University of Kentucky Undergraduate Bulletin

2002-2003

Visit the UK College of Nursing Web site.

                                         - - Matt Proud
                                             Senior, College of Nursing

Carolyn A. Williams, Ph.D., is Dean of the College of Nursing; Marcia Stanhope, D.S.N., is Associate Dean; Julie Sebastian, Ph.D., is Assistant Dean for Advanced Practice Nursing and Clinical Practice; Lynne Hall, Dr.P.H., is Assistant Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies; Dorothy Brockopp, Ph.D., is Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies.

Accreditation

The College of Nursing has had continuous accreditation by the National League for Nursing since 1967. The baccalaureate degree curriculum offered by the College of Nursing is accredited by the National League for Nursing and approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

Undergraduate Program in Nursing

The University of Kentucky grants the following degree in the College of Nursing:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The College of Nursing enrollment is composed of four-year students, associate degree nursing graduates, and diploma nursing school graduates. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the College of Nursing. Preference is given to Kentucky residents.

Applicants must be in a state of good health enabling them to carry out the functions of the professional nurse. Routinely, each student will be required to obtain a rubella and rubeola titers, hepatitis B immunizations, and have an annual tuberculin test or chest x-ray.

The University of Kentucky will consider for admission any applicant who demonstrates the ability to perform or to learn to perform the skills listed below. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of any disability, but an applicant with questions about these technical requirements is strongly encouraged to discuss the issue with the dean for the particular program of study. If appropriate, and upon the request of the applicant, student or faculty, reasonable accommodations for a disability will be provided.

Students must possess aptitude, abilities, and skills in five areas:

• observation;

• communication;

• sensory and motor coordination and function;

• conceptualization, integration, and quantification; and,

• behavioral and social skills, abilities and aptitude.

Full details on these standards are available by contacting the College of Nursing.

Progression to upper-division is regulated so that the total number of full-time equivalents at the beginning of the junior year does not exceed 72.

Admission Criteria

Criteria for admission to the 4-year BSN program include:

1. Freshman Student:

   Students will be admitted as freshmen to a pre-nursing curriculum based on the following criteria:

   1. high school grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;

   2. meets criteria for selective admission to the University of Kentucky (see the Undergraduate Admission section of this Bulletin for more information).

   Admission to a nursing curriculum will occur at the sophomore level for all students based on evaluation of the following criteria:

   1. a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5;

   2. a grade of C or better in all required pre-nursing courses;

   3. a certificate from an approved certified nursing assistant program;

   4. an essay which articulates reasons for choosing nursing as a career, with criteria established by the College of Nursing. Essay criteria are available by calling (859) 323-5108; and,

   5. one letter of reference from an individual who can assess potential for success (e.g., teacher, employer). Reference forms are available by calling (859) 323-5108.

2. Transfer Student:
   1. with less than 24 hours of college credit - must meet the criteria for entering freshmen and maintain a GPA of 2.5 on all college work attempted as computed by the Office of Admissions;

   2. with more than 24 hours of college credit - must maintain a 2.5 GPA on all college work attempted as computed by the Office of Admissions;

   3. grades of C or better in all courses required for CON curriculum;

   4. ability to articulate reasons for choosing nursing as a career, as evidenced in an essay, with criteria established by the College of Nursing. Essay criteria are available by calling (859) 323-5108;

   5. one letter of reference from an individual who can assess potential for success (e.g., teacher, employer). Reference forms are available by calling (859) 323-5108; and

   6. completion of an approved certified nursing assistant program.

3. Students will be eligible to apply for readmission to the College of Nursing after suspension from the College when they meet criteria as stated in Section 2 a and b of this policy.

4. A student who is a registered nurse will be considered for admission to upper-division courses in the nursing program based on the following criteria:
   1. the applicant must be a registered nurse licensed to practice in Kentucky;

   2. an associate degree in nursing from a college accredited by one of the six regional academic accrediting associations with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 in all course work attempted as computed by the Office of Admissions;

   3. a statement of academic and professional goals; and

   4. a letter of reference from a supervisor.

The registered nurse who is a graduate of a diploma program will be considered for admission after earning a minimum of 60 college credits which include:

• English -- 6 semester credits

• Natural Sciences -- 6 semester credits

• Social Sciences -- 6 semester credits

• Humanities -- 6 semester credits

• Nursing* -- 28 semester credits

The applicant must have at least a GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 in all college course work attempted as computed by the Office of Admissions, and must have satisfactorily completed the ACT-PEP tests which establish the nursing credits.

*Nursing credits may be earned from regionally accredited colleges by taking the courses or by taking the ACT-PEP tests. It is strongly recommended that applicants contact the Office of Student Services in the College of Nursing regarding the approved nursing ACT-PEP credits. All nursing courses taken in associate degree or diploma programs are considered lower-division courses and are not equivalent to upper-division courses in this program.

