Nursing, BS

The purpose of Lenoir-Rhyne University’s baccalaureate program in nursing is the education of nursing leaders who influence the quality of health care through the promotion of health and management of illness in a global society. This program offers a course of professional study that builds upon the liberal arts and positions graduates for personal and professional success all within the context of a Christian caring perspective. Students are taught specific cognitive, affective, psychomotor and technological skills to enable them to work in collaboration with other members of the health care team and improve the quality of health care through the use of information technology, critical thinking and research. The program facilitates development of nurses who demonstrate caring and respect for all, show a commitment to continuing professional growth, pursue the development of evidence for practice and act with integrity and professionalism at all times. Graduates, prepared in professional care roles, are able to pursue graduate study. The Nursing major earns a Bachelor of Science degree.

Honors

Student majoring in Nursing and judged qualified by the faculty may, upon invitation, pursue honors work in Nursing. Students must have an overall and nursing GPA of 3.4 or higher and complete NUR 498  and NUR 499 . Students must have above average clinical performance, community involvement and leadership potential as assessed by the School of Nursing.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Lenoir-Rhyne University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Admissions Policies:

Admission to Pre-Nursing

Students who apply to Lenoir-Rhyne University and express an interest in the Nursing major will be admitted to pre-nursing. Students are admitted without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

Prelicensure Baccalaureate (BS in Nursing) Program

Admission to the Nursing Major is a competitive process and students in pre-nursing are not guaranteed admission to the major. Students apply for admission to the major during the spring semester of the sophomore year. Students who are accepted matriculate into the major in the fall semester of the junior year.

Students at Lenoir-Rhyne

Students who are enrolled at Lenoir-Rhyne University and wish to be considered for admission to the Nursing major should complete an application for admission to the major by March 1. Application forms are available on the School of Nursing portal.

To be eligible to apply for admission to the major a student must have:

• Submitted an ATI TEAS Exam score at or above the Proficient Level of 65 by March 1st.
• Submitted or have on file with the School of Nursing a satisfactory Health Form.
• Submitted evidence of training and registration as Nurse Aide I in North Carolina or another state.
• Completed or be able to complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in the pre-nursing curriculum before fall semester of the junior year.
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9 by the end of fall semester before the application is made.
• Earned a Nursing GPA* of 2.9 prior to fall semester of junior year.
• Completed or be enrolled in Nursing NUR 231G   & NUR 235 .
• Admission to the School of Nursing is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen in August prior to Junior fall and submission of immunization documentation.
• Have repeated no more than 1 science course.
• Have earned a C-or better in the following: BIO 220 , BIO 281 , BIO 282  and CHE 101  or CHE 103 .

*The Nursing GPA is calculated on grades from courses that have been completed among those in the following group: Nutrition; Chemistry; Microbiology; Anatomy & Physiology I and II; General Psychology; Intro to Sociology (or approved Sociology elective); Statistics; Growth & Development; NAT 388G ; NUR 231G  ; and NUR 235 .

Progression Policies

In order to assure safe practitioners, the Nursing faculty requires that students adhere to the following Universal Progression Rules:

• A student can enroll in a course with a nursing prefix (NUR) only when prerequisites for that course are completed with a grade of C-/1.7 or better;
• A student must earn a minimum grade of 78 or higher in each required course with a nursing prefix in order to complete the program;
• A student who receives a grade below 78 in a nursing course must successfully complete that course before enrolling in other nursing courses at the next level or in other nursing courses for which the failed course is a prerequisite;
• A student who receives less than C-/1.7 in NUR 231 or NUR 235 must receive permission to repeat the course. Students should seek advice from their advisor and address requests to the Academic Standards committee in writing;
• A student who receives a grade of D+/1.3, D/1.0, D-/0.7 or F in a required course with a nursing prefix is automatically disqualified from continuing in the program. The student cannot enroll in subsequent nursing courses until initiating readmission procedures and receiving official notice of readmission;
• A student who receives grades of D+/1.3, D/1.0, D-/0.7 or F in more than one required course with a nursing prefix is dismissed from the program and is not eligible to apply for readmission for at least three years. A course with a NUR prefix can only be repeated once;
• A student must function safely within the clinical area at all times in order to continue in the program. The faculty reserves the right to deny progression and/or permanently dismiss a student who demonstrates behaviors that conflict with safety essential to nursing practice at any time in the curriculum;
• A student must submit an annual health update by Registration Day each fall semester or on the first day of the semester when returning to the program. Before being allowed in the clinical area, the student must provide evidence of immunizations as well as satisfactory physical and emotional health. The faculty reserves the right to dismiss a student who presents physical or emotional problems that do not respond to appropriate treatment or counseling within a reasonable time;
• A student must be current in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standards for each clinical course. The CPR update is required every two years. An annual update is required to maintain current status of OSHA standards;
• A student must meet all individual agency requirements before engaging in clinical activities. These requirements include satisfactory criminal background checks and drug screening; electronic documentation orientation; and immunization verification (completed annually).

