2007-2009 Undergraduate Catalog

Feb 17, 2025

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2007-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Nursing

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Admission Requirements

The following criteria must be met by all students in order to apply for admission to the BSN Program:

Admission to the College.
Note: This is a separate application processed by the Admissions Office (traditional students) or the Office of Continuing Studies (adult students).
Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (all colleges combined). Grades earned over 10 years ago will not be used to calculate the cumulative GPA if a sufficient number of recent classes have been taken to demonstrate current academic ability.
Completion of the following courses at a C level or above (obtained credit by validation exam) by the end of spring quarter of the year you plan to enter nursing.

Chemistry 110 General Chemistry
Integrated Studies 100, 105, or 110 Freshman English
Integrated Studies 130 General Psychology
Life Science 108 Anatomy & Physiology I
Life Science 109 Anatomy & Physiology II

Prequisite courses with a grade less than a C must be repeated. Earning less than a C on initial attempt math, science, or nursing courses may negatively influence applicant’s admission status.
R.N.-to-B.S.N. applicants: Enter nursing courses in the summer, and then at the senior level. Applicants must have completed the above prerequisites and Life Science 206 (Microbiology) and Psychology 210 (Growth & Development), and have current RN licensure in Ohio.
L.P.N.-to-B.S.N. applicants: Enter nursing courses in the fall. Applicants must complete the above prerequisites, and have current LPN licensure in Ohio.

Program Requirements for Clinical Courses

Participation in clinical experience is NOT permitted until all clinical requirements (uniforms, CPR, health requirements and immunizations, liability insurance, and BCI clearance) are met, and failure to complete prior to course deadline may result in failure of the nursing course and/or dismissal from the nursing program.

Uniforms: Purchase uniforms and dress according to the uniform policy found in the Department of Nursing Undergraduate Handbook.

CPR: Complete the American Heart Association CPR Basic Life Support Course for Health Care Providers (BLS-C). Certification is valid for two years and recertification is required prior to expiration. (American Red Cross CPR classes are NOT accepted for this requirement.)

Health Requirements: Complete Student Health Form. Proof of up-to-date immunizations as specified by the Student Health Center, including an initial two-step Mantoux TB skin test (or chest x-ray if recommended by medical provider) and the Hepatitis B vaccine series (or waiver). Annual one-step TB tests must also be maintained.

Liability Insurance: Provide proof of nursing student liability insurance on file in the Department of Nursing. Application forms are available in the Department of Nursing, Science 209, if needed. Annual renewals must be maintained.

Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) Clearance: Complete an initial BCI clearance when enrolled in the first clinical nursing 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. The Ohio Board of Nursing requires another BCI clearance prior to taking the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Application materials are available in the Department of Nursing. Students are responsible for associated fees. [Note: occasionally health care agencies may require a repeat of BCI clearance for students placed at their facility; students are responsible to complete this as required.]

Health Insurance: Recommend adequate health insurance coverage. Students are financially responsible for any testing or treatment needed following a course-related injury or illness.

Requirements in the Core Curriculum:

Specifics on these requirements can be found in The Academic Program .
Integrative Studies - 50 hrs (INST 130 - PSYCHOLOGY AND HUMAN NATURE must be selected)
Health and Physical Education Lifestyle Series - 3 hrs
Senior Year Experience - hrs depend upon course selected
Free Elective - 5 hrs

Requirements in the major (approximately 139 hrs or more or equivalent):

