Philosophy
Philosophy The Department of Nursing is an integral part of West Virginia State University. The nursing faculty believe that the conceptual bases of the practice of nursing include person, environment, health, and nursing. Person/Environment The faculty of the nursing program believes that the person can be defined as an individual, family, community, or society who deserves to be treated with respect, is unique, and should engage in deliberate action to achieve goals. The person is a combination of physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural influences that are influenced by the environment and interactions with other people. Nurses must have respect for human dignity and promote respect of human values within all professional settings. Nursing should provide a trusting patient relationship and demonstrate separation of bias or prejudice. The faculty believe that the environment is made up of both internal and external factors. The person can be internally impacted by thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. The external impacts can be the physical surroundings, interaction with family, cultural influence, work environment, and religious impacts. These internal and external factors can impact the person’s ability to adapt and maintain health. Society has a responsibility to promote health/wellness to maximize outcomes and promote improvements in quality of life. Health/Wellness Health is a dynamic state that is influenced by shared interaction between the person and the environment. Health allows the person to be an active participant in life experiences and promotes the person’s ability to develop and meet goals. Illness is a disharmony with the person and environment. Perception of health, values, beliefs, culture, genetics, age, and lifestyle can impact the health/wellness continuum. It is a right for the person to have access to quality health care in order to maintain health/wellness.

Health/Wellness
Health is a dynamic state that is influenced by shared interaction between the person and the environment. Health allows the person to be an active participant in life experiences and promotes the person’s ability to develop and meet goals. Illness is a disharmony with the person and environment. Perception of health, values, beliefs, culture, genetics, age, and lifestyle can impact the health/wellness continuum. It is a right for the person to have access to quality health care in order to maintain health/wellness.

Nursing
The nurse’s role is to provide care and promote wellness for the person across the lifespan. The nurse must be knowledgeable regarding applications of theory to nursing practice. The nurse must also be knowledgeable about a broad range of scientific knowledge including biology, physical science, social science, and behavioral science to manage and coordinate the care of complex patients and communities. Improvements in the quality of care and outcomes is accomplished through self-reflection, feedback from others, and continued education. Nurses must participate in the integration of new evidence into standards of practice by valuing the concept of EBP as an integral part of determining best clinical practice. Nurses must have skills in critical thinking, collaboration with other professions, communication with patients, and professionalism. The nurse must also be prepared to function as a patient advocate and leader within the practice setting and entire profession. The nurse must assess the person and environment, develop partnerships with community leaders, and be an advocate for justice and equality. The nurse should utilize an ethical framework to examine social policy regarding populations that are considered vulnerable. The nurse should provide safe, patient centered-care that promotes inclusion of the patient in health promotion activities and improvements in health outcomes. Nurses must be knowledgeable regarding information management and have skills related to the application of patient care technology. Nurses must value contributions to outcomes of care and recognize that quality improvement is instrumental in the assessment and improvement of the care provided. Nurses are unique members of the health care team.

Education
Nursing education is the process of learning and application that clarifies the professional role of the nurse. Educational experiences should support and inspire growth within the profession. The educational experiences include an integration of self-directed learning opportunities for students. Faculty facilitate learning through didactic and clinical experiences. The faculty supports life-long learning and promotes involvement in leadership activities within the profession.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will be accepting applications in the Spring of 2023 for entry into the program in the Fall of 2023.  This cohort’s expected date of graduation is May 2026.  Students must meet the requirements for entry into the program by submitting an application and meeting the following:  Complete all prerequisites including completion of the HESI entrance exam, Biology 120, Math 120, Chemistry 101, and Psychology 151.  Students must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.


Admission to the Nursing Program
The Department of Nursing welcomes all qualified applicants, including transfer students, both from within the University and from other colleges and universities. In every case, an applicant for transfer admission must be in good academic and social standing at any college which he/she is currently attending or has previously attended and must be eligible to return to the nursing major. The purpose of admission requirement policy is to reflect the organization’s commitment to quality.

