Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN BSN)

A minimum grade of C is required in all science and general education courses included in the curriculum for nursing.  

Students who do not meet eligibility requirements to be accepted into the nursing courses will need to complete the following requirements prior to acceptance into the RN-BSN Completion Program:

• Completion of validation testing will be required of all associate degree or diploma graduates who graduated from non-National League for Nursing (NLNAC) accredited schools outside the state of Georgia, who graduated more than four years ago, and who have less than 1,000 clinical practice hours. Successful completion of the four subsets of the National League for Nursing (NLNAC-ACE II) competencies is required to validate current knowledge in the areas of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Adult Health, and Psychiatric Nursing.
• Clinical competencies will be validated through psychomotor skills evaluation by BSN faculty. A list of selected skills and evaluation criteria will be provided to students prior to examination. Evaluation of psychomotor skills will occur prior to acceptance into the RN-BSN Completion Program.
• Upon successful completion of examination and skills requirements and admission into the RN-BSN Completion Program, students will then follow the Progression, Dismissal, and Readmission standards applicable to all nursing students.

Applicants who graduated from a U.S. high school must meet the admission criteria for regular students. Applicants who graduated from a non-U.S. high school must meet the admission criteria for international students but will not be required to provide the financial documentation. All non-U.S. citizens are required to provide documentation of their immigration status to be considered for in-state tuition. Applicants whose first language is not English and whose language of instruction was not English throughout secondary school must meet the English proficiency requirement by submitting the results of the SAT I with a minimum verbal score of 430 (12 ACT) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 523 (paper-based), 193 (computer-based), or 70 (internet-based). The TOEFL will be at the expense of the student and is a condition for program admission.

The CGFNS International Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) report will be used to analyze the credentials of multiple levels of nursing professionals who are educated outside of the United States and who wish to pursue licensure or academic admission in the United States. The CES report will be at the expense of the student and is a condition for program admission.

Performance Standards for Admission to and Retention in the Associate of Science in Nursing and RN-BSN Degree Programs

A candidate for the Associate of Science in Nursing and RN-BSN degree programs must have abilities and skills of four varieties: observation, communication, motor, and behavioral.  Reasonable accommodations may be made on an individual basis as directed by the Disabilities Coordinator; however, a candidate is expected to perform in an independent manner.  Please read the performance standards for admission and progression in the nursing program.  Sign one copy and return to the SGSC School of Nursing.  If you have concerns or needs, please comment in the provided space.

Motor Skills

Candidates should have sufficient motor function so that they are able to execute movements required to provide general care and treatment to clients in all health care settings.  (For example: For the safety and protection of the clients, the candidate must be able to administer intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and oral medications; apply pressure to stop bleeding; open obstructed airway; and provide patient/client daily hygiene care; perform basic life support, including CPR, and function in an emergency situation.  The candidate must have the ability to safely assist a client in moving, for example, from a chair to a bed, or from a wheelchair to a commode.)

Sensory/Observation

A candidate must be able to acquire the information presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and nursing sciences.  He or she must be able to observe a client accurately, at a distance and close at hand, and observe and appreciate non-verbal communications when performing nursing assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation.  The candidate must be capable of perceiving the signs of disease and infection as manifested through physical examination.  Such information is derived from images of the body surfaces, palpable changes in various organs and tissues, and auditory information (client voice, heart tones, bowel and lung sounds).

Communication

The candidate must communicate effectively and sensitively with other students, faculty, staff, clients, family, and other professionals.  He or she must express his or her ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback.  A candidate must be able to: convey or exchange information at a level allowing development of a health history; identify problems presented; explain alternative solutions; and provide education.  The candidate must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.  The candidate must be able to process and communicate information on the client’s status with accuracy in a timely manner to members of the health care team.  The appropriate communication may also rely on the candidate’s ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervision and consultation in a timely manner.

Cognitive

A candidate must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize in the context of undergraduate nursing study.  The candidate must be able to quickly read and comprehend extensive written material.  He or she must also be able to evaluate and apply information and engage in critical thinking in the classroom and clinical setting.

Behavioral/Emotional

A candidate must possess the emotional health required for the full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of clients and families.  In addition, s/he must be able to maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with clients, students, family, staff and other professionals under all circumstances including highly stressful situations.  The candidate must have the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in unpredictable ways. The candidate must be able to experience empathy for the situations and circumstances of others and effectively communicate that empathy.  The candidate must know that his or her values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences affect his or her perceptions and relationships with others.  The candidate must be able and willing to examine and change his or her behavior when it interferes with productive individual or team relationships.  The candidate must possess skills and experience necessary for effective and harmonious relationships in diverse academic and working environments.

Professional Conduct

Candidates must possess the ability to reason morally and practice nursing in an ethical manner.  Candidates must be willing to learn and abide by professional standards of practice and of the South Georgia State College’s School of Nursing policies.  S/he must possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility and tolerance.  Candidates must be able to engage in client care delivery in all settings and be able to deliver care to all client populations including but not limited to children, adolescents, adults, developmentally disabled persons, medically compromised clients, and vulnerable adults.

Students in nursing obtain clinical experience in the campus skills laboratory and selected community clinical facilities. The student must assume responsibility for travel to clinical agencies. Students will provide care to assigned clients regardless of diagnosis, age, sex, race, creed, or ethnic origin. Major clinical facilities utilized by South Georgia State College require a background check and a drug screening prior to attending clinical. Based on the results of these screenings, the agencies may choose to disallow a student to attend clinical at these sites. To complete the nursing curriculum, students must be able to attend clinical at these sites. Failure to do so would result in the inability of the student to complete the program of study. Students must meet the facilities’ requirements related to the PSI Background Check and Urine Drug Screen.

RN-BSN Students must successfully complete all courses required in the degree program. They must attain 122 semester credits for the RN-BSN program, achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) required for graduation, earn a GPA of 2.5 or higher in major courses, with no grade lower than a C, complete at least 30 program credits in residency at the school, and meet all other school graduation policies.

RN-BSN students are required to complete the program within 24 months of entrance into the RN-BSN program.