The College of NURSING

Elizabeth G. Nichols, Dean

HISTORY AND MISSION

Baccalaureate education in nursing began at UND in 1949 with the College of Nursing being founded in 1959. In 1996 the programs in nutrition and dietetics joined the College. The College of Nursing now offers professional programs in nursing and nutrition and dietetics. Undergraduate degrees are offered in nursing, community nutrition, and dietetics. Graduate specialties within the masters program include: adult health, parent child, rural health, anesthesia nursing, health care administration, and family nurse practitioner preparation.

The baccalaureate program in nursing provides students a sound background of liberal education, preparation in all basic areas of clinical nursing practice, and a solid foundation for graduate education. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national licensing examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The baccalaureate program in dietetics offered as a coordinated program, combines academic preparation with clinical experiences for students who wish to become Registered Dietitians. Upon completion of this degree, students are eligible to take the examination for professional registration (RD). A degree in community nutrition is also available.

The mission of the College of Nursing is to educate individuals for professional roles in nursing and nutrition. The College strives to enhance the health of people in the region by preparing leaders in nursing and nutrition through innovative, accessible programs, and significant faculty and student scholarship and service.

The College is committed to fostering critical thinking and intellectual inquiry in a caring environment which assumes a positive regard for others and which affirmatively supports and promotes diversity. Students are encouraged to be self directed and participatory learners and to commit themselves to learning as a life-long process which is essential to meeting the needs of society in a constantly changing environment. As the only state assisted institution in North Dakota authorized to offer graduate education in nursing, the College has a distinctive responsibility to provide distance learning opportunities for access to the master’s degree program.

The college promotes improvement of nursing and health care through the conduct and dissemination of research and scholarship regionally, nationally, and internationally. The College further contributes to the well being of society through the participation of faculty, students, and graduates in service activities concerned with the quality of nursing and health care. The College of Nursing has a particular commitment to advancing the quality of health care in North Dakota.

ACCREDITATION

The graduate and undergraduate nursing programs are approved by the State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation commission and have initial approval from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.

NURSING PROGRAM

Admission to Nursing

Students who wish to pursue a degree in Nursing should apply to the University to be admitted as Pre-Nursing majors in the College of Nursing. All persons who wish to apply for admission to the nursing major are advised to follow the suggested curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (see page 129). Since the College of Nursing strives to reflect current trends in the nursing profession, there may be on-going changes in the curriculum.

Admission to the Undergraduate Nursing Program. Students must complete a formal application to the College of Nursing and be approved for admission by the College before enrolling in the nursing curriculum. To be eligible for consideration for admission to the nursing program, the student must have: completed 24 semester hours of credit, including general chemistry, organic biochemistry, human anatomy, introduction to psychology, introduction to sociology (cultural anthropology or social problems may be taken in place of introduction to sociology), and a course in English composition; have earned at least a 2.50 overall and UND GPA; have earned a grade of ‘‘C’’ or better on English composition, organic and biochemistry, psychology, sociology (or cultural anthropology or social problems), and anatomy. The College also requires a personal essay designed to provide the Admissions Committee with additional information. The College will award additional points for a student who qualified for admission within the last two years. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject exam results will be accepted according to the current University policy.

The nursing program admits students once a year to fill the fall and spring classes. In the event of vacancies for the spring classes, a December/January review will be held. The application deadline is April 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission (only if vacancies exist).

The number of students admitted is determined by the availability of faculty and clinical facilities. Selection is made on the basis of academic record and submission of the required essay. Contact the College of Nursing Director of Student Affairs or your adviser for the specifics of the selection process and procedures.

Students may petition to establish credit through special examinations according to University policy (see page 33). Equivalency of courses (e.g., sciences) on other campuses with those at UND should be verified by contacting the College of Nursing as early as possible.

Admission of Transfer Students. Students seeking to transfer to the College of Nursing from other accredited institutions are advised to correspond with the College of Nursing before applying for admission to the University of North Dakota. Because of the number of applicants, students cannot be guaranteed admission to the Nursing Program. All qualified students are considered on merit.

Transfer students who plan to enter the Nursing Program must fulfill the same minimum prerequisite requirements as students seeking admission from other units of the University of North Dakota. The dates for submission of the application and consideration of applicants are the same for all students.