Students must submit an application to the nursing program by June 15 for the fall semester. Spaces will be limited, and the most qualified applicants will be chosen for placement within the program. Students will be chosen based on qualifications listed below and completion/enrollment of the pre-requisites/co-requisites including English composition, general psychology, college algebra, chemistry with lab, and general biology.
Students who have been unsuccessful twice or who have withdrawn twice must wait 5 years to reapply; this includes students who have been admitted in the first semester twice.

Admission Requirements:
Admission to the University.
Submission of one official transcript from each college/university attended since high school is to be submitted.

Admission to the Nursing Program:
Admission to the Upper Division of Nursing upon successful completion of the following:

• All pre-nursing courses with a grade of C or better is required.
• A minimum grade of C is required in the science and nursing support courses.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for admission into the nursing program.
• Health Education Systems Inc. (HESI) Assessment examination must be completed by June 15 prior to the anticipated semester of admission. A composite score of 75% must be achieved in the following areas:
  • Math Reading
  • Comprehension
  • Vocabulary
  • Grammar
  • Chemistry
  • Biology/Anatomy & Physiology

NOTE: Science courses completed at any college/university greater than 5 years prior to admission to the Department of Nursing must be repeated.

Students must be eligible for sophomore standing. Students must successfully complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5, and score a minimum of 75% on the HESI A2 Admission Exam. Students will only have two (2) attempts to successfully complete Core Courses.

 

The Department of Nursing at West Virginia State University will open the application period for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in January 2023.  The link for the application will open on January 31,  2023.    If you are not a current student, please reach out to the WVSU Admission's office to apply to the school.  You must be admitted to WVSU to be eligible to apply to the nursing program.  The link for the Admission's office is wvstateu.edu/admissions.aspx. 

The application deadline for entry into the Fall 2023 cohort has been extended until June 15, 2023.  You must submit all documentation by June 15, 2023 (including HESI Entrance Exam results) to be considered for the program.  You can be enrolled in the prerequisites and apply to the program.  Remember that you must meet the HESI score (testing information noted in section below) and GPA requirements (cumulative 2.5) for full consideration.  Full acceptance is contingent upon the completion of all prerequisites with a "C" or better and submission of official transcripts.  Please make sure to get a current recommendation letter from one of your professors/professional reference.  
The link for the application will be posted on January 31, 2023.  Please do not mail or submit transcripts directly to the nursing department at this time.

 The HESI entrance exams will be given through Proctor U.  The test windows for HESI entrance exams are not open at this time.  Test windows will open in January 2023.  You will have 2 opportunities to take the exam if you do not pass with a 75% on the first attempt.  The second attempt can be taken 30 days after the initial attempt.  No more than 2 attempts are allowed within a 12 month period.  You need to contact the Nursing Department if you require a second attempt.  Do not use the same test code for the second attempt. 





 

 

Fall Semester		Spring Semester
BIOL 331 Anatomy and Physiology I	4	BIOL 332 Anatomy and Physiology II	4
PSYC 304 Lifespan Development	3	G ED ARTS	3
CHEM 201 Elem. Organic and Biochemistry	4	G ED International Perspectives	3
CJ 314 Stats or BA 203	3	NURS 202 Health Assessment, Wellness, and Prevention Across the Lifespan	4
NURS 200 Introduction to Professional Nursing	2	G ED History	3
Total	16	Total	17

 
 

Fall Semester			Spring Semester
NURS 301 Foundations of Nursing Practice	6		NURS 316 Nursing Care of Adults with Acute/Chronic Health Disorders	7
NURS 303 Pathophysiology Concepts	3		NURS 318 Nursing Care: Alterations in Mental Health	7
NURS 305 Pharmacological Concepts in Nursing	3		Elective	2
NURS 312 Professional Perspectives in Nursing	2
HHP 122 or 157 Wellness	2
Total	16		Total	16
Fall Semester			Spring Semester
NURS 405 Nursing Care of Women, Children, and Families	7		NURS 408 Transition to Nursing Practice	3
NURS 406 Nursing Care of Adults with Acute/Chronic Health Disorders II	7		NURS 409 Synthesis of Nursing Care	4
NURS 407 Evidence Based Nursing Research	3		NURS 410 Professional Nursing Internship	6
Total	17		Total	13

 
 * Denotes course is a pre-requisite for the program.
 
