John and Nevils Wilson School of Nursing

Return to: Robert D. and Carol Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services

Kathleen Williamson, Chair (J. S. Bridwell Hall 310)
Associate Professors: Bowles, Jansen, Polvado, Williamson
Assistant Professors: Armstrong, Baker, Beck, Blankenship, Clark, Close, Distel, Griffin, Howard, Knauff, Leach, Lockhart, Mercer, Nunneley, Pankonien, Treitler
Instructor: Wetendorf
Professors Emeriti: Collins, Flanders, Inman, Mezzo, Sportsman, Stewart, Tickle

Mission Statement for the Nursing Program

The mission of the Wilson School of Nursing is to prepare nurses who will provide competent and compassionate health care to individuals, families, groups, and communities. The nursing faculty values teaching/learning in an individualized, collegial environment inclusive of a variety of teaching methodologies. Building on a liberal arts foundation, this approach to both undergraduate and graduate nursing education develops students as leaders through collaborative identification of issues and the implementation of innovative, and creative health services.

The BSN Programs

The Wilson School of Nursing offers curricula leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These curricula include a pre-licensure program for students who do not have a license to practice as a Registered Nurse and a post-licensure RN Transition program for RNs who have graduated from hospital-based programs or who hold associate degrees in nursing.

These programs include general education courses that provide a foundation for understanding physiological, psychosocial, cultural, political, and economic factors influencing a person’s health status. The nursing courses prepare the BSN graduate to provide holistic nursing care in a variety of complex environments that will enhance the optimal health of individuals, families, groups, and communities.

The RN Transition program is a flexible option designed to meet the needs of the working RN. Nursing classes are offered via distance-learning methodologies. Clinical experiences may be conducted in the geographical area in which the RN student resides. The RN to MSN program is available at MSU, and is fully described in the graduate catalog.

The BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The program includes a total of 120 hours (60 nursing hours and 60 non-nursing hours) for the pre-licensure student and a total of 120 hours in the RN Transition program (57 nursing hours, including 30 hours awarded through the Texas Nurses Association (TNA) Articulation Agreement, and 63 non-nursing hours).

Upon completion of the program, the graduates (pre-licensure BSN) are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Recommendations for Licensure

University recommendation for application for RN licensure will be made upon satisfactory completion of the nursing curriculum.

Information Regarding Eligibility to Write NCLEX

The BON has established guidelines and criteria regarding the eligibility of persons with criminal convictions to obtain a license as a registered nurse. The BON may refuse to admit persons to its licensure examinations, may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration, or may refuse to issue a temporary permit to any individual who has been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or engaged in conduct resulting in the revocation of probation imposed pursuant to such conviction. A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal background check is required by the BON. Convictions for offenses other than traffic violations will be investigated.

The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) has established guidelines and criteria regarding the eligibility of persons with mental illness and/or chemical dependency to obtain a license as a registered nurse. The BON may refuse to admit persons to its licensure examinations, may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration, or may refuse to issue a temporary permit to any individual who is unfit to practice by reason of mental illness or intemperate use of alcohol or drugs that could result in injury to patients or the public.

A student who has concerns in either of these areas should file a declaratory order with the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) early in their academic career. BON investigations may take up to a year. Detailed information is available from the Texas Board of Nursing at http://www.bne.state.tx.us.

