Nursing

Marymount's Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.) program prepares nurses to be knowledgeable, skilled, and caring health professionals qualified to practice in the contemporary health care environment. Our graduates provide patient-centered quality care utilizing the nursing process and evidence-based practice. Laboratory and clinical experiences are provided to develop competence in the care of patients throughout the life cycle.

Upon successful completion of the B.S.N., students will be able to

• demonstrate respect for the inherent worth and uniqueness of individuals and populations by integrating ethical reasoning, social justice, and a global perspective in the provision of nursing care;
• employ the nursing process using clinical reasoning to deliver compassionate, safe, culturally relevant, and patient/family-centered care;
• synthesize knowledge from the humanities and sciences into professional nursing practice, scholarship, and service to others;
• appraise research findings to engage in evidence-based practice that promotes optimal health outcomes;
• utilize effective inter- and intra-professional communication and collaboration to optimize health outcomes;
• demonstrate professional leadership by advocating for a culture of patient safety and systems thinking;
• incorporate principles of population health, health promotion, and disease prevention in partnership with diverse communities to promote health equity;
• utilize informatics and patient care technologies to promote health across the life course; and
• commit to intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning.

Marymount's Bachelor of Science in nursing, Master of Science in nursing, and Doctor of nursing practice programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036. The B.S.N. program is also approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Department of Nursing Vision, Mission, and Values

Vision Statement

The Marymount University Department of Nursing aims to inspire future leaders in the advancement of the profession and promote the art and science of nursing in a collaborative, culturally sensitive, evolving health care environment.

Mission Statement

In keeping with the mission of the Marymount University and the tradition of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the Department of Nursing prepares future nurses and nurse leaders using a framework that is student-centered and evidence-informed. Students actively engage in providing high-quality care focusing on optimizing health outcomes for diverse individuals, families, and communities.

Values

• Social Justice/Advocacy
• Respect
• Pursuit of Excellence
• Ethical Reasoning
• Scholarship
• Leadership
• Service
• Compassion

Program Tracks

Marymount offers two program tracks that are both built on a solid foundation of the liberal arts:

• a four-year B.S.N. track for first-year and transfer students seeking their first bachelor's degree
• an accelerated second-degree B.S.N. for students with a previous bachelor's degree in another field. Full-time and part-time tracks available.

Admission Requirements: See individual programs.

Nondegree Admission: Nondegree students may not enroll in courses in the nursing program.

Clinical Requirements: In order to be eligible to attend clinical experiences, nursing students must provide the following to the clinical agency coordinator:

• Provider Attestation: Clinical Fitness and Technical Standards for Academic Progression and Graduation, Provider Guide in Completion of Attestation Form
• written verification of two-step tuberculin skin test (required annually) (If PPD is positive, an initial chest X-ray is required followed by a yearly TB symptom survey.)
• written verification of the following immunizations: hepatitis B, MMR, chicken pox, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, and influenza (Note: Influenza immunization is an annual requirement.)
• written verification of accident and health insurance coverage, submitted to Student Health Services
• written verification of current CPR certification, provided each semester, from the American Heart Association (BLS for Healthcare Provider)
• criminal background check, which is a federal requirement for all persons working with vulnerable populations
• negative 9-panel (or more) drug screen

Students will not be permitted to attend clinicals until all requirements are met.

Students must attend all course clinical days. Repeated absences will be grounds for course failure.

Students should refer to the Undergraduate Nursing Handbook for the clinical attendance policy.

Clinical Experience Transportation: Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from clinical experiences. The university’s free shuttle service connects the Main Campus, the Ballston Center, and the Ballston-MU Metro station.

Legal Limitations of Licensure: The practice of nursing is regulated by state laws. Questions concerning licensure in a specific state should be directed to that state’s board of nursing. Applicants for nursing licensure in Virginia are required to notify the Virginia Board of Nursing if they have

• been convicted of (or pled nolo contendere to) a violation of any federal or state law;
• been hospitalized or received treatment for chemical dependence during the two years preceding application to complete the licensing examination; or
• a mental or physical condition that could interfere with their ability to practice.

Minimum Grade and Academic Progression Requirements: Nursing students must achieve satisfactory performance each semester and make satisfactory progress toward graduation. Failure to meet the following requirements will result in program dismissal. To maintain satisfactory progress toward degree completion, students must also attend all clinical days as described in the aforementioned "Clinical Requirements."

Nursing students must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or better, earn a minimum grade of C+ in all nursing courses, and earn a minimum grade of C in the following courses: BIO 161, BIO 161L, BIO 162, BIO 162L, BIO 260, BIO 260L, CHM 125, CHM 125L, HPR 345, MA 132, PSY 110, and SOC 131. A student who fails to achieve the minimum required grade in one natural science or one nursing course may repeat the course; however, progression in the nursing program may be delayed. A student who fails to earn the minimum required grade in a second (or repeated) natural science course or nursing course will be automatically dismissed from the nursing program.

In the B.S.N. program, a nursing course withdrawal occurring after the fifth Friday of the semester is considered equivalent to a nursing course failure if the student has a course grade below 78% at the time of withdrawal.

In courses with clinical or laboratory components, failure to obtain a satisfactory evaluation for clinical or laboratory performance at the end of the semester constitutes a clinical or laboratory failure and, therefore, a course failure.

Satisfactory progress toward graduation is defined as successful regular matriculation unless sufficient requirements have been fulfilled by acceptance of transfer credit. No nursing course may be repeated more than once.

Students should maintain continuous enrollment in nursing courses. If enrollment is interrupted, skill competency testing may be required prior to enrollment in the subsequent nursing course.

Passing scores on nursing comprehensive examinations taken at the end of the program are required for graduation from B.S.N. programs.

Department of Nursing Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook: B.S.N. students must comply with additional program-specific policies found in the Department of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook. The handbook is available through the B.S.N. Students Canvas organization. All B.S.N. students are required to read the handbook upon matriculation in the program and to review the handbook each time it is revised. Notification of revisions is made through the B.S.N. Students Canvas.

Technology Requirement: Traditional and accelerated B.S.N. students are required to have a laptop computer. Recommended specifications are available from Information Technology Services.