Nursing, Bachelor of Science
The Program of Professional Study
A complete program for students majoring in nursing meets the general requirements for graduation from the College, inclusive of courses and clinical experiences for admission to the nursing profession. The program is available to qualified individuals who are capable of performing the essential functions of learning associated with the profession of nursing.
The nursing program is an upper division major which nursing students do not enter until the junior year. In the first two years at the College, prospective nursing majors take required cognate courses for the major plus courses for their general education requirement.
The nursing major is made up of four modules to be taken in the last four semesters at the College. There are 16 units of major courses and 5 units of related cognate courses required of nursing majors. Clinical experiences are an integral component of the nursing courses. Selected health care institutions and community agencies in the boroughs of New York City are available for clinical experiences.
Graduates from the program receive the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing. These graduates are then eligible to sit for State Board of Nursing examinations for registered professional nurses (NCLEX).
Program Mission
The mission of the undergraduate nursing program at Wagner College is designed to prepare students to become professional nurses who will be able to promote, restore, and maintain the health of individuals and groups within society. This program is based on a core of knowledge, capitalizing on liberal arts and the sciences to foster learning about nursing theory and practice, health, the individual, and the environment. These foundations are the organizing framework for the nursing curriculum. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to assume the responsibility of working as a generalist in a variety of institutional and community health care settings, utilizing the abilities of inquiry and critical analysis for an evidenced based approach to practice. The program provides a thorough base for continued professional growth at the graduate level in order to meet the demands and challenges of the changing nursing care system.
Program Objectives
At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
1. evaluate the impact of the bio-psychological and socio-cultural stressors on an individual's state of health as he/she
interacts with the environment;
2. demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge of diverse cultures in providing access to quality preventative health,
community based nursing services across the continuum of care for individuals, families and groups.
3. utilize nursing process to promote, restore, and maintain the optimum health of individuals;
4. synthesize knowledge from nursing and related disciplines as a source for making decisions in nursing practice;
5. educate through the teaching/learning process individuals, families and groups in order to optimize their states of
health;
6. use the research process to expand their own nursing knowledge and practice;
7. demonstrate the leadership role of the professional nurse as a beginning practitioner in a variety of settings; and
demonstrate the responsibility and accountability of a professional nurse.
8. practice nursing within a community-based approach to the delivery and evaluation of healthcare.
Admission
Admission to the Nursing Program is competitive and seating is limited. All applicants must first satisfy general admission requirements of the College.
Transfer Students
Both internal and external transfers into the nursing major must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, satisfactory completion of prerequisites and the Nurse Entrance Test to enter nursing courses. Candidates for admission will be individually assessed and interviewed by Nursing Faculty.
Second Degree, 15 Month Accelerated Program
For applicants who have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college, we offer a Second Degree, 15 Month Accelerated Program. Acceptance into this Program is contingent upon a conferred degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, satisfactory completion of all Nursing prerequisites and the Nurse Entrance Test, and an interview with Nursing Faculty.
RN to BS Program
For Registered Nurse applicants, Wagner College has a program to assist graduate nurses from other types of nursing education programs in earning the Bachelor of Science degree. Applicants must have a current Registered Nurse License, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and will be assessed on an individual basis. Additional RN to BS Program information may be found in the School of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook.
Additional Requirements and Fees
The extensive clinical experiences in nursing increase the expenses for students in this major. In addition to lab fees, the following requirements exist. Students must purchase uniforms and meet the special expenses required for field work, such as transportation expenses. Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical experiences.
Students in nursing are expected to enroll in health insurance plans of their choice and to maintain effective immunizations as required by the school. A yearly physical examination and laboratory tests are required of all students prior to the start of each fall semester. Forms are obtained from the School of Nursing office. No student will be allowed to participate in clinical practice without completed physical exam results on forms by due dates. If registered for the course and forms are not completed, students will be immediately dropped from the course with a loss of clinical preference. Those students without current health insurance will be dropped from the course.
Majors in nursing are also required to be covered by malpractice insurance which is provided by a school group policy and paid for through laboratory fees. A testing fee is required each semester. This fee covers the cost of the NCLEX RN review course in the New York City area upon graduation, as well as testing in all modules. Current CPR certification is required prior to clinical practice in every nursing course that has a clinical component. The School of Nursing provides a class in CPR annually. Many local agencies, including the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, offer CPR classes regularly.
Requirements for a Major in Nursing (B.S.)
Nursing courses are based upon the following unit distributions:
0.5 unit course = 22.5 hours classroom instruction, 30 hours clinical instruction
1.0 unit course = 30 hours classroom instruction, 60 hours clinical instruction
1.5 unit course = 45 hours classroom instruction, 60 hours clinical instruction
2.0 unit course = 90 hours classroom instruction, 60 hours clinical instruction
Lecture course without clinical instruction is 45 hours of classroom instruction.
Additional learning experiences in each clinical course can also include professional conferences, presentations and involvement in community-based health care initiatives.
A minimum of 21 units with the following distributions:
Nursing course requirements—16 units distributed in four modules in the junior and senior years.
