Nursing (B.S.N.)

Bulletin/Catalog Year 2019-2020

College of Behavioral and Health Sciences

School of Nursing

Location: McCord Bldg., Room 218
Rebecca Corvey: email corveyr@apsu.edu
Phone: 931-221-1040
Grace Moodt: email: moodtg@apsu.edu
Phone: 931-221-6290
Website: www.apsu.edu/nursing

 

Nursing (BSN)

The curriculum leading to the degree of the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) includes general education core, nursing pre-requisite courses, and major requirements offered by the School of Nursing. The APSU School of Nursing offers two tracks for completing the BSN:

• The Pre-Licensure Track is offered synchronously on campus and results in educational eligibility for students to apply to take the NCLEX examination for state licensure through the respective state boards of nursing.
• The RN-BSN Track is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) who have an active, unencumbered license or new graduates with an associate degree who are eligible for licensure. RNs enrolled in the RN- BSN Track complete online courses in an asynchronous format available 24 hours a day via the University’s web based instructional program.

Once enrolled, students have seven semesters to compete the BSN degree. Extensions may be granted on an individual basis. Students must review their courses of studies with a designated School of Nursing Advisor each semester.

Accreditation

The BSN Program is approved by the Tennessee Department of Health Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). These organizations may be reached at:
Tennessee Board of Nursing
665 Mainstream Dr
Nashville, TN, 37243

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000
Fax: (404) 975-5020
Email: info@acenursing.org
Web: www.acenursing.org

The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Austin Peay State University School of Nursing is a new applicant pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791. New applicant status is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

APSU School of Nursing Baccalaureate Program Outcomes

The Austin Peay State University baccalaureate nursing program will prepare students to:

1. Provide care that is safe and effective.
2. Respond to a dynamic healthcare environment.
3. Demonstrate cultural competence in providing individual and population healthcare

APSU School of Nursing Baccalaureate Student Learning Outcomes

The Austin Peay State University baccalaureate nursing students will be able to:

1. Collaborate in safe, cost effective care using evidence-based practice to support optimal client health outcomes  
2. Integrate knowledge about current healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments
3. Employ effective oral, written, and technological communication skills when interacting with colleagues, clients, and the healthcare system  
4. Demonstrate culturally competent health promotion and disease prevention interventions for individuals and populations
5. Exhibit professionalism and professional values that include altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice

Admission Requirements for the BSN Pre-Licensure Track

(See www.apsu.edu/nursing for latest admission criteria)

General Information
Admissions to Austin Peay does not guarantee acceptance to the nursing program. The nursing program is very competitive and only a limited number of students are admitted each semester.  

Fall Start: Application for the Fall Semester are available from March 1st to May 1st of each year. Applications must be submitted to the School of Nursing by 12:00 p.m. on May 1st for consideration for the Fall Semester.
Spring Start: Application for the Spring Semester are available from July 1st to September 1st of each year. Applications must be submitted to the School of Nursing by 12:00 p.m. on September 1st for consideration for the Spring Semester.

Please check the School of Nursing website for the most current application criteria: www.apsu.edu /nursing

In order to apply Pre-licensure student must:

• Be admitted to Austin Peay State University by the School of Nursing application deadline.
• Complete and submit the School of Nursing application by the application deadline. Only completed applications will be considered for admission.
• Have completed at least 30 hours general education core and nursing pre-requisite courses, maintaining a calculated GPA above 3.0.
• Have a documented plan for completion of remaining 18 hours of general education core and nursing prerequisite classes before the start of nursing courses.
• Have completed the prerequisite Biology courses within seven (7) years of the time of application.

Further admission requirements ((for ranking of Pre-licensure applicant pool):

• CALCULATED GPA: A minimum calculated GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Grades for general education core and nursing prerequisite courses will be used to calculate the GPA for nursing admission.
• If a student attempts a course more than once within the past seven years, the grades from every attempt will be used to calculate the admission GPA.
• All general education core and nursing prerequisites must be completed prior to starting nursing courses. If a conditionally accepted student fails to successfully complete all nursing core and prerequisite courses with a “C” or better the student will not be permitted to begin nursing courses.
• Consideration is given to students who have a calculated GPA greater than 3.0 and/or who have completed all core and pre-requisite courses at Austin Peay.
• Students previously enrolled in a nursing program must submit a letter of good standing from the dean/director of the previous nursing program along with a transcript.
• STANDARDIZED EXAMINATION: All pre-licensure applicants are required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) nursing entrance examination by the School of Nursing application deadline.
• The required examination may only be taken once per application period.
• The fee-based examination must be taken on campus at APSU unless there are extenuating circumstances recognized by the School of Nursing Admission and Retention Committee.

An alternate admission list may be established to fill vacancies that might occur before the beginning of class. Students who are not accepted must reapply to be considered for another admission cycle.

Admission Requirements for the RN-BSN Track

Admission to Austin Peay State University does not guarantee acceptance to the School of Nursing.  The RN-BSN track has three admission cycles each year:

• Fall Start: Applications must be submitted to the School of Nursing by 12:00 p.m. on July 1st for consideration for the fall semester.
• Spring Start:  Applications must be submitted to the School of Nursing by 12:00 p.m. on December 1st for consideration for the spring semester.
• Summer Start: Applications must be submitted to the School of Nursing by 12:00 p.m. on May 1st for consideration for the summer semester.

Please check the School of Nursing website for the most current application criteria:  www.apsu.edu /nursing

In order to apply, RN-BSN track students must:

• Complete and submit the APSU RN to BSN application by the deadline.
• Be admitted to Austin Peay State University as a degree seeking undergraduate student
• Have a minimum college cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
• Have completed specified nursing prerequisite classes with a minimum college cumulative grade of “C” in all courses.
• Have an active, unencumbered RN license or be eligible for licensure.
• Have validation of current science knowledge: if sciences are older than seven (7) years, the student must provide a letter from current employer validating current employment.

Following acceptance into the BSN program, RN-BSN track students must:

• Provide a complete program package with evidence of CPR, and required health regulation, including vaccines.
• Comply with criminal background checks and drug screening as required for eligibility to access entrance into specific clinical agencies as related to clinical course objectives.
• Provide evidence of liability and personal health insurance.
• RN -BSN clinical courses may be scheduled at sited near the student’s home with appropriately credentialed preceptors. The sites must be approved by the course faculty and there must be a contract in place between the facility and the university.

BSN Undergraduate Progression and Graduation Requirements:

• Meet core performance and professional (technical) standards. See specific criteria under the School of Nursing BSN Student Handbook.
• A grade of “C” or better is required to pass any nursing course and to progress in the curriculum.
• When a course has a clinical component, the student must pass both the theory and clinical component in order to pass the class.
• If a student fails two courses (including failing one course two times) with a “D” or “F” they will be dismissed from the nursing program for not meeting the program requirements.
• A grade of “D” or “F” is considered failure to achieve course standards.
• A Bachelor of Science in nursing degree will not be conferred for any student who receives two grades below “C” while in the School of Nursing.

Pending review by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, persons who have been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation could be ineligible for Registered Nurse Licensure in the State of Tennessee, even though they have successfully completed the program.