 

FINALBachelor-of-Science-in-Nursing-Curriculum-Sheet-2022.pdf

Courses Descriptions
NURS 200 Introduction to Professional Nursing
Designed to introduce and transition all qualified applicants to the language of nursing, critical thinking, the essential academic skills for incoming students and the interpersonal skills required for success in nursing school and the nursing profession. Selected concepts and processes for professional nursing will be included in the course, including an introduction to nursing’s theoretical, philosophical, ethical, and legal dimensions. Other topics will cover patient safety and quality care, health care reform, and nursing workforce challenges. Course activities will focus on development of teamwork, communication skills, effective decision making and reflective practice. (Pre- requisites BIOL 120, CHEM 101, MATH 120; admission to the nursing program).
Class: 2 semester hours didactic; Clinical: 0 semester hours clinical)
 

NURS 202 – Health Assessment, Wellness and Prevention across the Lifespan/Lab
This course provides the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a comprehensive health assessment through health history, inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Key aspects of health assessment for culturally diverse groups of children, adults, and elders are comprehensively examined and practiced in classroom and laboratory settings. This course contains both theory and clinical practicum components. (Pre-requisites BIOL 331 and NURS 200, admission to the nursing program). Class: 3 semester hours didactic; Clinical: 1 semester hour lab [45 hours lab])

NURS 301 Foundations of Nursing Practice
This course introduces theories, concepts, principles, and processes that lay the foundation for critical thinking, nursing interventions, communication, professional role and caring in the practice of nursing. Content includes assistance with daily living activities, environmental concerns, positioning and transporting, asepsis and sterile technique, and medication administration. Concepts related to nursing fundamentals and nursing care is integrated throughout the course. Students will be introduced to medication math and medical terminology. Students will be expected to demonstrate beginning competency in application of the nursing process and apply the nursing process in the classroom, campus skills lab, and clinical experiences. (Pre-requisites Admission to the nursing program, NURS 202; Co-requisite Nursing 303, Nursing 305, Nursing 312). Class: 3 semester hours didactic; Lab: 3 semester hours clinical [45 hours clinical experience; 90 hours lab]

NURS 303 Pathophysiology Concepts in Nursing
This course is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology concepts and process related to human illness and disease. A patient centered approach is used to explore the pathophysiology, etiology, prognosis, risk factors, clinical presentation, treatment and diagnostics of illness and disease. The pathophysiology course will facilitate in the student’s ability to develop critical reasoning abilities, sound nursing practice, and foster skills that provide safe, quality patient care. (Pre-requisites BIOL 331, BIOL 332, and NURS 202, admission to the nursing program; Co-requisite Nursing 301, Nursing 305, Nursing 312). Class: 3 semester hours didactic; Clinical: 0 semester hour lab)

NURS 305 Pharmacological Concepts in Nursing
Provides students with an overview of pharmacology with an emphasis on clinical applications within the context of the nursing process and prioritization of needs; with special consideration given to the physiological, psycho/social, cultural, and spiritual needs of patients. Explores indications, modes of action, effects, contraindications and interactions for selected drugs. Nursing implications related to drug administration are emphasized. Dosage calculations are evaluated for competency. (Pre-requisites NURS 202, admission to the nursing program; Co-requisite Nursing 301, Nursing 303, Nursing 312)). Class: 3 semester hours didactic; Clinical: 0 semester hour lab)

NURS 312 Professional Perspective in Nursing
The purpose of this course is to focus on the legal and ethical frameworks supported by the standards of nursing practice.  In addition, students will be provided with information and tools that nurses and nursing can use to confront health and health care challenges and will learn how to provide nursing care in collaborative interdisciplinary partnership within health care system. The course also concentrates on health policy issues, introduction to the use of evidence based practice, leadership, theoretical framework, trends in informatics and communication affecting the nurse as an individual and a professional, in health care delivery to patients, groups and aggregates. (Pre- requisites NURS 200, admission to the nursing program; Co-requisite Nursing 301, Nursing 303; Nursing 305). Class: 2 semester hours didactic; Clinical: 0 semester hour lab)

