NURSING PROGRAMS    

The Department of Nursing offers programs in Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing.  Students may apply to the program level of their choice and progression through the levels is strongly supported by the curriculum, faculty and staff.  It is a balanced curriculum including general education and nursing courses which must be completed in sequence.  The Nursing Program prepares the students to sit for the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN licensure exams.

The Nursing Program offers three (3) tracks for the admission of students.  The Practical Nursing Program is a three (3) semester program.  The students who have no background in nursing may be admitted to the two-year generic ADN track.  Five (5) semesters are required to complete the generic track.  Lastly, students who have completed an approved PN program and hold a PN license may be admitted to the career mobility track.  Students are admitted to the ADN Generic Track and PN Track during Fall and Spring semesters only.  Students are admitted to the Career Mobility Track during Summer Term only. 

Nursing applicants are encouraged to complete as many of the academic requirements (non-nursing courses) as scheduling will permit prior to admission to the Nursing Program.

PRACTICAL NURSING (PN)

Certificate

The Practical Nursing Program curriculum educates individuals to promote and maintain health, prevent illness and injury, and provide care utilizing standard procedures and the nursing process.  The curriculum addresses medication and treatments under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed physician, or licensed dentist.

Practical Nursing students may select either the day or evening program in Fall or Spring semesters.  The program can be completed in three semesters.   Students must progress through the curriculum in the prescribed sequence and allotted time period. 

In the Nursing Program, there may be policies and procedures that are different from or take precedence over general policies listed for other programs.  Students must refer to the Nursing Student Handbook for specific policies governing the Nursing Program.

The Nursing student shall comply with legal, moral and behavioral standards and laws established by the Department of Nursing and the Alabama Board of Nursing, as well as the College.  Failure to comply with these standards and laws may result in dismissal from the program and/or denial to take the National Council Licensure Examination given by the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Accreditation/Memberships/Approval

The Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing, P. O. Box 303900, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-3900, (334) 242-4060, and  is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, (212) 363-5555.

Admission Requirements

Entering students must complete the Alabama College System Nursing Program Application for Bishop State Community College located in the Nursing Office, Suite 210 on the Baker-Gaines Central Campus.  Completed applications must be submitted to the Nursing Office, Suite 210 by the specified deadline date.

Special Program Requirements

Students accepted into the Practical Nursing Program will have additional expenses for uniforms, testing, equipment, transportation to clinical sites, complete physical assessment and liability insurance, CPR certification, criminal background checks, drug screens and licensure fees.

HIV/HBV

As a member of the health care team, students are at risk of exposure to blood, body fluid, or needle sticks; these exposures are at the highest risk of infection to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).  To date, no vaccine is available to prevent AIDS and no antiviral drugs are available to cure AIDS.

A Hepatitis B vaccine is available that is safe and effective in the prevention of HBV infection.  This vaccine is recommended for health care workers and can be obtained from the Public Health Department for a fee.

Clinical Affiliating Agency Policies on Drug Screening and Criminal Background Checks

Clinical affiliating agencies require Bishop State Community College nursing students to consent to a drug screen and criminal background check.  Nursing students enrolled in College nursing programs are required to abide by all policies of the assigned affiliating clinical agencies including, but not limited to, security checks, parking and smoking policies.  Clinical affiliating agencies have the option of denying clinical access to a student based upon criminal background check and drug screening.

Advisement

Students interested in Nursing education are required to seek advisement by the Nursing counselor located on the Baker-Gaines Central Campus in Room 106.  Once the student has been admitted to a Nursing program of study, academic advisement is mandatory by an assigned nursing advisor.  Advisors are assigned through the Department of Nursing according to the first alphabet of the student’s last name.

Course Sequencing, Prerequisites, Clinical and Laboratory Hours

Students interested in Nursing education may obtain information regarding course sequencing, course prerequisites, and course contact, laboratory, and clinical hours from the Student Development Services Office in Room 106 of the Baker-Gaines Central Campus.

Standard Practical Nurse Curriculum

First Term

*Prerequisite:  BIO 103 or Satisfactory Performance on ACS approved placement exam

Note:  PN students must complete NUR 101 or both courses BIO 201 and 202.  All sciences, including BIO 201, must have been completed within the last 5 years.

Second Term

 Third Term

**Must have acceptable COMPASS/ACT scores prior to enrollment (76 in Reading).

Program Totals

Credit Hours: 45 Hours

Contact Hours:  1095 Hours (73 X 15 wks.)