Transfer Policy

Students Seeking Admission and/or Transferring from another Nursing Program

1. Students seeking admission and transferring credits from another institution must meet the admission requirements of the University and the BSN Program.
2. Admission and progression requirements for students seeking admission and transferring credits are identical to those of the Wilson School of Nursing (WSON) BSN Program nursing students.
3. In addition, students seeking admission and who wish to transfer nursing courses from another nursing program must meet the following requirements:
   1. Nursing courses to be transferred were completed at a nationally accredited nursing program.
   2. A grade of ‘C’ or better was earned in all nursing courses and all science courses required by the MSU BSN Program.
   3. A written statement from the Dean or Chair of the previous department to accompany the application form. Students must be in good academic standing and eligible for progression in the nursing program from which they are transferring.
   4. Students, who would like to transfer nursing courses from another program to the MSU Nursing program, must submit in a well-organized notebook to the Chair of the Wilson School of Nursing. A copy of the letter of good standing shall accompany the notebook, as well as a copy of the admission application. The faculty of record for selected courses will review the packet for equivalency to MSU nursing courses.
   5. Courses taken without formal admission into the transferring nursing program will not transfer for courses requiring formal admission into the MSU Wilson School of Nursing.
   6. All potential transfer students are reviewed by the WSON Student Affairs Committee, which will make recommendations regarding admission and placement. The decisions of this committee are confidential and final.
4. All transfer credit will be evaluated according to University policy.
5. If a student chooses to take general education courses at another college, and is seeking admission and potentially transferring earned credits to the MSU BSN Program he/she should seek guidance from the MSU Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services Academic Advisor before enrolling in courses to assure equivalency with MSU requirements.  Taking courses at another college does not guarantee admission to the Wilson School of Nursing.
6. A minimum grade of ‘C’ is required in the following science courses: Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 1133 ); Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 1233 ); Pathophysiologic Process* (NURS 3203 ) (*only applies to the Accelerated Program); Microbiology (BIOL 2144 ); and chemistry (CHEM 1303 - General-Organic-Biological Chemistry ). A grade lower than ‘C’ precludes admission/progression.
7. Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 1133 ); Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 1233 ); or corresponding transfer courses must be successfully completed not more than five years prior to admission to the program.
8. Students may not enroll more than twice in any one science course (including F’s or W’s) for the student to be admitted to nursing; no more than two science courses may be repeated.
9. Nursing prerequisites and electives may be repeated only once following either a grade of less than ‘C’ or withdrawal.
10. A student may not repeat for credit a course in which a grade of C-/C or better was awarded.
11. Students should take a full academic load of at least twelve semester hours of coursework including when repeating a course.
12. MSU students who are progressing satisfactorily will be given priority for all classes.  Transfer students will be considered on an “as available” basis.
13. Transfer students must earn 30 semester credit hours in 3000/4000 level courses at MSU.
14. Students must successfully complete the core and prerequisite courses in order to progress through the application process.
15. If one or more core and/or pre-requisite courses are in progress during the application process the student may be offered a conditional admission. Admission is contingent on satisfactorily completing the course(s) prior to enrolling in nursing courses.
16. Students who are not successful in the MSU Accelerated BSN program are eligible to transfer into the pre-licensure program following the above requirements.

Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a grade of ‘C’ or higher in all core and prerequisite courses listed on the degree plan prior to admission, including those courses meeting core and elective requirements as listed on the degree plan. Student must demonstrate compliance with all clinical requirements as specified in the Wilson School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook upon admission.

Progression Policy for BSN Pre-Licensure and RN Transition Programs

COURSE FAILURE POLICY

The Faculty of the Wilson School of Nursing (WSON) reserves the right to recommend to the Nursing Chair and the Dean of the Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services withdrawal of a student from the nursing program for health, legal, or academic reasons, particularly if patient care is jeopardized.  In addition, the student must perform within the following:

• ANA Code of Ethics http://www.nursingworld.org/ethics/ecode.htm#contact (see Appendix E for list of provisions)
• Texas Nursing Practice Act. http://www.bne.state.tx.us/nparr.htm
• NSNA Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct for nursing students http://www.nsna.org/ConsultantsAdvisors/CodeofEthics.aspx

TIME LIMITATIONS

• BSN pre-licensure students must complete all clinical nursing courses within 4.5 years (9 long semesters) beginning with initial enrollment in NURS 3211 /NURS 3212 .
• RN Transition students must complete all nursing courses within a two (2) year period of time beginning with the first nursing course. Student must maintain enrollment in at least two (2) courses per semester. If a student does not maintain enrollment for one (1) consecutive semester they will be put on inactive status and will need to submit a letter to the WSON Student Affairs Committee and discuss with BSN Coordinator/Academic Advisor a new degree plan in order to continue.
• Accelerated students must complete all nursing courses within the 15 months.

PROGRESSION POLICY

Students must maintain satisfactory standards in classroom and clinical activities to be retained and to progress in the program. Students must maintain grades and compliance with all clinical requirements as specified in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.  Students who do not meet these requirements will not be permitted to continue in the nursing program.

