History

Villanova University first responded to society's need for baccalaureate-prepared nurses in 1932 when it offered a program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education.  This commitment was expanded in 1953 to create a College of Nursing that now offers a generic BSN program, a BSN completion program for registered nurses, an accelerated BSN program for second degree students, an MSN program, a PhD program and a Continuing Education Program.

Baccalaureate nursing education prepares individuals for professional nursing practice in a variety of health-care settings and for continuous personal and educational growth, including entrance into graduate education in nursing. A liberal education is integrated with the ideals, knowledge, and skills of professional nursing practice under the direction of well-qualified faculty.

Misson

The College of Nursing is a tangible expression of Villanova University's mission, tradition, and commitment to human service. As a major school of nursing under Catholic auspices, it carries responsibility for the education of nurses within the framework of Christian beliefs and values and the heritage of the Order of St. Augustine. The academic programs in the College of Nursing are directed to interpretation of nursing as a healing ministry emanated by love and demonstrated through service and the care of others. As a healing art as well as an applied science and practice discipline, nursing as taught at Villanova University, emphasizes the concern for spiritual health as well as that of mind and body. Curricula reflect the integration of these elements and their application in clinical practice and concern for others regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. The College of Nursing educates individuals for service to a diverse society which includes all sectors and strata of the population; as such, graduates are prepared to assume roles in all settings where health care is delivered.

Within this context, nursing draws its worth and spirit from motives based on love of one's fellow men and women who are made in the image and likeness of God. As a social service to the community, nursing responds to the needs of the sick, poor and disabled, and promotes wellness as the pre-eminent goal of nursing care. The practice of nursing within a Christian environment requires that those who nurse recognize and respect the needs of each person and that they teach while they nurse in order to assist their patients and the community to achieve the highest possible level of wellness of body, mind, and spirit.

The College of Nursing, consistent with the mission of Villanova University, assumes responsibility for the education of individuals who will be prepared to provide a vital service to society and who are liberally educated, clinically competent, compassionate and ethically motivated. The college is committed to providing high quality education in the liberal arts and sciences and expert preparation in the knowledge and clinical skills of professional nursing to qualified individuals who must be prepared and empowered to confront the health care demands of a complex and technologically advanced society.

The College views itself as an important locus of education, research and organizational leadership within nursing's professional and educational communities. It views with great seriousness its prominent role with the constellation of collegiate nursing programs under Catholic auspices.

The College awards the baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) and provides basic preparation in nursing to those who are studying for the first professional degree in the field. Such students include high school graduates with no prior college experience, registered nurses who were prepared in hospital or community college programs and wish to attain the baccalaureate, college graduates with degrees in other disciplines who made a later decision to study nursing, and mature adults who are studying for their first college degree.

The Graduate Program awards the master's degree in nursing (MSN) and provides preparation and leadership development in selected areas of advanced nursing practice, development of research skills and knowledge of health policy. In addition, course options prepare individuals for positions as administrators of nursing and health services, case managers, clinical teachers, faculty, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists.  The Graduate Program also awards the Doctor of Philosophy degree in nursing (PhD) to individuals who are prepared as teacher-scholars for academic careers in higher education. 

The Program in Continuing Education is committed to providing short courses, conferences, workshops and symposia for nurses, other health professionals and the public-at-large on topics related to health care. Some of these programs are developed to update the knowledge of practicing nurses while others provide an academic arena for the sharing and critique of papers and ideas relevant to current issues or trends in health care.

Degrees and Programs

The College awards the baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) and provides basic preparation in nursing to those who are studying for the first professional degree in the field.  Such students include high school graduates with no prior college experience, registered nurses who were prepared in hospital or community college programs and who wish to attain the baccalaureate, college graduates with degrees in other disciplines who  made a later decision to study nursing, and mature adults who are studying for their first college degree.

The Graduate Program awards the master's degree (MSN) and provides preparation and leadership development in selected areas of advanced nursing practice, development of research skills and knowledge of health policy.  In addition, course options prepare individuals for positions as administrators of nursing and health services, case managers, clinical teachers, faculty, nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists.  The Graduate Program also awards the doctoral degree in nursing (PhD) to individuals who are prepared as teacher-scholars for academic careers in higher education.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Curriculum (136 credits)

**2000 level or above is recommended

Program Requirements

Entrance physical examination, selected diagnostic tests, as well as designated immunizations, are required of all nursing students.  Additional or repeated health screening tests are required prior to entry into clinical experiences. Students are required to be certified in Basic Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation prior to enrolling in NUR 2107.  Continuing re-certification is the responsibility of the student throughout the remainder of the program.  As a prerequisite to entry into clinical settings, all students are required to have criminal background checks that comply with the Older Adults Protective Services Act and Child Protective Services Law, as well as urine drug screening.

