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Welcome to the Clarion University On-line Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Program. Congratulations on your decision to enroll at an important time of rapid change and opportunity in health care delivery. We know the transition
from technical to professional nursing can be challenging. The program
is designed to build upon your knowledge and experience as a registered
nurse and to prepare you for professional practice. The information Please note the
important telephone numbers and Web sites provided in this handbook. If
you have questions or concerns about your educational experience,
contact your academic advisor or the Department of Nursing
administrative Sincerely yours, Kathleen T. Patterson, Ph.D., APRN-C Overview of BSN Program Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). National
League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Equal Educational Opportunity Statement It is the policy of Clarion University of
Pennsylvania that there shall be equal opportunity in all of its
educational programs, services, and benefits, and there shall be no
discrimination with regard to a student’s or prospective student’s race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual
orientation/affection, veterans status, or other classifications that
are protected under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, and other pertinent state and federal laws and
regulations. Direct equal opportunity inquiries to Assistant to the
President for Social Equity, 207 Carrier Administration Building,
Clarion, PA Clarion’s NLNAC accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is an on-line program. The program is intended to build upon the background and knowledge of registered nurses and to afford them the opportunity to continue their education at a professional level. The program’s primary goals are the provision of educational experiences designed to promote scientific inquiry, creative thinking, critical judgment, and personal development. Clarion University’s BSN program integrates liberal
arts with career education at the RN level, establishing the basis for a
variety of BSN learning activities that focus on professional nursing
practice. In addition, the BSN program at Clarion Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s Bachelor of
Science in Nursing Program is designed to build upon the knowledge and
experience of registered nurses. It prepares the graduate to practice
theory-based nursing in a variety of settings The philosophy of the Bachelor of Science in
Nursing Program is derived from the philosophy of the Clarion University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and Allied Health. It is consistent
with the stated mission of Clarion University of Nursing is a practice discipline concerned with the
delivery of care to individuals, families, and communities throughout the life cycle. Professional nursing practice is theory-based and
provides a means to promote health. Well-being is Within the scope of all nursing practice,
professional nursing is provided by the baccalaureate and higher degree
graduate who has been educated to function in a leadership role within
the health care delivery system. Focusing on the client, The individual is a unified whole who continually interrelates with the environment. As sensing, thinking beings, individuals make conscious choices and are responsible for their actions. Given freedom of choice, individuals make decisions regarding their health care needs according to their priorities. They possess and manifest traits that are greater than and different from the sum of all their parts. The individuals’ families are made up of significant others within their framework of life. Health, as defined by the client, is the primary focus of nursing care. It is a dynamic, ever-changing process that reflects individuals’ ability to attain their optimum level of wellness. The clients’ concept of health is derived from patterns they have formulated based on their attitudes and personal experiences. Individuals, as experts on themselves, seek assistance throughout the spectrum of health; therefore, they participate actively in their health care. Environment is the aggregate of influences that interrelate with individuals. Society, a component of the environment, is a dynamic, multi-cultural system which is composed of individuals, families, and communities. Societal influences interrelate with individuals’ attitudes to impact behavioral patterns and life goals. Education is a dynamic activity which involves the teaching-learning process. Teaching is an organized activity that facilitates learning and is accomplished by the active sharing of attitudes, skills, and knowledge. Learning requires mental activity and is enhanced by a climate which takes into consideration the learner’s previous educational and life experiences. Learning is a collaborative process requiring self-direction, motivation, and active involvement on the part of the student. Each learner’s contribution brings a unique perspective to the learning experience. Nursing education provides students with a theoretical and clinical foundation for the development of knowledge and skills necessary for assisting persons with their health. Professional nursing education prepares the graduate to function as a generalist who incorporates critical thinking and decision-making skills in seeking resolution of increasingly complex problems. It promotes the integration of nursing theory with the natural, social, and behavioral sciences, in the practice of professional nursing. Through research, professional nursing education extends the knowledge base and scope of nursing practice. