College of Nursing

• Graduate Studies

Peggy L. Wolfe, Dean

Mission

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

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Therapeutic nursing interventions
• Role development
• Professionalism
• Service to the community

Fundamental to this mission is the faculty commitment to student success, academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, community alliances, faculty practice, creative scholarly activity, and research in nursing. The College of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) and as a member of the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN).

College of Nursing Community Health Care Center

The Mission of the College of Nursing Community Health Care Center is to improve the well being and productivity of the community, in particular, under-served populations through primary care, prevention, and health promotion. Using nursing models of health, the Community Health Care Center serves as a clinical site for faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students.

Undergraduate Nursing Degree Program

Rebecca Riley, Department Head
Faculty: Barrow, Basone, Bruney, Bufford, Capello, Carter, Conway-Pennick, Cooley, Dubriel, Duhon, Durio, Engel, Fontenot, Foreman, Graham, Groves, Hebert, Hershberger, Howard, Johnson, Levens, Martin, McCann, Stout, Thompson, Wilburn, Williams, Woodard                       

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

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 health care settings.
2. Assume a leadership role within one’s scope of professional nursing practice in improving quality care.
3. Begin scholarly practice.
4. Provide safe, quality patient-centered care through effective communication, therapeutic nursing interventions, and critical thinking.
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 health care 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, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 463-6930.

Expenses will 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 Undergraduate Nursing Degree Program office or McNeese College of Nursing website.

The College of 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 health care 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, do you have, or have you had a medical, physical, mental, emotional or psychiatric condition that might affect your ability to safely practice as a Registered Nurse;

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 (225-755-7500) before being accepted into the BSN Program. Failure to disclose or to correctly answer these questions 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 on a competitive basis. 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 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 101, BIOL 201, BIOL 225, BIOL 226, and CHEM 120.
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 College of Nursing Student Handbook. 
8. The Nurse Practice Act of Louisiana requires that students be approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) for admission into clinical courses.
9. Comply with the College of Nursing Drug Testing Policy. http://www.mcneese.edu/nursing/college-websites-links

The College of 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 will be initiated.  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.
3. Provide the College of Nursing 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 Undergraduate Nursing Degree Program office in Hardtner Hall.
2. Pay application fee.
3. Attach the following to the application form:
   1. Completed Physical Examination Form.
   2. Completed medical management plan for any physical or mental health issue.
   3. Copy of current tuberculosis (TB) skin test results (must be PPD).
   4. Copy of current CPR card (must be CPR for health care professionals).
   5. Copy of completed immunization record.
4. Submit the application form with attachments to the Undergraduate Nursing Degree Program office 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 to Disclose Criminal History Record Information form and the Application Processing-Disclosure Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information 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 $62.50 money order or cashier’s check made out to LSBN for processing clinical acceptance and for fingerprint record check.
9. Pay for, schedule, and take the standardized nursing entrance exam.
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 College of Nursing Acceptance Form to the Undergraduate Nursing Degree Programs Office.

Transfers

Students transferring into nursing must:

1. Make application to enroll in the University according to 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 College of Nursing to initiate a transcript(s) evaluation after a letter of acceptance is received.
3. Provide a transcript of all previous college work to the College of Nursing.
4. Submit a course description and content from completed nursing courses to the College of 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 Dean prior to enrollment in any 300 or 400 level nursing course.
6. Make application to clinical nursing sequence (refer to application process). Once accepted in the clinical nursing equence the student will not be allowed to transfer a nursing course from another university or college.

Retention-Progression

In order for students to be retained and progress in nursing courses, 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 and/or withdrawal, in any nursing course, constitutes dismissal from the program.
5. Pass theory with a minimum of “C” and have a Satisfactory “S” clinical evaluation in nursing courses with a clinical component. If a theory failure “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”. A theory grade of “D” will be reduced to an “F”.
6. Maintain current CPR certification (CPR for health care 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 Undergraduate Nursing Degree Program office.
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 Undergraduate Nursing Degree Programs Head.
10. Comply with the College of Nursing 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 MSU Academic Integrity Policy.
5. Violations of the CON Drug Testing Policy.
6. Violations of the University Code of Student Conduct.
7. Violations of the College of Nursing policies as stated in the College of Nursing 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 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 Undergraduate Nursing Degree Programs office. 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 a Louisiana or an out-of-state Associate Degree in nursing 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 Undergraduate Nursing Degree Program Office or the McNeese College of Nursing Website (http://www.mcneese.edu/nursing/rn-to-bsn_online)

