Nursing

College of Science, Math, and Nursing

Faculty

Dr. Laura Monahan, DNP, MBA, RN, Chair

Prof. Nola Addante, MS, RN

Prof. Andrea Anderson, MS, RN

Prof. Denise Boxleitner, MS, RN

Prof. Jacqueline Garland, MS, RN

Prof. Kimberly Hartwig MSN, RN

Prof. Helen Lawhorn, MSN, RN

Prof. Courtney Lewis, MSN, RN

Dr. Kimberly McCullough DNP, RN

The Rockford University Nursing department is approved by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and is accredited by:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

404.975.5000

www.acenursing.org

Mission

The Department of Nursing, as an integral part of Rockford University, holds a mission and philosophy that is consistent with the mission and beliefs of the University. The department’s mission is to prepare registered professional nurses in providing quality nursing care to individuals, families, groups, and communities, within a global society. Graduates will attain the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for professional nursing practice by integrating liberal arts education with professional nursing education.

The goals of the University’s Nursing program are to prepare graduates to:

1. Synthesize knowledge and skills from nursing and a liberal arts education that includes both the sciences and the arts into professional nursing practice.
2. Prepare graduates to practice as baccalaureate generalist nurses to serve as providers of care and be contributing members of the nursing profession to meet the diverse health care needs of a global society.
3. Facilitate the internalization of the values of the discipline of nursing that include altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice.
4. Prepare graduates to be lifelong learners who serve as designers, managers and coordinators of care, and who are members of the profession.

The department offers a four-year track for students interested in becoming registered nurses which leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The strong community-based clinical component of the program provides opportunities for the student to apply knowledge and skills in clinical settings. Successful completion of the degree qualifies students to apply for the professional nurse licensure examination.

The liberal arts education of Rockford University fosters a holistic view of persons, facilitates critical thinking and decision-making, provides opportunities for exchanging ideas, stimulates intellectual growth and creativity, and encourages contributions to the nursing profession and society. The integration of professional and liberal arts education at Rockford University ensures that students gain an appreciation for diversity, develop confidence in their own abilities, and apply their talents within a practice discipline.

The competencies listed below are drawn from the department’s mission and goals and describe what is expected of degree graduates upon completion:

• As a caregiver, collaboratively utilizes the nursing process to effectively provide therapeutic nursing interventions in meeting the health care needs of individuals, families, groups and communities.
• As a communicator, communicates effectively in a goal-directed manner.
• As a critical thinker, consistently demonstrates critical thinking to effectively practice professional nursing.
• As a diagnostician, formulates accurate conclusions about health related conditions and situations amenable to nursing intervention.
• As a leader, uses leadership knowledge and skills in productive relationships with others to create a vision and inspire goal achievement for the profession.
• As a manager, engages in activities to plan, organize, direct, and control the human, material, and financial resources needed to achieve quality nursing care.
• As a teacher, adapts the educational process to empower learners.

Career Opportunities

A career in nursing is challenging and dynamic. Registered nurses with BSN degrees have numerous employment and advanced educational opportunities. Graduates from the Rockford University Nursing program have positions as staff nurses in acute care and community health, become nurse managers and staff developers, and practice occupational, home health, and school nursing. Many enter graduate school to pursue a specialized interest in nursing, such as nurse practitioners or nurse educators.

Special Program Requirements

In addition to completion of the academic program, there are special requirements for students that include CPR certification for health care providers, immunizations, uniforms and equipment, and malpractice insurance. The majority of these items are at students’ expense. Students will be notified in advance of expenses. Students are responsible for renewing CPR certification, annual TB tests, and annual influenza vaccines.

In addition, students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical experiences, and each student must have a car available for clinical experiences.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Additional requirements specific to the Rockford University Nursing program are found in the current Nursing Student Handbook. This is the department’s governing document. Students are advised to become familiar with the rules and regulations which govern admission to and successful progress through the program and consult it regarding questions about the program.

Admission to the Nursing Program

First-year and transfer students at Rockford University enroll in general education courses and prerequisites for the Nursing major. First-year students and transfer students should have successfully completed high school biology, chemistry, four semesters of English and two years of math. They should possess basic computer skills, and have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.75 at time of application to the program.

There are three options for admission into the University’s Nursing program. They are Early Decision for high school seniors, Priority Admission for entering transfer students, or Standard Admission. The requirements for each vary somewhat and are listed below.

Early Decision

An Early Decision option is open to high school seniors, and is a formal understanding between the high school student and Rockford University in which the student may be granted admission to Rockford University and admission into the first nursing course of the BSN program upon successful completion of the admission requirements. Selection is competitive and only a limited number of applicants will be accepted.

Students seeking to apply for the Early Decision option may submit applications during their senior year of high school and must do the following:

• Complete an application to Rockford University and be accepted for admission.
• Submit application to the nursing program prior to January 31 of their senior year.
• Submit proof of ACT composite score of at least 23.
• Submit a statement of interest.
• Submit high school transcript showing completion of the following courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale: biology, English, chemistry and math (two semesters, including algebra).

Priority Admission for Transfer Students

Transfer students who meet the criteria below may be granted Priority Admission to the Rockford University Nursing program. Students seeking enrollment via Priority Admission may apply for admission to the Nursing program in either the spring or fall semester after completion of a minimum of 45 credit hours by the conclusion of the semester preceding entrance to the Nursing program.

To be considered for Priority Admission students must:

1. Complete an application to Rockford University and be accepted for admission.
2. Submit an application to the Nursing program prior to November 1st for entry into the following fall semester or prior to April 1st for entry into the following spring semester.
3. Obtain 78% or better on TEAS entrance exam.
4. Complete a minimum of 45 credits at the conclusion of the semester preceding entrance to the program.
5. Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 at Rockford University or on transferable course work at time of application.
6. Demonstrate completion of the 2 of 3 of the required science support courses (Anatomy & Physiology, Inorganic Chemistry, and Microbiology) prior to application to the program with a minimum collective GPA of 3.25 in those courses.
7. Demonstrate math competence by one of the following means:
   • ACT math component score of 20 or higher within the last 5 years, or
   • Complete either MATH 120 or other college-level Algebra course with a grade of C or better within the last 5 years, or
   • Achieve advanced level (78%) or higher on the nurse entrance exam math subscore, or
   • Achieve a score of 3 or higher on the Rockford University math placement exam

Standard Admission

Students may apply for admission to the nursing program in either the spring or fall semester based on completion of a minimum of 45 credit hours at the conclusion of the semester preceding entrance to the Nursing program.

To be accepted into the Nursing major students must:

1. Complete an application to Rockford University and be accepted for admission.
2. Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 at Rockford University or on transferable course work at time of application.
3. Submit an application to the Nursing program prior to March 1st for entry into the fall semester or prior to October 1st for entry into the spring semester.
4. Complete a minimum of 45 credits at the conclusion of the semester preceding entrance to the program.
5. Demonstrate completion of the 1 of 3 of the required science support courses (Anatomy & Physiology, Inorganic Chemistry, and Microbiology) prior to application to the program with a minimum collective GPA of 2.70 in those courses, or two science courses competed with a GPA of 2.50.
6. Demonstrate math competence by one of the following means:
   • ACT math component score of 20 or higher within the last 5 years, or
   • Complete either MATH 120 or other college-level Algebra course with a grade of C or better within the last 5 years, or
   • Achieve proficiency level or higher on the nurse entrance exam math subscore, or
   • Achieve a score of 3 or higher on the Rockford University math placement exam