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Nursing

Welcome

Our undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares a nurse generalist with the knowledge and skills needed to work with diverse populations in various healthcare settings.  The program incorporates traditional classroom methods of instruction and state- of-the-art technologies to enrich the learning process.  It incorporates a variety of liberal arts and science courses with professional education and training.  Nursing is an evolving field with numerous opportunities for specialized training and advanced practice in settings such as pediatrics, obstetrics, oncology, and psychiatry.  This BSN degree provides a platform for graduates to expand on their knowledge and skills in order to advance their career goals. 

Program Learning Objectives
The objectives of the BSN program are as follow:
1. Use the nursing process to manage care for individuals, families, communities, and populations integrating physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental considerations.
2. Use the research process through translation of evidence-based findings to advance professional nursing and the delivery of health care
3. Incorporate information management and patient care technology in the delivery of quality patient-centered care.
4. Accept personal accountability for lifelong learning, professional growth, and commitment to the advancement of the profession.
5. Combine theoretical knowledge from the sciences, humanities, and nursing as a foundation to professional nursing practice that focuses on health promotion and prevention of disease for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
6. Employ inter-professional communication and collaboration to ensure safe, quality care across the lifespan.
7. Integrate ethical, legal, and professional standards into the practice of nursing.
 
Mission Statement
The mission of West Virginia State University’s Nursing Program is to prepare competent and caring nursing graduates through excellence in nursing education and practice. The nursing program is committed to providing an accessible education to a diverse population of learners.

Vision
West Virginia State University will be recognized as a valuable nursing education program graduating qualified nurses to serve the health care needs of individuals, families, and communities.
 

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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.

 


HESI Testing
West Virginia State University is partnering with Evolve and Proctor U to deliver remote HESI A2 Entrance Exams for applicants.  Please follow this link to learn how to sign up for the exam:
www.proctoru.com/portal/elsevier-hesi

The exam window is currently open.  You will take the HESI A2 1st Time Test Taker Exam.  You must wait 30 days between exam attempts if you do not meet the  75% composite score.  Please contact 304-766-5117 if you require an additional exam attempt.  Do not take the 1st Time Test Taker Exam twice.


Link for Application: Deadline July 15, 2023
West Virginia State University is partnering with the Centralized Application for Nursing Programs (Nursing CAS) for applications to the nursing program.  The application period will open 1/31/2023 and will now end on 7/15/2023.  The link for the website is:  nursingcas.org/how-to-apply/
 
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 July 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.  After June 15, 2023, applications are taken on a rolling cycle as submitted.  Any applications submitted by June 15, 2023 will receive priority review.
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. 





 


HESI Testing
IMPORTANT: It is imperative that you READ and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS throughout this process to ensure your ability to test within the allotted dates/times we have reserved! 
 
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SET UP YOUR PROCTUR U ACCOUNT AND REGISTER FOR YOUR TEST SESSION AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THIS NOTIFICATION! 

 Please Read this website and follow the below steps and instructions to get started with ProctorU. 
 
STEP 1:  Create an Elsevier Evolve account.  Use the following steps to create an Evolve account and register for HESI Student Access:
1.    Visit https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/  (copy and paste the link in web browser)
2.    Choose: I am a student.
3.    Under the box that says HESI Secured Exams, click on the link Register for Results and Remediation.
4.    Click on the blue Register button.
5.    This will take you to My Cart. Click the blue Checkout/Redeem button at the bottom of the page. Now you must create an Evolve account or sign into an existing one.
6.    Now, you will either create an account or sign into an existing one. Either sign in with your username and password or create one now by filling in the fields. Note: Your username will be auto generated and will be a combination of your first initial, your last name, and a number or series of numbers.

STEP 2:  Create a ProctorU username and password in order to register for, and take your exam.  Create your ProctorU account here:

https://go.proctoru.com/students/users/new?institution=2124  (copy and paste address into web browser)

o    For your Institution, please select “**Elsevier – HESI**”  
o    If you already have a ProctorU account, you will need to sign in and then “add enrollment” from your profile > account settings and select “**Elsevier – HESI** for the Institution.  Then update account. 
 
STEP 3:  Register and pay for your Admission Exam at ProctorU’s site. 
 
1.    Students should Login to their ProctorU account
2.    Once they login, they can “Schedule A New Session” 
a.    Institution “Elsevier – HESI” 
b.    Exam Type: Classic
c.    Term: Your Institution Name
d.    Select your exam: Name of exam you wish to test on. 
RN Admission Assessment with Critical Thinking (A2) - 1st Time Tester    WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY-BSN-RPECOM
 
3.    This will take you to a screen to select to schedule on demand or schedule for a later date
4.    Once selected you should be able to locate a desired date / time to register to take your exam
a.    Once located, hit “select” then “schedule” 
5.    Once scheduled, you’ll be prompted to confirm your exam and registration details and proceed to payment ($70 per test).
6.    Once again confirm exam name, institution info, and registration time/date and then proceed to payment
7.    Complete required fields required for payment authentication and select “Process Charge” 
ALL STUDENTS: Once you have set up your Proctor U account and have registered for your HESI Exam Session, please email your registration confirmation to nursing@wvstateu.edu

ALL STUDENTS: IMPORTANT NOTES FOR TESTING:  
•    You will need to have your Evolve username and password in order to test (you will be prompted for this after starting your exam session). 
•    You’ll need a computer, a webcam, and a microphone to take this exam. You will also need to be in a well-lit, private and quiet area that is free from interruption. 
•    You will be asked to show a Government issued ID to authenticate your identity. Your face and your screen will also be recorded through the duration of the exam. 
•    You will be asked to show your entire testing space during the startup process.  
•    The startup process will take between 10-15 minutes and does not deduct against your actual exam time.  
•    It is important that you have enough bandwidth available during the exam. Be aware that other people on your network streaming videos or using excessive bandwidth can impact your testing experience.  

