WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : School of Professional Studies

Nursing

Jeanette H. Lupinacci, Chair
lupinaccij@wcsu.edu
White Hall 221A, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8570
(203) 837-8550 (fax)

Terri-Ann Rago, Department Secretary
ragot@wcsu.edu
White Hall 221, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8556
(203) 837-8550 (fax)


Faculty

J. Lupinacci, Chair E. Abate D. Bennett
K. Bridges D. Brown E. Campbell
P. Cumella L. Dalessio M.E. Doherty
D. Graham J. Mazurak J. Ort
B. Padykula B. Piscopo T. Puckhaber
C. Rice M. Sousa L. Warren

 

Mission

The Department of Nursing strives to provide a nursing education that is aimed at preparing beginning and advanced practice nurses to meet the ever-changing health care needs of Connecticut and the surrounding region. This is achieved through:

  • A dynamic curriculum that is responsive to students and community needs;
  • Clinical competence, scholarship and research;
  • Service to the university, the public and the profession;
  • Accommodation of diverse values and interests;
  • A commitment to a caring culture.

 

Program Information

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing at Western Connecticut State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. http://www.ccneaccreditation.org/

 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Synthesize knowledge from the arts, sciences, and humanities with nursing theory as the basis for making nursing practice decisions.
  2. Exercise critical thinking in using the nursing process to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate the care provided to individuals, families and communities.
  3. Apply the nursing process to design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic nursing interventions to provide preventive, curative, supportive, and restorative care for individuals, families, and communities in both structured and unstructured settings, using a variety of techniques.
  4. Use a variety of communication techniques, including written documentation, in the process of assessment, counseling, and therapeutic interventions with individual clients, families, groups and communities.
  5. Develop and implement a variety of teaching-learning strategies in the provision of health teaching for individuals, families, and groups in a variety of settings.
  6. Use the process of scientific inquiry and research findings to improve nursing care delivery.
  7. Manage information, human resources, and material resources to achieve optimum client outcomes in a cost-effective manner.
  8. Use leadership, management, and collaborative skills as a member of a multi-disciplinary team within the health care delivery system to develop, implement, and evaluate health care provided to clients.
  9. Exercise independent judgment and ethical decision-making, and act as an advocate for consumers of health care services.
  10. Demonstrate accountability in learning and in nursing actions, based on accepted standards of nursing care and in accordance of professional nursing practice.

 

Degree Programs

B.S. in Nursing

R.N. to B.S. in Nursing


Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.)

DescriptionThe Department of Nursing’s Mission is to provide a nursing education that is aimed at preparing beginning and advanced practice nurses to meet the ever-changing health care needs of Connecticut and the surrounding region.   

Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 72 SH.  

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Core 
NUR 106 Pre-Nursing First Year Seminar OR HON 100 or Another FY course  1 SH 
BIO 105 Anatomy & Physiology I (SI)*  4 SH 
BIO 106 Anatomy & Physiology II (SI)*  4 SH 
BIO 215 Microbiology*  4 SH 
HPX 205 Nutrition & Health*  2 SH 
NUR 105 Applications of Math Prior to Medication Administration  1 SH 
NUR 201 Introduction to Physical Assessment  4 SH 
NUR 205 Fundamentals of Nursing  4 SH 
NUR 225 Scientific Principles Underlying Nursing Practice  3 SH 
NUR 235 Clinical Nursing Practice I  5 SH 
NUR 255 Clinical Nursing Practice II  6 SH 
NUR 300 Mental Health Nursing  4 SH 
NUR 325 Nursing Care of the Childbearing/Childrearing Family  7 SH 
NUR 327 Community Health Nursing  6 SH 
NUR 335 Clinical Health Nursing Practice III  8 SH 
NUR 361 Research Process in Nursing (IL)  2 SH 
NUR 374 Leadership & Management in Contemporary Nursing Practice  2 SH 
NUR 475 Nursing Practicum (CE, W3)  6 SH 
Cognates 
CHE 120 Survey of Chemistry I *  4 SH 
CHE 121 Survey of Chemistry II (CT)*  4 SH 
MAT 115 or 120 Biostatistics or Elementary Statistics (QR)  3 SH 
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology  3 SH 
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (CT, IC) or SOC 120 Principles of Sociology, Writing Intentensive (W2) 3 SH 
COM 262 Interpersonal Communication (CT, IC) or Oral Communications Competency Course (OC) (completed by graduation) 3 SH 
Students must earn a minimum of C+ (2.33) or better in BIO 105, 106, CHE 120/121.
Students
must earn a minimum of C (2.0) in BIO 215, HPX 205 and all NUR courses. 
Minimum GPA for those Enrolled as a Nursing Major = 2.5 overall. 


General Education
: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.  