1. Theory grades in all nursing courses are calculated per the course syllabus, and are reported as a letter grade. Students are required to earn a grade of ‘C’ (>74%) or higher in the theory component of all nursing courses, including clinical and non-clinical required courses in order to successfully complete, or pass the course. The minimum numeric score required to earn a grade of ‘C’ in any nursing course is a 74% (no rounding). All nursing courses required for the program will be evaluated based on satisfactory completion of class, lab, and clinical competencies. Students are required to achieve a satisfactory evaluation on the lab and clinical components of the nursing courses that have a lab and/or clinical component. In a course which includes both a didactic and clinical component, the student must pass both components in order to pass the course.
2. A minimum grade of ‘C’ is required in the following science courses: Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 1133 ); Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 1233 ); Pathophysiologic Process* (NURS 3203 ) (*only applies to the Accelerated Program); Microbiology (BIOL 2144 ); and chemistry (CHEM 1303 - General-Organic-Biological Chemistry ). A grade lower than ‘C’ precludes admission/progression.
3. Clinical performance is evaluated per the course syllabus and posted rubric. Scoring an “unsatisfactory” rating on any section of the end-of-semester rubric results in clinical failure. Students must successfully complete the clinical component of the course to successfully complete the course. Scoring an unsatisfactory rating on the clinical component of the course results in a grade of ‘F’ for the course and clinical. A grade of “pass” in the clinical/laboratory component of a course is required to successfully complete, or pass, the co-requisite theory portion of the course.
4. It is required to achieve at least ‘C’ average on all course exams in nursing courses that provide objective testing (before factoring in grades on additional assignments or “bonus” points) for successful course completion.  Exceptions would include the following courses:  Intro to Nursing, Data Analysis, Nursing Research, and Leadership.
5. Students who do not score a minimum of ‘C’ < 74% on each exam in a course are required to meet with the instructor following the exam for exam review/remediation at least one week prior to the next scheduled exam.
6. Students will be required to take a number of electronically delivered exams throughout the nursing program to monitor the students’ retention of course content and meet expected student learning outcomes. The score from these exams will be computed and factored in the average score for objective testing.
7. Students must pass the mastery testing to progress in the program. Mastery testing is embedded throughout the curriculum to assess student learning and program/course outcomes. Students must achieve a passing score as noted on the course syllabus, in order to progress in the course in which mastery testing is administered. Course syllabi provide the details on mastery testing assignments. Failure to achieve a passing score on a mastery test will result in a course grade of ‘F’ for an unsatisfactory attainment of course competencies.
8. Students are placed on academic probation in the Wilson School of Nursing if they withdraw and/or drop from one nursing course and/or receive a grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’ in any nursing course.
9. Students on academic probation are subject to dismissal from the nursing program if they withdraw and/or drop for a second time from any nursing course and/or receive a second ‘D’ or ‘F’ while on academic probation even if the student has passed a repeated course with a ‘C’ or above.
10. No more than two (either the same or different) nursing courses may be repeated while in the nursing program.
11. Students are permitted only one unsuccessful attempt to complete a nursing course throughout the program and withdrawals, dropped courses and failures count as an attempt.
12. Students must pass both the didactic and clinical portion to pass the course if a clinical component is attached to the course.
13. Students who withdraw from the university, drops a nursing course, or has a failure in a nursing course must submit a letter to the BSN Program’s Student Affairs Committee as to their intent prior to re-enrollment. An individual interview with the committee may be required. If a student is selected for re-admission to the Wilson School of Nursing the student’s re-enrollment is contingent upon available space. The decision of this committee is confidential and final.
14. Students who withdraws and/or drops from a nursing course with co-requisite requirement must withdraw and/or drop from the other co-requisite course(s) as well. For progression purposes, withdrawal and/or dropping from one course and its co-requisite will be considered as one withdrawal within the Wilson School of Nursing.
15. A withdrawal/dropping a nursing course during or after the fall 2015 semester followed by a failure in any other nursing course will result in dismissal from the Wilson School of Nursing, even if the student has repeated a course and received a grade of ‘C’ or above.
    1. A grade of less than ‘C’ in the same nursing course twice will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
    2. A grade of less than ‘C’ in any nursing course with subsequent withdrawal/drop from the same course on the second attempt will result in a dismissal from the nursing program.
    3. A grade of less than ‘C’ in any two nursing courses will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
    4. A withdrawal/drop from a nursing course, followed by a subsequent withdrawal/drop from any other nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
       
       Dismissal: Two failures; one failure & one withdrawal /drop from a nursing course; two nursing course withdrawals/drops in the same or any nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program, even if the student has repeated a course and received a grade of ‘C’ or above.
16. Students who are in the process of appealing a course grade through the Academic Appeals Committee may not enroll in any subsequent nursing courses for which the course under appeal is a prerequisite. If students have early registered, then they will be administratively withdrawn from those courses.
17. Students who are on University academic probation will not be admitted to the program.
18. Students who fail to meet the progression standards may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the BSN Program’s Student Affairs Committee. The Committee reserves the right to make exceptions to the progression policies due to compelling circumstances. The Committee will consider petitions from students at its regular meetings. The Committee’s decisions are confidential and final.
19. Students who are dismissed from the nursing program for failure to meet academic progression requirements may continue in another major within the University if they meet the requirements for that major.
     

