Nursing, BSN - Alternative Pre-Licensure Pathway

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Program Description

The Wright State University School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences undergraduate nursing program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. An honors program is available for students with superior academic ability. 

The program offers three on-campus pre-licensure pathways to the B.S.N. based on student qualifications:  (1) the traditional pathway for students who are admitted to the program in their sophomore year, (2) the direct admit from high school pathway, and (3) the alternative pre-licensure pathway for students who have prior health care related experience/training including but not limited to military medical training, Emergency Medical training (EMT), training as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or students holding a bachelor of science degree and also have direct patient care experience.  Options 1 and 2 are offered both at the Dayton and the Lake campuses.  Option 3 is offered on the Dayton campus only.

The professional nurse is increasingly being viewed as the nucleus of the health care system, as well as serving as an advocate for health care consumers. Therefore, Wright State's program prepares self-directed graduates who can function as generalists in a number of settings and work in collaboration with other health professionals to coordinate and improve the health care of individuals, families, and communities.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Wright State is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org) and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing. Graduates of the pre-licensure pathways are eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards Licensing Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as registered nurses.

Admission Policy

Admission to the School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences is competitive due to constraints of the affiliating clinical facilities and program resources. The most highly qualified applicants are selected based on the following criteria:  achievement of a minimum score on the HESI A2 Entrance exam, application information, prerequisite course work GPA, cumulative undergraduate course work GPA (only includes coursework completed within the last 10 years), and criminal records check.  Admission as an alternative pre-licensure pathway student will also consider performance in a pre-admission interview. 

The number of students accepted is dependent on available resources.  The School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences maintains no waiting list. To be reconsidered for a subsequent admission period, the student must reapply to the program and compete for admission with all other applicants for that period.

Admitted students may not defer entrance to the program; they must reapply.  Prior acceptance does not guarantee acceptance at a later date.

All applicants for admission to the nursing program receive consideration regardless of race, gender, national origin, religion, creed, age, political views, sexual orientation, marital status, or veteran status.

Admission Criteria for the Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program 

All students must:

1.  Be admitted to Wright State University as a matriculated (degree seeking) student.

2.  Provide evidence of a clean/clear criminal records check from both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (or applicable state).

3.  Successfully complete the following prerequisite courses or their equivalent with a grade of C or better, while maintaining a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.75:

a. Anatomy 2100 (Human Anatomy I)

b. Anatomy 2120 (Human Anatomy II)

c. English 1100 (Composition I)

d. Psychology 1010 (Introductory)

e. Psychology 3410 (Lifespan Developmental)

f. Chemistry 1020 (Organic)

g. Biology 1070, 1120 or 1150

h. Statistics 1600

i. NOTE:  Students who began the Anatomy and Physiology series Fall 2015 or beyond must provide evidence of taking both Anatomy and Physiology courses at the same institution in order to ensure coverage of all necessary content prior to starting their nursing series of courses. This requirement will be only be waived for students who provide documentation in the form of a course syllabus or other similar documentation that provides evidence of all required anatomy and physiology content.

4.  In meeting the admission prerequisite courses or progression requirements:

a. Students may repeat any science course once (ANT 2100, 2120; BIO 1070, 1120, 1150; CHM 1010, 1020; HLT 3400; BIO 2200).

b. Only two science courses may be repeated.

c. All natural science courses must be current (taken within 10 years of acceptance to the program).

5.  Complete all undergraduate coursework with a minimum of 2.75 cumulative GPA (only includes coursework completed within the last 10 years).

6.  Achievement of a minimum Composite Score of 75% on the English language, science, and math modules of the HESI A2 Entrance Exam.  This requirement will be waived for students who provide prior evidence of successful completion ('C' or higher) for at least one clinical course (i.e. Nursing Fundamentals) from a regionally accredited institution or accredited through CCNE or ACEN, or 3) hold a prior baccalaureate degree.

7.  In order for students accepted into the BSN program to progress to registration for the first nursing course, they must provide documentation of:  1) successful completion of a state approved Nurse Aide course within 2 years of starting the first nursing course; OR 2) successful completion of a military medical specialist, corpsman, technician training program, or LPN/LVN program; OR 3) provide verification of current employment and years of experience working as an STNA/CNA or equivalent.