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program affords the technical nurse the opportunity to expand his/her knowledge on a professional level and provides a basis for graduate education. The registered nurse student brings to the educational setting fundamental nursing knowledge, technical competencies, and pertinent life experiences which provide the basis for upper division education. ANA Standards of Clinical Practice (2004) The Clarion University Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program subscribes to the American Nurses Association Standard of Clinical Practice. (See Appendix A). Sigma Theta Tau - International Honor Society of Nursing The Mu Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau was founded at Clarion in 1990. Sigma Theta Tau International is committed to fostering excellence, scholarship and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide. The society promotes the use of nursing research in health care delivery and makes its resources available to all people and institutions interested in the latest nursing care knowledge. BSN students and community leaders may be invited to join the Mu Xi Chapter yearly. Information regarding induction procedures and candidate qualifications are available from Mu Xi Counselors at the Venango Campus of Clarion University. (See Appendix B). ^ Return to the Table of Contents BSN Curriculum Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program prepares the graduate to:
Although the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is designed to be completed in two academic years of full time study, part time study is also available. Students who elect part time study are required to complete the BSN Program within five years. To participate in the on-line nursing program, it is essential to have an adequate computer, software, and Internet connectivity.The recommended technical requirements for this program are found in Appendix D and on the orientation Website in Blackboard. The BSN Website is on Blackboard and can be accessed as follows:
Individuals desiring to graduate with eligibility for Pennsylvania School Nurse Certification are required to meet the curriculum requirements of the BSN Program and the current requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. (See your BSN advisor for more information.) The following are sample curriculum plans for BSN Programs based on full-time and part-time study:
NURS 320: Death and Grief** 3 cr Explores the dying process from various conceptual and theoretical frameworks. Focuses on historical, ethical, socio-cultural, and interpersonal perspectives on death. Students address their own mortality and develop a personal philosophy of death and grief. Opportunities are provided for students to interact with professional experts as well as individuals experiencing grief/death issues. Open to all students. Spring, annually, and as needed. NURS 335: Alternative Therapies** 3 cr Explores various approaches to health and healing that lie outside the realm of conventional Western medicine. Focuses on how these therapies are presented on the World Wide Web and how the registered nurse can evaluate their effectiveness. Students will research selected topics and critically appraise the quality of information found on the Internet. Open to all students. Fall annually, and as needed. NURS 340: Nursing in Transition 3 cr Provides a theoretical foundation for the transition from technical to professional nursing practice. Addresses the concepts of nursing, health, individual, and environment. Explores nursing as an evolving profession with emphasis on the historical perspectives, environmental context, and future trends that could impact health care. Views individuals from a holistic perspective, and explores the spectrum of health. Introduces theory and nursing inquiry as the basis for the practice of professional nursing. Open to students who are licensed RNs and others with permission of instructor. Fall, annually and as needed. NURS 342: Thinking in Contemporary Nursing 3 cr Focuses on thinking as a skill and its practical application in the health care arena. Emphasizes critical thinking, creative thinking, reasoning, decision making, problem solving, and metacognition as they relate to the many facets of professional nursing practice. Provides students opportunities to transfer skills to problems of a professional |and personal nature. Open to students who are licensed RNs and others with permission of instructor. Spring, annually and as needed. NURS 346: Health Assessment 2 crEnables the registered nurse to enhance skills in assessing the health status of individuals. Provides an opportunity to obtain a comprehensive health history and perform a screening physical assessment. Emphasis is placed on recognizing deviations from normal and integrating physiological, psychosocial, developmental, spiritual, and transcultural dimensions in order to formulate diagnostic hypothesis. Open to students who are licensed RNs. Spring, annually and as needed. NURS 347: Creating a Wellness Lifestyle** 3 cr Introduces the student to the concepts of wellness and health promotion from a holistic perspective. Within this framework, students explore how to gain more control over their lives through effective stress management, management of time and change, and adequate self and social support. Assists students in increasing self responsibility and negotiating the health care delivery system. Discusses health measures such as diet, exercise, and sleep as they relate to a wellness lifestyle. Explores the balance of caring for others and caring for self. Each student is guided in formulating an individualized wellness plan. Open to all students. Fall, annually, and as needed. *NURS 351: Public School Nursing 3 cr Emphasizes the new dimensions of school health and public school nursing. Defines and explores personal qualifications, professional preparation, and the expanded role of the school nurse in the classroom and clinical