Department of Undergraduate Nursing

Mission

The mission of the Department of Undergraduate Nursing is to provide education that will enable graduates to improve the healthcare system and the quality of life in a global society, value lifelong learning, and enhance the profession of nursing through a focus on:

• Clinical judgment;
• Communication;
• Role development;
• Professionalism; and
• Service to the community.

Purpose

The purposes of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing are to prepare the graduate to:

1. Enter into professional practice as a generalist nurse who cares for individuals, families, groups, communities or populations in structured and unstructured healthcare settings.
2. Assume a leadership role within one’s scope of professional nursing practice in improving quality care.
3. Begin scholarly practice.
4. Use clinical judgment and communication to provide evidence-based, safe, quality patient-centered care.
5. Promote, maintain, and restore health and provide palliative or end-of-life care.
6. Function independently and interdependently in a variety of roles.
7. Commit to serve the community and the profession through education, community service, social policy development, research, and healthcare delivery system improvement.
8. Value life-long learning including graduate education and professional development.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing , 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, (225) 755-7500, and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K St NW Ste 750, Washington, DC 20001-2399, P- (202) 887-6791.

Program expenses additional to tuition and fees may include the purchase of uniforms, books, clinical supplies, application, and entrance testing, immunizations, health examination, and criminal background check. Additional information regarding the BSN program may be obtained from the Department of Undergraduate Nursing or College of Nursing and Health Professions website.

The Department of Undergraduate Nursing reserves the right to change the curriculum, admission, and/or retention criteria to ensure an effective program of study.

General Admission Policies

The student who indicates the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program as a major must meet University admission requirements and comply with academic regulations and policies.

The student who is admitted to the University must be in compliance with the published eligibility and retention-progression requirements of the BSN program. The student who has been denied progression in courses or dismissed from another nursing program will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:911 et. Seq., provides for the regulation of students seeking permission to enroll in clinical nursing courses in nursing programs in Louisiana preparing candidates for Registered Nurse licensure. Included in the authority is a criminal history record information check in accordance with R.S. 37:918 and 920.1.

A student who has

1. Ever been issued a citation or summons for, or has/have warrant(s) been issued against related to, or been arrested, charged with, arraigned, indicted, convicted of, pled guilty “no contest”/nolo contendere/”best interest of” or any similar plea to, or been sentenced for any criminal offense, including all misdemeanors and felonies in any state or other jurisdiction;
2. Ever had a license to practice nursing or as another healthcare provider denied, revoked, suspended, sanctioned, or otherwise restricted or limited, including voluntary surrender of license - including restrictions associated with participation in confidential alternatives to disciplinary programs;
3. Ever been discharged from the military on ground(s) other than an honorable discharge;
4. Ever been diagnosed with a medical, physical, mental, emotional, or psychiatric condition that might affect their ability to safely practice as a Registered Nurse; or
5. Ever had a problem with, been diagnosed as dependent upon, or been treated for mood-altering substances, drugs, or alcohol;

must receive approval from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing before being accepted into the BSN program. Failure to disclose this information constitutes falsification of documents and may result in delay or denial of admittance. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing will conduct a criminal records check on all applicants and graduates.

Eligibility Requirements for the Clinical Nursing Sequence

Admission to the University does not guarantee enrollment in the clinical nursing sequence. Selection for enrollment in the clinical nursing sequence is competitive. To be eligible to apply, the student must meet the following criteria by the end of the semester that the application is made.

1. Have completed 50 semester hours of non-nursing courses as outlined in the first, second, and third semesters of the nursing curriculum.
2. Have a grade point average of 2.7 or higher in all courses as outlined in the first, second, and third semesters of the curriculum.
3. Have a grade point average of 2.7 or higher in all science courses. This includes the last grade earned in the following courses: BIOL 201, BIOL 225, BIOL 226, CHEM 120, and NRHP 100. BIOL 225 and BIOL 226 must have been taken within five years prior to entry into the clinical nursing sequence.
4. Complete all required non-nursing courses with a grade of C or better.
5. Have repeated no more than two non-nursing courses in which a grade of D or F is earned.
6. Pass the required nursing admission test.
7. Be able to perform the physical and mental requirements of the discipline of nursing as identified on the Health and Physical Examination form and the ADA requirements in the Department of Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook. 
8. In accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of Louisiana, be approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) for admission into clinical courses.
9. Comply with the College of Nursing and Health Professions Drug Testing Policy.

The Department of Undergraduate Nursing reserves the right to limit the number of students admitted to the clinical nursing sequence based on faculty and clinical resources. Selection for admission is based on a competitive ranking of eligible students. Eligible students not accepted to the clinical nursing sequence must reapply for admission. No waiting list is maintained. Students not admitted to the clinical nursing sequence must seek advisement, make up deficiencies, and reapply in a future semester.

International Students 

In order to meet eligibility requirements for admission to the clinical nursing sequence, the international student must:

1. Take the TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based TOEFL) and score a minimum of 19 on each of the 4 test sections, Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing, for a total of 76 points; or
2. Take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and score a minimum composite band score of 6.0; or
3. Take the Pearson PTE Academic and score a minimum overall score of 51; and
4. Provide the College of Nursing and Health Professions with a copy of passing TOEFL iBT scores or a passing IELTS score by the posted clinical application deadline.

