Nursing: Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

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1 Nursing: Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

1.1 Faculty

1.2 Program Description

1.3 Major Requirements

1.3.1 Prerequisite Courses

1.3.2 Nursing Courses

1.4 Program Policies

1.5 Accreditation

Faculty

Carrie O’Reilly, RN, MSN, PhD, Associate Dean and Program Director; Associate Professor of Practice, Nursing
Jennifer Wallace, RN, MSN, Assistant Director, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Raena Barnes, RN, DNP, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Ellen Gustafson, DPT, Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Physiology
Khafi Muhammad, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Keisha Rollins-Monroe, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Sheila Spurlock-White, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Program Description

For students who hold a baccalaureate degree from Trinity or another U.S. appropriately accredited institution of higher learning, Trinity offers the opportunity to earn a Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing (B.S.N.).

Upon admission to Trinity, second degree B.S.N. students enter the School of Nursing and Health Professions as nursing candidates. In the final semester of completing prerequisite nursing courses, nursing candidates are eligible to submit an application for formal acceptance into the nursing program. 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 a registered nurse. Graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to practice as licensed registered nurses.

Major Requirements

Prerequisite Courses

Trinity honors students’ first baccalaureate degree as having met the core curriculum or general education requirements. However, nursing candidates must have successfully completed the courses listed below or their equivalents at Trinity or another U.S. appropriately accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum grade of “B-” (2.7) to be considered for formal acceptance into the Nursing Program. Nursing candidates are expected to demonstrate an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 and a science GPA of 2.75. Any biology and chemistry course(s) must include a laboratory component in order to satisfy the prerequisite.

Nursing Candidate Prerequisite Courses (39 credits minimum)

Nursing Courses

Students are required to earn a grade of “C+” (2.3) or better in all nursing courses and must maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.5.

Nursing-Specific (61 credits)

Program Policies

I. Acceptance into the Nursing Program

A. Acceptance Criteria:

Nursing candidates’ formal acceptance into the nursing program requires:

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 prerequisite courses; of those, only one repeat may be in a science prerequisite course
Satisfactory score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with an academic preparedness level of “Proficient” or higher

Second degree BSN students should direct any questions about the process for formal acceptance into the nursing program to the Office of Admission.

B. 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.
- Nursing Program Deadlines:
  - Fall Semester: February 1
  - Spring Semester: October 1
Official TEAS results should be submitted with the formal application to the Nursing Program.
1. TEAS results are valid for one year. Students must take the exam during the 12 months prior to the application deadline.
2. After taking the TEAS, a student may not take it again for 30 days.
3. Students may take the TEAS up to three times in a 12-month period.
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 TEAS should be directed to the Nursing Program Office (202.885.9670) or to the student’s undergraduate advisor.

II. Health Requirements*

Current physical examination by a health care provider
Current immunizations
- Covid- Submit card and/or vaccination record from the Department of health of your COVID-19 vaccination.
- Tdap (TD booster within 10 years)
  - Submit documentation of a Tdap booster administered within the past 10 years. Must include pertussis.
  - Titer is accepted for all 3 compounds, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
- MMR – (two vaccines or a positive titer)
- Varicella – (Chicken pox) – (two vaccines or a positive titer)
- Hepatitis B
  - 3 vaccinations or 2 Heplisav-B vaccinations required OR
  - Positive Surface antibody titer (lab report required) for Hepatitis B.
- Polio – Vaccinations or positive titer
- PPD (Tuberculosis) 2 step PPD OR Quantiferon Gold test
  - Negative tests are taken annually
  - If positive provide a negative Chest X-Ray lab report (valid for 3 years).
- Influenza (Annual) – Flu shot administered during the current flu season
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

Criminal Background Check (the criminal background check is at the student’s annual expense)
FBI Fingerprint (the drug screening test is at the student’s expense)
Drug Test (the drug screening test is at the student’s annual expense)
American Heart Association BLS/CPR certification for the Health Care Provider (current 2-year card)
Clinical agencies may have additional health or safety requirements which 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 requirements have been satisfied.

IV. 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 that the student 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.

V. Pass/No Pass

The pass/no pass grading option is not accepted in courses to be applied for the major.

VI. 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

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Trinity is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Nursing: Second Degree B.S.N. - NHP