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Nursing

Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006; (212) 363-5555, ext. 153 or 800-669-1656 ext. 153; www.nlnac.org.

FACULTY Associate Professors Armmer (chair) Cluskey (associate chair), Flannigan; Assistant Professors Baylor, Brubaker, Cenek, Cullen, Erickson, Gard, Hinrichsen, Kooken, Jackson, Pearl, Steinwedel; Instructors Ball, Bunten.

The Department of Nursing offers an undergraduate curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Graduates of the program are eligible for licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.) upon successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

The purpose of the program is to prepare graduates for the beginning practice of professional nursing in a variety of settings. To achieve this purpose, a four-year educational program is provided which includes foundation, elective, and supporting courses in the humanities, the social sciences, the sciences, mathematics, and the theory and practice of nursing. The nursing major is concentrated at the upper division level. The Department of Nursing faculty believes that professional nursing responds to the needs of society by helping persons, families, and communities through therapeutic nursing care, which encompasses health teaching, health maintenance, and health promotion. The professional nurse uses clinical judgment to assist clients in achieving optimal health and adapting to altered states of health. The nursing courses provide for the acquisition of knowledge and the development of attitudes, skills, and values essential to professional nursing practice.

The objectives of the curriculum are to prepare graduates for

  1. professional growth and advancement through acquired knowledge and experience; 
  2. graduate study in a major field of concentration in nursing; and 
  3. continuous personal growth and development.

The faculty of the Department of Nursing reserves the right to revise policies and course requirements based upon changes in accreditation, licensure, and nursing practice.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the University and of the Department of Nursing. A personal interview with a member of the faculty of the Department of Nursing is highly desirable before admission.

Instruction and Requirements

Instruction is provided in classrooms and laboratories on the campus and in a variety of health care agencies in the community. Clinical experiences (practicum) are planned and supervised by Department of Nursing faculty members.

In addition to the fees and expenses listed in the University catalog, students majoring in nursing are financially responsible for the purchase and maintenance of uniforms, for certain practicum and laboratory supplies and materials, and for transportation between the campus and the community agencies where clinical experiences are provided.

Prior to enrollment in the first nursing course that includes a practicum, each student must show proof of

  1. Liability insurance.
  2. Immunity to rubeola (measles) by one of the following:
    1. a rubeola (measles) immunization received in 1980 or later, or
    2. written verification from a physician of having had the disease, or
    3. a birth date prior to 1957.
  3. Immunity to rubella (German measles) by one of the following:
    1. written verification of having had the immunization, or
    2. written verification of rubella titer.
  4. Immunity to hepatitis B virus.
  5. Tuberculin test (renewable annually).
  6. Proof of current CPR (health care provider or professional rescuer) and first aid certification.
    These requirements must be current for the entire academic year of enrollment in practicum courses: NUR 203, 206, 207, 307, 309, 315, 317, 409, and 417.
  • In order to progress in the nursing program, students must pass the designated competency test(s) for each respective nursing course.
  • Graduation requirements include a course in statistics (MTH 111, QM 262, PSY 205, or ELH 510).
  • Students must maintain a 2.50 cumulative grade point average in order to enroll in nursing courses identified as “majors only.”
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better in every required nursing course. Students must earn a grade of C or better in BIO 200 and 203 Anatomy and Physiology and lab, BIO 205 Pathophysiology, and BIO 202 Microbiology.
  • Transfer students are evaluated for admission on an individual basis. A fifteen-year limitation on transfer credit will be imposed on courses in chemistry, physiology, microbiology, and nutrition.
  • Licensed nurses must meet the admission requirements of the University and of the Department of Nursing. Nurse applicants must submit a transcript from an approved school of nursing and verification of current Illinois licensure.
  • Registered nurses may earn up to 31 semester hours of credit for prior learning. Following completion of NUR 300, 303, and 310 with a minimum grade of ”C” the registered nurse student may enroll in required senior nursing courses NUR 404, 417, 418, and 522.
  • The RN student will meet University requirements for general education, basic skills, junior/senior hours, and residency credit in order to graduate. The RN student will meet nursing department requirements for natural and social science courses, statistics, and nine hours of nursing electives. Sixty-six semester hours may be transferred from a community college.
  • Licensed practical nurses may earn up to 11 semester hours of credit for prior learning. Following completion of NUR 300 and 310 with a minimum grade of “C”, the licensed practical nurse student may enroll in required junior nursing courses. Students majoring in nursing will pursue the following recommended curriculum:

