Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, and Health Services Administration

Faculty

Director: Theresa Tulaney, PhD, MS, RN, GCNS

April Ciesielski, MSN, BSN

Patricia Falkowski, MSN, RNC, CNS

Kathleen Healy-Karabell, DNP, RN

Robert Hoffman, RRT, RN, BHA, MBA

Amy Wescott, MSN, CRNP

Katrina Powell, MSN, RN

Loriann F. Pajalich, DNP, MS, RN, CNS, GCNS-BC

Mary Ellen McCormick, MSN, CRNP

Mission

Consistent with the mission of Marywood University, the baccalaureate program in nursing calls upon students to seek their full potential and invites all to engage in a lifelong process of learning. The program prepares the graduate to be a lifelong learner who is competent in using nursing knowledge and skills to carry out the professional responsibilities of a beginning nurse in a variety of settings. Graduates will demonstrate those values, attitudes, and personal qualities that reflect a commitment to an understanding of persons as God-created, culturally and socially diverse, unique bio-psycho-social spiritual beings.

To accomplish its mission, the Nursing Program has established the following four program goals:

Provide an educational program in the liberal arts tradition that fosters the knowledge, skills, values, and personal qualities needed to succeed as a novice nurse.
Provide the resources and environment to enable the program to fulfill its mission, goals, and expected student learning outcomes.
Design, develop, implement and evaluate curriculum and clinical experiences based on national standards and research-based practice that will assist the nursing student in developing their full potential to be leaders in service to others.
Foster development of faculty in the areas of teaching, scholarship, service and practice.

To view the interconnectedness of the program goals with University goals, please consult the Nursing Department Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook. This Handbook has detailed information on specific student outcomes.

Evaluate nursing care provided to patients, families, and communities across the lifespan from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings to ensure that it is compassionate, age and culturally appropriate and based on a patient's preferences, values and needs.
Collaborate with members of the interprofessional healthcare team to manage and coordinate the provision of safe, quality care for patients, families, and communities
Integrate best current evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences when making clinical judgments in the management of patient-centered care.
Use evidence-based information and patient care technology to communicate relevant patient information, manage care and mitigate error in the provision of safe, quality patient-centered care.
Identify a patient care concern and formulate a quality improvement plan.
Demonstrate effective use of strategies to mitigate errors and reduce the risk of harm to patients, self and others in healthcare, home, and community settings.
Assimilate integrity and accountability into practices that uphold established regulatory, legal, and ethical principles while providing patient-centered, standard-based nursing care.

Facilities

The Nursing Department is located in the Center for Natural and Health Sciences, which includes technologically rich classrooms, updated laboratory space for science classes, and a nursing skills lab that is equipped with patient simulators, Turning Point technology, and patient mannequins that afford students the opportunity to practice a range of nursing skills. This simulation lab offers students an environment to apply knowledge in a safe setting, fostering critical thinking. The simulators are programmed to respond physiologically to diseases, trauma, and interactions as human beings. Realistic patient scenarios can be simulated in a controlled environment in which students can practice the nursing process, critical thinking, and decision making.

The Nursing Department utilizes various healthcare facilities that include acute and critical care, pediatric, obstetrics, long term care, psychiatric and mental health, and community care settings. These facilities serve populations of culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, offering the students exposure to a microcosm of the larger global community in which they will practice after graduation.

Prerequisites

In accordance with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations, applicants to the Nursing Program, whether high school graduate or G.E.D. recipient, shall have completed work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units, including four units of English, three units of social studies, two units of mathematics (one of which is algebra) and two units of science with a related laboratory or the equivalent.

Upon review of an applicant’s high school transcript by the University, if the above units have not been met, these must be completed prior to entry into the major. Students should reference the Nursing Department Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook for an explanation of the physical requirements of clinical classes.

Admission Requirements for the Nursing Program

Meet SAT/ACT Requirements

First-time Freshmen	Internal Transfers	External Transfers	LPN Students
Meet SAT/ACT requirements – Direct Admit in and maintain a QPA of ≥3.00	Must have QPA of ≥3.00 in current program and maintain ≥3.00 along with a C or better in all science and/or nursing courses	≥3.00 at current institution and maintain ≥3.00 along with a C or better in all science and/or nursing courses	Must have QPA of ≥3.00 at current institution and maintain ≥3.00 along with a C or better in all science and/or nursing courses

Do Not Meet SAT/ACT Requirements

First-time Freshmen	Internal Transfers	External Transfers	LPN Students
Do not meet SAT/ACT requirements – will be admitted as undeclared interest in nursing and will need to maintain a QPA of ≥3.00 and C or better in all science and nursing courses	Do not meet QPA requirements – will need to remain in current major or transfer to undeclared until a QPA of ≥3.00 met and C or better in all science courses	Do not meet QPA requirements – may come to Marywood as undeclared but need to achieve the QPA of ≥3.00 and maintain C or better in all science courses to be admitted into the nursing major	Do not meet QPA requirements – may come to Marywood as undeclared but need to achieve the QPA of ≥3.00 and maintain C or better in all science courses to be admitted into the nursing major

The following are required for admission in the nursing major:

Prior to March 2016, a minimum of 1450 (combined) on the SAT, with no single test score below 480. (or an ACT composite score of 21 or higher.)
After March 2016, a minimum of 1040 (Evidence based reading and writing plus math sections) SAT, with a minimum of 530 in the math section.
One letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor, teacher, or other person familiar with the student’s academic background.
An official high school and/or university transcript with an indication of class rank and/or QPA.

To progress to the Nursing Major courses, the student must:

Be admitted to Marywood University in the Nursing Major by direct admission.
Have the required physical ability to perform in the nursing profession.

Student Responsibilities

Students assume responsibility for:

an eye examination and current immunizations required by the Department of Nursing
skin test for tuberculosis; chest x-ray if necessary
other blood tests and immunizations required by clinical agencies
annual physical examination
current professional liability (malpractice) insurance
health and accident insurance
uniforms and uniform laundry
required current certification in basic life support for adults, children, and infants
transportation to and from clinical sites
urine drug testing
criminal background check (which may include FBI, Child Abuse, and state).

Additionally, Registered Nurses must provide proof of current licensure in the state of Pennsylvania.

Special Fees

In addition to tuition, nursing courses may carry fees related to commercial testing. Also, in the event of missed clinical days, there may be additional fees. Please reference the Nursing Department Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook for explanation(s).

Student Rights

Students are encouraged to review their records at least annually. If a student disagrees with an academic decision, the University grievance procedure, published in the Marywood University Student Handbook, may be followed. Departmental grievance procedures are outlined in the Nursing Department Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Transfer Policy

Transfer students, from within or outside the University, are admitted to the Nursing Program in accordance with departmental admission criteria. Refer to the Table of Admission Requirements previously listed. Student transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis by Marywood University’s Coordinator of Prior Learning Assessment.

Advanced Placement

The department is committed to multilevel entry points for Licensed Practical Nurses and for Registered Nurses.

Challenge examinations for L.P.N.s and R.N.s are available for credit and for advanced placement in certain Nursing courses and in other university courses. Credit and advanced placement may also be awarded without challenge following Pennsylvania articulation guidelines.

Students are responsible for obtaining advisement from Nursing faculty. They are also responsible for obtaining copies of the department policies pertaining to the examination process and procedures well in advance of the scheduled examination date.

Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, transfer students, part-time students, or students with broken enrollment may need to pursue a program slightly different from the established curriculum. Any exception to the stated curriculum can only be granted by prior written approval of the appropriate University official(s). Policies pertaining to these exceptions are published in the Nursing Department Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook.