Marymount University

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Nursing

Marymount offers nursing programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. All programs are built on a solid foundation of the liberal arts.

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in nursing program, students will be able to

  • apply the nursing process to provide quality patient-centered care;
  • communicate, collaborate, and negotiate as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team;
  • demonstrate knowledge of professional and ethical standards as they apply to nursing practice;
  • utilize evidence-based knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in practice;
  • demonstrate the application of psychomotor skills for efficient, safe, and effective patient care;
  • demonstrate skills in using patient care technologies, information systems, and communication devices that support safe nursing practice;
  • delegate and supervise patient care activities to insure the delivery of safe, timely, and effective nursing care;
  • participate in population-focused health promotion and disease prevention activities;
  • participate in professional activities that support improvement in health care services; and
  • develop a plan for continuous professional development and lifelong learning.

Marymount’s Bachelor of Science in nursing, Master of Science in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036. The B.S.N. program is also approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Programs

Marymount offers several approaches to an undergraduate nursing degree:

  • a four-year Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.) program. After successfully completing four years of coursework, the B.S.N. student is eligible to take state board examinations (NCLEX-RN) to work as a registered nurse.
  • a hybrid online R.N.-to-B.S.N. program, an opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science in nursing for the registered nurse who already holds a diploma or associate degree in nursing.
  • an accelerated B.S.N. program for students with a previous bachelor’s degree in another field.

Admission Requirements: See individual programs.

Nondegree Admission: Nondegree students may not enroll in courses in the nursing program.

Clinical Requirements: A copy of each student’s medical examination record is required upon admission.

Additionally, nursing students must provide to the clinical agency coordinator the following prior to attending the first clinical:

  • written verification of PPD testing for tuberculosis (required annually). If PPD is positive, an initial chest X-ray is required followed by a yearly TB symptom survey
  • written verification of the following immunizations: Hepatitis B, MMR, Chicken Pox, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis, and Influenza
  • written verification of accident and health insurance coverage, submitted to the Student Health Center
  • written verification of current CPR certification, provided each semester, from the American Heart Association (BLS for Healthcare Provider)
  • criminal background check, which is a federal requirement for all persons working with vulnerable populations
  • negative 9-panel (or more) drug screen

Students will not be permitted to attend clinicals until all requirements are met.

Students must attend all course clinical days. Students who miss a clinical day due to an emergency situation must submit documentation of the emergency. Such students will receive an Incomplete for the course and may not progress in the nursing program until the Incomplete is resolved. Repeated absences will be grounds for course failure.

Clinical Experience Transportation: Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from clinical experiences. The university’s free shuttle service connects the Main Campus, the Ballston Center, and the Ballston-MU Metro station.

Legal Limitations of Licensure: The practice of nursing is regulated by state laws. Questions concerning licensure in a specific state should be directed to that state’s board of nursing. Applicants for nursing licensure in Virginia are required to notify the Virginia Board of Nursing if they have

  • been convicted of (or pled nolo contendere to) a violation of any federal or state law;
  • been hospitalized or received treatment for chemical dependence during the two years preceding application to complete the licensing examination; or
  • a mental or physical condition that could interfere with their ability to practice.

Minimum Grade and Academic Progression Requirements: Nursing students must achieve satisfactory performance each semester and make satisfactory progress toward graduation. Failure to meet the following requirements will result in review by the Undergraduate Academic Standards Committee and may result in academic dismissal. To maintain satisfactory progress toward degree completion, students must also attend all clinical days as described in the aforementioned "Clinical Requirements."

Nursing students must receive a grade point average of 2.5 or better, a minimum grade of C+ in all nursing courses, and a minimum grade of C in the following courses: BIO 161, BIO 161L, BIO 162, BIO 162L, BIO 260, BIO 260L, CHM 125, CHM 125L, MA 132, PSY 110, and SOC 131. A student who fails to achieve the minimum grade of C in more than one natural science will be automatically dismissed from the nursing program.

Satisfactory progress toward graduation is defined as successful regular matriculation unless sufficient requirements have been fulfilled by acceptance of transfer credit. No nursing course may be repeated more than once.

A student who fails two nursing courses will automatically be dismissed from the nursing program.

Students should maintain continuous enrollment in nursing courses. If enrollment is interrupted, skill competency testing may be required prior to enrollment in the subsequent nursing course.

Passing scores on nursing comprehensive examinations taken at the end of the program are required for graduation from B.S.N. programs.

Technology Requirement: Traditional and accelerated B.S.N. students are required to have a laptop computer. Recommended specifications are available from Information Technology Services.

Nursing (B.S.N.)

The Bachelor of Science in nursing program prepares students to practice as professional nurses. The program is ideal for entering freshmen and students with general education transfer credits in non-nursing fields.

Admission Requirements for Freshmen: Freshmen are admitted to the nursing program through the admissions process described in the Admissions section. Completion of high school biology and chemistry is strongly recommended. SAT scores and high school grade point averages are critical factors in the admissions process for nursing. Continuation in the nursing major into the sophomore year is contingent upon completion of BIO 161, BIO 161L, CHM 125, CHM 125L, PSY 110, and SOC 131 with a minimum grade of C and a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Admission Requirements for Transfer Students: Admission to the nursing program is competitive. Criteria for admission include a competitive score on the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and a satisfactory grade point average in classes being transferred to Marymount, particularly science courses. The submission of a personal statement is required.

Most transfer students require at least six semesters to complete the program and must follow the progression of nursing courses in the semesters as indicated in the degree plan. Nursing courses are not offered in the summer for four-year B.S.N. students.

Four-year B.S.N. students who meet the following criteria may petition during the sixth semester of their program to complete their final two semesters in summer and fall: minimum nursing GPA of 3.2; no nursing course failures; University and Liberal Arts Core requirements, including two non-nursing writing-intensive courses completed or in progress; and no history of academic integrity violations. Approval is contingent upon these criteria and upon the availability of clinical and classroom space. Students whose petitions are approved must continue to meet the criteria at the conclusion of their sixth semester to remain eligible to take summer courses.

Degree Requirements — Nursing (Four-Year B.S.N. Program)

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

BIO 161 Anatomy and Physiology I

BIO 161L Anatomy and Physiology I Lab

BIO 162 Anatomy and Physiology II

BIO 162L Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

BIO 260 Microbiology

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab

CHM 125 Life Chemistry

CHM 125L Life Chemistry Lab

HPR 345 Clinical Nutrition

MA 132 Statistical Analysis

NU 226 Introduction to the Profession of Nursing

NU 234 Health Across the Life Span

NU 236 Nursing Fundamentals

NU 246 Clinical Nursing Concepts and Skills

NU 302 Health Assessment

NU 331-332 Illness Management in Adults I and II

NU 333 Health Promotion and Illness Management in the Childbearing Family

NU 334 Mental Health Promotion and Illness Management

NU 335 Illness Management in Children and Adolescents

NU 361 Pharmacology

NU 362 Pathophysiology

NU 400 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction in Communities

NU 403 Research and Evidence-Based Practice

NU 412 Introduction to Leadership, Management, and Advocacy

NU 425 Nursing Capstone

NU 490 Nursing Internship

PH 309 Ethical Theory

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development

SOC 131 Principles of Sociology

Sample Degree Plan — Nursing (Four-Year B.S.N. Program)

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

CHM 125 Life Chemistry (NS core course) § * #

CHM 125L Life Chemistry Lab

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development (SS-1 core course) § * #

SOC 131 Principles of Sociology (SS-1 core course) § * #

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

BIO 161 Anatomy and Physiology I (NS core course) § * #

BIO 161L Anatomy and Physiology I Lab

NU 226 Introduction to the Profession of Nursing §

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Two — Fall

BIO 162 Anatomy and Physiology II § #

BIO 162L Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

NU 234 Health Across the Life Span §

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course (sociology or psychology)*

