Department of Nursing

The undergraduate nursing program at ISU is a four-year professional program which leads to the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing. The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing and the Idaho Board of Nursing. The aim of the Department of Nursing is to prepare graduates to function as professional nurses wherever there are people who need nursing services. Students are provided an opportunity to learn and to practice nursing in special learning laboratories and in any setting where people need nursing care. After an initial period of orientation, they are prepared to assume leadership responsibility. Graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). The undergraduate program serves as a foundation for graduate study.

The Master of Science degree is accredited by the National League for Nursing, and is offered with emphasis in family nursing with nursing service administration family nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and nursing education as functional roles. (See the Graduate School section for admission and degree requirements.)

The courses listed below reflect a curriculum which is responsive to national trends and the health care needs of Idaho citizens. The focus in this curriculum is on multiple dimensions of client care, including the promotion of health as well as the alleviation of illness.

Admission

Students are admitted to the nursing program at the junior level. Admission to the program is granted only for the fall semester. All materials, including official transcripts of all courses completed at universities other than Idaho State University, and a $25 non-refundable application fee, must be submitted to the Department of Nursing Admissions and Advancement Committee by January 15 to insure consideration for fall enrollment. Applicants will be notified of the results of the review process by March 15.

1. The following criteria must be met for an applicant to be eligible for consideration for admission to the baccalaureate nursing program:

   a. minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the time of application (end of fall semester prior to application or the most current semester prior to application deadline).

   b. maintenance of minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 from the time of application to fall admission.

   c. completion of the following prerequisite courses, or equivalents, with a grade of "C" or better and a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or better for all prerequisite courses (failure to do so will result in loss of admission status): CHEM 107, CHEM 108, PSYC 111, PSYC 225 (or HEC 302), BIOS 101, BIOS 221, BIOS 223, BIOS g301, BIOS g302, SOC 101 or ANTH 100, HEC 239, HCA 110, NURS 220, NURS 261, NURS 330, NURS 340. Admission is competitive based on GPA in these courses. Idaho residents are given one additional point on the admission scale as are members of the federally recognized minority groups.

2. An alternate admission list is established when there are more eligible students than there are available positions. Alternate status is recognized only for the year of the application. Should the student not be admitted, s/he must reapply for the next year in order to be reviewed for admission with the new group of applicants. If positions become available to accommodate additional eligible students, those on the alternate list will be notified.

3. All students reapplying to the nursing program must meet the prevailing admission criteria in order to be eligible for readmission. Reapplication does not guarantee readmission. Reapplicants will be subject to the same scrutiny and consideration as an initial applicant.

In order for students to progress in the Baccalaureate Nursing Program the following criteria must be met.

1. Minimum of "C" or better in all nursing and required courses of the nursing major. Should a student receive a grade of "D" or "F" in any two nursing or required courses of the nursing major, the student will be dropped from the Nursing Program whether or not these courses have been repeated for higher grades. The student may reapply for admission and would have to compete with other students who may apply at the same time.

2. Should a student receive a grade of "D" or "F" in any three nursing courses (either three different or repeated courses) or required corequisite courses of the nursing major, the student will not be eligible for readmission.

3. A nursing student who is suspended from a clinical practicum for unsafe practice will not be eligible for readmission to the program, unless evidence is submitted that the unsafe behaviors have been corrected.

4. Students will not be allowed to progress to the next level in the nursing program if all required concurrent courses are not completed with a grade of "C" or better.

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 ("C") will be unable to continue in the nursing sequence until the cumulative average is 2.0 or better.

Students who have a grade less than "C" in a nursing course or required course outside the Department of Nursing and who request to continue, must have their records reviewed by the Admissions and Advancement Committee. The committee will make a recommendation to the Chairperson regarding the student's progression. The student must submit the request in writing on a Department of Nursing petition and in such cases, the student may be called to appear before the committee.

A student who is in academic jeopardy (below a "C" grade in nursing course or below 2.0 GPA) at mid-semester will be notified in writing by the Department of Nursing. Continuation in the program is also contingent upon compliance to ethical and professional standards of conduct as defined by the American Nurses Association code, departmental policy on safe practice in the clinical setting, and academic honesty.

Graduation

Each senior student must contact the graduation clerk in the fall preceding graduation. The academic record of each will be formally reviewed for completeness of specified course work and university requirements. The Department of Nursing formally reviews the transcripts of senior students for completeness of departmental requirements. Failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 will result in non-conference of the degree and the inability of the person to apply for NCLEX-RN and licensure.

Expenses

Students in the Department of Nursing will incur certain expenses, such as the cost of clinical apparel and lab fees, in addition to the student expenses listed by the university. Clinical learning experiences are held in a variety of agencies, so transportation expenses may be incurred.

Financial Assistance

In addition to the financial aid available to all university students, special awards and funds may be available to qualified nursing students. For information about financial assistance, contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.

Graduate Program

The Department of Nursing offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Science with a major in nursing. See the Graduate Catalog for information. For further information write to the Department of Nursing, ISU Box 8101, Pocatello, Idaho 83209, or phone (208) 236-2720.