Scott & White School of Nursing

Philosophy

The Scott & White School of Nursing is an integral part of the Mayborn College of Health Sciences and the University. The philosophy of the Scott & White School of Nursing is consistent with the purpose of the University, which emphasizes instruction in a Christian environment and service to individual students and the community.

The Scott & White School of Nursing prepares graduates who, as professional nurses, contribute to the health and welfare of the individual, the family, and the community. This outcome, supported by the liberal arts foundation and the nursing curriculum, enables graduates to realize their own potential as individual citizens and practitioners in the health care system. The curriculum is reflective of the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Texas Board of Nursing Differentiated Essential Competencies (DECs).

The program’s faculty affirm that:

• Humans are biological-psychological-social-spiritual beings.
• The role of the professional nurse is to assist patients in adapting to stressors in their internal and external environments throughout the life cycle.
• The professional nurse serves a diverse population of patients, individuals, families, groups, and communities.
• The professional nurse must demonstrate leadership in assessing, analyzing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care to patients.
• The professional nurse must effectively communicate and collaborate with the client and the interprofessional team in the provision of patients care.
• The practice of professional nursing involves clinical judgement based on knowledge of the natural, behavioral, and social sciences, humanities, and nursing science.
• The professional nurse utilizes therapeutic interventions which include the provision of physical, psychological, and spiritual care, as well as health teaching and advocacy.
• The professional nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for their nursing practice.
• The professional nurse continuously strives to improve as a professional and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.
• The professional nurse engages in and fosters self-care practices.
• Learning is a dynamic process, influenced by the learner’s individuality and experiences, and is manifested by changes in behavior.
• The learner has the primary responsibility for acquiring, applying, and demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the professional nurse.
• The faculty facilitates the learner’s attainment of the program outcomes by providing well-planned learning experiences based on sound educational principles and facilitating student development as a self-directed, lifelong learner.

BSN Program Goals

The BSN Program Goals are to provide a curriculum which:

1. Prepares graduates for entry level professional nursing practice and interprofessional collaboration. 
2. Emphasizes care of diverse populations across the lifespan and throughout the health continuum.
3. Encourages life-long learning and provides a foundation for professional scholarship.
4. Promotes service through involvement in professional and community organizations and activities. 
5. Cultivates faith-informed discernment and integrity in the professional nursing role. 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Exhibit safe, effective, and holistic patient-centered care across the life span in evolving healthcare environments.
2. Utilize the nursing process, clinical judgment, and evidence-based practice in decision making for the provision of nursing care to diverse individuals, families, and populations.
3. Participate as an effective member of the interprofessional healthcare team through effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
4. Utilize information and communication technologies to coordinate and deliver client care.
5. Incorporate leadership and management strategies across the healthcare delivery continuum.
6. Assume responsibility and accountability for one’s nursing practice through the integration of professional values, ethics, and legal standards.
7. Recognize the importance of professional development, lifelong learning, and self-care.
8. Incorporate faith-informed discernment in one’s professional role, while respecting patient beliefs.

Program Approval and Accreditation Information

• Texas Board of Nursing

  333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-430

  Austin TX 78701

• The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master's degree program in nursing at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

  Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
  Washington, DC 2000

Admission to the Program

Students seeking admission to the nursing program must first be admitted to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Admission to the University does not constitute automatic admission into the nursing program. Admission to the Scott & White School of Nursing requires a separate application and is determined by the Scott & White School of Nursing's Admission, Progression and Retention Committee.

Students must be eligible to participate in clinical experiences at Baylor Scott & White facilities, have a minimum of 46 semester hours of specific courses which will count toward the BSN degree, and be selected by the nursing Admission, Progression and Retention Committee. The committee considers a student's GPA (3.00 minimum on specific prerequisite courses and on all courses taken toward the nursing degree plan), and other factors relevant to a student becoming a professional nurse.

