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SFA Home / Bulletin / College of Sciences and Mathematics

School of Nursing

Glenda C. Walker, D.S.N., R.N., Director

Nursing & Math 104
(936) 468-3604
Fax: (936) 468-1696
gwalker@sfasu.edu
www.fp.sfasu.edu/nursing

Greta Haidinyak, M.Ed., M.S.N., JD., R.N., Assistant Director

Faculty

Professor
Glenda C. Walker, D.S.N., R.N.

Associate Professors
Linda Calvacca, Ph.D., R.N., Patty J. Ellison, Ph.D., R.N., Greta Haidinyak, J.D., R.N.

Assistant Professors
Sara Bishop, Ph. D., R.N.; Cindi McCarley, D.S.N., R.N.; Rose Powell, Ph.D., R.N.

Clinical Instructors
Debbie Arnold, R.N., Erin Bailey, R.N., Wendy Burr, R.N., Robin Connell, R.N., Della Connor, R.N., Deborah Ellisor, R.N., Jeanne Freitag, R.N., Christine Harper, R.N., Janice Hensarling, R.N., Laura Logan, R.N., Regina Low, R.N., David McCann, R.N., Susan McDonald, R.N., Karen Migl, R.N., Mary Pack, R.N., Tammy Robinson, R.N., Joanie Selman, R.N., Sara Whitelaw, R.N.

Areas of Study & Degrees
B.S.N.

Mission Statement for the School of Nursing

Our mission is to provide students a foundation for success as graduate nurses in the evolving world who are ethical, competent, critical thinkers and life-long learners by providing an educational environment that promotes holistic health care in a community dedicated to teaching, research, creativity and service.

Core Values

In the School of Nursing at Stephen F. Austin State University, we will:

Vision

Be a model of nursing education proficiency and excellence whose graduates are ethical and competent practitioners and leaders in the profession.

Terminal Objectives for Graduates of the School of Nursing

Upon graduation from our program, the graduate is expected to:

Student Scholarships

Many scholarships are available to students entering the nursing program at SFA. These scholarships have been established through the generosity of individuals, family members, and organizations that recognize and support the role of education in the advancement of the nursing profession. Further information regarding nursing scholarships may be obtained by contacting the Alumni Office or the University Advancement Office.

Army ROTC also provides two, three and four-year scholarships to nursing students with an opportunity to attend specialized training while still in school. Contact the Department of Military Science for further details.

Student Organization

Student Nurses Association (SNA)

Honor Society

Sigma Theta Tau -
Omicron Eta Chapter - International Nurse’s Honor Society

Admission Requirements

A student requesting admission to the baccalaureate program in nursing must meet the following criteria:

  1. Full Admission
    1. Acceptance to SFA.
    2. Overall GPA of 2.5 in college work including transfer courses.
    3. Science GPA of 2.75 in college work including transfer courses. Courses calculated for science GPA are: BIO 238, 239, CHE 111, NUR 312, and BIO 308 or 309.
    4. Successful completion of the entrance testing. Scores to be submitted with application. Test may be scheduled through SFASU Counseling and Career Services office.
    5. Grades for repeated courses will be averaged
    6. Completion of the following academic courses:
      *BIO 238 & 239           8 hrs.
      *CHE 111       4 hrs.
      PSY 133       3 hrs.
      *HMS 236 or PSY 210       3 hrs.
      *HMS 236L       1 hr.
      ENG 131 & 132       6 hrs.
      SOC 137       3 hrs.
      Prescribed Elective I   see model curriculum outline   3 hrs.
      Prescribed Elective II   see model curriculum outline   3 hrs.
      Prescribed Elective III   see model curriculum outline   6 hrs.
      *BIO 308 or 309       4 hrs.
      SOC 139 or ANT 231       3 hrs.
      *NUR 312       4 hrs.
      *HMS 239 or 339       3 hrs.
      MTH 220       3 hrs.
      CSC 101, 102, 121 or 201       3 hrs.
      *cognates
      Total Prerequisites: 59 or 60 hrs, depending on choice of HMS 236 with lab or PSY 210. Specified cognates must be completed with at least a grade of C for acceptance into the Nursing Program.
    7. Applicant must submit official transcripts from all colleges. This is in addition to the official transcripts given to SFA Admissions office. (The SFA transcript may be unofficial).
  2. Conditional Admission - This category applies to students whose applications show that they fall below the full admission requirements. Each student is reviewed on an individual basis. Conditional admission may be for the following reasons:
    1. A deficiency of one or two prerequisite courses; however, cognates must be completed.
    2. An overall GPA of 2.25 to 2.49
    3. A science GPA of 2.5 to 2.74
    In order to be removed from conditional admission, the student must:
    1. Meet the criteria for full admission status by the beginning of the second semester in the nursing program OR
    2. Petition the Student Affairs Committee for permission to progress in the program.
    Failure to achieve full status within the specified time period will result in dismissal from the program.
    1. Admission Process - Sixty students may be admitted each fall and spring semester based on completion of prerequisites and attainment of admission criteria. Admission is competitive based upon the applicant’s overall and science grade point averages as well as a testing process. The number of students admitted may vary due to BNE requirements of student-to-instructor ratios. To be considered for admission review, the student must be admitted to the university and the completed application packet must consist of the following:
      1. Completed application to the School of Nursing
      2. Complete, official copies of transcripts from all previous college credit and SFA transcript. (SFA may be unofficial).
      3. Copies of accepted petitions or petitions being submitted
      4. Completed Student Checklist which includes a written list of all courses currently being attempted for conditional admission. (If all courses are completed, no further action is needed). The Student Checklist is on the School of Nursing Web site. (www.fp.sfasu.edu/nursing)
      5. Copy of entrance test (NET)
      6. Student essay
    2. Application Deadlines - Applications for admission to the fall class will be accepted from January 15 to February 15 each year. Applications for admission to the spring class will be accepted from September 1 to September 30 each year. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered only if vacancies still exist in the incoming class. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that all application materials are received by the School of Nursing prior to the deadline. Students applying for fall semester must have all prerequisites completed by the end of the spring semester prior to admittance in the fall. Applications are not retained from semester to semester. A full application package must be resubmitted.
    3. Eligibility - Any applicant who is not in good standing at another nursing program and is not eligible to continue or return to that program will not be eligible for admission into the School of Nursing program. Criminal background checks will be conducted on all nursing students upon being accepted into the program. A positive background check shows the student was arrested, charged, and/or convicted of a crime. A positive background check may result in a student’s inability to attend clinical classes until a declaratory order is obtained from the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas (BNE). Resulting time delays could affect student progress. If a student knows of a possible problem, the student should seek a declaratory order from the BNE prior to or concurrent with application to the program.
    4. Students who have completed courses at other institutions may transfer credits under the policies of SFA. Nursing hours will be evaluated individually for transfer. Nursing courses are to be taken in order or concurrently within their block. Any exception will be the decision of the Student Affairs Committee and the director.

Other Expenses

Uniforms, shoes, name pin, stethoscope, lab kit and health insurance are all purchased prior to the first nursing course. A urinalysis for drug screening must be submitted prior to the first nursing course. Other requirements include MMR immunization, HBV immunization, (or serological confirmation of immunity), two doses of varicella vaccine unless first dose was received prior to age 13, serologic confirmation of immunity or written confirmation of varicella disease), annual TB screening and current BLS certification. The BLS Healthcare Provider card MUST be the American Heart Association. Traveling accommodations and expenses to clinical sites are the student’s responsibility.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the School of Nursing allows for individual planning and is based on the mission statement and core values. The curriculum plan includes courses in general education, science and the humanities and a nursing core. The curriculum exposes students to each of the major practice areas of nursing; clinical practice aids in development of skill competencies. The School of Nursing is based on the competencies for new graduates from the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.

The baccalaureate program is accredited by the NLNAC and the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners. Upon successful completion, students may apply to take the State Licensure exam.

Model Curriculum Outline

Total hours for degree = 130 hrs.

*Specified cognates must be completed with at least a grade of C for acceptance into the nursing program.

Comprehensive final must be successfully completed in the senior year.

Prescribed electives:

Courses in Nursing (NUR)

300.