LPN to BSN Plan

Graduates from a Louisiana or an out-of-state Practical (vocational) Nursing program who currently possess an active unencumbered LPN or LVN license may be eligible for advanced standing in the BSN Program. Specific information related to the LPN to BSN articulation plan may be obtained in the Undergraduate Nursing Degree Program Office or the College of Nursing Website (http://www.mcneese.edu/f/c/dc560daf)

Graduate Studies

Master of Science in Nursing

Sattaria Dilks and Ann Warner, Co-Coordinators
Faculty: Roberts, Sterling-Guillory

The McNeese State University College of Nursing Graduate Program in cooperation with the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science Degree in Nursing, offers a program of advanced nursing studies. The program reflects the missions of McNeese State University, the College of Nursing and the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing.

Graduate nursing education seeks to stimulate continued intellectual growth and commitment to lifelong learning. The program builds upon the critical thinking, therapeutic intervention, and communication skills developed in the undergraduate program to influence the health care of members of a multicultural world community.

The scope of advanced nursing practice is derived from the American Nurses Association Scope and Standards of Advanced Practice Registered Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Curriculum Guidelines and Programs Standards for Nurse Practitioner Education. Graduates of the program are prepared to assume leadership roles in nursing education, nursing administration, and advanced clinical nursing practice.

Within the consortium arrangement, the curriculum encompasses the concept of specialization along the developmental life span of the human being. The program provides students with an opportunity to develop advanced skills and knowledge of clients with a variety of complex health care problems, while encouraging diversity in nursing functions and levels of intervention.

Purpose

The Master of Science in Nursing Program aims to prepare graduates that:

1. Acknowledge and demonstrate scholarship as an integral component of the chosen practice role.
2. Are able to translate and utilize research as a scientific basis for health policy and professional practice.
3. Accumulate and synthesize role and specialty specific information into a functional body of knowledge.
4. Use self-regulated thinking and sound judgment to shape personal, professional and organizational decisions.
5. Model professional behaviors, including involvement in professional organizations, engagement in lifelong learning, consumer advocacy and professional competency.
6. Create and maintain supportive and constructive relationships with health care consumers, members of the health care team and the community of interest.

The Master of Science in Nursing Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE may be contacted at the following address: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530; Washington, DC 20036-1120; (202) 887-6791. Website: www.aacn.nche.edu. Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification exams appropriate to their role specialty.

Licensing and Credentialing Requirements:

Completion of the program will prepare the graduate to practice as an advanced practice nurse, to teach at the undergraduate college level,or to function as a nurse executive. Students who successfully complete the MSN curriculum for the nurse practitioner role meet educational requirements to take the following national certification examinations, and to apply for an advanced practice license:

• Nurse Practitioner Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner; or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program

The MSN degree is offered as part of a consortium agreement with McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Students seeking admission to the Consortium must apply and pay appropriate fees at the institution at which the student plans to pursue the nursing major.

The student selects a functional area in nursing education, nursing executive, or a nurse practitioner role concentration in family or psychiatric mental health.

The College of Nursing reserves the right to limit the number of students to be admitted to the graduate nursing courses based on faculty and clinical resources.

Students seeking admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Transfer students must meet the same admission requirements and will be considered on a case by case space available basis.

A. Regular Admissions

An Applicant must have:

1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE accredited school. The transcript should demonstrate completion of a 3 semester hour or 4 quarter hour statistics course with a C or better. Students who will compete their BSN in the semester prior to anticipated enrollment may apply; however, acceptance will be contingent upon successful completion of the BSN.
2. A minimum over-all grade point average of 2.75 on 4.0 scale for all undergraduate nursing.
3. A minimum formula score greater than or equal to 400 when using the following formula: [GRE Verbal percentile number + GRE Quantitative percentile number) x 5] + (nursing course GPA x 100).
4. Eligibility for unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state where precepted experiences occur.
5. Two letters of professional reference from faculty members, professional colleagues, or work supervisors. These letters should address the prospective student’s ability to be successful in a graduate nursing program.
6. A 500-word essay detailing professional goals. The goal statement should include motivation for pursuing graduate nursing education as well as long and short term professional goals.
7. Current resume’.
8. Submitted completed application materials by May 1 to be considered for Fall admission and by November 1 to be considered for Spring admission. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis.