E-mail: Practical Nursing

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING (RN)

ASSOCIATE in APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

The Associate in Applied Science Degree is awarded to the students who complete the Career Mobility or Generic Program.  The curriculum for the Career Mobility Program consists of three (3) semesters for graduates from the ACS PN Program, which includes several general education courses.  The curriculum for the Generic Program consists of five (5) semesters of Nursing course work which includes several general education courses after completion of prerequisites.  Upon successful completion of these programs, graduates may be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).

In the Nursing Program, there may be policies and procedures that are different from or take precedence over general policies listed for other programs.  Students must refer to the Nursing Student Handbook for specific policies governing the Nursing Program.

The Nursing student shall comply with legal, moral and behavioral standards and laws established by the Department of Nursing and the Alabama Board of Nursing as well as the College.  Failure to comply with these standards and laws may result in dismissal from the program and/or denial to take the National Council Licensure Examination given by the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Accreditation/Memberships/Approval

The Career Mobility and Generic Programs are approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing, P. O. Box 303900, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-3900, (334) 242-4060 and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, New York, New York 10006, (212) 363-5555.

Special Program Requirements

Students accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing Program will have additional expenses for uniforms, testing, equipment, name pin, transportation to clinical sites, complete physical assessment, CPR certification, criminal background checks, drug screens, liability insurance, and licensing fees.

Re-admitted or Continuing Students

Students who have interrupted their sequence of study in the Nursing Program for reasons of course failure, withdrawal or non-enrollment must comply with current Nursing curriculum requirements and policies in effect at the time of re-admission.  All students are responsible for obtaining a Nursing Student Handbook for current information (www.bishop.edu).

Advisement

Students interested in Nursing education are required to seek advisement by the Nursing counselor located on the Baker-Gaines Central Campus in Room 106.  Once the student has been admitted to a Nursing program of study, academic advisement is mandatory by an assigned nursing advisor.  Advisors are assigned through the Department of Nursing according to the first alphabet of the student’s last name.

Grading Information

The grading system in the Associate Degree Nursing Program is different than and takes precedence over the grading system for other College courses.  Letter grades are assigned according to the following system for all Nursing courses for which students have registered:

            A = 90-100
            B = 80-89
            C = 75-79
            D = 60-74
            F =  Below 59

A minimum grade of 75 is required in order to successfully complete a Nursing course and a grade of C (70% or above) in each general education course to progress to the next course.  No rounding of test scores is done (Ex. 78.6 is 78.6).  Only the final course grade is rounded: 0.5 or higher is raised to the next whole number.

Course Sequencing, Prerequisites, Clinical and Laboratory Hours

Students interested in Nursing education may obtain information regarding course sequencing, course prerequisites, and course contact, laboratory, and clinical hours from the Student Development Services Office in Room 106 of the Baker-Gaines Central Campus.

Career Mobility Program

There are options for the Licensed Practical Nurse.  The LPN-RN Mobility Track is designed for the Licensed Practical Nurse to complete the requirements to become an RN in 3 semesters.

The Alabama College System Nursing Program Applications for Bishop State Community College are located in the Nursing Office, Suite 210 on the Baker-Gaines Central Campus.

Mobility LPN to Associate Degree Nurse Curriculum

 Prerequisite Courses:

·         MTH 116  or Higher Level  Mathematical Applications (3 credit hours)

·         *BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I  (4 credit hours)

·         BIO 202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credit hours)

·         ENG 101 English Composition (3 credit hours)

·         **NUR 200 Nursing Career Mobility Assessment (6 credit hours)

*BIO 103 or Satisfactory Performance on an ACS approved placement exam is a pre-requisite for BIO 201 (4 credit hours).
** NUR 200 is required for those students who did not graduate from the Alabama College System standardized curriculum within the past two years.
** Only those students who did not graduate from our standardized curriculum will be given 15 non-traditional credit hours after completion of NUR 200.

Total Prerequisites:  20 credit hours

Third Term

Fourth Term

Fifth Term

Program Totals:

            Total Credit Hours:    57

            Total Contact Hours:  1320 (88 x 15)

            General Education:     30

            Nursing Hours:           27

Standard Associate Degree Nurse Curriculum

 First Term

*Prerequisite:  BIO 103 or Satisfactory Performance on ACS approved placement exam.  All sciences (BIO 201, 202, and 220) must have been completed within the last five (5) years.