Application Process 

The student must:

1. Obtain an application for admission from the Department of Undergraduate Nursing informational meetings, office in Hardtner Hall, or from the department website;
2. Pay the application fee;
3. Attach the following to the application form:
   • Completed Physical Examination Form;
   • Completed medical management plan for any physical or mental health issue;
   • Copy of current tuberculosis (TB) skin test results (must be PPD);
   • Copy of current CPR card (must be CPR for healthcare professionals); and
   • Copy of completed immunization record;
4. Submit the application form with attachments to the Department of Undergraduate Nursing in Hardtner Hall by the announced deadline. Late applications and/or missing documents will not be accepted after the deadline;
5. Submit the completed LSBN Application for Permission to Enroll in Clinical Nursing Courses form;
6. Submit the completed Authorization for Criminal Background Check form;
7. Submit two completed fingerprint cards. Fingerprinting must be performed by an authorized law enforcement agency (i.e., local police, state police or sheriff’s department);
8. Submit a money order or cashier’s check made out to LSBN for processing clinical acceptance and for fingerprint record check (see application form for current price);
9. Pay for, schedule, and take the standardized nursing entrance exam; and
10. Present a picture ID in order to take the nursing entrance exam.

Students who have previously attended McNeese State University and have been readmitted to the nursing curriculum must meet the current University and nursing retention-progression criteria.

An acceptance packet will be mailed to students upon conditional admission. The student will be required to hand deliver the completed Department of Undergraduate Nursing Acceptance Form to the department. Other delivery options must be approved by the department prior to submission.

Transfers

Students transferring into nursing must:

1. Apply to the University and meet admission criteria. The transfer student admitted to the University must be in compliance with the eligibility and retention-progression criteria for the BSN program;
2. Contact the Department of Undergraduate Nursing to initiate a transcript(s) evaluation after a letter of acceptance for admission to the University is received;
3. Provide a transcript of all previous college work to the Department of Undergraduate Nursing;
4. Submit a course description and content from completed nursing courses to the Department of Undergraduate Nursing transfer advisor one semester prior to placement in the clinical nursing sequence, as requested;
5. Complete 12 semester hours of course work or permission of the department head prior to enrollment in any 300 or 400 level nursing course; and
6. Apply to the clinical nursing sequence (refer to application process). Once accepted in the clinical nursing sequence the student will not be allowed to transfer a nursing course from another university or college.

Retention-Progression

In order for students to progress in the nursing curriculum, the student must:

1. Complete all required courses as outlined in the first three semesters of the BSN curriculum plan with a grade of C or better;
2. Have repeated no more than two non-nursing courses in which a grade of D or F is earned;
3. Complete all required nursing courses with a grade of C or better;
4. Have repeated no more than one nursing course in which a grade of D, F, or W is earned. A student is permitted one failure or withdrawal once admitted to the clinical nursing sequence. A second failure or withdrawal, in any nursing course, deems the student ineligible to progress;
5. Pass theory courses with a minimum of C and have a satisfactory S clinical evaluation in nursing courses with a clinical component. If a theory grade of D or F should occur, a satisfactory clinical evaluation is negated. If an unsatisfactory clinical evaluation should occur, a theory average of C or better will be reduced to a D and a theory grade of D will be reduced to an F;
6. Maintain current CPR certification (CPR for healthcare professionals) and TB test annually throughout all clinical courses. Students with a positive TB test must be compliant with treatment protocol;
7. Report any changes in health status to the course faculty by completing the Changes in Health Status Form found in the Department of Undergraduate Nursing;
8. Maintain a current Student Health Insurance Verification form while enrolled in clinical courses;
9. Declare any subsequent action, arrest, criminal charge, conviction, medical-mental conditions, or impairment in writing to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) and the head of the Department of Undergraduate Nursing; and
10. Comply with the College of Nursing and Health Professions Drug Testing Policy.

Failure to comply with the retention-progression policies will jeopardize the academic standing of the student in the BSN program.

Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from a course or the BSN program for any of the following conditions:

1. A deliberate attempt to cover up any error or negligent performance during clinical experiences;
2. Unsafe, unethical, illegal practices with patient care;
3. Failure to comply with clinical agency policies and regulations;
4. Plagiarism, cheating, or unauthorized possession of exams (see the Academic Integrity Policy);
5. Violations of the College of Nursing and Health Professions Drug Testing Policy;
6. Violations of the University Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity;
7. Violations of the College of Nursing and Health Professions policies as stated in the Department of Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook.
8. Lack of professional compatibility or unsafe clinical practice as defined by the faculty of the BSN program.

The faculty reserves the right to recommend termination of any student in the nursing program when academic, health, or personal conduct requires such action.

Withdrawal Policy

Students who are enrolled in the clinical nursing sequence and who wish to officially withdraw are required to inform their instructors of their decision and complete an Intent to Return/Withdrawal form found in the Department of Undergraduate Nursing. Submission of this form does not guarantee reentry into the clinical nursing sequence. After this, students follow the withdrawal policy for the University.

Online RN to BSN Program

Graduates from an accredited Louisiana or out-of-state nursing associate degree program who currently possess an active unencumbered RN license may be eligible for the online RN to BSN program. Specific information related to the RN to BSN program may be obtained in the Department of Undergraduate Nursing or on the College of Nursing and Health Professions website.

LPN to BSN Plan

Graduates from an accredited Louisiana or out-of-state practical (vocational) nursing program who currently possess an active unencumbered LPN or LVN license will be awarded nine credit hours of advanced placement for NURS 310 and NURS 326. Specific information may be found in the LPN to BSN articulation plan, which may be obtained by clicking here or from the Department of Undergraduate Nursing.