 Section IV: Admission to the Major Introduction This section is to act as a guide for the student as they prepare to apply for the Nursing Major. The faculty, in the College of Nursing, ascribe to the belief that excellence is necessary for success in the Nursing Profession. The student must complete all pre-nursing courses and the General Education Core during the Freshman and Sophomore semesters at a minimum of a “C” level in preparation for the nursing major. These courses provide a basis for the Nursing Major so that the student is prepared to begin the study in the Nursing Major courses. There are three semesters of pre-nursing courses. The student is referred to the Undergraduate Curriculum Plan provided by the Nursing Student Services to review the suggested sequence of courses. As the student is beginning the third semester of pre-nursing, an application to the Nursing Major can be obtained from Nursing Student Services (NFA 131). Applications are due January 25 and September 25 and can be completed and submitted online (http://nursing.sdstate.edu) Students will be notified of their admission status before “Pre-registration” for the next semester. It is recommended that all pre-nursing courses will be present on the transcript at SDSU prior to application. The student must have a GPA of 2.7 to apply and be proficient in English with a TOFEL Score of 560 (See English as a Second Language). Specific questions about applying to the Nursing Major can be directed to the pre-nursing advisor. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Steps to Admission to the Nursing Major 1. Complete the three semesters of pre-nursing, maintain GPA 2.7, and proficiency in the English language. Be sure that any course taken at other schools are transferred into SDSU and evaluated prior to application to the Major. 2. At the beginning of the third semester (following the Undergraduate Curriculum Plan) complete the online application (http://nursing.sdstate.edu) and keep in touch with Nursing Student Services, NFA 131. 3. Submit the application by the due date (see the application). 4. Notification of acceptance status is mailed to the student prior to pre-registration for the next semester, along with forms to be completed, and returned prior to the start of the next semester (see the forms for the exact dates). All decisions to admit are made by the Undergraduate Nursing Admissions and Scholastic Standards Committee. 5. Complete the Acceptance Form and return to Nursing Student Services immediately. 6. Complete and submit all required forms and information. 7. Attend the Orientation to the Major. Students entering the Major are required to attend this orientation and will also be registered for their first Nursing classes at this meeting. Information about this meeting comes in the letter of Acceptance. Students who cannot attend must contact the pre-nursing advisor prior to the day of the meeting to arrange for make-up time appointments. 8. Make plans to attend the first day of classes in the Nursing Major. Nursing classes usually meet the full-time the first day as scheduled, unless notified differently, this includes laboratory classes. The student is expected to attend all orientations. Students should bring specific course workbooks to orientations at the start of the Nursing Major. These workbooks are purchased at the university bookstore or available on line depending on the course. 9. Students may be subject to drug screening and background checks prior to attending selected clinicals or at any other time if there is cause or concern. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Technical Standards FOR ADMISSION TO, PROGRESSION IN AND COMPLETION OF THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM IN NURSING “Admission to South Dakota State University is opened to all academically qualified students without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, or national origin” (SDSU General Catalog, 1996-1998, p. 9). One of the purposes of the SDSU nursing program is to provide graduates with a broad and basic preparation for professional nursing practice. In preparation for the professional nursing roles, nursing faculty expect the student to show a stable personality and demonstrate ability to meet the demands of the profession. To prepare persons to meet these expectations the College of Nursing offers a curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing. An applicant to the program must be able to meet the cognitive, affective and psychomotor requirements of the curriculum. The SDSU College of Nursing provides knowledge and skills necessary to successfully meet licensure requirements. A graduate of the program is eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensing as a registered nurse. The purpose of licensure is to protect the consumer. A graduate, after licensure, is qualified for first level positions in hospitals, health agencies and other institutions that employ professional nurses. The registered nurse assumes professional responsibility for the nursing process in relation to restoration, promotion and maintenance of health. The SDSU nursing graduate who is a registered nurse will have the foundation for advanced study in nursing, including specialization, at the graduate level. As a generalist in nursing, a professional nurse is expected by the employer, consumers and other health care providers to assume specific role responsibilities in a sage and competent manner. Therefore, all knowledge and skills taught and evaluated in the SDSU nursing program and requisites for successful completion of the program. For admission to the nursing major courses, the student must meet technical standards* for the nursing major and maintain related satisfactory demonstration of these standards for progression through the program. The Admissions and Scholastic Standards Committee, to determine their ability to acquire knowledge and develop clinical skills required by the curriculum, evaluate applicants to the major courses. The skills and abilities that have been identified as necessary to meet nursing curriculum technical standard requirements include, but are not necessarily limited to the following: GENERAL ABILITIES To provide quality-nursing care, the student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, tough, hearing, taste and smell. All data received by the senses must be integrated, analyzed and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. In addition, the individual is expected to possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, equilibrium and movement. OBSERVATIONAL ABILITY The student is expected to be able to observe the patient/client holistically to accurately assess any health/illness alteration. Inherent in this observation process is the functional use of the senses and sufficient motor capability to carry out the necessary assessment activities. COMMUNICATION The student is expected to be able to effectively communicate verbally and non-verbally. This requires the ability to see, speak, hear, read, write, and effectively utilize the English language. MOTOR ABILITY The student is expected to be able to perform gross and fine motor movements required to provide holistic nursing care. Examples of care that the student must be able to perform include lifting, turning, transferring, transporting, and exercising the patients/clients. The student is expected to have the psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with procedures, treatments, administration of medications, and emergency interventions. The student is expected to be able to maintain consciousness and equilibrium, and have the physical strength and stamina to perform satisfactorily in clinical nursing experiences. INTELLECTUAL-CONCEPTUAL ABILITY The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish care plans and priorities. This includes the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, and synthesize objective as well as subjective data and make decisions that reflect consistent and thoughtful deliberation of the appropriate data. BEHAVIORAL/SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES The student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgement, complete assessment and intervention activities, and develop sensitive interpersonal relationships with patients/clients, families and others responsible for health care. The individual is expected to have the flexibility to function effectively under stress. The baccalaureate graduate exhibits the professional values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice. (The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, 1998, p. 8-9). * “The term technical standards refers to all nonacademic
criteria used for admission and participation in a program or activity.”
