Nursing

Dr. Barbara H. Schaffner, Chairperson; Dr. Eda L. Mikolaj, Director of Graduate Studies
Department Office: Schear-McFadden Science Hall

Mission Statement

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 health care needs of society.

Academic Advising

Prior to enrolling at Otterbein, students are assigned a faculty member as their academic advisor. The advising process is an ongoing series of consultations between the student and the advisor. This advisor will help the student with decisions concerning courses and class scheduling. Advising involves both the development and communication of accurate information regarding degree programs, courses, resources, academic policies/procedures and career opportunities intended to help students in achieving their educational goals. Both the advisee and the advisor share the responsibility of being active participants in the advising process. However, the student is responsible for making decisions regarding personal and educational goals and satisfying all graduation requirements.

Academic Standing Policy

Academic standing policies apply to all degree, non-degree, and workshop participants. For graduate level courses, please refer to the section on Academic Policies in this catalog. For undergraduate level courses, please refer to the Academic Standing Policies in the Undergraduate Course Catalog.

Grade Policy

The following program policies are in addition to the College’s Academic Standing policies. For a description of the college policy please refer to the Academic Policies section of the catalog.

Master of Science in Nursing Program
A minimum grade of C+ (77%) is required in all graduate course work except for capstone requirements (thesis or scholarly project or comprehensive examination for all MSN students; or NURS 708 for NP students only). If a grade lower than C+ is earned, this course must be repeated in order to enroll in subsequent nursing courses. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (B) to receive the Master of Science in Nursing degree. For capstone requirements, students must achieve a passing grade (P) at a level equivalent to a B or higher.

Any student receiving two (2) grades of C or lower in the original attempt of all required graduate course work, will no longer be able to continue in the MSN program.

A student may attempt only one graduate course twice in the MSN program. An attempt is defined as being enrolled in a course beyond the twenty-fifth class day. Receiving a grade of C or lower or a W (Withdrawal) in the original attempt of any graduate course will constitute an attempt.

Post Masters Nurse Practitioner Programs and Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator Program
A minimum grade of C+ (77%) is required in all Post Masters course work. If a grade lower than C+ is earned, the course must be repeated in order to complete the program.

Any student receiving two (2) grades of C or lower in the required Post Masters course work, will no longer be able to continue in the Post Masters program.

A student may attempt only one nursing course twice in the Post Masters program. An attempt is defined as being enrolled in a course beyond the twenty-fifth class day. Receiving a grade of C or lower or a W (Withdrawal) in the original attempt of any nursing course will constitute an attempt.

Time Limit for Program Completion

After a student has been admitted to the graduate program, continuous progress toward completion of the degree is expected. The time limit for the completion of graduate course work is six years for the Master of Science in Nursing program (three years for the Post Masters programs). The time limit is computed from the first date credit is recorded on the college transcript until the program curriculum requirements are completed. Petitions requesting extension of the time limit may be submitted to the Nursing Curriculum Committee for consideration. Extensions are only considered if there is adequate and unusual cause, beyond the control of the student, for failure to meet the time limit policy.

Interruption in Attendance

The program requirements of the College in effect at the time of the student’s first enrollment are those which must be met for completion of a program. Subsequent changes in program requirements may be substituted with the approval of the department chairperson or Academic Council, whichever is appropriate.

Students who interrupt their enrollment at Otterbein College for a period of one year must meet the requirements for the program as published in the catalog in effect at the time of re-enrollment. Students who have not been enrolled for one year or more must be readmitted. Please refer to the section on readmission.

In some instances, changes in departmental requirements must be applied to students who have already enrolled. In such instances, the new requirements will apply in a manner that will not require a student to carry more than a full-time load otherwise not required in any quarter and will not prolong the time required to complete the program requirements. Students should be aware that there is a time limit for program completion. Please see the section on Time Limit for Program Completion.

Readmission

Students who do not enroll in required graduate courses for one to six years will be required to submit an updated Application for Admission form to the Office of Graduate Programs if they desire to return to the program. Also, updated transcripts must be submitted if additional college or university courses were taken during the year(s) of absence from Otterbein College along with a current Ohio RN license number. (The Office of Graduate Programs will verify current Ohio RN licensure on the Ohio Board of Nursing website and a copy of the license verification will be added to the student file.)

If the returning student had applied for admission but never enrolled in any graduate course work, the Office of Graduate Programs will readmit the student for one quarter upon receipt of an updated application, a current Ohio RN license number, and a transcript from a fully accredited institution of higher education showing completion of either a baccalaureate nursing degree for the graduate nursing program or a baccalaureate and a masters nursing degree for the Post Masters nursing programs.