• Module I—4.5 units of Nursing courses
• Module II—4.5 units of Nursing courses
• Module III—3 units of Nursing courses and 2 units of electives
• Module IV—4 units of Nursing courses
Cognate requirements—5 units, distributed throughout the freshman and sophomore year, are prerequisites to Nursing Modules:
BI 209, 210; NR 224; MI 200; and a selection of one of the following:
BI 209, 210; NR 224; MI 200; and a selection of one of the following:
SO 101, AN 101, or PS 101.
Those students without strong college preparatory laboratory high school chemistry will be asked to take CH 102 for a science distribution. The intermediate learning community required of nursing majors is NR 224 and MI 200. This learning community is to be taken in the spring semester of the sophomore year following BI 209, 210, which are taken in the freshman year.
Upper Division Modules in the Nursing Major
Module I Fall/Junior Year
a. 351 Dimensions of Health Promotion in the Community, 2.0 Units
b. 353 Dimensions of Health Assessment, 1.0 Units
c. 355 Pharmacodynamics, 1.0 Units
d. 357 Dimensions of Epidemiology and Infection Control in Health Care, 0.5 Units
Total Units 4.5 Units
*Each semester’s work in the Nursing Sequence must be completed successfully before advancing to the next semester’s module.
Module II Spring/Junior Year
a. 364 Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family, 1.5 Units
b. 366 Nursing Care of the Childrearing Family, 1.5 Units
c. 368 Nursing Care of the Family in Illness I, 1.5 Units
Total Units 4.5 Units
*Each semester’s work in the Nursing Sequence must be completed successfully before advancing to the next semester’s module.
Module III Fall/Senior Year
a. 400 Nursing Research, 1.0 Units
b. 465 Psychodynamic Dimensions of Psychiatric- Mental Health, 1.0 Units
c. 469 Nursing Care of the Family in Illness II, 1.0 Units
Total Nursing Units 3.0 Units
Electives 2.0 Units
Total Module Units 5.0 Units
*Each semester’s work in the Nursing Sequence must be completed successfully before advancing to the next semester’s module.
Module IV Spring/Senior Year
a. 472 Community Health Nursing, 1.5 Units
b. 474 Nursing Leadership and Management, 1.0 Units
c. 476 Dimensions of Mental Health Nursing in the Community, 0.5 Units
d. 490 Reflective Tutorial-Senior Practicum RFT, 1.0 Units
Total Units 4.0 Units
Professional and Grade Requirements
Students must earn a C or higher in a nursing course to pass the course. There is no C- or D in Nursing course grades. If the student is unsuccessful on the second attempt, the student is dismissed from the Nursing Program but may continue at the College in another field. (In the Nursing Program C = 75–77, C+ = 78–79, B- = 80–82, B = 83–86, B+ = 87–89, A- = 90–92, A = 93 and above.)
Because successful nursing practice requires close working relationships with people, suitable professional attitudes must be acquired. Satisfactory progress in the program includes both academic achievement and the demonstration of professional behavior and competence in clinical nursing. Students who do not adhere to professional standards of behavior may be asked to withdraw from the nursing major. Students who exhibit signs of physical or emotional disturbances which could inhibit their professional performances may be required to withdraw from a nursing course or the major. Reentry to the course or major will be considered based on faculty recommendations.
Graduate Programs
The School of Nursing also offers the Master of Science degree. Students are given the opportunity to develop expertise in both a clinical and a functional area of practice. Preparation is offered in the role areas of educator and family nurse practitioner. A post-masters family nurse practitioner certificate program is also available. Consult the Graduate Programs section of the college bulletin or the Office of Graduate Studies for further information.
Module I—Fall Junior Year
NR351 Dimensions of Health Promotion in the Community. (D) Two units. The focus of this nursing course is to introduce the nursing major to nursing and promotion of health in a variety of settings. Topics such as basic community needs and assessment, culture, wellness, communication. and preparation to enter the community health care system are explored. A clinical laboratory and community experience component is included with this course to introduce students to basic nursing skills and to enhance therapeutic interactions and primary prevention awareness. Offered fall semester.*
NR353 Dimensions of Health Assessment. One unit. This nursing course prepares the nursing major to become adept at utilizing the nursing process for assessment of the client as well as the importance of accurate and thorough history taking. A clinical laboratory component is included with this course. Offered fall semester.*
NR355 Pharmacodynamics. One unit. This course is designed to define and explain the nurse’s role in understanding the nursing process for administration of medications in various community settings. A clinical laboratory component is added to apply objectives to accurately calculate and administer medications safely. Classes and actions of drugs are a key part of the content. Offered fall semester.*
NR357 Dimensions of Epidemiology and Infection Control. 0.5 unit. The nursing process is utilized in discussion and clinical application of epidemiological considerations in the community. Fundamental theory base will be enhanced with this primarily clinically focused course which contains the mandated infection control components. A clinical component in an operating room setting is offered to enhance student learning experience. Offered fall semester.*
Module II—Spring Junior Year
NR364 Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family. 1.5 units. The nursing process is used to promote and restore the health of the childbearing family. Students examine the bio-psychological and socio-cultural stressors that influence the health states of families throughout the prenatal, intra-partum, post-partum, and newborn periods. Clinical components in prenatal, intra-partum, post-partum and Neonatal Intensive Care are included. Offered spring semester.*
NR366 Nursing Care of the Childrearing Family. 1.5 units. The nursing process is used to promote and restore the health of the child from infancy through toddler, preschool, school-age adolescent, and the young adult. Students examine the bio-psychological and socio-cultural stressors that influence the health states of children within each developmental stage and within the family. A clinical component in pediatric well-child and acute care areas are included. Offered spring semester.*
NR368 Nursing Care of the Family in Illness I. 1.5 units. The nursing process is used in the promotion and restoration of health of those individuals who are experiencing an alteration in cellular function and growth, oxygenation, metabolic, and sexual functions. A clinical component in an acute care setting is included. Offered spring semester.*
Module III- Fall Senior Year
NR400 Techniques of Nursing Research. One unit. This course builds on students’ prior knowledge of select nursing studies. Students discuss and critique qualitative and quantitative nursing studies. The importance of research in nursing to the consumer and practitioner of nursing are examined. A nursing research proposal is completed in this course. Offered fall semester.
