Part-time Prelicensure B.S.N.
Faculty
Carrie O’Reilly, RN, MSN, PhD, Program Director; Associate Professor of Practice, Nursing
Nephtalie Perrin, RN, MSN, CNM, Director of the Simulation Laboratory, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Keisha Rollins-Monroe, RN, PhD, Conway Scholar Mentor and Assistant Professor of Nursing
Ellen Gustafson, DPT, Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Physiology
Khafi Muhammad, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Sheila Spurlock-White, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Jennifer Wallace, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Description
The Part-time Prelicensure BSN Program combines the academic structure and clinical preparation necessary for a career in nursing. Upon admission to Trinity, students enter the pre-health professions track in the School of Professional and Graduate Studies. Students focus initially on liberal arts courses that provide a framework for their intended major in nursing. In their final semester in the pre-health track, they are eligible to submit an application for formal acceptance into the nursing program, in accordance with all admission criteria (see below). The rigorous academic coursework in the nursing program lays the foundation for a progressive mastery of the knowledge, skills, values, ethics, and abilities required of a professional registered nurse. While taking nursing courses, students have numerous opportunities to experience firsthand the rewards of nursing in closely supervised clinical settings. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as registered nurses. Graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to practice as licensed registered nurses.
Major Requirements
Prerequisite Courses
Nursing candidates need to have successfully completed the courses listed below (or their equivalents at another U.S. regionally accredited institution of higher learning) with a minimum grade of “B-” (2.7) to be considered for formal acceptance into the Nursing Program. A nursing candidate is expected to demonstrate an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 and a science GPA of 2.75. Any BIOL and CHEM course(s) must include a laboratory component in order to satisfy the prerequisite.
SPS Nursing Prerequisite Courses (46 credits)
BIOL 101 Introduction to BiologyExplores various aspects of biology from cell structure to metabolism, diversity and ecology. The course consists of two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Recommended for non-science majors. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly BIO 101 Introduction to Biology.
4 credits
FLC Area I
Core Area II
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry
BIOL 121 Human Anatomy and Physiology IA systematic approach to the study of the human body. The first part of this year -long course emphasizes the tissues, the integumentary system, the bones and skeletal tissue, muscles and muscle tissue, and the nervous system. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of laboratory per week. Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
Pre-/Co-requisite: MATH 102, MATH 108 or MATH 109.
Pre-requisite: BIOL 101 (SPS); pass BIOL 101 with a C or better or placement test score (CAS).
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area.
BIOL 122 Human Anatomy and Physiology IIA systematic approach to the study of the human body. The second part of this year-long course emphasizes the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts discussed during the lecture portion of the class to clinical questions presented throughout the semester. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Does not fulfill Biology major requirement. Prerequisite: C or better in BIOL 121. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
BIOL 130 Microbiology for the Health ProfessionsAn introduction to the study of microorganisms with emphasis on disease-causing bacteria. Topics include the nature of microorganisms, their relationships with humans, infectious diseases, and immunity. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Does not fulfill microbiology requirement for Biology major. There is an additional laboratory fee.
4 credits
CHEM 113 Chemistry for the Health SciencesIntroduces students to basic concepts in chemistry, including the nature of matter, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, solutions, principles of organic chemistry, and the chemistry of the most important biomolecules. The course also introduces students to the proper use of basic laboratory equipment as well as basic laboratory techniques. Lab experiments are designed to provide the student with the tools to understand connections between theory and results found in the lab.
4 credits
General Education Requirements: Knowledge and Inquiry (Science and Mathematics)
Prerequisites: MATH 108
ENGL 107 College CompositionDevelops effective writing of evidence-based, thesis-centered academic essays. Emphasizes the research and documentation skills necessary for successful academic writing. Focuses on argumentative essays that build to a substantive research paper. Formerly ENG 107 College Composition.
3 credits
General Education: Foundational Skills Area
FLC Area I Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
HPNU 120 Medical TerminologyThis is an 8-week course designed for individuals interested in learning the language of medicine required to work within a variety of health care fields. The student will acquire word-building skills in the field of medicine and will have a solid understanding of basic medical language and a foundational start on basic medical science and health related concepts that will be useful for other courses within the health professions.
1 credit
Prerequisites: None
HPNU 200 Nutrition, Diet Therapy, and Health PromotionComprehensive survey of the biochemical basis of nutrition and disease for those intending to major in nursing or clinical health professions. Provides a foundation for understanding metabolic syndromes such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the impact of diet therapy on optimal health in wellness planning. Addresses social, physiological, psychosocial, behavioral and cultural influences on nutritional status and allows students to examine and analyze their own dietary values and beliefs. While not required, a basic understanding of chemistry is recommended.