Second Term

Third Term

Fourth Term

Fifth Term

 Program Totals:

            Total Credit Hours:    72 Hours

            Total Contact Hours:  1710 (114 X 15)

            General Education:     30 Hours (41.7%)

            Nursing Hours:           42 Hours (58.3%)

*Must have acceptable COMPASS scores to enroll: 76 in Reading.

Legal Limitations of Licensure/Practice

The Alabama Board of Nursing has the option of denying eligibility to any candidate who has:

(1) ever been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense, (2) been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, (3) received or been recommended to receive treatment for mental illness or an emotional disorder, (4) ever abused drugs/alcohol, or (5) been treated for chemical dependency.  The Board will require explanation and documented resolution of such occurrences prior to taking the examination for licensure.  Any questions regarding the legal limitations of licensure/practice should be directed to the Director of Nursing immediately before further pursuit of the process to nursing.

HIV/HBV

As a member of the health care team, students are at risk of exposure to blood, body fluid, or needle sticks; these exposures are at the highest risk of infection to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).  To date, no vaccine is available to prevent AIDS and no antiviral drugs are available to cure AIDS.

A Hepatitis B vaccine is available that is safe and effective in the prevention of HBV infection.  This vaccine is recommended for health care workers and can be obtained from the Public Health Department for a fee.

Clinical Affiliating Agency Policies on Drug Screening

Clinical affiliating agencies require Bishop State Community College nursing students to consent to a drug screen and criminal background check.  Nursing students enrolled in College nursing programs are required to abide by all policies of the assigned affiliating clinical agencies including, but not limited to, security checks, parking and smoking policies.  Clinical affiliating agencies have the option of denying clinical access to a student based upon background check or drug screen results.

E-mail: Associate Degree Nursing

NURSING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 Note:  For each Nursing course, credit hours are indicated first, then contact hours are designated (in parentheses) in this order:  theory, lab, clinical.

 NUR 101 – Body Structure and Function – 4 cr. (4-0-0)

This course provides students with basic knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body.  Major content focuses on the interrelations among the organ systems and the relationship of each organ system to homeostasis.  Medical terminology is integrated throughout course content.  Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of body systems, their interrelationships and associated medical terminology.

 NUR 102 – Fundamentals of Nursing – 6 cr. (3-2-1)

This course provides opportunities to develop competencies necessary to meet the needs of individuals throughout the lifespan in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process.  Students learn concepts and theories basic to the art and science of nursing. The role of the nurse as a member of the healthcare team is emphasized. Students are introduced to the concepts of client needs, safety, communication, teaching/learning, critical thinking, ethical-legal, cultural diversity, nursing history, and the program's philosophy of nursing. Additionally, this course introduces psychomotor nursing skills needed to assist individuals in meeting basic human needs. Skills necessary for maintaining microbial, physical, and psychological safety are introduced along with skills needed in therapeutic interventions. At the conclusion of this course students demonstrate competency in performing basic nursing skills for individuals with common health alterations. 

NUR 103 – Health Assessment – 1 cr. (0-1-0)

This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to learn and practice history taking and physical examination skills with individuals of all ages, with emphasis on the adult.  The focus is on symptom analysis along with physical, psychosocial, and growth and development assessments.  Students will be able to utilize critical thinking skills in identifying health alterations, formulating nursing diagnoses and documenting findings appropriate to nursing. 

NUR 104 – Introduction to Pharmacology – 1 cr. (0-1-0)

This course provides opportunities to develop competencies necessary to meet the needs of individuals throughout the lifespan in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process.  This course introduces students to basic principles of pharmacology and the knowledge necessary to safely administer medication.  Course content includes legal implications, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, calculations of drug dosages, medication administration, and an overview of drug classifications.  Students will be able to calculate and administer medications. 

NUR 105 – Adult Nursing – 8 cr. (5-1-2)

This course provides opportunities to develop competencies necessary to meet the needs of individuals throughout the lifespan in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process.  Emphasis is placed on providing care to individuals undergoing surgery, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and common alterations in respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular, endocrine, and integumentary systems.  Nutrition, pharmacology, communication, cultural, and community concepts are integrated. 