The application deadline for admission to the Nursing program for all categories of students is May 1.

Application for Admission

All applications and transcripts for admission must be submitted to the Office of Admissions according to the deadlines listed in the box above. RN applicants are considered for fall admission only. Transfer applicants will be evaluated for fall and spring admission, according to the deadlines listed. Those accepted for admission must notify the college within 30 days, in writing, of their intent to enroll. Late applicants will be considered for admission on a space-available basis.

Part-Time Study

Students who are working toward the completion of the B.S.N. degree on a part-time basis must plan a course of study with the appropriate College of Nursing personnel or committee and may not alter that plan without prior approval from the College of Nursing.

Candidates for the degree who do not complete all requirements within a seven-year period (five years for R.N. students) after admission will have their records reevaluated and may be required to repeat or take selected courses.

Financial Aid

The college has a few scholarships designated for Nursing students. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of Student Services, College of Nursing.

Students may also wish to pursue funds available through hospitals and other agencies that offer financial assistance in return for a work commitment.

Academic Advising

Students who are admitted to the College of Nursing are assigned to an advisor within the college. Curriculum plans are determined in the first semester of enrollment in the college and updated each semester. Questions regarding progression through the program may be directed to the Office of Student Services, College of Nursing.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

To obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, students must satisfy the University requirements for graduation, including University Studies, and obtain a 2.0 grade-point average in nursing in the courses listed below. A grade of C or better must be attained in all courses required in the nursing curriculum in order to proceed to the next clinical course or to graduate. A minimum of 124 credit hours is required for graduation.

Sample Curriculum
Baccalaureate Program
(Four-year Students)

Sample Curriculum
Baccalaureate Program
(Registered Nurses)

Junior Year

Curriculum Policies

Students are expected to be familiar with the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and to confer with advisors in the College of Nursing when selecting courses.

Since the health needs of the nation are constantly changing, an effective curriculum requires continuous review and evaluation, which may necessitate revision of courses and requirements. Thus, there can be no guarantee that course content will be identical in each subsequent academic year. Furthermore, to continue to meet the changing emphasis in nursing education, some courses will require educational experiences for students in community facilities outside of Lexington.

Outcome Objectives

1. Exemplifies a personal philosophy of nursing that is consistent with professional standards.

2. Applies the nursing process as a method of providing professional nursing care to prevent illness; promote, maintain, restore client health; and/or assist clients to a peaceful death.

3. Practices critical thinking skills to make independent and collaborative decisions.

4. Incorporates research findings into professional nursing practice.

5. Provides professional nursing care to clients with actual and potential health problems in diverse settings.

6. Collaborates in planning, delivering, and evaluating nursing services in a changing society.

7. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for professional behavior.

8. Employs theories of leadership and management in providing professional nursing care.

9. Demonstrates leadership in addressing professional nursing and health issues.

10. Provides professional nursing care based on an evaluation of internal and external forces affecting client systems.

B.S.N. - M.S.N. in NURSING

Prospective students for the Master of Science in Nursing are eligible to enroll in a combined B.S.N.-M.S.N. course of study. Students who successfully complete the requirements are awarded both Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Master of Science in Nursing degrees. The deadline for receipt of all application materials is May 1. Late applicants will be considered on a space-available basis.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A student seeking admission to the B.S.N. must meet the following criteria/portion of the option:

1. have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 grading scale,

2. have Kentucky licensure as R.N. before enrolling in first clinical course,

3. earned the Associate Degree in Nursing or diploma with 60 college credits meeting specific requirements:
   • Nursing -- 28 semester credits

   • English -- 6 semester credits

   • Natural Sciences -- 10 semester credits

   • Behavioral Sciences -- 6 semester credits

   • Electives -- 10 semester credits

4. one year nursing experience,

5. three letters of reference, one from most recent employer,

6. interview.

Admission to the B.S.N. portion of this degree option does not necessarily constitute admission to the M.S.N. portion of the degree program. The following criteria must be met:

Progression to Graduate Courses

Students wishing to progress to the graduate courses must pay Graduate School fees and meet the following requirements:

1. 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale,

2. satisfactory GRE scores,

3. satisfactory progress in RN/BSN sequence,

4. licensure in Kentucky and clinical experience in area of interest,

5. evidence of physical and health assessment skills,

6. admission to the Graduate School.

B.S.N. - M.S.N. Degree Requirements

In addition to completing the University Studies requirements, the student must complete the following:

Sample Curriculum
B.S.N. - M.S.N. Program

Graduate course work required for the student's program of study is located in the College of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.

Graduate Study