NURS 316 Nursing Care of Adults with Acute/Chronic Health Disorders
This course focuses on providing care to adults with chronic or acute non-complex illness including common alterations in respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. Nutrition, pharmacology, communication, cultural, and community concepts are integrated in to the course. This course focuses on care that is developmentally and culturally appropriate and incorporates critical thinking, quality improvement, collaboration, and information technology as they relate to the care of diverse patients in the medical/surgical setting. Integrated throughout the course are the standards of practice, legal and ethical responsibilities, and role of the professional nurse when caring for patients undergoing medical/surgical interventions. (Pre-requisites Nursing 202; Nursing 305; Admission to the Nursing Program; Co- requisite: Nursing 318). Class: 4 semester hours didactic; Lab: 3 semester hours clinical: 135 hours clinical experience)

NURS 318 Nursing care: Alterations in Mental Health
The focus of the course is on the nurse’s role in promoting mental health and decreasing psychopathology through utilization of the nursing process with patients in various psychiatric settings including inpatient and community. This course focuses on the application of the nursing process with emphasis on critical thinking, safe care, and therapeutic nursing interventions. (Pre-requisites Prerequisite: Admission to the nursing program Nursing 202; Nursing 305; Co-requisite; Nursing 316). Class:  4 semester hours didactic; Lab: 3 semester hours clinical; 135 Clinical hours required)

NURS 405 Nursing Care of Women, Children, and Families
Study of the concepts related to the provision of nursing care for childbearing and childrearing families; application of systematic problem-solving processes and critical thinking skills, including a focus on the childbearing family during the perinatal periods and the childrearing family from birth to adolescence. Focuses on competency in knowledge, judgment, skill, and professional values within a legal/ethical framework. Integrates standards of practice regarding the legal and ethical responsibilities of the nurse. Emphasis will be placed on the nursing process, application of critical thinking, collaboration, and information technology in caring for children, women and families, as well as reproductive health issues. The student will care for clients on a variety of settings to include obstetrical, pediatric, and community settings. (Prerequisite: Nursing 305; Nursing 316; Admission to the Nursing Program); Class:  4 semester hours didactic; Lab: 3 semester hours clinical; 135 clinical hours)

NURS 406 Nursing Care of Adults with Acute/Chronic Health Disorders II

This course focuses on providing care to adults with chronic or acute illness, building upon prior knowledge.  Nutrition, pharmacology, communication, cultural, and community concepts are integrated into this course.  This course focuses on care that is developmentally and culturally appropriate and incorporates critical thinking, quality improvement, collaboration and information technology as they relate to the care of diverse patients in the medical/surgical setting.  Integrated throughout the course are the standards of practice, legal, and ethical responsibilities, and role of the professional nurse when caring for patients undergoing medical/surgical interventions.
Class: 4 semester hours didactic; Lab: 3 semester hours clinical [135 hours clinical experience]
(Prerequisite: Prerequisite NURS 316; corequisite NURS 405 and 407)

NURS 407 Evidence Based Nursing Research
This course continues to build on the introductory concepts of evidence-based nursing practice from earlier courses. Students will examine all aspects of the research process as it relates to the baccalaureate nurse’s role in research. The focus will be on the identification of practice issues, appraisal and integration of evidence, evaluation of patient outcomes and sharing best practices to improve patient and organizational outcomes. (Prerequisite: English 102; Nursing 202, Nursing 318; CJ 314 or BA 203; Admission to the Nursing Program; Co-requisite Nursing 405; Nursing 406; 3 semester hours didactic, no clinical credits).

NURS 408 Transition to Nursing Practice
This course provides students with opportunities to gain knowledge and skills necessary to transition from student to registered nurse. Integration of previous health care knowledge and skills into the role development of the professional nurse as a provider of patient-centered care, patient safety advocate, member of health care team, and member of the profession. Content includes current issues in health care, nursing leadership and management, professional practice issues for registered nurses, and transition into the workplace. Additional instruction is provided for preparing for the NCLEX-RN. (Prerequisite: Nursing 407; Admission to the Nursing Program; Co- requisite Nursing 409; Nursing 410; 3 credits didactic, no clinical credits).