NUR 106 – Maternal and Child Nursing – 5 cr. (4-0-1)

This course focuses on the role of the nurse in meeting the physiological, psychosocial, cultural and developmental needs of the maternal and child client. Course content includes antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartal care, complications of pregnancy, newborn care, human growth and development, pediatric care, and selected pediatric alterations. Nutrition, pharmacology, cultural diversity, use of technology, communication, anatomy and physiology review, medical terminology, critical thinking, and application of the nursing process are integrated throughout this course. Upon completion of this course students will be able to provide and manage care for maternal and pediatric clients in a variety of settings. 

NUR 107 – Adult/Child Nursing – 8 cr. (5-0-3)

This course provides students with opportunities to develop competencies necessary to meet the needs of individuals throughout the life span in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process in a variety of settings. Emphasis is placed on providing care to individuals experiencing complex alterations in: sensory/perceptual reproductive, endocrine, genitourinary, neurological, immune, cardiovascular, and lower gastrointestinal systems.  Additional instruction is provided for care for clients experiencing burns, cancer, and emergent conditions. Nutrition, pharmacology, therapeutic communication, community, cultural diversity, health promotion, error prevention, critical thinking, impacts on maternal and child clients are integrated throughout the course. 

NUR 108 – Psychosocial Nursing – 3 cr. (2-0-1)

This course is designed to provide an overview of psychosocial adaptation and coping concepts used when caring for clients with acute and chronic alterations in mental health in a variety of settings.  Topics include therapeutic communication skills, normal and abnormal behaviors, treatment modalities, and developmental needs.  Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate the ability to assist clients in maintaining psychosocial integrity through the use of the nursing process. 

NUR 109 – Role Transition for the Practical Nurse – 3 cr. (2-1-0)

This course provides students with opportunities to gain knowledge and skills necessary to transition from student to practicing nurse. Content includes a discussion of current issues in health care, practical nursing leadership and management, professional practice issues, and transition into the workplace. Emphasis is placed on NCLEX-PN test-taking skills, computer-assisted simulations and practice tests, development of a prescriptive plan for remediation, and review of selective content, specific to the practice of practical nursing. 

NUR 200 – Nursing Career Mobility Assessment – 6 cr. (1-5-0)

This course is designed to provide LPN mobility students self-directed opportunities to prepare for placement into the third semester of the ADN program.  Emphasis is on assessment and validation of selected theory, process, and skills covered in NUR 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106.  Upon successful completion of assessments, students are eligible for entry into NUR 201.

NUR 201 – Nursing Through the Lifespan I – 5 cr. (3-0-2)

This course provides opportunities to develop competencies necessary to meet the needs of individuals throughout the lifespan in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process.  Students manage and provide collaborative care to clients who are experiencing selected alterations in gastrointestinal, reproductive, sensory, and endocrine systems in a variety of settings.  Additional instruction is provided for oncology, mental health, teaching/learning concepts, and advanced dosage calculations. Nutrition, pharmacology, communication, cultural, and community concepts are integrated. 

NUR 202 – Nursing Through the Lifespan II – 7 cr. (3-0-4)

This course builds upon previous instruction and provides additional opportunities to develop competencies necessary to meet the needs of individuals throughout the lifespan in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process.  Students manage and provide collaborative care to clients who are experiencing selected alterations in cardiovascular, hematologic, immune, and genitourinary systems in a variety of settings.  Additional instruction is provided for psychiatric disorders, and high-risk obstetrics. Teaching/learning concepts, advanced dosage calculations, nutrition, pharmacology, communication, cultural, and community concepts are integrated. 

NUR 203 – Nursing Through the Lifespan III – 6 cr. (4-0-2)

This course builds upon previous instruction and provides additional opportunities to develop competencies necessary to meet the needs of individuals throughout the lifespan in a safe, legal, and ethical manner using the nursing process.  Students manage and provide collaborative care to clients who are experiencing selected alterations in cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems in a variety of settings.  Additional instruction is provided care for selected mental health disorders, selected emergencies, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and related disorders. Teaching/learning concepts, advanced dosage calculations, nutrition, pharmacology, communication, cultural, and community concepts are integrated. 

NUR 204 – Role Transition for the Registered Nurse – 3 cr. (2-0-1)

This course provides students with opportunities to gain knowledge and skills necessary to transition from student to registered nurse. Content includes current issues in health care, nursing leadership and management, professional practice issues for registered nurses, and transition into the workplace, Additional instruction is provided for preparing for the NCLEX-RN.