Required Lower Division Nursing courses

Required Upper Division Nursing courses

Required Support courses

Grade Requirements

A minimum grade of “C” is required in Life Science 108, 109, 206, 312; Chemistry 110, 220; Integrative Studies 100, 105 or 110 and 130. If a grade less than “C” is earned, these courses must be repeated in order to meet prerequisite and degree requirements.
A minimum grade of “C” is required in all nursing courses. To proceed in the sequence of nursing courses, all prerequisite nursing courses must be completed with a “C” or better.
Whenever a B.S.N. student interrupts enrollment in the three-year sequence of nursing courses (regardless of reason), the student must apply for re-enrollment into nursing courses at least one quarter prior to re-entry (for fall reentry, application must be submitted by April 1). Late submission of materials may negatively effect the student’s re-enrollment. Re-enrollment is not guaranteed and is determined by the Professional Review Committee on an individual basis. The full policy and procedure for re-enrollment is located in the Department of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook.
A student receiving two (2) grades of “C-” (C minus) or lower in the original attempt in all nursing courses; Life Science 108, 109, 206, 312; Chemistry 110 and 220 (CHEM 220 double counts with INST 340); or any combination of these courses, will no longer be able to continue in the BSN Program. A student may attempt only one nursing course twice in the BSN Program. An attempt is defined as being enrolled in a course beyond the twenty-fifth class day. Receiving a grade of C- (C minus) or lower or a W (Withdrawal) in the original attempt of any nursing course will constitute an attempt.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required to receive the B.S.N. degree.

Residence Requirement:

Must be fulfilled by all transfer students (see The Academic Program .)

Required total hours for the degree:

At least 180, but more typically closer to 192 - also see exceptions/additional comments in The Academic Program .

Application for Degree:

A prospective graduate must request an Application for Degree at the Registrar’s Office two terms prior to the term in which the degree is to be completed.

Track I: B.S.N. Students

The B.S.N. student will fulfill all of the above requirements.

Track II: R.N. to B.S.N. Students

Credit for lower division nursing courses and NURS 340, 360 and 370 will be conferred upon completion of the program.
Credit for the required support courses may be obtained through completion of the course, transfer credit or validation examination.
All students must complete NURS 300.
Credit for selected upper division nursing courses may be established by proficiency examination if eligibility criteria are met.
Credit for no more than two of the following clinical courses: NURS 351, 460, 470 or 480 may be obtained through proficiency examination. If credit for two clinical courses is obtained, one of the clinical courses must be NURS 351.
Credit for no more than one 400 level non-clinical course may be obtained through a proficiency examination.
Current CCRN or CEN status meets the criteria for validation credit in NURS 470.
Students must meet the Otterbein College residence requirements (see residence requirement section in The Academic Program .)
Information related to the examination schedule and fees may be obtained from the Department of Nursing.

Track III: L.P.N. to B.S.N. Students

Credit for NURS 230 (Basic Pharmacology) and NURS 240 (Nutrition Through the Life Span) may be established by validation examination.
Credit for NURS 280 may be established by validation examination. If the student receives credit by examination for NURS 280, the student must also complete NURS 290.
Validation of selected clinical skills at a satisfactory level must be demonstrated prior to enrollment in upper division nursing courses.
Credit for the required support courses may be earned by taking courses at Otterbein, by transfer and/or by examination.

Track IV: R.N. to M.S.N. Students

The R.N. to M.S.N. student receives both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Students who do not meet criteria for progression into the M.S.N. program continue to completion of the B.S.N. program.

Admission to the R.N. to M.S.N. track requires two applications: 1) apply to the Office of Continuing Studies for the R.N. to M.S.N. track; and 2) apply to the Office of Graduate Programs for admission to the M.S.N. Program, during the last quarter of the B.S.N. Program.

Specific graduate level courses (NURS 622, NURS 670, L SC 500 and NURS 699) meet selected B.S.N. curriculum requirements. All B.S.N. requirements and full admission to the M.S.N. program must be completed before enrolling in subsequent graduate courses. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate studies is required for admission to the M.S.N. program.

The R.N. to M.S.N. student must maintain a current cumulative GPA of 3.0. A minimum grade of C+ is required in all graduate course work. If a grade lower than C+ is earned, the graduate course must be repeated in order to enroll in subsequent graduate nursing courses. If a student receives a second C or lower in any required graduate course, the student may no longer progress in the R.N. to M.S.N. program. A student may attempt only one graduate course twice in the R.N. to M.S.N. 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.

Graduate requirements for a M.S.N. degree include a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 and successful completion of the capstone requirement at a “B” level or higher. (See Otterbein College Graduate Studies in Nursing Handbook for additional information)

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