3 credits
MATH 108 Finite MathematicsThis is a quantitative literacy and reasoning course designed for education majors and those students intending to study nursing and other allied health fields. Topics include: problem solving, set theory, logic, algebra, and measurement; including unit conversions and dimensional analysis. Additional topics include functions, graphs, systems of equations and inequalities, as well as probability and statistics. Real-world applications will be emphasized throughout the course. Formerly MATH 108 and MAT 108 Elementary Mathematical Modeling.
4 credits
Prerequisites: None
General Education Area: Foundational Skills
MATH 110 Introduction to StatisticsThis course presents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, graphical representations of data, normal probability distributions and the Central Limit Theorem, linear correlation and regression and probability theory. This course also offers an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.
3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 102, MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course.
PHIL 251 BioethicsExamines the legal and moral issues in areas dealing with the biology of human health and development, for example, experimentation on human subjects, organ transplants, euthanasia, abortion, fetal tissue use, contraception, and other aspects of human reproduction, as well as questions regarding rights to health care. Formerly PHI 211 Applied Ethics: Bioethics.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Values and Beliefs
PSYC 101 Introductory PsychologyIntroduces the student to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. All major sub-areas of psychology (social, developmental, clinical, physiological, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception) are explored, as well as the major theoretical perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic). Formerly PSY 121 Introductory Psychology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core: Area II
SNHP 220 Health Promotion, Policy and PoliticsThis course explores political factors that influence patient outcomes and health promotion strategies to enhance health and health care systems. Students are engaged in understanding how health care policy shapes health care systems, determining accessibility, accountability and affordability. Students will evaluate how health care delivery systems are organized and financed, and the effect this has on patient care.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
General Education Curriculum: Applications Area
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
Core Curriculum Requirements
Communication (3 credits – Choose one)
COM 201 Interpersonal CommunicationOffers an introduction to the fundamental theories and principles of interpersonal communication with emphasis on analyzing and assessing the communication skills necessary to create and sustain effective communication in personal and professional relationships.
3 credits
Core Area II: Understanding Self, Society, and Nature
COM 225 Intercultural CommunicationApplies basic principles of intercultural communication to the analysis of specific situations involving cultural differences. Emphasis is on the influence of culture on the communication process, including differences in values, assumptions, and communication. Models of intercultural communication analysis are developed and applied to issues dealing with relations between a dominant society and subcultures, social change, and international relations.
3 credits
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
COM 290 Public SpeakingExamines theory and practice of public speaking. Students will prepare and present informative and persuasive speeches. Audience analysis, research, speech organization, delivery and effective persuasive strategies will be covered.
3 credits
FLC Area I
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
Arts and Humanities (6 credits – Choose two)
ENGL 267 Multicultural United States LiteratureExamines largely contemporary writings by writers representing the diverse cultures in the US with a consideration of the ways in which difference or "the other" may be constructed. Formerly ENG 200 Multicultural US Literature.
3 credits
General Education Requirement: Knowledge and Inquiry
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
FNAR 101 Survey: History of Art IExamines the development of painting, sculpture, and architecture from prehistoric times to the end of the Middle Ages. It is recommended that the two survey courses (101 and 102) be taken before advanced courses and, if possible, in chronological order. Formerly ART 101 Survey: History of Art I.
3 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area II
Core Area II: Understanding Self and Society
FNAR 103 African American Art IAfrican American Art I is a survey course that will begin in pre-colonial slave trade West Africa, considering the visual culture and creativity of the peoples who would, through an unjust forced labor system, become the first African Americans. Topics and movements will include, but are not limited to: Slavery and the Antebellum South, Life after Emancipation, The Harlem Renaissance and The Jim Crow Era. This course will explore questions of representation and inclusion, and will investigate the many historical, cultural, social and political factors that have influenced African American creativity and art making from approximately 1492 to 1945.
FNAR 104 African American Art IIAfrican American Art II is a survey course that will continue a chronological examination of the visual culture and creativity of African American artists, beginning with The Civil Rights Movement, The Black Power Movement, Modernism, Post-modernism, and Contemporary art movements. This course will explore questions of representation and inclusion, and will investigate the many historical, cultural, social and political factors that have influenced African American creativity and art making from approximately 1945 to 2015.