practicum. Concentrates on health education and health promotion of school age children and adolescents. Each student has a clinical practicum with a certified school nurse in the public school setting. One and one-half lecture and 4 clinical hours weekly. Prerequisites: NURS 340, 361 and 346 or a BS in Nursing. NURS 342 is a pre- or co-requisite for undergraduate students. Open to RN students and students holding a BS in Nursing. As needed, usually Fall Semester, odd-numbered years. NURS 357: Leadership in Nursing 3 cr Provides a theoretical foundation for the practice of independent and interdependent nursing. Introduces the principles of leadership and management, and emphasizes their application to professional nursing. Focus includes concepts of motivation, change, group process, empowerment, and nursing care delivery systems. Open to licensed RN students and others with permission of instructor. Spring, annually and as needed. NURS 361: Nurse as Educator 3 cr Requires students to develop and provide health education to individuals, families, and communities. Content focuses on the nursing process, the teaching/learning process, and health care informatics. Opportunities are provided for the student to implement the teaching/learning process in the delivery of health education programs. Open to students who are licensed RNs. Fall, annually and as needed. NURS 365: Health Promotion for the Elderly** 3 cr Provides students with information and strategies related to the promotion and maintenance of health in a holistic manner for the elderly population. Promotes inquiry and stimulates the critical-thinking processes of the student by emphasizing health and wellness concepts. Open to all students. Fall, annually, even-numbered years and as needed. NURS 368: Human Caring** 3 cr Provides an opportunity for in-depth exploration of the concept caring. Appropriate to students entering any human service major. Derives content primarily from scholarly works in the discipline of nursing. Supplements Jean Watson’s theory of human caring with guided experiences designed to facilitate personal discovery of one’s caring capacities and opportunities to more fully integrate them into the work of one’s discipline. Open to all students. Spring, annually, and as needed. NURS 376: Frontiers in Health Care 3 cr Provides an opportunity for students to explore the U.S. health care system, its complexities, problems, alternatives for managing problems, and its impact on individuals and populations. Social, technological, political, and economic contexts provide a framework to explore the collaborative efforts of professionals to transform health care delivery both nationally and internationally. Students address current, complex national and international health issues. Open to all RN students and others with permission of instructor. Fall, annually and as needed. NURS 380: Applied Statistics for Health Care Professionals 3 cr Introduces students in healthcare professions to knowledge and understanding of statistics as applied to health care practice and research. Introduces the basic rules and principles of statistics through investigation of quantitative and qualitative problems in healthcare. Pre-requisite: C or better in MATH 050 or any math course higher than MATH 110 which meets the math department's competency requirement. Spring annually, and as needed. Open to all students. NURS 445: Inquiry in Nursing 3 cr Emphasizes the role of inquiry as it applies to nursing. Includes principles of research and scientific method of inquiry and application of critical and decision making skills. Focuses on the ways research influences nursing and nursing care. Critiques current research for applicability to professional nursing practice in a variety of settings. Prerequisites: MATH 221, 222, NURS 380 and a minimum grade of “C” in NURS 361, 340, and 342. Fall, annually, and as needed. NURS 470: Promoting Healthy Communities 3 cr Introduces essential knowledge and important nursing roles for health promotion and illness prevention at the family and community level. Students will explore principles of epidemiology, demography, and relevant nursing and health-related theories and models as they apply to the health of individuals, families, and aggregates. Pre-requisites: NURS 340, 342, and 361. Pre or co-requisite NURS 346. Fall annually, and as needed. NURS 480: Role Seminar in Professional Nursing 3 cr This capstone course provides a culminating experience in the implementation of the professional nursing role. Emphasizes present and evolving nursing contributions in a reformed health care system. Students are guided in the development of a self-directed practicum in a selected role. Must be taken as a co-requisite to Nursing 481. Prerequisites: minimum grade of “C” in Nursing 340, 342, 346, 357, 361, 380, 376, 445, and 470. Spring annually and as needed. *NURS 481: Practicum in Professional Nursing 2 cr Provides opportunities for the student to implement
and evaluate a self-directed clinical experience guided by the
objectives identified in the program capstone course NURS 480. Students
may select experiences from a variety of clinical focuses appropriate to
the course including practice, research, education, administration, and
policy. This course must be taken as a NURS 499: Special Topics in Nursing 1-6 cr variable Deals with topics of special interest to professional nurses. Focuses on identified nursing subjects pertinent to the practice of professional nursing. May be offered during the academic year as well as summers and weekends, according to demand. *NURS 351 and 481 are clinical courses. See below for specific requirements for enrollment. **Nursing Electives Requirements for Enrollment in Clinical Courses Prior to enrollment in NURS 481: Practicum in Professional Nursing, or NURS 351: Public School Nursing, students must