NURS 409 Synthesis of Nursing Care
This senior level course focuses on the nursing care of adults and populations with complex health disorders. Disorders involve patients experiencing high acuity
complex conditions across the lifespan. Pathological conditions of the cardiac, pulmonary, genitourinary, neurological, vascular, hepatic, and biliary systems are covered. Students will incorporate critical thinking, quality improvement, collaboration, and information technology as they plan and provide evidence-based care for patients experiencing alterations in health, which identifies these patients as experiencing highly acute complex conditions in a variety of high acuity health care settings. Class: 2 semester hours didactic; Lab: 2 semester hours clinical [90 hours clinical experience]
(Prerequisite: Prerequisite NURS 406; co-requisite NURS 409 and NURS 410)

NURS 410 Professional Nursing Internship
Student-designed experience focusing on the role of the professional nurse in a variety of clinical practice settings. This course requires the RN student to accomplish individual learning objectives negotiated with their faculty facilitator and chosen preceptor(s) at the onset of the course. The practicum will enable RN students to expand clinical expertise, broaden exposure to specialty areas, explore arenas with which they are unfamiliar, and apply theory learned throughout the BSN curriculum to meet the needs of clients. The practicum will specifically enable the RN student to implement the professional roles of a BSN registered nurse in the areas of leadership/management, education, and community practice. Includes: Clinical immersion (200 clock hours) to strengthen and broaden baccalaureate nursing skills, judgments and decision making. Supervised by a preceptor, students synthesize and apply evidence-based skills and knowledge to nursing practice.

Includes:  Capstone project will be presented at the end of the course. NCLEX review and HESI testing is incorporated into this course to evaluate student readiness to take NCLEX. Successful completion of HESI exit exam with an 850 score. If student does not achieve HESI exit exam benchmark score, then the student will require remediation prior to graduation Class: 6 semester hours clinical internship [200 hours clinical experience] (Prerequisite: Admission to nursing program; Co-requisite Nursing 408; Nursing 409).
 

FINAL-Revised-Degree-Map-Nursing-07-11-2022.pdf

Accreditation
The program has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.  The West Virginia State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is provisionally approved by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses.

West Virginia Board of Examiners
for Registered Professional Nurses 
90 MacCorkle Ave. SW, Suite 203
South Charleston, WV 25303 
Phone: (304) 744-0900 or 1-877-743-NURS(6877) 
Fax: (304) 744-0600 
Web Address: www.wvrnboard.wv.gov
Email: rnboard@wv.gov

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at West Virginia State University (WVSU) is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.



 

Graduation and Licensure
Requirements for graduation:
A grade of “C” or better in all courses required within the major (i.e., Biology 120, 241; Chemistry 101; Chemistry 201; General Psychology 151; G ED 101; Math 119E (pre-requisite for Math 120 if ACT or SAT scores do not meet university standards) and Math 120 (must be completed to graduate from the nursing program). Students will not progress into a nursing course if a grade of less than “C” is earned in a pre-requisite nursing or non- nursing course.
Earn an absolute progression grade of 78% or higher on testing in all nursing courses and earn an absolute final grade of 78% or higher. (See Grading Progression Policy)

Earn a “Pass” grade for clinical performance in each clinical component of a nursing course.
Requirements for licensure are mandated by West Virginia State Law and the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses.  Those regulations can be found on the website https://wvrnboard.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
 

Resources and Links
Licensure information:  West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses https://wvrnboard.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx

American Nurses Association
https://www.nursingworld.org

National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm

Initial Licensure Requirements By State 
Initial-Licensure-Requirements-by-State.pdf

West Virginia State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing Handbook 2022-2023
Updated-final-Draft-2022Final-2022-23-FINAL-WVSU-Student-Handbook-West-Virginia-State-University.pdf

More information will be posted soon. 

Please review the information at WVSU-webpage-information-SNA.pdf regarding the West Virginia State University Student Nurses' Association.