The standards listed in this catalog and other Scott & White School of Nursing criteria represent minimum requirements. Students seeking entrance into the nursing program will be evaluated based on present admission criteria which may exceed requirements listed within this catalog. In the case of competitive admissions, requirements over and above the minimum may be necessary. Applications are available on the website. Applications for fall semester admissions open on January 5th and close on July 31st each year. Applications for spring semester admissions open on January 5th and close on November 30th each year. The priority deadline for fall review is March 1st, and for spring review it is October 1st. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed on an on-going basis through the deadline.

To be eligible for admission, students must meet the following requirements PRIOR to their admission to NURS  2150, 2460 and 2350.

1.  An ATI TEAS admission exam composite score of 65% or better with two (2) attempts. Applicants must also make a minimum score of 65% on the math section and a minimum 65% on the reading section of the exam.
2. A student must have completed the following required prerequisite courses. A minimum of a "C" is required for all prerequisite courses indicated with an *.
   *a. English — 6 semester hours
   
   *b. Biology and Chemistry — 16 semester hours: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology and Intro to Chemistry, College Chemistry, or General Chemistry I. (Either Microbiology or Chemistry can be taken with the first 7 hours of Nursing.)

   *c. General Psychology — 3 semester hours

   *d. Introductory Sociology — 3 semester hours

   *e. Public Speaking — 3 semester hours

   *f. Developmental Psychology — 3 semester hours

   In addition to these prerequisite courses, the following classes are required for the BSN degree with an overall GPA of at least 3.0. in all courses combined:

   a. Literature — 3 semester hours

   b. Math (Statistics required prior to NURS 3325) — 3 semester hours [The Math Department requires College Algebra as a prerequisite for the Statistics course.]

   c. Christian Studies — 6 semester hours

   d. World Cultures — 3 semester hours

   e. U.S. History or Political Science — 3 semester hours

   f. Exercise & Sport Science — 2 activity courses

   g. Electives — 3 semester hours

   h. Fine Arts — 3 semester hours.

   i. Freshman Seminar — 1 semester hour

   In addition to these courses students must attend chapel (UMHB 1002) and fine arts experiences (UMHB 1005) as outlined by the number of credit hours achieved before attending UMHB. For example first semester freshman must have 4 semesters of chapel and 8 fine arts experience credits.
   Note*: Science courses which were completed more than 10 years prior to admission to the SON must be repeated

3. Upon receiving a conditional offer of admission, every student must present evidence that he or she is physically and mentally qualified to participate in the nursing program.  The following health records must be submitted before enrolling in nursing courses:

   1. Submit evidence of a negative TB skin test within two months prior to admission to NURS 2150, NURS 2260 and NURS 2350 and annually thereafter. Those students with a positive TB skin test are required to submit an initial chest x-ray report and every year thereafter a TB Symptom Checklist form. Students may also complete the QFT blood test from the health department.

   2. Certification of immunizations:
      1) A minimum of three doses of the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine, the last dose of which was within 10 years.
      2) Measles (rubeola), mumps, rubella (2 doses of the vaccine), and varicella (2 doses of the vaccine) (if no history of chicken pox or titer does not indicate immunity)
      3) Hepatitis B series (3 doses of the vaccine)
      4) An annual flu vaccine is required

   3. All physical health information will be submitted by the student to the designated Scott & White School of Nursing (SON) entity.

   4.  Students must also complete and sign an essential performance standards document.

4. Fingerprinting is required of all students according to the guidelines of the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The BON requires all applicants seeking licensure in Texas to submit a complete set of fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining a criminal history from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Participation in nursing courses may be dependent upon the outcome of the criminal background check completed by the BON. Applicants who may have a background that could prevent them from obtaining licensure in Texas upon completion of a nursing program are urged to complete a Declaratory Order application as early as possible. The Declaratory Order process permits the BON to make decisions regarding an applicant's eligibility for licensure before entering or continuing in the nursing program. Students must also respond to questions regarding past mental health status as required by the BON Verification Form included in the BSN student handbook. Fingerprinting and background checks must be completed prior to the second (2nd ) week of the semester.