All materials concerning health examinations, diagnostic tests, immunizations, health screening and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation are course requirements for the following courses:  2107, 3113 (Spring Semester Offering) and 4103.  They must be on file in the College of Nursing by the end of the Spring final examination period or prior to the first day of class in the first semester of enrollment.

All junior and senior students are required to participate in a battery of standardized  tests to assess nursing knowledge prior to graduation.  The cost is assumed by the students.  Permission to take the NCLEX Licensure exam may be delayed based upon a student's academic record and performance on the standardized tests.

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Academic Policies and Information

Unless otherwise noted, the College of Nursing follows the general university academic policies and regulations listed in the University section of this Catalog.  It is the responsibility of the student to know and comply with all academic policies and regulations of the University and of the College of Nursing and to abide by the professional standards established by the College.  Such policies may change without prior notice.  Note: if a student withdraws from the College of Nursing and is readmitted at a later date, the requirements in effect at time of readmission will be applied.   Policies and regulations specific to Nursing students include the following:

Academic Advising

Every student entering the College of Nursing is assigned a faculty adviser.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact his/her adviser prior to each registration period and if he/she is experiencing any academic difficulty.  Each student must take responsibility to meet with his/her adviser on an ongoing basis.  Advisers are available during posted office hours or by appointment. If the student experiences difficulty in contacting his/her advisor, there is a Nursing Student Services advisor available to see a student during regular office hours.

Academic Grievance Procedure

If a student has a grievance within a nursing course, he/she is advised to speak with the individual teaching the course.  If the problem is not resolved at this level, it may be taken to the Course Leader, Program Director, and Dean in that order.

Students are expected to abide by the policies and professional standards established by the College of Nursing. The College of Nursing reserves the right to change program requirements without prior notice to reflect advances in the professional field. If a student withdraws from the College of Nursing and is readmitted at a later date, the requirements in effect at the time of readmission will be applied.

1. A grade of "C" or better must be attained in all nursing courses for progress in the nursing major.
    

2. Students must achieve an examination average of 73% or better in all nursing theory courses that are paired with a lab or clinical course or have clinical as a component of the course. The course numbers are: NUR 2104, NUR 2106, NUR 3112, NUR 3116, NUR 4101, NUR 4102, and NUR 4110.
    

3.  Only one nursing course may be repeated in the curriculum prior to dismissal from the program.
    

4. A required course may be repeated once prior to dismissal from the program.
    

5. BSNExpress students who receive less than a “C” in a nursing course may continue to pursue a BSN in the regular generic BSN program.
    

6. Students must complete, in sequence, the required lower division courses, with a Q.P.A. of 2.5 in order to advance to junior level courses.
   
   
7. Students must successfully complete, in sequence, courses in the nursing major as indicated in the curriculum plan.
   
   
8. The College of Nursing reserves the right to place on probation or withdraw any student whose performance is deemed unsatisfactory.
   
   
9. Students whose primary language is not English will be encouraged to bring translation dictionaries to their examinations and  be given untimed tests.
    
10. International students, who are in the BSN program or RN completion program but who are not ex-patriates residing permanently or working in the United States and will not sit for NCLEX but return to their countries, may have the progression policies suspended, on a case by case basis, by action of the Dean of the College of Nursing and upon formal recommendation of the Program Director.
    
    
11. Preparation for Registered Licensing Examination:
1. For the purpose of continuously preparing nursing students in the baccalaureate program leading to initial licensure as registered nurses for the comprehensive licensing examination (NCLEX-RN), standardized tests developed for this purpose will be administered and evaluated as part of the final course grades beginning in the junior year (or its equivalent) at the student's expense.
2. All senior nursing students (or the equivalent) are required to demonstrate successful achievement on a designated predictive NCLEX-RN readiness assessment examination prior to graduation. This examination, in combination with any required remediation, must be successfully completed as a prerequisite to certification by the College as part of the application process for the NCLEX-RN  examination.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

Probation.  A student is placed on academic probation in the College of Nursing when:

• A required course is failed.
• A grade less than C is earned in science or nursing courses.
• The QPA is below 2.0 in any given semester.

Dismissal. Students are usually permitted two semesters of probationary status prior to dismissal from the program.  A dismissal from the College may be appealed in writing.  Detailed instructions for appeal are outlined in the dismissal letter.