Sample Four Year Plan: BS Nursing

Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
NUR 106 Pre-Nursing First Year Seminar (FY) OR any FY  1  COM 262 Interpersonal Communication (CT, IC) OR Oral Communication Course (OC) 3 
BIO 105 Anatomy & Phys I (SI)*  4  BIO 106 Anat. & Phys II (SI, Rpt.1)  4 
CHE 120 Survey of Chemistry I*  4  CHE 121 Survey of Chemistry II  4 
WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3  Writing Tier 2 (W2) (Ex SOC 120) 3 
PSY 100 Intro to Psychology  3  SOC 100 Intro to Sociology (CT Rpt. 2, IC Rpt. 3) OR SOC 120 Principles of Sociology, Writing Intensive (W2) 3 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
NUR 105 Applications of Math Prior to Medication Administration    NUR 225 Scientific Principles Underlying Nursing Practice  3 
NUR 201 Introduction to Physical Assessment    NUR 235 Clinical Nursing Practice I  5 
NUR 205 Fundamentals of Nursing    NUR 300 Mental Health Nursing**   
BIO 215 Microbiology  4  MAT 115 or 120 Biostatistics or Elementary Statistics (QR)  3 
HPX 205 Nutrition & Health*  2     
       
Semester 5  SH  Semester 6  SH 
NUR 255 Clinical Nursing Practice II  6 NUR 335 Clinical Health Nursing Practice III ***   
NUR 361 Research Process in Nur (IL)    NUR 374 Leadership & Management in Contemporary Nursing Practice***   
NUR 300 Mental Health Nursing** (if not taken in SO Spring, take Fall junior year)  4  Gen Ed: Health & Wellness (HW) 2-3 
Gen Ed: Creative Process (CP)  3  Gen Ed: Breadth 3 
Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC)  3     
       
Semester 7  SH  Semester 8  SH 
NUR 325 Nursing Care of the Childbearing/Childrearing Family***  7  NUR 475 Nursing Practicum (CE, W3)   
NUR 327 Community Health Nursing***    Free electives  10 
Total Credits Required for the BS in Nursing = 120; Minimum GPA 2.5 

*Foundational Science Courses in Nursing require students to place into General Education Math.  This will be evaluated either by SAT/ACT scores or High School GPA 2.8 or higher*

 **NUR 300 can be taken Spring Sophomore Year of Nursing and or Fall Junior Year** 

***NUR 335 & 374 can be taken either Spring Junior Year of Nursing and or Fall Senior Year of Nursing as a pair, Same for NUR 325 & 327*** 

 

RN to BS in Nursing  

Description: The Department of Nursing’s Mission is to provide a nursing education that is aimed at preparing beginning and advanced practice nurses to meet the ever-changing health care needs of Connecticut and the surrounding region.  

Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses for the RN to BS: 30 SH minimum 

Nursing Courses Transferred from the RN program (29 SH)   
BIO 105 Anatomy & Physiology I (SI)*  4 SH 
BIO 106 Anatomy & Physiology II (SI)*  4 SH 
BIO 215 Microbiology*  4 SH 
NUR 205 Fundamentals of Nursing  4 SH 
NUR 225 Scientific Principles Underlying Nursing Practice  3 SH 
NUR 235 Clinical Nursing Practice I  5 SH 
NUR 255 Clinical Nursing Practice II  6 SH 
NUR 300 Mental Health Nursing  4 SH 
NUR 325 Nursing Care of Childbearing/Childrearing Families  7 SH 
Nursing Courses Completed at WCSU (28 SH) 
NUR 301 Leadership in Health Care Organizations   3 SH 
NUR 309 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice   3 SH 
NUR 311 Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan (IC)  3 SH 
NUR 329 Principles of Community Health Nursing   3 SH 
NUR 330 Nursing in the Community (IL)  4 SH 
NUR 332 Pharmacology, Pathophysiology & Nursing Practice (IL)  3 SH 
NUR 336 Human Health Experience and Nursing Practice (HW, CP)  3 SH 
NUR 361 Research Process in Nursing (IL)  2 SH 
NUR 376 Professional Nursing Role Development (W3, Culm Exp)  4 SH 
Required Elective Credits (students must complete at least 30 SH at WCSU)  2 SH 
Cognates (if not completed as part of the 2-year degree) 
MAT 115 or 120 Biostatistics or Elementary Statistics (QR)  3 SH 
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology  3 SH 
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (CT, IC) or SOC 120 Principles of Sociology, Writing Intensive (W2) 3 SH 
*Students must earn a C (2.0) or better in BIO 105, 106, & BIO 215) and in all NUR courses 
Minimum GPA for the BS in Nursing = 2.5 overall. 
Students must earn a minimum of 120 SH to complete the BS. Up to 90 SH may be transferred to WCSU.  

 

General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses. 


Sample Post-Transfer Plan: RN to BS Nursing

The transfer path depends on completing your general education requirements in as part of two-year degree. Consult your advisor to address any gaps in your earlier program. 

**Please note this program can also be completed in one year, if this is an option for you, please see Nicole Kullberg (kullburgn@wcsu.edu) in admissions and or Dr. B Piscopo (piscopob@wcsu.edu) (RN-BS coordinator)**

RN transfer Sample 2-year plan 
Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
NUR 309 Transition to Professional Nursing  3  NUR 311 Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan  3 
NUR 329 Principles of Community Health Nursing  3  NUR 336 Human Health experience (HW, CP)  3 
MAT 115/120 (Biostats and or Elementary Stats) QR *(if required)  3  NUR 361 Nursing Research  2 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
NUR 330 Nursing in the Community  4  NUR 376 Professional Nursing Role Development  4 
NUR 332 Pharmacotherapeutics  3  NUR 301 Leadership in Healthcare Organizations  3 
Elective (if MAT 115/120 is not req).  2     

 

RN transfer Sample 3-year plan 
Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
NUR 309 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice  3  NUR 311 Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan  3 
NUR 329 Principles of Community Health Nursing  3  NUR 336 Human Health Experience and Nursing Practice  3 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
NUR 332 Pharmacotherapeutics  3  NUR 361 Nursing Research  2 
MAT 115/120 (Biostats and or Elementary Stats) QR *(if required)    NUR 301 Leadership in Health Care Organizations  3 
       
Semester 5  SH  Semester 6  SH 
NUR 330 Nursing in the Community  4  NUR 376 Professional Nursing Role Development  4 
General Electives (MAT 115 is not required)  2     
Total Credits Required for the RN to BS in Nursing = 120;  Minimum GPA in the major is 2.5  
Transfer students must take a minimum of 30 SH at WCSU. For the RN to BSN that includes 28 SH in 2 SH in electives  

 The examples above do not include additional coursework necessary to meet the 120 SH minimum for a bachelor’s degree. The total number of SH necessary will depend on the total number of transfer credits. Up to 90 credits from Community College/or prior college work may be transferred in. 



RN-BS Program: Western at Waterbury

The Nursing Department offers the nursing courses for the RN-BS degree completion program online. Students earn a BS with a major in Nursing. The RN-BS program is located on the campus of Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, Ct. The program is only available to students who hold a current RN license.

Registered nurse graduates of associate degree and hospital diploma nursing programs, who hold a current RN license in Connecticut or another state, are encouraged to apply to this program. A current RN license is required from the state in which clinical affiliations are scheduled. RN-BS degree completion students must complete all college and department course requirements satisfactorily to be eligible for the B.S. degree with a major in Nursing. The RN-BS program is a participant in the Connecticut Articulation Model for Nurse Educational Mobility.

For more information about this program, please contact Nicole Kullberg, Transfer Counselor, Associate Director of Admissions at Kullbergn@wcsu.edu or Barbara Piscopo, RN-BS Program Coordinator at Piscopob@wcsu.edu.

 

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) – Admission, Retention and Graduation Requirements

Admission

Anyone admitted to pre-nursing/nursing major will automatically have a seat in the nursing program provided pre-requisite courses are completed and GPA meets criteria for entry.

Initially, students must be accepted into the University. Once accepted to the University, any pre-nursing/nursing major will be considered for entry to nursing program in December/January. A link will be made available for students through WCSU email and department of nursing website to confirm intent for entry and desire to be evaluated for the nursing program. The link survey must be completed by the first Monday of February. Incomplete or late entries may not be considered by the Department of Nursing (DON). The applicant pool is not limited to pre-nursing students. The decision to admit an applicant to the Nursing major is made by the DON. Qualified students may not be accepted because of a limited number of clinical placements and limited DON resources.

In evaluating students for acceptance into the nursing program, the following criteria are used:

  • GPA (3.0)
  • Completion of prerequisite courses (from next page)
  • Evaluation of overall academic records
  • Academic history at other colleges and universities.

Students must earn at least a C+ in the four science prerequisite courses (BIO 105, BIO 106, CHE 120, and CHE 121) for consideration of acceptance. Sciences may not be more than 5 years old. Consistent with the university admission requirements, preference is given to those candidates who, in the judgment of the DON, have academic and personal qualifications with the greatest potential for program success.

Applicants must have successfully completed or be enrolled in the following courses:

  • Writing Intensive Course (WI) or (W2)
  • Oral Communication Competency (OC) completed by graduation.
  • PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
  • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 120 (W2)
  • BIO 105 and BIO 106 or equivalent with a grade of “C+” or better
  • CHE 120 and CHE 121 or equivalent with a grade of “C+” or better
  • Students are ineligible to apply for admission to the nursing program if they have been dismissed for either academic or clinical reasons from another nursing program.

Students newly accepted into the program must adhere to the Health Policies of the DON. The following information must be submitted on or before June 1 prior to starting nursing classes.

  • Current health form
  • Results of either PPD skin test or chest x-ray or QuantiFERON blood test
  • Evidence of measles, mumps, and rubella/rubeola, and varicella vaccinations or antibody titers
  • Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination, Hepatitis B titers or signed declination to receive vaccine
  • Tdap vaccine completed within the last 10 years
  • CPR certification for professional rescuers Basic Life Support (Health Care Provider) American Heart Association or American Red Cross Professional Rescuer.

Students without documentation of health requirements and/or CPR certification will not be allowed to participate in clinical experiences.

Transfer students coming into the University must first apply to the Admissions Department and must meet the same standards listed above. University students wishing to change their major to Nursing must apply to the DON for admission to the Nursing major and must meet the same requirements as pre-nursing students. Please refer to the above criteria.

Retention
  1. In order to remain in the Nursing program, students must earn at least a “C” grade in all courses with a NUR designation and BIO 215 and HPX 205. **Please be reminded that sophomore nursing students who are transitioning between the fall and spring semester are required to complete a Medication Math Test and must pass with > 85**.  This is administered during the Final Exam Period for NUR 105.
  2. In order to remain in the Nursing program, nursing students must fulfill academic requirements and must also show evidence of meeting the behavioral objectives (cognitive, psychomotor and affective) of preparation for professional nursing as described and distributed in each nursing course with a NUR 200 and NUR 300 designation.
  3. A student who receives a grade of “C-” or lower in a Nursing course, whose cumulative grade point average has dropped below 2.50, who has withdrawn from a NUR 200 or NUR 300 level nursing course, who has taken a leave of absence from the Nursing program (whether medical or otherwise), or who has withdrawn from the Nursing program must apply for readmission to the Nursing program. The student may be readmitted to the program provided that, in the judgment of the nursing faculty, the student meets the criteria for readmission.
  4. Any student who receives more than one course grade below “C” in any of the nursing courses will not be readmitted to the Nursing program.  In addition, any student who has for any reason reapplied and been readmitted and then subsequently withdrawn or fails, will not be allowed to reapply a second time.
  5. Students who demonstrate an unsafe level of patient care will not be permitted to continue in the clinical area.
  6. Under provisions of Public Act 86-365, students whose ability to function is impaired or who have engaged in unethical or illegal acts, or whose behavior does not conform to accepted standards of the Nursing profession may jeopardize their eligibility for obtaining or retaining professional nurse licensure in the State of Connecticut. (A copy of the act with explanatory material is available for review in the department office.) Such conduct or behavior may also be grounds for disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal from the program, by the Nursing faculty or departmental administrator.
Graduation
  1. The student must have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 based on at least 120 credits earned.
  2. The student must have at least a “C” grade in all 200- and 300-level Nursing courses.
  3. The student must have sustained evidence of academic and behavioral characteristics acceptable for professional nursing as set forth in the philosophy and objectives of the Department of Nursing.

Professional Nurse Licensure

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to the State Board of Examiners for Nursing in Connecticut, or in any other state of their choice, for examination for Professional Nurse licensure. Each state board may have additional criteria for eligibility according to the laws of the state. In Connecticut, the limitations for eligibility for licensure are delineated in Public Act 86-365. A copy of this act is available for review in the department office.


Health Policies and Other Requirements

Because of the nature of the clinical experiences and regulations of various clinical agencies utilized in the nursing program, all Nursing students are required to adhere to departmental policies in addition to the immunizations required of all university students. This information may be obtained directly from the department.

In addition to the above stated health requirements, students may need to meet additional requirements identified by a clinical affiliating agency, including a criminal background check, drug testing, and or finger printing checks. Clinical agencies reserve the right to refuse clinical placement to students who do not pass the background check, drug testing, and or fingerprinting testing.

If a student’s physical or emotional health status is deemed unsafe for clinical laboratory experiences by the Nursing faculty, the student may not attend clinical laboratories. Appropriate clearance may be required prior to the student returning to the clinical laboratory.


Additional Requirements

Students are required to furnish their own uniforms and to provide their own transportation to clinical facilities. Students may also be required to have health insurance and are responsible for any medical care administered as a result of clinical assignment.

All students must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a healthcare provider prior to entering sophomore year, and must maintain current certification to be eligible to attend the clinical experience.  It is recommended that students obtain their CPR certification from the American Heart Association and/or the American Red Cross.  In addition to liability protection under the Statutes of Connecticut [Chapter 170, Section 10-235(a)], the university carries professional liability insurance coverage for nursing students.