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). RNs and LPNs interested in pursuing a bachelors degree are considered for admission as transfer students. An upper division RN/BSN completion track which builds upon previous learning is available for part-time or full-time students. Further information concerning the progression of the RN/LPN student can be obtained by contacting the College of Nursing. Transcripts of previous academic work must be submitted as part of the application to the University and to the Nursing Program.

The University of North Dakota College of Nursing is a member of the Agassiz Region Nursing Education Consortium (ARNEC) along with other regional institutions.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

All candidates for the degree, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Completion of all University graduation requirements, including residence, as well as the required courses in the College of Nursing. See pages 27-31, 129.

2. A minimum of 129 semester hours.

3. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 overall.

PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS

1. A 2.50 GPA overall is required each semester for progression to the next semester of sophomore, junior, or senior nursing courses.

2. A student must attain a letter grade of at least a ‘‘C’’ in each of the courses required in the undergraduate nursing curriculum, including all the nursing, science and support courses, to progress to the next semester of nursing courses and for graduation within the College of Nursing.

3. The following verifications are required of sophomore, junior, and senior students for admission to nursing classes, labs, and clinicals:

a. current CPR certification by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association to include adult, child and infant.;

b. negative annual 2-step tuberculin skin tests or, if positive,

medically certified absence of symptoms; and

c. current medical/hospitalization insurance or certification of assumption of full responsibility for any health treatment costs incurred.

d. A hepatitis B vaccine series.

e. proof of immunity to measles (Rubeola), mumps, and rubella.

f. proof of immunity to chicken pox (varicella).

g. documentation of attendance at OSHA Inservice.

4. A student repeating a ‘‘D’’ or an ‘‘F’’ in a clinical nursing course may repeat it only once.

5. A student may not repeat more than two clinical nursing courses.

Students who do not meet these progression criteria will be placed on probation. The nursing program also reserves the right to place students on probation, to suspend, or to dismiss any student in nursing whose performance in relation to client care is unsatisfactory. Additional details and any modifications in policies may be obtained from the Office of the Dean of the college, and are available in the College of Nursing Student handbook.

Students should note that nursing courses are sequenced to build on one another over six semesters. Careful attention should be paid to pre- and co-requisites. Each semester is to be completed in its entirety before progressing to the next semester.

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES

In addition to the regular university tuition and fees, nursing students are charged a nursing program fee each semester. Costs of laboratory tests and immunizations required for the protection of the student and client, e.g. TB skin test, hepatitis vaccination, and health care insurance costs are the responsibility of the student. There are additional expenses related to uniforms and clinical equipment, graduation, and licensure. An estimated expense sheet is available at the College of Nursing.

Students are responsible for transportation related to clinical experience. Use of a car, especially for parent-child and community health nursing is necessary. Students should note that the clinical affiliation for mental health nursing is with the Statewide Psychiatric Nursing Education Program in Jamestown. Students may also complete the practicum course at a distant site. There are travel and housing costs associated with these affiliations.

Students in the nursing program are eligible to apply for federal nursing student loans and/or North Dakota State Nursing Scholarship/

Loans and institutional grants.

AWARDS

Each year Nursing majors may apply for College of Nursing Memorial awards. Awards and criteria are listed in the College of Nursing Student Handbook. Selection is based on a variety of factors including GPA, financial aid, interest, and nursing ability. Additional information is available in the College.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

Cooperative education experiences are offered through the College to students who have completed sophomore level nursing courses. Students have the opportunity to perform skills learned in prior and concurrent nursing courses while under the guidance of agency staff. Students can increase their understanding of specific specialty areas within nursing. Each learning/working experience is individualized according to the student’s prior academic and work experiences and the needs of the employing agencies.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Student Societies: NSA is the nursing student’s pre-professional organization. UND-NSA is affiliated with the North Dakota Student Nurses Association and the National NSA.

Student Council: The College of Nursing supports a student council that represents the students within the university student organization.

Honor Society: Eta Upsilon is the UND chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for nursing. Sigma Theta Tau fosters excellence, scholarship, and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide.