Students with incomplete packets as of the first week of the semester will be withdrawn from NURS 481 and/or NURS 351. Students enrolled
in Nursing 351: Public School Nursing must also obtain a Child Abuse
History Clearance (Act 151). This form can be obtained from the
Pennsylvania State Police or by accessing the Department of Welfare
website Students must also obtain criminal clearance (Act
34), as well as an FBI fingerprint check. These forms can be obtained
from the Pennsylvania State Police or by accessing: Additional information may also be required by specific clinical agencies. Clarion, Edinboro and Slippery Rock Universities offer a collaborative RN-MSN Program. This program provides the opportunity for RNs without their bachelors degree to work toward a Master of Science in Nursing degree and be awarded a BSN along the way. By combining the programs in this way, students are required to take fewer credits than if they took the BSN and MSN programs separately. Students can become either Family Nurse Practitioners or Nurse Educators by following this combined curriculum. Family Nurses Practitioners are most often employed in outpatient settings but, increasingly, are in demand in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other in-patient facilities as well. Many specialty practices, such as transplant teams and oncology, are employing nurse practitioners. Nurse Educators are in equally high demand. The nursing shortage and subsequent interest in the nursing profession means that nursing schools are trying to educate increasing numbers of students. Without adequate numbers of nursing faculty, schools cannot possibly educate the number of nurses that are needed. There are many job opportunities in nursing education programs. Hospitals are adding to their educations staff, as well. Here are some reasons to consider the Clarion, Edinboro, and Slippery Rock program:
BSN Portion: In addition to fulfilling the admission requirements of the BSN program, applicants must have a 3.0 QPA to enter the program. MSN Portion: In the second semester of the BSN program, applicants must make formal application to the MSN program and fulfill all MSN admission requirements. Additionally, applicants must:
^ Return to the Table of Contents Student Rights and Responsibilities In the case of a dispute between the student and a faculty member involving academic concerns (i.e. classroom evaluation, course grades, etc.), the student should follow the procedures outlined in Clarion University’s Student Rights, Regulations, and Procedures Online Handbook. Student Responsibility for Academic Requirements Provisions in the Clarion Undergraduate Catalog cannot be considered an irrevocable contract between the university and The university makes every effort to keep information in the catalog current. It must reserve the right, however, to amend any academic, administrative, or disciplinary policies or regulations and to update fees or service charges described in the university catalog without prior notice to persons affected. Students are held responsible for reading and understanding the academic, administrative, and disciplinary policies or regulations and for understanding the general education requirements as published in the catalog. They are held responsible for knowing the requirements of the major they declare. If students change majors, they are responsible for the requirements which are in effect when they officially change majors. Requirements for graduation as well as those for various curricula and degree programs may change after students matriculate at Clarion. Such changes will not be retroactive, although students will have the option to elect to meet the new program requirements, if desired. Exceptions may be necessary when changes in professional certification or licensure standards mandate such changes in requirements or programs. The university expects students to participate in all instructional activities. On-line courses are no different from classroom courses in this regard; however, participation must be defined in a different manner. The grade a student earns in a course should be a measure of comprehension and achievement. Regular class attendance, whether in a traditional classroom or on-line, promotes both of these goals. Student “attendance” in online courses will be defined as active participation in the course as described in the individual course syllabus, addendum, and assignment instructions. On-line courses may, at a minimum, have weekly mechanisms for student participation, which can be documented by any or all of the following methods:
Students who do not log on to the course within the drop/add period for the course will be dropped from the course. Drop/add and withdrawal dates are determined by the Registrar and posted on the Registrar Web page which can be found at http://www.clarion.edu/registrar/ Faculty have the prerogative of assigning a failing grade to those students who fail to maintain active participation in an online course as defined in the course syllabus and addendum. In the event of an unexpected “absence,” such as a serious illness, the faculty member should be notified by email or phone so that a decision can be reached regarding continued enrollment in the course. Students at Clarion University shall maintain a high standard of honesty in scholastic work. As members of the university community, students have a responsibility to be familiar with the conduct regulations found in the university catalogs, Residence Hall Handbook, Student Rights, Regulations, and Procedures Online Handbook, and other university documents. Among the conduct regulations addressed are acts of
academic dishonesty, including plagiarism or cheating on assignments, examinations, or other academic work, or without prior approval of the
instructor, submitting work already done for another course.
