and regulations at both the state and federal levels and are subject to change. Saint Mary’s College strongly urges all admitted and current students to research and understand the appropriate requirements for their intended course of study and profession. Compliance with these requirements is the responsibility of the student and the graduate. You should become informed and continue to monitor such requirements as laws and other legal requirements are subject to change.
Criteria for acceptance into the nursing major include a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Additionally, the student must earn a minimum prerequisite science GPA of 2.8 by the end of the fourth semester in the program. Course grades for BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO 142 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, BIO 216 Introduction to Microbiology, BIO 224 Introduction to Pathophysiology, CHEM 118 Integrated General, Organic and Bio-Chemistry, NURS 225 Health Assessment and NURS 227 Foundations of Nursing Practice are included in this calculation. In the event that there are more than 56 qualified students petitioning for admission to the nursing major, the 56 students with the highest prerequisite science GPAs will be admitted. Cumulative GPA will be the deciding factor when prerequisite science GPAs of those competing for the final space in the major are identical.
Note: This could result in a student needing more than four years at Saint Mary’s College.
Students must take all science and Nursing prerequisites at Saint Mary’s College. This means completing the course and receiving a letter grade. A course does not count as being taken at SMC if the student withdraws from the course. (This policy does not apply to students admitted to SMC as transfer students.)
An intended Nursing Science student may retake a maximum of 2 prerequisite science/nursing courses, only one of which can be a NURS course. BIO and CHEM classes may be taken at an approved school. However, Nursing courses (NURS 225 Health Assessment or NURS 227 Foundations of Nursing Practice) may only be repeated at Saint Mary’s. If a course is retaken at Saint Mary’s, the new grade is averaged into the student’s overall GPA but for internal purposes, the Nursing Department will calculate the science GPA using the higher grade. If the course is retaken at another college, it will be averaged into the overall GPA and no credit will be granted for the course, but the Nursing Department will use the higher grade to calculate the science GPA.
Courses taken at other schools to raise the science GPA must be face to face; no online courses will be accepted.
Students must earn a C or higher in BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and/or BIO 142 Human Anatomy and Physiology II in order to progress into NURS 225 Health Assessment and BIO 224 Introduction to Pathophysiology in the fall of their sophomore year.
Transcripts must be received by August 1 for students trying to enter the major in the fall, and for students who are repeating in BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and/or BIO 142 Human Anatomy and Physiology II in order to progress into NURS 225 Health Assessment and BIO 224 Introduction to Pathophysiology in the fall of their sophomore year.
Students who intend to study abroad must take BIO 224 Introduction to Pathophysiology and NURS 225 Health Assessment at Saint Mary’s College in the summer prior to departure. These summer courses are exclusively for students studying abroad and students retaking courses.
Linda Paskiewicz, Director
1 Havican Hall
574-284-4680
S. Anderson, T. Anderson, J. Bauer, A. Fullenkamp, E. Harmeyer, T. Housing, P. Keresztes, A. Lane, J. Mack, K. Minich, J. Mwose, L. Paskiewicz, A. Peacock-Johnson, P. Rose, M. Wcisel, C. Webb
Based on the mission and philosophy of the Saint Mary’s Department of Nursing Science program, the outcomes for the graduate of the Saint Mary’s College Department of Nursing Science are:
Non-nursing majors only. Designed to explore the concept of health and its significance for women. Focuses on the identification of factors affecting women’s health and necessary behaviors to maintain optimum health. Women’s responsibilities and leadership in health awareness and health practices will also be emphasized.
This course uses didactic and simulated clinical experiences to develop a beginning skill level to conduct a comprehensive health assessment with adults in various settings. The course emphasizes the integration of observations, systematic data collection, and effective communication in performing client-centered health assessments that includes risk assessment and risk reduction. Fine art is used to support the development of observation and assessment skills. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing with at least a grade of C in BIO 141 and BIO 142.
This course uses the nursing process, interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and safety as foundational concepts for the provision of essential skills for nursing practice with individuals. Nursing skills related to physiologic health processes, mobility, comfort, infection, protection, fatigue, sleep oxygenation, and elimination are emphasized. The course builds on knowledge gained through the liberal arts and sciences to encourage the delivery of nursing care to promote and/or maintain health in the context of the experience of the individual in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing with at least a grade of C in NURS 225.
This theory and clinical course focuses on the care of persons of various ages across the lifespan with psychiatric/mental health disorders. The course applies the nursing process within a multi-disciplinary team approach. Emphasis is on the therapeutic use of self with individuals, families, and groups in an acute psychiatric care setting. Students in clinical placements utilize communication skills, mental health assessment, and various therapeutic interventions. Prerequisites: Nursing major and junior standing. Corequisite or successful completion of NURS 334.
