Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Nature of the Program
The mission of the WVU School of Nursing is to lead in improving health in West Virginia and the broader society through excellence in student-centered educational programs, research, and scholarship; the compassionate practice of nursing; and service to the public and the profession. This mission is responsive to changing healthcare needs and emerging national and state changes in technology and healthcare delivery and is enhanced by a supportive and open environment. The faculty's educational effort on the WVU Keyser campus is directed at providing a high quality, student-centered program of instruction which prepares superb professional nurses to meet basic healthcare needs. Unique characteristics of the state mandates that the healthcare needs of rural populations and vulnerable groups be a major focus of education, research, and service, including faculty practice.
The BSN curriculum offered on the WVU Keyser (Potomac State) campus follows the same fall progression plan as the WVU Morgantown campus and includes courses in the humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, and nursing science. The clinical component of nursing courses enables students to apply their learning to actual client, family, and community situations that warrant nursing intervention. The curriculum has been carefully designed to equip graduates to begin professional nursing practice with patients of all ages in any healthcare setting where there is a position for the professional nurse at the start of their career. The program also provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in nursing and other fields.
The basic (traditional) baccalaureate (BSN) program is available for high school graduates who aspire to a career in nursing. It can be completed in four years on the WVU Keyser (Potomac State) campus, as well as on the WVU Morgantown and WVU Beckley campuses.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master's degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program at West Virginia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Further information about the School of Nursing BSN program on the WVU Keyser (Potomac State) campus is available on our website https://academics.potomacstatecollege.edu/majors/four-year-programs/nursing-bsn or by contacting the WVU School of Nursing: Potomac State Department, J. Edward Kelley Complex, 400 Kelley Drive, Keyser, WV 26726; telephone (304) 788-7176.
Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening
Students must undergo federal and state criminal background checks and an annual drug screen as requirements for clinical experiences. Felony convictions, some serious misdemeanors, illicit drug use, and/or positive drug screens may result in admission ineligibility or program dismissal.
Transportation, Immunizations, Confidentiality/ HIPAA Training, and BLS Certification
Students are expected to provide their own transportation, approved uniforms, equipment, and instruments for clinical courses. Clinical experiences require travel throughout a multi-county, multi-state area. Proof of a physical exam, tuberculosis testing, specific immunizations, and titers are required for all BSN nursing students. Annual training in confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are also required. Nursing students are required to maintain current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Community Service
Students are required to complete 100 hours of approved community service as a requirement for graduation.
Laptop Program
WVU Keyser BSN students are required to participate in the campus' nursing laptop program. A laptop specifications sheet is provided to each student upon admission to the nursing program. Each student must bring their laptop to class, lab, and clinical every day.
Tuition and Scholarships
WVU Keyser nursing tuition information can be found at: https://tuition.wvu.edu/undergraduate/wvu-keyser-campus-online. The School of Nursing offers several scholarships. These scholarships require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for financial aid. Most School of Nursing scholarships are available only to students already admitted to the School of Nursing and are awarded each April for the following academic year. However, there are a limited number of scholarships for which students may apply before admission. Further information about scholarships is provided on the WVU Keyser https://admissions.potomacstatecollege.edu/cost-and-aid/scholarships and School of Nursing https://nursing.wvu.edu/students/resources/scholarship-opportunities/ websites.
Administration
Chair
- April Shapiro - PhD (West Virginia University)
Program Assistant
- Heather Hays - BA (Hood College)
Faculty
Assistant Professor
- April Shapiro - PhD (West Virginia University)
Clinical Education Instructors
- Krystal Abucevicz-Swick - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Kasey Beckman-Sirk - DNP (Chamberlain College of Nursing)
- Heather Coddington - MSN (Capella University)
- Matthew Hottle - MSN (Walden University)
- Diana Niland - PhD (West Virginia University)
Lecturer
- Mary Beth McCloud - PhD (Medical University of South Carolina)
Admissions
In this section:
Admission criteria are subject to change; visit the WVU Keyser BSN website https://academics.potomacstatecollege.edu/majors/four-year-programs/nursing-bsn for the most current criteria.
Students who have been dismissed from any nursing program (WVU or otherwise) are ineligible for admission to any of the WVU BSN programs; however, students who have received degrees or additional credentialing post-academic dismissal from a nursing program are eligible for admission to the WVU Morgantown BS/BA to BSN, RN to BSN, or graduate programs, provided they meet all other admission requirements and based on space available.
Admission to the Basic (Traditional) BSN Program from General Nursing (Pre-BSN or Pre-Nursing) or Other College Major
Pre-BSN and Pre-Nursing students have the opportunity to apply for admission to the WVU Keyser basic (traditional) BSN program as a sophomore after completion of at least one semester of college coursework. Admission consideration is dependent upon:
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all college work attempted,
- a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0,
- completion of required prerequisite courses from an accredited college or university with a grade of C or better, and
- space available in the admission class.
