Program Directors
Accelerated Second-degree Track
Dr. Jane B. Paige
Office: CC-120
Phone: (414) 277-4522
Email: paige@msoe.edu
Traditional Track
Dr. Josanne Wollenhaupt
Office: CC-117
Phone: (414) 277-4533
Email: wollenha@msoe.edu
Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares individuals for the role of the professional nurse. Students graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for individuals, families, and communities in complex health care environments. The MSOE School of Nursing (SON) offers two curriculum tracks to earn a BSN: a traditional, full-time track and an accelerated second-degree track.
BSN Traditional Track
The traditional, full-time curriculum track is designed specifically for students who are earning their first college degree. Generally, these are students who have graduated from high school and are beginning their college education or students who have earned college credits at another university and are transferring those credits to MSOE. Students are accepted directly into the nursing major. Progression through the sequence of clinical courses is guaranteed to all students who maintain full-time status and continue to meet the academic progression criteria.
Students entering the traditional track from high school are accepted into the program starting freshman year and are guaranteed to graduate in four years if they start and stay on track. Students who transfer into the program enter the appropriate place in the curriculum sequence following a complete transfer evaluation. Because of the fact that nursing students begin clinical coursework in sophomore year, and because of the structuring of the remaining clinical courses in the curriculum track, transfer students graduate in a minimum of three years. SON faculty advisors will work with part-time students to outline a sequence of courses that lead to degree completion.
BSN Accelerated Second-degree Track (BSN-ASD)
This track is designed specifically for the adult working professional who has already earned a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree in another discipline and is looking to change careers. The BSN-ASD is a compressed, year-round curriculum designed to enable students to enter the workforce as professional nurses in approximately 16 months, assuming the student has met all of the prerequisites. Most students who already have a bachelor’s degree will have satisfied those prerequisites as part of their undergraduate education.
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure
Upon completion of the BSN degree, MSOE SON graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, NCLEX-RN® Exam. Graduates must pass the NCLEX- RN® eExam to be eligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). The MSOE BSN program has full approval from the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), http://www.aacn.nche.edu/.
Student Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is expected to:
- Provide competent, caring, holistic nursing care to clients through analytical use of the nursing process.
- Consistently employ appropriate and effective communication skills in nursing practice.
- Incorporate principles of health promotion, health maintenance and health restoration to empower clients to achieve optimal health.
- Assume a professional role that is responsive to the needs of society.
- Integrate historical context of nursing into professional practice.
- Articulate a commitment to pursue lifelong learning.
- Integrate appropriate technology when providing professional nursing care.
- Provide leadership when collaborating with other health care team members and communities in assuming accountability for nursing care outcomes.
- Integrate critical thinking skills, in diverse situations.
- Synthesize research findings and knowledge from the humanities and sciences into professional nursing practice.
History
The MSOE School of Nursing carries on a tradition of more than 100 years of excellence in nursing education demonstrated by graduates of the Milwaukee County Medical Complex (MCMC) diploma nursing program. The diploma program was founded in 1888 and was a leader in nursing education in the state for more than 100 years. During the 1980s and 1990s, Milwaukee county economics, politics, and trends associated with nursing education changed dramatically. The Milwaukee County Board mandated closure of the diploma nursing program and the County Hospital in 1995. In 1995, the MSOE Regents purchased the program, and the School of Nursing (SON) at MSOE was started. The program has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) since 1999, and fully approved by the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing. MSOE has always recognized the graduates of the diploma program as alumni. An alumni event is held annually, uniting graduates of both nursing programs.
Clinical Admission Requirements
Admission to the School of Nursing’s clinical courses is guaranteed to any applicant who has been granted admission to MSOE, continues to meet the School of Nursing progression criteria and has completed the following criteria:
- CPR Policy: All students must present evidence of CPR certification by the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers.
- Criminal Background Check: Students are required to complete a Background check, including Wisconsin Caregiver Disclosure, Wisconsin Department of Justice, and Federal Office of Inspector General (OIG) and General Service Administration (GSA) registries. There may be additional agency requirements. Students must not have been convicted of any crime that would substantially relate to the practice of nursing. All positive background checks and background disclosure forms are shared with clinical agencies. Each clinical agency reserves the right to determine if a student’s arrests or convictions are substantially related to the practice of nursing.
- Health Insurance: Students are required to maintain health insurance coverage while enrolled in nursing clinical courses.
- Health Requirements: Students admitted to the nursing program must provide a completed health assessment, from their primary care provider, evidence of required immunizations, annual TB skin tests and annual flu vaccines. For current requirements see MSOE’s Health Services website: http://www.msoe.edu/community/campus-life/student-resources/health-services.
- Urine Drug Screen: MSOE requires students to participate in drug screening as a condition of continued progression, and to comply with clinical agency requirements. A positive drug screen will result in academic dismissal from the nursing program
The School of Nursing reserves the right to deny a student’s admission to a clinical course, or to limit or terminate his or her participation in a clinical course, if the student’s health status poses a significant risk to the health or safety of patients.
School of Nursing Student Handbook
Additional policies and procedures are outlined in the SON Student Handbook. Students are oriented to this document upon admission and annually through graduation. All students are expected to comply with the policies and procedures outlined in the SON Student Handbook.
Curricular Information
The following requirements are in addition to the academic regulations and policies in the MSOE Undergraduate Catalog .
A. Academic progression (Traditional and Accelerated)
1. A grade of “C” or better in Human Anatomy and Physiology (BI 172, BI 273, and BI 274) is the prerequisite to progress into NU 2010 and/or NU 2320.
2. A grade of “C” or better in all NU courses is the prerequisite to progress to the next nursing course.
3. A grade of less than “C” or “W” must be repeated in its entirety (theory and clinical). This will delay progression.
4. Students who have a gap of two or more consecutive quarters between clinical courses must be able to demonstrate achievement of the prior course outcomes, including psychomotor skills.
a. A comprehensive assessment of the student’s knowledge, skills and abilities will determine if the student is able to progress or if a formal remediation/review is required.
b. The remediation/review will be an individualized 1-6 credit independent study. Students who are not successful in this review course must repeat the prior clinical course before moving forward.
c. Students must contact the department chair or program director at least one quarter prior to the start of the next course to plan for this assessment and possible independent study.
5. Final grades in clinical courses are comprised of two parts:
a. A numeric grade based on exams, written work, and assignments related to lab, clinical and simulation activities.
b. A pass/fail grade for clinical performance. The clinical performance is based on faculty evaluation.
6. Students must complete their course of study within six years of enrollment in their first NU clinical course. Any course that does not meet this guideline must be repeated in order to qualify for graduation.
B. School of Nursing Academic Dismissal; the following academic situations will result in dismissal from the nursing program:
1. Earning less than a “C” in three nursing courses (effective Winter Quarter 2013-14, this includes all NU courses).
2. Earning less than a “C” in the same nursing course twice.
Information on Employment
Career opportunities for graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree are numerous and varied. In addition to traditional jobs in clinics, hospitals, public health, home care and community, graduates are strong candidates for opportunities in fields such as medical and pharmaceutical sales, health care consulting, insurance, legal consulting, nursing education and entrepreneurial businesses.
Special Testing Accommodations
Students with special needs should follow up with the SON department chair or MSOE disability services coordinator.
Student Uniform
Students are required to purchase the student uniform and comply with the student dress code for all clinical lab experiences. Ordering information will be made available by the School of Nursing.
Curriculum Description
The following section includes outlines and course descriptions for the model full-time traditional track and the model full-time accelerated second degree track.
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