NR465 Psychodynamic Dimensions of Psychiatric-Mental Health. One unit. This course presents an overview of psychiatric-mental health care issues prevailing in society. It offers the essential research based content related to nursing care theory and practice. Content includes understanding the nurse’s role development within this specialty and developing skills of assessment, intervention, and evaluation of clients exhibiting impaired behavioral responses to stressors in their environments. Legal, ethical, and advocacy considerations are included. This course includes a clinical component in a psychiatric acute care facility. Offered fall semester.*
NR469 Nursing Care of the Family in Illness II. One unit. This course utilizes the nursing process to promote and restore the health of individuals who experience alterations in tissue perfusion, digestion/elimination, and motor-sensory function. This course includes a clinical component in an acute care setting. Offered fall semester.*
Module IV—Spring Senior Year
NR472 Community Health Nursing. 1.5 units. This course focuses on the community as a continuum of care. The students utilize the nursing process within the community context to promote, restore, and maintain the health of individuals, families, and groups. A community- based, clinical component is included. Offered fall and spring semester.*
NR474 Nursing Leadership and Management. One unit. This course introduces the role of the nurse as leader. Leadership styles and management theory will serve as the foundation for the study of supervision, finance, budgeting, delegation, organizational structure, allocation of resources, and case management within a multitude of health care settings. The students will enhance their abilities to become independent decision makers through communication and collaboration with health care professionals in various clinical settings. Offered fall and spring semester.*
NR476 Dimensions of Mental Health Nursing in the Community. 0.5 unit In response to the contemporary body of research that studies and reports on health implications of mind-body-socio-spiritual connections, this course offers students the opportunity to examine stress and holistic approaches to stress management. Theories of anxiety presented by Peplau, and the stress research of Cannon, Selye, and Benson are studied. Holistic nursing theorist such as, but not limited to, Nightingale, Rogers and Watson are applied. Concepts of psycho-neuro-immunology and the impact of emotions on health states are examined. Content is studied through the lens of ethics and research. This course includes a clinical component... Offered fall and spring semester.*
NR490 Reflective Tutorial—Senior Practicum. One unit. This senior capstone course is to be taken in the last semester prior to graduation. The nursing process is used to promote, restore, and maintain the health states of individuals, families, and groups. Students develop independence under the direct guidance of a selected agency preceptor. Students cultivate the development of their professional role by using leadership abilities to become an active member of the healthcare team, a patient advocate, and a coordinator of health care. They reflect upon their experiences in seminar via oral and written communication. Offered fall and spring semester.*
Additional Nursing Courses
NR050 Basic Nursing Skills Tutorial. Zero to four units. This course is available if a student needs clinical and theory remediation in lieu of matriculation continued or leave of absence. Offered fall and spring semesters.*
NR212 Human Sexuality Across the Life Span. (D) One unit. This is a survey course designed to provide the student with a factual background on human sexuality. Historical and research perspectives are integrated throughout the course as well as discussion and examination of differing viewpoints and current issues. The course may be applied to the minor in gender studies. Offered spring semester.
NR224 Nutrition and Health. One unit. Three hours of lecture weekly. General principles of dietetics, dietary regulatory mechanisms, ecological aspects of nutrition. The world food problem and its implications will also be considered. Prerequisite: Two units of Biology. Offered spring semester.
NR375 Challenges of Professionalism in Nursing. One unit. This course is designed for the Registered Nurse student. It offers the student the opportunity to confront current professional issues with a focus on identifying future implications for the role of the professional nurse. Offered fall semester.
NR591 Special Topics. One unit. This course allows for discussion and analysis of current issues and/or research in response to student and departmental interest. Offered as required.
NR593 Independent Study One half to one unit. This course is for qualified seniors who may arrange to investigate a special problem. Per mission of faculty advisor required. Offered fall and spring semesters.