5. An American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR/AED course completion card is required prior to admission to clinical nursing courses and must be kept current while in nursing courses. Note: NO online courses are acceptable. No provider other than the American Heart Association is acceptable.

    

Transfer Students

The Dean or the Chair of the nursing program's Admission Progression and Retention (APR) Committee reviews all potential transfer students’ records. Decisions regarding about admission and placement in the nursing program are determined by the Admission, Progression and Retention Committee of the SON.

Students seeking transfer from another nursing program must be in good standing with that school. A prospective transfer student who has two failures, defined as “D”, “F”, “WF”, or “W” (when “W” is due to failure), in previous nursing courses in two different semesters may not be eligible for admission to the UMHB nursing program.

Students planning to take any prerequisite courses at another college should seek guidance from the registrar's office at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor before enrolling in the course(s) in order to avoid problems with transferring credits.

Scholastic Progress and Readmission Policies

1. To progress to the junior level courses a student must have completed all science courses and a minimum of 57 identified academic credits that are part of the curriculum requirements.
2. A student must achieve at least a “C” in all nursing courses in order to pass each course. Within each course, a student must receive at least 75% on all identified critical components in each course syllabus to pass (refer to the section below on Grading, the Scott & White School of Nursing Student Handbook, and course syllabi).
3. A satisfactory performance (“C” or better) is achieved in a course only if all identified critical components (this includes both theory and clinical laboratory components) in the course are satisfactorily completed.
4. FIRST-TIME FAILING ONE OR MORE NURSING COURSES WITHIN THE SAME SEMESTER. A student who receives a first “WQ” or “F” in one or more nursing courses within the same semester is eligible to request reenrollment in the course in which they were unsuccessful.  Students who wish to reenroll must submit a Reenrollment Request Form and a written Progression Plan Form to the Scott & White School of Nursing Office Manager (in person or by email scarpenter@umhb.edu) no later than ten (10) days after being notified of the course failure(s).  Faculty for the course(s) in which the student was unsuccessful will provide the student with the Reenrollment Request Form and the Progression Plan Form at the time notification is provided to the student of the course failure(s).  
   
   Students must include in their request a written analysis of why they were academically unsuccessful in the course(s) failed, and what specific measures they plan to take to be successful if permitted to reenroll.  Permission to reenroll is determined by the Scott & White School of Nursing program’s APR committee.
   
   A student's request for reenrollment into a nursing course must be approved by the APR Committee prior to the student registering for any nursing course in the upcoming semester. If permitted to reenroll, the student must then follow the university’s enrollment procedures.  The student must enroll in and successfully complete the failed course(s) before the student will be allowed to progress to the next course(s) in the nursing program.
   If permission to reenroll is denied by the Scott & White School of Nursing program’s APR committee, the student will be dismissed from the Scott & White School of Nursing program and is not eligible for readmission to the Scott & White School of Nursing program.
   
   SECOND-TIME FAILING OF A NURSING COURSE
   If the student is granted reenrollment into a nursing course after a first-failure and receives another "WQ" or “‘F’” in any nursing course during a subsequent semester, the student will be dismissed from the Scott & White School of Nursing program and is not eligible for readmission to the Scott & White School of Nursing program.
   In the instance of a transfer student with a previous nursing course "WQ" (or that institutions’
   equivalent) or “F” from another program, a failure of a UMHB nursing course will be considered a
   second-time failure. The student will be dismissed from the Scott & White School of Nursing program and is not eligible for readmission to the Scott & White School of Nursing program.
   
    

5. A student who withdraws from or has an interruption in his/her enrollment in nursing for a reason other than Program dismissal must seek readmission to the program.

6. A student seeking readmission for a reason other than Program dismissal will be evaluated based on current criteria for admission and progression and space availability.