1 Registered nurses may receive credit for prior learning for these courses.
2 Licensed practical nurses may receive credit by for prior learning for these courses. 

  • Freshman Year

    • First Semester
      • COM 103 Oral Comm. Process 3
      • PSY 104 Principles of Psychology: Social Forces and Individual Behavior 3
      • CHM 100 Fund. of Gen. Chemistry. 3
      • CHM 101 Fund. of Gen. Chemistry Laboratory 1
      • BIO 111 Cell Biology 3
      • MTH 111 Elementary Statistics 3
    • 16 hours
    • Second Semester
      • ENG 101 Composition 3
      • CHM 150 Fund. of Organic Chemistry 2
      • CHM 160 Fund. of Biochemistry 2
      • 1,2 BIO 202 Microbiology and Immunology 4
      • SOC 100 Soc. Perspective 3
      • Elective or General Education 2
    • 16 hours

  • Sophomore Year

    • First Semester
      • 1,2 BIO 200 Anatomy and Physiology 3
      • 1,2 BIO 203 Anatomy and Physiology Lab 2
      • 1,2 NUR 200 Fundamentals of Nursing (T) 4
      • 1,2 NUR 203 Fundamentals of Nursing (P) 2
      • 1,2 FCS 301 Nutrition for Today 3
    • 14 hours
    • Second Semester
      • 1,2 BIO 205 Pathophysiology 3
      • 1,2 NUR 204 Intro. to Health Assessment 2
      • 1,2 NUR 206 Adult Health I: Intro. to Medical-Surgical Nursing (T) 3
      • 1,2 NUR 207 Adult Health I: Intro. to Medical-Surgical Nursing (P) 2
      • PSY 304 Developmental Psychology 3
      • Elective or General Education 3
    • 16 hours

  • Junior Year

    • First Semester
      • 1 NUR 306 Maternal/Newborn Nursing (T) 3
      • 1 NUR 307 Maternal/Newborn Nursing (P) 2
      • 1 NUR 308 Nursing of Children (T) 3
      • 1 NUR 309 Nursing of Children (P) 2
      • NUR 318 Pharmacology & Nursing Implications 2
      • PSY 345 Abnormal Psychology 3
    • 15 hours
    • Second Semester
      • NUR 303 Research in Nursing 3
      • 1 NUR 314 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (T) 2
      • 1 NUR 315 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (P) 2
      • 1 NUR 316 Adult Health II: Medical-Surgical Nursing (T) 4
      • 1 NUR 317 Adult Health II: Medical-Surgical Nursing (P) 2
      • Elective or General Education 3
    • 16 hours

  • Senior Year

    • First Semester
      • NUR 404 Community Health Nursing (T) 2
      • NUR 408 Adult Health III: Medical-Surgical Nursing (T) 3
      • NUR 409 Senior Practicum I (P) 5
      • Jr. ENG Composition (ENG 300, 301, 304, 305, or 306) 3
      • Electives or General Education 3
    • 16 hours
    • Second Semester
      • NUR 410 Adult Health IV: Nursing Care of the Patient with Multi-System Challenges (T) 3
      • NUR 414 Senior Seminar I 1
      • NUR 417 Senior Practicum II (P) 5
      • NUR 418 Nursing Leadership (T) 1
      • Electives or General Education 5
    • 15 hours