Nursing

Schaffner (chairperson) Berry, Burnam, Butz, Carlson, Chavez, Cornett, Keane, McKelvey, Mikolaj, Pryor-McCann, Ribar, Vogt.

Mission and Programs

The Department of Nursing is committed to quality nursing education which fosters critical thinking within the context of a caring framework. Our mission encourages the personal and professional development of faculty, staff and students. An appreciation for diverse perspectives and humane values is central to this mission. Building on a liberal arts education and a strong science foundation, the goal of the Nursing Program is to prepare lifelong learners who are committed to the profession, the community and to meeting the changing healthcare needs of society.

The Department of Nursing consists of 13 full-time faculty and approximately 25 part-time clinical faculty. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program that includes an L.P.N. to B.S.N. track, an R.N. to B.S.N. track, and an R.N. to M.S.N. track; and a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program and three Post-Masters programs.

Four tracks are available that lead to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (B.S.N.). One track is the four-year curriculum that enables graduates to take the national licensing examination in nursing. The second track, designed specifically for registered nurses, consists of a two-year upper division curriculum. The third track, designed specifically for licensed practical nurses, enables graduates to take the national licensing examination in nursing. The fourth track, designed specifically for registered nurses, consists of an upper division curriculum leading to a Baccalaureate degree in nursing and progression into the Masters Program.

The Master of Science Program in Nursing (M.S.N.) offers four majors: Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Service Administration, Adult Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. The Post-Masters programs offer certificates in Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner. and Advanced Practice Nurse Educator. Additional information regarding the M.S.N. program is described in the Otterbein College Graduate Studies in Nursing Catalog, available upon request from the Office of Graduate Programs.

The nursing programs are accredited by:

The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), located at 51 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, is an informational resource for the nursing program (e.g. tuition, fees and length of programs). The telephone number is 1-800-669-9656.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is located at One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036-1120. The telephone number is 202- 887-6791.

Application Process

Students enrolled at Otterbein College in their freshman year as pre-nursing majors will be reviewed for admission into the nursing major in the spring of their freshman year. The Nursing Application Form must be received by April 1. Criteria specified below must be met to apply for admission. Students that have been given a guaranteed admission as seniors in high school will be reviewed first to confirm eligibility for progression. Then the highest qualified pre-nursing freshman students will be selected for the remaining available spaces, using Otterbein College GPA, GPA of other college level work (if applicable), prerequisite course grades, ACT scores, and High School GPA (when necessary). Notification of admission status will be mailed by May 1. The nursing program sequence begins fall quarter with Nursing 260. Students not accepted for an academic year should meet with their nursing faculty advisor for academic planning and can re-apply to be considered for the following academic year.

Students transferring to Otterbein College into the nursing major must submit a Nursing Application Form to the Nursing Department after obtaining admission to the college. For priority consideration, applications must be received by April 1. Criteria specified below must be met to apply for admission. The highest qualified candidates will be selected for the limited spaces available using cumulative GPA, prerequisite course grades, grades in math/science/nursing courses, past academic performance, ACT scores (when available), and enrollment at Otterbein College (when applicable). Notification of admission status will be mailed by June 1. The nursing program sequence begins fall quarter with Nursing 260. Students not accepted for an academic year must re-apply to be considered for the following academic year.

R.N.-to-B.S.N. & L.P.N.-to-B.S.N. students must submit a Nursing Application Form to the Nursing Department when they are ready to begin nursing courses, after obtaining admission to the college. For priority consideration, applications must be received by April 1. Criteria specified below must be met to apply for admission. The highest qualified candidates will be selected for the limited spaces available using cumulative GPA, prerequisite course grades, grades in math/science/nursing courses, past academic performance, and enrollment at Otterbein College (when applicable). Notification of admission status will be mailed by June 1. R.N.-to-B.S.N. track nursing courses begin summer quarter with Nursing 300. L.P.N.-to-B.S.N. track nursing courses begin fall quarter with Nursing 260. Students not accepted for an academic year must re-apply to be considered for the following academic year.

Essential Performance Requirements

In order to accomplish the objectives of the nursing program safely, students must possess the ability and fitness to perform in a manner that will not jeopardize safety and well-being of their patients or themselves. Examples of these essential performance requirements include but are not limited to:

Visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to identify cyanosis or absence of respiratory movement in patients, perform equipment calibrations, read small print on medication containers, physician’s orders and equipment monitors, perform physical assessments and recognize when a patient is in imminent danger, etc. Many clinical agencies require all healthcare workers to possess normal visual color perception.
Hearing ability with or without auditory aids to understand the normal speaking voice without viewing the speaker’s face, hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, patients’ calls for help, call bells from patients, stethoscope sounds originating from a patient’s blood vessels, heart, lungs, and abdomen, etc.
Physical ability to stand for prolonged periods of time, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, quickly move about and transport patients during emergencies, carry infants, maneuver quickly in confined spaces, etc. Other physical requirements include carrying equipment, pushing, pulling, stooping, kneeling, bending, and climbing stairs. Must be able to lift, push and pull with assistance (mechanical or co-worker) the weight of the average patient specific to the clinical area working in.
Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form. Ability to speak clearly, coherently and succinctly when explaining treatment procedures, describing patient conditions, implementing health teaching, etc. Ability to write legibly, logically and correctly in patient’s chart for legal documentation, etc.
Manual dexterity and fine motor skills, including eye-hand-foot coordination, repetitive arm and hand movements and finger dexterity, using sterile techniques, inserting catheters, preparing and administering medication (oral, intramuscular, intravenous), and numerous other invasive procedures.
Emotional stability and ability to accept responsibility and accountability.