HIS 130 Introduction to American CivilizationsExplores the major themes that have shaped the American experience from the Colonial period to 1890. Topics include the Age of Exploration and Discovery, the American Revolution, the causes of the Civil War, and industrialization and urbanization.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry
FLC Area II, History Cluster
HIS 132 Twentieth Century United StatesIntroduces the critical issues of 20th-century United States, including the transition to a post-industrial society, the challenge of the Civil Rights and feminist movements, the development of the modern welfare state, and the consequences of the United States' role as a global superpower.
3 credits
Core Area II: Understanding Self and Society
General Education: Knowledge & Inquiry
RST 102 Religions of the WorldA Survey of the great religious traditions of the world - Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and the religions of Primal peoples. S pecial emphases will be given to the history, belief systems, ceremonies, and structures of these traditions as they touch upon and reflect the human quest for ultimate meaning. Formerly RST 290 - Religions of the World.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
Gen Ed: Values and Beliefs
Elective Requirements (4 credits)
Nursing Courses
Students are required to earn a grade of “C+” (2.3) or better in all nursing courses and must maintain at least a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.5.
Nursing-Specific (61 credits)
NURS 100 Introduction to Nursing StudyReviews critical skills needed for nursing program success. Builds knowledge, skills, and confidence in reading, math, science, and English language use as applied in the nursing curriculum. Particular focus is on developing test-taking ability, good habits of study, and skills for excelling in the classroom setting.
1 credit
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Part-time BSN program or Approval of the Program
NURS 117 Foundations for Professional Nursing PracticeThis course introduces basic concepts, values and nursing skills required for nursing care across the life span. An emphasis is placed on critical thinking, communication skills and the nursing process as the underlying foundation for professional nursing practice in health care settings.
This course contains a laboratory and clinical component which are PASS/FAIL. Students must demonstrate competency (delivery of safe and competent patient care with a score of Satisfactory) in order to achieve a PASS grade for the laboratory and clinical portions of the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade constitutes a failure of the course.
6 credits (4/1/1)
Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing Program. General Education: Foundational Skills (Nursing students only)
NURS 222 Health AssessmentFocuses on the acquisition and development of professional nursing skills used in health assessment across the life span. Includes a laboratory component to demonstrate competency in performing a complete health assessment; failure to achieve a passing grade in the laboratory component constitutes a failure of the course.
3 credits.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Nursing Program.
NURS 240 Pathopharmacology IEmphasizes two related nursing concepts, pathophysiology and pharmacology. Pathophysiology relates disease manifestation, risk factors, and principles of pathology underlying illness and injury to therapeutic nursing interventions and outcomes. Pharmacology focuses on basic drug classification, as well as core pharmacological concepts and principles with special consideration for nursing?s role in developing a comprehensive approach to the clinical application of drug therapy. Also examines nursing implications relative to the utilization of drug therapy. First in a two-semester pathopharmacology sequence.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Acceptance to nursing program.
NURS 250 Pathopharmacology IIThe second component of a two-semester sequence of pathopharmacology; emphasizes two related nursing concepts, pathophysiology and pharmacology. Pathophysiology relates disease manifestation, risk factors, and principles of pathology underlying illness and injury to therapeutic nursing interventions and outcomes. Pharmacology focuses on basic drug classification, as well as core pharmacological concepts and principles with special consideration for nursing?s role in developing a comprehensive approach to the clinical application of drug therapy. Also examines nursing implications relative to the utilization of drug therapy.
3 credits.
Prerequisites: NURS 117, NURS 222, NURS 240
NURS 330 Nursing Research and Evidence-Based PracticeResearch and Evidence-Based Practice focuses on relevant scientific and phenomenological information to assist the student to understanding the role of theory and research in nursing practice and health care. The course will provide an overview and analysis of theoretical approaches and research methodologies. Students will learn how to critically review and utilize research supporting common aspects of nursing practice.
3 credits
Prerequisites: NURS 117, NURS 218, SNHP 220, NURS 222, and, or Departmental Approval. General Education Capstone (Nursing students only)
NURS 350 Medical-Surgical Nursing IThis course is the first component of a two semester sequence of Medical-Surgical Nursing with a focus on nursing science and knowledge applicable to the management of care for clients with complex conditions. Emphasis is placed on the expected outcomes and effects of nursing interventions with adult clients experiencing selected health conditions at multiple levels of care. Students will apply critical thinking to make clinical judgments in various healthcare settings. This course contains a clinical component which is PASS/FAIL. Students must demonstrate competency (delivery of safe and competent patient care with a score of Satisfactory) for clinical competencies to achieve a PASS grade for the clinical portion of the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade constitutes a failure of the course.