8.  Students applying for the alternative pathway will be required to attend a pre-acceptance interview.

9.  Students applying for the alternative pathway will be required to provide evidence of one of the following:

a. Veteran/military member with a healthcare specialty rating

b. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic certification

c. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

d. Bachelor's degree in other field AND direct patient care experience.

10.  Applicants holding health care credentials will be required to provide evidence of valid, unencumbered licenses or certifications, as appropriate.

 Procedure

1.  Students applying for the alternative pre-licensure pathway should submit an Application for Admission to the College of Nursing and Health by the application deadline.

2.  Submit copies of transcripts with the application from all colleges previously attended as well as the HESI results scores (when required).

3.  Results of background checks must be sent directly to appropriate School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences campus.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate will:

1. Meet the requirements for graduation which encompasses the arts, the sciences, and nursing for the basis of professional nursing practice. (Essential I)

2. Use basic organizational and systems leadership skills for client safety and quality client care. (Essential II)

3. Integrates current relevant evidence in professional nursing practice. (Essential III)

4. Implement health care information technology in the management of client care. (Essential IV)

5. Analyze legislative and regulatory processes relevant to the provision of health care. (Essential V)

6. Use effective interpersonal and interprofessional communication and collaboration to improve client health outcomes. (Essential VI)

7. Implement health promotion and disease prevention interventions at the individual and community levels to improve population health. (Essential VII)

8. Exhibit professionalism and the inherent values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice. (Essential VIII)

9. Practice at a baccalaureate nurse generalist level with clients across the lifespan and in a variety of settings; considering the variation, complexity, and resources necessary for the provision of care. (Essential IX)

For additional information:

Nursing, BSN

School of Nursing, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours

ELEMENT 1: 6 HOURS

• ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

• OR

• ENG 2120 - Research Writing and Argumentation: Health Sciences Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 2: 4 HOURS

• STT 1600 - Statistical Concepts Credit Hour(s): 4

ELEMENT 3: 6 HOURS

• Select two courses from approved list

ELEMENT 4: 3 HOURS

• Select one course from approved list

ELEMENT 5: 7 HOURS

• SOC 2000 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4

ELEMENT 6: 8 HOURS

• CHM 1020 - Elementary Organic Chemistry with Applications Credit Hour(s): 4

•  

• BIO 1070 - Health and Disease Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1070L - Health and Disease Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

• OR

• BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1120L - Cells & Genes Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

• OR

• BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1150L - Organisms & Ecosystems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 6 HOURS

Select two courses from the approved list.

II. Support Courses: 18 Hours

• ANT 2100 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 2120 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 2200 - Microbiology and the Human Environment Credit Hour(s): 4
• HLT 3400 - Concepts of Pharmacology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3410 - Lifespan Development Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Electives: 3 Hours

IV. Nursing Courses: 59 Hours

• NUR 2124 - Transition to Professional Nursing Role for Unlicensed Healthcare Providers Credit Hour(s): 1 to 7
• NUR 3100 - Concepts of Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan Credit Hour(s): 3
• NUR 3200 - Health, Wellness, and Diversity Within Families Credit Hour(s): 3
• NUR 3300 - Foundations of Research and Evidence-Based Practice Credit Hour(s): 3
• NUR 3420 - Critical Reasoning in Nursing Care of Individuals and Groups in Mental Health Credit Hour(s): 1 to 6
• NUR 3440 - Critical Reasoning in Nursing Care of Women and the Childbearing Family Credit Hour(s): 1 to 4
• NUR 3460 - Critical Reasoning in Nursing Care of Children Credit Hour(s): 1 to 4
• NUR 3480 - Critical Reasoning in the Nursing Care of Adults Credit Hour(s): 1 to 7
• NUR 4420 - Critical Reasoning in Critical Care Nursing Across the Lifespan Credit Hour(s): 1 to 6
• NUR 4440 - Public Health Nursing in the Political System Credit Hour(s): 1 to 6
• NUR 4460 - Leadership and Management in Transition to Professional Nursing Credit Hour(s): 10

• Or

• NUR 4461 - Leadership and Management in Transition to Professional Nursing Credit Hour(s): 10

Total: 120 Hours