College of Health Sciences and Professions  
School of Nursing
Grover Center E317
Phone: 740.593.4494
Fax: 740.593.0286
nursing@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nrse

Deborah Henderson, Director
Cheryl Brimner, Operations Coordinator
Kathy Chapman, Services Specialist

Mission and Vision

The Ohio University School of Nursing’s mission is to augment the student’s education to prepare them to succeed in any organizational environment.  The faculty is committed to providing a curriculum that is sensitive to the cultural diversity in the society and the changing demands for health care through utilization of local, state, and international partnerships and collaborations. The School also promotes excellence in the profession through scholarship and service.

The Ohio University School of Nursing’s vision is to provide accessible state of the discipline undergraduate and graduate nursing education. The School will focus on fostering preservation, promotion, and restoration of health in the global community. Our graduates will be highly competent practitioners, leaders, and scholars who are grounded in a sense of inquiry and committed to human caring within a climate of diversity.

Overview

The School of Nursing offers a traditional campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Athens, Chillicothe, Southern, and Zanesville (BS1221 ) as well as an online RN-to-BSN program (BS1203 ) designed for licensed RNs. The purpose is to prepare nurse generalists for professional practice and to provide a foundation for graduate study. The programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing.

The majors in nursing include upper-division coursework in nursing, University, and College requirements. It is possible to complete a minor in another discipline while completing the major in nursing. The traditional BSN program (BS1221 ) provides students with on-campus classroom lectures and simulation lab activities as well as regionalized clinical experiences.The School of Nursing offers interactive online (Web-based) courses in the RN-to-BSN program (BS1203 ). This method of course delivery increases the availability of the BSN completion degree for registered nurses.

Regardless of program, students must earn a grade of 80% (B-) or better in each course offered by the School of Nursing (NRSE series). 

Upon successful completion of nursing, University, and College requirements, students in major codes BS1203  or BS1221  will receive the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

BSN

Admission to the pre-nursing major (ND1220) is competitive and includes specific high school coursework, a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 (4.0 point scale), and minimum established ACT/SAT scores. See the School of Nursing website for specific information regarding the requirements for entering freshmen and transfer students at www.ohio.edu/chsp/nrse. Admitted students to the pre-licensure BSN program (BS1221 ) must receive at least a B- (80%) in nursing coursework. Students that do not achieve a B- (80%) must retake the nursing course before progressing to the next level.

A large component of the pre-licensure BSN program (BS1221 ) is clinical experience. These experiences occur in a broad range of traditional and nontraditional health care and health maintenance settings. Students are responsible for transportation to the clinical experiences that include settings away from campus.

RN-to-BSN

For students interested in the online RN-to-BSN program (BS1203 ), see the program’s website for admission information: www.ohio.edu/nursing/RNtoBSN. Students will apply to the program, and upon admission, receive an information packet detailing policies, procedures, and instructions.

Due to the rotating fashion of courses in the RN-to-BSN program (BS1203), students in this program may continue taking NRSE courses but must retake the course in which they received lower than a B- (80%) prior to graduation.

School Nurse Certificate Program (offered jointly with the Ohio University Patton College of Education)

Ohio University has an approved School Nurse Certificate program (CTSNLU).  The required courses include three nursing courses (NRSE 4710, 4740, 4741) and an elective from psychology, education, child and family studies, or health.  Students wishing to work as a school nurse must complete the certificate program and request a pupil services license from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) in order to work in Ohio schools. To be admitted into the school nurse certificate program, students must meet BOTH of the following:  a) A completed bachelor’s degree in nursing (or in process) OR a Registered Nurse (RN with currently active license (for RN to BSN or post-baccalaureate students); b) a grade of B- or above in the following courses:  NRSE 4510; 4520; 4530; 4540.  Students who are completing the RN-to-BSN program may take these courses while working on the BSN degree. Individuals who hold BSN degree can complete the requirements as a postbaccalaureate non-degree seeking student (CTX61U). Equivalent transfer courses will be used where applicable.   

Student Organizations

Sigma Theta Tau (Honorary)

The mission of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.

Current chapter president: Sarah Allen O’Brien, obriens@ohio.edu

BSN Student Organization (pre-licensure students only)

The BSN Organization is available for membership for any students under the Nursing or Pre-nursing major. Our focus is to provide opportunities for future nurses to practice their skills and give back to the community.

Advisors: Debra Cox, coxd2@ohio.edu, and Robyn Rice, ricer2@ohio.edu