6 credits (4/2)
Prerequisites: NURS 117, NURS 218, SNHP 220, and NURS 222,
NURS 360 Psychiatric and Mental Health NursingThis course focuses on the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for nursing care of clients with mental health disorders. Using an integrative approach, course content is based on the biological, psychological, and ethnocultural aspects of behavior disorders. Emphasis is on the therapeutic use of self with individuals, families and groups. This course contains a clinical component which is PASS/FAIL. Students must demonstrate competency (delivery of safe and competent patient care with a score of Satisfactory) for clinical competencies to achieve a PASS grade for the clinical portion of the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade constitutes a failure of the course.
5 credits (3/2)
Prerequisite(s) : All Junior Level Nursing Courses and NURS 361, NURS 410, NURS 461, and NURS 405 or Departmental Approval
NURS 361 Medical-Surgical Nursing IIThis course is the second component of a two semester sequence of Medical-Surgical Nursing with a focus on nursing science and knowledge applicable to the management of care for clients with complex conditions. Emphasis is placed on the expected outcomes and effects of nursing interventions with adult clients experiencing selected health conditions at multiple levels of care. Students will apply critical thinking to make clinical judgments in various healthcare settings. This course contains a clinical component which is PASS/FAIL. Students must demonstrate competency (delivery of safe and competent patient care with a score of Satisfactory) for clinical competencies to achieve a PASS grade for the clinical portion of the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade constitutes a failure of the course.
6 credits (4/2)
Prerequisites: All Junior Level Nursing Courses
SNHP 405 Informatics and Data ManagementThe focus of this course is on the integration of nursing, computer, and information science for the support of professional nursing practice including critical thinking and clinical reasoning. Discussion and examination will be conducted of: ethical considerations in nursing informatics use of social networking tools, handheld computers and e-portfolios in health care environments.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
NURS 410 Leadership and Management of Health CareThis course incorporates the application of management principles and leadership, change, and administration theories in nursing practice and health care delivery in a hybrid format. Content focuses on delegation, prioritization, communication/collaboration, legal and ethical issues, resource management, quality improvement and risk management, evidence based practice, and the healthcare consumer in various healthcare markets.
3 credits
Prerequisites: All Junior Level Nursing Courses or Departmental approval.
General Education: Application Leadership (Nursing students only).
NURS 420 Community and Public Health NursingThis course is designed to prepare students for community/population health practice in a changing health care system. Promoting and protecting the health of the public using health promotion, risk reduction and disease management and control strategies with vulnerable clients and populations. Community assessment, epidemiologic, environmental, change, community engagement and case management frameworks are used to guide evidence based nursing care. This course contains a clinical component which is PASS/FAIL. Students must demonstrate competency (delivery of safe and competent patient care with a score of Satisfactory) for clinical competencies to achieve a PASS grade for the clinical portion of the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade constitutes a failure of the course.
5 credits (3/2)
Pre-requisites: All Junior Level Nursing Courses and NURS 361, NURS 410, and NURS 461 and SNHP 405
NURS 460 Maternity and Women's Health NursingThis course focuses on the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the professional nurse in health promotion, risk reduction, clinical judgement and management of women?s health issues, perinatal care of mothers and infants, gynecological health and men?s reproductive health.
This course contains a clinical component which is PASS/FAIL. Students must demonstrate competency (delivery of safe and competent patient care with a score of Satisfactory) for clinical competencies to achieve a PASS grade for the clinical portion of the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade constitutes a failure of the course.
5 credits (3/2)
Pre-requisites: Pre-requisites: NURS 117, SNHP 220, NURS 222, and NURS 218
NURS 461 Pediatric NursingThis course focuses on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the professional nurse for comprehensive nursing care of the pediatric client in the context of social justice, cultural competence and equity of healthcare. A family-centered approach is used with emphasis on developmental stages and health promotion strategies for the child and family unit. This course contains a clinical component which is PASS/FAIL. Students must demonstrate competency (delivery of safe and competent patient care with a score of Satisfactory) for clinical competencies to achieve a PASS grade for the clinical portion of the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade constitutes a failure of the course.