Gateway Program

A student seeking admission into the Gateway Nursing Program at Lenoir-Rhyne is advised to seek official transfer credit for courses completed at other colleges and universities. Students should contact the Gateway Director or Chair of the School of Nursing for guidance on the transferability of courses. Gateway students can enroll in general college courses and nursing prerequisites at the University at any time individual course prerequisites have been met and they have been accepted by the University. The Academic Standards Committee of the School of Nursing reviews transcripts to assure placement at the appropriate level. To be eligible to apply for admission to the Gateway Nursing Program, students must have:

• A current unrestricted License as a Registered Nurse or be able to complete licensure before enrollment in NUR 420 ;
• Completed or be able to complete a minimum of 56 semester hours in the pre-nursing curriculum before enrollment in NUR 420 ;
• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 by the end of the semester before the application is made;
• Completed at least 5 Prerequisite courses with grades of C-/1.7 or higher;
• Complete a criminal background check from the School of Nursing approved vendor.

Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) Program

Students admitted into the Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program are dually admitted and enrolled to both Lenoir-Rhyne University and one of the following community colleges: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Catawba Valley Community College, Gaston College, Mitchell Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, and Wilkes Community College. Students in the RIBN program take a pre-approved list of courses at LRU and their prospective community colleges to earn both an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) from their community college and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS) at LRU.

Applicants applying to the RIBN program directly from high school, or those with less than 26 transferable college credits that count towards the BS in Nursing degree will be considered for admission to the RIBN program upon meeting the requirements specified below. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the following information:

1. A completed, accurate application for RIBN admission
2. A completed, accurate application for admission to the prospective community college
3. Official proof of High school diploma or equivalent* submitted to both LRU and the community college
4. Unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.0
5. SAT/ACT optional
6. Placement out of developmental coursework at the community college
7. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with minimum required for the prospective community college
8. Satisfactory completion of required coursework
9. Official college transcript(s) if any college work has been attempted, even if course(s) are listed on high school transcript

Applicants applying to the program with 26 or more transferable college credits that count towards the BS in Nursing degree will be considered for admission to the RIBN program upon meeting the requirements specified below. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the following information:

1. A completed, accurate application for RIBN admission
2. Acceptance into the prospective community college Associate Degree Nursing program for the upcoming fall
3. Official transcripts from each college or university attended*
4. Program GPA of at least B/3.0
5. Completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with the minimum required for the prospective community college

*Prospective students may be admitted based on unofficial transcripts and/or as courses are in progress, however a final transcript must be received prior to a student enrolling at Lenoir-Rhyne. **Unofficial test scores may be used for the purposes of admission to the University, however, official test scores are required prior to a student enrolling at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Health and Immunization

North Carolina law requires that all students applying for admission to the Pre-nursing major have a physical examination regardless of residential status or course load. This examination must include certification for ability to participate in clinical activities. The Lenoir-Rhyne Student Health Form is used by the School of Nursing as documentation of this exam and is available on the Lenoir-Rhyne website under Student Health.

The School of Nursing uses CDC guidelines, North Carolina immunization law, and agency requirements in determining necessary immunizations for nursing students. As agencies and guidelines change students may be required to update their immunizations to be allowed in clinical sites. Students who are unable to complete a clinical course or who miss clinical experiences due to lack of immunizations will be treated in the same manner as students who are unable to complete courses or who miss for other reasons. See the School of Nursing Student Handbook for details or contact the School of Nursing at 828.328.7281 for more information.  

The inability to attend clinical activities results in failure of clinical courses.

CPR

CPR certification is required before participation in the clinical portion of nursing courses at the beginning of the Junior Year. See the Student Handbook for description of CPR and fees.

Fees

A laboratory fee is charged for clinical and laboratory courses. These fees partially cover expenses unique to nursing such as standardized testing, lab supplies, crosses, and ceremonies. Please refer to the fee section of the catalog for a partial listing of fees.

Transportation

Students must provide their own transportation for clinical courses.