If the returning student was provisionally admitted by the Office of Graduate Programs or fully admitted by the Nursing Professional Review Committee and first enrolled no more than six years ago in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program or three years ago in the Post Masters programs, the Office of Graduate Programs will readmit the student upon receipt of an updated application, a current Ohio RN license number and an updated transcript if additional college or university courses have been taken since the last enrollment at Otterbein College.

If it has been over six years since the returning student began taking classes in the MSN program or three years in the Post Masters programs, a petition requesting readmission must first be submitted to the Nursing Curriculum Committee. If the Committee approves readmission, the student will receive a letter from the Office of Graduate Programs that details the conditions of readmission, such as required course work, time line for program completion, etc. The returning student must submit an updated application, a current Ohio RN license number and an updated transcript if additional college or university courses have been taken since the last enrollment at Otterbein College.

Students who have not been enrolled for one year or longer must follow the curriculum in place at the time of their return.

Change in Major

Students who wish to change their declared major should talk with their faculty advisor to explore what this change will mean in relation to required course work. After making the decision to change majors, students should contact the Office of Graduate Programs at (614) 823-3210 to request the appropriate form for making the change.

Additional Requirements: MSN and Post Masters Programs

CPR
Students are required to complete the American Heart Association CPR Basic Life Support Course for Health Care Providers (BLS-C) before beginning a clinical course. Certification from the American Heart Association is valid for two years. Before expiration, a recertification course must be completed. Proof of certification must be filed in the Department of Nursing prior to entry to a clinical course.

***American Red Cross CPR classes are NOT accepted for this requirement.

Health Requirements
A medical history and physical examination are required prior to enrolling in the first clinical course. Students must provide proof of up-to-date immunizations as specified by the Student Health Center. This includes current written documentation of two annual successive TB skin tests; if not available, a two-step Mantoux TB skin test is required (or chest x-ray if recommended by the health care provider). The Hepatitis B vaccine series or a waiver (available from the Nursing Department) is also required. Students are NOT allowed to participate in clinical experiences until all health requirements are met and on file at the Nursing Department office and Student Health Center.

Liability Insurance
Prior to the first clinical nursing course, the student must present proof of professional nurse liability insurance to the Nursing Department secretary. Forms are available in the Department of Nursing, if needed. Annual renewals must be maintained.

Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) Clearance
Students who have lived in the state of Ohio during the past 5 years must complete a BCI clearance prior to enrolling in the first clinical nursing course. Students who have lived outside of the state of Ohio during the past 5 years must complete both a BCI and an FBI clearance prior to enrolling in the first clinical nursing course. Prior clearance through an employer is NOT accepted. Distant students may request application materials from the Nursing Office to use with their local police department by calling (614) 823-1614. Local students may wish to go to Secure Check, a company in the Columbus area. They can be contacted for hours and location by calling (614) 252-7300. Students are responsible for associated fees. Caution: Mail-in applications (done by the police department) take 6-8 weeks; computerized screening (such as at Secure Check), usually take 1 week. The Nursing Department MUST receive the official report of clearance prior to the clinical course. Unsuccessful BCI clearance may result in an inability to successfully progress in the nursing program, all such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Health Insurance
Adequate health insurance coverage is strongly recommended. Students are financially responsible for any testing or treatment needed following a course-related injury or illness.

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 health care 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 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 her/his instructor. Students are also responsible to inform clinical instructors about any conditions (e.g., pregnancy, skin not intact, immunocompromised condition) which may affect their clinical assignment to clients with serious communicable diseases.

Special Needs Policy
Reasonable accommodation in course work or clinical experiences will be made for students with special needs on an individualized basis. Requests for such services must be made through the Academic Support Center (614) 823-1362. When students are enrolled in courses that require clinical experiences, they also have the responsibility to discuss their special needs with course faculty so that reasonable accommodations can be made in a timely manner. Special needs include, but are not limited to, physical, emotional or learning disabilities. For students with English as a second language, please refer to the Nursing Department policy for Extra Time on Examinations.

Registered Nurse Licensure
Distance students who plan clinical experiences outside Ohio must be licensed as a registered nurse in both Ohio and the state of the clinical site.

Fees/Expenses Policy

Additional fees are required. Fees are listed on the Otterbein website at www.otterbein.edu/resources/business_office/fee_schedule.asp.

Department of Nursing Handbook
Each student has the obligation to become familiar with the contents of the Department of Nursing Graduate Handbook. This handbook, containing guidelines and policies specifically related to graduate study in nursing, can be accessed on the intranet at www.otterbein.edu by selecting Nursing under Department Intranet Sites.

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