Year Two — Spring

BIO 260 Microbiology § ##

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab

HPR 345 Clinical Nutrition §

NU 236 Nursing Fundamentals § *

PH 309 Ethical Theory (PH-E core course) § *

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Year Three — Fall

NU 246 Clinical Nursing Concepts and Skills §

NU 331 Illness Management in Adults I §

NU 362 Pathophysiology §

MA 132 Statistical Analysis (MT core course) § * ##

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Year Three — Spring

NU 302 Health Assessment §

NU 334 Mental Health Promotion and Illness Management §

NU 335 Illness Management in Children and Adolescents §

NU 361 Pharmacology §

Year Four — Fall

NU 332 Illness Management in Adults II §

NU 333 Health Promotion and Illness Management in the Childbearing Family §

NU 403 Research and Evidence-Based Practice § *

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) core course*

Year Four — Spring

NU 400 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction in Communities §

NU 412 Introduction to Leadership, Management, and Advocacy §

NU 425 Nursing Capstone §

NU 490 Internship § *

Comprehensive exam

Nursing majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirements in the following way: All majors must take NU 302 Health Assessment and NU 425 Nursing Capstone. Majors must take an additional WI course from the Liberal Arts Core or as a university elective.

§ Requirement for the major

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

# Completion of these courses with a minimum grade of C and a minimum GPA of 2.5 are required to continue in the nursing program after semester 3.

## Completion of these courses with a minimum grade of C is required.

Nursing – Accelerated Second-Degree Program (B.S.N.)

The accelerated second-degree B.S.N. may be completed in four consecutive semesters by students who have earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

Admission Requirements: Students are admitted to this program in the fall and the spring. Admission to this program is competitive. To be eligible to be reviewed for admission, students must have an earned non-nursing bachelor’s degree and must achieve a competitive score on the ATI-TEAS. The submission of a personal statement is required. Exemption from the ATI-TEAS is automatically granted for students having a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university with a minimum composite GPA of 2.8. The determination to waive the exam will be made by the Nursing Admissions Committee upon receipt of all official transcripts.

Program Prerequisites: These courses or their equivalents must be completed prior to starting the accelerated second-degree program: sociology, psychology, BIO 161-162 Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (8 credits), BIO 260 Microbiology with lab (4 credits), chemistry, and statistics.

Degree Requirements — Nursing (Accelerated Second-Degree B.S.N. Program)

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor.

NU 230 Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing

NU 231 Principles and Applications of Nursing Technologies

NU 234 Health Across the Life Span

NU 302 Health Assessment

NU 331 Illness Management in Adults I

NU 332 Illness Management in Adults II

NU 333 Health Promotion and Illness Management in the Childbearing Family

NU 334 Mental Health Promotion and Illness Management

NU 335 Illness Management in Children and Adolescents

NU 361 Pharmacology

NU 362 Pathophysiology

NU 400 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction in Communities

NU 403 Research and Evidence-Based Practice

NU 412 Introduction to Leadership, Management, and Advocacy

NU 425 Nursing Capstone

NU 490 Nursing Internship

One (1) ethics elective

Sample Degree Plan — Nursing (Accelerated Second-Degree B.S.N. Program)

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall or Spring

NU 230 Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing §

NU 231 Principles and Applications of Nursing Technologies §

NU 234 Health Across the Life Span (taken in spring by students beginning the program in spring semester)§

NU 331 Illness Management in Adults I §

NU 362 Pathophysiology §

Year One — Spring or Summer

NU 234 Health Across the Life Span § (Taken in spring by students beginning the program in fall semester)

NU 302 Health Assessment §

NU 333 Health Promotion and Illness Management in the Childbearing Family or NU 335 Illness Management in Children and Adolescents §

NU 334 Mental Health Promotion and Illness Management §

NU 361 Pharmacology §

Year One — Summer or Fall

NU 332 Illness Management in Adults II §

NU 333 Health Promotion and Illness Management in the Childbearing Family or NU 335 Illness Management in Children and Adolescents §

NU 403 Research and Evidence-Based Practice §

One (1) ethics elective §

Year Two — Fall or Spring

NU 400 Health Promotion and Risk Reduction in Communities §

NU 412 Introduction to Leadership, Management, and Advocacy §

NU 425 Nursing Capstone§

NU 490 Internship §

§ Requirement for the major

Nursing – Hybrid Online R.N.-to-B.S.N. Program

This hybrid online program is designed for the entering student who is already a registered nurse with diploma or associate degree credentials. Students who hold an A.A.S. degree receive 31 credits for previous nursing courses and may transfer in up to 64 credits. Students who graduated from a diploma program or a program that is not NLN accredited, but have R.N. licensure in the United States, are eligible to receive 31 transfer credits in nursing that will be placed in an escrow account. These credits will be granted upon successful completion of all 300-level nursing courses.