Expenses

In addition to tuition and fees, students majoring in nursing will have the following expenses:

1. Laptop computer with the identified system requirements.
2. The cost of textbooks purchased throughout the program of study average $1,500.
3. Name pin, watch with a second hand, stethoscope, and goggles or side shields must be purchased at an approximate cost of $120. This expense should be a one-time cost and occurs on entry into the clinical nursing courses.
4. Uniforms, lab coat, and shoes must be purchased the semester the student is admitted to the clinical program at an approximate cost of $400. This expense should be a one-time cost.
5. Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical facilities.
6. Fees related to RN licensure are approximately $400 and must be paid the first week of the last semester of the program.
7. Students will be required to participate in an NCLEX review course. The fee for the course as well as other standardized testing is included in the course fees for nursing courses through the nursing program.
8. Online testing: approximately $50.00 (each semester)
9. Online electronic medical record software: approximately $50.00 (each semester)
10. Graduation costs are approximately $160.
11. The School of Nursing pin is purchased when the student has successfully completed the nursing program. Cost, approximately $150, is based on current gold prices.
12. Students must present yearly evidence of a negative TB skin test or a negative chest x-ray if medically indicated. Cost will vary.
13. Students may be required to provide additional evidence of medical/health clearance during the clinical program at their own expense.
14. Finger printing through designated agency, approximately $45.
15. Urine drug screen, approximately $28. 'For Cause' and/or random drug screens may also be required. 

General Information

1. The Scott & White School of Nursing reserves the right to deny an applicant admission or readmission to the program for any lawful reason. A student may be dismissed from the program for a violation of the academic or conduct standards of the program or the University, or if the student is no longer qualified for the program. 
2. It is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with and comply with the policies and regulations (i.e. health forms, liability, dress) of the Scott & White School of Nursing and professional standards and to comply with them. See the current Scott & White School of Nursing Student Handbook.
3. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain updated information regarding changes in name, address, telephone number, e-mail or any other requested information with the Registrar's Office (see the previous section on Resources in the catalog). Additionally, nursing students must keep his or her records updated in the Scott & White School of Nursing Office. 
4. It is the responsibility of the student to be familiar with the current Texas Nurse Practice Act and with the rules of the Texas Board of Nursing governing eligibility for taking the licensure exam to become a Registered Nurse.
5. Students must also complete five service (volunteer) hours each semester.

Curriculum

Because the nursing curriculum is sequential, certain prerequisites exist for both admission to and progression in the nursing program. All courses in each semester must be completed before progressing to the subsequent semester. Likewise, all courses in the junior level must be completed before progressing to the senior level.

Note: Nursing students will take courses in their proper sequence. Students must complete each course in a grouping before moving to the next group:
NURS 2150, NURS 2200, NURS 2260, and NURS 2350 (Introductory);
NURS 3101, NURS 3205, NURS 3220, NURS 3225, NURS 3301, and NURS 3520 (NI);
NURS 3221, NURS 3240, NURS 3401 and NURS 3521 (NII);
NURS 4230, NURS 4301, NURS 4401, and NURS 4420 (ABI),
NURS 4201, NURS 4202, NURS 4302, and NURS 4700 (AB2).

NOTE: A student may submit an application to take the National Council for Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN^®) during their final semester if all course work has been successfully completed and the requirements for graduation met.

Nursing students may minor in several fields of study. Degree plans for these minors are available in the Registrar’s Office or the Nursing Office. It is most helpful if the student declares a minor as early as possible.

Grading

The Scott & White School of Nursing adheres to the University grading scale with one exception.  The Scott & White School of Nursing has additional grading policies based on critical components. If the student does not meet the required minimum grade of 75% average on the critical components, the student will not pass the course and will be assigned an F.  If the student meets the requirement of 75% average on the critical components, then the course grade will be calculated according to the assignment grading weights, consistent with the University grading scale.

In addition, students should be aware that there is no rounding of grades on assignments or final grades.  Students must meet the minimum of 75 percent in each of the critical component areas to be successful in the course. This means that a 74.99 is a failing grade and the student would not meet the criteria for successful completion of the critical component.  See the Scott & White School of Nursing Student Handbook for more information.