From HOW THE LAW APPLIES – Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Section 504.
Approved 12/18/00 Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Computer Competency Requirements Students entering the Nursing Major are required to attend a computer competency session at the start of classes for Semester I. Prior to this session each student will have their computer configured by computer services. The Semester I Team will determine the appropriate date to schedule the computer session. The computer competency session will be conducted by Nursing Student Services and Computer Services. The following computer competencies are required for students entering into the first semester of the Nursing Major and should be included in the computer competency session. 1. General computer knowledge:
2. Navigate WebCT or the present course management system used by the university. Navigation includes:
3. Be comfortable using Microsoft Word for word processing which includes:
February 2004
English as a Second Language Requirements A. Purpose of Policy
B. South Dakota State University – English as
a Second Language Requirements
a. the Michigan a Test of English Language Proficiency, b. the Michigan Test of Oral Comprehension, and c. a written essay These tests must be passed before a student is allowed to enter English 101. If the score of the Michigan Test is not passing, then the student is directed to take either: a. Engl 003 English as a Second Language: Grammar Review and Intermediate Composition (3,0) credits; b. Engl 013 English as a Second Language: More Complex Structural Patterns and Advanced Composition (3,0) credits; or also Spcm 493 Special Problems (1,0). After the completion of the above requirements the student is then advised to take Engl 101, Freshman Composition. C. College of Nursing – English as a Second Language
Requirements
The College of Nursing English Literacy Requirements will include a Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) score of 560 with no section below a score of 56 and English Language Teaching Association (ELTA) Oral Interview Exam score of 3.25 with no section score below a 3. These scores are required before the student will be accepted into the major. The student is responsible for all testing fees (TOEFL, ELTA, and any other testing). If a passing score is not obtained on the first attempt, the student will be referred to other course work, which will assist them to obtain a passing score. The student may take each test twice to obtain a passing score. If the student is not successful on the second attempt at the TOEFL and/or the ELTA, the student may write a letter of petition to the Dean of the College of Nursing to be allowed another attempt of either exam. Students are advised to have completed the tests during the second semester of their freshman year. This will allow time for the student to be referred for assistance before making an application for acceptance into the major. Acceptance into the major occurs during the first semester of the sophomore year as the student completes nursing prerequisite courses (Effective Fall 2002). D. Current Students Accepted into the Major
Revised 4/13/00 as a working document Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Requirements from the South Dakota Board of Nursing The following questions are asked by the Board of Nursing as part of the requirements for being licensed as a nurse in South Dakota and are also on the application to the Nursing Major. A positive answer to them may mean that licensure is not possible, so these questions are published here to alert the student to the requirements. If your answer is positive to any of these questions, please discuss this with your advisor and/or the South Dakota Board of Nursing to determine your eligibility for licensure prior to entering the Nursing Major. 1. Have you ever been convicted, pled guilty or no contest, or received a suspended imposition of sentence for a felony or other criminal offense (excluding minor traffic violations)? 2. Is there any pending criminal prosecution against
you, which would constitute a
3. Within the last three years, have you been treated for abuse or misuse of any alcohol or chemical substance to the extent that your ability to practice as a nursing student would be impaired? 4. Within the past three years, have you experienced a physical, emotional or mental condition that has endangered the health or safety of persons entrusted in your care? As a Nursing Major student, you need to understand that if you are convicted, plead guilty or no contest, or receive a suspended imposition of sentence for a felony or other criminal offense (excluding minor traffic violations) while in the nursing major, you will report the offense to Dr. Gloria Craig, Department Head of Nursing Student Services in the College of Nursing. Dishonesty about any of the above is grounds for automatic removal from the Nursing Major. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Immunization, CPR, and Health Requirements As students enter the Nursing Major, they will need to meet immunization, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and health status requirements as dictated by the State of South Dakota and the agencies where the College of Nursing places students for nursing practice. When students are accepted into the major, as part of the admission process, students will need to provide information about immunizations, seek certification of CPR, and see their health care provider to provide information at the time of acceptance into the major. These requirements must be completed before every entry into the first semester of the major. Students may want to be sure that their immunization records are up to date prior to application to facilitate providing this information. While in the Major the student is expected to keep immunizations and CPR certification current. It is the student’s responsibility to report updates to Nursing Student Services (NFA 131). Immunizations that are required can be obtained through SDSU Student Health Service or a personal health care provider. Return to PreNursing Handbook Table of Contents
Last Update: January 2006
|