Admission Requirements: Students are admitted in the fall semester only. Applicants to this program do not need to take the ATI Preadmission Examination. In addition to universitywide undergraduate admission requirements, students must

  • hold an A.A.S. or diploma in nursing;
  • hold R.N. licensure (required for all clinical courses); and
  • have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or permission of advisor prior to registering for the first nursing course.

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements: Students in this program have specified coursework necessary to meet the Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements. In many cases, these requirements can be fulfilled through transfer credits. See an advisor for individualized information about required coursework and transfer credit opportunities.

Residency Requirement: Students must complete 36 credits at Marymount University to earn a degree.

Degree Requirements — Nursing (Hybrid Online R.N.-to-B.S.N. Program)

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

NU 302OL Health Assessment*

NU 310OL The Nurse, Client, and Health Care System

NU 315OL The Scholarship of Professional Nursing

NU 361OL Pharmacology

NU 362OL Pathophysiology

NU 400OL Health Promotion and Risk Reduction in Communities*

NU 403OL Research and Evidence-Based Practice

NU 412OL Introduction to Leadership, Management, and Advocacy

NU 427OL Contemporary Issues in Nursing

NU 490 Nursing Internship* (or elective)

One (1) elective (Recommended: NU 305OL Alternative/Complementary Medicine)

Comprehensive exam

* These courses require some clinical or laboratory time in addition to online coursework.

Most courses require two (2) class meetings at the university in addition to the online component.

Catalog Contents

General Information

Admission

Financial Information

Academic Support Services

Academic Information and Policies

University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core

Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Programs

Course Descriptions

Accounting Courses

Applied Arts Courses

Astronomy Courses

Biology Courses

Business Law Courses

Center for Career Services

Chemistry Courses

Communication and Media Design Courses

Criminal Justice Courses

Economics Courses

Education Courses

English Courses

EN 090 Introduction to College Reading

EN 100 Introduction to College Writing

EN 101 Composition I

EN 102 Composition II

EN 150 Introduction to American Sign Language

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World

EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment

EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism

EN 205 American Literature I

EN 206 American Literature II

EN 207 Theater History

EN 211 Principles of Language

EN 212 Topics in Acting

EN 220 The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema

EN 225 Literary Superheroes

EN 227 Short Fiction

EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

EN 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies

EN 250 Introduction to Shakespeare and Elizabethan Literature in London

EN 270 Approaches to Creative Writing

EN 280 Perspectives on Language Acquisition

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 303 Literary Nonfiction

EN 305 Topics in Creative Writing

EN 308 Style and Revision

EN 321 Modern Drama

EN 322 19th-Century British Poets

EN 323 Modern Poetry

EN 330 Chaucer and the Courtly Love Tradition

EN 340 Major Women Writers

EN 350 The American Dream

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence

EN 355 Shakespeare

EN 357 Topics in Literature Before 1800

EN 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary English

EN 400 Internship

EN 421 Project

EN 424 Senior Seminar

EN 426 Studies in the Novel

EN 428 Studies in Contemporary Literature

EN 429 Topics in Performance

EN 433 Research

EN 490 Major Author(s)

Finance Courses

Fine Arts Courses

First-Year Seminar Courses

French Courses

Geography Courses

Geology Courses

German Courses

Global Scholars Courses

Health And Human Performance Courses

Health Care Management Courses

Health Information Management Courses

History Courses

Honors Courses

Human Resource Management Courses

Humanities Courses

Information Technology Courses

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses

Interior Design Courses

Legal Administration Courses

Liberal Studies Courses

Literature Courses

Management Courses

Management Science Courses

Marketing Courses

Mathematics Courses

Multidisciplinary Studies Courses

Nursing Courses

Philosophy Courses

Physical Science Courses

Physics Courses

Politics Courses

Psychology Courses

Sociology Courses

Spanish Courses

Theology and Religious Studies Courses

University Leadership

Notices to Students

Index