GRADUATE STUDIES

The College of Nursing offers graduate coursework leading to a Master of Science degree with a major in nursing. Students interested in graduate study may contact the director of graduate studies in the College of Nursing or consult the Graduate School section of this Catalog for further information.

NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Admission to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics may occur at the time a student is admitted to the University if the student has declared a Pre-Dietetics or Community Nutrition major. Majors within the Department are advised to follow the appropriate suggested curriculum leading to either a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics or a Bachelor of Science in Community Nutrition (see page 131). There may be on-going changes in the curriculum since the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics strives to reflect current trends in the profession.

Coordinated Program in Dietetics

Admission to the professional phase of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Application to the professional component of Dietetics occurs annually in the spring semester for admission in the following fall semester. The application deadline is the last class day on the academic calendar prior to the break for spring semester recess. To be considered a candidate for admission, the student must have already completed, be currently enrolled in or plan completion through summer school enrollment of all preprofessional courses (see page 131). Criteria for admission include a grade of "C’ or better in all nutrition, food and science courses with a minimum GPA of 2.6 and a demonstrated interest in the field of dietetics.

To be eligible for consideration, the student must submit the application form with a letter stating professional goals and describing personal qualities which would assist in attaining these goals, request references from two individuals and complete a personal interview with each selection committee member. After all applicants have completed the steps in the admission procedure, the selection committee determines the members of the class entering in the fall. The number of students admitted is determined by the availability of faculty and clinical facilities.

Admission of transfer students to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Transfer students seeking admission to the professional phase of Dietetics must fulfill the same prerequisite requirements as students currently enrolled in Pre-Dietetics at the University of North Dakota. Students planning to transfer from another accredited institution to UND are advised to contact the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics to verify equivalency of courses on other campuses with those offered at UND prior to applying for admission. All qualified students, whether currently enrolled at or planning to transfer to UND, are considered on merit.

Progression Requirements. Students in the professional component of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics will be placed on probation if performance evaluations are unsatisfactory, if the grade point average drops below 2.6 or if a grade of less than a "C" is earned in any course. Dietetic program faculty will meet with the student to discuss the probationary status and develop plans to correct the deficiency. All deficiencies must be removed before advancing to the next semester of the program. If deficiencies remain more than one year, the student must complete a reacceptance application. Reacceptance into the program will be on the basis of space available.

Additional expenses. The professional phase of the program has additional expenses due to clinical/community experiences, travel and professional activities. Additionally, the schedule of classes and supervised practice experiences must have precedence in planning other time commitments, thus limiting employment opportunities. Definite plans for financing the costs of the two years of the professional phase should be arranged prior to application. An estimate of expenses is available from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Financial aid and scholarships are available from various sources. The UND Financial Aid Office can assist in determining which resources are available to individual students.

Community Nutrition

The Community Nutrition curriculum is designed to allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of nutrition based on the biological and social sciences; the ability to communicate nutrition principles effectively and accurately to the public; and the ability to participate as a team member with other community and health care professionals. Graduates will be skilled in conducting community nutrition assessments, identifying problems, developing and conducting effective interventions and collaborating with other professionals involved to improve the overall health of individuals and communities.

Students majoring in Community Nutrition select from two options (see page 131). Graduates completing Option A are eligible to become Licensed Nutritionists (L.N.) in the state of North Dakota.

Progression requirements. The student must earn a grade of "C" or better in all nutrition, food and science courses taken to fulfill requirements of the Community Nutrition major and must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.2.

Minor in Nutrition

Students in other majors may elect to earn a minor in nutrition. The requirements of the minor are the completion of 20 semester hours of credit in nutrition-related courses. To develop the program of study, students must consult an advisor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Awards

Students may apply annually for awards and scholarships offered within the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Various professional organizations also offer competitive scholarships. Information regarding eligibility and application guidelines may be obtained from the department.

Cooperative Education

The opportunity to develop individualized cooperative education experiences is offered to students in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. This experience allows students to integrate learning from didactic courses with professional work experiences in nutrition and dietetics.

Student Organizations

Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND). SAND is the student association for all majors within the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Information regarding SAND may be obtained from its officers or from the department office.

College of Nursing Student Council. The College of Nursing supports a student council that represents the students within the university student organization, including students with majors in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.