Nursing

Schaffner (Department Chair), Burnam, Butz, Carlson, Chavez, Cornett, Haverkamp, Keane, McKelvey, Mikolaj, Pryor-McCann, Ribar, Teske, 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 14 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 and an A.D.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 licensed practical nurses, enables graduates to take the national licensing examination in nursing. The A.D.N. to M.S.N. Program offers Associate degree nurses an opportunity to build upon knowledge of science, liberal arts courses and professional experience to pursue a master’s degree as a Nurse Service Administrator, Clinical Nurse Leader, Adult Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner. The A.D.N. to M.S.N. program is for Associate degree nurses who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and potential as a leader in clinical nursing.

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 and A.D.N. to 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 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.

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. 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.

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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