Nursing, Bachelor of Science
Department Chair:
Patricia Grust
Faculty: Patricia Grust; Jodi Krzyston; Theresa Turick-Gibson; Kathleen Ash; Melody Best; Lisa Depperman; Alicia Jones; Margaret Kiss; Lorena Marra; Patricia Manocchi; Kim Smith; Tabitha Turner; Lisa Wehner
Staff: Geneen Bolton; Jamie Dalton; Erica Holoquist; John Janitz Jr.; Donna Moore; Vanessa Sheldon; Greta Wood
Major
Nursing
About
Preparation for a career in nursing requires more than the specialized scientific knowledge necessary for licensure. Nursing is an applied human science; therefore, in order to promote, maintain, or restore health a nurse must be able to apply critical thinking to a broad range of health concerns. The nurse must understand how individuals, families, communities, and/or populations experience health or health concerns and the myriad of conditions giving rise to health and health risk. Completion of Hartwick’s baccalaureate nursing program, as part of a broader liberal arts and sciences education, enables the graduate to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to make a difference in the lives of others and the health care system.
Unlike most other baccalaureate nursing programs, Hartwick’s professional nursing curriculum begins in the first year with a solid foundation in the biological, natural, social, and behavioral sciences. Electives in the humanities and social sciences, required throughout the academic program, complement the scientific and technical competencies required to apply a humanistic approach to professional practice. The professional component of the program, woven throughout the curriculum, helps students to gain essential knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to meet the increasingly complex and diverse needs of patients in today’s healthcare environments. Study and experiential opportunities foster the student’s ability to communicate effectively, intervene therapeutically, critically think and clinically reason, and act as a responsible member of society and the profession. Clinical practice centers on health promotion, risk reduction, and illness and disease management across the life span and continuum of care. In the senior year, the focus is on transitioning into the professional practice role with an emphasis on the development of systems thinking and skill in the management and coordination of care, clinical leadership, and the translation of evidence into practice.
Courses in the freshman and sophomore years are sequential and are focused on the role of the nurse as a medical-surgical generalist. Courses in the junior and senior year focus on nursing care of special populations; course work at the junior level must be completed prior to entry in the senior year. Many courses within the major are prerequisites to other courses; this means the prerequisite course must be successfully completed in order for the student to enter subsequent courses in the curricular sequence.
Because of the relationship between safe professional nursing practice and academic performance, nursing majors must meet departmental progression policies, academic standards within the College, and standards for professional accountability and ethical behavior. Nursing majors must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses required for the major to progress within the major. First year students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better to progress in the major; at the completion of the first 200 level clinical course (NURS 234) and beyond, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better to progress in the major.
Nursing is an applied science; as such, students must demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and competency in the application of theory to the skillful practice of nursing. Nursing majors must successfully complete both the theoretical, laboratory, and clinical portion of each nursing course in order to receive credit for the course.
Upon successful completion of Hartwick’s major in nursing, students receive a B.S. degree and are qualified to take the NCLEX-RN examination for licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN). The baccalaureate degree in nursing program at Hartwick College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing at Hartwick College are registered by the New York State Education Department.
Educational Mobility for Registered Nurses: RN to BS
Nurses who have graduated with a minimum GPA of 2.50 from an accredited U.S. institution with an associate’s degree in nursing and who possess a license as a Registered Nurse (RN) may be accepted with advanced standing as candidates for a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing (this includes up to 34 nursing credits and 10 science credits). Credit for courses completed with a grade of “C” or higher, from other accredited colleges that are similar to those offered at Hartwick is usually granted. A maximum number of 90 transferable credits are accepted towards completion of the baccalaureate degree. A minimum of 30 credits must be taken at Hartwick.
Advanced standing course credit cannot be applied toward these 30 credits. Credits taken at another college for transfer to Hartwick must be approved in order for the credits to be accepted. This is done to protect the integrity of the student’s program and the Hartwick degree. The transcripts and professional background of nurses who have graduated from a diploma school of nursing or from an institution in another country, and who possess a license as an RN, will be reviewed individually by Nursing’s Academic Standing Committee. All external transfer students are required to furnish two letters of recommendation from faculty within their major.
One form of the mobility program, the Partnership for Nursing Opportunities Program (PNOP) is designed to provide education to Registered Professional Nurses (RNs) employed by Bassett Healthcare Network. Typically, participants in this program work three days per week for Bassett Healthcare Network and take classes two days per week on Hartwick’s campus. The PNOP allows qualified RNs to achieve a baccalaureate degree in two calendar years, presuming all prerequisites are met on admission to the program. Support from Bassett Healthcare Network enables eligible students to attend tuition-free. Students enrolled in this program are asked to commit to one year of additional employment at Bassett Healthcare for every year they are supported in the program.