Pre-BSN and Pre-Nursing applicants are admitted to the School of Nursing as sophomores for the Fall semester. A completed application for the BSN program, including transcripts, must be made by March 15 of the year the candidate wishes to be admitted for the Fall semester. Acceptance and placement in the program are dependent upon admission criteria and space available in the program. There are limited spaces available, and the best-qualified applicants are accepted. Applications are available online from the admissions website every year from December 1 through March 15.
Transfer Students
An applicant with nursing credit from a nationally accredited nursing program in a regionally accredited college or university is eligible for consideration for transfer admission by presenting a record of courses comparable to those required in this curriculum and meeting other School of Nursing admission requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:
- a statement of good standing from the nursing program in which they are currently enrolled
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for previous college coursework (Note: WVU Keyser [Potomac State] requirements for students transferring to general nursing [Pre-BSN or Pre-Nursing] are different. Check the Potomac State College catalog for more information)
- a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the previous nursing program
- earned grades of C- or higher in all nursing and prerequisite non-nursing courses with no grade below a C- in any nursing course
Acceptance and placement in the program are dependent on the individual's academic record and the number of spaces available. Applications should be initiated six months prior to the beginning of the semester in which the applicant wishes to begin nursing courses. Transcripts and other required materials must be received no later than three months before the start of entering semester.
Applicants may request review of previously completed nursing courses for transferability. Syllabi of current and completed nursing courses may be sent electronically to nursing@hsc.wvu.edu for review. Only courses that are comparable to required courses in the BSN curriculum will be transferable as determined by program administration. Nursing credits from a program that is not nationally accredited or an institution that is not regionally accredited are not transferable.
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations | ||
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
Total Hours | 31-37 |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Pre-requisite courses required with a grade of C- or better before enrollment in Sophomore nursing courses. | ||
BIOL 102 & 102L | General Biology 2 and General Biology 2 Laboratory (GEF 2B) | 4 |
CHEM 111 & 111L | Survey of Chemistry 1 and Survey of Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GEF 8) | 4 |
CHEM 112 & 112L | Survey of Chemistry 2 and Survey of Chemistry 2 Laboratory (GEF 8) | 4 |
ENGL 101 | Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric (GEF 1) | 3 |
BIOL 230 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
NSG 100 | Introduction to Nursing | 2 |
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 4) | 3 |
WVUE 191 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
Pre- or Co-requisites with enrollment of Sophomore courses. Must be completed with a C- or better. | ||
MATH 124 | Algebra with Applications (GEF 3) | 3 |
ENGL 102 | Composition, Rhetoric, and Research (GEF 1) | 3 |
MICB 200 | Medical Microbiology | 3 |
HN&F 171 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
BIOL 231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
PSYC 241 | Introduction to Human Development | 3 |
STAT 211 | Elementary Statistical Inference | 3 |
Nursing courses. Must be completed with a C- or better. | ||
NSG 211 | Health Assessment & Communication | 6 |
NSG 212 | Foundations of Nursing Practice | 6 |
NSG 250 | Clinical Nursing Pharmacology | 3 |
NSG 310 | Maternal Infant Nursing & Women's Health Care | 4 |
NSG 311 | Alterations in Adult Health 1 | 6 |
NSG 312 | Alterations in Adult Health 2 | 6 |
NSG 320 | Child and Adolescent Health | 4 |
NSG 350 | Evidence Based Practice and Research | 3 |
NSG 360 | Ethics and Health Policy | 3 |
NSG 411 | Nursing in Complex Community Systems | 7 |
NSG 412 | Leadership in Complex Systems | 7 |
NSG 450 | Alterations in Mental Health | 4 |
NSG 460 | Care of the Critically Ill Patient | 4 |
NSG 486 | NCLEX Review | 1 |
Select one of the following: | 2 | |
Perspectives on Caring | ||
Spirituality and Health | ||
Cardiology for Nursing | ||
The Role of the Nurse in the Patient Experience | ||
Core Concepts in Gerontological Nursing | ||
Palliative Care Nursing | ||
Holistic and Integrative Nursing | ||
Care of the Diabetic Patient | ||
Children With Complex Health Needs | ||
Movies and Mental Health | ||
Generics/Genomics in Health | ||
GEF Requirements 5, 6, and 7 | 9 | |
Total Hours | 122 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
BIOL 102 & 102L (GEF 2)+ | 4 | BIOL 230+ | 4 |
CHEM 111 & 111L (GEF 8)+ | 4 | CHEM 112 & 112L (GEF 8)+ | 4 |
MATH 124 or 126 (GEF 3)* + | 3 | ENGL 101 (GEF 1)* + | 3 |
PSYC 101 (GEF 4)* + | 3 | STAT 211** | 3 |
WVUE 191* + | 1 | NSG 100* + | 2 |
15 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
BIOL 231 | 4 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1)** | 3 |
MICB 200 | 3 | HN&F 171** | 3 |
PSYC 241** | 3 | NSG 212 | 6 |
NSG 211 | 6 | NSG 250 | 3 |
16 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
GEF 7*** | 3 | GEF 5*** | 3 |
NSG 310 | 4 | NSG 312 | 6 |
NSG 311 | 6 | NSG 320 | 4 |