This course is designed to support the integration of evidence-based nutrition science content with the lived experience of food choices of individuals, families, and communities. Students will build on their knowledge of chemistry, biology, psychology and relevant research evidence to apply concepts of nutrition science to wellness, health promotion and disease management in nursing practice. The impact of obesity on wellness and health outcomes, intercultural competence, and social responsibility are emphasized. Students will gain experience with the role and meaning of food through integrative learning activities in the community. Prerequisite: Nursing major and junior standing.
This theory and clinical course focuses on the assessment and management of persons with acute medical and surgical conditions. Peri-operative care of the patient and family is emphasized. The ethical, spiritual, psychosocial, and economic impact of the peri-operative experience on the patient and family is explored. Application of scientific principles and decision-making skills are emphasized as students care for persons with acute health conditions in medical-surgical settings. Prerequisite: Nursing major and junior standing. Corequisite or successful completion of NURS 334.
This theory and clinical course provides a foundation of nursing knowledge in the care of women in all phases of the perinatal period. A family-centered approach is emphasized throughout the course. Human development concepts are a central focus of the course. Embryologic and neonatal concepts are emphasized in the nursing care of the normal and high-risk neonate. Current women’s health issues are incorporated in the course. Legal and ethical dimensions specific to the perinatal family are explored. Relevant research findings are acknowledged as basic to establishing and advancing the field of perinatal nursing. The course includes application of specific concepts, principles, and theories in various perinatal settings. Decision-making skills and independent functioning are emphasized. Prerequisite: Nursing major and junior standing. Corequisite or successful completion of NURS 334.
This theory and clinical course focuses on the assessment and management of persons with chronic health conditions. The ethical, spiritual, psychosocial, and economic impact of chronic illness on the patient and family is explored. Application of scientific principles and decision-making skills are emphasized as students care for persons with chronic health conditions in acute care and community settings. In addition, concepts related to palliative and end-of-life care are introduced and applied during the clinical experience. Prerequisite: Nursing major and junior standing. Corequisite or successful completion of NURS 334.
This theory course introduces the study of pharmacology as an understanding of the interactions between drugs and the physiological, psychological, and pathological processes which occur in the body. Major drug classes and individual drugs are studied with an emphasis on the application of pharmacologic principles to the clinical setting. Prerequisite: Nursing major and junior standing.
This course examines essential concepts, principles, and techniques utilized in scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice. The research process is systematically introduced with an emphasis on its application to nursing practice. Prerequisites: Nursing major and junior standing.
The theory and clinical course utilizes the nursing process in caring for persons with multi-system complex health conditions in an acute care environment. Clinical reasoning, decision-making, and professional accountability are emphasized throughout the course. Students will gain experience with critical care concepts and advanced technology in the clinical setting. Prerequisites: Nursing major and senior standing.
This theory and clinical course broadens the concepts of community health nursing introduced across the curriculum and integrates them into a meaningful whole. Emphasis is placed on increasing the student’s self-awareness, communicating effectively, and meeting the community health needs of families and groups. Health education, health promotion, and illness prevention are stressed as strategies for meeting the health needs of population aggregates. Analysis of the health care delivery system includes the impact of political, legal, social, and cultural influences on the health of clients. Public health nursing issues, such as communicable diseases, environmental hazards, and occupational exposures are discussed. Prerequisites: Nursing major and senior standing.
This theory and clinical course introduces the student to the theories and concepts of management and leadership within the nursing profession. Current economic, political, professional, and social issues that affect the nursing profession are explored. The leadership skills of delegation, priority setting, problem-solving, and time management are emphasized throughout the course. The ability to analyze and apply the concepts of leadership and management are provided through clinical experiences. This course provides the beginning of the transition process from student to professional nurse. Prerequisites: Nursing major and senior standing.
This theory and clinical course focuses on assessment and management of well, acutely ill, chronically ill, and special needs children and their families. The effect the child’s illness has on the family in hospital or community settings is emphasized. Principles of growth and development, nutrition, pharmacology, and ethics are reinforced and expanded. Decision-making and independent learning are emphasized. Research as it relates to theory and practice is discussed and applied. Prerequisite: Nursing major and senior standing.
This course provides students the opportunity to study the health care system in other countries. Emphasis is placed on the experiential opportunity to work in a primary care clinic. Assessment of the health care delivery system includes the effects of cultural, social, economic, and political influences on the health care delivery system and health of clients. Public health issues such as communicable diseases and environmental hazards are investigated.
Independent readings, seminar discussions, and related clinical experience in selected areas of interest. Readings and experiences are generally supplemental to, not a substitute for, content and learning experiences provided in regular course offerings. Prerequisite: Senior level standing and permission of the instructor and department chair. May be repeated.
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