Complaints of academic dishonesty may be brought against a student by any member of the academic community. Sanctions for academic dishonesty can range from a failing grade on a particular assignment or examination to dismissal from the university based on the seriousness of the action and whether it is part of a pattern of academic dishonesty. Instructors imposing a lowered or failing grade on an assignment or course as a result of a charge of academic dishonesty must inform the student. Students have the right to appeal instructor decisions (Student Rights, Regulations, and Procedures Online Handbook) related to academic honesty either through the Grade Appeal Process (see section on Student Rights, page 3) or directly to the Conduct Board depending on the nature of the dispute. Sanctions extending beyond a particular course, such as suspension or dismissal from an academic program or from the university, can only be imposed as the result of complaints filed under the Disciplinary Procedures Code and Formal Hearings under this Code. It has been a long standing policy of Clarion University of Pennsylvania to publish a statement of Student Rights and Regulations. Included in this statement is a policy on student records. This policy is included in a Student Rights and Regulations Online Handbook which is available to all students. Copies are also available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, 222 Egbert Hall and the Office of the Provost and Academic Vice President, 115 Carrier, Clarion University of PA, Clarion, PA 16214. Nursing student records are maintained in the CU Nursing Office and the Records Office at Clarion Campus. Student education records, except that information that is otherwise public, are confidential in nature and shall be released only to appropriate faculty, administrative officers, and parents and guardians (if the student is a minor). Release of these records to other persons, institutions or governmental and legal agencies shall occur only upon approval of the student or graduate or upon subpoena.
^ Return to the Table of Contents Academic Policies of BSN Program Relationship Between Clock and Credit Hours Credit for classroom instruction is computed on the basis of 15 clock hours per credit per semester. Therefore, a three-credit course involves 45 hours of classroom instruction (three hours weekly throughout the 15-week semester). Credit for clinical practice is computed on the basis of 45 clock hours per credit per semester. Thus, a two-credit clinical course would require 90 hours of time in the clinical practicum over the course of a 15-week semester. The academic requirements for the BSN Program are higher than the university at large and the student must earn grades of at least “C” in theory and “Pass” in practicum. Nursing as a practice discipline involves theoretical and clinical components. Theory courses are graded on the conventional A-B-C-D-E scale with a grade of “C” or above required for passing. The practicum courses are graded Pass/Fail. A student is evaluated according to behavioral criteria based on the program and course objectives which must be met in order to receive a passing grade in the practicum experience. Students are graded in the BSN Program according to the following scale: A 93 - 100 After students have earned a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit and are in good academic standing, they may schedule a maximum of six courses or 18 semester hours for credit/no record. One such course may be taken each semester or summer session. The regulation does not apply to MATH 050 or internships in the cooperative education program. All such internships are automatically credit/no record. Courses in one’s major and minor fields may not be taken for credit-no record. The option for taking a course for credit/no record is limited to the first five weeks of each semester and the first four days of any five-week Summer Session. Satisfactory work in a credit-no record course shall be shown on the grade report as “CR”, with no record and no credit for less than satisfactory work. Satisfactory work is defined as the equivalent of “C” grade or better under the letter grading system in use by the university. Students who desire to have a credit/no record course changed from “CR” to a letter grade must retake the course. Credit-no record courses are counted in determining the course load for a semester. Incomplete is not used unless a student has been in attendance throughout a semester or a session. It indicates that the work of a student is incomplete and that the final grade is being withheld until the student fulfills all the requirements of the course. The grade of incomplete is only used when conditions and circumstances warrant and when justification is presented. Students receiving incomplete grades are required to make arrangements with the instructor who submitted the incomplete grade to fulfill the requirements of the course by the end of the following semester, or the incomplete becomes a failing grade. Incompletes are not removed by repeating the course. Students receiving