In circumstances involving those students who have entered Villanova University through the Academic Advancement Program, satisfactory progress of the student will be determined by the Academic Standing Committee and/or Dean of the College in which the student is matriculated.  In the event that, due to poor high school preparation, additional time is necessary for the student to complete the requirements towards graduation, the student will be viewed as being in a five-year program.  Satisfactory progress will be viewed accordingly.

Students will not be permitted to enroll in closed sections.  Exceptions to this rule will be made only by the Assistant Dean and Program Director of the Undergraduate Program or Assistant Dean for Administration and only when a student must enroll in the specific section in order to complete requirements which are necessary for progression in the program.

A junior or senior with a 3.00 cumulative quality point average wishing to enroll in a graduate course must have the written approval of the Dean of the College of Nursing. 

The College of Nursing, in conjunction with the Office of International Studies, is pleased to offer a variety of opportunities for a Nursing major to study in an overseas university during her/his course of studies.

The College of Nursing has established a year-long study abroad program with the University of Manchester, Manchester, England.  Students in this program spend their entire sophomore year in England.  The courses transfer to Villanova as the sophomore year of the nursing curriculum and students graduate on time with their classmates.

Until the final day for authorized withdrawal from courses, approximately three and a half weeks following mid-term break (for exact date, see the academic calendar @ http://www.villanova.edu/calendar/), students may withdraw from a course without penalty and will receive the grade of “WX”.  After that date, students seeking withdrawals from courses without penalty ("WX") must present to the Dean a written request with valid reasons for the request, such as serious personal or medical problems, and recommendations from the instructor of the course.  The Dean of the College is the final authority for granting or refusing the exception on the basis of the documentation and recommendations submitted.  Students who do not have a justifiable cause to withdraw from a course without academic penalty may still withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Withdrawal from a course may alter a student's degree completion date. 

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All registered nurse students are expected to have the following on file prior to enrollment in Nursing 3000 and 3005:

• Entrance Health Examination and Laboratory Studies.
• Current CPR Certification including resuscitation and choking measures for infant, child, and adult with one person and two-person rescue procedures, and review of an Automated External Defibrillator.
• Current Pennsylvania R.N. License.
• Current Malpractice Insurance Certificate.
• Criminal background checks that comply with the Older Adults Protective Services Act and Child Protective Services Law, as well as urine drug screening.

Transfer of Liberal Education Course Credit

Up to 64 credits in applicable liberal education courses may be transferred from accredited colleges or universities.  A grade of 'C' or better must have been earned, and courses must be evaluated as equivalent to appropriate Villanova courses.

Selected liberal education courses may be challenged through the University's Credit by Examination Program.  RN students may challenge up to 12 credits in liberal education in accord with the policies and procedures of that program.  Information is available from faculty advisers.

Four of the five tests are owned and administered by Excelsior College. Within the immediate area, these tests are offered at 6 different colleges. There are six test sessions each year, scheduled between October and August. Registration materials and study guides are available from Excelsior College (Tel. 518/464-8631; Address: 7 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-5159, www.excelsior.edu).

The four required Excelsior exams are:

• Professional Strategies in Nursing (#426)
• Maternal-Child Nursing, Baccalaureate (#457)
• Adult Nursing (#554)
• Health Restoration, Area II I (#425)

The passing score for the exams is a standard score of 45.  Each exam may be repeated once, if necessary. The exams are NOT required for admission to the College, however.  Scores are valid for 5 years.  Contact the College of Nursing for specifics about Excelsior exams accepted for credit.

The fifth exam is incorporated within the first required nursing course at Villanova (NUR 3000), and is entitled Clinical Validation Exam. It assesses foundational clinical nursing skills, and is designed and implemented by Villanova Nursing faculty. It may be repeated once if necessary, and must be passed to earn 20 additional credits in nursing, and to progress in the program.

NOTE: BSN candidates take NUR 3110; MSN candidates may take NUR 8904 after completing a course in statistics.

NOTE: BSN candidates take NUR 3110; MSN candidates may take NUR 8904 after completing a course in statistics.

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The Health and Wellness Concentration encompasses an understanding of the concepts of healthy living and nutrition and the knowledge of the changing health care system. The knowledge obtained in this concentration can be applied to studies in the areas of social sciences, business and psychology. Requirements for the concentration include NUR 2200, NTR 2120 and NUR 7080. Students then choose one of the following courses to complete the requirement: NUR 4800, NUR 4802, NUR 7040, NUR 7081, NUR 7082, NTR 7120. The concentration requirement is 12 credits and is open to all non-nursing majors. Students must have junior status to take the 7000 level courses.

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