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Program Codes:
ASANURSB
Associate of Science in Nursing
Program Philosophy
The faculty of the Associate of Science in Nursing program believe nursing is a caring profession whose members provide patient-centered care across the life span to individuals, families, and the global community. We believe nursing is a scientific discipline using clinical judgement, substantiated by evidence, and integrating safe, quality care and health promotion.
As part of our professional identity, we value interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork to promote effective communication and shared decision making. We believe nurses 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, we believe nurses are ambassadors of service demonstrating the values of social mercy, global responsibility, intellectual creativity, and reflective awareness.
We believe learners are self-directed and build upon prior knowledge and life experiences. Learning is facilitated by various teaching strategies which consider individual learning preferences. The faculty encourages and supports the spirit in 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 shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act as identified in the Nurse Practice Act No. 1985-109. In addition, when a graduate applies for licensure, they 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.?See complete policy in the Department of Nursing student policy manual.
Admissions Requirements
The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and consists of a minimum of 68 credits. Requirements for admission include a high school diploma or G.E.D. with a GPA of 2.5 or better. Applicants must have completed course work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units. These units must include 4 units of English, 3 units of Social Studies, 2 units of Mathematics (1 of which is algebra), and 2 units of Science (including a laboratory or the equivalent).
An assessment test to evaluate basic academic skills and the potential for success in the program will be administered by the university. Acceptance into the associate degree nursing program is conditional until receipt and review of required physical examination records, drug testing, federal, state, and child abuse clearances.
The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and consists of a minimum of 68 credits. Requirements for admission include a high school diploma or G.E.D. with a preferred GPA of 2.5 or better. Applicants must have completed course work equal to a standard high school course with a minimum of 16 units. These units must include 4 units of English, 3 units of Social Studies, 2 units of Mathematics (1 of which is algebra), and 2 units of Science (including a laboratory or the equivalent).
Accreditation
The ASN program is approved by the PA State Board of Nursing and pre-accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 800-669-1656. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.
The Mercyhurst University ASN program is pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2500.
Safety: Implement and promote safe practice through use of system and individual resources to minimize risk to the client, family, and healthcare team.
Patient Centered Care: Advocate for compassionate care and engage the client as an empowered healthcare partner. Implement holistic client centered care that reflects an understanding of human growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical management, and nursing management, across the health-illness continuum, across the lifespan, and in all healthcare settings.
Informatics: Use information and technology to communicate, access resources, support decision making and prevent error.
EBP: Integrate best current evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to promote optimal patient outcomes.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Collaborate with the health care team to foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making to achieve quality care.
Quality Improvement: Use meaningful data to achieve quality nursing care and promote quality and safety in a healthcare environment.
LPN to ASN Articulation Agreement
After completing NURS 190 and 191, graduates of state approved and accredited PN programs will be granted an additional 9 credits in Nursing for taking the equivalent of NURS 120, NURS 160, and NURS 161 based on the following criteria:
Applicants to the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree program at Mercyhurst University 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 190/191.
All pre-licensure undergraduate nursing students must earn a minimum of a 3.0 (B) or above in each nursing or clinical nursing course.
All pre-licensure undergraduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to progress in the nursing program.
Students who fail to meet any of the academic progression standards will be placed on a departmental probation.
Students must obtain a grade of "C" or above in the following courses:
Students must obtain a grade of "B" or above in the following courses:
This nursing course focuses on the application of evidence-based practices in the development of clinical judgement for clients with acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan including
palliative care. Variations of expected findings based on influences such as age, social condition, and culture are explored with a concentration on the following: integumentary, musculoskeletal, neuorological, and respiratory.
This clinical lab course focuses on the implementation of evidence-based practices in the development of clinical judgment for clients with acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan.
Students will collaborate with the health care team to provide safe and effective client-centered care in an acute care setting and simulated lab experiences.
This nursing course focuses on the concept of family-centered care and the specialized healthcare needs of the childbearing family. In this course, students will be introduced to focused perinatal and newborn assessments and nursing interventions. Emphasis will be placed on adaptation to the needs of the childbearing family with sensitivity to the cultural and ethical needs
of diverse populations.
This clinical lab course will taike place primarily in women's health, pediatric and simulation lab. Students may have the opportunity to rotate through labor and delivery, antepartem, postpartem, postpartem, newborn nursery, NICU, gynecology and pediatric acute care units.
This nursing course assists students to develop their skills in client education, case management, psychosocial assessment and therapeutic communication. Students will explore the mental
wellness-illness continuum and the most current evidence-based treatments for psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on individualized, client-centered care and
understanding the unique contributions sociocultural factors play in a client's mental health.
NURS 200, 201
NURS 207
This clinical lab course will take place in a variety of psychiatric/mental health settings which may include inpatient, outpatient and community mental health centers. Students will have the opportunity to apply therapeutic communication, case management, psychosocial assessment and group process techniques across these settings.
This nursing course focuses on the application of evidence-based practices in the development of clinical judgment for clients with acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Variations
of expected findings based on influences such as age, social condition, and culture are explored with a concentration on the following body systems: endocrine, gastrointestinal,
genitourinary, hematological, and immune.
This clinical course focuses on the implementation of evidence-based practices in the development of clinical judgment for clients with acute and chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Students will collaborate with the health care team to provide safe and effective client-centered care to persons in an acute care setting.
This course provides the student with NCLEX-RN preparation through content mastery and test-taking strategies. Students will evaluate their individual learning needs in collaboration with nursing faculty.
NURS 120, 160/161 OR NURS 190/191; NURS 200/201, 250/251, 270, BIO 250/251
This nursing course emphasizes refining clinical judgment in the safe care of critically ill patients with multi system involvement in order to facilitate the transition from nursing student to novice professional nurse. Variations of expected findings based on influences such as age, social condition, and culture are explored with a concentration on the following: cardiovascular, advanced respiratory, trauma, and disaster.
NURS 200/201, 250/251; BIO 250/251
NURS 271 OR NURS 280/281
This clinical course will enhance clinical judgment in lab, clinical experiences, and in a capstone experience with a registered nurse mentor.
NURS 200/201, 250/251; BIO 250/251
NURS 270
