NURSING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Pre-nursing - An applicant who meets Georgia College & State University requirements may be admitted to the University for any academic term and be classified as a pre-nursing student. This enables the student to take Core Curriculum courses. Acceptance as a pre-nursing student does not guarantee acceptance into the upper division nursing major. Additional information for pre-nursing students is located at: http://www2.gcsu.edu/acad_affairs/school_healthsci/nursing/admission.html

Nursing Major - Enrollment in the nursing major is limited to the most qualified students as determined by the Admission, Progression, and Recognition Committee of the Nursing Faculty Organization.

Minimum criteria for admission to the upper division nursing major follow:

1. Completion of all Core Curriculum requirements for health science majors
2. Attainment of cumulative and pre-nursing GPAs of at least 2.75
3. Attainment of a grade of C or better in each of the following courses: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2160), Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 2170), Microbiology (BIOL 3180), English Composition (ENGL 1101), and Probability and Statistics (MATH 2600)
4. Successful completion of the Regents' Examination
5. Successful completion of legislative requirements
6. Submission of official SAT or ACT scores to the Admissions Office
7. A Nursing Entrance Test
8. Students who satisfy the basic requirements for admission as described above, may be subjectively evaluated by the faculty to determine potential and commitment to meeting the nursing needs of Georgia families. A personal interview may be requested as part of this review.

Students who have met these minimum criteria must apply to the School of Health Sciences for acceptance into the upper division nursing major. Applicants placed on standby list and not admitted will be required to reapply as new applicants or request to be considered for the next cohort group. Applications for fall admission into the nursing major should be submitted by the second Friday in February. Applications for spring admission into the nursing major should be submitted by the last Friday in July. Deadlines for the RN-BSN option as follows: Enrollment for the RN-BSN program is open, provided that admission criteria has been met prior to the semester the student plans to attend. All potential students are encouraged to communicate with their advisors as admission dates and admission criteria are subject to change.

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TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION TO AND RETENTION IN THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

Nurses have an obligation not only to themselves and the profession but also to the public to provide safe, competent and responsible care. Nursing students shall be in reasonably good health, and any disability should allow the student to administer safe nursing care. The following is a list of examples of essential functions that a student must be capable of performing while in the nursing program at Georgia College & State University. The examples are not intended to be exhaustive.

1. Tactile

   Feel vibrations (feel pulses, etc.)

   Detect temperature (skin, solution, etc)

   Feel differences in surface characteristics (skin turgor, rashes, etc.)

   Feel differences in sizes, shapes (palpate vein, identify body landmarks, organ palpation, etc.)

   Detect environmental temperature (check for drafts, etc.)

2. Smell

   Detect odors from client (foul smelling drainage, alcohol breath, etc.)

   Detect smoke

   Detect gases or noxious smells, etc.

3. Reading and Writing

   Read and understand documents written in English (policies, procedures, protocols, medication labels, etc.)

   Write notes in documents and clinical records, etc.

   Interpret written directions accurately (doctor's orders, written prescriptions with numbers, etc.)

   Read chart information in a timely manner (e.g., in an emergency or crisis)

4. Emotional Stability

   Establish therapeutic boundaries

   Provide client with emotional support

   Adapt to changing environment/stress

   Deal with the unexpected (patient going into crisis, etc.)

   Focus attention on task

   Monitor own emotions appropriately

   Perform multiple responsibilities concurrently

   Handle strong emotions appropriately (grief, anger, etc.)

   Anticipate situations which may compromise safety

   Demonstrate ability and willingness to change behavior when it interferes with productive relationships

   Use safe judgment

5. Communication

   Teach (client/family/groups)

   Explain procedures, etc.

   Give oral reports (report client's condition to others, etc.)

   Interact with others (health care workers, peers, instructors, clients, etc.) in a non- confrontational or therapeutic manner

   Speak on the telephone, etc.

   Direct activities of others

   Convey information clearly through writing (charting, etc.)

   Obtain and document information accurately by computer

6. Hearing

   Hear conversational tone communication, monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, cries for help, blood pressures, etc.

7. Visual

   Observe client responses at a distance and close at hand

   Visualize appearance of surgical wounds

   Observe monitors, IV drips, etc.

   Visualize well enough to perform skills safely (e.g., IV, NG tube insertion, etc.)

8. Mobility

   Ability to safely guard and protect the client

   Possess agility to move quickly to insure client safety

   Ability to safely bend, lift, and twist to assist the client in moving from one surface to another

   Ability to maneuver in small spaces

9. Fine Motor Skills

   Possess manual dexterity to safely grasp and manipulate small objects

10. Professional Conduct

    Ability to reason morally

    Ability to interact productively, cooperatively, and in a collegial manner with individuals of differing and backgrounds

    Ability to engage in teamwork and team building

    Ability to be punctual and perform work in timely manner

    Possess compassion, empathy, responsibility, altruism, integrity, and tolerance

    Ability to learn and abide by professional and ethical standards of practice

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Students who are accepted into the professional nursing program must submit evidence of health status, health insurance, immunizations, TB screening, professional liability insurance, RN or other professional license if applicable, current American Heart Association Health Care Provider certification (CPR), ability to meet technical standards, documents as specified by clinical agencies which include but are not limited to: urine drug screen, titers to determine immunity to certain illnesses, and other laboratory tests specified by the agency. In addition, a Level I HCA background check is a requirement for most clinical settings. Inability to be cleared may result in failure to complete the program. Any student who is licensed by the State of Georgia must submit evidence of current licensure annually including those who are Registered Nurses.

ADDITIONAL FEES FOR NURSING STUDENTS

Nursing students should expect the following additional fees: HESI testing, uniforms, watch with sweep-second hand, physical assessment equipment, official GCSU picture identification, malpractice insurance, health insurance , criminal background screens, clinical travel expenses and laboratory fees (for additional health screening such as urine drug screens, titers, etc. as well as academic laboratory and testing fees). Estimated costs of additional fees for the professional nursing program are approximately $1000.00 excluding health insurance premiums. In addition, nursing textbooks tend to be more costly than books for core courses, but are often used in several courses.

The large number of health care agencies in the region makes it possible for the School of Health Sciences to offer a variety of clinical learning opportunities; however, students can anticipate driving up to 70 miles for clinical learning on occasion. Travel expenses are the responsibility of the student.