NSG 350 | 3 | NSG 360 | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
GEF 6*** | 3 | NSG 412 | 7 |
NSG 411 | 7 | NSG 460 | 4 |
NSG 435 | 2 | NSG 486 | 1 |
NSG 450 | 4 | ||
16 | 12 | ||
Total credit hours: 122 |
- +
Required with grade of C- or better before enrollment in sophomore nursing courses
- *
Can be taken fall or spring semester
- **
Pre- or Co-requisites with sophomore courses. Must be completed with C- or better to progress to junior level
- ***
May be interchanged; required to complete 3 credit hours in F5, 3 credit hours in F6, and 3 credit hours in F7
Degree Designation Learning Outcomes
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Upon completion of the BSN program, graduates will:
CRITICAL THINKING: Employ scholarly inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and creativity in the process of assessment, interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and inference as a basis for professional nursing practice.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS: Ensure quality care by applying theory, evidence-based clinical judgment and decision-making, and patient care technology in the delivery of safe and skilled nursing therapeutics with individuals, families, communities, and populations across the health-illness continuum.
PROFESSIONAL ROLE: Demonstrate knowledge, attitudes, professional values, personal qualities, and behaviors consistent with the nursing roles of health care designer and coordinator, organization and system leader, and advocate for consumers and the nursing profession.
CARING: Provide empathetic, culturally sensitive, and compassionate care for individuals, families, communities, and populations that upholds moral, legal, and ethical humanistic principles.
COMMUNICATION: Integrate therapeutic, interpersonal, intraprofessional, interprofessional, and informatics communication processes in professional nursing practice.
Progression Requirements
Pre-BSN/Pre-Nursing Progression Requirements
Students admitted to Pre-BSN or Pre-Nursing complete a common curriculum in the freshman year designed to provide the foundation for success in subsequent nursing courses. Consult the Potomac State College catalog regarding general nursing (Pre-BSN and Pre-Nursing) admission and progression requirements. While students are not required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in Pre-BSN or Pre-Nursing, any student who does not meet GPA or coursework requirements for the BSN nursing program will not be eligible for admission to the BSN program. Pre-BSN and Pre-Nursing students applying to the BSN program must have completed the freshman-year pre-requisite courses prior to beginning sophomore-level nursing courses, with a grade of C or better, a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher, and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all college level work.
Traditional BSN Progression Requirements
The baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) degree for the traditional BSN program is conferred upon completion of the required total hours (per the progression plan), all required coursework, and community service and residency requirements. From entry into sophomore nursing courses to program completion, students must fulfill the following academic requirements to maintain good academic standing.
- GPA
- Students must maintain an overall college GPA of at least 3.0.
- Students who do not maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 will be placed on probation for one semester. Students who do not raise their overall GPA to 3.0, after one semester on probation, will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
- Required course grades
- All courses used to earn the BSN degree must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.
- Students who earn a grade of D or F in more than one course used to earn the BSN degree will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
- All courses used to earn the BSN degree in which students earn a grade of D, F, W, or WU must be repeated prior to the student's progression to the next semester in the nursing sequence. Nursing courses must be repeated in the next spring or fall semester that the course is offered. There is an exception to this individual standard regarding nursing electives; students who receive a W in a nursing elective are not required to repeat it.
- Repeats
- Students who receive a grade of D, F, W, or WU in a course used to earn the BSN degree may repeat the course only once and must earn a minimum grade of C-.
- Students who repeat a course used to earn the BSN degree and earn a grade of D, F, W, or WU will be dismissed from the School of Nursing.
- In the last semester of the program, students are permitted to repeat one nursing course in which a D, F, W, or WU was received even if the student previously repeated another course and would have otherwise been dismissed. Students are not permitted to repeat the same course twice.
- Readmission: Students who have been dismissed from the BSN program are not eligible for readmission.
Grading Scale
The grading scale for nursing courses using letter/numerical values is: A=93-100, B=85-92, C=77-84, D=70-76, F=69 and below.
Students who have been dismissed from any nursing program (WVU or otherwise) are ineligible for admission to any of the WVU BSN programs; however, students who have received degrees or additional credentialing post-academic dismissal from a nursing program are eligible for admission to the WVU Morgantown BS/BA to BSN, RN to BSN, or graduate programs, provided they meet all other admission requirements and based on space available.