Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
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 Beckley 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 School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum offered on the WVU Beckley (WVUIT) 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 his or her 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 Beckley (WVUIT) campus, as well as on the WVU Morgantown and WVU Keyser 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.
Simulation Experience
We offer the opportunity for students to learn in two state-of-the-art simulation facilities where students practice patient care without fear of jeopardizing patient safety.
Beckley Campus Laptop Requirements
Each nursing student will be required to have a serviceable laptop when starting the nursing program. This laptop will be required for course work and on-site testing in all nursing classes throughout the program. It is the nursing student’s responsibility to maintain the laptop in working order. Not having a working laptop may exclude the student from nursing tests, resulting in course failure. For additional information on laptop compatibility for school of nursing, please email tritchie@hsc.wvu.edu.
Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening
Students are required by clinical agencies to undergo federal and state criminal background checks and a drug screen prior to clinical experiences. Felony convictions, some serious misdemeanors, and a positive drug screen may preclude participation in clinical rotations. This could, in turn, prevent the completion of clinical course requirements and completion of the nursing program. It could also result in admission ineligibility or program dismissal.
Administration
Chair
- Hillary Parcell - MSN
Administrative Assistant
- Julie Wood - BS
Faculty
Assistant Professor
- Peggy Lambert Fink - PhD (West Virginia University)
Clinical Education Associate Professor
- Robin Spencer - MSN (Marshall University)
Clinical Education Assistant Professors
- Mindy Harris - MSN (Marshall University)
- Kelly Morton - MSN (Capella University)
- Hillary Parcell - MSN (Marshall University)
Clinical Education Instructors
- Linda Angus - MSN (West Virginia University)
- Cynthia Clark - MSN (Chamberlain College)
- Engleish Flynn - MSN (Walden University)
- Heather Wood - BSN (Liberty University)
Adjunct Instructors
- Debra Crowder - MSN (Philadelphia University)
- Kathy Talley - MA (Marshall University)
- Trei Thomas - BSN (West Virginia University)
Admissions
Admission to General Nursing (Pre-Nursing)
If a student does not meet the nursing admission criteria for direct admission as a freshman or if direct admission is not available, the student can apply for admission to Pre-Nursing.
To be admitted to the University as a general nursing (Pre-Nursing) major, high school students must meet the following criteria:
- GPA of 3.2 or higher + Math ACT score of 22 or SAT score of 540 +ACT Composite of 23 or SAT EBRW and Math of 1130
- Students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher and no ACT or SAT score should see test-optional policy below*
- GPA refers to cumulative high school GPA
To be admitted to the University as a general nursing (Pre-Nursing) major, transfer students must meet the following criteria:
- A 3.00 overall GPA on all college work attempted
- No more than 70 transferable credit hours
- MATH 126 placement: SAT Math 540 (old), SAT Math 540 (new), ACT Math 22, or "C" grade in MATH 122 or equivalent course, or 45 on ALEKS.
If the student has fewer than 24 credit hours, they must also meet freshman requirements.
*Test-optional applicants for Pre-Nursing beginning Fall 2021 must receive a minimum ATI TEAS exam composite score of 70% or higher, and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.2 or higher. The TEAS exam must be taken within 12 months of the application submission, and only the first two TEAS exam attempts will be eligible for consideration. Students will still be required to follow University course placement policies. Students that have submitted test-optional applications will be placed in CAHS (Morgantown campus) until eligible test results have been received.
Note: Keyser Campus (Potomac State) students have different General Nursing (Pre-Nursing) requirements. Please refer to the Potomac State catalog for criteria.
Students are admitted into this program in order to complete entrance requirements for this major. When students are ready to apply to Nursing, they must complete a separate application. Admission to the nursing program is competitive, and admission to the pre-program does not guarantee admission into the major.
Direct Admission to Basic (Traditional) BSN Program
Applicants are eligible to enter the BSN program as freshmen on the Morgantown and Beckley campuses. Admission is based on a combination of high school grade point average and superscored composite ACT or total SAT scores. Students admitted directly to the basic (traditional) BSN program have until the end of summer semester of the freshman year to complete the required prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better.
High school students eligible for admission to the University may be admitted directly into Nursing if they meet the following criteria (admission is also dependent upon space available):
- GPA of 3.8 or higher, + Math ACT score of 22 or SAT score of 540, + ACT Composite of 25 or SAT EBRW and Math of 1200 or higher
- GPA of 3.6-3.79 + Math ACT score of 22 or SAT score of 540, + ACT Composite of 27 or SAT EBRW and Math of 1260 or higher
- Students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher and no ACT or SAT score should see test-optional policy below*
- GPA refers to cumulative high school GPA
In addition, students must have completed the following high school credits required by the University:
Units (Years)
- 4 units of English (including courses in grammar, composition, and literature)
- 4 units of Social Studies/Fine Arts (any combination of Social Studies, Fine Arts or Humanities will fulfill the requirement; combination must include U.S. Studies/History)
- 3 units of college preparatory mathematics (units must be Algebra I or higher, Math I or higher and include Algebra II; Transitional Math for High School Seniors will also be accepted)
- 3 units of Science (recommended units include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Environmental Science)
- 2 units of the same world language (American Sign Language is acceptable)
Priority application deadline is December 1st.
Students directly admitted to the program as freshmen must meet the freshman year direct admission academic requirements (progression policy) to maintain advanced admission standing and enter the sophomore-level courses. Please see the direct admission progression policy in the catalog and student handbook for details. If students do not meet the requirements in the freshman year, they will be moved to the Pre-Nursing major and will have the opportunity to enter the Pre-Nursing BSN applicant pool for consideration for program re-entry and progression to the sophomore nursing courses.
*Test-optional applicants for BSN direct admission beginning Fall 2021 must receive a minimum ATI TEAS exam composite score of 80% or higher, and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.8 or higher. The TEAS exam must be taken within 12 months of the application submission, and only the first two TEAS exam attempts will be eligible for consideration. Students will still be required to follow University course placement policies. Students that have submitted test-optional applications will be placed in CAHS until eligible test results have been received.
Note: Admission criteria are subject to change. Please see the School of Nursing website for the most up-to-date criteria.
Advanced Admission Standing for Medical Professionals and College Graduates
Applicants with experience as a licensed medical professional may be eligible to enter the BSN Program directly on the Beckley Campus. Admission is based on the following criteria:
- Active, unrestricted licensure in a medical profession listed below
- A minimum of two years of experience within the medical profession, and
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Eligible medical professionals include:
- Dental hygienists
- Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
- Medical assistants
- Occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants
- Paramedics
- Physical therapists or physical therapy assistants
- Radiology technicians
- Respiratory therapists
Applicants with an earned four-year or graduate degree in any field and a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher may be eligible to enter the BSN Program directly on the Beckley Campus.
*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 BS/BA to BSN, RN to BSN, or graduate programs provided that they meet all other admission requirements and based on space available.
Students with advanced admission status admitted directly into the nursing major have until the end of the summer session of the first year to complete the required first-year BSN Progression Plan courses with a grade of C or better.
The priority application deadline for advanced admission status is December 1st.
Admission to the Basic (Traditional) BSN Program from General Nursing (Pre-Nursing) or Other College Major
General nursing (Pre-Nursing) students and college students from other majors may apply for admission to the basic (traditional) BSN nursing program after one semester or more of college coursework. Admission consideration in this case is dependent upon:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on all college work attempted
- Completion of required prerequisite courses from any regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better (see below)
- Space available in the admission class
Prerequisites: English Composition (3 cr), Intro to Psyc (3 cr), Intro to Nursing (2 cr), College Algebra (3 cr), Chemistry with lab (8 cr), General Biology with lab (4 cr), and Anatomy & Physiology with lab (4 cr). See student handbook and website for more information. Statistics is in the freshman progression plan but is not a pre-requisite for admission to the sophomore year.
Applications are available online from the admissions website after December 1st. Complete applications, including transcripts, for the basic (traditional) BSN program must be received by March 15 of the year the candidate wishes to be admitted. Applicants not applying for fall and wishing to be considered for spring admission (Morgantown campus only) must also complete the application process by March 15 of the year prior to the start of the spring semester. Applicants must choose which campus they would like to attend. Applications will only be considered for the chosen campus. Spaces are limited, and the most qualified applicants are admitted. Applicants will be admitted to either the fall (Morgantown, Beckley, or Keyser) or spring semester (Morgantown only) and must have and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 pre-requisite GPA as a provision of their admission. All transcripts must be submitted no later than May 15.
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 BS/BA to BSN, RN-BSN, or graduate programs, provided they meet all other admission requirements and based on space available.
Note: Admission criteria are subject to change. Please see the School of Nursing website for the most up-to-date criteria.
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 (students transferring to pre-nursing must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and must be eligible to take MATH 124 (or equivalent) if not already completed)
- 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.
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-BSN, or graduate programs, provided they meet all other admission requirements and based on space available.
Note: Admission criteria are subject to change. Please see the School of Nursing website for the most up-to-date criteria.
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.
Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
University Requirements | 10 | |
Pre-Requisite or Co-Requisite Coursework | 45 | |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Major Coursework | 68 | |
Total Hours | 123 |
University Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
Outstanding GEF Requirements 5, 6, and 7 | 9 | |
WVUE 191 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
Total Hours | 10 |
Pre-Requisite or Co-Requisite Coursework
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. | ||
A minimum grade of C- is required in all coursework applied towards the degree. | ||
ENGL 101 & ENGL 102 | Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research (GEF 1) | 6 |
MATH 124 | Algebra with Applications (GEF 3) | 3 |
STAT 211 | Elementary Statistical Inference | 3 |
BIOL 111 | General Biology | 4 |
BIOL 230 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
BIOL 231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
BIOL 240 | Microbiology | 4 |
CHEM 111 & 111L | Survey of Chemistry 1 and Survey of Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GEF 2) | 4 |
CHEM 112 & 112L | Survey of Chemistry 2 and Survey of Chemistry 2 Laboratory | 4 |
HLSC 104 | Nutrition | 3 |
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEF 4) | 3 |
PSYC 241 | Introduction to Human Development | 3 |
Total Hours | 45 |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Major Coursework
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. | ||
A minimum grade of C- is required in Nursing coursework. | ||
NSG 100 | Introduction to Nursing | 2 |
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 |
Nursing Electives | 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 | ||
Total Hours | 68 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
BIOL 111 | 4 | ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 |
CHEM 111 & 111L (GEF 2) | 4 | STAT 211 | 3 |
MATH 124 (GEF 3) | 3 | BIOL 230 | 4 |
PSYC 101 (GEF 4) | 3 | CHEM 112 & 112L | 4 |
WVUE 191 | 1 | NSG 100 | 2 |
15 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | BIOL 240 | 4 |
BIOL 231 | 4 | PSYC 241 | 3 |
HLSC 104 | 3 | NSG 212 | 6 |
NSG 211 | 6 | NSG 250 | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
NSG 310 | 4 | NSG 312 | 6 |
NSG 311 | 6 | NSG 320 | 4 |
NSG 350 | 3 | NSG 360 | 3 |
GEF 7 | 3 | GEF 6 | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
NSG 411 | 7 | NSG 412 | 7 |
NSG 450 | 4 | NSG 460 | 4 |
Nursing Elective | 2 | NSG 486 | 1 |
GEF 5 | 3 | ||
16 | 12 | ||
Total credit hours: 123 |
Major Learning Outcomes
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Upon completion of the BSN program, graduates will:
Critical Thinking: Employ scholarly inquiry and 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.