The nursing department may require nursing students with special needs who pose a threat to the safety of others or to themselves in the health care environment to withdraw from the program. Each situation will be reviewed on an individual basis.

HEALTH PROBLEMS POLICY: Students are responsible for informing faculty about health alterations and/or conditions which may affect safety and competency in the clinical setting. Students are required to submit a faculty-specified doctor’s/health professional’s statement on appropriate letterhead regarding status of this health condition before participating in clinical experiences to the student’s instructor.

Students are also responsible to inform clinical instructors about any conditions including but not limited to pregnancy, skin not intact or immunocompromised conditions that may affect their clinical assignments to clients with serious communicable diseases. If student is uncertain, the student should discuss question(s) with faculty. Confidentiality of information will be maintained.

FEES/EXPENSES POLICY: Additional fees are required. See Otterbein College Undergraduate Course Catalog and Otterbein College Schedule of Classes for tuition and fee schedule.

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING UNDERGRADUATE HANDBOOK: Provides guidelines and policies related to the nursing program. Students are expected to read and abide by the policies. The handbook is available on-line at www.otterbein.edu, Department Internet site for Nursing.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the R.N. to M.S.N. program is open to graduates of accredited nursing programs who hold a current Ohio registered nurse license and give evidence of academic and professional ability to succeed in advanced nursing studies. The most qualified applicants who meet the admission criteria will be selected on a space-available basis.

Admission to Otterbein College.
Licensure as a registered nurse in Ohio.
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all previous college level work.
One year full-time or equivalent part-time nursing employment is required for adult health care and nursing service administration majors. Two years full-time or equivalent part-time nursing employment experience is required for nurse practitioner majors.
Evidence of capacity for graduate work as documented in two recommendations.

Admission Procedure

STEP ONE

Schedule an appointment with the Nursing Advisor in the Continuing Studies Office for program information and academic planning.
Complete the Otterbein College Undergraduate Application Form. Obtain the form from the Continuing Studies Office.
Complete an R.N. to M.S.N. Application for Admission form and submit to the Office of Continuing Studies.
The following courses are required for admission (with a minimum grade of C):

Integrative Studies 100 or 105 or 110 (Freshman English)
Integrative Studies 130 (General Psychology)
Life Science 108 and 109 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II)
Chemistry 110 (General Chemistry)
Psychology 210 (Growth and Development)
Life Science 206 (Microbiology)
Lower level nursing courses

Submit a photocopy of current Ohio R.N. license. (Write the word “copy” over it, not obscuring the name, number or expiration date, and sign the sheet of paper.)
Submit two recommendation forms from two individuals who can support application to pursue advanced studies; one from an employer or supervising nurse; and, one from a nursing professor if the applicant has been in school within the past five years. (Recommendations from current Otterbein students are not acceptable.)
Request official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended (all schools regardless of number of courses taken).
Complete a professional resume.
To ensure a smooth progression into the M.S.N. program, discuss the application process for full admission into the M.S.N. program with the R.N. to M.S.N. Program Director two quarters prior to completion of the B.S.N. program.

STEP TWO

Progression to Full Admission into the M.S.N. Program:

Submit application to the M.S.N. Program to the Graduate Office by the Friday of the first week of last B.S.N. quarter.
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained in undergraduate courses.
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained in graduate courses.
Any student receiving (2) C or lower grades in the required graduate course work will no longer be able to continue in the M.S.N. program.
Successful completion of four selected graduate courses (N622, N670, L SC 500, and N699) that apply to B.S.N. requirements.
Congruence of goals as documented in a 2-4 page essay (typewritten) in which you describe your professional goals and aspirations, reflections and/or experiences that have shaped those goals, and why these goals and aspirations can be achieved in the Graduate Nursing Program at Otterbein College.
Full admission to the M.S.N. program is required before enrolling in any course except the courses specified in #5 above.

Candidates who do not meet all of the admission criteria listed above, but who wish to be considered for admission, must submit a petition requesting special consideration along with their application materials. For example, the inclusion of GRE scores may strengthen the candidate’s position, if the applicant does not meet the criteria of a minimum grade point average.

School Nurse: The Otterbein College School Nurse Licensure Program is accredited by the State of Ohio Department of Education. The program prepares Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates for practice in public and private elementary, middle, and high school settings. The school nurse curriculum includes education, health education courses and a nursing seminar. Requirements for admission include a B.S.N. degree, 3.0 cumulative grade point average, valid B.N. license for practice in Ohio, and an interview with the School Nurse Advisor. For information, please refer to the Teacher Education Programs Booklet for program details or contact the Continuing Studies Office at (614) 823-1356 or the Department of Nursing at (614) 823-1614.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program are prepared as generalists and can care for individuals of all ages, from infants to elderly, and groups such as families and communities. Graduates are employable in a variety of health care agencies that include acute care, extended care, primary care, home care, mental health, and community health settings. The completion of the B.S.N. program qualifies an individual to take the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and to pursue graduate education. The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program prepares graduates to assume advanced practice nursing roles in multiple and diverse health care settings. The completion of the M.S.N. program qualifies an individual to pursue doctoral education.

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Nursing

Mission and Programs

Application Process

Essential Performance Requirements

Admission Criteria

Admission Procedure

STEP ONE

STEP TWO

Program Outcomes

Nursing Courses

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