B. Conditional Status

An applicant who meets all requirements for regular admission to the master’s degree program except the grade point average of 2.75 on all undergraduate nursing courses attempted may seek conditional admission status. For acceptance to conditional status the student must have a minimum of a 30 on the combined GRE verbal and quantitative percentile and, a minimum of 2.5 GPA on all undergraduate courses in the nursing curriculum. To be removed from conditional status the student must make a B or better in each graduate-level course in the first 12 hours. If a C is made, the student will be dismissed from the program.

C. Admission and Progression Requirement for the Specialty/Concentration Courses

Admission to the specialty concentration means that the student is eligible to progress to the practicum courses.  Students in the Nurse Practitioner Concentration must complete the following courses prior to starting specialty coursework.

• NURS 600        Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr. hrs.)
• NURS 602        Design and Methodology of Nursing Research (3 cr. hrs.)
• NURS 604        Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr. hrs.)
• NURS 616        Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr. hrs.)
• NURS 606        Practicum for Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (1 cr. hr.)
• NURS 617        Pharmocotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr. hrs.)
• NURS 618        Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr. hrs.)

Students seeking the Nurse Executive concentration must apply the semester prior to enrollment in NURS 554/654 Nurse Leadership and Administration Field Study. Students seeking the Nurse Educator Concentration must apply prior to enrollment in NURS 639 Nursing Education Practicum.

The application to specialty concentration courses requires that the student submit the following by December 1 for the Spring semester and August 1 for the Fall semester Late applications will be admitted on a space available basis.

1. Proof of current Health-care Provider CPR,
2. Proof of OSHA Training,
3. Tb verification,
4. Health insurance,
5. Preceptor agreement forms,
6. Agency affiliation agreements,
7. Proof of negative drug screen,
8. Proof of acceptable background check,
9. Malpractice insurance in the amount of $1 million for each occurrence and $3 million annual aggregate. Required of Nurse Practitioner students only.

Additional immunizations may be required depending upon site of precepted experiences.

Once admitted to the specialty/concentration courses, the student is expected to follow the full-time or part-time degree plan which becomes a part of their record. Students who do not follow their degree plan may lose a practicum slot and have to reapply.

D. Program Length

The program is four to six semesters in length dependent upon which role is selected. Students who attend full-time may complete the program in two to three years; part-time students may complete the program from three to six years.

E. Non-Degree Status

Registration of non-degree students in individual courses is subject to the prerequisites and requirements of the respective departments. Credits earned with a letter grade (A or B) while in non-degree status may be applied toward a degree upon approval of the student’s advisor, the Dean of the major program, and the Graduate Dean, where applicable. Not more than twelve (12) semester hours of graduate work completed while in non-degree status may be applied toward a degree.

F. Retention and Progression Requirements

1. A student must earn a “B” in each course in the program to be eligible for progression.
2. A student who has regular admission status and who earns a grade below “B” will be placed on probation and must repeat the course within two regular semesters with at least a “B”. If the student does not repeat the course within 2 semesters, the student may be subject to program dismissal. If a grade below “B” is earned in a subsequent course, the student will be dismissed. Students whose GPA for the semester falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Once on academic probation, a student will continue on probation until the cumulative and term GPA rises to 3.0. Students on academic probation whose GPA for any term falls below 3.o will be suspended from further graduate study. Suspended students may be admitted on probation with the recommendation of the Graduate Coordinator and the approval of the Executive Director of Graduate Studies and Extended Education.
3. A student who has conditional admission status who earns a “C” in the first twelve (12) hours of coursework will be dismissed from the program.
4. A graduate student who makes a grade of “F” in any course taken for graduate credit, any undergraduate prerequisite, or any undergraduate course in his major field will be ineligible to register for further graduate work. A student who receives an “F” because of extenuating, nonacademic reasons may appeal to the Graduate Council for readmission to the Graduate School.
5. Any student dismissed for failure to meet academic standards may make appeal to the Dean of the College. If unsuccessful, a subsequent appeal must be made to the Graduate Council of the University in which he/she is enrolled.
6. Students who have not been enrolled during the preceding calendar year must reapply through the Graduate School for readmission, and meet Graduate Nursing admission requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Degree Requirements

To earn the Master of Science in Nursing with a role concentration and a specialization, the student must:

• Complete all degree requirements including:
  • A minimum of 40-46 credit hours for the Nurse Practitioner role.
  • A minimum of 34 credit hours for the Nurse Educator role.
  • A minimum of 35-38 credit hours for the Nurse Executive role.
• Complete a Focused Scholarly Project or a Thesis; and
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA.