Department of Nursing

Mary Kishman, Ph.D., RN, Chairperson
 

The outstanding reputation of the Mount’s baccalaureate degree in nursing is built upon more than eight decades of experience in preparing women and men as professional practitioners of nursing. Graduates of the Nursing program assume prominent roles in all areas of nursing and health care delivery systems across the United States and throughout the world.

The mission of the Nursing program is to prepare women and men as professional nurses who integrate the liberal arts and sciences with the knowledge and skills essential for patient centered nursing practice.  Graduates are caring, ethical health care providers who support the dignity of others and promote holistic, evidence-based practice in a variety of settings.  The Nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C.  20036-1120, (202) 887-6791. The program provides the learning environment for students’ development of competencies in assessment, communication, critical thinking, decision-making, problem solving, and therapeutic nursing interventions across the life span. These concepts and principles are integrated throughout the students’ educational program and form the basis for a value centered approach to caring for individuals, families, aggregates, populations-at-risk, and communities.

The graduate of the baccalaureate nursing program will be able to:

• implement safe, effective and culturally sensitive therapeutic interventions, based on assessment data.
• communicate effectively with individuals, families, groups, and populations.
• employ critical thinking to make competent decisions.
• develop caring relationships with clients from diverse populations.
• apply principles of leadership and management while working in interdisciplinary teams.
• exercise professional, legal, ethical, social, and political responsibilities.
• use information literacy to provide evidence-based care.

Upon successful completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree students are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as registered nurses. The BSN degree provides graduates with unique opportunities for continued personal, professional growth and development, and a foundation for graduate studies in nursing. Attainment of the BSN degree enables graduates to meet new challenges, particularly in leadership, management and community-focused nursing, in response to dramatic changes in nursing and the health care delivery system today and for the future.

Program of Studies
There are two tracks leading to the BSN degree offered in the Nursing program. The Day Track (pre-licensure) has as its major focus the preparation of students for initial entry into the professional practice of nursing. An Accelerated Track is specifically designed for registered nurses (RNs), graduates of diploma and associate degree programs, who wish to pursue the BSN degree in an accelerated format. RNs may also complete the program in the Day Track.

BSN-Day Track
Gail Burns, DNP, RN, BSN Program Director

For admission into this competitive program, students must first be accepted by the College and meet the admission requirements for the pre-nursing program. Since a strong background in science is important for nursing students, high school courses in general science, biology, and anatomy and physiology are recommended. All individuals seeking admission to the Nursing program must have completed a course in high school chemistry or its equivalent as well as algebra I and II.

BSN-Accelerated Track for Registered Nurses
Kathleen Monahan, MSN, RN, RN-BSN Program Director

Designed specifically for registered nurses who wish to earn the BSN degree, the Accelerated Track offers an opportunity for registered nurses to earn the BSN in late afternoon/evening timeframes. Classes involve intensive study, close working relationships with the faculty and other students, and innovative opportunities for self-directed learning. The courses build on previous nursing courses with an emphasis on leadership, management, evidence-based care and patient-centered nursing.

Registered nurses who wish to enter the Nursing program must first be admitted to the College by completing an adult application available through the College’s Admission Office. RNs are required to schedule an appointment with the RN-BSN program director in order to learn the policies and procedures of the Accelerated Track, to evaluate previous course work and for initial advising and planning of schedules.

Opportunities for Credentialing of Prior Learning for Registered Nurse Students
In concert with the policies of the College of Mount St. Joseph on credentialing of prior learning, the faculty of the Nursing Program have established policies and guidelines that recognize academic and experiential learning of registered nurses, who wish to earn the baccalaureate degree in nursing. Contact the RN/BSN advisor for further information regarding these policies, 513-244-4297.

Articulation Agreements
Articulation agreements which facilitate the transfer credits of registered nurse graduates of diploma and associate degree nursing programs have been established with Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Raymond Walters College, the Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science. Contact the Division of Health Sciences for further information regarding these agreements.

Requirements for Admission to the Pre-Nursing Program
The first step in the admission process is to be accepted into the College of Mount St. Joseph. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission into the pre-nursing or clinical nursing programs. Once a student has been accepted to the College their scholastic records will be reviewed by the Health Sciences Division. It is important to realize that limited spaces are available in the pre-nursing and clinical nursing programs. Requirements for admission to the Pre-Nursing Program vary slightly depending on the status of the student.

Traditional Students (out of high school less than four years) must meet the following criteria to enter the Pre-Nursing Program:

• high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher
• 20 or higher composite on the ACT or 950 or higher on the SAT
• passed high school Algebra I and II with a "C" or higher
• passed high school Chemistry with a "C" or higher
• placed on the COMPASS Math Placement test above MTH 098, Intermediate Algebra 

Traditional Transfer Students (out of high school less than four years) must have:

• submitted "official" college transcripts for all previous college/university coursework
• College cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher 
• passed high school Algebra I and II with a "C" or higher
• passed high school Chemistry with a "C" or higher
• placed on the COMPASS Math Placement test above MTH 098, Intermediate Algebra 

(All previous college/university coursework will be considered for failures in Category I, Category II and Category III nursing courses for acceptance to the pre-nursing program.)

Adult, First-time College Students:

• have earned a "C" or higher in high school Chemistry
  • If the student has no high school chemistry, the student must take a high school chemistry equivalent course.
• take the COMPASS test
  • test and place ready to take: Written Word (ENG 101)
  • obtain a passing score on reading
  • place above MTH 098, Intermediate Algebra

Adult Transfer Students:

• submitted "official" college transcripts for all previous college/university coursework
• have a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher
• earned a "C" or higher in high school Chemistry
  • If the student has no high school chemistry, the student must take a high school chemistry equivalent course.
• take the COMPASS test
  • test and place ready to take: Written Word (ENG 101)
  • obtain a passing score on reading
  • place above MTH 098, Intermediate Algebra

(All previous college/university coursework will be considered for failures in Category I, Category II and Category III nursing courses for acceptance to the pre-nursing program.)

Change of Major Students:

A student at the College of Mount St. Joseph who wants to change his/her major may transfer into the Pre-Nursing Program by meeting the following criteria:

• have met requirements to take Written Word (ENG 101) and Chemistry (CHE 104/104A)
• have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
• have a "C" or higher in Category I pre-nursing courses that have been taken

Traditional/Adult Students Transferring in Courses with less than a "C"

• If the transfer student earned less than a "C" in a Category I pre-nursing course at the College of Mount St. Joseph or at another college/university, the course must be repeated. The course can be repeated one time.
  • Category I pre-nursing courses are: Introduction to Psychology (PSY 103), Our Social World (SOC 103), Inorganic/Organic Chemistry with Lab (CHE 104/104A), Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Lab (BIO 197/197A and BIO 198/198A), and Biochemistry/Nutrition (IDS 206).
• If the transfer student earned less than a "C" in two Category I pre-nursing or Category II and Category III courses at the College of Mount St. Joseph or at another college/university, the student is denied admission to the pre-nursing program.
• If the transfer student earned less than a "C" twice in the same Category I pre-nursing or Category II or Category III course at the College of Mount St. Joseph or at another college/university, the student is denied admission to the pre-nursing program.

Requirements for Continuing Enrollment in the Pre-Nursing Program

The requirements for remaining in the pre-nursing program are as follows:

• Complete the six Category I courses with a "C" or higher: Introduction to Psychology (PSY 103); Our Social World (SOC 103); Inorganic/Organic Chemistry with Lab (CHE 104/104A); Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (BIO 197/197A), Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (BIO 198/198A), and Biochemistry/Nutrition (IDS 206).
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher.
• Cannot earn less than "C" in two required pre-nursing Category I courses or less than a "C" twice in the same required pre-nursing Category I course.

Requirements for Admission into the Clinical BSN Program

The student must

• be admitted to the College of Mount St. Joseph
• have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher 
• completed 28 semester credit hours
• completed the required pre-nursing Category I courses with a "C" or above: Introduction to Psychology (PSY 103); Our Social World (SOC 103); Inorganic/Organic Chemistry (CHE 104/104A); Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 197/197A), Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 198/198A), and Biochemistry/Nutrition (IDS 206)
• submit a completed "Application to the Nursing Major" to the Nursing Program secretary by February 1st
• successsfullly complete a criminal background check

Applications for admission to the Nursing Program will be evaluated by faculty/staff members of the Student Affairs Committee.  The applicants will be notified in writing of the committee's decision.

If a student earns less than a "C" in a required pre-nursing Category I course, the course may be repeated one time.

If a student earns less than a "C" in two required pre-nursing Category I courses or earns less than a "C" twice in the same required pre-nursing Category I course, the student is denied admission to the clinical nursing program.

College of Mount St. Joseph students in the pre-nursing program who meet the admission criteria by the end of spring semester will be assured admission into the clinical nursing program. Transfer students are considered for admission to the nursing clinical program if space is available. Cumulative GPA will be a factor in order of admission if space permits.

Requirements for Transferring into the Pre-Nursing Program

• Have met requirements to take Written Word (ENG 101) and Chemistry (CHE 104/104A)
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Have a "C" or higher in all Category I required pre-nursing courses taken: Introduction to Psychology (PSY 103); Our Social World (SOC 103); Inorganic/Organic Chemistry(CHE 104/104A); Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 197/197A); Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 198/198A), and Biochemistry/Nutrition (IDS 206)
  • If the transfer student earned less than a "C" in two required pre-nursing Category I courses or earns less than a "C" twice in the same required pre-nursing Category I course, the student is denied admission to the pre-nursing program.
• Meet with the nursing advisor
• Completed an application to the nursing program
• Completed a satisfactory criminal background check

Order of Admission to the Nursing Program

Consistent with the mission of the College, the nursing program limits enrollment in the clinical program to provide individual student attention. Due to the high number of applications to the nursing program, an order of priority for acceptance has been established.

Students will be admitted in the following order until the maximum number is accepted and the remaining applicants will be put on a waitlist.

1. College of Mount St. Joseph students in the pre-nursing program who meet these criteria and requirements by the end of spring semester will be assured admission into the clinical nursing program the following fall semester.
2. College of Mount St. Joseph students who meet criteria by July 1.
3. Transfer students who meet the criteria by the end of May.
4. College of Mount St. Joseph students who filed a petition to be admitted.
5. Transfer students who filed a petition to be admitted. 

College of Mount St. Joseph/transfer students who are waitlisted will be prioritized for admission according to GPA.

Requirements for Continuing Enrollment in the Nursing Program
To continue enrollment in the Nursing Program, the admitted student must complete each Category II Support course and Category III nursing course with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0/4/0.

Category II Support Course and Category III Nursing Course Requirements

The student who fails to achieve a “C” or higher in a Category II or Category III course must, prior to enrollment:

1. meet with the course faculty to discuss factors that contributed to the course failure;
2. meet with their advisor.
3. If the course is a Category III course the student must meet with the Director of the Nursing Program and submit a letter of petition that includes a description of factors contributing to the course failure, reasons for desiring permission to repeat the course, and plans for achieving success in subsequent repeated courses.

The student who fails to achieve a “C” or higher in two Category II or Category III courses shall be dismissed from the Nursing Program.

The student must successfully complete the repeated Course Category III nursing course(s) before enrolling in any subsequent Category III nursing course. A course can be repeated one time only.

Students must meet all stated pre-requisite and co-requisite course requirements to register for each Category III nursing course.  

Learning Outcomes