5 credits (3/2)
Pre-requisites: All Junior Level Nursing Courses
NURS 491 Capstone: Transition to Professional Nursing PracticeThis course provides an experiential learning opportunity to apply and integrate previously learned knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop an evidence-based professional nursing practice. The course is also designed to prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) includes registration for the exam, test taking strategies, developing a study plan for review of core nursing content. Students will take a comprehensive assessment/readiness test and secured predictor tests for the NCLEX-RN at the end of the program. This course contains a clinical component which is PASS/FAIL. Students must demonstrate competency (delivery of safe and competent patient care with a score of Satisfactory) for clinical competencies to achieve a PASS grade for the clinical portion of the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade constitutes a failure of the course. 4 credits (2/2) Prerequisites: This course must be taken in the last semester of nursing program prior to graduation.
Program Policies
Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Nursing candidates’ formal acceptance into the nursing program requires the following criteria:
- Successful completion of ALL prerequisite courses with a grade of “B-” (2.7) or higher
- Overall G.P.A. of at least 3.0
- A science GPA of at least 2.75
- No more than two repeats in ALL prerequistie courses, of those only one repeat may be in a science prerequisite course
- Satisfactory score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) – Academic preparedness level of “Proficient” or higher
Part-time BSN students should direct any questions about the process for formal acceptance into the nursing program to the Admission Office.
- Application Process for Acceptance:
- Students should submit their application to their advisor early in the semester PRIOR to the semester of their projected acceptance date.
- Students must include in their application scores from the TEAS taken during the 12 months prior to the application deadline. Students may take the TEAS up to three times in a 12-month period. After taking the TEAS, a student may not take it again for 30 days.
- Students will be notified by the nursing program of the results of their application when the Nursing Admissions Committee has completed its review and evaluation of all submitted applications.
Questions regarding the application process, acceptance criteria, or T.E.A.S. should be directed to the nursing program office (202.885.9670) or nursingprogram@trinitydc.edu.
- Health Requirements*
- Current physical examination by a health care provider (Annually)
- Current immunizations
- TDap (TD booster within 10 years)
- MMR – (two vaccines or a positive titer)
- Varicella – (Chicken pox) – (two vaccines or a positive titer)
- Hepatitis B (series of 3 vaccines given with a 6 month period.
- Polio
- Annual PPD (Tuberculosis skin test given within the last 6 months with follow-up chest X-ray if the skin test result is positive. A new skin TB test must be completed annually once a student is accepted into the nursing program. BCG: For those students with a history of Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) injection)
- Influenza (Annual)
- Current major medical health insurance
*NOTE: No student will be allowed to participate in clinical experiences until all health requirements have been satisfied.
III. Other Requirements
- Satisfactory results of a criminal background check, including all aliases and nationwide sexual offenders index with a set of fingerprints. (The criminal background check is at the students’ expense and must be completed prior to the start of the clinical portion of the nursing program.)
- Negative results on a drug screening test. (The drug screening test is at the students’ expense and must be completed prior to the start of the clinical portion of the nursing program.)
- American Heart Association BLS/CPR certification for the Health Care Provider
- Clinical agencies may have additional health or safety requirements that students are required to meet prior to receiving access to the clinical placement site
NOTE: No student will be allowed to participate in clinical experiences until all other requirements have been satisfied.
- Transfer Policy
Students transferring to Trinity after Fall 2002 from another appropriately accredited institution of higher learning for a bachelor’s degree must earn a minimum of 45 of their final 60 credits through course work at Trinity, excluding credits for experiential learning.
- Grades in Major Courses
B.S.N. students must earn a minimum of “C+” as a final course grade in all nursing (NURS and SNHP) courses. A final grade below a C+ will require the student to repeat the course to successfully complete all requirements of the nursing curriculum plan. A final grade below a “C+” may impact a student’s academic progression in the nursing program. Any grade involving a numerical fraction is NOT rounded up at the end of the semester in the final course grade.
A nursing student may fail or withdraw from no more than one nursing course (NURS or SNHP prefix). If a student fails or withdraws from a nursing course, the student may repeat the nursing course only once. Students may repeat no more than one nursing course. Failing or withdrawing from a second nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
- Pass/No Pass
The pass/no pass grading option is not accepted in courses to be applied for the major.
VII. Transportation
Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites. Clinical placements may be located within a 50-mile radius of the University. Trinity’s free shuttle service connects the Main campus with the Brookland metro station.
Accreditation
Trinity’s B.S.N. program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (C.C.N.E.) and Conditional Accreditation by the District of Columbia Board of Nursing (D.C.B.O.N.).
Last On-Site Evaluation: Spring 2017.
Course Descriptions