ASN-Nursing (PT Bridge Program)


Associate of Science in Nursing

Introduction

Registered nursing is a caring profession whose members provide patient- centered care across the life span to individuals, families, and the global community. Nursing is a scientific discipline using clinical judgment, substantiated by evidence, and integrating safe, quality care and health promotion. 

Nurses use interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork to promote effective communication and shared decision making. They use information and technology to communicate, access resources, promote patient safety and provide continuous quality improvement. 

Professional nurses adhere to the established standards of practice and are accountable within the legal and ethical framework of the profession. Inherent in this is the belief that education is a continuous life-long process necessary to integrate the best current evidence for clinical practice. In keeping with the core values of Mercyhurst University, nurses are ambassadors of service demonstrating the values of social mercy, global responsibility, intellectual creativity, and reflective awareness. 

Learners in the nursing program are self-directed and build on prior knowledge and life experiences. Learning is facilitated by various teaching strategies which consider individual learning preferences. The faculty encourage and support the spirit of inquiry to challenge the status quo and question underlying assumptions. 

Licensure

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a professional registered nurse. Graduates will be prepared to work in various health care settings such as acute care hospitals, long term care centers, ambulatory clinics, and home health care. 

The State Board of Nursing will not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,” or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance unless: 1) at least ten (10) years have lapsed from the date of conviction; 2) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that there has been significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction; and 3) the applicant satisfies all qualifications in or authorized by the Professional Nursing Law. 

In addition, when a graduate applies for licensure, he/she will be asked to declare convictions of any felony or misdemeanor and/or any current criminal charges pending and unresolved in any court. Conviction includes judgment, found guilty by a judge or jury, pleaded guilty or nolo contendere, received probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial, or ARD. 

Admissions Requirements

The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and consists of a minimum of 68 credits. Requirements for admission includes a high school diploma with a preferred GPA of 2.5 or better. An assessment test to evaluate basic academic skills and the potential for success in the program will be administered by the university. Applicants must also obtain a Criminal Record Report and Child Abuse Clearance Report after final acceptance into the Nursing Program. Applicants with concerns in these areas should call the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing or the nursing program director. 

Applicants with a GED who have taken at least two of the three following courses: Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra, and who have earned a C or better in these courses are encouraged to apply. Preference is given to applicants with an SAT score of at least 900. SAT’s are required for those applicants who graduated from high school within the last 3 years. An assessment test to evaluate basic academic skills and the potential for success in the program will be administered by the university. The results of this test are used to assist with admission decisions. Letters of recommendation may be required. 

The applicant will be required to take any prerequisites that are needed based on the results of these tests. A physical exam including immunization records, specific blood titers, TB testing, and criminal and child abuse history report are required before the first clinical nursing course. Physical and emotional health is necessary to fulfill the objectives of the program. Professional CPR certification is required before the beginning of Nursing 150. The nursing curriculum is designed for full-time or part-time enrollment. Courses are taken in sequence as displayed in the course requirements listed below.

Accreditation

Our program is approved by the PA State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing which may be contacted for information at:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3343 Peach Tree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326 or (404) 975-5000

Transfer Students

Mercyhurst North East reserves the right to limit the number admissions spots open to transfer applicants. Also, admissions preference will be given to students who have already completed Mercyhurst University credits. Furthermore, transfer credits will only be considered for the following classes:

BIO240/241 Human Anatomy and Physiology I & Lab

BIO250/251 Human Anatomy and Physiology II & Lab

BIO254 Foundations of Pathophysiology

ENG120 Research and Writing

MATH109 Statistics

RLST100 Religious Studies Course

SOC101 Sociology (100 level or greater)

SOC108 Human Growth and Development

***Transfer credit for Human Anatomy and Physiology will only be awarded if both A&P I w/lab and A&P II w/lab have been completed within the last five years with grades of C or better for all eight credits.

In all cases, if the transfer course has not been previously approved by MNE it is the student’s responsibility to provide admissions with an official transcript and course description in order to be awarded transfer credit for any course. Transcripts and course descriptions must be received no later than 4 weeks prior to the start of the program for previous coursework to be considered for transfer credit. Final transfer evaluations will not be completed until final official transcripts are received.

Program Outcomes

  • Patient Centered Care-Advocate for the patient and/or designee as the principle source of control to determine the direction of her/his care and to manage her/his care in collaboration with the health care team.
  • Safety-Use system, individual resources and clinical judgement to implement and promote safe practice prepare and minimize risk to the patient, family, and health care team.
  • Evidence Based Practice-Quality Improvements-Integrate best current evidence to provide safe, quality nursing care and promote optimal patient outcomes.
  • Informatics - Use information and technology to communicate, access resources, support decision making and prevent errors.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration - Collaborate with the patient and or designee and members of the health care team to foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making to achieve quality care.
  • Professional Identity - Adheres to standards of professional practice as a patient advocate, is accountable for her/his actions and behaviors, and practices nursing within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks.
Program Requirements:

Clinical rotations in the four nursing courses include both weekend and evening hours. A minimum of 80% in the theory component and a mark of “PA” in the clinical lab component must be earned at the level of NURS 130, 135, and 140. A minimum of 83% is required in all nursing courses at and beyond the level of NURS 150/151. If a student is readmitted to a nursing course, both the clinical and theory portions must be repeated. Readmission policy is included in the Nursing program’s student handbook which is made available to the students at orientation. Nothing less than a C may be earned in liberal arts courses which are part of the nursing curriculum. Students must earn at least a C in all science courses.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical sites to which they are assigned. Participation in standardized testing and simulated nursing laboratory experiences are required of each nursing student periodically throughout the program. Test dates and simulation experiences will be announced at the beginning of each term within which they occur and may not always coincide with scheduled classes.

Non-participation in standardized testing or simulated nursing laboratory experiences will result in an incomplete for the specific nursing course.

Students in associate degree health science programs participating in selective admission processes may be waived from the BIO 240/241 prerequisites due to accreditation requirements. 

LPN to ASN Articulation Agreement

After completing NURS 209, graduates of state approved and accredited PN programs will be granted an additional 7 credits in Nursing for taking the equivalent of Nursing I, II, and III based on the following criteria.

Applicants to the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree program at Mercyhurst North East must meet the requirements of the university as well as the ASN program for admission. Competency testing may be required to assist in placement. In addition, a Practical Nursing License in good standing is required before entering Nursing 209/210.  Licensed Practical Nurse graduates may enter the ASN program in the fall or spring semester. Students must have passed the NCLEX-PN licensure examination and be licensed as an LPN and have worked as an LPN for 6 months. Verification must be submitted to the administrators of the ASN Degree program.

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Course Descriptions