   

 

Issues in Nursing – Four semester hours. Introduction to current issues and trends in nursing with an emphasis on legal, ethical and political aspects. The course will provide information upon which to base life-long learning.

302.

 

Nursing Fundamentals – Eight semester hours, four hours didactic and 12 hours clinical practicum. Basic nursing theory and skills for beginning clinical practicum. Required lab fee.

303.

 

Nursing Theory, Process and Skills – Eight semester credit hours, five hours didactic and 9 hours clinical practicum. Bridge course for previously licensed nurses. Basic nursing theory and skills for beginning clinical program. Required lab fee.

312.

 

Pathophysiology – Four hours didactic. Group study on the effects of the pathological processes and the compensatory mechanisms on normal physiological functioning. Assessment of health status and the rationale for selected therapies. Prerequisites: BIO 238 and BIO 239. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 308 or BIO 309.

316.

 

Health Assessment – Two semester hours, one hour didactic and three hours clinical practicum. Includes learning concepts and performing health assessments for well individuals, including a complete history and physical examination, counseling and retrospective audits. Corequisite: NUR 302. Required lab fee.

317.

 

Individuals in Situational Crisis – Five semester hours, two hours didactic and nine hours clinical practicum. Clinical application of nursing practice with patients experiencing pathological processes and the compensatory mechanisms on normal physiological functioning the assessment of health status and the rationale for selected therapies. Prerequisite: NUR 302. Corequisite: NUR 320. Required lab fee.

320.

 

Individuals in Developmental Crisis – Five semester hours, two hours didactic and nine hours clinical practicum. Clinical application of nursing practice with patients experiencing developmental insufficiency. Prerequisite: NUR 302. Required lab fee.

324.

 

Nursing in Community Systems – Two semester hours, two hours didactic. Introduction to primary nursing care with the community viewed as a social system. Prerequisites: NUR 317 & 320.

325.

 

Nursing Research – Three semester hours, three hours didactic. Introduction to the concepts and process of research in nursing. Emphasis on critiquing published studies and developing plans for using research findings in practice. Prerequisite: MTH 220.

414.

 

Families in Crisis – Five semester hours, two hours didactic and nine hours clinical practicum. Clinical application of nursing practice with both patients and their families when a patient is experiencing either a predictable or unpredictable crisis. Prerequisites: NUR 317, NUR 320, NUR 324. Corequisite: NUR 417. Required lab fee.

415.

 

Leadership in Nursing Systems – Five semester hours, three hours didactic, and six hours clinical practicum. Preparation of baccalaureate educated nurses to assume beginning leadership roles in existing and/or emerging heath delivery systems, focusing on nursing application utilizing management skills, decision-making process and problem-solving. Prerequisites: NUR 325, 414, 417. Required lab fee.

416.

 

Systems Health Promotion – Three semester hours, one hour didactic, and six hours clinical practicum. Practical application of theory in community clinical situations. Prerequisites: NUR 324, 414, 417. Required lab fee.

417.

 

Family Self-Care in Situational Crisis – Five semester hours, two hours didactic, and nine hours clinical practicum. Focuses on the family as a unit with a sick child of any age. Content related to the care and treatment of the child and education for the family member care provider. Prerequisites: NUR 317, 320, 324. Corequisite: NUR 414. Required lab fee.

421.

 

Pharmacology – Two hours didactic. Pharmacotherapeutic aspects of nursing care are introduced. Emphasis is on drug pharmacological actions and responses associated with major drug classifications, patient assessment and education about medications. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

423.

 

Nursing Process Practicum – Six semester hours, three hours didactic, and nine hours clinical practicum. Practical application of the theoretical base and leadership skills. Prerequisite: All required nursing courses. Required lab fee.

425.

 

Advanced Nursing Theory – Process and Skills. Six semester hours.

475.

 

Special Problems – One to six semester hours. Individual study in some area of nursing, guided through individual conference with assigned instructor.

RN Transition Program

The School of Nursing at SFA encourages nurses who have completed their nursing education in either an associate degree or diploma program to obtain the baccalaureate degree in nursing. The RN Transition program was established for the student who has previously passed the NCLEX-RN and has current licensure as a registered nurse and wishes to obtain the baccalaureate degree. The majority of the RN transition program courses will be online.

