• Tools
• Quick Links

 

Director: Susan Calvano, MSN, RN
814/871-5325

Overview

Nursing is a dynamic, therapeutic, interpersonal discipline which helps people maintain, restore, and promote optimal health throughout their lives. Gannon's Baccalaureate Nursing curriculum maintains a balance between general education, cognate courses, and professional education in nursing. The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and holds preliminary approval by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Gannon's nursing faculty have graduate preparation in their clinical area of specialization and are skilled clinical practitioners. Students have the opportunity to work with a number of faculty.

Professional nursing practice (BSN) is broad in scope and serves individuals in a multiplicity of settings. The nurse prepared at the baccalaureate level provides care to individuals, families and communities and applies theory in complex clinical situations. Thus the baccalaureate prepared nurse functions in both traditional and non-traditional situations which may require conventional and/or innovative patterns of practice and role behavior.

RN-BSN Advanced Placement Option

The Villa Maria School of Nursing, in agreement with the Pennsylvania Nursing Articulation Model, believes that a common core of knowledge exists between basic nursing programs and that core knowledge should be recognized without the requirements of special testing for recent graduates. The goal of the Articulation Model is to provide an appropriate path of articulation between RN and BSN programs, which eliminates duplication of content.

Admission Requirements

• Completed RN to BSN application
• Three professional letters of recommendation
• Proof of current nursing license
• Official copies of nursing school and college transcripts
• Completion of the following high school prerequisite courses with grades of "C" or better: Two college prep Math courses (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry), Biology with Lab, Chemistry with Lab
• Evidence of work history

Students are admitted to the RN-BSN Option in one of two categories:

1. Full Admit to the RN to BSN Option with Portfolio Evaluation
   • Graduate of an NLNAC accredited ADN or diploma program
   • A 2.5 cumulative QPA from the basic NLNAC accredited nursing program
   • Three professional letters of recommendation.
2. Conditional Admit to the RN to BSN Option
   
   • Graduate of an NLNAC accredited diploma or ADN program without evidence of employment during the last year
   • A 2.5 cumulative QPA from the basic NLNAC accredited nursing program
   • Three professional letters of recommendation

Note: Graduates of an NLNAC accredited ADN program are eligible for Gannon's Next Step Program.

Opportunities

Nurses are in great demand across the country. Coupled with this demand is a call for health care reform. This reform will take shape over the future years, but some forces are dominating that picture already. Managed care, primary care and care of vulnerable groups in the community are all important aspects of the future of health care delivery in our country. Educational advancement will increase your career opportunities in a changing healthcare market.

Suggested Program of Study

The RN-BSN Option provides an opportunity for the registered nurse to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing in the following manner:

• I. Prerequisites (39 credits)

  +*	Biology	4
  +*	Microbiology	4
  +*	Anatomy & Physiology	8
  +*	Statistics	3
  +*	Sociology	3
  +*	Human Growth and Development	3
  +*	Psychology	3
  +*	Nutrition	3
  +*	Chemistry of Life I	4
  +*	Chemistry of Life II	4

• II. Liberal Studies Core (39 credits)
  Transfer and challenge options are available.

  • + 6 hours Theology/L6 121; 223/225
  • 6 hours Philosophy/LW 231; 233/235/239
  • 3 hours Ethics/Moral Responsibility LW 237
  • + 9 hours English/LE 111; 112; LE 241/243/245
  • + 6 hours Social Science/HY 111 and H2 110
  • 3 hours Art and/or Music/LG 251, LG 253, LE 255 or H5 111
  • 3 hours Rise of Western Consciousness I/LS 111
  • 3 hours Integrating Seminar/LS 383

• III. Credit for prior nursing education is given to total 28 credits. (See admission criteria.)

• IV. Nursing Major (28 credits)

  Research Process in Nursing (Required)	3
  Professional Leadership	3
  (Partial credit may be granted through portfolio option.)
  Transition to Professional Nursing (Required)	4
  Development of the Professional Role	4
  (Partial credit may be granted through portfolio option.)
  Professional Nursing IV	9
  (Credit may be granted through portfolio option.)
  Nursepower Politics	3
  (Partial credit may be granted through portfolio option.)
  Clinical Science Challenge Exam**	2

Courses denoted as having a potential portfolio option available may have all or portions of the course requirements met through the portfolio process for eligible students.

Notes: Total of 128 credits required for BSN.

+	CLEP exams are also available
*	Courses are accepted for transfer according to the Villa Maria School of Nursing and University policies; some CLEP or challenge exams are available
**	The Clinical Science Challenge Exam is an objective, paper-and-pencil test covering content which has been identified as unique to the baccalaureate versus diploma or ADN programs.

The State Board of Nursing shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act as identified in the Nurse Practice Act No. 1985-109. Furthermore, there are specific policies regarding physical, psychological, and moral issues to ensure safe patient care and professional integrity.