Accelerated Summer Program (ASP)
The ASP is designed for those internal and external transfer students who have completed prerequisite course work usually completed during the first two years of the nursing curriculum. Those students completing required pre-requisite course work are eligible for the ASP Program. Successful completion of three (3) required summer courses permits students to enter the nursing program in the fall at the junior level. Because of the rigor of this program, students must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Those who have completed the nursing prerequisites with a grade of B- or better are encouraged to apply. All transfer students are required to furnish two letters of recommendation from faculty within their major.
Accelerated Baccalaureate in Nursing Program: Rural Nursing Opportunities Program (RNOP/18 Month Program)
The Accelerated Baccalaureate in Nursing Program is an intensive 18-month educational program designed for adult students who have completed all of the nursing prerequisites as well as the general education requirements necessary for completion of a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing at Hartwick College. Students with baccalaureate degrees in other disciplines, or those with significant college credits and a calculated cumulative GPA >/= 3.0 may apply; additionally, those who have completed the nursing prerequisites with a grade of B- or better are strongly encouraged to apply. Classes and clinical/laboratory practicum experiences are held on either weekdays and/or on weekends; exceptions are made, as necessary, for agencies or experiences that only operate Monday through Friday during the day time. Classes for this program begin in late May or early June. The total number of credits required for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing is 120 credits. Upon review, transfer work may be determined to be equivalent. All applicants are required to furnish two letters of recommendation.
Requirements for the Nursing Major:
Students must hold current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association or The American Red Cross.
Professional Liability Insurance Policy (available through the college for pre-licensure students).
Health Requirements: each student must complete and submit:
- a pre-entrance physical examination and subsequent annual physical examination;
- completed immunization records including documentation of the annual influenza vaccine;
- specific requirements for the nursing major, e.g., annual Mantoux test for Tb.
*The required forms can be found on the Hartwick website: https://www.hartwick.edu/campus-life/health-wellness/health-center/health-forms/
*** Health requirements submission deadline is guided by the clinical agencies and Perrella Health Center and is firm at July 15 ***
Health requirements are subject to change at the request of the New York State Department of Health and/or our clinical affiliates; students will be expected to comply with those changes. The Department of Nursing is under no obligation to make special accommodations for those students who cannot comply with the health requirements.
Licensed RNs who are students must submit a copy of their NY State Nurses License, their professional liability policy, and current CPR card.
A Criminal Background Check will be required prior to the first nursing course, and annually thereafter. Completion of screening will coincide with annual health and immunization forms, CPR, and other required documentation which is to be submitted prior to the onset of the new academic year. The student is responsible for all costs associated with these requirements.
Findings from such inquiries may preclude the student from practicing in the clinical facility; in such cases, the Department and the College are not responsible for providing the student with an alternate learning experience. Students with previous criminal records must disclose this information at the time of consideration for licensure and should be aware that this may preclude them from being granted a license to practice. Should the student have any questions related to their future eligibility they should consult with the New York State Department of Education, Office of Professions.
Applicants should be aware that some states, such as New York, may restrict or deny professional licensure for people with felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, or actions taken against them by a professional organization. Students in these circumstances would benefit from consulting with their state's licensing board before starting the program.
Drug testing and criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, may be required by clinical facilities. Findings from such inquiries may preclude the student from practicing in the clinical facility; in such cases, the Department and the College are not responsible for providing the student with an alternate learning experience. Students with previous criminal records must disclose this information at the time of consideration for licensure and should be aware that this may preclude them from being granted a license to practice. Should the student have any questions related to their future eligibility they should consult with the New York State Department of Education, Office of Professions.
Transportation
**Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to a clinical site/experience. In cases where the College provides van service, transportation fees may apply.**
Uniforms and Supplies
Identification badges are ordered in the student’s first year in the nursing program. As well, students are required to purchase scrubs, a clinical kit (available in the campus book store), as well as a non-digital watch with second hand, books, and electronic subscriptions. Each nursing student will be billed for professional liability insurance, ATI Complete Partnership learning modules, and a lab fee of $50 for each of the 10 clinical courses in the program.
Disclaimer
While the College and the Department recognize and respect the cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs and practices of others, nurses and, by extension, nursing students are required by the ANA’s Code of Conduct (American Nurses Association, 2015) to provide care to diverse persons and groups. Students will not be excused from participating in the care of any persons and/or groups with diverse needs if it is a required element of the program.