GRADE CALCULATION

The method for calculating the final grade is specified in each course syllabus. Students who have questions regarding calculations of grades are referred to their faculty member. Selected nursing courses will have a ‘C’ >74% average required in objective testing that must be obtained. Courses with this policy will state so in the course syllabus provided at the beginning of the course. In this case, grades from other assignments will be included only after a score of >74% on objective testing is achieved as stated in the course syllabus.

Readmission/Reentry Policy

1. A student seeking readmission to the Wilson School of Nursing after being ineligible to progress must wait 5 years before submitting a new application as described under Admission into the Nursing Major section of this catalog. The student will be evaluated on the basis of current criteria for admission and progression on a first qualified, first admitted basis.
2. A student who has a withdraw/drops and/or failure, or an interruption in his/her enrollment in nursing for longer than one semester must petition the BSN Program’s Student Affairs Committee in writing prior to re-enrollment. If a student is selected for re-admission to the Wilson School of Nursing the student’s re-enrollment is contingent upon available space. An individual interview with the Committee may be required. The BSN Program’s Student Affairs Committee reserves the right to make exceptions to the progression policies due to compelling circumstances. The Student Affairs Committee will consider petitions from students at its regular meetings.
3. An RN Transition student must maintain enrollment in at least two (2) courses per semester. If a student does not maintain enrollment for one (1) consecutive semester he/she will be placed on inactive status and will need to submit a letter to the Wilson School of Nursing Student Affairs Committee and discuss with BSN Coordinator/Academic Advisor a new degree plan in order to continue.
4. A student on academic probation is subject to dismissal from the nursing major if he/she withdraws/drops for a second time from the same and/or any nursing course and/or receive a second ‘D’ or ‘F’ in the same and/or any nursing course, even if the student has repeated a course and received a grade of ‘C’ or above.
5. A student will be ineligible for reenrollment or re-entry in this nursing program if the student receives:
   1. A grade of less than “C” in the same nursing course twice will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
   2. A grade of less than “C” in any nursing course with subsequent withdrawal/drop from the same course on the second attempt will result in a dismissal from the nursing program
   3. A grade of less than a “C” in any two nursing courses will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
   4. A withdrawal/drop from a nursing course, followed by a subsequent withdrawal/drop from any other nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program even if the student has repeated a course and received a grade of ‘C’ or above.
      
      Dismissal: Two failures; one failure & one withdrawal/drop from a nursing course; two nursing course withdrawals/drops in the same or any nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program, even if the student has repeated a course and received a grade of ‘C’ or above.
6. Students who fail to meet the progression standards may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the BSN Program’s Student Affairs Committee. The Committee reserves the right to make exceptions to the progression policies due to compelling circumstances. The Committee will consider petitions from students at its regular meetings. The Committee’s decisions are confidential and final.
7. A transfer student seeking admission from another nursing program with a prior nursing course failure or withdraw from any nursing courses is ineligible for admission.
8. A student seeking a transfer from the Wilson School of Nursing Accelerated Program to the Wilson School of Nursing Traditional BSN program must apply and may be admitted. Enrollment may be contingent based on available space. The nursing course withdraw/drop and/or failure the student acquired in the Accelerated program will count as one withdraw/drop and/or failure in the Traditional BSN Program.
9. Students who are dismissed from the nursing program for failure to meet the academic progression requirements may have the opportunity to continue in another major with the University if they meet the requirements for that major.

Distinguished Professorships

John and Nevils Wilson Distinguished Professorship of Nursing

The John and Nevils Wilson Distinguished Professorship of Nursing was established in 2003 to support the teaching and research of a professor in the John and Nevils Wilson School of Nursing.