incomplete grades are subject to academic probation temporarily until the final grade or grades have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar. The probationary action will be removed from the student’s academic record upon receipt of the grades, provided both semester and cumulative QPA’s are 2.00 or above. Disagreements between students and faculty on student rights and academic complaints against faculty members may be dealt with as described in the Clarion University Student Rights, Regulations, and Procedures Handbook,www.clarion.edu/studentaffairs All class withdrawals must be made through the Office of the Registrar. Classes which a student drops during the period of drop/add will not appear on his or her record. Course withdrawals between the end of the second and ninth weeks may be made without penalty. After the beginning of the tenth week of a semester or the second half of a Summer Session, a course from which a student withdraws shall be finally reported with a grade of “E”. Exceptions may be made for withdrawals due to extenuating circumstances such as illness or some other unavoidable occurrence with approval of the instructor, advisor, and college dean. Students may withdraw from the university (all courses) through the last day of classes. Students on probation at the time of withdrawal from all classes who withdraw after the 12th week of the semester will not be permitted to return for the following semester unless the withdrawal is based on documented extenuating circumstances. If a withdrawal is not made through the Office of the Registrar, a failing grade will be recorded for the affected course(s). Any student who withdraws from the university during or at the end of the semester must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing of his or her intention to withdraw and the reason for the withdrawal. This is necessary for completion of the student’s permanent record. Failure to comply with this regulation will constitute an unofficial withdrawal and may affect the student’s chances of future readmission or his or her obtaining an honorable dismissal. Refunds are granted in accordance with the policy established by the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The refund policy is subject to change at any time by the Board. A student eligible for a refund must officially withdraw through the CU Nursing Office and also submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar at Clarion Campus. The withdrawal procedure should be handled through the CU Nursing Office according to the withdrawal deadlines identified on the Clarion University Website. Students who are dismissed or withdraw from the nursing program because of unsatisfactory performance in a nursing course, failure to complete the course requirements in five years, or failure to successfully complete the prerequisites may apply for readmission to the nursing program if they have a cumulative QPA of 2.5 or higher. Readmission to the nursing program is based on the professional judgment of the nursing faculty and is contingent upon class size (space available). The faculty evaluate the student’s request for readmission and grant or deny the petitions according to the student’s general academic history, nursing course grades, clinical evaluations, and potential for success. It should be understood that a student dismissed from the nursing program is not dismissed from the university. Either academic probation or academic suspension from the university is based upon failure to achieve academic standards detailed in the university catalog. Thus, a student who is dismissed from the nursing program for unsatisfactory performance in nursing courses may be eligible to transfer into another area of study. The retention/progression policy for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program of Clarion University is consistent with that of other four year programs in the university. In order to be retained or progress in the BSN Program the student must:
An unsatisfactory grade in any nursing course and/or failure to maintain a 2.00 QPA each semester is regarded as failure in the program. The student is then dismissed from the nursing program and placed on academic probation effective the next semester of attendance. See Academic Suspension Policy in the Clarion University Undergraduate Catalog and the BSN Dismissal Policy. A student will be dismissed from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program for any of the following reasons:
A student dismissed from the university is also dismissed from the BSN program; however, a student dismissed from the BSN program is not necessarily dismissed from the university. A student who is dismissed from either the BSN program or the university will be notified in writing of the dismissal action. Any student requesting a leave of absence from a nursing program must submit a request in writing to the chair of the Department of Nursing. The letter must include a reason for requesting the leave and the student’s plans for return. A leave of absence is not granted for academic underachievement.