Please remember that you will not use the same code for any repeat testing.  You must reach out to the Department of Nursing for additional instructions if you are not successful on the first exam.
 
Thank you,
Dr. Mary Sizemore
304-766-5117
mary.sizemore@wvstateu.edu

 


Accommodations
If you require accommodations for testing, please reach out to the Director of Nursing prior to scheduling the examination.  
Curriculum

The curriculum plan for the proposed pre-licensure BSN program of study will consist of General Education courses, supporting courses, and the Content Area courses. There are 29-30 credit hours of General Education courses including English, Math, humanities, psychology, international perspectives, and biology. There are 32 credit hours of supporting courses including biology, microbiology, statistics, and chemistry. There are 64 credit hours of Content Area courses. There are 32 cognate hours. Students will receive credit for chem 101 as a substitute for the Natural Science category of the general education. The curriculum is a total of 122 credit hours.


Fall Semester   Spring Semester  
ENGL 101 English Composition I 3 ENGL 102 English Composition II 3
BIOL 120 Fundamentals of Biology * 4 G ED Humanities 3
MATH 120 College Algebra * 3 BIOL 241 Fundamentals of
Microbiology
4
COMM 100 Interpersonal
Communication
3 CHEM 101 Health Science General
Chemistry *
4
G ED 101 (College of Professional
Studies)
3 PSYC 151 General Psychology * 3
Total 16 Total 17
 
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
CJ 314 Stats or BA 203 3 G ED International Perspectives 3
NURS 200 Introduction to Professional Nursing 2 NURS 202 Health Assessment, Wellness, and Prevention Across the
Lifespan
4
    G ED History 3
       
Total 12 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.
 
 
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 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).
 
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 is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.



 


Notification to Community of Interest Fall 2022 CCNE Visit
The West Virginia State University’s Nursing Department will host its initial accreditation visit for the BSN program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a nationally recognized accrediting body for baccalaureate and higher degree programs of nursing education. The visit will occur on November 2, 3 and 4, 2022.
 
CCNE provides the opportunity for our communities of interest (i.e., students, faculty, clinical agencies) to provide written input regarding our nursing program. Your feedback is valuable and appreciated. You are cordially invited to submit your written feedback up to twenty-one (21) days prior to the site visit. All written and signed feedback will be accepted by CCNE until October 12th, 2022, and must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person(s) submitting the comments. These comments are shared with the accrediting team prior to the visit, but at no time shared with the department.
 
Comments should be directed to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education:
 
Via mail —
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K St., NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
 
or
 
Via email —
 
thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org
 
Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important process.
 
Sincerely,
Mary Sizemore, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Director of Nursing
 
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 
Please review the link to determine if the BSN program meets your state licenusure requirements.  This information is subject to change and will be updated as needed.
NURS-Professional-License-Disclosure-2023.pdf


West Virginia State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing Handbook 2023-2024
FINAL-TRADITIONAL-BSN-2023-24-FINAL-WVSU-NURSING-Student-Handbook-West-Virginia-State-University-docx-(3).pdf



 


Student Complaint Process
The Department of Nursing takes student complaints and grievances very seriously and encourages students to pursue any concerns they might have related to their academic experience.  The WVSU Student Handbook can be found at WVSU-Student-Handbook-and-Code-08-15-21.pdf
The Student Complaint Process, BOG Policies is on page 12.
The Title IX Policy and Additional Resources is located on page 33.
Student Code of Conduct and Student Rights are located on pages 41-42.
The Hearing/Appelate Procedures are located on page 56.
 


Grade Appeal
Student grade appeal information is located at WVSU-Catalog-2021-2022.pdf.
Grade appeal information is on pages 45-46.
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.  

Our Team

Mary
Mary Sizemore, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Director of Nursing
(304) 766-5117
mary.sizemore@wvstateu.edu
Jamie
Jamie  Brunetti, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
(304) 766-4279
Jbell4@wvstateu.edu
Jessica Hensley, DNP, RN
Jessica  Hensley, DNP, RN
(304) 766-4429
Jessica.hensley@wvstateu.edu
James L.
James L.  Messer, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE, Advanced Credentialed ACUE
(304) 766-5112
Christy
Christy Walker, MSN, RN
(304) 766-4183
Christy.Walker@wvstateu.edu
Cristal
Cristal  Miller
Administrative Assistant
304-766-5107
Cristal.Miller@wvstateu.edu
Nursing student studying in nursing lab.

Two nursing students tend to a mannequin in the nursing lab.

Nursing student listenting to lecure in the nursing lab.

CCNE Accredited

Department of Nursing
103 Cole Complex
(304 ) 766-5117 (Office)


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