R.N. Transition Admission Policy

A student requesting admission to the baccalaureate program in nursing must meet the following criteria:

  1. Full Admission
    1. Acceptance to SFA
    2. Overall GPA of 2.5 in college work including transfer courses.
    3. Science GPA of 2.75 in college work including transfer courses.
    4. Completion of the following academic courses: (courses calculated for science GPA are: BIO 238, 239; CHE 111; MICRO 308 or 309)
      *BIO 238 & 239     8 hrs
      *CHE 111   4 hrs
      PSY 133   3 hrs
      *HMS 236 or PSY 210   3 or 4 hrs
      ENG 131 & 132   6 hrs
      SOC 137   3 hrs
      Prescribed Elective I (See curriculum model - Grp I)   3 hrs
      Prescribed Elective II (See curriculum model - Grp II)   3 hrs
      Prescribed Elective III (See curriculum model – Grp III)   6 hrs
      *BIO 308 or 309   4 hrs
      SOC 139 or ANT 231   3 hrs
      *HMS 239 or 339   3 hrs
      MTH 220   3 hrs
      CSC 101, 102, 121, 201   3 hrs
  2. Conditional Admission - This category applies to students whose applications show that they fall below the full admission requirements. Each student is reviewed on an individual basis. Conditional admission may be granted at the discretion of the Student Affairs Committee for one or more of the following reasons:
    1. A deficiency of one or two prerequisite courses.
    2. An overall GPA of 2.25 to 2.49
    3. A science GPA of 2.5 to 2.74 in science prerequisites.
    In order to be removed from conditional admission, the student must:
    1. Meet the criteria for full admission status by the beginning of the second semester in the nursing program or
    2. Petition the Student Affairs Committee for permission to progress in the program.
    Failure to achieve full status within the specified time period will result in dismissal from the program.
    1. Admission Process - Students may be admitted based on completion of prerequisites and attainment of admission criteria. Admission is competitive based upon the applicant’s overall and science grade point averages. To be considered for admission, the completed application packet must consist of the following:
      1. Completed application to the School of Nursing
      2. Complete, official (SFA may be unofficial) copies of transcripts from all previous college credit and SFA transcript (official or unofficial).
      3. Copies of accepted petitions or petitions being submitted
      4. Completed admission checklist which includes a written list of all courses currently being attempted.
    2. Application Deadline - Applications for admission will be accepted from January 15 to February 15 each year. Applications received after this deadline will be considered only if vacancies still exist in the incoming class. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that all application materials are received by the School of Nursing prior to the deadline.

Students who have completed courses at other collegiate institutions may transfer credits under the policies of SFA. A maximum of 66 academic semester hours may be transferred from a junior college. There is no limit to the number of senior college hours that may be transferred; however, 42 hours of which 36 hours are advanced (300-499 level) must be completed in residence at SFA (Advanced Placement credit does not count as hours toward residency).

R.N. Transition Progression Procedure

Nursing 303 is the bridging course for the transition student. The student will receive eight hours of credit for Nursing 303.

The student will complete a six credit hour Nursing 425 course (Advanced Nursing Theory, Process, and Skills). Following successful completion of these two courses (NUR 303 and NUR 425) the students will be given advanced credit for the following nursing courses: 302, 317, 320, 421, 414, 417, and 423. Students in the transition program will complete the following nursing courses: 312, 316, 324, 325, 415, and 416.

Suggested Program of Study

After completion of all prerequisite courses, the suggested program of study is based on the professional portfolio and needs of the student. One example of a course of study is:

Summer I

Summer II

Fall

Spring

The SFA School of Nursing is accredited by both the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) and the National League of Nursing Accreditation Council (NLNAC).

If further information is required please contact:

Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas
P.O. Box 430, Austin, TX 78767-0430
(512) 305-7400

National League of Nursing Accreditation Council
61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006
(800) 669-1656

All School of Nursing information is available online at: www.fp.sfasu.edu/nursing. Specific helpful links are Admission Process and Brochures

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