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, students must:
Admission to the BSN ProgramAdmission into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Program is consistent with the Pennsylvania Articulation Model developed by a task force of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Schools of Nursing Association, Inc. (PHENSA) for the Coalition for Nursing Education. Nursing students can fulfill requirements of the lower division (freshman and sophomore years) by means of the following:
The application form may be obtained from the Clarion University Admissions Office at Clarion Campus, the School of Nursing and Allied Health Office at Venango Campus, or the Administrative Office at Venango Campus. The application form must be completed and sent with high school and previous educational transcripts and $30 non-refundable processing fee to the School of Nursing and Allied Health, Clarion University, 1801 West First Street, Oil City, PA 16301. Admission to the BSN Program is competitive. An applicant meeting all program requirements is not guaranteed admission to the program. Admission as a Pre-BSN Student A student who meets all qualifications for the BSN Program except the required QPA of 2.5 may be admitted as a Pre-BSN student. The student must then earn a 2.5 average in 12 credits from the following list of required BSN courses: BIO 453; a math course greater than MATH 110; a microcomputer course; NURS 340, 342, 346, 357, 361, or 376; or nursing electives NURS 320, 335, 347, 365, or 368. Students who fail to meet the QPA requirement can not be admitted to the BSN Program. A student who has graduated from an associate degree or diploma nursing program who does not have current RN licensure may be admitted as a pre-BSN student for one semester. The student may take the following courses on a space-available basis: BIO 453; a math course greater than MATH 110; a microcomputer course; or nursing electives 320, 335, 347, 365, or 368. Students who have pre-BSN status should maintain close contact with their academic advisors. A maximum of 60 credits may be earned through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). No more than 30 of the 60 credits may be earned after admission. These examinations, administered by the College Entrance Examination Board, may be taken at the Venango Campus of Clarion University. They are designed for adult learners and non-traditional students who have gained college-level knowledge through prior education or training. The College-Level Examination Program includes five general examinations and approximately 31 subject examinations, which if successfully passed, will earn the student three credits per examination. A list of the general and subject examinations, minimum acceptable scores, and credits available is published in the Clarion University of Pennsylvania Catalog. Clarion University may grant credit for life experience based upon careful evaluation of such experience. For information, students may contact the Office of the Registrar, the Dean of the college in which they are enrolled, or the Chair of their major department. ^ Return to the Table of Contents Financial Aid Available to On-Line BSN Students Admission to the BSN program does not include financial support. Information about financial assistance available to undergraduate students may be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid Office at Clarion University at 814-393-2315. Contact the Nursing Office for scholarship information. On-line BSN students may apply for federal
financial aid such as Pell Grants and Stafford loans. Eligibility for
federal aid is determined by the Free Application of Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA). Since educational costs for on-line students are considered to
be lower than those of students who attend class on-site, on-line
students may not receive the maximum loan or grant amounts. They may
receive federal aid for tuition, mandatory fees, books and equipment,
but not for room and board. Also, students who take more than 50% of
their courses on-line are not eligible for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) grant (often referred to as the A number of scholarships are available to Clarion University students and prospective students attending classes on Venango Campus or taking Venango Campus Programs. Scholarships are made available by businesses, service organizations, the faculty of Venango Campus, and the Clarion University Foundation. Each of the sponsoring agencies set certain criteria for their scholarship(s). Students are requested to submit one application to the Venango Campus Scholarship Committee. The committee will make a determination of all the scholarships for hich the applicant is eligible, and consider him/her for each one of them. A listing of all Venango Campus scholarships is available in the Administration Office at Venango Campus. Scholarships not administered by the Venango Campus Scholarship Committee may require a separate application sent to the sponsor. Scholarships administered through the School of Nursing and Allied Health will be posted on the BSN list-serv as the applications become available each year. Check the university catalog, the Venango Campus Administration Office or the Nursing and Allied Health Office at Venango Campus for more information. ^ Return to the Table of Contents Advisement and Registration Purpose: It is the purpose of the academic advisement program at Clarion University to:
Advisor Roles and Responsibilities: In the advisor-advisee relationship, the student is primarily responsible for seeking academic advisement from the advisor. The central roles and responsibilities of the advisor are to:
Student Roles and Responsibilities: Each student must bear ultimate responsibility for the development of his or her academic program and for meeting all graduation requirements. In the advisor-advisee relationship, the student’s responsibilities are:
For more information on advising, contact the University Advising Center in 111 Becht Hall or the center’s Website at www.clarion.edu/advising. The following is a brief synopsis of steps involved in registering for classes at Clarion University. Note: Any student not registering for courses while actively enrolled in the program must apply for a leave of absence (see page 26). It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of university regulations and requirements as published in the Clarion University Catalog and the Student Handbook. Look forward to and read your registration scheduling e-mail. The e-mail is sent to your Clarion e-mail account and contains your registration scheduling time, credit hours you have already earned, your advisor, and any registration holds you may have. Review your academic progress on the Web for Students degree audit feature. Contact any office that has a hold on your account and take the appropriate action to remove the hold at least 24 hours in advance of registration Make an appointment to see your advisor during his/her regularly scheduled office hours. First year freshman and new transfer students are required to meet with their advisor to review and discuss degree requirements. Plan a tentative course schedule. Check course availability, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||