Dr. Kathleen Williamson is currently Wilson School of Nursing Chair and Associate Professor. Previously she was the Director of Assessment and Accreditation and Assistant Professor at Widener University. She has authored or co-authored nineteen publications and two chapters on the Evidenced-based Practice (EBP) process, implementation, and outcomes. She has presented her research at various local, national and international venues on topics such as: integrating technology in pedagogy, EBP, leadership in nursing education, and assessment of learning outcomes. Dr. Williamson was previously the Associate Director for the Center of the Advancement of Evidence-based Practice (CAEP) at Arizona State University. Dr. Williamson continues to promote EBP and the integration of technology with her research agenda that includes conducting studies on nurses’ knowledge, attitude and skills with EBP and the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Dr. Williamson continues to promote EBP with healthcare professionals and educators through community partnerships, workshops, conferences, and educational coursework. She has over 25 years combined clinical and educational experience and has taught many courses at the graduate and undergraduate level. She works on advancing EBP through innovations in technology and continues to integrate technology to have an impact teaching and learning.

Minnie Rhea Wood Distinguished Professorship of Nursing

The Minnie Rhea Wood Distinguished Professorship of Nursing was established in 2005 to support the teaching and research of a professor in the John and Nevils Wilson School of Nursing.

Programs and Courses

Programs

• Nursing - Accelerated Second Bachelor’s B.S.N. (Pre-licensure)
• Nursing - RN Transition Program, B.S.N. (Post-licensure)
• Nursing, B.S.N. (Pre-licensure)

Courses

• NURS 3103 - Theories and Concepts: Introduction to Nursing
• NURS 3203 - Pathophysiologic Process
• NURS 3211 - Family Health Assessment Clinical
• NURS 3212 - Family Health Assessment
• NURS 3243 - Basic Nursing Care
• NURS 3253 - Basic Nursing Clinical
• NURS 3313 - Theories and Concepts: Pharmacology in Nursing Practice
• NURS 3412 - Mental Health Nursing Clinical
• NURS 3413 - Mental Health Nursing
• NURS 3422 - Family Health Nursing Care I Clinical
• NURS 3423 - Family Health Nursing Care I
• NURS 3503 - Theories and Concepts: Nursing Research
• NURS 3713 - Transitions to the BSN Role
• NURS 3721 - Leadership Roles Clinical
• NURS 3723 - Leadership Roles
• NURS 3733 - Foundations of Comprehensive Pathophysiology in Nursing
• NURS 3743 - Introduction to Evidence-based Practice
• NURS 3803 - Theories and Concepts: Introduction to Health Care Systems
• NURS 3811 - Health Assessment Competencies Clinical
• NURS 3812 - Health Assessment Competencies
• NURS 3813 - Concepts of Pharmacology in Nursing Practice
• NURS 3821 - Medical Terminology
• NURS 3833 - Foundations in Clinical Concepts & Competencies
• NURS 3843 - Foundations in Clinical Concepts & Competencies Clinical
• NURS 3853 - Concepts in Caring for the Adult Client
• NURS 3863 - Concepts in Caring for the Pediatric Client
• NURS 3873 - Concepts in Mental Health Care
• NURS 3882 - Service Learning I
• NURS 4002 - Nursing of the Childbearing Family Clinical
• NURS 4013 - Nursing of the Childbearing Family
• NURS 4022 - Family Health Nursing Care II Clinical
• NURS 4023 - Family Health Nursing Care II
• NURS 4042 - Pediatric Nursing Care Clinical
• NURS 4053 - Pediatric Nursing Care
• NURS 4103 - Nursing Care in the United States
• NURS 4123 - Data Analysis
• NURS 4152 - Community Health Nursing Care Clinical
• NURS 4153 - Community Health Nursing Care
• NURS 4304 - Leadership in Nursing
• NURS 4403 - Special Topics
• NURS 4503 - Selected Nursing Issues
• NURS 4612 - Clinical Decision Making Clinical
• NURS 4613 - Clinical Decision Making
• NURS 4703 - Ethics in Healthcare
• NURS 4711 - Comprehensive Health Assessment Clinical
• NURS 4713 - Comprehensive Health Assessment
• NURS 4723 - Healthcare Organizations and Informatics
• NURS 4733 - Population Focused Community Health
• NURS 4741 - Capstone Project
• NURS 4803 - Concepts in Caring for the Acutely Ill Client
• NURS 4813 - Concepts in Leadership in Nursing
• NURS 4823 - Concepts in Community Health
• NURS 4833 - Concepts in Caring for the Childbearing Family
• NURS 4842 - Concepts in Clinical Reasoning and Judgment
• NURS 4852 - Service Learning II
• NURS 4861 - Critical Competency Integration
• NURS 4910 - Critical Competency Integration Clinical

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